Tag Archives: television

Aug28

August 27, 2017 – Shervin Gets Caught Swervin’ & the Iron Throne Heir

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Asa tells her parents that Israel was physically challenging. They sit down to a fabulous meal, and she says she missed her mother’s cooking. She whines that she felt alone, and like her friends weren’t looking out for her. In her interview, she says she felt like everyone turned their backs on her, but that’s not what we see from the clips. She admits that her brain is like an omelet.

Mike and Shervin are having a guy’s night out with some friends, and go to a club. Reza joins them. Mike says he had an epiphany in Israel, and thinks it’s time to go out and start meeting people. In his interview, Shervin says that Mike has a lot of guilt and shame about cheating on Jessica, and he should let it go. Reza watches how Shervin puts the moves on some women. Destiney shows up with a couple of friends. In his interview, Mike says that he and Destiney are like bros, even though she’s female.  Mike is flirting like crazy. Destiney says she loves him, but can’t believe some of the sh*t he says. She thinks he’s trying to deflect from his own hurt, and he’s saying the wrong things purposely. Mike says there’s nothing in the club he wants. He tells us about the qualities he would like in a woman, and we flash back to Jessica being all of those things.

Reza goes shopping for cabinet knobs with MJ. He thinks the knobs should lead them in the direction they want to go in, and that MJ is finally starting to move forward. He doesn’t want the condo renovation to scare her, so he’s starting with something small, but she’s already overwhelmed looking at all the knobs. She wonders why you can’t take a sample home to check it out. There are like, ten thousand knobs in this place. She finds a towel hook she likes, and Reza thinks of it as a huge victory. He has to leave, and tells the clerk not to let her back out of it.

Reza goes to a hookah restaurant where he’s meeting Mike, Shervin, and Tommy. They don’t serve alcohol, and I’m surprised he doesn’t leave immediately. MJ calls, and says he has to keep what she’s going to say between them. She tells him that Shervin has been sleeping with Tara, who’s married, and apparently she’s been booted out of the house. Reza says he’s meeting Shervin in a minute, and can’t believe she dropped this on him right now. Mike arrives, and she tells Reza not to say anything. Mike brings a bottle of liquor, and hides it under the chair. When Mike asks what’s up with MJ, Reza says he’s sworn to secrecy. Like that’s ever stopped anyone on this show.

Shervin comes in next, and Reza is saved by the waitress. Tommy follows. Mike says he had his reservations about Tommy at first, but when he saw how he took care of Shams like his own father, he loves him. Tommy asks about Annalise, and Shervin talks about how much he loves her and thinks there’s a potential future. She’s moving out to LA soon. In his interview, Reza says Shervin is a bad liar. Mike says it’s good to live together first, so you find out their neurotic habits, and mentions the proverbial toothpaste tube. I have never once had an issue with how someone deals with the toothpaste tube. I do, however, prefer toilet paper rolling down over the top.

GG goes shopping for Asa’s baby. She says being around all the baby stuff is giving her baby fever. She’s always wanted children, and would like a football team of babies. She hopes she can raise one to be better than she is. Shervin arrives at the store. He asks if she can find a gift for him to bring, but she says he’s on his own.

GG’s birthday is coming up, and she’s having an 80s themed party. Her doctor calls, and tells her after two cycles without her RA meds, she can try for getting pregnant. Shervin is worried, since he thinks they’re rushing things. She tells Shervin that MJ is suggesting he’s taking on some of Mike’s characteristics, and that he’s been hooking up with Tara. He swears there’s no truth to it. In her interview, she decides to believe him, but says if he’s lying, her foot will be so far up his ass, he’s going to be taller.

Reza and Adam go to a cat café, where the cats are all up for adoption. Reza says he’s obsessed with cats. They get coffee an Adam finds a tuxedo cat with a mustache like Reza’s. Adam brings up having a baby, and Reza says he thought they were just enjoying some lattes. Adam wants to see them moving forward with fertility tests, but Reza is still interested in adoption. He finally agrees to take the test.

Mike and business partner Eddie check out the new shoe samples. We flash back to how Kitson went bankrupt the last time Mike had a shoe line, and he wants to concentrate on baby shoes now. He thinks he’ll make more money than he would have with Kitson. Eddie asks how much more he’s willing to put in financially. Mike says it’s a gamble. He thinks it’s an amazing product, and has to have the courage to take risks. He talks about his grandfather leaving Iran, and getting involved with the Japanese stock market. He says in the not too distant future he’ll be patriarch of the family, and Eddie says that it’s time to put his money where his mouth is.

Shervin meets MJ for lunch. He tells her about shopping with GG, and how she’d repeated what MJ said about him. He says he’s disappointed and upset that she didn’t come to him first. In her interview, she says he invited her to lunch for damage control, and she’s going to practice her eyeroll. Shervin claims that he’s only seen Tara a few times, and even then, just with their mutual friends. He thinks Tara has serious problems. In her interview, MJ says that Tara has been talking about leaving her husband and moving in with Shervin, but he just wanted to be swervin’ Shervin. MJ pretends that yeah, Tara is crazy, and that she believes him.

MJ meets Tommy at a hotel room. He has flowers and a drink for her. She says she’s new at this ovulation thing, but thinks she’s ovulating. I guess this is an ovulation hook up. She says they don’t check into a five-star hotel every day, but this is important. I won’t tell you what he says. She wants her dad to see her baby, and says it’s like Nike, just do it. She tells herself it will be fine.

GG helps set up for her birthday celebration at a roller rink. She says most people feel old at 35 (really? I didn’t), but she has great plastic surgeons. Everyone arrives in 80s garb, mostly Madonna/aerobics instructor outfits. Destiney wants to introduce someone to Mike. He plays twenty questions, but she doesn’t want to give it all away. She says he needs a fine chick who’s classy and respectful, but not her. GG tells Asa that the baby factory can open in two months. Asa says that she and Shalom need to hurry it up then. Maybe she should speak with Shalom first?

In her interview, MJ says Asa is fake, and the relationship is so painful, she wants it to be done. Asa thinks the level of toxicity from MJ has gotten so high, she doesn’t want to be around her. Everyone roller skates better than I do. Which isn’t too difficult. Tara arrives. GG says Shervin finally admitted to sleeping with her. At the end of the conversation, she agreed not to say anything to anyone. Shervin shows up in a crazy wig. Tara doesn’t want to talk to him.

Omg, fifteen minutes to Game of Thrones. I’m afraid to watch. I’m still worn out from last week.

Tara decides to leave, and sneaks out the back. GG wants them to talk, and tells her to stick with the truth. GG says it’s not a comfortable position to be in, and doesn’t want either one of them to get hurt. Tara tells Reza that she was stupid, and told a couple of friends. She says that she was protecting him, and everyone agrees that’s not happening anymore. Shervin approaches, and Reza asks why he’s not keeping it real. In her interview, MJ says that Shervin has a fetish for being secretive, and likes sneaking around. Shervin calls Tara sick and crazy. What a creep! Adam explains the drama to Destiney. Mike, and Asa. Destiney doesn’t believe it.

Tara tells Shervin not to screw with her life, and he calls her delusional. It’s like when Eddie denied sleeping with Rocky on Below Deck, except Rocky is also legitimately crazy. Mike is keeping quiet unless asked for his opinion. Wise choice. He says he’s not finger-pointing, but eventually the truth comes out. Shervin says he can have whoever he wants, and insults Tara, saying why would he want her. I don’t have enough bad things to say about this dude at this moment. He tells Tara to give her speech to the Academy. We see him in his interview, denying everything, like we did Mike before his divorce. Reza asks GG if Shervin admitted it to her. In her interview, GG tells us that he slept with Tara before Annalisa came back the last time, and hopes he washed the sheets, since he cut it close. She tells Reza that Shervin admitted it, and Reza relays this to Shervin. Tara says she liked him, but now she sees the real person. MJ thinks Tara thought he would drop Annalise, and she fell for this dog. GG tells Shervin that he’ll be respected for telling the truth, and tells him about Mike. She says she can’t force him, but he says if it will make her feel better, he’ll admit to something he didn’t do. Please. Don’t embarrass yourself any further.

Reza says that he cheated on a partner of seven years, and lost him. Shervin says if it makes everyone feel better, he did it. Reza doesn’t miss a beat, and says to learn from his experience. Shervin says the truth isn’t working. GG asks if he didn’t tell her it happened, and he changes what he told her. Because everyone always forgets that they are being filmed, and we know what they said. Now he claims that they only had drinks. He says that Tara isn’t even his type. They all call him a liar. In his interview, Reza says he speaks frankly because he was like Mike and Shervin, and now he’s a self-confessed, reformed ho. He says that being honest made Mike more lovable. Tara says Shervin should own up to it, and Shervin acts stupid.

Next time, a photo shoot with babies and shoes, GG fails a hearing test miserably, and Reza thinks that Asa got pregnant in vitro.

Game that Throne

I’m was afraid to watch Game of Thrones after last week, but no way was I going to miss thefinale. I notice that there are house banner icons next to the names in the credits. Were those always there? Are the Starks online?

Cersei has her own plans for the summit, basically to kill everyone if anything goes wrong. Traitor turncoat Bron escorts everyone in. It was like old home week for Podrick and Tyrion. There were lots of furtive glances between the various characters. Dany was late, and came swooping in on Drogon. I was hoping they’d just dracarys Cersei, and be done with it, but no. Euron interrupted, wanting Theon to submit to get his sister back. Tyrion was like, that’s not what we came here for, and Cersei told Euron to sit down and shut up.

Cersei didn’t believe them about the White Walkers, even though somebody just flew down on a dragon, so, they whipped out their pet zombie. I was hoping it would eat Euron’s face off, but that didn’t happen. The Hound cut it in half, and both halves crawled around, while he cut more pieces off. Cersei actually looked sick, which was somewhat satisfying. Jon explained they can be killed by fire or dragonglass, and this was the only war that mattered. We find out the zombies can’t swim, and Euron decided to take his boats and leave. He said this was the only thing that’s ever terrified him, and he’s seen a lot of scary stuff. Cersei had a freaking moment of clarity, and accepted the truce, but on the proviso that Jon stayed in the North, and didn’t bug her anymore when it’s over. Dany wondered why she didn’t ask her, but Cersei said she knew Jon would be truthful. Jon said he couldn’t serve two queens, so thanks, but no thanks. Cersei was like, screw you then, they’ll get to you first, and then we’ll deal with what’s left of you. Brienne tried to talk sense into Jaime. Dany told Jon that she didn’t want one of her dragons to have died for nothing, and Tyron asked if he’d ever considered learning to lie just a bit. Jon said that when people make false promises it gets easier to make more lies, and pretty soon, you can’t believe anything. Tyron volunteered to talk to Cersei, and I started thinking, wait a minute, they should be able to fight these guys without Cersei. For God’s sake, Dany sits on a mountain of dragonglass and has two fire breathing dragons. This made me mourn Viserion all over again.

Tyrion goaded Cersei to kill him, but she didn’t, so he helped himself to some wine. And more wine. I note that if Cersei doesn’t stop pursing her lips the way she does, she’s going to start looking old before her time. Apparently, she’s not too old yet, because she’s going to have a baby. Elsewhere, Jon told Dany what we’ve all been thinking, that maybe the witch who told Dany she couldn’t have children was wrong.

Cersei came back out and said that when the Great War was over, she hoped they’d remember that she chose to help without any assurances or promises from them.

Sansa got all pissed about no communication from John. Littlefinger was no help, stirring the pot, saying Jon and Dany would make an alliance. When Sansa showed concern about Arya, Littlefinger tried to steer her in the direction of fear, telling her to imagine the worst thing Arya could do and the worst reason for doing it. He led her into thinking that Arya was after her position, which seemed nonsensical. Another stupid award for Sansa?

I wondered why Theon was even there when they had a strategy meeting. Theon said he risked everything to tell an enemy the truth. Jon thought it was best to be honest if they were going to fight together. Theon said that Jon was even a goody-goody back when they were kids. Jon said his dad was in Theon too, and he forgave him for being the worst person ever. Theon decided to grow a pair, and try to save Yara, like she did him.

On the beach, Euron started to go out to the boats, and I actually said out loud, ugh, this guy. He told his men that they were going to find a nice island, kill the men, and take the women, but Theon had other plans. Euron ended up fighting with him, which was probably a bad idea, since he has a lot of pent up anger and resentment. He kept kicking Theon in the cajones, which did nothing except make me laugh and puzzle Euron. Then Theon proceeded to beat the ever-living snot out of him. I liked how none of the other men got involved, and when Theon was the winner, they were like, all right! we’re with you!

Littlefinger smirked when Sansa had Arya brought to the great hall, and I wanted to wipe it off his face. Sansa said something about honor, and how stands the accused of murder and treason? – Littlefinger. Oh man, as boring as she is, this was great. Not so stupid after all, Sansa brought us back to him pushing Lysa through the moon door, among other things he’s had his little finger in. He denied everything, but Bran brought up how he’d tried to have Bran killed. Sansa played the worst game with him, saying he’s best at turning families against one another. Sansa thanked him for his many lessons, and Arya slit his throat. Alrighty then.

Omg, Cersei’s coat was the best. So so 70s and so couture and so amazing. Cersei told Jaime she wanted to pull out of the deal, and just cozy up with him. She realized there was a missing dragon, concluding that dragons must have a vulnerability, and thought they should just stay put. Jaime was like, there will still be a war, and whoever wins is going to kill us. She didn’t believe that Euron was running, but that he was going to bring the bank to them, like any of that means anything at this point, and anyway, by now he was dead. Jaime said he’d pledged to ride north, and was doing it, but Cersei said it was treason. The Mountain stopped him from leaving, and she said no one walks away from her. Jaime told her that he’s the only one she has left, and was like, go ahead and kill me. We had a moment when she nodded, and the Mountain made like he was removing his sword from its sheath, but Jaime just walked out. I guess Cersei told the Mountain to just scare him. Or maybe it wasn’t a full nod.

Sam and Gilly got to Winterfell. Bran told Sam that’s he’s the Three-Eyed Raven now, and explained how it works. Bran said that Jon needs to know the truth about himself. He’s the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Sam told Bran about what he’d read, and said that they were married in a secret ceremony. Bran saw the ceremony in this three-eyed head.

Jon knocked on Dany’s door, and I guess they’ll be replacing Cersei and Jaime as the power couple related to each other. Maybe they’ll have a baby dragon to replace Viserion. As they were getting busy, back at Winterfell, Bran said that Jon has never been a bastard. His name is Aegon Targaryen, and he’s heir to the Iron Throne.

Sansa and Arya said blah-blah-blah about surviving and missing their dad.

Bran went into a trance, and became a raven, or whatever he does, and went to the Wall. Beric and Tormund were looking out from the tower, and saw riders coming out of the woods. The army of the dead; loads of them, and that disturbing second-in-command on his horse. Someone from Castle Black blew a shofar, but it didn’t matter. Here came the spiky-headed Night King, riding zombie Viserion, who now blows ice instead of fire. He’s all spooky and tattered-looking now too. He sliced right through the wall, horizontally, as they flew next to it. It was crazy – everything falling and breaking apart, people running everywhere, and the Wall starting to come down like falling dominoes. The Night King on undead Viserion entered through the now-open Wall, along with his billion-man army, and one giant. My heart was pounding like crazy.

I am left with two thoughts – this is not good, and who’s going to clean up this mess?

I am sincerely hoping that the next book comes out to tide us over until the next season, which is God only knows when in 2018.

Three Throne Quotes

You’re still very strange and annoying. – Sansa, referring to Arya

The only one that needs protecting is the one who gets in her way. – Brienne referring to Arya

This isn’t about living in harmony; it’s just about living. – Jon

GoT-WatchEnd

 

 

 

Aug26

August 25, 2017 – Nina Says No, Finding Fantastic Beasts, Tossed Thoughts & Quotes

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Holy! It’s been a long week.

General Hospital

Dante comes home to snacks on the table and Lulu dressed in a baseball outfit holding a bat. I wonder if Dante has ever seen The Warriors.

Kiki is trying to get to the bottom of organic chemistry, and Dillon tells her that he has something she can get to the bottom of – a margarita. She says if she’s going to get into the accelerated med school program, she can’t be sitting around drinking.

Ned closes the blinds, and looks like he has a headache. Michael comes in, and wants to talk about ELQ. He asks if there was a coup while he wasn’t looking.

Valentin has made dinner reservations. Nina says she’ll give him her answer then. She asks if he’s going to hang around her office all day, and that he’d told her he was a patient man. He says he is, and she tells him he’s being tested on that.

Scotty thinks it’s a good thing that the judge was quick, but I think just the opposite. Alexis tells Julian he was honest and compelling on the stand. He hopes his honesty was enough to save him. Ava and Griff show up at the courtroom. Ava asks if he’s there to see his father get justice, but he’s there to offer her support.

Court is back in session. The defendant rises. Conspiracy, guilty; hindering prosecution, guilty; criminal facilitation, guilty. Guess that honesty thing didn’t work. The judge has an opening in four weeks for a sentencing hearing. Scotty asks for Julian to remain free on bail in the meantime, but Julian wants immediate sentencing. He says every day is one more day that his family has to suffer. Prosecutor Will Smith is down with saving time and money.

Ned asks if he made a decision Michael isn’t happy with. Michael says that ELQ made a donation to Mayor Lomax, and Ned tells him that they need her to back their fracking whatever. Michael doesn’t want the company tied to Lomax or fracking. Ned says Michael should have briefed him. Michael says if Ned is setting the groundwork for a takeover, he’ll have a fight on his hands.

Nina tells Valentin that he’ll get her answer at dinner – take or leave it. Valentin takes it. Nina tells Nelle to come in as soon as she’s sure Valentin is gone. She wants Nelle to get ten of the best cocktail looks they have in her size – it’s a make or break for her marriage. Nelle thought they were divorced, but Nina says that’s just details. She needs to look better than she ever has tonight.

Lulu gives Dante beer and a pretzel. She says their quality time has taken a backset to their jobs and kids. He wonders where the kids are, and she’s locked them outside. Not really; they’re being looked after elsewhere. She tells him that he’d better be careful or he’ll strike out. He doesn’t though, and they start to get busy on the couch. I understand role-playing, but this is weird.

Nina tells Nelle, no, no, no, none of them are good. Nelle says that’s everything, and Nina says it can’t be. Nelle pulls one out, saying it’s beautiful. Nina says it has to be perfect. Nelle says she’s happy for Nina and Charlotte. Nina says she’s assuming they’re getting back together. Nelle doesn’t think she’d be going through all of this trouble if they weren’t. Me neither.

Lulu tells Dante that they have to make up for lost time, so of course the doorbell rings. It’s Valentin and Charlotte. He hopes they’re not interrupting. Figures.

Michael says that Ned wanted him to be CEO, and he was going to concentrate on his music. He asks if Ned’s focus has changed. He tells Ned that they’re investing in renewable energy, and fracking doesn’t go with the plan. Ned says he knows decisions have to be made quickly, he was in charge, and sorry. He tells Michael that he has no interest in taking over ELQ.

The judge asks if Julian wants to address the court. Scotty tells him to make it good; maybe he can shave time off the sentence. Julian says his crimes nearly cost the people he loves their lives, and destroyed their trust, which is worse than whatever the court can impose. He says they deserve a better life without him, and asks to be kept away from them. The judge says that his family suffered grievous harm, as did many of his fellow citizens, and he cast doubt on his character when he threatened a witness. Yeah, telling Winston he was going to kill him was probably a bad move. She agrees he’s a danger to his family, but no less to the community. She imposes a term in Pentonville for no more than twenty years and no less than fifteen. Court adjourned. I’m wondering how this is going to play out, since Julian just signed a new contract.

Dante asks Valentin to what do they owe this pleasure? Valentin tells Charlotte to put her PJs on, while they talk. Valentin tells them that something pressing came up. He says it’s a sacrifice not to spend time with Charlotte, but he’s hoping it pays off in the long run. His and Charlotte’s lives will be better if it pans out, and so will theirs.

Dillon tries to entice Kiki. She says he can parade around naked all he wants, but she won’t be distracted. He wishes she could find time for both her studies and their relationship. She suggests he quit Crimson. He says that’s his job, and she says studying is hers, and he needs to understand that. Nina calls, asking if Dillon’s passport is valid. He tells Kiki that he has to fly to Morocco tonight, and asks if she wants to come.

Michael tells Ned sorry for overreacting, but fracking doesn’t jive with ELQ’s long-term goals. He says that Ned has been supportive, but they should have communicated more. Michael tells Ned that he has valuable insights and experience, and asks if he’d be interested in working for him at ELQ.

Ava tells Julian that she’s sorry, and asks if she can do anything. He tells her to just take care of herself. Griff tells Ava how sorry he is. Ava says that Julian did it to himself, just like she did with her face. Julian tells Alexis that it could have been worse. He meant what he said, and his real sentence is knowing what he did to her and their family. He hopes she can move on and forget about him. She starts crying, and Julian is led away.

Michael thinks the more Quartermaines at ELQ, the better, and Ned says he doesn’t have a grasp of their history. Michael says the company will be stronger if they work together. Ned asks what he had in mind, but Michael says it just came to him, but he’s thinking VP of new business. He has to pick up Nelle, but asks Ned to think about it. He thinks it would be good for ELQ and the family.

Nina wants Dillon to fly to Morocco and do the shoot himself, since the photographer got too handsy with the models, and isn’t working out. He tells Kiki that he can have Nina make room for her. Kiki says if she misses the test, she’ll have to wait a year for the next one, and will miss the opportunity for the accelerated program.

Nina talks the model down on the phone, saying she’s on her way. She says that she’s shocked at the photographer’s behavior, and already has a replacement. Nelle purchases the tickets, and Nina tells her three tickets; Nelle is going too. Nelle gets all excited, but Nina says it’s not a vacation; they’re in full damage control mode. Nelle says they’re all set, and the flight leaves in two hours. Nina is like, oh no, remembering her dinner with Valentin.

Lulu wonders how anything coming from Valentin will benefit them. Valentin says they’ve probably wondered why he stays in Port Charles, when he has properties everywhere. Lulu says that she has custody of Charlotte, but he says only temporarily. Allegations can’t deny him custody. It’s just her opinion that he’s a horrible person. He’s been custodial parent since Charlotte was born, and Lulu could lose, but he has a third option where no one loses. If all goes well tonight, he’ll have every reason to stay. He and Lulu can present united front. He’s decided Charlotte’s life is better with both parents in it, and hopes they reach the same conclusion, for Charlotte’s sake. He leaves, smiling to himself.

Charlotte is asleep. Lulu talks to Dante about how much Charlotte loves ballet. She thinks Valentin can exploit Charlotte’s feelings to get what he wants, but Dante thinks he has a good point. (And really, if she likes ballet, why shouldn’t her father encourage that? I’m sure he was indulging her before Lulu came along.) Dante says that Valentin could end up with full custody. Lulu says obviously Charlotte loves him. She’s too young to know what he is, and he has two very different sides. He’d do anything for his little girl, but he’s also a monster. If she lets Charlotte have one, she has to accept the other.

Nina tells Valentin that she can’t do it.

Nelle forgot Michael was coming. He says he’ll try not to be offended, but knows how she can make it up. She explains that she has to go to Morocco. The shoot is falling apart. The photographer is hitting on the models, and they’re threatening to walk. He asks if he can come along, saying he can write it off as business. She asks what happens to ELQ while he’s gone. It’s going to totally fold. What does she think? Geez.

Ned tells Dillon about Michael’s proposition. Dillon thinks it’s great. Ned says it’s Michael’s ELQ. Dillon says that Ned told him Michael is a shark, and Ned says he’s a shark with a different vision. Dillon says if it’s about pride, he has to get over it. Michael admires and respects him. If he goes back to ELQ, he can carve out a new role, and draw the family closer together. Isn’t that why he took the name, to actually be a Quartermaine?

Griff asks if Ava is ready to go, but she tells him to go ahead. He has a life to get back to. The only person she had waiting for her is her brother, and he just got sent to prison. For all he’s done wrong and made her mad, he’s always been there for her. They’ve been there for each other, but there was nothing she could do to save him from himself. She thinks he wanted to impress Alexis, and got what he asked for – the next twenty years rotting in a cell, like she’ll rot in the penthouse. She knows what she did, but she says with him, it was just a gesture, and now he has to live with the reality.

A reporter comes busting into the empty courtroom with a camera, and sticks a mic in Ava’s face. Like this would happen. He asks if she’s glad he’s going to prison, and goes, oh wow, you are permanently disfigured. Griff goes after him, and smashes the camera. The reporter starts squawking that Griff assaulted them, but Griff says that they cornered and abused Ava. She threatens to sue them, and tells them what great lawyers she has, and they leave. She asks what Griff was thinking. He says he was defending her, but apparently he didn’t need to. He thinks he saw the real Ava Jerome, and tells her welcome back.

Scotty tells Alexis that he’s going to get a couple of martinis; he hates to lose. She says he was right; Julian shouldn’t have testified. He says it was Winston’s testimony and Julian threatening him that cooked his goose. He’s thinking appeal, but Alexis says the judge is good, and he shouldn’t give Julian false hope. Scotty thinks she should talk to Julian and give him some encouragement. She says that he doesn’t want her there, and told her to move on. Scotty says good luck with that.

Julian is shown to his cell. Fastest. Prisoner. Processing. Ever. Nina must be in Morocco by now.

Kiki tells Dillon that she wants to go, but she can’t. Dillon gets it, but thought it would be fun to get away together, and doesn’t like being without her. She says it’s only a few days. She’ll be there when he gets back, with no book in sight. They kiss.

Nelle says she’d love for Michael to come, but doesn’t want his job to suffer. Ned calls, and tells Michael that he thinks he gave the wrong impression about the offer. Michael says he did seem underwhelmed, and Ned says it’s a lot to process. Michael tells him that the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks it’s a good idea. Ned says that he’s intrigued, but Michael has to promise no scheming or back-stabbing. He’s had more than enough of the family’s machinations with ELQ. Michael says that he has to leave town to check on their South African holding (wink-wink), and he’d like Ned to sit in for him, and see how it feels. Ned swears he won’t steer the company off a cliff.

Lulu tells Dante it’s not exactly the romantic evening she’d planned. I don’t want to know. He says they managed to squeeze some romance in, until Valentin put the squeeze on them. Lulu wonders what the plan is, but Dante isn’t worried. He says Valentin isn’t going to change. He’s going to screw up one day, and they’ll be waiting.

Valentin asks Nina, so the answer is no? She says it’s not no, but no, she can’t give her answer right now. She has to leave for a fashion emergency, and will give her answer when she gets back. He’s like, why are you doing this? She tells him that he’s sexy when he’s frustrated, and she’ll see him soon.

On Monday, Griff tells Ava that he cares about her, Alexis talks to Sam about Julian, and Kristina brings Valerie to lesbian night at The Floating Rib. Sounds like fun!

🚑 I’m not into GH for the couples – I’m more interested in the spy stuff, the Quartermaines, and seeing what Roger Howarth will come up with – but I do like Valentin and Nina. I hope her answer is yes, and I wonder if he’s going to show up in Marrakesh. I also like Franco and anyone, for the reason I already mentioned. My pick wouldn’t be Elizabeth though. I don’t know who, but not her.

🦄 Occasionally, I recommend a movie, usually one that’s on cable, because the movie theater costs so much now, you have to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay for a ticket. God forbid you want to buy popcorn. Luckily, when I do get the chance to go, there’s a dollar store close by and I have a big purse. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure to watch Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them on one of the movie channels (okay, I forgot which one – either HBO or SHO). In a nutshell, this guy has a bunch of fantastic beasts he keeps in a bag he carries, which also leads to another world, and he’s being chased by some people who want to steal them. A hapless stranger ends up along for the ride, so there’s also a fish-out-of-water element. It’s a spin-off of Harry Potter, but since I’m unfamiliar with those books/films, it obviously stands on its own. While the story was delightful, the beasts were truly fantastic, and it’s worth watching for that alone. CGI has come a long way from the days of Night of the Lepus. While the films I enjoy aren’t often the ones that leave you with a smile on your face, this left me with one, which is rare.

🦁 I did remember to watch Zoo this week. Patting my own back…

👀 I’m afraid to watch Game of Thrones on Sunday. It took me a good three days to recover from the last episode. I also want to cry, because it will be who-knows-when in 2018 until we get more. And even then, I think it’s only six episodes. Write faster, George R.R. Martin! I will need sustenance through this long hiatus.

Quotes of the Week

Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right. – Angie Thomas

When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too. – Paulo Coelho

Fear nothing. Do what you want to do, but be educated and intelligent and confident about it. – Idris Elba

🐻 Whenever I hear Idris Elba’s name, I think of this poem: Algy met a bear. The bear met Algy. The bear was bulgy. The bulge was Algy. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the rhythm.

We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. – Laverne Cox   Great. This means I’m dogs and brownies.

You’re in charge of your own book. – Kevin Hart

Weekend-Decisions

 

Aug25

August 24, 2017 – The Verdict is In, Even More Than 90 Days & Random Stuff

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Nina is on the phone regarding a photo shoot in Morocco. Valentin says he has something to cheer her up, but a – and I miss the rest of the beginning because one of my dogs creates chaos. At least it wasn’t just when someone was revealing something I’ve been waiting years to know.

Anna goes to Hayden’s office looking for her, but Finn tells her that Hayden isn’t there. She says she’ll wait with him, and shows him the diamond. Not very spy-like to be flashing it around the way she’s doing.

Valentin brings Charlotte to see Nina at her office. Charlotte is wearing her dance costume. They’re on their way to her recital, and Valentin says that Nina is one of the reasons Charlotte took dance. Charlotte asks how long Nina studied. Nina tells her that she wanted to be a ballerina, but she got too tall when she was a teenager, and decided to concentrate on writing instead. Charlotte says she wants to be tall so she can be like Nina, even if it means not dancing. Nina tells her that even if she ends up being six feet three inches tall, she can dance. She can do whatever is in her heart, and Nina and her papa will support her. Charlotte asks, even if they’re not married anymore?

Alexis asks Julian what happened that the trial was delayed, and he tells her they were giving Winston enough time to learn his lines. She asks how that went, and he says Winston made it sound like he and Olivia-J were in a mutual crime spree. Alexis asks if the judge believed it, and Julian says Winston played his part perfectly, and it looked like he was her partner instead of an unwilling accomplice. She asks how Scotty responded, and if he cross-examined. Julian says he reserved the right to recall the witness, and thinks there’s no point in even mounting a defense.

Carly tells Jason and Sonny that the irony is, she’d always thought Sam wouldn’t understand the bond of loyalty they had, coming in late to the family. Yet she was the first one who did, and the two of them treated her like they treat the cops. She says Sonny came close to talking, but kept changing the subject. She knew he was hiding something, but never thought Jason would lie to her. Jason says he was focused on Sam, and didn’t want to get her involved. She says they’d always trusted each other, and wonders when that changed.

Nina tells Charlotte it’s complicated. Charlotte wants it to go back to the way it was, and Nina asks if she’s sure, since she likes living with Lulu and her family. Charlotte says she does, but she likes living with Nina and her papa too. Valentin tells her that grown-ups have a way of making things complicated. When he had to go away, everyone made arrangements. She went to live with Lulu, and he and Nina got a divorce. She asks if they don’t love each other anymore.

Lucy walks in on Finn and Anna. She apologizes for bothering them, but wants to know what to do about the house. She tells Finn she’ll understand if he wants to back out of the deal, and he asks why he would. She says for one, Hayden left, and it doesn’t look like she’s coming back.

Scotty tells Alexis he has plenty of witnesses, Leo’s mother for one. Julian says Olivia-Q only knows what he told her, and didn’t actually witness anything. Scotty says what about Lucas; he would know how Julian sacrificed for his family. Julian tells Scotty that Lucas is furious with him (if he’s even still on the show). Scotty suggests Sam, but Alexis says even if she was well enough to testify, she would be considered a hostile witness, and the counter cross-examination will negate any points they make. Julian has hurt them all.

Carly says she can almost excuse Sonny. He was shot, spent 24-hours in a hole, and then was drugged up in the hospital where anyone could have overheard. However, he could have said something once he came home. Sonny says it wasn’t his secret to tell, and Carly says that doesn’t fly, since Sam wanted to talk to her. She says that Jason is the one person she’d always trusted. She thought he trusted her too, and wonders why he shut her out. Jason says that things are different now; they’re different now. They know what they stand to lose.

Finn tells Lucy that there’s no reason to believe Hayden isn’t coming back, and we both look at him like he’s delusional. Lucy says she packed up, disappeared, and left her engagement ring. It doesn’t sound like she even wants to be found. Finn says he’ll find her, and when he does, they’ll move in and he’ll tear up the tennis court with his bare hands. Lucy says she’ll see him at the closing then, and leaves. Anna tells Finn she’s sorry. She didn’t know what was going on. Finn says they have a lot to work through, but they will. He just needs to find her first.

Valentin tells Charlotte that he loves Nina more now than when they were first married because he’s gotten to know her. He’s seen her courage and kindness. It’s made his love grow stronger, but marriage isn’t only about love. Charlotte says it is, and sites some fairytales. Valentin explains that fairytales don’t have community property and liens. Ha-ha! He says that when you get married, you become one person, and when he had to go away, they divorced so that there would be an equal division and his problems didn’t become Nina’s problems. Charlotte says they should just get married again, and forget about the legal problems. Nina says she should have listened to Charlotte first, but she was uncertain, and let everyone else convince her of something she didn’t believe, and she didn’t listen to her heart. Charlotte asks what her heart is telling her. Valentin says they have to go, and Charlotte invites Nina to come with them. Nina says she will.

Scotty tells Alexis she’s doing a lot of backseat litigating. Julian asks to be reminded of why they wanted a bench trial. Alexis tells him that a jury will go by emotion, but a judge has to go by the law and base a decision on reasonable doubt. She says that Olivia-Q and Ned would be thrilled to see Julian put away, because then they could have custody of Leo. She tells him that any good testimony would be outweighed by the prosecution. Scotty asks if there are any ideas, and Julian says to put him on the stand.

Jason tells Carly that he was gone for two years. When he remembered his life, he had to find a different way to live, and asks if she didn’t do the same. She asks what that has to do with him lying, and Sonny says they have different priorities now. What used to work, doesn’t anymore. Jason says he couldn’t ask her to be part of a cover-up when that’s not the life she wants to live. Carly gets it, but it makes her sad. She always knew they were there for each other, but that changed too. Jason says he didn’t mean to hurt her. She tells him that she just needs time to adjust. Sam says it’s her fault, and Carly says no one blames her. She wasn’t in her right mind; the rest of them don’t have an excuse. She thinks it was the wrong call, but she’ll get over it. Sonny makes sure that they’re all in agreement to say nothing. Jason wants to get Sam home to the kids. After they leave, Sonny asks Carly if she’s all right, and she says no.

Carly asks how Sonny would feel, and he says he’d hate it. She asks why he didn’t tell her when they got home. He says he thought she’d doubt him, and he made a mistake; he’s not perfect. She says he’s the most arrogant man she knows, and the only time he’s humble is when he wants her forgiveness. He asks if it’s working, and she says no. He says he should have said something, and she admits it’s not completely his fault, but Jason saying nothing surprised her.

Jason tells Sam that they’ll find a way to get past it. Sam doesn’t know how it happened, and doesn’t know why she didn’t ask for help. Why didn’t she trust him?

Scotty says the DA will chew Julian up and spit him out. Alexis says she’s not a fan of putting defendants on the stand, but in this case, Julian should tell his story. She has faith that he’ll do it justice.

Since we’re having a speed trial, Julian is already on the stand and talking. He tells the court about how he was forced to kill Alexis, and staged it at the docks, but had every intention of letting her go. He was going to leave the country, but Sonny ruined the plan. Then his sister stepped up her threats to involve his children, putting Leo in the hospital to prove her point. He kidnapped Sam when she was about to give birth, and then he witnessed Alexis getting handcuffed to the bridge where he was supposed to kill her. Because apparently, Olivia-J learned nothing from the first time.

Anna tells Finn that she’s sorry. He asks how she found the diamond, and she explains about it being imbedded in a keepsake given to Emma by spencer. Finn says he must have found at it at Wyndemere, and Anna says that’s what Elizabeth thought. She had it examined, but was told it isn’t part of the Berlin necklace. It was stolen by a ring of jewel thieves in Eastern Europe, where the money was used to finance larger crimes. Finn says that sounds more like it’s up Nikolas’s alley. Anna says he’s done his share of shady deals, but it’s not like she can ask him. She can question Hayden though. Finn says he doesn’t know where she is, but he’s going to find her. Anna says that it doesn’t sound like she wants to be found.

Prosecutor Will Smith says that Julian’s testimony is pure spectacle meant to manipulate the judge. Scotty objects, but it’s overruled. Will asks Julian what ultimately happened, and Julian says he shot the handcuffs off of Alexis, and blocked Olivia-J from shooting her. He got shot instead, and fell into the river. When he came to, he realized what had happened, and that Olivia had been locked up. He tried to leave town; not to avoid justice, but to put distance between himself and his family. He’d rather never see them again than see them in danger. Will mentions that he shot his sister and thought she was dead. He asks if when she returned, it had something to do with Duke Lavery. Julian tells him that she was in love with Duke, and Will says that Julian killed him. Scotty jumps up, saying that Carrrlos murdered Duke, but Will says it was by Julian’s orders. He says Julian never told the authorities that she killed Morgan, kidnapped Robin, and almost blew up the hospital with everyone in it. He did nothing to stop her, and everything to help her. There are no further questions. In redirect, Scotty asks if it isn’t true that Julian did his sister’s bidding because she was threatening him. Julian says yes, he was trying to protect his children and the woman he loves, and his devotion obscured his reason. He understands that his actions will be judged as wrong, and he might be put in prison, but if that’s what had to happen in order to protect his family, he’s okay with it. The defense rests.

Finn asks Anna if she thinks Hayden is gone for good. She says she doesn’t know enough to speculate, so she’s going to concentrate on the diamond case. Finn thinks Hayden’s father might be able to help, and suggests that Anna pay him a visit. He asks her not to tell him that Hayden vanished, and Anna says she won’t. She asks Finn not to tell anyone about the diamond, and he says he has no one to talk to anyway, and doubts anyone he knows has ties to an international jewelry theft.

Back from the recital, Nina tells Valentin that Charlotte was the best dancer. He asks if she’s sure she’s not biased, and she says of course she is, but Charlotte is still incredible. She can do anything she’s made up her mind to do. He asks if she can bring them back together.

In his closing argument, Will Smith says that Julian aided and abetted a fugitive who terrorized the community, and killed Morgan. He was in agreement with his sister, and supported her goals. He cares about his family, but it’s his organized crime family. Scotty responds that Julian almost died, and was willing to sacrifice his life for his family. If he’s guilty of anything, it’s loving his family too much, and that’s not a crime. The judge retires to her chambers, and the court is in recess. Alexis tells Julian that she’s sorry for what he’s gone through. He says thanks, and that he did what he had to do.

Carly tells Sonny that after his accident, Jason was different. Intellectually, she knows it, but emotionally, she has to learn it over and over. Sonny says he does too. He wanted to bring Jason into the distillery project, thinking they could work together on something legitimate, but Jason turned him down. He said it would send the wrong message, and imply it’s a front and that he’s still in the business. Sonny says it kind of hurt his feelings. Carly says she gets that his life is different now, and understands, but just when things are spiraling, and she’s feeling lost, that’s when she misses who he used to be.

Sam wonders why she didn’t remember that she could talk to Jason about anything. She’d believed their connection was so strong, they could overcome anything and anyone, but this time it failed her. She doesn’t understand why.

Anna tells Finn that Hayden’s father is only taking visits from his attorney and family members. Finn asks if she can pull rank, but she says that’s no good if he refuses to cooperate. She thinks he might be receptive to Finn, but Finn says he told her what he could. She asks what if there’s a connection between Hayden and the diamond? He thinks she’s reaching, but she says there’s only one way to find out. Take her to visit Raymond Berlin.

Julian asks Alexis what his chances are of getting released, and she says he has a chance. He says what about them getting back together, and Scotty interrupts. In what they call half an hour, and I call half a minute, the judge has reached a verdict.

Carly tells Sonny that by fixating on what she can’t have, she’s missing her blessings. Jason is still there and their friend, Sam pulled through a serious illness, and Sonny is better. She can obsess about the lie, or focus on Sonny being alive and that she loves him. He suggests she concentrate on the second one. She’s not asking that he never keep a secret again, but tells him that there’s a difference between family and business. She tells him to never keep a family secret from her again.

Jason tells Sam that nothing she did while she was sick was her fault, and she wanted to be honest. Sam wonders if the connection they shared is lost because of her. He says that’s not going to happen. She tells him that she trusts him, but not herself.

Valentin doesn’t want to build up Charlotte’s hopes that they can be a family again. He doesn’t want to pressure Nina, but she tells him that she’s made her decision. Her phone buzzes. There’s a crisis at a photo shoot she has to deal with. He says with all due respect to her photo shoot, he’s hanging on her answer. She says she’ll give it to him over dinner, where she’ll give her answer undivided attention.

Tomorrow, Nina gives Valentin her answer, the verdict is read, and Michael tells Ned he’ll have a fight on his hands.

💍 My 90 Day Fiancé obsession continues, Before the 90 Days now added to it. This one is the most perplexing of all three shows, where we follow the cast members meeting their prospective spouses face-to-face for the first time, and I want to yell, stop this right now! about every five minutes. There’s Sean and Abby, who have a huge age gap. Nothing wrong with that, but it looks like the older Sean is bringing some insecurities along with it. Sean traveled to Haiti, where Abby was excitedly waiting, along with her best friend, who kept having to calm her down. It was super cute, as Hello Kitty would say. Abby is the sweetest girl, and I think genuinely attracted to Sean, as she has a thing for older men. While I don’t blame Sean for proceeding with caution, he’s fixated on her ex, Chris, whom she’s still friends with. In the previous episode, Sean made noises about Abby maybe wanting someone younger, but Chris looks like he’s about the same age as Sean, so either he’s not aging well and is a 20 year old who looks 50, or Sean is not making sense. Which is possible. Even though Abby and Chris don’t live in the same country, Sean is concerned that they’re still involved as more than friends. It didn’t help the situation when Abby slipped during an interview, calling Sean “Chris.” Sean wasn’t present during the interview, but no doubt saw it. While it’s possible the slip could have been Freudian, I find it unlikely. I think her head is just so full of all this stuff, she made an honest mistake. I can relate, since after nearly twenty years, I still have a hard time not calling my niece’s second husband by her first husband’s name. I have the feeling Sean won’t see it that way, and is going to totally mess up what could be a great thing. The preview for next week did not look promising.

Then there’s Paul – who we last saw waiting on the backside of nowhere in the Amazon rainforest for Karine, thinking he’d been catfished. It’s no surprise he’s been unlucky in love, since he made a trip to a place where he knows no one, that took eight hours, two planes, and two boats to get to; doesn’t know the language at all; carried so many trunks full of preventative health measures, he can barely get around; and can’t even get phone service. Luckily for him, she finally showed. Because she basically lives in a shack, reservations were made at the local hotel (I’m surprised they have one), and they prepared for him to meet her family, none of whom speak English. Up until now, Paul and Karine have communicated through translated texts. When they met, it was more than awkward, but I wondered why, if texts can be translated, they didn’t have something that digitally translated their speech, like the device in Snowpiercer. We must have the capability. I also questioned how Karine has such nice clothing, the internet, and a smartphone. In the preview for the next show, Paul talks about wanting her to get an STD and pregnancy test. While I totally get it, it’s kind of insulting that he can’t be bothered to learn, how are you? in Portuguese, yet he’s savvy enough to be concerned about getting a disease from her. Bleh.

The next huge age gap is between Darcey from the US and Jesse from Amsterdam, with Darcy being in the more mature position. However, that’s only chronologically. Jesse actually seems like a real find. A guy who’s genuinely interested in having a serious relationship with an older woman, and he’s a gorgeous fitness trainer. And also Amsterdam, a place so fine, Tony Geary retired from General Hospital to live there. Darcy looks great, and is definitely on Jesse’s appearance level, but I see why she’s single. Without mincing words, she acts batsh*t crazy emotional. She’s so concerned with how she looks and getting married, she can’t seem to focus on anything else. Like maybe a dream vacation with a fabulous guy. While there was a bit of a red flag on his end, when he insisted she keep up with him on a wicked bike ride through a park, if I was him, I’d be biking for the hills. Already frazzled from damaging one of her six-inch heels on the escalator, Darcy was barely off the plane before she started talking about marriage. And talked about it non-stop. No matter where they went, she somehow related it to them getting married. They just met for God’s sake. Has no one told her this shouldn’t be the first topic out of your mouth on what’s essentially a first date? I assume she’s been married before, since she has children (I know it’s not a requirement, but I think it would be for her), but obviously that didn’t work out, and I can guess why. She drains me just watching her. The creepiest thing was how she showed Jesse the massive rock she had bought for herself, to wear on her left ring finger in honor of their love. Um… I don’t think that’s how any of this works. When he asked her to take the vast amount of makeup she wears off before bed (she’s staying with him), I thought she would have a heart attack. Even then, she kept her lashes on. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy who is into any of that, and I’m wondering how they even clicked online. Frankly, I would have packed her into one of her many suitcases and sent her back home already. Next time, she meets his parents. And brings up marriage. His father asks her – and I quote – are you out of your f-ing mind?

There was also Cortney, who is headed for Spain to meet Spanish model Antonio, who she’s only communicated with by text – even when she was previously in Spain. She’s also been catfished before. Right away, I didn’t hold out much hope for this one, and held even less when her cyberstalking friend came up with erotic photos of him. I doubt much is going to happen with these two, and it seems like a boring story just added to fill the hour.

My main question though, is what’s with all this baby babe stuff? Can no one remember their potential fiancé’s name?

😜 On Flipping Out, Jeff brought in a guy to teach everyone baby CPR. Apparently Jeff was a little too enthusiastic, as his baby’s head fell off while he practiced. When he asked the instructor what grade he’d give them, let’s not talk about it was the response. Enough said. Jeff’s got first aid covered.

WhenYou'reUpset

FridayPup

 

 

 

Aug24

August 23, 2017 – Winston Takes the Stand, the NYC Reunion Continues, Raw Chicken & Jax

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Elizabeth says she missed being in the studio with Franco, and he says he missed being everywhere with her. He tells her she should paint again, and to consider his studio hers. She says for now she’ll live vicariously, and tells him there’s a reason he’s famous. He says not for the reason he’d like.

Ned sees Alexis at the MetroCourt. He was looking for her because he’s in the market for her legal services.

Julian’s trial starts again. The prosecutor – whose name I still can’t find out, so I’m continuing to call him Will Smith – has an addition to the witness list. Scotty says the prosecutor is playing games, and he’s had no prep time. Will says that he has a witness that can speak to Julian’s motives. Julian wonders who it’s going to be. It’s Winston! Scotty asks how bad it’s going to be.

Sam tells Carly that she shot Sonny. Carly says that the Garvenator bragged to her about it, and Sam says that’s not the whole story. Jason tries to get her to leave, but Sam says she’s not staying silent anymore, and Carly deserves to know what happened.

Elizabeth says that Franco is a powerful artist. He says the purpose of the paintings was for people to feel the darkness. He worries that his talent and the darkness were intrinsically connected, and he won’t be able to create anymore. She says he was literally in a different head space then, but he says he can’t blame everything on the tumor.

Ned tells Alexis that he wants to update his will, adding Olivia-Q and Leo. Alexis calls Leo his stepson, but he says that he hasn’t been able to adopt Leo yet.

Wow. Winston is the same actor, but looks younger; maybe because he lost weight. Scotty doesn’t understand how he can speak about anyone else’s motives. Will says he was there during many of their conversations, and his testimony is vital. The judge allows it. Will asks when he first met Olivia-J. Winston talks about her having him opening the store. All he knew was that she had unfinished business in Port Charles, and her brother was involved and willing to do whatever she needed.

Carly says Garvezilla told her that he killed Sonny. How could Sam have shot him? Sam says she collapsed afterward. She woke up in the hospital, and didn’t remember anything. Then she started to remember, and she’s sooo sorry. Carly grasps that it’s real, and Sonny confirms that it’s true. Sam says she didn’t know what was real or wasn’t anymore. Her hallucinations were like a walking nightmare, with Sonny telling her that he was going to take her family away. Sam tells Carly that it sounds crazy, but she was so scared and would have done anything. Carly realizes this is what Sam wanted to tell her at the hospital. Sam says it makes her nauseous to know how far it went. She bought a black-market gun, and staked out his house, following him to the site.

Elizabeth tells Franco that she loves their world. Franco says that he does too, and it scares him. He tells Elizabeth that she thrills and calms him at the same time, and he loves her. He says she’s probably the first sane woman he’s been with, and the first normal person to love him. He doesn’t deserve her. He loves the world they’ve created, but is terrified he’ll mess it up. Elizabeth tells him that he won’t, but he says she doesn’t know that. She says that everyone has darkness inside, but there’s also light. She understands the paintings have brought up bad memories, but there’s one in particular that she wants to know about. She pulls out the painting she’d been looking at. Two boys side-by-side, looking down a road.

Alexis tells Ned that she’s not representing him in a custody case. Ned says this must mean she thinks Julian might get off. He thought she’d have the best chance of getting Julian to agree to an adoption. She says that she wouldn’t go anywhere near it for a million different reasons. He asks her if one of those reasons is that she’s still hung up on Julian.

Winston says he ran the pawn shop and carried out Olivia-J’s orders. Will Smith asks if he was present at Olivia and Julian’s first meeting. When he says that he wasn’t, Will asks when was the first occasion they met? Winston says that Julian came by to lay out future plans and how best to achieve them. but he wasn’t privy to everything. He says they spoke in conspiratorial tones, and when Julian left, Olivia told him what he was to do. Scotty is like, he wasn’t present, what is up with this? Will reads off something about Alexis meeting with Julian when Winston was there, and Julian saying he was just a friend.

Jason says that Sam doesn’t have to do this. She says she does. She says that Sonny was amazing and sympathetic. He tried to talk her down, saying he’d never do anything to hurt her. Carly is like, of course he wouldn’t, and I wonder if she forgot Sam was sick. She answers my question by saying that she gets Sam was sick, but she’s trying to understand everything. Sam talks about Sonny walking toward her, and how he tried to take the gun, but it went off. Carly says it was an accident then, but Sam says she meant to shoot him and she did.

Will Smith asks Winston what he and Julian discussed. Winston says that Julian was pleased that Morgan was killed, and was looking forward to helping Olivia-J. Will asks what the plan was, but Winston didn’t know. He says Julian seemed to be a willing participant. No surprise Scotty objects, since it’s total conjecture, and it’s sustained. Winston says that Julian was concerned about legal ramifications, and wanted to help, but not get caught. They agreed to say he was coerced, but he was a willing accomplice.

Alexis tells Ned that she knows how she feels, but doesn’t know which feeling wins out. She asks what’s wrong with her. Ned says she’s beautiful, smart, and complicated, and way too good for Julian. She agrees, but loves him, and can’t let go. She wonders why she picks men who are bad for her, and dangerous. She says Ned is the only one who didn’t fit the mold, and she ran from him, but if she had it to do over, she’d do it differently. Ned tells her she wouldn’t, and she says he’s right. He says she knows the answer, and Alexis says they’re all like her father, and her father didn’t love her. Ned says maybe it’s time to break the pattern.

Elizabeth tells Franco that the painting stands out from the others. The energy is lighter, and hopeful. Ava texts Franco, and he says he gets to show his work at the gallery. He’ll be killing two birds with one stone; getting rid of the stuff, and making money. Elizabeth asks what he’s going to do with it, and he says that he wants to help her with the groceries, mortgage, and sexy stuff. She tells him that he makes everything sexy, and when he adds helping Kiki, she says it’s getting sexier by the minute. Franco wonders what if the art doesn’t sell, and Elizabeth says it will, especially the painting she likes. He tells her that one’s not for sale.

Sam tells Carly that a lot of it is a blur, but Sonny is clear. He put his hand on hers to stop her, and she deliberately pulled the trigger. Sonny says that it wasn’t her, and to stop apologizing. She says he did nothing to defend herself, but she had to finish it. Sonny didn’t fall into the hole; she kicked him in, and thought he was dead. She tells Sonny that she left him there to die, and is sooo sorry. He calls her over to him, and says it wasn’t her fault. She had an infection, and it wasn’t her. She has nothing to be sorry about. Carly looks pissed.

Winston says he was just there to facilitate things as the driver/delivery person. Will Smith asks if he was aware she was unstable, and alludes that Julian was. Scotty’s objection is sustained. Will asks if Winston was there around the time of the hospital bombing, and he says that Julian told Olivia to make it look like he’d been tied up, so he could deny accountability.

Scotty says this is the definition of hearsay, and there’s nothing to back it up. The judge tells Will to ask a question or excuse the witness. He asks Winston about Julian trying to kill Olivia, and asks why he would do anything for her if he wanted her dead. Will tells Winston to speculate, and Scotty is like, ha! Winston says Olivia told him that Julian felt guilty, and would do anything in his power to make it right.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s keeping that painting. She asks why it’s special, and talks about the counterpoint in the picture. Franco thinks her talking about art is hot. She asks if the mirror effect is significant. Franco explains that when he was little, he had an imaginary friend who lived in an imaginary world that mirrored his. He outgrew it, but missed his friend, so he did the painting with each of them in their respective opposite realities. He says it was the last nice thing painted; a manifestation of his childhood psychosis.

Sonny tells Sam to stop blaming herself for something she couldn’t control. She does the “what if” thing, and he asks if he or Morgan were responsible for things they did when they were sick. Sam says no, and Jason says to blame him. She was sick and not herself, and he did nothing. He should have realized it was serious and made her go to the doctor. Sonny says that he didn’t expect it, but Jason says he should have been paying attention. Sam says she was hiding, but doesn’t know why, because she trusts him most of all. She wonders why she didn’t she ask him for help.

Alexis tells Ned that Julian’s proclamation of love made her head spin. He means it, but the other side of him can’t help it; he was born into it. She knows she’s making excuses, and Ned thanks her for not making him say it. She says he’ll hurt her again, but when it’s happening to you, and you’re in love with them, and they’ve made you happier than you’ve ever been, the thought of saying that it can’t work out is impossible. She wants off the roller coaster. She wants it to end, and has to figure out how to make that happen. I dunno. Kill him?

Scotty asks why Winston’s visit upset Julian. When Winston says that he can’t speak for Julian’s state of mind, Scotty wonders why, since he’s speaking for everyone else’s. Will Smith objects, saying it’s hearsay, but Winston says maybe Julian wasn’t feeling well. Scotty asks if Olivia wouldn’t have known that, since Winston was following him and she was bugging his phone. Winston says she didn’t tell him everything, and Scotty says that he wasn’t always in the loop then.

Scotty asks Winston how jail is, and suggests that he might get better accommodations for his testimony. He asks if Winston is trying to save hide, but Winston pretends to be noble, saying that he wanted to make things right for everyone who suffered at Olivia and Julian’s hands. Julian jumps up and yells liar! and it gets loud in the courtroom.

Elizabeth says that to escape the loneliness, Franco made someone up who would understand him. He tells her that she’s special, and she says that she feels the same way about him. He doesn’t want to lose her, and she says, then don’t.

Sonny tells Sam that losing your mind is terrifying. Telling someone makes it real, so you make them your enemy. He talks about how he would cover until the dam broke, and he couldn’t take anymore. He tells her that she’s not like him; it was something temporary. Sam worries that it unleashed something in her. Sonny asks if she feels the same way now, and she says no. Jason tells her to trust herself. Sonny says it’s over, but Carly says not as long as the police are investigating.

Elizabeth asks Franco if there’s something he’s not telling her about the painting. At first he says no, but then says that maybe about the subject matter. When he imagined the friend, he imagined him being helpful. Like when Franco couldn’t tie his shoes, the friend learned and helped him. He has a real memory of being on merry go round, and not knowing how to get off, but his friend jumped off first, and he followed. He wants the picture as a reminder, but tells Elizabeth not to worry; he doesn’t have an imaginary friend now. She says that it makes total sense, and now that she understands, she loves it even more – and loves him. They kiss.

Alexis wonders if there’s a support group for her problem. Ned thinks there is, but she says AA is all she can handle. Ned offers to be sounding board. Alexis says that she wants to like someone sane, safe and gentle, but can’t get out of her own way. Ned says, so far, but she’s fiercely intelligent, and if anyone can break the cycle, it’s her.

The courtroom is out of control. The judge tells Scotty to calm his client down, or there’s going to be some contempt handed out. Julian threatens Winston, and the prosecution rests.

Carly asks Sonny if he knew all along, and he tells her he did. Jason admits to covering for them, and says that he and Sonny decided to protect her. Carly gets it that Sam is sick, and that the last thing she needed was being hounded by the police. What she doesn’t get, is why they didn’t tell her. Sonny says the situation was volatile. Carly tells him everything always is, and after twenty years, how can he keep something like that from her?

Tomorrow, Lucy asks Finn about the house, Julian wants to take the stand, and Carly asks Sonny when trusting each other changed.

The Real Housewives of New York City – Reunion Part Two

Andy asks how LuAnn feels about Tom seeing Missy. She insists he sees her at parties because Ramona brings her, but Ramona says that’s not true. LuAnn reminds us that Ramona’s husband was in a full-blown affair, and Bethenny says it’s not the bar by which they should set their relationships. Andy asks LuAnn why they’re together, and LuAnn makes noises about how they live. Bethenny says you can make a lifestyle out of a life, but not a life out of a lifestyle. LuAnn says she loves being married, and blah-blah-blah, the same stuff we’ve heard a million times. She talks about her penthouse, and Bethenny says that’s pretentious AF, since it’s really just a one-bedroom on the top floor. Andy remarks on how happy everyone is. Really, Andy?

It’s Tinsley’s turn in the hot seat. We flash back to her arrival at Sonja’s, and her explanation of the arrest. (Tinsley Mortimer, google it.) There’s a clip of Carole reading to her from Page Six about her comeback. And more clips about her relationship. The montage ends with her meeting Scott, and Carole saying she sees a pink dress in her future. A viewer asks why she still has the same look, neighborhood, and activities, and she says she didn’t want to reinvent herself, but get her life back and be herself again. Carole talks about how funny and genuine she is, and says although they’re polar opposites, they connected. Tinsley is still at the hotel, and talks about how cool her room is. Bethenny asks if she and Scott are moving in together, and she says in the fall. She thinks he’s “the one.” Good for her. He seems like a nice guy, and more geared to her than someone named Topper. Andy asks if she’s in a better place now. Again, really, Andy? Tinsley tells them about how she kept going back to her abusive relationship. Dorinda asks why she didn’t ask her mother for help, and she says she hid a lot of things. There was also a lot of drinking going on, and she carried it into the season as a crutch.

A viewer asks if she uses humor to make light of her drinking, and if she has a problem. Tinsley’s non-drinking problem is discussed. Andy asks if she was drinking first thing in the morning in Mexico, which isn’t really a fair question, since that was a vacation that revolved around liquor. LuAnn says that Tinsley can out drink her (holy!), and Tinsley says she’s amazed at how she can put it away. Bethenny says it’s doubtful she’d be in a six-month relationship with Scott if there was a problem, and I agree. I think this one just likes to party. And why not?

Carole is next. We flash back to Carole being positive that Hillary would win the election, and how very informed on politics she is. Obviously not informed enough to make a correct prediction. We see her insulting Ramona, and her emotions taking a nosedive on election night, and there’s a clip from the Women’s March. We move on to her shacking up with Adam, and how that goes downhill pretty quickly, and he moves back out. Andy asks what’s going on with them now. Carole says he was in-between apartments when he lived with her, but they’ve decided to take a break and give each other some space. She likes feeling free. She’s not seeing other people; she’s focusing on the me-centric parts of her life. Andy asks how she’d feel if Adam was seeing other people, and it doesn’t seem like she cares a whole lot.

Andy asks Bethenny if the election was the most irritated she’s been at Carol, but she says no. Bethenny thinks we need dialogue, not badgering. Carole talks about how no one appreciated her election expertise, and Ramona says she felt like she couldn’t even talk to her. Andy asks who knows either candidate and who voted for who. Ramona says she met them both, but pleads the fifth about voting. Dorinda brings up the picture that Sonja has of her and Donald, and Sonja says she used to consult with him about hotels. Dorinda says Hillary has been to her home. Luann knows no one. Bethenny told Bill Clinton that he had spinach in his teeth at Barney’s. She also told a funny story about doing the walk of shame literally into Donald, who recognized her and decided to introduce her to whoever he was with. She said she probably still reeked of the night before’s liquor. Yep. That’s always when things like that happen. She says she didn’t like the election whatsoever or her choices, and I’m with her. Tinsley is good friends with Ivanka, but claimed that she wasn’t in the state where she was registered, and couldn’t vote. Okay. It sounded like she didn’t really care, saying it wasn’t her thing, almost giving Carole apoplexy. I hate that. Yes, it’s your right to vote, but then shouldn’t it also be your right not to vote? Just sayin’.  Oddly enough, this political discussion is one of the few times no one argued.

Sonja juggling Frenchie and Rocco is brought to the table, and we flash back to both of them. I love Sonja saying that she’s between a Rocco and a hard place, and we see how Frenchie moved in. Andy asks what the status is. She’d originally thought of Frenchie for Tinsley, but he had eyes for her, and they’re still seeing each other. Carole heard he was “cast” as Sonja’s boyfriend. Sonja is like, what? and says he was staying with her all the time anyway, so she suggested he live with her when he’s not in France. She likes getting it. Thanks for the visual. She says they went to Paris when they finished filming, and she met his parents. Dorinda thinks it’s a mistake to have someone move in so quickly. Andy asks how Rocco feels, and Dorinda says they’re good friends. Why is she suddenly answering for Sonja? Bethenny thinks it’s genius, and Sonja says the long game wins. She wants someone who’s really there for her, and says Rocco is a good person. She’s not giving him up, and they’ll see. She thinks Frenchie might eventually want children even though he says he’d give it up to marry her. She wants someone to grow old with, and thinks someone like Rocco would fulfill that need. Bethenny thinks she should give him the old bang down one-two and check it out, since Sonja has never slept with him.

Bethenny’s divorce is the next topic. We flash back to suckerfish Jason Hoppy making her life a living hell, even after the divorce was finalized. What a creep that guy is. Andy asks what’s the latest on her love life, and Bethenny says she’s with Dennis. She says things needed to be dealt with, and she’s in a better place to make a sane decision. She says she has a difficult time letting people get close, but she had ended the relationship due to the circumstances of their divorces. She says she’s freer and happier now, and Dennis has dealt with his own issues. A viewer says she should consider I gotta go as her next tagline, and we flash back to her jetting early from events. She says she mostly removed herself from arguments, and if she doesn’t like how someone is speaking to her, she’s gotta go. Andy brings up suckerfish Jason’s latest stalking charges, and Ramona reminds Bethenny about how she’ll never be rid of this slimebucket because they have a child together. Bethenny flat-out doesn’t want to discuss it with her. She says it’s been a negative, inexplicable situation that’s hopefully getting better now. Andy milks the topic some more, and Bethenny says it cost her $3 million in legal fees. He asks about Brynn, and Bethenny says she doesn’t understand at her age. She’s isolated in her life and happy. Carole adds that Bethenny has never said anything negative about Jason to her daughter, unlike the crap Jason has pulled on her. Bethenny says by the time Brynn is old enough to be aware, a new story will have eclipsed hers. She doubts she’ll be relevant by the time Brynn is googling things. Carole says by then she’ll have a sense of the dynamic. Bethenny says life isn’t fairytales and rainbows.

Andy brings up Bethenny talking to her mother for the first time in years, and if she’s had contact. Bethenny says that her mother talking to the press was the problem in the first place, and when she was getting ready to visit Florida, her mother told a magazine negative things. Andy wonders if stress affects how Bethenny interacts with others, because he’s the king of idiotic queries. Bethenny says they can’t imagine the torment this has been, and if she lets it out, she’ll break down. Ramona talks about Mario trying to force his way into her life when they’d started filming after the divorce, and how awful it was. Carole says she saw how Jason interfered with Bethenny’s relationships, and Bethenny didn’t even realize how the emotions wreaked havoc in her life. Bethenny says it’s impossible to explain and it’s torture. She starts to cry, and Andy asks if the ladies knew what was going on. LuAnn says only from the papers. Carole says he’s obsessed with her, and LuAnn wonders where his anger is coming from. My guess is from that sleazebag suckerfish losing his meal ticket and not being able to face reality. Andy asks if LuAnn understands Bethenny’s breakdown in the Berkshires now, but LuAnn says she understood it then. Andy asks if there’s a resolution, and Bethenny says any resolution is court mandated. She has faith that somehow, she’ll have a normal, free life, but it won’t happen unless there’s zero contact. Ramona talks about how important it is to teach their daughters independence, and it’s the first rational thing that’s come out of her mouth in maybe ever. Dorinda says you need to have options, and you can’t afford to lose them financially or emotionally. Bethenny says it’s important not to have a man be your identity. Andy asks when Bethenny is at her happiest, and she says being with her daughter and doing simple things. She thanks everyone for being respectful, and says that was fun.

Next time, the reunion concludes, Ramona is front and center, and Tinsley argues with Sonja.

🍄 I missed the first hour of the two-hour MasterChef, but caught the second half. There was a chicken and potato challenge with teams of two – there are ten cooks remaining. Dino and Jeff knocked it out of the park, and I thought Christina was going to leap across the stage and grab the chicken out of Aaron’s hand. Caitlin and Adam tried some kind of Japanese fusion thing without tasting all of the elements together, and it was a bust. Gordon said they had brilliant moments, but this wasn’t one of them, and most of his critique was bleeped out. Eboni and Cate were the winners and their recipe will be in Family Circle magazine. Cool! Yachecia escaped a third pressure test, and Adam and Caitlin ended up on the chipping block after Gordon played with them, at first acting like they were safe. It was mean, but I laughed. They had to replicate Gordon’s signature chicken dish, Chicken Supreme. Adam’s chicken was raw. The cardinal sin of cooking. Gordon rubbed it in by saying it’s the best dish he’s cooked in the competition – other than the chicken being raw. You’ll never have to worry about raw chicken with me, since I cook the crap out of it.  Adam cried, Caitlin cried, the balcony cried. Christina tried to make him feel better by talking to him about the rest of the dish, and how fabulous it was, acting like Gordon didn’t just go, oh dear, a million times. I’m no expert, but even I knew what a grievous error this was. Although there was a group of girls in my Home Ec class who failed to get Jell-O to set overnight, which might top that. Gordon said the big loser knew who they were, and Adam took his apron off. For a moment, he hesitated, and I thought we might all have to stay in for recess. Next time, there’s a tag team challenge, and everyone, including the judges, looks like they have a headache.

🐓 I checked out Jax and Brittany Take Kentucky. The look on LVP’s face when Jax told her that he’s working on the farm made it worth watching, but not much else. She suggested he was good at stirring the sh*t, but didn’t know about him shoveling it. It was okay. Since this is just a filler until the next season of Vanderpump Rules, I didn’t take it too seriously. I was a little disturbed that Jax told Brittany’s mother and grandmother that he was going to marry her, after he sought out contraband liquid courage to do it. They seemed thrilled, although I’m not sure why, but what bothered me was my immediate reaction that this might be Jax’s way of trying to stay relevant within the Bravo franchise. Could a wedding spin-off be far behind? Bleh.

💃 Odd Mom Out continues to be entertaining. And you don’t have to be a mom, or the odd one out, to enjoy it. Like Seinfeld, if you’re a New Yorker, the jokes are funnier, but you don’t have to be one to laugh.

Kentucky

 

Aug23

August 22, 2017 – Sam Spills the Beans, War Brings On a War, Professor Perry & Never Say No

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

The diamond dude asks Anna why she wants to know about the stone, and she tells him that it’s an unofficial inquiry. He can’t help her, and says he could get arrested just for touching it. The diamond is stolen property.

Elizabeth calls Franco, and leaves a message saying she’s going to meet him at the studio.

Franco tells Ava that he has a proposal. She proposes this, and closes the door in his face.

Valerie chats with Kristina at Perks while she’s waiting for her blind date.

Curtis wants to know why Stella insisted that he wear a sportscoat for coffee. He asks what she’s up to, and she says she just wants him to meet a new friend. She could tell they’d hit it off. And there she is now – Valerie.

At the MetroCourt, Josslyn tells Carly she can ground her until school starts, and rope her into mother/daughter lunches, but she can’t make her enjoy it. Carly wants her to know how serious it is. Josslyn says if it hadn’t been for her and Oscar wandering around, Sonny would have died. Carly asks what if something would have happened.  Josslyn wonders why Carly won’t believe they’ll never do something like that again. Carly says she does believe it, because Josslyn is never seeing Oscar again. Wow. That’s a little harsh.

Alexis visits Sonny, and tells him that the Garvemeister almost caused the loss of Kristina’s father. Even if he leaves the business, no matter how hard they try, there will always be someone in the shadows to wreak havoc in their lives.

Sam wants to talk to Carly, but Jason wants her to wait. He leaves to find out about getting her discharged, and Andre pops in. He says he heard they were sending her home, and wonders if she needs to talk about what she did while she was sick before she leaves.

Sonny asks Alexis if she wants to talk about the trial. She doesn’t, but says it was stressful, and she’s not sure she did the right thing. If Julian had told her about Olivia-J, Sam wouldn’t have gotten sick. She says it will be hard for Sam, but Sonny says they’ll get through it. She says it’s exhausting wondering if your daughter is all right. Kristina comes in, and assumes that they’re talking about her (because everything is always about her), and that Alexis told Sonny about Parker.

Stella realizes that Curtis and Valerie know each other. Curtis says it didn’t end well, and Stella tells them to think of it as an opportunity to work out their differences. Valerie doesn’t think so. Curtis used her to gain access to a file, and it almost cost her career; then he dated her boss. Stella says that her favorite former in-law strikes again. Curtis says Jordan had nothing to do with it, and it was all his fault.

Ava tells Franco that she’s had her fill of offers from deranged men. He asks how many she knows. She says that she has no interest in some harebrained scheme. Franco says that technically, it’s her daughter’s scheme. He tells her about getting his dark paintings back, and that he wants to get rid of them. She says it sounds good on paper, but she’s never setting foot in the gallery again.

Elizabeth tells Jason about Franco moving in. She says it’s her life and her decision. After what they went through with Jake, she was hoping he’d accept it. It’s one thing they all have in common – their love for Jake. Jason makes noises about what Franco did to Sam a million years ago, and Elizabeth says he wasn’t well when he did those unforgivable things. I guess Jason doesn’t see any parallels here.

Andre says he knows about Sam’s hallucinations, and that it can be distressing, so he’s offering his services. Sam says at this point it doesn’t matter. He says hallucinations are like dreams; sometimes they’re random like pink elephants, but sometimes they have a subconscious element. She asks if he thinks she wanted this to happen.

Curtis explains to Stella about how he took pictures of a file that Valerie had, and almost got her in major trouble. Valerie says it all worked out, and Curtis says he’ll take Stella home. When Valerie is out of earshot, Stella asks how he could use her like that. He says that his investigation was going nowhere, and that he thought he could get away with it, but he was wrong. And it’s not the first time.

Ava tells Franco that Kiki means well. He says that Kiki thinks it would be a great idea for Ava to have a project. She says her inventory is gone; literally up in flames like her dignity and face. She asks why she would go back to the gallery, and be reminded about what she lost. He says all he sees in his art is proof of the damage he’s done and can’t atone for. He wanted to destroy it, but Kiki reminded him there’s a lot of money to be made. Ava says plus the added bonus of a good deed. Franco tells her that is work is still in demand, and it could be used for a lot of good things, like helping Elizabeth’s boys. He says he’ll up her commission, and she says not about the money. He says there must be some extravagance her heart desires. She looks at Valentin’s card on the table. Didn’t she rip that up???

Diamond dude tells Anna that the diamond wasn’t part of the Berlin necklace. There’s a code embedded in stones like that, and they’re all on record, but this isn’t one of them. She asks if he can identify it, and he tells her it’s from a high-profile jewelry heist.

Carly says that Josslyn hasn’t been honest, and Josslyn says like Carly was a saint at her age. She accuses Carly of trying to control her life. She says she has to go to the bathroom, unless Carly thinks she needs a chaperone.

Sonny tells Kristina that they were talking about Sam, but since she brought it up, what’s going on? Kristina explains that Parker is teaching at PCU. She says she’s an adult, and can take care of herself, and Alexis admits to having words with Parker. Sonny says they were probably nicer than the words he’d have with her. Kristina says she talked with Parker after Alexis left. Alexis wonders why she’d want to get involved, since she’s just getting her life back. Kristina says it’s her decision, and to stop obsessing about her love life, especially when they’re still dealing with the aftermath of Alexis’s. Alexis says good luck dealing with her recovery, it’s all good, and she walks out.

Andre tells Sam that hallucinations might be meaningless, or manufactured by the mind from something in the subconscious. Sam says they were mostly about Jason. She never felt need to protect him, and Andre asks if that’s no longer the case. She says it’s as if ever since he came back, it’s been different.

Jason tells Elizabeth that he gets it. She asks if he’s going to hold a grudge forever. Jordan comes along, and he says they’ll finish the conversation later. Jordan wants Jason to answer some questions about the evidence that disappeared the day he was at the station.

Ava tells Franco that the only thing she wants costs too much; the price is too high. He says she has a talent for speaking specifically, yet vaguely. She says it’s a gift, and he tells her that she has a lot of gifts. She says that the gallery is closed, and she’s let the staff go. Franco says even she admitted that scarcity drives up the price, and she asks why he wants to do this. He says that someone he loves, loves her, and he has a hard time saying no. He asks if she can say no to Kiki, and leaves.

Alexis sees Carly, and says it looks like they’re having the same day. Carly asks if Alexis’s daughter stormed out on her, and Alexis says she stormed out on her daughter. Carly says that she and Josslyn used to be close, and now they’re miles apart. Alexis tells her that she’s the mother of teenager, and Carly says it happened overnight. Alexis says she should take a step back, and Carly asks what if Josslyn gets hurt? Alexis says they have to learn lessons that lead to being better people. Carly asks how it’s working for her, like Dr. Phil.

Sonny tells Kristina that Parker took advantage of her, and it upset them. Kristina says that Sonny doesn’t talk to her the same way that Alexis does. It didn’t work out, but she discovered herself. How can she hate the person who helped her realize who she is? Sonny understands, but says when you’re a parent and you see child in pain, you want to stop it and don’t want it to happen again. Kristina says what about learning to fall and get back up? Sonny of all people should know about that.

Sam tells Andre that Jason is different, and maybe she is too. She used to think he was indestructible, and never worried he could die, but now she does. The more he invests in their life, the worse she gets. Andre thinks she should talk to someone. Not necessarily him, but someone she trusts enough to confide in. She says he’s right. She has to talk to someone.

Jason tells Jordan that he was at the station to ask about Julian’s trial, but found out he wasn’t needed. Jordan says there’s a gun missing, and asks if he would he know anything about it. He says there are cameras all over the place. She asks why he would want to protect who shot Sonny. She thinks he and Sonny want to go after shooter themselves, but he says that he left that life a long time ago. Jordan hopes that’s true, but says that she’s watching him and will get to the bottom of it. Sam has been listening from around the corner.

Diamond dude tells Anna that the stone is part of a set from a high profile smash and grab. She asks who carried it out?

Elizabeth is in the studio. Franco walks in, and she asks what happened, showing him one of the paintings he messed up. He tells her that he destroyed the painting because it’s ugly – the actions and impulses behind it were ugly. He’s separate from them now because he’s someone else. It’s still on him. but he was sick. How can he move beyond his past if he can’t acknowledge it? He wants to grow and evolve, not just for himself, but for her, the boys, and their future. Elizabeth says do it, and Franco tells her that he’s scared of losing her if he stops pretending the man he used to be didn’t exist. She tells him that the past is the past, and the future is theirs. They kiss, and I assume they get busy, but instead of a song part, we look at a painting.

Jordan sees Curtis at the hospital, and asks if Stella is okay. He says that he’s working on a case with Finn. She asks if he’s undercover somewhere fancy, and he says that Stella set him up on blind date. Jordan says it’s good that he’s getting out there, but he says it didn’t go very well. Among other things, it’s who she set him up with.

Kristina asks Valerie if she was stood up. Valerie says it was worse; the date was Curtis. Kristina hesitates to give any advice, since she just laid into her mom for giving it to her.

Alexis tells Carly that she knows every time she intervenes, Kristina will say she’s interfering. Carly asks what the answer is, and she says to let them make their own mistakes, within reason. If you tell anyone not to do something, they’ll want to.

Jason finds Sam’s room empty.

That’s because she went to Sonny’s place. She tells him that they need to talk.

Alexis tells Carly that things will get better when they’re older… she thinks. Josslyn comes back and Alexis tells them to enjoy lunch. Carly and Josslyn apologize to each other for being unkind. Carly says she realizes she can’t keep Josslyn a kid forever. She won’t stop her from seeing Oscar, but she’s still in restriction until school starts. If she wants to date Oscar, she has permission. Josslyn says they’re just friends for right now. Carly says she has errand to run. Josslyn thanks her and they hug.

Curtis tells Jordan about Valerie revealing to Stella how he broke her trust. He says Stella was disappointed, but he thinks he convinced her not to set him up again. Jordan says that she just set him up with the wrong person, and Curtis says she did. It wasn’t Jordan.

Valerie tells Kristina that her mom is just being parent. Kristina says more like a control freak. Valerie says she didn’t have prefect relationship with her mom, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t love each other. She’d give anything to see her mother again, even if it was for one more argument. She tells Kristina that time is precious, and not to waste a chance to make it right.

Jason asks if Andre has seen Sam, and he tells Jason she was discharged. Jason says she was supposed to wait for him. Andre tells him that there was someone she wanted to talk to.

Sonny tells Sam that Jason had told him she was being discharged, but he thought she’d be with him. Sam says that she appreciates everything he’s done, but she can’t lie anymore. Carly deserves truth. In one of those perfect soap moments, Carly walks in and says she couldn’t agree more. Sonny wants to explain. Carly says they should never promise each other they won’t keep secrets, because the promise is always broken. She asks wth is going on?

Alexis comes by Perks, and Valerie steps away to make a call. Alexis says she didn’t like how she and Kristina left things. They might not see eye to eye, but she’ll make an effort to respect Kristina’s choices. The important thing is that she loves Kristina. Kristina says that she loves Alexis too, and they hug. Valerie sees them, and smiles.

Curtis tells Jordan that he shouldn’t have said that; they agreed to end things. She says it’s the right thing. It’s who he wants to be for Stella, and that man does the right thing. Curtis hates the right thing. Jordan says it sucks, but don’t blame Stella. He should find someone who makes him happy. She goes down in the elevator, and he says she should too.

Ava transfers some funds into the gallery account.

Franco asks Elizabeth what brought that on. She says him. He doesn’t see what she does. He tells her that means a lot to him. She wonders what happened to him in New York. He gets a call, and takes it in the other room. She looks around and pulls out a painting.

Diamond dude says it’s up to the authorities to figure it out, and Anna says he’s right about that, and thanks him. When he’s gone, she scrutinizes the diamond. Andre walks in, and she puts it behind her back. He says she seems distracted, and she tells him that she’s thinking about her next case.

Carly asks if Sam is okay. Sam says that this is difficult to say. Jason walks in, and Sam says that she can’t do this anymore; she needs to be honest. She’s sorry, and Carly asks sorry for what? She tells Carly that she’s the one who shot Sonny.

Barring any eclipses, tomorrow, Ned is in the market for Alexis’s legal services, the prosecutor has a surprise witness at Julian’s trial, and Sam isn’t staying silent anymore.

The Haves and the Have Nots

Veronica and Kathryn watch as the Cryer mansion burns. Jim and David come running up, and they’re like, WTH? Jim asks what Kathryn is doing, and she says watching the house burn. He asks why she did it, and she says that she was hoping he’d be in it. Veronica tells Jim that she told Kathryn to do it, and asks him to explain about Jennifer’s body. Jim wonders how they’re going to explain this, and Kathryn says, very carefully. Veronica tells Jim that if they have the body, they have DNA. Jim says he had it taken care of, and had the house cleaned. Veronica says he took care of it all right; that’s why the body showed up in front of the news station.

David and Veronica banter. David tells Veronica to save it for the divorce hearing. She likes him getting all bold, and says it’s hot. Not as hot as Benny, but he might be on to something. Kathryn walks away, and Jim says they have to figure out what her story is going to be. David calls the fire department as the house continues to blaze.

The cops are combing the hotel for Candace. Landon asks Charles if everything is okay, and Charles says they have to talk. He asks if Landon likes his job. He’s not happy that Landon called the police, when he made it clear that he was to help Candace. Charles wants her. Landon asks why, and Charles is like, what? Landon rephrases it, and asks why she’s special. Charles says women aren’t his thing, so why does he care? Landon says that Charles is going to be president, and he’s dealing with a street level criminal. Charles says he and Candace aren’t that different. Landon thinks they are, and Charles says that would be a fatal mistake. He says he’s telling Landon one more time to help her, and that’s all. Landon apologizes and jets. Charles tells him to send in Vincent.

Charles asks Vincent what’s going on, and he says they’re looking for the young lady. He told the police that floor was covered, and if she returns, he’ll let them know. He asks if Charles wants to see her when she gets back, and he says he does.

Candace goes to the fleabag motel, where there’s still crime scene tape all over. She starts to cry. I don’t think we’ve ever seen her cry, and it’s quite heart wrenching. She asks where God is.

George wants to see Wyatt and find out if he knows anything about Jennifer’s murder. Justin asks to come along with Detective Hines, and Hines says he can follow.

In the hotel lobby, Jeffrey tells Landon to stay away from him. Landon asks if he knew Justin was going to be in his room, and when Jeffrey says no, Landon asks why. Jeffrey says he’s been showing up places. Landon says it sounds like stalking, but Jeffrey says Justin is merely crazy about him. Landon says or just crazy; the guy has problems. He identifies as straight, but Jeffrey is the object of his affections? Jeffrey says that his mom made sure he won’t be back, and on cure, Veronica joins them. She tells Jeffery she’s sick of him and “these girls.” She tells him that he’s coming home. She asks Landon if he has to check his lipstick, and he says he’s sure it’s better than her foundation. She tells him in his dreams. Landon leaves, and she reminds Jeffrey that she goes before the judge tomorrow to keep Quincy’s body out of evidence. He still refuses to come. He says Melissa tried to kill herself, and Veronica says she needs him to make sure she doesn’t bleed on her good sheets. Jeffrey says that Melissa is depressed, and Veronica says she’s just looking for attention. She’s carrying Veronica’s grandchild, and she wants Jeffrey to pick her up and take her back to the house. Candace walks by, and he says she must have found out her son died. Veronica says sorry, but apparently, her son wants the same thing. She tells him she’ll see him at home, and to stay away from the boys.

Candace waits at the elevator. Jeffrey asks if she’s okay, but she doesn’t say anything. She gets into the elevator, and the doors close.

There’s a knock at Wyatt’s door. It’s George, followed by Hines and Justin. Wyatt introduces Anna, and Justin asks if she’s his girlfriend. She says no, and Wyatt asks if Justin has to be there. George asks about his relationship with Jennifer, and he tells George about the deal they had. He asks if it’s still going to be honored, and if Jeffrey is still included, and George says yes. He tells Wyatt that he’s not here to talk about that; he’s here to talk about Jennifer’s murder. Wyatt says he knew she was dead, but didn’t know she’d been murdered. George tells him about the note saying that she was murdered by a Cryer. He asks how her relationship was with his parents. He says they hated her, but he didn’t know why. After she got his inheritance released, they got really pissed off. George asks how much it was, and Wyatt says $12 million. George asks how much Wyatt’s parents are worth, and Kathryn is worth $120 million, but Jim is worth nothing without her. He asks if they’re going to jail, and George says they’re building a case. Wyatt says they’re not good people, and George wants to hear about it. Wyatt wants Justin to leave first. Justin asks why, and he says he doesn’t like the way Justin treats his friends. Justin acts like he doesn’t know what Wyatt means, but George tells him to step outside. George asks Wyatt what he can tell him about his parents.

Candace goes to Charles’s room, shrugging Vincent off. She asks Charles for her phones, and he tells Vincent to get them. She calls Benny, and gets voicemail. She asks him to call her. Charles asks if she’s okay, and that he’s sorry. She asks what happened, and if he did this. He says of course not. All he knows is that Quincy Jr. was caught in a crossfire, but he’ll find out the details. She goes into her room, and closes the door. Is that a Birkin on the couch? She calls Erica, and says she needs her, telling her to come to the room. Erica says she’ll be right there, but of course calls War. She tells him where Candace is. She says she’ll try to keep her there, and to hurry. Boy, are they in for a surprise.

Candace calls Hanna. She asks if it’s true, and Hanna says it is. She asks what happened. Hanna tells her that War busted in looking for her. Mitch and Benny got into it, and War started shooting. Candace finishes for her, saying, and he shot her son. She asks where Quincy Jr. was, and Hanna says in the bathroom; she ran in there with him. Candace asks why Hanna didn’t protect him; he wouldn’t have gotten shot. Hanna says she was on top of him, and Candace asks why she didn’t get shot. Hanna doesn’t know. Candace calls her a liar, and says she’s the one who should be dead.

Next, Candace calls Mitch. He asks if she’s okay, and she asks if he would be. He says he’s sorry. She says she can’t believe it. She asks if they’re sure it was him, meaning War, and he says they all saw him. He shot the place up. He asks what she wants to do. She wants him dead. Mitch says okay. She asks what the plan is. He says just get him to his grandmother’s restaurant. She says she will.

Mitch calls the restaurant and says he’s coming – and he’s bringing War. The bartender laughs, and says finally Mitch is coming into the family. He says they’ll be ready – all of them – and he’ll let Mama Rose know.

There’s a knock at Candace’s door. It’s Erica. Candace tells her to sit. She eyeballs Erica for a while, and asks if Erica is with her. She asks why Erica’s dress smelled like War. She says that Erica doesn’t deal with that level of thug, so how did she pick up that fragrance? Erica says she’s scared to death of War. Candace asks again if she’s with her. She says War killed her son. Erica is shocked, and says she’s sorry. Candace says that War shot him. Erica asks why, and Candace says it’s okay. Erica says it’s not okay; it’s so wrong. Candace calls War. He says he’s looking for her, and she says she knows. He says that she lied to him, and she says she knows. War says she knows she’s got to die, right? He asks where she is and she gives him the room number, but says he knows it, while she looks pointedly at Erica. War tells her not to move, but she says she is. She says he shot her son. He tells her that it was an accident, and she says okay. He says he’s on his way. She says no, and hangs up. She’s been staring at Erica throughout the conversation, and Erica asks why she called him. Candace asks for Erica’s phone. Erica tries to skate, but Candace isn’t having it, and she hands it over. It rings. It says unknown caller. Candace hands the phone back and tells her to answer it – on speaker phone. She waits for about a thousand rings, and it’s David. Oh man, that was a moment for real.

David says he can’t make it back tonight. He and Erica go blah-blah-blah, and Erica says she’s on the other line with a friend who’s having trust issues. She says she’s a good friend, and is going to screw up the only good thing in her life because of trust. Erica says that she’ll call him. They hang up, and Erica tells Candace that she’s her girl, she always has been, and not to doubt that. Candace just keeps staring at her stone-faced, and she starts begging. Candace says don’t touch her. She tells Erica to come with her. They’re going to dinner.

Candace brings Erica to Malone’s Restaurant. Erica goes to the bathroom. Mitch greets Candace. He says their table is almost ready. He quietly tells her that when it goes down, stay low. His guys are good, and don’t worry. She says that she’s not, and Mitch says that he’s looking out for her. He asks if War is on the way, and Candace says Erica is probably calling him now. Mitch is surprised about Erica, and tells Candace again that he’s looking out for her and to stay low. Candace tells him to just kill that a-hole. Mitch leads her to the table. Mitch is just super-hot and has a super-hot personality.

Benny sits in the interrogation room. An officer comes in, and he asks if he can go or not. The officer says he’s free to go, and gives Benny his phone. Fastest. Exit. Ever. In the parking lot, Benny calls Hanna. She asks what they said, and he still doesn’t know what happened. He asks her to pick him up, and she says she’ll be right there.

Charles is at some press conference where a guy is making a big fuss over him, saying what a wonderful senator he is, and how amazing he is at so young an age. The guy says he’s good for the state of Georgia, and he’s good for the entire United States. He introduces Charles as the next President of the United States. Everybody cheers.

At the restaurant, Erica peruses the menu, while Candaces stares daggers at her. War walks in. Candace gives him a half-smile, and he sits next to Erica.

Charles asks for moment of silence for Quincy Jr. Hanna is watching on the TV, and he says he knows members of the family personally.

War’s guys start to gather in the restaurant, standing in front of the door. Candace flashes back to him abusing her, raping her, and killing her son, even though she wasn’t there for that one. A massive shootout happens, with people diving for cover or pulling out guns. Apparently, Mitch’s guys are most of the restaurant patrons. And they are good.

Charles has his moment of silence.

Mitch gets up off of Candace. Everything is busted up, and quite – WAR IS DEAD. Now I forgot what I was going to say. Erica is still alive, although probably not for long. She’d ducked underneath a table.

Charles thanks everyone, and says the family would appreciate it. Hanna is like WTH???

Next time, Veronica makes Melissa clean up the mess she left (she is just the worst – I love it), Mama Rose asks if Erica should live, and Jim insists that Kathryn still loves him.

🎓 If you get a chance, check out Oprah’s Master Class with Tyler Perry. He talks about his beyond rough childhood, how he was compelled to write, and how his faith continues to see him through. He seems like a rare really good guy, and gives a lot of wise life advice. I’m not a huge fan of Oprah‘s, but I love me some Tyler Perry, and he did not disappoint. It was a very fast hour.

🎭 Never Say No

Alexis and Carly commiserating about teenage angst reminded me of this song from The Fantasticks. I once studied with Word Baker, the director of the original play, and thought this version was the closest to what he’d do. Unfortunately, YouTube had neither the original nor the entire song from the film with Joel Grey, which is well worth checking out. The song itself begins around the first minute. There’s a bit of dialogue first. Oh yeah, I’m sure my father would be very proud that all the money paid for my classes was well spent, now that I do karaoke. 🎤

 

Aug22

August 21, 2017 – GH Eclipsed, Peggy Dares to Make a Suggestion & It’s Howl-O-Ween in Dallas

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Nathan says things got weird. Hey, wait, why is this a repeat? You mean to tell me that this is because of the eclipse? I looked it up, and yes, it is. Oh well, I’m still recovering from last night’s Game of Thrones episode anyway.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Michael is visiting Vicki, and Briana joins them with the boys. Owen immediately climbs up the cupboards. Vicki says she needs more babies, but Briana says not from her. Vicki wants a little girl. Or more boys. Why? The grandchildren she has already are so out of control, it isn’t funny. Vicki tells them about the sip and see, and wonders why Shannon blames her for her weight issues. In her interview, Vicki snarks that she’s flattered Shannon is thinking about her while she’s eating and not exercising. She tells us that Michael’s girlfriend, Dani, slipped and said something about when they get married.

Meghan and Bridget go through the gifts. Megan is glad everyone got along. She asks if Bridget noticed how nervous Shannon was, and does a spot-on impression of her. She Facetimes Jimmy, who is his usually enthusiastic self. In her interview, she tells us he’s really a sensitive, sweet, and thoughtful guy. When he’s not being a huge a-hole.

Doug has a surprise for Lydia for her birthday. She hopes he doesn’t have clowns, and he says only monkeys. Her mom Judy pops a confetti canon, and a 90K car is revealed. Not a sportscar; an SUV mom car. Oh, she also gets a sportscar. A 180K Aston Martin. Judy puts a flower crown on Lydia’s head, which is one of their traditions. There’s also a table laden with gifts. Maybe I should have moved to California when I was dating.

Peggy is proud that even though her daughters don’t have to work, they choose to. They ask how Meghan’s party was. She tells them about talking to Vicki, and says she sensed that Vicki is tired and wants to avoid confrontation. She thinks it’s all petty.

Lydia drives her new non-mom car to a helicopter pad, and she and Doug go to Catalina for lunch. They discuss the launch party for the magazine. She tells him that she invited the girls, and Doug asks if she’s confident they can behave. She thinks even Tamra and Vicki could make up. The next topic is Doug’s vasectomy. Lydia is planning a Balls Voyage party. He was hoping for innovations in the procedure by the time they were done having kids. Doug brings out a cake with a sparkler in it. Wow. There’s no end to the birthday celebration.

Eddie and Tamra go out to eat. He talks about how fun it is to be together 24/7. He’s being somewhat sarcastic, but thinks it’s great they have a life where they can spend so much time with each other. We flash back through clips of their relationship, and how they decided not to have a baby. She asks how he thinks the fundraiser went, and he’s proud of her. She’s bummed that her mother didn’t come though. She tells us that her mom knows her background, and it hurts for her not to be there. She talks to Eddie about not being able to air problems while she was growing up. She gripes that her mother never interferes intervenes on her behalf with Sidney. She says if it was Ryan, she’d be all up in his business. She talks about how her dad married her mom’s best friend shortly after her parents’ divorce, and she felt that he was choosing his new wife over the family. She thinks this is karma for being on her mother’s side. Eddie tells her to be patient.

Kelly and Michael go out to dinner. Kelly brings up Michael’s birthday, but he doesn’t want to celebrate. In her interview, she says the age gap wasn’t as bad when they were younger, but he wants to be more of a homebody now, while she still wants to party. She tells him about how taking her mother to the senior center turned into a therapy session. Michael tells Kelly that she’s never around, but her social butterfly ways are one of the reasons he loves her. She doesn’t say anything, because she feels like he’s not being genuine with her. In her interview, she says she admires how Shannon works on her marriage. Are they okay now? I forget.

Shannon is cooking a low-calorie meal. She chastises David for having some chips, and looks at him like she might grab one. She says it’s frustrating to get a healthy meal on the table, while David tries to cram in as many chips as possible beforehand. Her daughters hate Shannon’s healthy cooking, and one of them feeds the dog under the table. Shannon tells them that she’s snagged a partner for the restaurant she wants to open. David says it can be a brutal business, and she says it’s a new concept – affordable healthy eating – so it might have a low profit margin. He says they have to make a profit to sustain themselves. Shannon says it’s been a dream of hers forever. In her interview, she says when David started his business, she was all kinds of encouraging, and wishes he’d be the same.

Tamra calls her mother, but gets voicemail. She says her mother has lacked communication skills her entire life. They don’t have the kind of relationship where they can talk, and it’s not good. Sandy calls back, and Tamra tells her the Erased Parent event went well. It was an emotional night, and giving a speech was hard. Sandy says she planned on going, but the whole thing is hard for her. She wanted to be supportive, but she can’t do it anymore. It’s worse than a death, because Sidney is there, yet they can’t get to her. Every time she gets her hopes up, she gets slammed back down. Tamra reminds her about how she and her dad didn’t even talk for ten years, and how divorce ruins families. She thinks Sidney is doing the same thing to her. She’s glad that her mother explained why she wasn’t there, and Sandy promises she’ll be there next time. Tamra says they need to talk more, and they agree their behaviors come from their childhoods.

The launch party for Nobleman begins. Lydia says they want it to be a spectacle, and give the guests the experience of what it’s like to be a gentleman today. The ladies start to arrive. Vicki walks in like she just rode horses all day, and I wonder if it’s the pencil skirt she’s wearing, or is she that tired. In her interview, she says Tamra and Shannon are like two little ants, going everywhere she does.

Tamra says if she has to walk on her elbows to avoid Vicki, she will. Lydia shows Peggy and Diko their picture on an easel. Peggy says it’s classy and chic like they are. Michael stayed home, and Kelly doesn’t like going to events by herself, but hates missing out on a good time. Like these events always are. Lydia introduces Doug, and says the magazine is a labor of love. Doug keeps it short, and says being a gentleman never goes out of style. Meghan wonders what’s up with Peggy’s boobs, and Tamra tells her about the mastectomy. They wonder if Peggy had cancer or not, and if she had reconstructive surgery. They don’t know all the details, and are way too nosy. What is it with them always playing detective?

Lydia tells Vicki that she and Tamra should move on. She asks if Vicki is open to that, and Vicki says she’s really hurt. In her interview, Lydia says she loves them together. They were like sisters, and now they can’t even look at each other. We see a flashback of them in Mexico wearing light-up ears and dancing. She suggests getting together the next week. Vicki says she doesn’t like conflict, but has to fight for who she is. In her interview, she thinks Lydia’s intentions are good, but the damage has been done. Vicki says goodbye to Kelly, while Tamra pointedly ignores her. Shannon says she doesn’t exist anymore, but obviously follows every move Vicki makes. The next weight I gain is on Shannon.

Lydia talks to Tamra, saying that Vicki would be open for a meeting. In her interview, Tamra calls her naïve, and says that Vicki is dead to her. She says someone attacking her marriage and family is difficult. Lydia thinks that Tamra should tell Vicki how she feels. She’s been praying on it, and says it can’t be worse. They could at least say hello. Shannon joins them, and wonders why Vicki doesn’t want to meet with her. In her interview, Lydia says Shannon tried to take her head off for suggesting it, and we flash back to Shannon screeching at Lydia. Shannon says she doesn’t have anything to say to Vicki anyway. Peggy comes along, and Tamra tells her about Vicki wanting to meet. She starts going on about how Vicki attacked her family and husband, and Meghan’s husband. Peggy says it isn’t worth it, and that Tamra is dwelling on it. Tamra asks if Peggy even wants to be friends. Honestly, I wish Tamra would stop embarrassing all Christians everywhere by claiming she is one.

Peggy looks at her like, are you five? Tamra lectures Peggy about how she and Vicki were friends for ten years, and gives her the entire history, starting from when the earth cooled. Peggy gets it, but thinks Tamra is making herself sick over it. In her interview, Peggy wants to have compassion, but is tired of the same thing, and thinks Tamra should move on. I can totally relate. She says either hash it out or let it go. Tamra insists that Peggy doesn’t know what happened. She tells Peggy that she doesn’t see the whole picture, but has a lot to say about it, adding that she feels attacked. She’s an idiot, because Peggy was totally gracious, but perhaps Peggy recognizes this, and says she wants Tamra to be comfortable and happy. Tamra says she is happy, and what does Peggy want her to do? Peggy says she feels badly for both of them. Tamra is annoyed that anyone could feel badly for Vicki, and says when she does it to Peggy – and she will – Peggy will understand. She tells Peggy about Vicki giving Meghan’s marriage only four years. Although it’s still too early to see if this prediction comes true. Diko finally rescues Peggy from this broken record.

Shannon asks if Tamra wants to go, and Tamra goes on and on about what a great friend Shannon is. Then she says she’s f-ing pissed. Shannon says she’s getting together with Meghan and Kelly tomorrow, and Tamra tells her to have fun. In the limo, Tamra relays to Shannon what Peggy said about her putting too much energy into hating Vicki. She thinks Peggy has an attitude, and curses her out. Tamra tells Shannon that Peggy had cancer, and Vicki lied about that very thing. 😱

Next time, Tamra does an obstacle course, Peggy explains her health issues to Shannon, and Tamra tells Peggy that she has RBF. (sigh)

The Real Housewives of Dallas

Mark is bugged because his socks don’t match perfectly. Cary says he’s a perfectionist, and only bad at being alone. She says Mark’s priority is growing the business right now, but hers is spending time with her daughter.

Kameron tells us she worked full time in sales for a toy company before she got married. She’s now the CEO of her house. She brings in a Spanish tutor for the kids. She says her Cali Girl, Southern accent combo mixed with Spanish doesn’t work, and demonstrates for us.

Stephanie meets with her life coach Laurie. Oh please. She says Laurie makes her think about her life, and she pays Laurie to listen. She started seeing her after there were problems with Brandi. She talks to Laurie about having to find a new house. She says she’s never been a part of the house buying even though they’ve lived in three different homes. Laurie brings up Brandi, and Stephanie gets emo. She says she felt rejected at Mark’s birthday. The person who was supposed to love her like a sister, threw her away like trash, and she’s afraid too much damage has been done to fix it. Laurie suggests she find out what hurt Brandi. This is the kind of advice she gets paid for, which is kind of depressing. In her interview, Stephanie says they’re judging a dog costume contest together, so they’re going to have to see each other.

Brandi meets with Cary. She’s Stephanie’s ride or die, so Brandi is wondering how this is going to affect their friendship. Mark is a finalist in some kind of fashion stylist thing. She says Stephanie might or might not be there, and asks if Brandi wants to come. Brandi tells her no; her nerves are shot. She says that Mark’s party was still good, even if Stephanie was there. Cary says that she didn’t want Brandi to feel left out. They discuss the text from Stephanie, where she’d claimed Cary said that LeeAnne was up to her old tricks. Cary thinks maybe Stephanie made her own assumption when she told her about meeting LeeAnne, and how she and Brandi’s estrangement had been brought up. Cary says she wants to be friends with everyone, and Brandi says that’s the way it goes with Stephanie. Cary wants to be able to trust everyone, and I tell her good luck with that.

D’Andra brings her sales coordinator to her cosmetic designer. She wants to show the coordinator how things are done with her mother’s company. D’Andra says that she knows the chemistry of the products very well, and it’s her gift to understand the science. A new product is being studied. D’Andra thinks if they don’t act now, they could become obsolete, but her mother hasn’t let her launch a product in years.

Travis and Stephanie go to look at a house. She tells him they both like different things, so not to get his hopes up. There’s a pool in the living room, and she’s like, no, just no. The realtor tries to make it sound like it’s the best thing ever. The place looks like it belongs on Million Dollar Listing. The toilet has a bunch of settings, one of which I’m not even going to talk about. Stephanie says it’s every girl’s dream, and now I’m like, no, just no. There’s a rain shower that I’m totally into though, and the view is fabulous. A lake is down below, and the “famous black swan” swims up as if on cue. Travis says it’s going to auction, so it could be a good deal. Stephanie says something is missing. She wants a place where the kids can play, and she wants a guest house. Travis thinks they’d save money buying it, and could sink it into changing things. Stephanie says they have to decide together.

Mark is skeptical that he’ll win. Cary says he has the best eye of any straight guy she knows. She’d love to see him win, but thinks they’ll be no living with him if he does. We see clips of him shopping, and he’s a tyrant. The event is at a store called Tootsies, and Mark mingles with the guests. The Stylemaker judges go around to various clothing displays the finalists have put together. Travis shows everyone his built-in pocket square.

Where’s LeeAnne?

More of Kameron and her kids. She wants them to pack up some toys for a vacation they’re going on, but it’s not happening. She plies them with some reward for whoever packs first. Kameron says her husband loves to travel, and she’ll go anywhere, but she’s upset about missing the dog costume contest. It would be the perfect opportunity for her to push her pink dog food line. Her husband is like, get over it, but she thinks it could be a multi-million-dollar business. I’m not sure about that, but I definitely think she could make money from it.

A woman thanks everyone for coming to the Stylemaker awards, and some guy named Guillermo wins. Cary feels bad, but says that Mark won in her book, and she thinks her prize is better than the award. D’Andra says she’s coming to the dog thing. Cary tells Stephanie that she’s getting pissed, and confronts her about the text message. She thinks she’s getting missed signals. She says she talked to Brandi, and isn’t sure about Stephanie now. Stephanie says she was just trying to protect Brandi, even though Cary said to give LeeAnne the benefit of the doubt, and now she looks like an idiot. Stephanie says that she didn’t mean to put Cary in the middle, and Cary starts getting louder, saying that Stephanie and Brandi have to talk, this is stupid, and she’s done. Well said.

D’Andra tries to get her dogs to eat. This makes me happy, since I thought I was the only one who had to coerce a dog to eat their supper. Her mother comes over, and D’Andra says she always feels like her mother is scrutinizing her. D’Andra tells her about meeting with Jackie, and that she thinks a lot of things are outdated. She says a lot of their products are sold on Christian TV, and they need to rebrand and expand the products. They’re also not doing much on social media. She says there’s no marketing budget, and they need to spend money on some updates. Her mother says that D’Andra doesn’t understand the financial end. D’Andra begs to differ, and says she’s still stuck wearing training wheels. She tells us that she was up for a great job when her mother enticed her to come back and work for the company. Her mother (they have not shown her name since she came in) Isn’t going for it, and they end the conversation, but she says they’ll pick it up another time.

Travis brings home Stephanie’s favorite champagne. He says he’s got good news. They won the house auction. He says he’s a little nervous, and she doesn’t know if she can live there. He thinks a swimming pool in the living room is cool. She tells him that they should have done it together. In her interview, She says Travis has sunk millions into the house they have now without her input. She tells him that with two kids and two dogs, a formal living room isn’t practical. Travis thinks anyone else would be thrilled. She says if he can’t consider the family, they can flip it and get something else. I dunno. If you gave me a monstrosity of a house, but also the money to do what I wanted with it, I’d be okay.

LeeAnne (finally) gets her pups ready for the Howl-O-Ween costume contest. One of her dogs is dressed like a hotdog, and she steams her own matching costume. She’s a hotdog with her own hotdog. That reminds me of a guy I knew named Bob, who had a dog named Bob. Just so he could say, “Hi, I’m Bob, and this is my dog, Bob.” The dog was a standard poodle who loved to dance. Now where was I? Brandi says it’s awkward and hard for her, because it’s something that should be fun, but now she’ll have to deal with Stephanie. All of the dogs are adorable.

D’Andra and Cary show up. Brandi says she’s had a horrible week. LeeAnne brings up the text. Cary says that Stephanie was trying to reach out to Brandi by throwing her under the bus. Stephanie tells Brandi that she needs to know what she did wrong. They both join the others at a picnic table, and it gets really quiet. The organizer or whatever saves the day, by announcing that the contest is starting, and the two of them have to leave to do judging.

The announcer dude sits with Brandi and Stephanie to discuss the vote, although I don’t know how they can choose. Where’s Waldo is one of the winners, but is MIA, which is kind of funny. Maybe he’s just blending in. At the table, Cary says they all have to talk face to face. When Stephanie and Brandi get back, they’re down with that, so LeeAnne wants to start with the text. Stephanie says LeeAnne scares her, and she thought she was manipulating. LeeAnne tells her to look in the mirror – bitch, like she’s Arnold Schwarzenegger. Or Jessie from Breaking Bad.

LeeAnne says all the behind the scenes talk has to stop. She says she hasn’t done anything to Brandi – unlike Stephanie. Stephanie says if LeeAnne has a problem with her, to talk to her, which is pretty rich. LeeAnne says Stephanie didn’t do that. Immediately, Stephanie says if she hurt LeeAnne’s feelings, she’s sorry. LeeAnne thinks her words came out too quickly to be sincere, and suggests that she and Brandi discuss what’s really wrong, which everyone is in agreement on. Stephanie says that she and Brandi’s children and husbands are friends, and they’re hurting the people they love. She doesn’t know what she did, but wishes she could go back and fix it. Brandi tells her that she had to step away, because Stephanie didn’t appreciate the friendship. Brandi says that they’ll talk.

Next time, Cary and Mark argue, Stephanie and Brandi talk, and a Halloween party happens.

😭 Because I just can’t let it go…

GoT-DanyTyrion&Dragons

Aug21

August 20, 2017 – The Shahs Israel Tour Continues & OMG Game of Thrones

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

Shahs of Sunset

Meanwhile at the Western Wall, GG isn’t feeling comfortable. Shervin seems to think the Wall is for Jews only, and GG says someone said “jihad” to her, which sounds pretty stupid. It makes her think of how people in the past have said Jews and Muslims shouldn’t mix. In his interview, Mike says that GG and Shervin feel a disconnect, and he felt the same way in Turkey. He says all religions seek enlightenment, but he can’t tell them how to feel, and the Wall will stand strong for them if they should decide to come back.

MJ feels that she doesn’t have the right to ask for anything for herself. She starts to cry during her interview, thinking of praying for children in need. Reza asks if she felt a connection, and says he’s tingling. Asa says the baby was kicking against the Wall. Destiney says it drowns you in a sense of release, and can’t believe how free she feels, especially being a Muslim. GG suggests they move on.

Shopping! The Jerusalem market place is bustling. Reza says he’s shopping where Jesus shopped, and talks about how crosses and menorahs are side-by-side. It’s doubtful that the wares in Jesus’s day sported slogans like Shalom, Ya’ll though. GG says she misses her boyfriend Shalom, because she hears his name everywhere. Ha-ha! GG tells Reza that she has marriage and kids on her mind. Her only reservation is the religion thing. In his interview, Reza says her brain is like a pinball. She asks him if it’s hard being half Muslim and half Jewish. He says it’s insane. Growing up gay as well, he felt like he didn’t fit in. GG says he has anger toward Muslims because of what he went through, and she doesn’t want that for her children.

The Holy Sepulcher is next. Mike marvels about being at the holiest Jewish site in the world, and then the holiest Christian site. He’s on a crazy spiritual high. He’s been in darkness, and now the light is so bright it hurts his eyes. He says that no matter who you are, the key is to find light. If people think you can’t get along with others of different faiths, they should watch this show. Stupid as it is, the Shahs are a wonderful example of getting along. Even when they don’t, it’s never about the differences in their faiths.

Omg, MJ has her makeup laid out like a buffet in her room. A tattoo artist is coming to the hotel lounge to ink GG. Asa asks GG why the others are against it. GG says that she has a lot of tattoos, but none is of a man’s name, and she wants to brand herself with Shalom’s name in Hebrew. Destiney joins them. She says she’s down with tatts on a dude, but thank God for laser removal.

MJ, Reza, Shervin and Mike (sounds like a law firm or folk band) go out to do some drinking. Mike thinks GG is cuckoo. In his interview, Reza says she’s hesitant to come to Israel, but wants Shalom tattooed on her torso. He wonders how she reconciles things in that special head, and I laugh.

GG makes a lot of uncomfortable sounds during the procedure, but the tattoo looks good.

MJ says it’s her last hurrah. She’s getting pregnant when she gets home. Reza says it’s the last hurrah every time she has a drink, and we flash back to three last hurrahs. Reza thinks that MJ getting pregnant in a month timeframe isn’t realistic. He suggests planning a wedding, but MJ wants to get pregnant first. Reza is like, wait a second, because she’s saying Asa should get married. MJ says she’s not having a bastard child, but Asa will. (I can’t believe anyone even uses that term anymore.) She says as soon as the test is positive, they’ll do everything. If not, she’s not marrying Tommy, because he smokes around the dogs and eats hard candy at night. And likes the Mets. Reza says there will always be issues, but she has to keep moving forward in spite of what’s happening. They move on to a club that reminds me of the old Danceteria.

GG and Asa are sleeping when the partiers get to the hotel lounge. Shervin finds a hair extension hanging from a lampshade, and we both go, eww. MJ gets GG’s room key, and Reza says that they’re going in Israeli defense style. They wake her up, and want to see the tattoo. She’s surprisingly compliant. They want to be there when she tells Shalom, and she decides to Facetime with him. She shows him the tattoo, and he says omfg that’s real. Reza tells him to go buy a ring.

We’re on to the Dead Sea, beers being cracked the whole way there. Reza says people from all over the world come there to get healed. Asa asks Mike and Reza how last night was. Reza says they called MJ out, and tells Asa about the bastard child comment. Asa isn’t cool with that. They go to a restaurant and eat outside. In her interview, Asa says calling her baby a bastard child is f-ed up. Asa says that MJ is always taking jabs at her, and to use that word, no matter who you’re referring to, is ugly. MJ says that she was talking about herself. MJ says several of the friends asked about Asa getting married, and she avoided the question. She’s never met a pregnant woman so secretive, and every question is an attack. Mike says MJ is upset because Asa isn’t open and honest. Asa says she’s open about her age and weight, whereas MJ isn’t. Mike disagrees, saying that MJ is an open book, and everyone judges her. GG says weight isn’t a topic that’s very deep, and Reza says it’s awkward for him, since he’s friends with them both. GG wonders why be friends, if she doesn’t want to be open?. Asa says she doesn’t want to talk about certain things. Shervin asks if she took hormones to get pregnant, and Asa says she froze eggs years ago. MJ is shocked, wondering why she never said anything, and Asa says she doesn’t trust her. MJ says that Asa lied to her, and Asa says they froze 8 male embryos, but didn’t use them. They just started trying, and she’s shocked at how fast it happened. In his interview, Mike thinks it’s odd that she had a natural pregnancy that quickly at age 40. He’s not buying it.

Mike thinks if they can’t be open and honest, they shouldn’t be friends GG says they didn’t just come on the trip to unite Muslims and Jews, but each other. MJ wonders why Asa asked a million questions about her fertility process, but kept her own to herself. They go down to the sea. GG duct tapes her tattoo, so she can get in the water with the others. Asa stays in a chair on the beach. She feels emotionally poisoned, and doesn’t want to share, since she’s not feeling the love. Reza says that the Dead Sea is ten times saltier that any ocean, and everything floats immediately. It’s funny to watch how quickly people rise to the top. GG is grateful, saying everything is good right now. She gets salt water on the tattoo, and then it’s not so good. When they get back, Mike says that he has salt in all of his crevices.

Asa gets her neck massaged while she talks to Destiney. She’s not happy about some of the conversations. Tommy Facetimes MJ. She asks about her father, who is holding on, and he shows her one of the dogs. She says it’s not easy being so far away from her dad. They’ve been thick as thieves since she came out of the womb. Tommy puts Shams on, and says his grip is starting to feel strong. She says hello to him, and Tommy tells her not to cry; he’s good. After she hangs up, she gets a billion tissues and goes inside the shower cubicle. Mike asks if she wants a drink; he’s worried about her. Mike says his own father had told him that when he saw that Mike was okay, he’d be okay. He thinks Shams is holding on because he wants to see her happy. He tells her that Tommy is a good dude, and not to let her father’s illness to stop her from living her life. He says that Shams has lived a good life, and he should see her get married. MJ says that she has to make sure she propels herself forward and gets what Mike is saying.

The group strolls around the city, which is beautiful. They go to a restaurant where they have a private room. Reza says that the owners are a couple who decided to turn their home into a restaurant, and the food is off the chain. He tells us that Jews and Muslims don’t agree on much, but they agree on the food. It’s simple and delicious, and he’d like to go swimming in the hummus. MJ starts to make a toast, and Mike says what a great guy Tommy is, and tells her to step up or step out. He thinks she’ll lose him if she doesn’t marry him. MJ says she doesn’t mean to be unappreciative, but she has to be an activist for her father’s care. In her interview, Asa wonders if crying is MJ’s default mode for avoiding an issue. MJ says she’s dealing with a lot, but does it with pleasure. In his interview, Mike says Asa doesn’t look like she gives a flying. Mike says it’s amazing how they’re fighting for each other to achieve their goals, and be open and honest. They toast to the future.

Asa has an announcement. She found out the sex of the baby. She was waiting until the end of the trip, but now she feels alone and uncomfortable. Mike thinks she’s being insulting. Asa says there’s nothing she has to hide, and she’s not a liar. They’re welcoming a son. Reza says he called it. In her interview, MJ says that Asa got pregnant by a miracle, but happened to freeze male embryos and it’s a boy. She calls Asa a fraud. GG says she knew there was a penis in there somewhere. Mike asks about a name, but it hasn’t been decided.

Reza makes a toast, thanking everyone for sharing this journey. He grew up respecting and loving that side of his family, and talks about being with Mike’s family. He tells them about his grandmother having five sisters, and how he didn’t have that, but he gets it through them. Shervin says what Reza has gone through has made him who he is. He thanks Reza for helping them get over their fear. In his interview, Shervin he says he was scared because he looks Palestinian, but everyone was welcoming. Mike says he has gratitude for them overlooking their fears. It’s strengthened their roots. Now a massive tree can grow, and Israel has caused that to happen.

Next time, MJ thinks today might be the day, GG tells Shervin that MJ is criticizing him, and Reza calls out Shervin.

Beyond the Wall

I’ll tell you what’s beyond the Wall. Zombies. Lots of them. As Jon and his band of merry men found out on Game of Thrones tonight while on their field trip.

At Winterfell, Arya accused Sansa of having a hand in their father’s death, and showed her the note she’s swiped from Littlefinger. Sansa said she was forced to it, and was just a child. Arya told her she was a child too, but would have died first. Sansa told her that they got Winterfell back because of her, and yada-yada-yada about how much she’s suffered. She told Arya that sometimes anger makes people do unfortunate things, and Arya said fear does too, but she’ll stick with anger. I relate.

We found out that The Hound hates gingers, and I wondered wonder what Andy Cohen would have to say about that. Tormund learned what the word d*ck means, and professed his love for Brienne, and his desire to make monster babies with her. The Hound said she’d want to carve him up and eat his liver, and Tormund was like, oh, you know her. Beric told Jon that the trip wasn’t going to be any fun, like he didn’t know this already, but they’d accomplish a lot.

Dany told Tyrion he’s no hero, but she likes it that way. She knows he’s brave though, since she would never choose a coward as her Hand. Tyrion thought if they wanted to create a new and better world, mass murder and destruction wasn’t the way to go about it. He wanted to discuss who would succeed her one day, but Dany wasn’t having it until she’s sitting on the Iron Throne. Tyrion suggested she likes Jon, but she said he was too little for her, and then was like, oh, sorry.

Some guy in Jon’s group got grabbed by something and eaten right away, and this giant zombie bear thing came out of nowhere. It was not good. One of the guys set it on fire, causing The Hound to freeze. Thoros saved him, but got tossed around and mauled for his trouble. Jorah stabbed the bear thing, and made some magic to get Thoros moving again. When Beric asked if he was okay, Thoros was like, I just got bit by a dead bear, what do you think? Pointing out what a stupid question that was.

The real stupidity of the night was Sansa confiding in Littlefinger about Arya finding the note. Why Arya didn’t out him earlier for having it hidden, I’m not sure. Sansa told him that the people’s loyalty is to Jon, not her, and she’s already been married to two of their enemies. She has a point there. I just don’t understand why Sansa is trusting this dude.

Jon and his guys ambushed a group of White Walkers, made zombie brittle out of them, and kept one just in case they needed it later. Even The Hound was grossed out when he ripped the zombie’s face off, while trying to subdue it. When Jon realized a humongous zombie horde was coming, Gendry got sent back to Castle Black to send a raven to Dragonstone for help. Jon and company ran out in the middle of a frozen lake, not realizing it until it started cracking, but they had to keep moving because the horde was breathing – well, symbolically anyway – down their necks. Then in a very Z Nation type move, row by row of zombies fell through the ice and into the lake. Jon and the main characters of the scene made it to an rock formation, along with their captured zombie, with the remaining horde on the other side of the lake. Since winter is all over the place, Gendry ended up keeling over right in front of the Wall, but the Maester ran out, along with a bunch of other guys, and Gendry told him about sending the raven. Thoros ended up freezing to death, and Beric said blah-blah-blah about the Lord of Light, and they burned his body. Oh well. We learned that if you kill a White Walker, the others he’s taken to hell with him will go too.

Back at Winterfell, Sansa told Brienne to represent her at the Kings Landing summit. Brienne reminded Sansa of her oath, but Sansa said she’d by fine by herself.

There was a zombie free-for-all after The Hound threw rocks at one of them, and there were some amazing crane shots. Beric’s flaming sword was also impressive. I yelled, help him! at the TV when I was sure Tormund was a goner. The Hound came to the rescue. The guys fought the zombies, while the soundtrack got all quiet, like that scene in Snowpiercer when the Chris Evans and the tail section people battle those guys in the black masks.

Even though Tyrion had warned her to do nothing, Dany came flying in on Drogon’s back, wearing a snow queen type outfit, along with the other two dragons. There was dracarys all over the place, and then some. Dany parked, and the guys were trying to get on the Drogon, but only Jorah made it. While Jon was battling the zombies and Dany’s attention was elsewhere, that freaking, spiky-headed Night King started sneaking in on them. He threw that ice spear he carries, and hit Viserion. (I only know the name because I cheated and looked at another recap. I honestly can’t tell one dragon from another. Hey, at least I’m honest.)

Here’s where it turned into a real sh*t show. In my family room. This hideous creature killed Viserion. It was shocking and sickening and horrifying. And that was just my reaction. I burst into tears, jumped out of my chair, yelled at the TV, and my dogs thought I had gone out of my mind, my sensitive one running to comfort me. After this ruthless scene, Dany took off with Jorah and whoever the other dragon is, and Jon fell into the water. I was so freaked, I didn’t even know what happened to the others. Jon’s Uncle Benjen swooped in, like a white knight on a horse. He put Jon on the horse, but when Jon asked him to come, he said there wasn’t time. This perplexed me, because I wondered how much time it would take him to jump on, especially since he ended up getting eaten by the horde.

Next thing I knew, The Hound, Tormund, and Beric were back at the Wall. Tormund said see you later, but The Hound said probably not. Somehow, Benjen’s horse made it back to the Wall.

Sansa searched Arya’s room, and found her faces. Arya is still quiet as a cat though, and snuck up on her. Arya wanted to play a Westeros version of truth or dare, but Sansa didn’t want to, so Arya scared the crap out of her.

Once again, Jon came back to life after being pretty much frozen. He’s getting good at that resurrection thing. He awoke to Dany sitting at his bedside. He was absolutely precious, telling Dany how sorry he was, and how he wished they hadn’t gone. Dany was stoic though, saying that she needed to see it to believe it, but the dragons are the only children she’ll ever have, so she’s going to destroy the spike head king. Jon told her that he sees her for what she is, and he’d bend his knee, but can’t from a hospital bed. They held hands, and the entire viewing audience had the same thought.

Like a billion Jacob Marleys, the zombies drug Viserion  out of the ice water. Okay, I thought, maybe at least we’ll get a zombie dragon out of this. And yes, we will.

Next time, the season finale.

Best Quotes of the Night

Walking’s good; fighting’s better; f*cking’s best. – Tormund

Heroes do stupid things and they die. – Dany

This episode was brutal and exhausting. – Me

GoT-Dragon

RIP Viserion

(and Dick Gregory and Jerry Lewis)

 

Aug19

August 18, 2017 – Nina has a List, Shark Sunday & Quotes to Apply to Your Life

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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Ava and Griff kiss. She tells him that she needs him, and takes off his shirt. Then we all wake up.

Griff asks Kiki if Anna has checked in for her phlebotomy. Kiki doesn’t know, but says her mom is late for therapy. He tells her about going to the concert with Ava, and she says whatever he’s doing, keep it up.

Anna and Emma are at Kelly’s, but Emma isn’t very hungry. Anna asks if something is bothering her. Emma needs to figure out how to return the heart back to Spencer. It wouldn’t be right to keep it, since she’s going out with Leif. (Going out? Isn’t she like, twelve?) She wonders why relationships are so complicated. Anna wants to check something before she returns it, and Emma asks if she thinks there’s something suspicious about the diamond.

Nina and Valentin meet at the MetroCourt. He shows her pictures of the new rescue horses. He tells her that she should come visit. He’d love to see her there, and back at home.

Franco and Elizabeth go to his studio. He says there are bad memories there, but she suggests they make new ones. They kiss, but he thinks she should go, and they can pick up where they left off at home. She asks if he’s trying to get rid of her.

Anna says suspicious is a strong word. She just wants to ascertain what it is. Emma doesn’t think it’s a real diamond; she doesn’t think Spencer would give away something like that. Anna says she doesn’t think so either, but if it is, she wonders how he got it. Like this would be hard, considering the level of wealth they had at Wyndemere. Nikolas could have had diamonds lying around all over the place. Emma asks if Spencer could be involved in espionage.

Valentin asks what herculean feats he has to do to get Nina’s trust back. She says Hercules was a god, and she doesn’t hold him to that standard, but she isn’t convinced he can attain the standards she does have. He says he’ll find a way.

Franco tells Elizabeth that if he had his way, they’d be home and making up for lost time. He says it’s going to be a mess while he works. She says that she doesn’t mind one, since she has three boys. He says he works better alone, and the faster it’s done, the faster he’s home. She says she’ll see him later then. When she’s gone, he starts spray painting a canvas. There’s a song part, but it’s not a romantic ballad; it’s more punk, and actually pretty good.

Kiki asks Ava why she canceled her appointment. She tells Kiki that she felt feverish (ha-ha), and thought she should stay home. Kiki wants her to see a doctor; it could be serious, since her immune system is compromised. Ava says that she’ll see Finn later, but Kiki says he’s away. She offers to ask Griff to fill in, but Ava doesn’t want that.

Franco slashes the canvas with a box cutter. He realizes he’s cut himself, and drips blood on it. Now there’s a true artist.

Anna tells Emma never discuss espionage in public. She says diamonds of this size are precious, and have a complicated history. Emma says that she has to give it back, and Anna tells her that she will, if it’s rightfully his. Emma wonders if Spencer stole it, but Anna says although he’s precocious to a fault, he’s not a thief. Anna takes the diamond out, and gives Emma the heart. Wow, that came out easily. How Emma hasn’t lost it, since she’s been carting it around, I’ll never know.

Nina has a list for Valentin and he wants to tick things off. First is Anna and her obsession. Nina says that his promises evaporated whenever Anna came around. Valentin says it’s over. He was a prisoner of his past, but priorities have changed. Next is to make peace with Spencer. Valentin says he tried, and got the olive branch thrown back at him. Nina asks about the wrongful death suit, and Valentin says that his lawyers are working on having it thrown out of court. The last thing he wants is a trial, and although Spencer doesn’t know it, it’s the last thing he wants too. Nina asks why, and he tells her that abandonment by Nikolas would be brought up. He’s faked his death before, and they never found a body. Nina says it’s an interesting take, but she’s not sure if it’s true. Valentin tells her the truth doesn’t matter in court; it’s which lawyers have the better argument, but he doesn’t think Spencer understands that. She tells him to put that one in brackets, and moves on to Charlotte’s custody.

Ava tells Kiki that she doesn’t want to bother Griff; he’s not her doctor. Kiki doesn’t think he’d mind, and  says that he told her how much fun he had at the concert. Ava tells her about the bee sting and how she used the lavender treatment on him. Kiki says funny, she’ll treat a doctor, but not let him treat her. Kiki won’t let up, so Ava says she’ll go, but there’s no need to trouble Griff.

Elizabeth apologizes for being late to work. Griff says he covered for her. He takes it that things are going well at home. Elizabeth isn’t happy about Hayden disappearing, but having Franco back helps. He tells her about the bee sting, and Anna comes in. Griff goes to check on the preparation for her procedure, and Anna asks to talk to Elizabeth. She takes out the diamond.

Franco acts like a ringmaster introducing an act. He opens a box of paintings, and starts trashing them. It’s not like they’re great paintings though. More like amateur graffiti.

Kiki brings Ava to the hospital. She tries to escape, but Kiki won’t let her. A doctor takes Ava to an examining room. Griff asks Kiki if she’s okay. Kiki tells him that Ava had a fever, and she convinced her to come in. She tells Griff that she just got a cryptic text message, and asks if he can look after Ava if she’s not there when Ava is finished. He says he will.

Anna tells Elizabeth about the diamond, wondering how Spencer got his hands on it. Elizabeth thinks she should talk to Laura, but Anna says she lived at Wyndemere too. She wonders if it could be one of Hayden’s diamonds, and Elizabeth says Nikolas did spill them once. Maybe he didn’t find them all.

Valentin says that Lulu has been less than cooperative, but Nina says her attitude is understandable, given she was separated from her child for so long and Charlotte doesn’t need her parents at each other’s throats. Valentin says he has to admit that Lulu is good for Charlotte, and is willing to entertain shared custody. Nina sarcastically says he sounds so sincere, but she thinks he’s using it to manipulate her. He says he doesn’t like giving up what’s his, and fights for what he loves. She can see him as manipulative or as a man who loves her.

Franco talks about himself in the third person, saying that providing the work is dark and depraved, he can achieve unique commercial success, making him rich and famous. For a moment, he confuses himself as a genius, when he’s nothing but a garden variety psycho. He slashes at the paintings. Kiki comes in, and tells him stop.

He says he’s getting rid of an eyesore that comes from a deep dark soul. He’s no longer that man, and doesn’t want to be reminded of who he was. He got them back so he could erase that part of him forever. He says he doesn’t want Elizabeth to see them. Kiki says he must be moving in with her, and that’s what the text was about that she’s on her own with the apartment. She says that she’s happy for him; he deserves it. She tells him Picasso had his blue period, and he had a dark blue period, but it’s still art. She says she read an article about his retirement being premature, and says some artists would kill to paint like that. He tells her that’s a poor choice of words. She says that she understands it represents a part of his life that he’s not proud of, but his art still has a place in world, although maybe not with him. She thinks she knows where to send them. Franco suggests a landfill, but she says no, her mom.

Griff sees Ava coming out, and the doctor says it’s nothing to worry about, just a mild case of influenza. Griff says that he’ll see she get to bed (omg, all the double entendres today with these two), and Ava says she can handle it herself. He tells her that he’ll get her home and into bed, and she tells him to stop saying that, and I laugh. She says Kiki will do it, and Griff tells her that Kiki had to leave.

Elizabeth tells Anna to take it easy before she goes into full-scale investigation mode. Anna wonders how Spencer got his hands on the diamond.

Valentin promises Nina that he’ll never to turn to Anna again; he’ll make a contract. He’ll never be around Anna again, but he’ll be polite in public. He promises that Charlotte will always come first, ahead of his work and ambition. He accepts Nina as his equal in every way, an individual with a life and a career and dreams. Nina says that’s everyone’s fantasy, and he tells her to put the ring back on and come home. He’ll spend the rest of his life making sure she doesn’t regret it. She asks if she does, can he promise he won’t do anything to disrupt it or take him away from her? Valentin can’t make that promise, and Nina looks at him like, what?

Kiki tells Franco that his catalog of work is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Elizabeth and the boys could use the money, and if Elizabeth doesn’t want it, he can give it to her for the rent he’s sticking her with or med school. He can turn something bad into something good, and even put it in a trust for the boys, and it would be good for him too. She says destroying them doesn’t change the past. If he gives them back to art, the world might redeem them. He makes people step out of their comfort zone, which is a lot to achieve. She tells him to put them out in the world, and let people react the way they want. She reminds him that he told her an artist doesn’t own his work; he puts it out in the world where it’s transformed in its own way, and it gives back to the world. Or something like that. She asks if that was bull, or did he mean it? Before she leaves, she tells him welcome back and says that she missed him.

Ava keeps punching the elevator button, and says this is what she gets for coming outside. The next time Griff gets the bright idea to pity someone, find someone else. Griff says that he’s her friend. She tells him that she’ll wait outside for Kiki, and to find some other soul to save. After she finally gets in the elevator, Elizabeth asks what that was about. Griff says he wishes he knew.

Valentin says that Nina asked for the truth. He can give her his life and love, and share his heart and daughter with her, but he can’t promise what she’s asking. He’s already done things that can’t be undone, and they come with certain associations. He acknowledges that the criminal circumstances in his life might be complicated. Nina wonders what will happen if he pulls the rug out from under her again. He admits to screwing up, but never stopped loving her. He spent his life chasing money instead of happiness, because he didn’t know what happiness was. Then he had Charlotte, and met Nina, and now he knows.  He wants her in his life for the rest of his life, but he’s not making false promises. He’s done bad things and can’t promise that he won’t again, but he can promise he won’t do bad things to her or Charlotte. He asks if she can take him for who he is. Anna walks in, and he says right on time.

Anna goes to a private room, and meets with a man who works with the WSB. She says he examined the Berlin diamonds, and asks if it’s a possible stray stone. He studies it, and Anna looks at it with bug eyes, like she’s really into this.

Nina tells Valentin that maybe she can do better than that, and maybe she and Charlotte deserve better. Valentin is sure of it, but he can only give her the truth. He’ll do everything he said, but he’s not begging anymore. She says she knows that, and he leaves.

Anna asks the guy if it’s a Berlin diamond. He asks how she got ahold of it.

Back at Ava’s apartment, Ava yells at Kiki for abandoning her, and says she was a few seconds away from calling an Uber. Kiki says she asked Griff to fill in, and Ava insists she’s not that helpless or needy. Kiki says they just want to help; why push them away? Ava tells Kiki to let her take care of herself. She doesn’t want Kiki getting the flu, so Kiki agrees to go, saying she’ll check in later. When she’s gone, Ava looks at herself for the umpteenth time. She asks how anyone could ever feel anything for her but pity.

Elizabeth tells Griff that Ava’s behavior is natural when struggling with recovery, and not to take it personally. He says that he didn’t see it coming, and wants Ava to know her life isn’t over. He wants to help her realize she can live a productive life, and he genuinely likes her. Elizabeth reminds her about how he’d told her that Franco was redeemable, and he was right. If anyone can save Ava’s soul, it’s him.

Franco goes to Ava’s apartment and tells her that he has a proposition.

On Monday, Ned talks to Alexis, Curtis wonders what Stella is up to, and Jordan asks Jason why he wants to protect whoever shot Sonny.

👦 Just in case you didn’t know, Spencer gets shipped off to school because he gets shipped off to the other show he does IRL. I forget the name of it. He only does his GH gig when the other show is on hiatus.

🌪 I spent last Sunday watching the entire Sharknado franchise. Despite how I like to present myself to the world, I love this juvenile guest-starred-to-the-hilt mess. The jokes are terrible, but in an Airplane! kind of way. In acting school, they’ll tell you one of the ways humor works is taking stupid things seriously (okay, I’m paraphrasing), and they seem to have that down. But for me, the cameos are the best part. Absolutely everyone who is anyone (and some who aren’t) eventually shows up in one of these films. Politicians, wrestlers, relatively big names, has-beens, and lots of reality TV stars. I was glad to see my girl, Kari Wuhrer (Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time) get some work in Sharknado 2: The Second One, and Mark McGrath once again surprised me with how good he actually is. Since the second film is based in NYC, it remains my favorite, although I did wonder where everyone got all those pitchforks. It’s not exactly like there’s a feed store, or even a Home Depot, on every corner. However, I found it realistic that everyone stood around and watched dangerous situations from just a few feet away. Yep, sitting ducks, all of us, since we do not know when to leave. I’d missed some of Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens the first time around, and loved seeing Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre) as part of a family who owned a chainsaw store. They had him dirtied up, but I saw him once at a horror convention. Having never seen him sans makeup before, I was quite surprised to find out who he was when I asked, Who is that handsome man? Kellita Smith reprised her Z Nation character, Warren, in the fourth film, and had some banter about zombies, basically plugging the show, which was fine with me. The fifth effort, Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, heavily featured Russell Hodgkinson, also from Z Nation (Doc), and a surprisingly decent performance from Tiffany Pollard (aka New York, pick from several reality shows). My only complaint was the very heavy product placement of a brand that needs none from me. The ever-present Ian Ziering (Fin Shepard) and Tara Reid (April Shepard) both made an insanely smart move getting involved with this series. It was probably a surprise to them too, that Sharknado somehow became the part of pop culture that it is. At this point, they also produce the films, so good for them. I like to see the undersharkdog win.

🐬 I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. They’re sharks. They’re scary. No one wants to get eaten. But I’ve been eaten. And I’m here to tell you it takes a lot more than to bring a good man down. A lot more that to bring a New Yorker down. – Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) just before he cuts a falling shark in half with a chainsaw

✈ Steve McCroskey: Jacobs, I want to know absolutely everything that’s happened up till now.  ✈ Jacobs: Well, let’s see. First the earth cooled. And then the dinosaurs came, but they got too big and fat, so they all died and they turned into oil. And then the Arabs came and they bought Mercedes Benzes. And Prince Charles started wearing all of Lady Di’s clothes. I couldn’t believe it. – Lloyd Bridges and Stephen Stucker, respectively, Airplane II: The Sequel (On a sad note, the extremely funny Stephen Stucker passed away from AIDS at the young age of 38.)

Good Advice

If you keep your eyes open, your life becomes easier and clearer with maturity. – Ewan McGregor

Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create. – Roy T. Bennett

You have to learn to get up from the table when love is not being served. – Nina Simone

A key component of wisdom is fearlessness, which is not the absence of fear, but rather not letting our fears get in the way. – Ariana Huffington

The year we did a Sharknado theme for Halloween…

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Aug18

August 17, 2017 – Franco is Home, Not So Happily Ever After & TV Tidbits

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Felicia tells Mac that Anna would rather hear it from them about their brush with the law. Mac is concerned that she’ll bar them from seeing Emma and the baby. Felicia thinks she’ll laugh, and since Maxie knows, it’s only a matter of time before the whole town does.

In Portland, Maxie tells Georgie not to eat the grass, but Spinelli thinks it’s okay. He tells her grunge is a way of life there, and she needs to get used to it – if she’s going to stay.

Amy meets Nathan at Kelly’s. She asks how his summer was without her. He says calmer, but admits it was also less fun.

Felicia thinks Mac needs anti-anxiety pills. Anna has just walked in with Emma and the baby. She overhears, and asks why.

Obrecht comes into the hospital through the loudest sliding door ever. Elizabeth wants to confront her. Franco says no, and she asks if he has a better idea. He hands her the bakery box, and says allow him.

Finn tells Curtis that if anyone can find Hayden, it’s him. Curtis says he does know her well, and could bring her back faster than any PI in the business, but he won’t. Finn says she’s almost out of resources, and is in her second trimester. Finn asks Curtis if he thinks he can’t do it. Curtis asks if he seems like a brother who can be swayed by vanity, and Finn says yes. Curtis tells him that out of respect for Hayden, he won’t punch him out, but he also won’t take the job for the same reason.

Franco asks Obrecht why she’s there. He says there’s a rumor going around that she’s ruining Hayden and Finn’s lives. She says she can’t help it if Hayden is in to larceny. He says she didn’t just break a law, she broke camp; she’s gone.

Maxie loves seeing Georgie every day. not so much Spinelli’s new beard. He tells her that Ellie likes it. It’s like kissing her childhood crush Merlin Olsen. (Google it.) He thinks there’s a way to entice Nathan to come. He says they have a police station, and he’s sure Nathan could find a place on the force. Maxie tells him that ever since Nina married Valentin, he’s afraid to leave Port Charles. Spinelli says that she’s a gown woman, but Maxie believes he’s using it as a cover. Spinelli thinks he has the answer.

Amy tells Nathan that she saw the twinkle in his eye after the podcast. He was in his element. He thinks there might be something to that. She asks if the opportunity presented itself, if he’d want to keep going. He wonders if she’s asking him to be Man Landers again.

Mac and Felicia look at Anna’s pictures. The baby’s name is Noah. Anna thinks it’s a perfect name, but Mac isn’t thrilled. He toasts to the newest member of the family.

Curtis reveals to Finn that he started looking the moment Hayden disappeared. He asked his contacts to look, and at one point thought she took a ferry to Canada, but he was wrong. He says that she doesn’t want to be found, and it’s her choice and her right. He doesn’t have to like it, but has to respect it

Obrecht tells Franco that Hayden got what she deserved. Franco says she’s Elizabeth’s sister. Obrecht says if anything, she did Elizabeth a favor. Franco doesn’t want a feud between his friend and girlfriend, but Obrecht says she’ll take her chances. He asks what if Finn finds out. Elizabeth tells Franco that her shift is over, and she wants to go home. Obrecht says to tell her sister mazel tov if she sees her. Is she Jewish? Or has she been watching Andy Cohen?

Spinelli thinks that Nathan might feel jealous or inadequate, since Maxie is away. He offers to talk to Nathan, man to man, but Maxie thinks something else is going on. He asks if she needs his cyber skills, and she tells him maybe, but she has a more pressing matter for The Jackal to solve.

Amy tells Nathan that being Man Landers is like going under cover, but he says it’s worse. Murderous criminals don’t encourage their new boss to overlook public indecency. Amy wonders what Man Landers has gotten himself into.

Felicia leaves, and Anna wonders if she’s missing something. Emma gets a phone call, and steps away from the table to answer. Anna says she thinks it’s a boy. Mac freaks, but she says that Robin and Patrick have assured her they’re on top of things. She asks if he has anything for her, and he gives her a drive that has a full accounting of everything Valentin did in her absence.

Maxie tells Spinelli that she’s been given the green light from the magazine publisher to pursue the story of the century. She wants to expose Man Landers for the charlatan he is. She says once they do, he won’t be able to give advice to anyone. Spinelli reveals that he loves Man Landers’s blog, and he’s responsible for the beard.

Amy says that Nathan is making too big a deal about Mac and Felicia; they’ll laugh about it someday. Nathan tells her maybe, as long as they don’t find out it was him. She says he didn’t tell them to do it in public. He says Maxie wanted to give Man Landers a piece of her mind, and threatened to expose him. Amy says she can never know. Felicia rolls up next to Nathan, and says, know what?

Anna checks where Valentin has been, but there’s nothing much. She notices he went to a building that Ava and Julian own. She wonders if it was a meeting, and what kind of business he’d have with them. She says maybe it was innocent, and Mac says maybe Valentin really turned over a new leaf. Anna tells Mac that Valentin would have to prove it.

Finn understands not intruding on Hayden’s privacy, but he loves her and she’s pregnant with their child; he needs help to find her. Curtis says sorry, but he knows a good PI he can refer Finn to. He gets that Finn is pissed, but Hayden made her choice, like he has. Finn wants to see her one more time to try and make it right. Curtis says that works for him, but not Hayden. He asks if Finn would have let her go if she’d explained first, and he says probably not. Curtis tells him that Hayden did what was best for her, and they have to respect her choices. Finn loves her too much to let her go. He says they’re two deeply flawed people who found each other. He asks if Curtis would have let her go if he was in the same position, and hasn’t he ever wanted a second chance or to make amends? Finn tells Curtis he’ll look for her himself.

Elizabeth gets in Obrecht’s face, and Obrecht tells her to spare the righteous indignation. She and Hayden don’t even like each other. Elizabeth says that Hayden is pregnant and alone, and on the run. Obrecht admits to feeling sorry for the baby, who’s innocent in all of this, but she also feels sorry for the girl Hayden put in a wheelchair. Elizabeth finds it hard to believe that Obrecht’s motives were noble. Obrecht says she righted a wrong, and messed up Hayden and Finn’s lives, so it’s – how you Americans say – a twofer. Avenging herself makes it a trifecta. Elizabeth says Hayden will be back, and Obrecht will get what she deserves. Obrecht says they’ll see about that.

Mac talks about Valentin being arrested in regard to Spencer, but says that everything worked out. He tells her the chase is over, and she has her life back. He says her life is too precious to spend it running after Valentin.

Amy tells Felicia that it’s a surprise, and Nathan introduces them. Amy says she’s helping Nathan with Maxie’s birthday, and Nathan adds that he’s a terrible gift giver. Felicia points out that it’s not until Halloween. Amy tells Nathan that they’re settled on what they’re doing, and jets. Felicia says that she’s meeting Bobbie to discuss a case, but thinks they should talk about what he’s been up to.

Maxie tells Spinelli that Man Landers almost got her parents arrested, and now he’s encouraging beard culture. Spinelli says he’s just a humble sage trying to enlighten his fellow man. She asks why the subterfuge then, and he says maybe it’s for privacy. Maxie thinks that if people knew the truth, they wouldn’t be following him like lemmings. She says if she breaks the story, she could get ahead at the magazine.

Finn sees Obrecht at the hospital. She wonders why Hayden would take such drastic action, and says that the people who seem the happiest often conceal sadness and secrets. It’s a shame she ran from her problems. Obrecht tells him that she considered packing after she got ousted from the hospital, but she had people there whom she loves and love her, and thought it was a better idea to stick it out. Finn says she did this.

Elizabeth doesn’t understand why Franco is friends with Obrecht. He says that plenty of people might say the same about Elizabeth being with him. She says that’s different because he’s trying to be a better person. He tells her that what Obrecht did sucks, but what can he do to make it better? Elizabeth wants to hear about NYC, but we still don’t get the story, because he says he missed her, and hated being away. Franco wants to create their own world at her place, and she says he should be free to roam, but there’s always room for him there. She’s ready for him to move in.

Emma tells Anna about a boy who keeps asking her to go out with him, but she wants to figure things out with Spencer first. She wants to be just friends, but Spencer wants it to be more. That’s why he gave her this, and she shows Anna the heart he made with a diamond in it. Emma says she has to give it back.

Spinelli asks Maxie if her career has to come at expense of Man Landers. She accuses him of caring more about a blog than her career path. He says there has to be another way, or good, but befuddled men will lose their Northern Star. Her vision is that she gets a promotion, Nathan realizes that he can’t live without her, and he moves to Portland. Then Georgie will have both parents with her. She just needs to expose that bunko artist.

Felicia says they know Nathan has been working overtime, trying to cover up their indiscretion. She appreciates him protecting them, as well as being a loving, generous husband to their daughter. She tells him just to be clear, no one will catch them again, and Mac won’t be taking any more advice from Man Landers.

Franco wasn’t sure if Elizabeth had changed her mind. She says they might have gotten sidetracked, but it’s time they get back on track. He says he’d like to be there when she talks to the boys. She says they’ll be over the moon, but she wonders about him. He asks if this is what she wants, or is it an overreaction to his absence? She’s ready to take the step. He says that he needs her to ask again. She does, and they kiss.

Finn says that Obrecht brought that weasel Jared (snort) to town, and orchestrated the whole thing. She says she might have extended the invitation, but Hayden did the rest. Curtis joins them, and asks what’s going on? Finn tells him that Obrecht did this to get back at him because she got herself fired. Finn says that she had no right to target Hayden. She says that she did him a favor. Hayden is a liar and embezzler, crippled a girl, and denied her responsibility. Finn says he should have let Obrecht rot in jail. She says yes, he should have.

Spinelli says he’ll do everything in his power to advance Maxie’s career, but one can only wonder how much advice Man Landers still had to give, since he already has millions of readers. Maxie thinks she might be going about this the wrong way. She didn’t realize he was trending, Maybe she doesn’t need to expose him to the world, only to her. She can convince him to work for her, and they’ll both get better jobs. Spinelli says it’s blackmail, but a good plan. She says first they have to find out who he is.

Outside of Kelly’s, Amy asks Nathan if Felicia bought the excuse. She says if the truth comes out, she’ll lose the book deal, and the way to pay her brother’s medical expenses. She’d have to give back the advance, and already spent most of it. He tells her to let him handle it. He’s gotten them this far. Amy knows that she roped him into it, but she’s grateful that he agreed. She hugs him, and Felicia sees them.

Anna tells Emma that Spencer has good taste. Emma says it wouldn’t be right to keep it; it would give Spencer false hope. Mac says it’s just a rhinestone, but Anna says she thinks it’s a genuine diamond.

Curtis tells Finn to leave finding Hayden to him. Finn wonders what changed, and he says maybe the speech about second chances got to him. There’s no way he’s letting Obrecht win. Finn thanks him. Curtis says that when he finds her, first he’ll make sure she’s safe, and he’ll relay any message Finn wants, but coming home is her call. Finn had better make a good case.

Franco and Elizabeth get busy, and there’s the inevitable song part.

Tomorrow, Ava and Griff kiss, Valentin asks how he can win back Nina’s trust, and Franco trashes his paintings.

👰 I still can’t leave 90 Day Fiancé alone. Even worse, I’m watching the new season along with Happily Ever After? where Pedro’s mother and sister continue to fascinate me with their selfishness and stupidity. Although maybe not so stupid, since they’re living high on the hog while Chantal still sleeps next to the kitchen. Chantal tried to make nice with them, but only succeeded in being called names, told to divorce Pedro if she didn’t like it, and exhausted Pedro’s mother. For someone who doesn’t work, she always looks exhausted. Maybe it’s from straining to watch TV on something that’s not 55”. I have no clue what’s up with Jorge and Anfisa. It’s pretty obvious she married him because she thought he was a weed farmer with money, but she keeps coming back like a boomerang even though he’s broke. Russ and Paola continue to bewilder me. Well, mostly Russ. Paola ditched Oklahoma to concentrate on the modeling career she doesn’t have in Miami. She’s annoyed because Russ is holding her back from “opportunities,” since he doesn’t want her nakey on camera. In Miami, apparently modeling means get nakey, and everything is “sexy,” which also means get nakey. Although there was a confusing moment when the lingerie she was given to wear in a video actually covered her more than the husband-approved bikini she brought with her. The worst part is that Russ has been good enough to let her hold him back, since he’s an oil engineer, and they don’t have those jobs in Florida. He’s basically settled for flipping burgers so she can stay in Miami. What an ingrate. On top of it, she lets her gay best friend insult Russ to his face on a regular basis. In Spanish. Although the best friend is so nasty and stupid, he doesn’t realize that Russ is picking up the language.

Danielle continued to try and get Mohamed deported. He made noises about how she hid her “criminal past” from him. I’m not sure what that involves, but I think it was a minor white-collar crime. Like he cares. Even the lawyer he spoke with thinks he’s on his way back to Tunisia. On a better note, Loren and Alex continue to be just precious. She was speaking on Tourette’s in Washington, and he surprised her by showing up when she thought he couldn’t be there. It reminded me of how my father would always show up for daytime school presentations that parents were invited to, when I figured I would have no one there.

One huge question I have is why people don’t learn the language of the pending spouse? Especially if they’re traveling to that country. I can’t keep their names straight yet, but it was pretty depressing when one guy on the new season traveled by plane, boat, and more boat, to a country where he knows no one and doesn’t know the language, and was stood up. The last episode left him on the back side of nowhere with only a load of luggage for protection. He looked absolutely miserable, and it was one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen, although part of me wanted to smack him.

🙌 Both Flipping Out and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce began new seasons tonight. It’s girl for Jeff and Gage!

💀 Channel Zero will be returning to the Sy – we don’t know how to spell – Fy network on September 20th. I enjoyed the last season – it was creepy and weird, and had a disturbing creature made of teeth. The new season subtitle is No-End House, inspired by creepy pasta stories. I can’t wait!

🏠 You can see the trailer here:

 

Aug17

August 16, 2017 – Jared is Foiled Again, Round One of NYC’s Reunion & a Little Bit of Chefs in My Life

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

 

General Hospital

Griff calls Ava a miracle worker. He says the bee sting feels better already. Ava lingers over putting it on him, and I have to laugh.

Kristina approaches Parker at the concert, and asks if she’d like company. Parker says sure, and Kristina sits with her.

Jared meets Obrecht, who thought their business was concluded. He wants to chat about the plan she concocted. He says his money never showed up. Hayden screwed him over – again. Good. Go away.

Curtis finds Finn at Hayden’s office. He wants to stop Finn from chasing her, and says he has to give her time. Finn asks why, and Curtis says she could be anywhere. She’s gone until she decides to come back. He says be glad Monica didn’t press charges, and Finn says maybe she should have.

Elizabeth calls Hayden’s mother looking for her, saying that she and Finn had a lover’s spat. Like Hayden would be going to her mother. Elizabeth literally runs into Franco outside of Kelly’s. They kiss.

Ava apologizes for embarrassing Griff, and he says no need for apologies. She says that’s the first time anyone has ever said that to her. He tells her the remedy worked like a charm. She hopes it will give her less time in purgatory, and asks him what it’s like being perfect. He says he doesn’t consider himself perfect. She says pride is a sin, but false modesty should be too. (It kind of is, according to Paul in Romans.) She calls him beautiful, and asks how he’s not led into temptation. He asks her who says he’s not tempted?

Kristina tells Parker that she loves her mother, but she’s an adult. She wants to know the real reason Parker is there. Tenure isn’t good enough? Parker tells Kristina that if it works out, she might get a senior position. She says she didn’t think Kristina would be there, but would be out seeing the world and forging her own path. Kristina says she’s doing that in Port Charles, and going to business school. Parker says she always knew Kristina would be successful, but needed to find her passion.

Obrecht tells Jared that even if Hayden put the money back, it’s still a felony. Jared says something went wrong; she got cold feet, or got caught, or kept it for herself. She owes him for all the years he spent in prison, and he’s going to collect.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he’s under cover. He’s on a secret mission for brownies, but don’t tell anyone, because it’s a surprise for her. He asks her to tell him how much she missed him. She says she’s incapable of banter because she’s so happy, and they kiss some more. She asks him about New York. He says he’ll have to sell paintings for the settlement, but the rest were returned. I have no clue what he’s talking about, and feel very much out of the loop here. Obviously, I didn’t pay attention to something. Elizabeth says that everyone can move on now, but Franco says they’ll talk about it later. She says she has to get to work, but he doesn’t want to let her go. He says she’s dangerous to the patients because she’s a contagion. He can tell something is up, and asks her what’s wrong.

Curtis asks Finn if he wants Hayden convicted, and Finn says he wants her found. He appreciates what Curtis is trying to do, but he doesn’t need a sponsor. He’s not coming unglued. Curtis is like, okay, and says maybe he’s not as together as he thinks. Finn goes over the last time he saw Hayden, and when he heard her using her old name on the phone. Curtis says it’s rough when you find out what people are capable of – it shakes your foundation. Finn says instead of coming to him, she thought stealing was a better solution. She got defensive and walked out, and he had no idea that was the last time he’d see her. Curtis says he’s not going to want to hear this, but needs to admit to something he’s afraid of –he’s still in love with her. Well, of course, it’s not like it’s been years. More like a few hours.

Griff tells Ava that he’s hardly a saint. Ava says they don’t start that way, and asks if one of them didn’t say, give me chastity, but not yet. He tells her that Saint Augustine sort of said that. He tells her that he has given into temptation, and she mentions Claudette. He says he nearly walked away from the priesthood to raise a family. For a long while, he’d hoped something wonderful would come from his fall from grace. He could have been Charlotte’s father. Ava thanks him for letting her see this side of him.

Kristina asks if Parker’s wife came along, but she didn’t want to leave her patients. She asks if Parker’s wife (who apparently doesn’t have a name) will be joining her later. Parker wants to keep things less personal because, boundaries. She asks about business school, and where Kristina wants to go with it. Kristina says that Parker left her a note and she had to track her down. Parker says sorry. Kristina feels entitled to know how it worked out. Parker says they gave it their all, but her marriage is over.

Elizabeth tells Franco about Hayden being MIA before her wedding. He’s shocked that after all she and Finn went through, she pulled a vanishing act. He suggests consoling Elizabeth, but she says she has to get back to work. He complains that she’s picking sick strangers over him, and she says she’ll make it worthwhile later. Obrecht walks in, and says it warms the heart to see him. Elizabeth says it’s not like she has one. Oh, snap!

Finn tells Curtis that he just wants to make sure Hayden is okay. Curtis asks if he can get past the mistake she made. Finn says he’s as much to blame as she is. When he was detoxing, he told her that she couldn’t be trusted. He wanted her to hurt inside the way he did, and it left a scar. Why would she have faith in him? Curtis says Hayden knew it was the detox talking, and stayed by him. Finn insists that in her mind, he couldn’t return the loyalty. Curtis says that the only thing worse than blaming her, is blaming himself. Idiot Jared walks in, and Finn slams him up against the wall, asking where Hayden is.

Griff tells Ava that there’s no sin in wanting to love and be loved, and feeling the touch of another human. She says it’s getting a little esoteric. She’s getting tired, and still trying to get her stamina back. He reserves the right to lecture her again, or at least go on another outing where there aren’t any bees. He thanks her for coming out with him, and she thanks him, saying that she enjoyed it. He leaves, and she bangs her head against the door. She pours a martini and downs it.

Kristina says that Parker told her she was recommitting to the marriage. Parker says that was the plan. She didn’t mean to take advantage, and Kristina says she didn’t. Kristina tells her that she was never more clear about anything in her life.

Franco suggests Elizabeth and Obrecht remain in neutral corners. Elizabeth leaves for the hospital. Obrecht says she never thought of Franco as the sentimental type, and he says he never thought she’d play three-card monte with urine samples. She asks if she can buy him a donut, so they can discuss what else Elizabeth said about her. Franco wonders why she thinks they’d be talking about her, and she says there isn’t a more scintillating subject. He tells her that Elizabeth is worried about her sister. Obrecht says she’d be worried too, if someone she cared about was hauled off to jail. Franco asks what makes her think that Hayden is in jail?

Jared says he’ll have Finn arrested for assault, and Finn says he’ll have Jared up on blackmail charges. Jared says Hayden owes him; it’s not his fault she lied about her past. Finn says he threatened to expose her, and Jared says he did him a favor, and calls Hayden a bitch. Finn goes after him again, but Curtis stops him, saying he needs his hands for doctoring. Curtis lays Jared out with a punch.

Parker tells Kristina that she and her wife became perfect strangers. Through it all she discovered something about herself, especially when she was with Kristina. Through all the crossed lines and mistakes that she made, she still felt brave for following her heart. Kristina suggests she’s like Anna Karenina, but without the kid or train. Parker says she doesn’t intend to get in Kristina’s way. She hurt her once, and doesn’t want to see her unhappy again. She starts to go, but Kristina stops her.

Obrecht is surprised that Hayden hasn’t been arrested. Franco says that they don’t arrest you for being a runaway bride. She says Finn must be heartbroken. She asks again if Hayden isn’t in jail, and Franco wonders why she keeps asking. She says he just came home from an excursion to a filthy city with a dying Broadway empire (my note: that’s because it’s so freaking expensive); he doesn’t need the stress. Franco questions whether she knows anything about what’s going on, and she says whatever happens to them, they more than deserve it.

Curtis sits Jared down. He tells Jared that Hayden is his friend. He blackmailed her, and caused her to leave town. Now he needs to make it right, and tell him where to find her. Jared says he doesn’t know. Finn tells Curtis how proud Jared is of his tennis skills, and Curtis says it would be a shame if his arm was messed up. Jared tells them that she promised to pay him for taking the fall, and he gave her a divorce. Where is his settlement? He says that she ran out on both of them, but she’s Raymond Berlin’s daughter, and learned to lie and cheat at her daddy’s knee.

Parker says Kristina has grown up a lot, and Kristina says losing a brother will do that. Parker heard about Morgan on the news, and says how sorry she is. Kristina tells her that losing people you love teaches you something about yourself. Parker asks what she’s learned, and Kristina says not to waste time, and not to get caught up in what doesn’t matter, but focus on the things that do. She tells Parker that she’s glad to see her, and Parker says her too.

Ava keeps drinking. She looks in the mirror, and sees herself whole. Griff is there, and tells her that miracles do happen. She asks what she did to deserve this, and he says that grace is not being loved for what you’ve done, but for who you are. He touches her face, and she says that she’s not a freak anymore. He tells her that she’s beautiful, and always was. He kisses her. Her glass drops out of her hand. She’s back in her chair, and gets up to check the mirror. Nope. Still the same.

Ava’s phone rings. It’s Valentin. She says she still has his card. She tells him that she remembers what he said. There’s just one problem – she doesn’t believe in miracles. She hangs up and rips up the card.

Franco brings brownies to Elizabeth at the hospital. He thinks she should blow off the rest of her shift. She takes one, and tells him to take them home to the boys, and she’ll be there as soon as she can. He tells her that maybe she should check the jail for Hayden.

Realizing he’s of no use, Curtis pushes Jared out the door.  He tells Finn that Jared doesn’t know where Hayden is. Finn asks if he’s just supposed to let her disappear with their baby.

Parker wants to start preparing for her classes, and Kristina needs to hit the books. She thanks Parker for sharing, and Parker thanks her for the company, telling her that she can sit in on her class any time.

Ava smells the lavender bottle. She takes it along with her bag into the other room.

Finn says that Rachel vanished and resurfaced as Hayden, but Jared still tracked her down. Curtis suggests she might have learned from her mistakes. Finn says it would take someone pretty savvy to track her down; someone who knows how her mind works.   Could that someone be Curtis?

Franco tells Elizabeth that Obrecht seemed surprised that Hayden hadn’t been arrested, and thinks there’s more to the story. Elizabeth says a lot more. Franco asks why Obrecht would be convinced that Hayden was in jail. Elizabeth says there’s only one reason she can think of – she was in on it. Obrecht approaches them.

Tomorrow, Mac toasts to a new member of the family, Maxie recruits Spinelli, and Nathan and Amy discuss the future of Man Landers.

The Real Housewives of New York City – Reunion Part One

Ohh, nice set. It’s the oldest synagogue in NYC. Ooh, the dresses! My favorite is Tinsley’s, which is a cross between a fairy princess and an 80s prom. Andy is astounded about Carole training for the marathon, since she’s known to be averse to exercise. She said she realized she had to get more fit, but needed a goal. She says it’s strange because she loves it. We find out that Tinsley and Scott are still seeing each other. Sonja has found a three-bedroom that she loves, but hasn’t put her townhouse on the market yet. Andy grills Ramona on her love life. She’s dating someone, but not the guy she met on Love Connection. BTW, this was filmed before Luann’s divorce announcement. I honestly think she waited because she didn’t want it brought up at the reunion. I don’t blame her.

Ramona is up first, and we flash back to how selfish she is. And her birthday party. Andy asks how it was watching the show, and she says that she had a bad year. She didn’t see it the way the ladies did at the time, but when she watched it, she wondered who she was. As she talks, she plays with her hair like she’s fourteen. We all agree that she gives 60 a whole new look, and she talks about the work she has done, saying that she never puts her face in the sun. I’ve been a huge advocate of sunscreen since I was in my twenties, and it makes a major difference. I live in a beach town, and there are people in their thirties who look older than I do.

A viewer wants to know why Ramona made light of trashing Dorinda’s home. She apologizes, but thinks Dorinda looks at it differently. Dorinda says she doesn’t; that’s how it was. Ramona vandalized her house. Ramona admits to being drunk, saying she knew she pulled the lights down (it was apparently something used in production), but didn’t notice that she’d messed up the wall. Dorinda says that Ramona tries to get around what she does wrong, and should just say sorry and ask how she can make it better. Ramona says it’s hard for her, and Carole says that she doesn’t see herself as a bad houseguest. Bethenny tells a story about how Ramona didn’t even acknowledge her staff in the elevator when she’s known them for years. She says that even when she and Luann were in a war, Luann was always pleasant to them. Ramona insists she goes into a zone, and didn’t notice them. Bethenny suggests she go live in a commune in a padded room. Ramona asks why they didn’t say hello to her, and Bethenny says maybe they were intimidated. She calls Ramona a horror show, and Ramona says she is what she is. Bethenny tells her to enjoy that. The way Ramona treated the staff in Mexico is discussed. They also talk about Jill Zaren’s assessment, and Ramona says that Jill doesn’t know her. A viewer asks if Bethenny is interested in reopening a friendship with Jill, and she wonders how many years have to go by before Andy stops asking. Another viewer suggests that Ramona is in the second stage of grief – anger. Ramona says disappointed is more like it. She thought she could control the outcome with her marriage, and it didn’t happen. Bethenny thinks scared people lash out.

Ramona’s party is covered. Andy asks if her wishes came true, and she says that she’s in better place. She’s more settled, and Avery graduated from college with high marks. Bethenny asks if marriage is in the cards, and Ramona says she’d like a partner in life. When asked if it’s the guy she’s dating now, she just smiles, and eventually says she’s in heavy like. Bethenny points out that she’s the only one not in a relationship.

Sonja learned the hard way that when Dorinda comes for you, she doesn’t make it nice. We see clips of Sonja badmouthing Dorinda, and Dorinda saying she has a mole giving her information. We see Dorinda confronting Sonja at dinner. Then at another dinner Clip! Andy thanks her for that, and Dorinda says someone said it to her at Citibank the other day. She explains that she couldn’t stop the verbal waterboarding, and it just came out. They start to talk about Sonja’s love life, but Dorinda is annoyed about Sonja calling her a fraud. Dorinda says she never talks to the press, and she didn’t want to start the season with a bunch of baloney. Sonja defends herself, but Dorinda says she read this stuff for months. Sonja says that by the time she saw Dorinda, she was over it, and had moved on (oh, okay), but still insists that she doesn’t talk to the press. Andy asks about Dorinda’s mole friends, but she’s not talking. Sonja’s sobriety is called into question. She insists she didn’t drink for ten months, but Andy thinks her math is off. A viewer asks about her wearing Dorinda’s PJs, and she says she felt terrible when she found out they were a gift from Dorinda’s late husband. Carole says she didn’t even apologize. Dorinda wants to move forward, and Sonja keeps saying sorry. Dorinda says don’t touch other people’s stuff, and when you do, clean it and return it nicely. Andy is loving this like the antichrist he is.

Congrats all around to Luann. She loves being married, having a partner in crime, and loves Tom. Andy asks about giving up her title, and she says she likes the Mrs. title she has now. Andy talks about how no roadblock was stopping them, even an intervention. We see clips from the whole sad story, including Missy saying she walked in on them, and that’s why she’s not seeing Tom anymore. Luann says she’s a hopeless romantic (and I desperately want to say, no, you’re just hopeless), and being with Tom was like finding home. Yeah, the home for wayward husbands. The final clip in the reel is Tom acting like he hardly knows Missy, as he introduces them. Andy asks why the wedding was so big and so white for a second wedding, plus a shower and a bachelorette party. Luann says she didn’t get that the first time around, and it was also Tom’s 50th birthday. She wanted it big and beautiful. Andy asks if Sonja still clinging to the illusion that she was invited. Luann says she did send a save-the-date card to Sonja, and Bethenny says now they have a smoking gun. Luann explains that Sonja had been talking badly about them to the press she doesn’t talk to. We see the clip of Luann’s friend, Barbara, saying that Luann was only going through with it to save face. Carole says it was out of genuine concern, and Ramona seconds that. Luann says she gets it. Andy asks what up with Ramona bugging Luann about the bridal shower. We flash back to the last reunion, where Bethenny thought Ramona knew something. Ramona says Luann is happy now, but Tom kissed the same girl from the Regency again. Bethenny says she’s heard he was annoyed that Luann was thirsty for press. Andy asks what Ramona knew.

Ramona asks if it’s important, and Luann says no, because there was nothing there. Bethenny says she’d heard that he had gone to the woman’s hotel room in Philly, and told her that he and Luann had an open relationship, but nothing happened. Ramona agrees that’s’ what happened – nothing happened. Andy stirs the pot, asking if anyone else has heard anything. Bethenny says whatever the situation is, Luann isn’t an idiot. She thinks the group is being respectful now that they’re married. They all hear things, and Luann said she didn’t want to know. Luann says not true, but roll the tape.

Luann says that Ramona kept calling Tom’s exes, trying to find out dirt about Tom. Bethenny says that her delivery is bad, but the content is true. He seems like the kind of person who goes into a bar with one person, and leaves with another. We flash back to his dog-with-a-collar comment about his wedding ring. Luann makes like it’s just his sense of humor being off. Andy asks if it’s alarming that they’ve all heard things. Bethenny says that they only care about her happiness Andy asks if Luann has an open relationship, and she tells him that she wouldn’t be married if she wanted that. Like she would say yes even if it was. He asks what she’d do if Tom cheated, and she says leave. Mic drop, and silence all around. Even I start to get uncomfortable. Dorinda says she’d kill him. Well, that settles that. Andy brings up Luann’s relationship with Count Alex, and she says they were separated and she didn’t want anyone to know.

We see the final Missy clip, where Tom takes his mic off. Luann says she hadn’t seen it until now, so she has to interrogate talk to him about it. Andy says it comes on the heels of Tom being flirty with Missy. Bethenny thinks maybe he flirts to get attention, but that there’s no ulterior motive for him marrying her. What would it be? Putting his life up for public scrutiny? She tells Luann that she puts her Countess shield up, and that if she had seen her partner saying that stuff, she’d be crying in the bathroom. Luann asks why Bethenny thinks she spent the night at a hotel last night.

Poking Luann with his pitchfork, Andy asks how she feels watching it. She sees it as Tom trying to be funny, and needs to smack him silly talk to him about how he’s making her feel. A viewer asks if other friends or family came to her with concerns, and Luann says the family situation has been tough, especially with her son, Noel. It was hard for him to accept Tom in the beginning, and he’s protective, but stands by her relationship. She says no one would have anything to gain from stepping out with Tom, and these girls he’s making out with meeting for lunch are just his friends. She has to accept him for who he is; she can’t change him. He’s a grown man who’s lived a certain way. She points out that she’s friends with Jacques, but Bethenny says she doesn’t make out with him. Luann says the only reason he sees Missy is that Ramona brings her to parties. Ramona says that’s not true.

Next time, Ramona says Tom is sleeping around. Sonja claims Tinsley’s party for her was just for show, Ramona talks about her divorce, and Tinsley’s drinking is brought up.

🍜 On MasterChef, the contestants split into two teams, with Dino in charge of the red team, and Daniel in charge of the blue team. The challenge was to cook dinner for VIPs at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Ribeye steak was the focus. I had to feed the dogs, and when I left the room, it looked like Dino’s team was tanking. They’d cut up the ribeye in a way that Gordon was not pleased with. But when I came back, they were picking two cooks from Daniel’s team to be on the chopping block. Newton and Yachecia got the pressure test – champagne poached oysters, which Christina called “Las Vegas on a plate.” I don’t know about that, but these things looked phenomenal. A little tower of delicious with a foundation of capellini, and a caviar top. They also had to make the capellini from scratch. Yechecia’s caviar fell off, but Newton struggled with the top of the jar, costing him precious time and leaving out two ingredients. I gotta say, Yachecia’s dish did not look pretty (which would not stop me from enjoying it, I’m sure), but her oysters were declared perfect. And then they did the thing I hate the most, we have to wait until next week to find out who goes home. Thanks. Next time, crawfish skills are put to the test, and a previous winner is a guest.

🍍 Tonight was The f Word finale, and I hope you caught the show. I never did catch up, but still hope to, while it’s still On Demand. It’s one of my favorite shows on BBC America, and I was thrilled that it’s been brought to the states. It’s the lighter side of Gordon, and it being aired live makes it even more fun.

🦀 It was prettier than this, but…

Oysters

Champagne Poached Oysters