Tag Archives: television

Dec27

December 26, 2016 – It’s Still Christmas Eve in Port Charles & James is Still Fired from PUMP

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Julian tells Alexis that he’s always held on to the hope that they could make a life together again. He tells her that he’s alive because of her, she’s his reason for living and his heartbeat. I gag, but she says she sees him, and they kiss.

Elizabeth has called Scotty to help Franco because she doesn’t want him railroaded by the police.

Jordan is outside talking to someone on the phone about Tom’s murder. There are no witnesses, but they do have a murder weapon. Andre comes along.

Michael offers to give Nell a ride home. He says it’s her Christmas present. Geez, don’t go overboard. They leave, and Sonny tells Carly that she cleared out the place pretty quickly. She says she wanted to be alone with him.

Dante tells Franco that he isn’t under arrest, and Scotty says he wants to keep it that way. Dante says that Franco had a public altercation with Tom, and they want to ask him some questions. He says Tom might have been a degenerate, but he still has to handle the case. Franco says he’s happy to answer any questions and has nothing to hide. Scotty insists on being in the room for any questioning.

Julian tells Alexis that he’s been praying for something like that to happen. Alexis says she didn’t mean it. He tells her that part of her did. She asks which part, so she can have it removed.

Dante talks to Franco about the altercation with Tom at the hospital. He asks if Franco recalls threatening Tom’s life. Franco says yes, but he doesn’t remember exactly what he said. Dante asks Elizabeth if Tom had contacted her, and she says he did, but there wasn’t anything worthy of letting the police know about it. Franco thinks that Tom wanted to bother Elizabeth, and got the job at the hospital to act legitimate. He says he knows nothing about Tom’s death, and an altercation isn’t murder. Dante gets a call and has to leave for a moment.

Scotty tells Franco there’s a Latin phrase that comes to mind – shut up, you dummy. He thanks Elizabeth for having Franco’s back, and leaves to talk to Dante. Elizabeth says the fight Franco and Tom had might not mean anything, but he never finished what it was he wanted to tell her about Tom.

Nell asks Michael if he’d like to come in for tea or hot cocoa, and he says she read his mind. He thanks her for getting the Christmas cookies and talks about going to get them with Morgan when they were kids. Nell says the tribute to Morgan was beautiful, and thanks Michael for including her. He’s surprised she enjoyed it. He says he noticed that when Carly started talking about family, she seemed sad, and asks what that’s about.

Carly says she and Sonny need to talk about something. She says that she knows Sonny and Nell were lying to her, and she knows why. I’ll bet she doesn’t.

Jordan asks Andre what’s up. He says he was at some Kwanza festivities, and explains the holiday to her. He says he sees her eyes glazing over and is afraid he nerded her out. She says no, but she’d like to know what it means to him. He says the seven core principles give him peace of mind and pride. Jordan says it’s been a while since they’ve spoken, and Andre asks her to rectify that right now if she has the time. She says she does.

Julian tells Alexis that he didn’t want this to happen because she was drunk. She insists she isn’t, but we all see how low the level in the bottle is, and it was full when she started. Julian says her drinking is scaring him. She tells him that although she disagrees with his perception, she heard him, and he needs a truth from her.

Carly tells Sonny she knows the gloves were from Nell not him, because he gives jewelry and cars. He says he was afraid that if he gave her something, she’d throw it back at him. He says he can get her something else, but she says she’s happy to just be with him.

Nell tells Michael that she was thinking about her childhood. Christmas was hard. There weren’t many presents because they had difficulty making ends meet. She wished for so many things as a kid, not just big things, but she never got the little ones either. Michael says he’s sorry, but she says it’s not his fault. She says growing up poor and suddenly being surrounded by so much, she gets jealous sometimes.

Franco suggests to Elizabeth that they just get through this first. He apologizes for breaking his promise to stay away from Tom. He says he did something to Tom that seemed like the right thing to protect her. He dances around actually telling her anything, and she asks if he killed Tom.

Andre tells Jordan he’s missed her and she says she’s missed him too. He says he called once, but didn’t leave a message. He realized he wasn’t ready to discuss things yet, but now he’s more than ready. He says the whole thing started because he answered her phone and didn’t tell her Curtis had called, and he never meant to invade her privacy. She says that Curtis was calling about a police matter, and he didn’t give her the message. Andre says he was feeling insecure about the history she and Curtis shared, and he never should have done it. He apologizes and says he’d like to pick up their relationship if she’s willing. She tells him that she accepts his apology, and she’s sorry too. She says she doesn’t want Curtis getting in the way if she and Andre get together again.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he didn’t even know Tom was dead until the police came. He wanted to stop Tom from hurting her, and if Tom missed his parole meeting, he’d go back to prison. Elizabeth asks what he did. He tells her that he got Tom to the studio, drugged him, and put him in a dog crate. He says he was going to let him go after the meeting was missed, but Tom got out and put him in the crate. Elizabeth says he deserved it. He agrees, and says he never saw Tom again after that. Elizabeth tells him it’s wrong on so many levels, and you can’t break the law just because you’re not in agreement with it. He says he wanted to protect the woman he loves. I would have been laughing if my boyfriend said he put a bad guy in a dog crate.

Carly tells Sonny that she didn’t think she could ever be happy again. She knows the anger wasn’t helping and kept her trapped alone with her pain. She says Morgan deserves better; he deserves to be remembered with love and joy. She thinks they did that tonight, and that was her Christmas present. Sonny says him too.

Michael tells Nell that everybody gets jealous, but it’s important not to get stuck there. He says you can miss out on what’s yours if you focus on what others have. He realizes he grew up privileged, but he still felt sorry for himself, and it didn’t get him anywhere. He decided to come up with three things every day to be grateful for, even if they’re small. He says he’s grateful for Josslyn’s health and grateful for Nell. The tea kettle whistles, and Nell accidentally knocks her music box off the table. Michael starts to help her pick it up, but she abruptly tells him no.

Alexis says Julian assumed the alcohol would lower her defenses, and make her nostalgic and kiss him impulsively. She says the kiss was like Duke’s and Carrrlos’s murder; it was premeditated. She tells Julian that because of his narcissism, he thinks she still has feelings for him, but he’s wrong. She wanted him to remember what they had, so she could assure him it will never happen again. I have to admit, that’s a good one.

Franco tells Elizabeth that what he did was twisted, but doesn’t regret the impulse behind it. Dante comes back in and tells them they can go. When he leaves, Scotty tells them that he couldn’t hear much that Dante was saying, but did hear Tom’s name. He instructs them not to talk to the police unless he’s present. Franco says Scotty told him once that a good lawyer doesn’t ask a question he doesn’t want the answer to, and Scotty hasn’t asked if he killed Tom. Scotty says he wants to find out what’s up with the police first, and they’ll talk on the way home. Elizabeth says she’ll drive Franco back.

Nell asks Michael to get the kettle and she’ll clean up. She apologizes for overreacting. She goes to the kitchen to make cocoa, and he eyeballs the music box.

Sonny asks Carly if she wants to come and watch Avery open presents on Christmas. She says she can’t think of anything better. He says he’d like to think that maybe she came for Christmas Eve just a little for him.

Andre tells Jordan that he never planned on not seeing her over the holidays, so he got her a gift. She says she got something for him too, since she thought they’d figure a way to make it work. He says there’s still enough of a holiday season left for them to share. They kiss.

Julian tells Alexis that they both know why she kissed him. It was a poor decision because she’s drunk. She tosses his pill bottles on the couch, and tells him to be secure in the knowledge that she’ll be an excellent nurse, because she wants him out of her house and her life.

Dante brings in the murder weapon. It’s the knife that Tom took from Franco’s studio. No huge surprise there.

Michael and Nell sip cocoa. She wonders if he’s going to ask what’s in the box. He says he thought that if she wanted to, she’d tell him. She explains that it’s a Christmas present from when she was young. She only has a few things from her childhood and they’re all in the box. Not all of them are happy memories, but she keeps them. He says it would be disrespectful to get rid of them. She says she never thought about it that way, but he’s right. She should never forget where she came from.

Carly gets ready to leave. Sonny says he doesn’t want to pressure her, but wants to know if there’s a chance they can find their way back to each other.

Andre tells Jordan it’s been a pretty wonderful Kwanza, Charlie Brown.

Alexis tells Julian they’re done here, and goes upstairs.

Carly tells Sonny that she doesn’t know how she’ll feel tomorrow, but tonight she was exactly where she wanted to be. They don’t kiss.

Nell tells Michael that she thinks she underestimated how tired she was. Michael says he’s got to get going anyway, and thanks her for the cocoa. He leaves and she heaves a huge sigh. She takes a baby rattle out of the box. It has the name Caroline on it.

Scotty is going to hang around and see if he can get something out of Dante. Elizabeth dashes out the door and Franco chases after her. Outside, she tells him that they both know that the knife is the kind that artists use. And he’s an artist.

Tomorrow, Lulu wants to get Charlotte away from Valentine, Jason tells Sam that he and Curtis don’t think Julian is behind the bombing, and Winston tells the boss that Julian needs to learn about consequences.

Vanderpump Rules

Katie’s mom and grandma are helping to fold the tea towel wedding invitations. Kristen and Stassi join them. In her interview, Stassi thinks $18.50 for “a rag” is a bit much, but I actually think it’s a cute and clever idea. Schwartz leaves for a suit fitting.

Peter has texted Kristen about Lala’s infamous Range Rover. Grandma says it’s $750 a month to rent. Some remarks are made about whatever Lala’s arrangement is.

Moving on. Stassi talks about the trip to Montauk. She claims they’ll get the full experience in one weekend. In her interview, Kristen wonders how many Hamptons there are since it’s plural. Stassi says Scheana’s decision about coming with them or not is far reaching, and she’s definitely not exhibiting bridesmaid behavior. Whatever that is. I’ve always been a bride, but never a bridesmaid.

Shay complains to Scheana about making the bed, since it just gets messed up again. Scheana tells Shay about trying to have a conversation with the girls while they were drunk and she was sober. Shay tells her that it seems like Stassi tries to control everyone. In her interview, Scheana says she could do everything right and they’d still find fault with it. Shay suggests she just ignore them and they’ll see how much they miss and need her. I have to disagree about that being good plan. He tells Scheana that they’re a pack of bullies.

James has a new DJ gig. Ariana, Tom, and Lala show up for support. Lala thinks this place is way better than PUMP, and she’s proud of James. Both things are questionable. The club isn’t nearly as upscale as PUMP, even though James tells us it’s between the Whiskey A-GO-GO and the Roxy, and we also see James slugging back cough syrup. Lala is excited to be going on Ariana’s birthday trip. We flash back to last year when she wasn’t invited. She isn’t thrilled that Jax is going, but she’s committed to having a good time.

In her interview, Kristen says her relationship with Jax is complicated. They’re like a stepbrother and sister who have slept together a couple of times. Eww! Jax has some cysts in his chest that were the result of taking “supplements.” Although he’s not going to do anything rash like stop taking them. I have the feeling the “supplements” he’s talking about are called steroids. This dude is such an idiot, I’m amazed he’s lived this long. He and Kristen go to the gym for a boxing workout class.

After the class, Jax asks Kristen about Carter. She says the one difficulty is him having to be away periodically for work. Jax is glad she finally has normal relationship problems. They talk about Ariana’s upcoming birthday.

Katie picks up Lisa’s summer car and gives her the first wedding invitation. In her interview, Lisa says that they’re a bit Bohemian and unique, although not her style, and we flash back to Pandora’s elaborate invites. Katie talks to Lisa about Scheana being ridiculous. Lisa says she got the impression that Katie had gotten drunk and sent her an aggressive text. Lisa brings up Stassi, saying she makes everything worse instead of better, and is very controlling. Katie feels that she can think for herself and that Lisa is being insulting.

Brittany accompanies Jax to the doctor. He tells her that he’s nervous, and she tells him not to worry and that she’ll take care of him. The doctor comes to get him. He’s hoping to get everything, so there doesn’t have to be a repeat performance surgery. They remove what the doctor describes as a hard disk of breast tissue. He believes it’s benign, but is sending it to pathology to be on the safe side.

The surgery is successful. The doctor tells Jax no drinking for now, and Jax wonders how he’s going to survive going to NASCAR and wine country.

Lisa goes into SUR and notices the red bottoms on Lala’s ankle boots. In her interview, Lisa says either Lala is blowing her rent money on shoes or something else is going on. Lala tells Lisa about the birthday trip. She wonders how she’s going to share one bathroom with everyone else. In her interview, Lisa says that Lala loves to create situations and then play the baby girl, and life doesn’t work like that. She gives Lala the sage advice not to take her top off at NASCAR.

James and Raquel go out to lunch. In his interview, James says they have a lot in common. Like eating food. I’m not kidding. That’s what he said. Raquel talks about a beauty contest she has coming up and stresses about walking in a bathing suit and heels. Beautiful people problems. She asks if he got his job back at PUMP, and he says he’s talking to Lisa tomorrow. He tells Raquel that leaving there was like leaving his family. He says if Lisa turns him down, he’s going to keep asking every month.

Jax gets home and Brittany tucks him in on the couch. She explains that his chest is going to be concave until the swelling goes down, and he freaks a little. In her interview, she says he’s needy and grumpy, and constantly asking for food, pretty much like he always is. Schwartz comes by with Tom, bearing gifts of a Hooters T-shirt and a service bell. I’m sure Brittany is ecstatic about the bell. Jax asks if Scheana has decided about the trip. Schwartz says he has no clue, but his main job is just keeping Katie calm.

Stassi’s mother and eleven-year-old brother visit her. Her mother complains about there not being any central air when she’s going through menopause. A girl calls through FaceTime on her brother’s tablet, and Stassi answers it even though he begs her not to. She teases him, but then tells him he can take it in the bedroom. In her interview, she says that she and her brother are very close, which is pretty obvious.

Stassi and her mother discuss the pattern of Stassi and Patrick breaking up and making up. In her interview, Stassi says this time it seems serious and real. She tells her mom about Scheana fighting with the girls, and says she hasn’t spoken with her since.

Scheana and her mother go for mani-pedis. Her mom asks if she’s spoken to the girls. Scheana says she woke up wishing it was just a bad dream. Her mom says that she saw Stassi crying in the bathroom and Scheana doesn’t understand how things get so blown out of proportion. Her mother asks if she thinks Katie will be mad enough to drop her as a bridesmaid, and tells Scheana to fix it soon. Scheana says the Montauk trip is giving her anxiety.

Stassi asks her brother for advice. He asks who started the fight and how much they had to drink, her in particular. Ha-ha! She tells him what Scheana was saying to Katie, and he tells her that her problem is getting in other people’s business. Stassi says sometimes people don’t know when they should apologize, and he says Scheana has to figure that out for herself and Stassi isn’t the boss of everyone. This kid is quite savvy. In her interview, Stassi says she’s not going to listen to an eleven-year-old. I’m not sure why, since he’s apparently more mature than she is.

It’s Ariana’s birthday, so she’s put on her tiara. We flash back to last year when Tom ditched her birthday for Las Vegas, and he says this year he’s planned the birthday trip of a lifetime for her. Lala and James arrive. Is James’s shirt distressed or is he just a slob? In his interview, James says it’s the second year he hasn’t been invited to Ariana’s birthday. He understood last year, but says this time it’s because of Jax. Lala asks if Jax has any problem with her, but Ariana says no. James tries to worm his way into being invited, but Ariana stands firm. She doesn’t want any arguing on the trip. Good luck with that, even without James.

James goes to see Lisa at SUR. When she sees him, she goes ugh! and I laugh. He tells her he misses working there and blah-blah-blah. He curses and she tells him it’s disrespectful. She says she thinks she did him a favor by letting him go. In his interview, James thinks he’s the king of everything and the best DJ in the world. Lisa tells him that he acted like an arrogant little punk and she doesn’t employ arrogant little punks. He says Jax works for her, and she says he doesn’t act out at work. James begs to differ, and Lisa is like, nice, you drop an F-bomb and then call me a liar. She tells him her life is better without him. He keeps yammering on, saying he’s sober now, and Lisa tells him maybe he should investigate another career path. She tells him time is money and asks if they’re done. In her interview, she says you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, and James is gone.

The friends gather at the airport to fly to San Francisco. Lala isn’t there. Both Ariana and Tom have texted her, but Ariana only got a question mark and exclamation point as a reply. In her interview, Ariana wonders if Lala is standing them up. Tom tries to FaceTime her. They board the plane. Still no Lala. Tom says he’ll be pissed if anyone messes up the trip and it’s not looking good for Lala showing up.

Next time, the Montauk trip, the NASCAR trip, and no one can find Lala.

Dec24

December 23, 2016 – Christmas Eve in Port Charles & Wishing You Happy Holidays

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

It’s snowing in Port Charles! Apparently, PC has its own weather bubble, since it’s snowing nowhere near where it’s supposed to be IRL. Anna and Emma enjoy the snow. They talk about family.

Charlotte hangs her stocking. Nina has presents for her, and asks Valentin if she can open one tonight. Valentin thanks Nina for joining them. He tells her about Lulu wanting to sue for full custody.

Lulu tells Dante she shouldn’t have said anything to Valentin, but he says Charlotte will be with them soon. Man, these two are pretty self-righteous. I understand Valentin is a bad guy, but come on. Charlotte obviously loves her father and vice versa.

Elizabeth asks Franco what’s wrong. He says he’d like to talk, but it can wait. Tonight is supposed to be a special night. She says just tell her, and then they can have a magical Christmas Eve. He says it’s not going to be such an enchanting Christmas after she hears what he has to say. It’s about Tom. She says she already knows.

Sam talks to Jason about Sonny’s family being without Morgan this year. He suggests they visit Alexis.

Julian tells Alexis that nobody important was on the phone. She puts some of the ice from his ice pack into a glass and adds vodka. She asks what it is he’s doing for the sake of his children. He says all he can tell her is that there are some things she doesn’t know. Well, that’s stupid. If she knew, she wouldn’t be asking.

Michael takes out the stockings at Sonny’s. He sees Morgan’s and talks about missing him. Sonny hangs it anyway, because Morgan is still with them in spirit. Carly comes in with Avery.

Elizabeth tells Franco that Tom’s parole officer called her as a courtesy. She says no one has seen or heard from Tom, and she was told to take extra precautions, so Franco will have to spend the night now. She basically says if he does, they’ll be sleeping together. The kids come out in elf hats with pointy ears, and Franco says he doesn’t know whether to be joyful or fearful. Jake shows Franco a stocking he made for him.

Nina has given Charlotte some kind of kit to design things. I think jewelry, but I can’t get a good look. Nina talks to Valentin on the side, asking what he’s going to do. He says he has a plan and could use her help.

Emma worries about Charlotte not having a mommy to spend Christmas with. Anna says her father is making a nice Christmas for her. Emma wants to go to Windemere, but Anna says she’s not fooling anybody and they’re not spying today. Everyone gets a collective text from Valentin, inviting them to Windemere. Anna tells Emma that they’ll go if she promises not to snoop.

Julian tells Alexis if he had it to do over again, he would have never called a hit on Duke. There’s a knock at the door. Alexis says she’s not expecting anyone, and the girls will never forgive her if they find out he’s living there.

Sam tells Jason that her mom was clear on wanting time alone. Okay, it’s not them at the door.

Sonny acts like a silly dad, telling Avery about Santa. While the kids look at the tree, Carly and Sonny wish each other a merry Christmas, and he says it looks like it might actually be one. Nope. Nell comes in with some packages, saying she hopes she got everything.

Franco takes the kids to the art therapy room to give out presents. Elizabeth tells Monica about Tom skipping his parole visit. She adds that Franco is spending the night. Monica says most people wouldn’t equate Franco with safety, but she sees how well he does with the kids and how much Elizabeth cares about him.

Nell tells Sonny that Carly wouldn’t take no for an answer, but she won’t suspect anything if no one says anything. Kristina pops into the conversation, saying, suspect what? and Nell says Sonny has a surprise for Carly. Carly shows Sonny some conch shell that’s sentimental. Jason and Sam show up.

Julian had a Christmas tree delivered. He tells Alexis that he knows the situation isn’t ideal. Alexis says you try living with someone who tried to kill you. He asks if she’ll decorate the tree with him. He says maybe they can even find a little joy. Alexis talks about never being happier last Christmas when she trusted him. He says he loves her and always will, and she chugs her drink in reply. He says they do have good memories. It was almost a year ago that he asked her to marry him.

Anna gets to Windemere in record time. She asks Valentin about the story he told her regarding the Russian teacher. She says she’s the one it happened to, not him. She wants to know if he knows her from the WSB. Dante and Lulu arrive with Rocco and Laura. Dante asks what this is all about, and Valentin says Christmas and family. Lulu sees Charlotte hugging Nina and saying she’s glad that Nina is coming for Christmas.

Carly says she knows that Sam knows if the baby is a boy or girl and won’t tell her, so she’s going to pout about it. Michael gives Carly a present. It’s a picture of Morgan dressed as the Little Drummer Boy. They talk about that Christmas. Kristina says before they sink into the maudlin swamp, maybe Sonny wants to show Carly the surprise he has for her. D’oh!

Lulu asks if Charlotte remembers them, like it wasn’t just yesterday they were together, and Charlotte thanks them for coming. Dante gives her a present. Laura says she can see so much of Lulu in Charlotte. The gift is the same thing Nina gave her, and she gives it to Emma. Dante tells Lulu that it will get easier. Laura is teary and says she has to go. Nina tells Lulu she understands how Lulu feels, but she should rethink the idea of full custody. Lulu says, coming from someone who literally stole a baby out of the womb. Ouch. Nina tells her merry Christmas, and tells Valentin she’ll help him.

Emma asks Charlotte if her dad ever talks about an Anna, but she says no.

Anna tells Valentin there’s no mention of him or a Theo at the WSB.

Carly gives Nell a gift. It’s a three-heart necklace. Carly says it’s her, Nell and Josslyn, since they’ll be connected forever. Nell is speechless. Carly says she’ll take Sonny’s gift now, and he says Kristina jumped the gun. Nell says she shopped for Sonny since he couldn’t leave the house, and gives Carly a pair of gloves.

Sam asks Jason if he’s okay. He says it’s a tough night and they’ll just have to get through it. Sonny asks Nell if the gift was really from her, and she says yes. He says he doesn’t like lies upon lies, and she tells him that it proves she’s on his side. Carly wonders what’s up with the two of them.

Franco gives Jake a gift certificate for the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. Jake asks when they can go, but Franco says he has something to tell her mother that she’s not going to like.

Anna goofs around, looking at Valentin with a magnifying glass. He asks her why she’s so obsessed with the truth. Dante needs to leave on police business, but Lulu wants to stay. She says Anna is there, and Valentin won’t pull anything.

Alexis says not bad for a tree she didn’t want. Did Julian decorate that by himself? Not bad for a guy who can’t move around too well. The vodka bottle is almost empty, and I’m wondering how she can even be standing and talking. Julian gives her a gift. He says it’s a little past it’s “use by” date. It’s a Christmas tree pin with their wedding picture in it. Alexis wonders how they got here, and tells him the wreckage is all his fault, handing him back the box. He says he’s sorry, and she says she wishes it mattered. He says after she hit him in the parking lot, he felt himself getting cold and things getting dark. He could sense himself letting go, but heard her voice calling him back. She says she was afraid he was going to die. He says that’s why he’s alive, and to tell him that it matters.

Franco takes Elizabeth aside. He says he’s going to tell her the truth.

Carly asks Jason why Sonny and Nell are putting their heads together. Sam tells Jason that Monica is expecting them. Jason pulls Sonny away and tells him they’re getting closer to exonerating him. He’s hoping that he and Carly can start healing.

Sonny tells Carly that just a few weeks ago, it seemed impossible that she’d be here. She gathers the family to honor Morgan. She tells Nell she’s been a gift to the family since they lost Morgan, and wants her to join them. They hold hands around a candle and the picture. She thanks Michael for choosing to comfort his family over his grieving.

Just as Franco is about to tell Elizabeth about Tom, Jason and Sam show up with Danny. Monica asks them to just let it go tonight for Elizabeth’s sake, meaning their animosity toward Franco.

Oh crap, at the hospital, everyone gathers for the Christmas story and this always makes me cry, because I think of Steve Hardy and Alan. Monica says that this year, she wants them to consider what Christmas is about. She says even if your naughty, Christmas gives us the grace to forgive, open our hearts, and hope for a brighter tomorrow, even if there has been recent darkness.

Lulu thanks Valentin for inviting him, but says it doesn’t change anything and this is the last Christmas she’s waking up without her daughter. Charlotte thanks Nina, and Nina thanks the both of them for making this the best Christmas she’s ever had.

Outside, Emma tells Anna she has a bonus gift for her. She hands Anna the picture of her younger self that Valentin had. I can’t wait to hear how she got her hands on that.

Sonny’s family continues to talk about Morgan. Carly says somehow, somewhere, he knows they love him, and he’s here with them. She says he’s lighting the way for Santa and the angels to find them, and give them strength and faith. She says they still have each other, and their hope and love.

Monica tells everyone that as well as evil, there are also angels, but they’re unpredictable. She says Christmas is about letting in special grace and finding goodness in others and ourselves, and trying to make this a better world. Sam and Jason smile at each other.

Franco tells Elizabeth that he did something to Tom. Dante comes into the hospital with an officer. Tom was found stabbed to death. So much for his part.

Alexis asks Julian if he’s in there. He says he’s alive because of her. She’s his breath and heartbeat and life. She says she sees him. They kiss. Oh…mo.

On Monday, Carly knows Sonny and Nell are lying, Andre sees Jordan, and Elizabeth asks Franco if he killed Tom.

See you on Monday!

merrychristmas

&

happy-hanukkah-greeting-26697045

 

Dec23

December 22, 2016 – Movers & Shakers in Port Charles & a Few Christmas Quotes

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ava can’t believe that Julian is moving in with Alexis. When she said Alexis shouldn’t be here, she didn’t mean he should go there. Ava says Alexis is a hopeless drunk and can’t take care of him. Julian says she’s a drunk because of him. Pretty astute for Julian.

To prove their point, Alexis is throwing them back. The best part of waking up is vodka in your cup. Kristina comes down looking for a sweater. She asks if Alexis is sick and Alexis says she thinks she’s coming down with something. Yeah, an eventual hangover. Kristina says she knows what’s really wrong.

Kiki runs into Dillon while she’s picking up breakfast at Kelly’s. She wants to talk to him about what happened at Crimson.

Franco pounds at the bars of the cage, wishing that this was part of the dream. Elizabeth calls, but he can’t reach his phone.

Finn tells Hayden that if she wakes up now, he’ll give her a present early. Tracy comes into Hayden’s room with a cactus, saying Hayden left her plant with Dillon and he managed to get a cashmere sock…but we never hear the rest because she asks how Hayden is doing. Inquiring minds want to know.

Franco tries to move the cage closer to the phone. This actually looks like it’s possible, since it moves pretty easily. Elizabeth leaves a message about their plans for the evening. Naomi runs into the hospital looking for Hayden.

Finn says Hayden’s temperature is back up to 101.3. He wants Hayden to wake up to a tree. Tracy asks if he thinks Hayden is going to wake up at all. Naomi comes in and asks if her daughter is dying.

Kiki apologizes to Dillon for slapping him, and Dillon apologizes for what he said about Morgan. He says he should have respected her feelings. She says she thought he was manipulating her, but realized that he really cares, and that’s why he asked Nina to offer the position to her. He tells her merry Christmas, the subtext being, bye Felicia.

Molly says Alexis isn’t that hard to read, and she’s having empty nest syndrome. Kristina says she doesn’t have to leave right now. Alexis says she’s fine, but the holidays are going to be hard on Kristina’s father and he’s going to need her. She says she needs this time to get ready for the bar association hearing anyway. Alexis says if Kristina leaves anything, she’ll have an excuse to come over. Kristina says if she didn’t know any better, she’d think Alexis was trying to get rid of her.

Ava asks Julian if the addict doesn’t need to take responsibility for what they’ve done. Julian says that Alexis would never be in this position if it wasn’t for him and believing he’d changed. He says she made him believe he was worthy of stability, family and love, and he repaid her by dragging her into the gutter with him. He promised her a better life, and there’s still a chance to do that. Ava wonders if it’s the meds talking or he’s delusional. He says the love they shared doesn’t just disappear. Ava says how can he help her when he tried to kill her, but he tells Ava that he would have never gone through with it. He could have fooled me, and probably the rest of the GH viewers.

Tracy asks Naomi if she isn’t supposed to be in prison. Naomi says they weren’t that interested in her after finding out about the diamonds, and her attorneys cut a deal. She asks what’s wrong with Hayden, and Finn says she was exposed to some rare bacteria. He explains that he’s been using a drug that keeps the symptoms at bay, but her organs are experiencing failure. He tells Naomi that he’s made a serum from lizard DNA that he thinks might be a cure, and he just administered it.

Franco gets out of the cage when I look away for a millisecond. He calls Elizabeth. He asks if she’s all right, and she says she just left him a message. He says he’s been really busy, but saw she called and figured he’d just call her back. She says the boys are looking forward to tonight, and asks if they’re still on. He says Christmas is his favorite holiday. After he hangs up, Franco says that he’s going to see Tom first. He calls Tom’s parole officer, saying he’s from Uber, checking to make sure if Tom had alternate transportation since he wasn’t there for the pick-up. The officer says he never showed, and Franco tells him that the trip still has to be paid for.

Ava asks Julian if he wants her to tell him how moving in with Alexis is going to work out. She says whatever the two of them shared, it’s past the point of no return. Alexis doesn’t love him. She’s tried over and over to destroy him, and Ava doesn’t want him hurt again. Julian says he can’t live with the way things are right now. Ava says she can’t be part of it, and tells him good luck; he’s going to need it.

Alexis says she can’t wait to see Kristina’s new place, but this is her home and she’ll always be welcome there, and even if she’s not living there, Alexis is still her mom. Kristina says she feels like she’s abandoning Alexis, and Alexis says she’s living her life like she’s supposed to, and moving in to her first apartment is a great accomplishment. Alexis tells Kristina that she can use the peace and quiet, but Sonny will need her.

Valerie approaches Dillon at Kelly’s, and he asks her to sit down with him. He tells her that the night they spent together was the best night he’s had in a while. Kiki overhears and gets all teary outside, because she wants it both ways. Dillon tells Valerie that he’s happy when he sees Kiki, and then remembers she thinks he’s a jerk He says she thinks he’s a stalker, and they can’t even talk to one another. He believes the best thing to do is give up.

Alexis wonders what she did last night. The doorbell rings. It’s Julian. He says, honey, I’m home.

Franco calls Kiki. He asks if she’s all right. She says she’s fine, but he says she doesn’t sound fine. She tells him that she’s just being stupid and emotional. He says he’s just checking in and wishing her a merry Christmas. He asks if she’s going to be with her mom, and she says she’s on her way. She asks if he’s spending Christmas with Elizabeth and the kids, and Franco tells her that he has something to do first.

Naomi asks if Finn is some kind of quack. She says she’s calling security, and Tracy says the only one they’ll remove is her. Tracy explains how Finn worked around the clock to make the serum and needs it himself, but gave it to Hayden. Naomi threatens to call anyone and everyone to keep Finn away from Hayden, which seems really stupid after what Tracy just said. Hayden wakes up and says Finn can’t leave. He says he’s not going anywhere.

Kiki arrives at Ava’s, bearing breakfast. Ava suggests exchanging gifts after they eat. Kiki says she might come tomorrow too. Ava says that would be great since she doesn’t have Avery. She tells Kiki that she also planned a trip to the city to see her mother, but Kiki says she wouldn’t be the best company. She’s bummed because she keeps running into Dillon.

Franco visits Heather. She tells him that she doesn’t know what Elizabeth told him, but she wasn’t anything except cordial. He asks if she talked to Elizabeth, and Heather wonders why Elizabeth didn’t tell him. He says he’s been locked in a dog crate.

Finn asks Hayden how she’s feeling, and she says not too bad, considering. He tells her that her vitals have stabilized and her organs aren’t failing anymore. Naomi says she was going to wait until Christmas to surprise her, but she got the surprise when Elizabeth called to tell her Hayden was so ill. Elizabeth pretends she has something to do, but Hayden thanks her before she leaves.

Heather thinks Franco did what he needed to do, and is embracing his true inner self. He tells her he doesn’t know where Tom is, and no one knows who he might target next. Doesn’t he still have that GPS thing on Tom’s phone?

Julian brings his stuff to Alexis’s house. Alexis says she’ll fix up the couch. Julian says he doesn’t want her to go to any trouble, and she says isn’t that why he’s here? He says he wants to help her, and she suggests he leave then. She makes sure he knows he’s sleeping on the couch and he makes an inappropriate joke. She says if the ethics board finds out he’s there, she’ll be in trouble. He tells her that he’s innocent in the eyes of the law. She says she wants her license and life back, the life she had before he destroyed it. She tells him that no one can come in the house except the two of them until he’s out of there. She asks how long he’s staying, and he says until the healing is done. Hmm… I’m not so sure he only means his physical healing.

Ava asks Kiki why it’s so bad to run into Dillon. Kiki says ever since Morgan died, she’s been a mess, and Dillon has gotten caught in her mood swings. She tells Ava that she wanted to apologize, but Dillon couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Now he’s with Valerie. She can’t expect him not to move on, but it’s tough.

Dillon tells Valerie that his and Kiki’s relationship will never be what he wants it to be. Valerie says even though she broke up with Curtis, it’s hard to see him around town. She says they always seem to be involved with people they can’t have.

Heather says maybe Franco convinced Tom to leave town. Franco says he feels like a changed man, and wants to show the world. Heather cautions him not to tell Elizabeth what he did. She says Elizabeth is never going to be good enough for him. Franco says she always reminds him why she’s there. Heather says she speaks the truth, and being true to one’s self can often be costly. He says Elizabeth believes in him, and knows he can be better. Heather says it’s not going to last when she finds out. She’ll think he’s no better than her rapist.

Finn tells Hayden that the serum worked, and she’s going to be okay. Naomi says she was afraid she’d lost Hayden. Tracy says Finn just found a cure for an incurable disease, and Naomi apologizes. He says thanks and get out; Hayden needs her rest. Naomi leaves, and Tracy tells Finn it worked for Hayden, now what about him? Finn and Hayden smile at one another.

Julian asks Alexis for an ice pack. Ha-ha! I almost typed ice pick. While Alexis goes to the kitchen, Julian’s phone rings. He talks about Rodge convincing him to drop the van thing. He says he’s done everything he’s been asked, but the only reason he’s doing it is for the sake of his children.

Kiki tells Ava that she’s not in the holiday spirit, but Ava doesn’t want to leave her alone. She says Grandma Delia would be disappointed not to see her. Kiki’s not budging, and Ava says okay, but Kiki would probably feel better away from Port Charles.

Dillon thanks Valerie for listening.

Kiki talks to herself, saying she doesn’t just want to sit around and mope. She sends Dillon a text, and he says, now that’s an idea. He knows what he’s going to do.

Finn tells Hayden that he brought her something, and shows her the cactus with decorations on it. She says, Best. Christmas. Ever. and he says, maybe. He tells her that she was cured from an incurable disease, brought Tracy to tears, made a truce with her sister, and her mom is out of prison. He says they’re stuck with each other.

Franco goes to the hospital and tells Elizabeth that he needs to talk to her.

Alexis overhears some of the conversation, and asks Julian who he was talking to.

Tomorrow, Christmas at Sonny’s, Emma might get her Christmas wish, and Valentin invites the family to Windemere.

🕯 A few quotes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to get you in the Christmas spirit…

“If I could work my will,” said Scrooge indignantly, “every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!”

“A merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all the [Cratchit] family re-echoed. “God bless us, every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.

Scrooge was better than his word . . . . He became as good a friend, as good a master, as good a man as the good old City knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old world.

Dec22

December 21, 2016 – Is It a Boy or Girl for Sam & is Star Worth Gazing At?

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Maxie puts the final touches on Sam’s shower. When Sam cuts the cake, the color will tell everyone what sex the baby is. Monica doesn’t think it’s her kind of thing, and Sam enters wondering what on earth is going on.

Sonny asks Jason if he’s found anything. Jason says he needs Sonny’s help.

Julian rings a bell and Alexis tells him don’t do that again. He does it again, and I laugh. She tells him everything that’s been done, and says that Ava can put the clothes in the dryer when she comes back from committing whatever crime she’s committing. Julian supposes that Alexis is running off to happy hour.

Elizabeth visits Heather and asks for her help. She wants to find Naomi. Heather says if Naomi owes her money, she’ll have to get in line. She asks If Elizabeth tried the penitentiary, but her sentence was commuted. Elizabeth tells Heather that Hayden is very sick, but Heather says she can’t help. Elizabeth starts to leave, but Heather wants her to talk about what’s going on with her and Franco.

Tom tells Franco every dog has his day, and this day is his. He locks Franco in the cage, and suggests he’ll be paying a visit to someone. He says he’ll be back to tell Franco all about it. He picks up a pocketknife before he leaves. I guess he really does want to go back to prison.

Carly asks Sam how she likes the baby shower and Sam says it’s more than she could have imagined.

Alexis tells Julian that she has to go to the baby shower. Julian wants to send his regards, but Alexis says she’s not taking pictures or giving messages or telling him anything. She says she has other demands on her life and won’t be back tonight. He asks what if he falls or something, and she says Ava probably has some duct tape lying around and can fix it. He tells her don’t be late.

Sam asks if Carly is okay. Carly says no, but she’s trying.

Jason tells Sonny that he’s following the money trail to a Chinese connection. Sonny says there were Chinese gangs at one time in Port Charles, but it was before he took over. Sonny wants to know what Jason knows. He says he’s starting to feel like Jason doesn’t trust him. Jason says he doesn’t, at least not with this right now.

Elizabeth tells Heather that she’s not discussing her relationship with Franco behind his back. Heather asks what if he’s already discussed it with her, and Elizabeth says that would be understandable, since she’s his mother. Heather says she’s a sensible girl and she likes that, but Elizabeth should stay on her good side.

Franco wakes up in the cage. He yells for Tom, but Tom is long gone. He hears someone come in.  It’s Sam, who says it looks like she finally has him where she wants him. Obviously, it’s not really Sam, and this is some kind of delusion.

In reality, Carly tells Sam that it hits her out of the blue, like when she smells Morgan’s favorite food. I can understand this, having wept over a can of tiny shrimp in the grocery store once. Sam says it can hit like a tsunami, but Carly doesn’t have to go it alone. She has her and Jason, and Sonny. She says Carly can trust Sonny with her pain. Carly says she knows. Alexis arrives, and Carly and Sam go into the party.

Sonny says his son was just murdered and Jason is holding back information. He wants to know if Jason has found out anything about Morgan. Jason says he didn’t just promise Sonny, he promised Carly, but he’s not saying anything that’s going to blow this to hell.

Pawn shop guy Rodge enters Julian’s apartment. He has a get-well gift. He says the boss is sympathetic to his condition, but that doesn’t exclude him from his obligations. He’s a vital part of the boss’s plans.

Sam opens gifts. Monica gives her Alan’s baby spoon. I have makeup on because I’m going out, and tell myself not to cry. Alexis and the girls give her a rocking motorcycle. Kristina tells them she got her own place, and she bets Alexis will be glad she’s not hogging the shower. I bet Alexis will be glad for drinking privacy. The unwrapping continues. It’s time for the cake. The icing on the top says, he or she, open to see. Maxie says, surprise!

Julian tells Rodge that he’s aware of his responsibilities and won’t shirk them. Does anyone really use that word? He says he spoke with the police commissioner and tells Rodge about the van. He says someone could infer that he planted a bomb in his own car.

Jason tells Sonny that everything he does is to protect him. Sonny says he needs Jason to tell him what he knows. Jason says Julian may have bombed his own car.

Franco talks to Mirage Sam, telling her what happened. She asks what the magic word is. Franco says, please, but she tells him it’s 1305. That’s how long it was that she thought he had raped her. She asks if she’s even supposed to believe him that nothing happened. She says he kept her husband prisoner, and that’s at least how long he should sit there. Franco says he knows sorry isn’t enough.  Sam says she hasn’t seen any proof of regret, but tonight he’ll learn what it means to be sorry. She says that Tom is on the prowl, looking for payback. He’s looking for someone to rape, because that’s what he does. She tells Franco that he set it in motion, and this is what it costs, and leaves.

Elizabeth appears. She says Sam is right. He set it in motion, but he can stop it.

Maxie explains the cake, but Sam says she told her they didn’t want to know yet. She realizes Maxie stole the note from the doctor. Carly tells Sam that Jason used to tell her to take breath and count to ten. She chastises Maxie for interfering with Sam’s experience. Maxie says she got carried away. Sam says she forgives her, provided she doesn’t cut the cake.

Rodge tells Julian that they know who bombed his car, and Julian says Sonny. Rodge says what kind of kingpin would Sonny be if he let him walk? Julian says he does have other enemies, and it’s possible it was someone else. Rodge says that Julian is unlikeable, but if he has another theory, the boss would love to hear it. He steps on Julian’s foot accidentally on purpose.

Jason explains about the van to Sonny, and how it belongs to Julian’s company. Sonny thinks Julian set it up to frame him. Jason says that what he thought at first, but it doesn’t make sense that Julian would have left evidence behind. Sonny wants to kill Julian.

Elizabeth tells Heather that she’ll be fine without her approval. Heather tells her not to toy with her boy’s heart. Elizabeth says she has no intention of that, but she can keep her threats. Heather says she wasn’t talking about herself.

Franco tells Not-Really-There Elizabeth that no matter how he tries to change, he’ll always be the person who did those terrible things. Elizabeth says what about the good he’s done? There’s goodness and also darkness; she prayed it was gone. She asks how this happened. Franco says he wanted to protect her, and she says to find another way. She believes he’s stronger than the darkness inside him.

Franco says the darkness isn’t inside him; it is him. Pure darkness is all he’ll ever be.

Real Elizabeth tells Heather that Franco would never hurt her, and Heather says, famous last words. She says wait until the real Franco comes out. And she’d better be prepared for the homecoming.

Doppelganger Franco shows up and Franco tells him that he got rid of him. Dark Franco says he’s the real him and asks if he’s ready to get back to work. Franco says he was sick and doesn’t do that stuff anymore. Dark Franco asks how he explains everything he’s done since, and what he did to Tom. Franco says he made a mistake; he’s not evil. Dark Franco says he’s wrong about that. He knows the future and he’s not as bad as people think – he’s worse.

Julian tells Rodge that he’s been over-thinking things with all the time he has, and it’s Sonny. Rodge tells him to concentrate on recuperating.

Sam says odds are the baby will be a boy or a girl. Alexis gathers the girls and they leave. Molly asks her what she’s going to do with all the time, now that Kristina will be moving out. Why, drink, of course!

Rodge wants to know if Julian has someone looking after him, and Julian says Ava is doing it. Rodge says the boss would like to offer assistance, but Julian says he’ll let him know if he needs help. Rodge says he won’t have to; they’ll know.

Carly thanks Sam for including her, and says sorry she didn’t bring a gift. Sam says the best gift Carly can give her is to be good to herself, and that she and Sonny are good to each other.

Jason tells Sonny that if he wants to kill Julian, go ahead, but he’ll lose everything. They’ll take the kids and Carly will leave. Jason says Sonny needs to wait to find out for sure. Jason needs to prove it. Then they’ll have a conversation about what to do about Julian. Sonny asks how long. Jason says as long as it takes.

Heather tells Elizabeth that she accepts her son for who he is. Elizabeth says the fact that he visits her proves he has a good heart. She believes he can change, and he’s started to believe it himself.

Dark Franco tells Franco that he got sloppy. Franco says that he’s not all bad, and he’s getting better. He says Dark Franco wants to stop him because he’s afraid he’ll be killed. Dark Franco says Franco could have done it long ago, but didn’t want to. He’s the truest part of him. Dark Franco bangs on the cage, and disappears. Franco yells for help.

Alexis goes back to Julian’s and says he’s still alive, her job is done. He asks how the party was. She says she has stuff to do other than catch him up. Kristina is leaving, giving her an empty nest and a wet bar. Julian says he’s moving back in.

The shower breaks up and Jason meets Sam. He tells her that he was visiting Sonny. Sam is glad Jason can be there for Sonny. Jason is hoping that his message got through.

Sonny’s phone rings. It’s Carly. She says she was just checking in. She was thinking about Christmas and talks about gingerbread houses they used to make with the kids. She says maybe they could do one with Avery. For Morgan. Sonny says he’s looking forward to it. Carly says they’ll talk soon.

Jason asks Sam about the cake and she explains. She says they could donate it to the homeless, but Jason  says he thought she liked cake. He tells her that it’s up to her. She says one condition, they don’t tell Maxie what they did, and keep the results to themselves. That’s actually two conditions. They cut the cake.

Tomorrow, Ava asks why Julian wants to move in with the person who ran him down, Naomi visits Hayden, and Dillon chats up Valerie.

🌟 I checked out Star tonight on FOX and loved it! It’s basically a cheesy soap about a girl group getting their start in the Atlanta music scene, along with individual stories about their relationships and backgrounds. When group leader, Star (Jude Demorest), lands them a gig by singing to the customer during a lap dance, it did fall into outlandish territory, reminding me of an old SNL skit called Married in a Minute. Three girls go to the city to find fame, fortune and romance, and find all three just that quick. It doesn’t matter though. The cast is amazing – Queen Latifah, Benjamin Bratt, Lenny Kravitz, Naomi Campbell – even Miss Lawrence has a small, perfect-for-him, ongoing role. And the music ain’t bad either. It’s escapism at it’s finest, and if the first episode is any indication of what’s to come, I’m in for the long haul.

 

Dec21

December 20, 2016 – Tom Uncaged, Erika Sans Underwear & Caroline #1 Unhinged

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Elizabeth introduces Tom’s brother, Seth, to Franco. Seth hasn’t seen Tom since he stopped working at GH. He knows Franco threatened Tom, and Elizabeth asks Franco if he did anything.

Tom gets out of the cage. He tries to get the shock collar off.

Laura talks to herself, practicing a thank you speech. Doc hears her and asks if she needs a psychiatrist. She says she’s trying to come up with something coherent to say to the committee. He says the meeting is just a formality for her joining the hospital board. He suddenly realizes she’ll be his boss. Well, kinda, but not really. That’s still Monica.

Anna flashes back to someone whistling the song that Valentin taught Charlotte. She asks Charlotte if she can tell her anything more about the song, like how Valentin learned it.

Lulu tells Dante she has no intention of giving Charlotte back.

The alarms next to Hayden’s bed go off. She’s not breathing.

Tom finally gets the collar off and kicks some things around. He tries to open the door, but it’s locked.

Seth says Franco came over to his house, which is breaking and entering, never mind the assault. He says that Tom always answers his texts, and unless he gets some answers, he’s going to the police. Code blue is called, and Elizabeth jets. Franco says he’s sorry he resorted to violence, since violence is almost never the answer, but on the other hand, can Seth blame him for wanting to protect Elizabeth? Seth says he can’t.

Lulu asks Charlotte to come sit with her and Dante. Charlotte wants to stay with Emma, but Anna convinces her to go. Emma asks why Anna keeps asking about the song, and she says she just thinks she’s heard it before. She asks how she and Charlotte are getting along. Emma says they had fun, but she feels sorry for Charlotte because she hasn’t seen her mommy in a long time.

Lulu suggests that she and Charlotte look at the Christmas decorations, but Charlotte says she did that already. Lulu asks if she’d like to go to their house, but she says she wants to go home. This is going well.

Laura says she can separate her personal and professional life. Lucy comes along and congratulates Laura on being on the board. She mentions that Laura will be Doc’s boss.

Finn uses the defibrillator on Hayden. He screams at Hayden to start fighting, but nothing happens. Elizabeth tells Finn it’s been too long, but he refuses to quit. Her pulse comes back. Elizabeth says there might be complications, but Tracy thinks she’ll probably come back more irritating than she was before. Finn tells Hayden not to make a liar out of Tracy. He asks her to come back for him. He thinks they have a chance to “you know,” and says they have unfinished business. He says, sweetheart, come back to me, and Hayden opens her eyes. She asks if he just called her sweetheart.

Seth tells Franco if he finds out that Tom met with foul play, he’ll be the first stop. Franco says maybe he’s out on a bender, and thinks Seth should be more concerned that Tom is out causing trouble.

Tom yells his head off while the music continues to play. He digs around until he finds a paint scraper. He tries to open the door with it.

Lucy tells Laura not to play favorites just because she and Doc are in love. She steers Laura toward the meeting, babbling about what Laura needs to know.

Anna tells Emma that Charlotte has her father too, but Emma says Anna doesn’t like him. She tells Anna that Charlotte loves her father. Emma is starting to remind me of a young Margaret O’Brien.

Lulu asks if Charlotte wants to go ice skating, but she repeats that she wants to go home. Dante suggests that she help them decorate the tree, but that’s also a no. Valentin walks in and Charlotte runs to him.

Hayden wants to know why everyone’s looking at her. Tracy says she died, and Finn says just a little. She says she must be in hell, but Elizabeth says it’s just GH. She talks about seeing a white light, and when they all go, really? she says no. Ha-ha! Tracy tells her that Elizabeth helped save her, and Hayden says she guesses they’re even now. Elizabeth leaves to do nurse stuff. Finn says he was so afraid he’d die on her, he never thought of her dying on him.

Seth tells Franco that Tom still has bad impulses. Franco says he’s done some bad things, but there’s someone in his life who inspires him now, and he’s going to keep trying. Seth says maybe Tom will meet someone like that, but Franco says he already has, and he’s not going to do anything to risk losing her because of someone like Tom. He suggests Seth go home, and says Tom will probably show up by tomorrow. After he’s gone, Elizabeth tells Franco that she heard what he said and hugs him. She says Hayden almost died, and she realizes how much time she’s wasted.

Tom has no luck getting the door open, but is able to stop the music. He screams for help.

Emma asks why Anna doesn’t like Charlotte’s dad. Anna says she just has a couple of questions about him because he’s a mystery she needs to solve. Emma says she can go on a playdate to Windemere and get her some answers. Already a budding spy like her parents.

Charlotte asks Valentin if they’re going home. He says he needs to talk to Lulu and asks her to sit at another table. Lulu asks why he’s there, and he says Nina was concerned that she might not return Charlotte. She says Charlotte is her daughter too, and he’s interfering with their time together. He tells Lulu that they have to come up with an equitable way to share her. He goes back to Charlotte, and Lulu tells Dante that he’s playing games. She says she’s going to take Charlotte and run. Dante is like, bad idea, and she says she’s going to fight for full custody.

Finn tells Hayden that her organs are shutting down, and Hayden asks how they stop that. He says he has an idea but needs more information. He thinks he’s discovered a cure, but if it doesn’t cure her, it could kill her.

Anna tells Emma that under no circumstances is she to spy on Charlotte and her father. She’ll get answers herself without Emma’s help. She says Emma isn’t going to Windemere without supervision either. Valentin comes over to introduce himself to Emma, and asks if she’d like to help Charlotte eat some cookies. She goes off to join Emma, and Valentin tells Anna he hopes Emma and Charlotte can be friends despite how she feels about him. Anna says that’s fine, and he’s lovely with his daughter. She asks him about the song and if it has lyrics. He says they’re in Russian, and asks if she speaks it. She says he already knows she does.

Dante tells Lulu that she should rethink fighting for full custody. He says Charlotte barely knows her.

Elizabeth doesn’t want to keep herself at a distance, and end up thinking what might have been. She tells Franco that she doesn’t want to waste any more time not trusting him. Franco says if she really ever wants to talk about his past, that’s fine. She says he’s changed and so has she. They kiss. He says he has to go, and she says that’s the story of her life. He tells her that he wants Christmas to be perfect, but Elizabeth says that she’ll settle for peaceful and uninterrupted. He says he’ll make her believe in Santa again. Ho-ho-ho.

Tom continues to holler. He says nobody is going to help him. He picks up a chair and puts it down again, sitting in it.

Finn tells Hayden that he was going to test the cure on himself, but she needs it more. She asks if he can make more of it, and he says probably. He says they need to make a decision now, because if she flatlines again, she won’t make it back a second time. She asks what happens to him, and he says they’ll figure it out. He asks if she wants to take the chance.

Laura tells Lucy that her first act will be to secure the funds for the Nurses Ball. Lucy says for once a board member with the sense God gave a goose. She tells them to get back to what they were doing before her interruption, and if anyone can handle an employee romance, it’s them. Doc tells Laura that he’d put her on the spot when he told her he loved her, and wonders if they can just continue to move forward She says she doesn’t know if that’s possible.

Dante tells Lulu that it’s too early to fight for full custody, and they should see how it goes. She says she can’t let a murderer raise her daughter. Dante says to look at it from Charlotte’s perspective. If Lulu takes away her father, she’s not going to score any points.

Valentin and Anna discuss speaking Russian. Valentin tells Anna that the phrase he learned as, “Don’t give up” really translated to “Hold your tail as a weapon.” She seems to recognize this, but doesn’t say anything.

Elizabeth asks Hayden how she’s doing. Hayden says she’s just in time to say good-by before Finn gives her what could be a miracle drug or a lethal injection.

Franco gets back, and Tom has returned to the cage. He tells Tom that Santa came early for him this year; he’s letting him go. I would not trust Tom as far as I could kick him, and I think he probably has a weapon.

Laura says ever since Doc said he loved her, she hasn’t been able to think of anything else. She wakes up with a happy feeling for no other reason. She says she finds herself smiling throughout the day. She doesn’t know if it’s the right time, but she can’t hold back anymore – she loves him too. He tells her he loves her and they kiss. Lots of that happening today. She realizes she’s going to be late, and Doc says go get ‘em.

Dante says if Lulu wants what’s best for Charlotte, she’ll wait and let Charlotte spend time with her. Anna comes to get Dante. Valentin tells Charlotte to say good-by to Lulu and thank her. She hugs Lulu and runs off. Valentin tells Lulu that he’s sorry that they got off to a rough start.

Anna tells Dante that she’s certain she’s crossed paths with Valentin before, and it has to be when she was training for the WSB

Lulu tells Valentin that Charlotte will know her as her mother sooner than he thinks. She’s suing for full custody.

Franco tells Tom that after talking to Elizabeth, he wondered what he’s doing and that it’s wrong. Tom deserves to be punished, but it’s not Franco’s job. He tells him to leave Elizabeth alone and they can get on with their lives. He unlocks the cage and Tom gets out. He grabs Franco from behind and puts a cloth over his nose and mouth.

Elizabeth tells Hayden they’ll fight like the sisters they are for the rest of their lives. Tracy says it’s no fun putting her in her place when she’s down, so she has to fight to get better. Hayden tells Finn that if she makes it, she’ll never let him go. He says he’ll find a way to keep going and kisses her.

Tracy and Elizabeth watch as he gives her the shot.

Tomorrow, Sonny asks Jason what he knows, Tom turns the tables on Franco, and Heather wonders why Elizabeth would be visiting her.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

LisaR is going to NYC to visit one of her daughters who’s starting a modeling career.

Kyle is also there with her daughter Sophia. She goes to the city often, and rotates who she brings along, but says Sophia is most like her. They both have so much anxiety about everything, I’m surprised they can handle it.

LisaV visits Dorit with Harrison. She’s planning Ken’s next birthday, and wants some help in finding a gift. Last year, she got him a mini pony, but I think it was really for her. Dorit says Lisa brings out the fun in her, and they’re two peas in a pod.

Erika has some shows coming up and is also working on a new video. She comes to rehearsal and watches what the dancers have been working on so far. Her assistant gives her the schedule of the million things that need to be dealt with.

Dorit and LisaV go to a jewelry store to look at watches. Lisa sets Harrison on the counter and wipes his nose with her dress. Celebrities! They’re just like us! The clerk doesn’t bat an eye. Lisa is shown an over-blinged almost-a-million dollar, watch, but says if she buys it, she’ll have nothing left over for shoes. The perfect watch is found. Lisa likes Dorit because she isn’t super sensitive.

Kyle is opening a store in NYC since she did so well in the Hamptons. She takes a look at the space. LisaR joins her. Lisa says it’s a great area. It’s on the Upper East Side and Kyle says they’ll have to sell a lot of dresses to pay the rent. Truth! Kyle wants Harry to help out with some shelf-building. In her interview, Lisa explains that he’s handy that way, being too cheap to hire someone. Lisa says that Kyle will have to get in line, because everyone wants a piece of Harry.

LisaR talks to Kyle about making up with LisaV. Kyle says it’s good that LisaV said she wants to move on. In her interview, Kyle says that the things she’s gone through with LisaV are small in comparison with what went on with LisaR, but she thinks it’s all going to be put in a box and put away. In other words, swept under the rug.

Dorit’s baby has to wear a headband due to sleeping too much on one side and flattening her skull. (!) Dorit says she loves her kids, but depends on her nannies who are an extension of her. Her son arrives back from speech therapy. She’d started getting concerned when at 2, he wasn’t making an effort to speak. She’s worried that she’s not seeing as much progress as she’d like. He does want to drive the car though, so maybe he’s not as behind as she thinks. She says it would be easier to get Boy George to date women than negotiate with a two-year-old. Another truth!

Eileen and Vince are going to her mother’s house for a final good-by. In her interview, Eileen chokes up, talking about how when her mother first started struggling with dementia, she was aware of it and afraid. They look at family photos. She says in some ways, it’s a relief that her mother isn’t suffering anymore. The house has been sold, and she says it’s a certain finality in saying good-by to everything that was her mother. She says closing the door to the house is symbolic of closing the door to her mother’s physical existence on earth, but she’s still there in spirit. I so understand and empathize with how she feels, as I had a similar experience when my father passed away, although he died suddenly and had no lingering illness.

LisaR says a part of her wants to reach out to Yolanda, but she screwed it up, and has to live with it. We flash back to all that. She’s meeting with some of her daughter’s modeling people. They discuss Delilah’s career and her manager thinks she’s on the fast track. Lisa talks about her labor pains and how big Delilah’s head was when she was born. Delilah is embarrassed and so am I. She talks about everyone thinking Delilah was deformed and Harry asking for a hat. Some photos are taken.

Harrison! Tiny ponies! Giggy! When are LisaV and Ken going to adopt me? Lisa gives Ken his present, and we flash back to the birthday parties she’s thrown for him. This year, it’s just going to be the two of them. He loves the watch. It is pretty nice. She says the greatest gift she’s given Ken is the children…and a bj in the car. They compare Giggy and Harrison’s hair loss. Lisa says Harrison went from the pound to a palace. Really, I won’t take up much space. They’ll never even know I’m there.

Lisa is looking for an apartment for Max. She says before they help their children, they like them to struggle first. She’s seen him live in a grubby place, so now it’s time for a surprise. She says he’s worked hard and deserves to live better now. I like this idea. Everyone should have the experience of living on their own for a while, whether they have to or not.

Kyle meets LisaR for dinner with their girls. Lisa says they’re still like 2 and 3 in her mind. She’s leaving them by themselves for two nights, and she’s a little worried. She says the worst that could happen is they disappear, which would be pretty bad. Kyle asks what they have planned, since it’s not like they can go to clubs. The girls just look at each other and say of course not.

Delilah checks out a dating app and freaks at who she’s matched with. She explains to LisaR that you can’t even get on it without being special. Obviously, it’s not Tinder. Lisa wants to know how much she paid for it. Kyle thinks it’s sketchy at only nine bucks a month. Lisa explains she has to go to QVC and wants to be told everything is going to be okay. She says no dating app stuff while she’s gone. Kyle suggests no dates in the city.

Eileen feels like she can’t focus, so it’s time for some therapy. She tells her therapist that it’s almost embarrassing to have lost so many people and having to keep sharing the information. The therapist asks if there’s a limit on how many people are allowed to die. Eileen lists all the people close to her who have passed away recently, and it’s a lot. She can’t understand why she feels the way she does. She talks about the disconnect between her parents, and says she was embarrassed that her parents didn’t get along when she was younger. The therapist says her knee-jerk reaction to things is shame. Interesting. She tells Eileen to stop trying to make things okay for everyone else. Eileen wants to work on being in the moment with what she’s feeling, and if she knew how much I hate that term, she wouldn’t use it in order to make everything okay. That’s my knee-jerk reaction from having heard it in acting school every five minutes.

Kyle calls Mauricio who’s in Mexico. She’s getting ready for a white party. Isn’t that racist? She calls LisaV with a fashion emergency – she needs nude-colored underwear because the white ones are showing through her jumpsuit. Some of the group gathers for a kiki before the party. Kyle tells them they’ve cast Alicia Siverstone to play her mother in the new show about her early life. Erika talks about her upcoming gig on The Young and the Restless. She’s praying she doesn’t disappoint Eileen. LisaV talks about her early acting career, and Ken suggests they were silent films. Erika is slightly taken aback and Ken says it’s just British humor. Erika says lets all put on British accents and insult each other, but PK says they don’t see it that way; it’s self-depreciation. Dorit thinks Americans should chill out and Erika reminds her she was born in Connecticut.

Dorit talks about how poised Erika is, and Erika says she’s guarded when she first meets people. LisaV explains that Kyle needs underwear, but Erika says she doesn’t have any. Why should she break up a beautiful design with a pantyline? I catch PK trying to take a look. Erika claims that she’s actually a shy introvert, but Dorit’s not buying it. They all leave for the party.

PK and Dorit discuss the party the next day. PK says the scenery was good, referring to Erika not wearing underwear. He says he couldn’t help but notice early on. Dorit says she doesn’t know if Erika deliberately flashed, but she doesn’t blame PK for being a man. He tells her about how distracting it was. Dorit says that she would never put on a free show like that, but thinks Erika has a good sense of humor, so she’s going to approach her about the whole thing. That ought to be good.

Next time, LisaR does her QVC thing, Dorit complains about Erika, and Erika receives a gift of underwear.

✈ A note on Ladies of London – the British highborn – they curse just like us! Caroline #1 refuses to be told what to do (i.e. have some manners), and leaves Mapperton early. Juliet leaves with her because she’s a brownnoser loyal. Julie seems to think a title intimidates Caroline. I think it’s way more than that, although I can’t fathom being intimidated by a title. It’s not like anybody works to get one. My husband is a marquis. You know what it’s gotten us? Nothing. And rightly so. Although I would like a nice castle…

I have to mention too, how much I like Caroline #2. She’s a little hippie-dippy, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so endearingly sincere, especially on a reality show.

 

 

Dec20

December 19, 2016 – The Battle for Charlotte Begins & Scheana Battles to be Liked

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Anna sees Dante. She tells him about her conversation with Griff, discussing Charlotte’s parentage. She asks how he’s holding up. He says it’s bad enough that Valentin is walking around town, but now he shares a child with Lulu. Anna says that Charlotte is lucky that Lulu’s her mom, and Dante has to agree with that. He says they have to settle some things before confronting Valentin.

Lulu goes to Windemere. She tells Valentin that she doesn’t care what story he tells her, she’s Charlotte’s mother and she’s ready for a fight. He says he has no intention of fighting with her.

Franco sees Elizabeth at the hospital. She says she’s been looking for him. She tells him that his landlord called the hospital about a noise complaint at his apartment because he couldn’t get him on the phone. The music is blasting. Franco says he can’t find his phone. Elizabeth asks what he has going on over there.

Franco’s phone is on the floor not far from the cage Tom is in. Tom tries to reach it, but it’s a little too far.

Tracy reads from the tabloids to a sleeping Hayden. Hayden asks her to stop; she’s trying to will herself to live. Tracy tells her that Finn thinks he’s found a cure.

Finn goes to the lab. (Is he allowed in there?) Brad comes in and asks what he’s doing there, answering my question. Brad says he’s going to call security, but Finn says he needs Brad’s help – it’s a matter of life and death.

Valentin asks Lulu if she’d like tea. She says she has no intention of sipping tea with the man who killed her brother. He says it was a misunderstanding, but she’s not budging. She tells him to give her Charlotte and stay out of their lives forever. He says he’s not relinquishing his parental rights, and she’ll have to learn to co-parent with him. Charlotte comes downstairs with Nina.

Anna and Dante discuss Charlotte. He says he loves Charlotte, but he’s not her dad. And it’s not like an adoption; she already has a father.

Valentin re-introduces Charlotte to Lulu. While Charlotte is occupied, Nina asks what’s happening. Valentin says he and Lulu were discussing Charlotte’s future. Lulu says there’s no future with the two of them. Nina says that Lulu just met Charlotte, and Valentin has been raising Charlotte her whole life. Lulu asks how it concerns her, since she’s nothing to Charlotte. Nasty.

Franco makes up some artistic reason for the music being so loud. Elizabeth leaves to do hospital stuff, and Franco asks himself where his cell phone is.

Tom continues to try and get the phone with a piece of wire he found.

Brad tells Finn that’s something addicts say, and he’s not turning a blind eye to anything. Finn says he’s not an addict, and Brad asks why he looks like one. Finn says he’s trying to save someone’s life, and Brad says he wants the whole truth.

Hayden tries to get up, but Tracy says denial doesn’t look good on her. She’s texted Elizabeth who’s coming to give Hayden something for her fever. Hayden asks why Tracy is taking care of her, since she hasn’t exactly won her over with charm. Tracy says because Hayden reminds her of someone who was arrogant and elitist, and Hayden tells Tracy to stop flattering her. Tracy says they were ruthless in business, and took a long time to care about someone, and let them care about her, and she’s hoping Hayden learns from her mistakes. Hayden thanks her, probably realizing that Tracy is talking about herself.

Finn explains everything to Brad. Brad says he’d only heard of someone in a distant country having the disease, and understands now that’s why Finn has been taking the drug. Finn says his supply is running low because he’s sharing with Hayden. He says it’s an accelerated case, but he might have found a cure.

Valentin says Charlotte adores Nina, and Lulu should accept that Nina has a place in her life. Lulu says she’ll make those decisions. He tells her he wants to go slow because up until now, Charlotte thought Claudette was her mother. Lulu thinks he’s trying to drive a wedge between them, but he says that’s not the case. Valentin suggests a playdate with Lulu to Charlotte.

Dante tells Anna about his concerns. She thinks he’s mourning the idea of not having another child of his own. She says that he loves Lulu and Charlotte is a part of her, so he’ll love Charlotte too. He says he wants to believe that, but it’s not going to be easy. He tells Anna that Valentin is a lunatic, and opening their doors to Charlotte means opening them to him too. Anna thinks he’s not going to be a threat much longer, and that she’s on to something.

Lulu tells Charlotte about the tree lighting ceremony at the MetroCourt. Valentin says Charlotte should go and show off her pretty dress, and that Lulu will take good care of her. Nina goes to get her coat. Lulu thanks Valentin, who tells her to make sure Charlotte is home before it’s too late. Lulu interrupts Nina putting on Charlotte’s gloves, and takes her outside. Nina asks Valentin if he’s out of his mind. On the porch, Lulu puts Charlotte’s gloves on, and says she knows they’ll have a wonderful time together.

Just as Brad asks Finn about one of the vials in the lab, ABC breaks in with something going on in Berlin, which they think is a deliberate attack. Okay, maybe this is important, but it still could have waited a whole half an hour.

Thank you, God. They’re going back to the show. They even said there’s no confirmation of anything and they know nothing. So why bother me with it???

Elizabeth and a doctor discuss Hayden’s condition. I’m assuming she got sent to the hospital while I was in Berlin. Her sepsis has come back, and they’re going to have to put her into a medically induced coma. She’s worried she won’t wake up, but the doctor says it can’t wait.

Nina asks why Valentin handed Charlotte over to Lulu when she clearly didn’t want to go. He wants to avoid conflict, but Nina says Lulu is like a kid with a new toy who doesn’t want to share. She thinks Lulu has other plans.

Anna tells Dante that she thinks Valentin burned down his old school to burn down his past. She also wants to find out where their paths have crossed. She can’t put him in context. She says he keeps taunting her with reminders of her past, but thinks he’s going to eventually slip up. Lulu and Charlotte join them.

Lulu introduces Dante to Charlotte. Anna tells Charlotte that Emma is downstairs, and takes Charlotte to see her. Lulu tells Dante that Charlotte has Nicholas’s eyes. She babbles a little, and Dante asks how this happened. She says she went to see Valentin, and Dante asks what she was thinking.

Valentin tells Nina that it took every ounce of will power. He says his move was strategic; if he deals with Lulu honestly, he’s hoping she’ll do the same. Nina thanks him for defending her place In Charlotte’s life. He says she has a place in his too. She asks what if she doesn’t want it, and he says he’ll let her go, but he’ll just chase her again, and they can save time by just being together now. They kiss.

Tom tells Franco he’s had his fun. He needs to check in with his parole officer, and it dawns on him that it’s Franco’s plan to get him sent back to prison. Franco tells him that bad dogs get sent back to the pound.

Finn’s phone rings. It’s Elizabeth. She tells him they had to bring Hayden back to the hospital. She says Hayden is scared and so is she.

Hayden thanks Tracy for everything. Tracy tells her she’s going to be okay. She falls asleep, and the doctor says it will take stress off her system. He can’t say whether she’ll live through the night though.

Brad finds Finn gone. Finn runs into Hayden’s room with a syringe in his hand.

Lulu tells Dante that she wasn’t sure where his head was at. These two always talk like they came from the late 60’s. He says she’s Charlotte’s mother and he’s on board. Anna brings the girls I-don’t-know-where. She parks them while she takes a call from Robert, who says it’s another dead end. Anna tells him that she’s not giving up.  When Anna returns, the girls are humming a song. She asks where they heard it, and Emma says Charlotte just taught it to her. She must be a quick learner.

Tom begs Franco not to send him back to prison, and says he’s changed. He says he’ll stay away from Franco and his friends, and give up photography. He threatens to tell the cops, and Franco says he doesn’t think so. He says Tom would be amazed what you can do with Photoshop. If Tom goes to the police, he’ll manipulate a photo of Tom to look like he went to an island somewhere.  Franco leaves.

Finn tells the doctor Hayden is his patient, and he’d like to discuss things with her family. Tracy tells him the doctor doesn’t expect her to make it through the night. He says he thinks he has a cure. He’s going to test it on himself, and it will either cure him or kill him.

Anna asks Charlotte who taught her the song, and she says poppa whistles it to her. Anna suggests they get some hot chocolate before the tree lighting. The girls continue to hum the song, and Anna flashes back to her younger self hearing someone whistle it.

Nina says she knows Valentin wants to spare Charlotte a custody battle, but she doesn’t think Lulu will back off. She tells him that he’s been painted as a villain, and she speaks from personal experience when she says there’s no telling how far someone will go when they’re trying to defend their child.

Lulu says she feels better hearing Dante say they’re together in this. She understands him having mixed feelings. He says they’re going to co-parent with the man who killed her brother. She says she has no intention of giving Charlotte back.

Franco goes back to the hospital. There’s a guy talking to Elizabeth, and she introduces him as Tom’s brother, Seth. She says he hasn’t seen Tom in a few days, and he wouldn’t know anything about that, right?

Tom gets the lock open and gets out of the cage.

Tracy says Finn can’t inject himself with something that hasn’t been tested. He says it’s no time for rational thinking. Hayden gave him back a part of his life that he didn’t think existed anymore. He gives Tracy something to give to Brad if the doctors can’t get to him in time. He asks her to make sure he’s not interrupted. She tells him just don’t die, and goes into the hallway to guard the door. He prepares the injection, but Hayden’s bedside alarms go off.

Tomorrow, Charlotte wants to go home, Elizabeth asks Franco what he did, and Tom screams his head off.

Vanderpump Rules

The servers gather before the restaurant opens. They discuss Ariana’s birthday. Scheana thinks that she hasn’t been invited because it’s common knowledge that she’s going to the Hamptons with Stassi that same weekend. Shay and Carter also have birthdays coming up, and there’s a combined surprise party where each thinks they’re going to the other one’s celebration.

Stassi says she loves SUR now that she doesn’t work there anymore. Yes, we all know how she feels about goat cheese balls. She’s been doing a podcast called Straight Up with Stassi. She tells Brittany that Jax would be a good fit to discuss reformed cheaters. He claims that Brittany is the woman who changed him, so she wanted to check with her first. Brittany is fine with it, saying the only thing that her Jax and Stassi’s Jax have in common is their name.

Ariana asks Scheana if she can talk with her and Katie in the back. She says it’s nothing bad, but certainly that will be a matter of opinion. Ariana says she knows there’s conflict with them and Lala, and Lisa suggested they meet and discuss. In her interview, Katie wonders what Ariana thinks she’s doing trying to broker a peace treaty, and feels that there are no more chances with Lala. Lala joins them, and Ariana asks how they can make things peaceful. Lala says she tried to apologize to Scheana, and feels like she got shut down. Ariana brings up the married man rumors, and Katie claims a video came out. Lala says they’re out of their minds, and she was actually covering up the guy she was really dating, who she just broke up with. Ariana says there’s been trashing on both sides. Lala tells them that she’s not going to apologize again, and she and Katie start to argue. In her interview, Scheana says she doesn’t know what to do, since she and Lala are friendly now. She apologizes for anything she’s said that hurt anyone’s feelings, and promises that not one word about anyone will pass her lips anymore. The meeting breaks up, and it seem like it was pretty useless.

Brittany tells Lisa about Stassi’s podcast. In her interview, Lisa says no matter what, Brittany is always smiling, and wonders where her pissed off face is. She tells Brittany she wouldn’t do it, but Brittany thinks everything is just dandy.

Stassi joins Katie on her break. Katie tells her about the meeting with Lala. Stassi asks if Katie apologized, and Katie tells her of course not, but Scheana did. Stassi says that Scheana is desperate to be liked. She says it’s like one of the victims apologizing to Charles Manson. She gets on her phone and starts texting Scheana. I feel the earth move under Twitter with 144 words coming from all over about Stassi’s insensitivity toward murder victims. #WhatAnIdiot

Brittany must explain to Jax how to hang a curtain rod. He’d rather hire someone, and needs a drink afterward. They discuss Stassi’s podcast. She says she trusts Jax and Stassi, but it’s going to be weird, since they’ll be discussing personal stuff. In his interview, Jax says when he looks back on his relationship with Stassi, it reminds him of Misery. We flash back to some choice moments. He says he prefers to be cordial with her because it’s safer.

Scheana drops by. She quit drinking when Shay did, but needs one right now. She tells them about the meeting. She says that later on she got endless texts from Stassi, and then a passive-aggressive text from Katie at around midnight. She thinks they were on the tequila.

Katie and Schwartz talk with the wedding planner on the phone. Katie says something about keeping it under 50K, and Schwartz nearly falls out of his chair. He says their budget is like a cartoon snowball that just keeps getting bigger. Stassi sneaks into their apartment in the background. In her interview, Katie suggests that Schwartz investigate other, less expensive options if he doesn’t like what she’s doing. Good point.

Kristen arrives. The girls tell Kristen about the meeting. in her interview, Kristen says Ariana is pulling a Schwartz. Stassi says if someone is willing to sacrifice their best friends to be liked, how can she trust them?

Scheana talks to Jax about the meeting, saying she feels like she’s being ganged up on. In his interview, Jax says he feels like Gandhi, who foretold the future, and then tries to figure out who Gandhi is.

Lisa comes by SUR and asks how it’s going. Ariana tells her about the mediation and how she feels like everyone had their say, but later Scheana got a load of negative texts. Lisa thinks they should just stop the bullsh*t. She was hoping this would stop her from having to hear about it again, but no such luck.

Stassi sets up her podcast in a bar. Jax looks at her equipment and asks if they’re going to search for ghosts. He brings up the meeting, and tells Stassi that Scheana thinks it’s a mean girl thing. Stassi says that’s what she does when she’s caught or wrong, whine that she’s being bullied.

In his interview, Jax says that Stassi isn’t wrong when she says he used to be a d-bag, but if he hadn’t been, he wouldn’t be who he is today. Words fail me. Stassi starts the podcast, saying that 48% of men cheat because of emotional dissatisfaction. Jax talks about how most men cheat down, but he had gorgeous women when he cheated because he wanted to know he still “had it.” Stassi suggests he sounds like someone who doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings. She asks if he’ll take a sociopath test, and although he feels like he’s being backed into a corner, he agrees. In her interview, Stassi says Jax shouldn’t worry about being a sociopath, and lists the psychiatric profile of everyone on the show, including herself.

Lisa asks if Scheana is okay to work. Scheana says she’s okay as long as she doesn’t talk about it. She tells Lisa about Katie’s text. Katie comes by, and Lisa asks why Scheana is in tears. Katie says she doesn’t want to have a conversation about it tonight, and Scheana says she doesn’t want to talk about it at Shay’s party. Harrison! In her interview, Lisa wonders why she’s paying them, when they should be paying her for therapy.

Brittany helps Scheana set up for Shay’s party. She’s never been to a surprise party before, and Scheana says she’s never planned one before. Some of the other girls arrive. Tom is volunteered as bartender, even though he’s not there yet. Kristen creates a margarita baby pool and frets that people might not want to drink from it. Stassi says those aren’t their kind of friends then. Stassi talks to Kristen and Katie about Scheana, who she believes is getting worse.

The rest of the crew shows up. Schwartz has fetched the guests of honor, saying he was chosen for the role since he keeps his mouth shut. In his interview, Tom explains that both guys knew they were going to a surprise party, so technically it wasn’t one.

The party is in full swing, with guests drinking, playing in the pool, drinking, gossiping, drinking, and comparing abs, and drinking. Jax tells Tom and Schwartz that Scheana feels like it’s three against one again, and Schwartz says it’s like The Godfather where Scheana has to be concerned about her standing in the family. Kristen confronts Scheana, who is worried about her status as a bridesmaid, and about the coflicting trip to Montauk to maintain her friendship with Stassi.

Ariana asks Scheana if she thinks they’re going to work things out. Tom tells her that they can’t change the tickets for Ariana’s NASCAR post-birthday trip, so if things don’t work out for her, she doesn’t have the option of coming with them. Scheana is going to have a heart attack by the end of this episode. She seems like a nice girl, but she’s worse than James Wilson in 1776, seconding his own motion in his zeal to be liked. Not everyone is going to like you, and you can’t always have it both ways.

Schwartz talks to Shay on the side, asking him how it is being married. He tells Shay about the wedding budget issue and how he wanted to keep it under 15K. Shay just laughs. We flash back to the expense. Shay says he felt the same way, and they both think elopement equals a down payment on a house. Like this bunch doesn’t make more money in one year than I’ll make in a lifetime.

Brittany talks to Stassi, saying she doesn’t know what a sociopath is, but Jax failed the test miserably. They talk about forgiveness. Stassi says she wishes she could rise above things like Brittany does, but she needs to know if she can trust someone.

Stassi talks to Scheana, telling her that she should stand up for something. Scheana says she is – herself. Stassi says she’s not getting it because she hasn’t been hurt by Lala. Scheana calls Ariana over because she can’t fend for herself in a conflict. Ariana says she’s friends with both Lala and the other girls. Stassi says Ariana doesn’t grasp that Lala has done evil things to people. Stassi doesn’t understand how she can be friends with someone like that. Ariana says Stassi is so emotional, it’s difficult to talk to her, and asks why she’s so heated. Stassi goes into the house crying. She tells Katie that Ariana and Scheana suck. She explains what happened with Scheana dragging Ariana into their discussion.

Scheana joins them and wants to talk about it. Stassi says she pulled someone else into their conversation. Scheana says they all have the same opinion. Stassi tells her to stop being an a-hole. She says that it’s not about Lala, it’s about her, and her not caring that Lala has done terrible things to her friends. Schaena tells Katie that she seems like Tequila Katie again. In her interview, Scheana says that Schwartz has been saying the same thing. and she’s being accused of something that didn’t happen because they’re drunk and emotional. We flash back to some tense moments between Katie and Schwartz.

Katie says she can read Scheana like a book and she’s totally fake. Scheana goes back outside and tells Ariana what happened. In her interview, Scheana says that she never thought she was better than her friends, but she does now. Katie says she’s over it.

Next time, Scheana wonders if she’s going to be disinvited, Stassi says Scheana is exhibiting the opposite of bridesmaid behavior, and James approaches Lisa about coming back. As if.

⛷ Just a note about Timber Creek Lodge. When Jamie told someone “thanks for sharing” at a staff meeting, had I been an employee, I might have had to quit right then and there.

Dec19

December 18, 2016 – Vintage Christmas Holly Jollies, a Little Atlanta & a Small Dose of Medicine

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Now for Something Completely Different

While there are some Sunday night shows I’m watching, like The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine (see below), nothing is happening with the shows I’m blogging, so I thought I’d share a little Christmas humor.

In 1979, I was young, single, and living in NYC. I still went home for Christmas though, and a friend of mine stayed at my apartment in Manhattan that year to babysit my cat, Eric. (So named after Monty Python‘s Eric the Cat.) When I got back, I found this note. In explanation, my railroad flat was once a hotel room and had a decorative fireplace. And be forewarned, there are curse words ahead.

Christmas Eve, 1979

Dear Theresa,

Well, I was here! Where the hell were you?

After all the trouble I had getting here, too. Do you realize how goddamn hard it is to guide 8 reindeer through New York City? They all want to stop and look at the tall buildings and buy pretzels. They all bugged the hell out of me, trying to con me into taking them to Radio City.

Then, trying to land on that goddamn filthy roof of yours. Doesn’t anybody clean around here? There was so much fuckin’ pigeon shit around, Dancer slipped and almost ended up as flying venison.

Then I struggle and squeeze, and damn near burst my spleen trying to get down the chimney. I finally make it through – and you bricked up the fuckin’ fireplace!

I had to climb all the way back up to the roof, walk down the fire escape and get in through the front door. (If Jane didn’t leave your key for me – I wouldn’t have even gotten in!)

And then, do you think I could go up in the elevator? Oh no! I had to trudge up those cruddy stairs. Four whole flights I walked!

So I get in, finally. And where are you? Gone. I don’t even get the satisfaction of sneaking around so you don’t wake up. It’s the best part of being Santa Claus, goddamn it, and I couldn’t. If it weren’t for your crazy cat sleeping in the sink, it would have been a total loss.

By the way – do you know your cat is fencing stolen goods? I found a whole mess of TVs and stereos… well, never mind.

And the topper of it all. The thing that really, really burns me up is that you didn’t even leave me a goddamn glass of milk and a few lousy cookies! Nothing! I open the fridge and – nada! Not even a lousy j!

Thanks a heap, Theresa.

All in all, you really fucked me over, and don’t think I’m gonna forget it!

Santa Claus

P.S. Just stopped by on my way back from Ohio. So there you were! OK, all’s forgiven. But next time, drop me a note if you aren’t going to be in. You know my address. Merry Christmas.

SC

🎅 Wherever you are, Jane Lindberg, you’re still making me laugh after almost 40 years.

👒 A quick note on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Kenya and Matt’s relationship seems to have taken a nosedive, which I find sad, since it looked like she’d found the right guy. Unfortunately, he’s shown a somewhat violent temper, and broke one of her garage door windows during an argument. Not a good sign. It’s hard to tell if they’ll end up working things out. I think it depends on whether or not Matt is willing to go to some kind of counseling. Kenya’s father has been a real champ though, supporting her all the way, and even trying to talk to Matt himself.

Phaedra is still the same self-righteous a-hole. There’s no way I could be friends with her. She has to be the phoniest member of the Housewives franchise, and that’s saying a lot. If you look up “two-faced” in the dictionary, her picture is there. Porsha has a new old boyfriend, whom she dated years ago. She decides to bring him to a family dinner, where he’s barraged with questions about his “intentions.” Even Jesus gets an earful during grace.

I often get distracted by the outfits on this show. Especially when Phaedra wears some kind of poufy thing. Or a hat. I was twice as distracted tonight, when Phaedra and Kandi met for a disastrous lunch. Kandi called Phaedra out for everything she’d ever done since the earth cooled, and Phaedra pretended she had no idea what Kandi was talking about, and Kandi must be crazy. But I digress from my digression. Kandi was wearing a gorgeous, but busy, off-the-shoulder dress, in a humongous floral pattern, and Phaedra was wearing some white concoction that I kept trying to figure out. I don’t know how I was supposed to concentrate on the conversation. All I know is, it didn’t end well.

🚑 As for Married to Medicine, this one is like watching a train wreck for me. You’d think that a group of women who are doctors and/or married to doctors would be somewhat mature, but no. However, it’s flabbergasting to see how incredibly childish they are. Hats off to Dr. Jackie, often the only voice of reason. She finally blew a gasket last week, while doing a nude photo shoot for breast cancer awareness. She’d invited the girls along for support, but they couldn’t stop their loud, petty quarreling for five minutes, and she had to kick them out. It’s a shame that a show that could have so much going for it, frequently reduces itself to Jersey Shore status. I’d also love to know where they find these people. What are the odds of a medical maven also being the first to start a bar brawl? That’s not to say the ladies are one-dimensional – this season’s storyline about Simone’s missing father is heart-wrenching – but they’re not kids and need to learn when to put a lid on it.

Dec17

December 16, 2016 – No GH, Lots of Zombies & Four Quotes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

Due to presidential circumstances beyond my control, there was no General Hospital today. Why, why, why is it always at 3 pm? I rushed home from Christmas shopping hoping they were going to reveal who the mystery person is, only to see the horrifying words “Special Report.” It’s my understanding that today’s episode will be shown on Monday, throwing off the entire Port Charles holiday season.

Z Nation

The Man tells Lucy no one is coming for her and she has to think about her future, especially at the rate she’s aging.

Doc tells Addie that their car needs oil. They see a hitchhiking zombie in a sweater that says Grandpa on it. Addie stops the car. Doc thinks he’s trippin’, but Addie says she sees it too. They back up. The zombie comes toward the car, but as Addie is about to shoot, he says, “Lucy.” They bind him with duct tape and put him in the back seat. Doc gives him a pair of sunglasses so he doesn’t look as weird. Addie instructs Doc not to get him stoned.

The Murphy caravan pulls over. Red asks 10K how he’s holding up, and he says he’s just tired. Murphy examines his new KISSish look in the mirror. Kaya gets through to Roberta. She tells Roberta to change course to intercept The Man. She fades out and Murphy starts to freak because they couldn’t hear the coordinates. They get her back and she repeats them. There’s been no word from Citizen Z for the past 12 hours. Murphy tells Roberta he’s counting on her.

Lucy mentally contacts the zombie in Addie’s car. Doc thinks he’s dead, but Addie says he’s receiving and Lucy is transmitting. Doc calls it an apocalyptic GPS.

Red blows the car horn and pulls over. 10K is having a seizure. Sun examines him, and he has an infected wound . Murphy tells Roberta that making the right decision is her strength. She tells Sun they have to keep moving and Red should drive.

Lucy continues to transmit. The Man drives the car into the woods and then into a mountain, where a weird invisible door has opened up. They get out of the car and The Man tells Lucy no talking. They walk through a corridor that’s wet and dark, and includes a zombie banging its head against the wall. It tries to attack them, and The Man shoots it. Lucy tells him that she couldn’t communicate with it. More zombies come toward them. The Man shoots them, but they just keep coming. Some soldiers come out with machine guns, and The Man tells Lucy to get down. The soldiers mow down the zombie crowd. The Man tells Lucy not to be afraid, and that he won’t let anyone harm her.

A soldier asks if she’s infected. The Man says she’s the package. He’s supposed to meet someone from Zona. He needs access to the LZ and a radio to let someone know they’ve arrived. Lucy is pretty frightened, but he tells her it will be all right.

Addie tells Doc they’re running on fumes. They stop the car and get out, bringing the zombie along. He keeps repeating Lucy’s name, and leads them through the forest. They come to the mountain, but Doc says he doesn’t see a doorbell. Addie says she doesn’t think that’s their way in and looks up. Doc asks what about Grandpa and she tells him to stay with the zombie since he’s all they’ve got.

Doc does some Z-weed vaping, while the zombie continues to point. Doc closes his eyes for a moment and when he opens them, sees some parachuters. Soldiers suddenly come out from everywhere. They knock Doc in the head. Doc tells them not to shoot the zombie. One of them says he might be the package. They tie Doc and Grandpa together back to back.

One of the soldiers tells Doc he’s going to answer some questions, but he’s only to nod or shake his head. Every time Doc speaks, he gets a smack. The soldiers are given instructions to sweep the inside and try to make contact with the base team. The soldiers go in and we hear machine gunning. The zombie starts making noises, and the soldier guarding them tells Doc to keep him quiet. Despite his binds, Doc rushes the soldier, but the soldier gets the best of him. Grandpa jumps the soldier though, and he’s toast. Doc and Grandpa look at the entrance to the mountain, and a bunch of soldiers-now-zombies come out.

Doc and Grandpa take off. Roberta appears and yells for them to get down. She shoots the zombie soldiers and then shoots Grandpa before Doc can say anything. Doc tells her that was their guy and he was helping them find Lucy. Murphy says the soldiers are from Zona and their immunity must be failing. Doc tells them that Addie is climbing up. Roberta tells Murphy, let’s go get your daughter.

Addie climbs up the side of the mountain. OMG it’s like the wall in Game of Thrones.

The Man explains what’s happening. He tells the soldiers there might be others coming, and if they get inside, shoot to kill. He starts to leave with Lucy, but she begins to cry. He tells her not to be afraid. She says she doesn’t want anyone else to die. The man says that’s exactly the point; because of her, more people will live. He says that she’s very special and she knows it, and whatever’s left of this world will know it too. She says she doesn’t want to die, and clings to him. He promises to keep her safe. She asks what’s going to happen to her, and he says they’ll find out together. Well, that’s comforting.

He asks her if she’s ready, and they go up a flight of stairs to the outside.

Roberta and the others go into the mountain. Doc tells 5K to stay and keep watch. Sun tells them that 10K is dying. Murphy tells her that he saved him once, and he can do it again. Doc and Roberta split up. Roberta hides behind a pillar and sees a group of soldiers go by. Doc looks out a window and can see the entire coast. They reconvene. Doc tells Roberta maybe they should stash 10K upstairs. Roberta says Lucy is the priority and they’ll deal with 10K when they get back.  They bring him to a spot near the window.

Sun says they have to kill 10K in order to save him, and that Murphy died four years ago. Technically. Murphy is like, I’ve been dead this whole time? Sun says yep, and 10K needs to die too, if he’s going to survive. Murphy says he doesn’t feel dead, and how do they know they’re not all dead, and this is a dream? Roberta slaps him hard, and says if he felt that, then he’s not dead. Sun says someone has to kill 10K.

She tells them, choke, die, bite, inject, in that order. Roberta tells Murphy to get a move on, and he says to give him a break, he just found out he was dead. She tells him to focus. Roberta chokes 10K while Murphy holds him down. Murphy bites him immediately after he dies. Sun does the injection. Nothing happens. Suddenly, Murphy feels something and says 10K is finished. Red says Sun has to save him. Everyone stands around looking helpless. Sun goes to 5K and Doc to let them know. Doc holds 5K.

Whoa! 10K sits up and grabs Murphy, saying he’s not his savior. Murphy says thank God for that. Red is ecstatic, and says she’s glad he’s alive. Roberta says they all are, and Murphy tells her to speak for herself.

Murphy feels something going on with Lucy, and says they have to hurry. Roberta tells Sun to stay with 10K. Red stays too.

Addie is still climbing up the side of the mountain. Her foot occasionally slips. She realizes she has to lose her weapon, because it’s just getting in her way. Reluctantly, she tosses it down.

The Man radios someone, telling them two for transport, and that the deal has changed. Lucy begs him not to make her go. He says it’s not up to him. Operation Bite Mark minus 10K and plus Murphy, keep going up on the inside.

This is the season finale. Waaaaaah! I hope it gets renewed. I always worry about that, because when I really like a show, the chances of it sticking around go down.

A zombie goes by with Addie’s weapon sticking out of its back. Maybe she can get it later. She passes a zombie mountain climber and cuts the rope holding him.

Kaya tries to contact Citizen Z. Nothing. She looks at her Nana sleeping, wondering where he is.

OBM get to where The Man and Lucy are. Murphy is shocked that Lucy is a teenager. Doc tells him that it’s the apocalypse, and none of this sh*t makes sense. Roberta tells Doc to keep her covered. She puts her gun down and walks forward, telling The Man they don’t want any trouble; they just want Lucy. She tells Lucy that this is her daddy, Murphy. Lucy asks The Man if it’s the truth, and he says yes. He tells Roberta take another step and he’ll shoot, but Lucy says no more killing. Murphy shoots, and The Man gets distracted. Lucy runs to Murphy, hugs him, and then slaps him. She asks why he abandoned her, and says he missed her entire childhood. He tells her that a month ago she was a baby, and that he loves her more than anything.

The Man and Roberta fight. The Man gets her in a headlock. He tells Doc careful with the gun. Doc tells Murphy and Lucy to run, but Murphy says, today we fight. The Man and Murphy struggle. The Man says he doesn’t want to kill him, and Murphy says he can’t kill him, he’s already dead. The Man backs up and shoots at Murphy. We see the bullet travel in slow motion, through Murphy and into Roberta.

Roberta falls to the ground. So does Murphy. Doc holds Lucy back. The Man points his gun at Doc. Doc shoots at him, but his gun doesn’t work. The Man picks Lucy up, throwing her over his shoulder. Sun and the rest come up the stairs. Lucy screams.

Addie reaches the top of the wall just as some kind of space ship arrives to take The Man and Lucy away. It says USAF on it. Everyone stares at it, frozen. The Man has set Lucy down, and Addie runs at him, taking him over the edge of the mountain. Lucy follows, and so does 5K, his wings spread. A huge gun comes out of the ship, shooting flames. WTF? Well, they left us hanging with a nuclear bomb the first time, and it doesn’t get much more dire than that.

Yay! Z Nation will be returning in 2017.

Quotes of the Week

There wouldn’t be a parade if there wasn’t Lisa on a bus. — Stassi on Vanderpump Rules

Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all you want. — Jim Rohn

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty, instead of upon your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. — Charles Dickens

Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1942. — Kim Zolciak’s daughters, while discussing history on Don’t Be Tardy

Dec16

December 15, 2016 – A Little Bit of Soap

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Maxie is on the phone, telling someone to do exactly what she says, make it on time, and remember that it’s a surprise. Nina brings in a holiday dress for Charlotte. She wants to go to Christmas mass with Valentin and Charlotte in their finest fashions. Maxie guesses that Valentin didn’t tell her about Charlotte’s mom.

Lulu asks Dante if he’s with her in this, and can love Charlotte like a father. He says he’ll love Charlotte because she’s part of Lulu, but Valentin isn’t going to make things easy.

Ava threatens to go to the cops about Alexis driving drunk and leaving the scene. Julian tells her to let it alone or she won’t like the consequences. Jordan arrives. She wants to ask Julian some follow-up questions. Ava tells her to come on in.

Curtis tells the pawn shop guy that he’s easy going, and can forget about the lies they were told, but Jason takes offense to that kind of thing. The guy introduces himself as Winston Rudge, and says he’s not linked with any crime and resents the interference. Curtis says Winston seems like a nice guy, but needs to think fast and hard about where the tool set came from. Winston says with the economy the way it is, more people are pawning their stuff and it’s impossible to remember. Jason asks about the other employees, but Winston says he’s looking at the entire staff. Curtis wonders about any records and Winston says possible, but not probable, since it’s a cash business.

Lulu asks Dante if he thinks Valentin is telling the truth, but he says he finds it difficult to picture him as a victim. Laura sees them and asks why they’re at the hospital.

Maxie tells Nina that Claudette left out the surrogate part of the story. Nina says Charlotte has been through a lot, and Maxie agrees. Maxie explains how she and Lulu went to the doctor who did the implantation, and Valentin found out. Nina says she’s happy for Lulu, and that Charlotte needs a mom. She tells Maxie that she has a business meeting to go to, but she’s obviously upset, and I don’t think there’s any meeting.

Ava says a police officer is exactly what they need right now. Jordan is surprised to see Alexis there. Ava says she can’t stay away, but it’s probably just concern. She asks Jordan if they have any leads, and if leaving the scene of an accident is serious. Jordan says even if it’s an accident, leaving the scene is a crime. She adds that they have no leads. Alexis says she might as well leave, but Jordan asks if there’s a new development and if she wants to remove the restraining order. Alexis tells her no, and Jordan says she’s basically violating her own order. Alexis says she thought Julian would still be in the hospital, and Jordan asks if she came to see Ava.

Winston tells Jason that he doesn’t keep detailed records. Curtis picks up a model of a ship, but Winston says it’s not for sale; he’s keeping it for one of his customers. Jason gives Winston his number, and they leave. Apparently, the boat is of importance, because the camera focuses on it.

Laura asks if Rocco is sick, but Dante says everyone is fine. He gets a call and has to leave. Laura tells Lulu that if she was to look up “awkward” in the dictionary, it would have their picture, and asks if Lulu wants to tell  her what’s going on.

Felicia comes to Maxie’s office. They talk about Georgie, who is going to be flower girl at the wedding. Felicia wants her input on something, but Maxie isn’t paying attention. Felicia asks her what has her so distracted that she can’t even think about her own wedding. Maxie tells her it’s Lulu. Lulu is positive she’s Charlotte’s mom, but Maxie keeps thinking about how Lulu won’t have any memories of Charlotte’s early years, and it makes her sad.

Nina goes to Windemere and asks Valentin why he’s been lying to her.

Dante goes the MetroCourt and talks to Olivia. She asks if he can help get Christmas sweaters for everyone, and he says they’ll need one for a little girl as well. Olivia asks if it’s a medical miracle or some old girlfriend showed up. Ha-ha!

Lulu asks Laura if Kevin is coming for Christmas, and Laura says nice try. She doesn’t want to pry, but if Lulu wants to talk, she’s there. Lulu explains that Valentin is Charlotte’s father, but Claudette was a surrogate. She tells Laura that she’s Charlotte’s biological mother.

Nina wants to know why Valentin didn’t tell her that Claudette was a surrogate. He says it wouldn’t have been fair until Lulu knew. Nina asks why she didn’t let Lulu know right away. She says everyone is telling her he’s a horrible person, and she doesn’t believe it, but this is as horrible as it comes. He says he was protecting Charlotte, and did what he thought was best.

Alexis tells Jordan that she did come to see Ava. Ava says she’s just as surprised as Jordan, but Alexis claims she came to get a photo album. Jordan asks why she wants memories of the man who tried to kill her. Julian says he was acquitted, and unless Jordan wants to face charges, she’d better watch what she says. Alexis says she wanted pictures of the children. Jordan tells her that she’s not here on a social call either. Ava interjects that sometimes the guilty party can be right under their noses, and Jordan says she’s actually there to talk to Julian about the night his car blew up.

Dante explains to Olivia how Lulu is really Charlotte’s mother. Olivia is shocked, and Dante says he’s having a hard time getting his head around it. He says according to Valentin, Stavros couldn’t father a child. Helena stole a sample from him, and Claudette ended up being the surrogate. He reminds Olivia of the premonition she had that Lulu was going to have a little girl. Olivia is thrilled, and says Lulu is a wonderful mom. She wonders how Dante is doing with all this though.

Laura tells Lulu that after all these grandsons, she finally has a granddaughter. Lulu says she wanted to wait to tell anyone until after Griff confirmed the results. Laura hugs her and says congratulations. She asks how Lulu is handling this. Lulu says she’s mostly giddy and realizes Olivia’s premonition was right. Laura says a child is always a gift, and Lulu says she knows it’s more complicated than that. She says she wanted to carry a child, but instead Charlotte will always be connected to the Cassadines, and her father is the man who killed Lulu’s brother. Laura says it doesn’t matter.

Valentin says that Claudette was the only mother Charlotte knew, and he’s grateful for Nina. Nina asks if he’s been working her this whole time. He says no, he trusts her with his child, and Charlotte has taken a shine to her. He says that she knows what it’s like to be a little girl at the mercy of the grownups in her life, and he didn’t want Charlotte to experience that. Nina believes him. Valentin says Lulu hates him now, but he didn’t want Charlotte to know the truth until he was ready. He’s sorry for hurting Nina, but will never regret her being in Charlotte’s life for a minute.

Jordan shows Julian a picture of the van and asks if he knows about the company name on the side. He says Derek Wells Media has a lot of subsidiaries, but he’s not familiar with that one. She says funny he should mention Derek Wells Media, and tells him that the van was strategically placed outside of The Floating Rib when the car bomb was planted. She tells him the name  was a cover, and it belongs to Derek Wells Media. He asks why it would be parked outside the restaurant, and she says you tell me.

Curtis asks why Jason left his number when Winston is never going to call. Jason thinks he works for Julian and will tell him, drawing Julian out.

Winston brings tea to someone in a back room, and tells them about Jason’s visit. He says he’s sure they saw it on the video screen. We a Post-It note with Jason’s name and number stuck to the phone. There are some ceramic foo dogs decorating the room, and I wonder if it’s Faison. Anyone remember the Wellington dog?

Julian asks Jordan why he would have his own car blown up, and suggests Sonny did it to throw suspicion off himself. Jordan thinks it would be suspicious for Julian to blow himself up. She asks Julian if he can remember anything about the person who hit him. He says no, and it’s a good possibility he never will. She says the truth has a funny way of coming out. Ava sees her to the door.

Felicia says it’s empathetic of Maxie to worry about Lulu. Maxie says she’s been lucky with Georgie in that she doesn’t have to worry. Even if she’s not with her, she knows she’s well cared for. Felicia says a while back she didn’t think Maxie and Lulu’s friendship would survive. She tells Maxie that Nathan is going to be the best step-dad, and that Maxie is an amazing woman. She’s proud to have her as a daughter. She tells Maxie to forget the past when the future is so bright.

Dante tells Olivia that he has questions, but he doesn’t want to ask them, because Lulu might be sensitive. He says he can love Charlotte as his own, but she’s not. He thinks Lulu isn’t taking into account the ramifications. If they bring Charlotte into their lives, they bring in Valentin, and he might never be ready for that.

Lulu wonders if Valentin will take off with Charlotte, but Laura doesn’t think so. She says Scotty can give them a list of the best custody lawyers. She thinks any judge would know the best thing for Charlotte is to be with Lulu. She tells Lulu to reign in her Spencer streak in the meantime, and not do anything impulsive. They have to do it the right and legal way. Lulu says if she gets a crazy idea, she’ll try to stop herself. She’ll ask if it’s something dad would do, and if the answer is yes, she won’t.

Winston tells the mystery person, if there’s anything else you need, call.

Curtis wonders why Winston got crazy over the boat. Jason says Pete got a call just before the bomb was planted, and the bill was paid by a place in China. Curtis adds that the bag was from a Chinese food place. Jason thinks it’s no coincidence.

Ava says she kept quiet for Julian, not for Alexis, and she’ll be at the gallery. After she leaves, Alexis tells Julian that when Jordan questioned him about Sonny, she saw his face. He’s like, so what? She says just because she hates him doesn’t mean she doesn’t know him. Julian says the meds are wearing off, and asks if she could add one with lunch. He says they both know she doesn’t cook, and tells her where the takeout menus are. When she goes to the kitchen, he calls the mystery person. Alexis pops back in and he hangs up. She asks if Chinese is okay (the theme for today), and he tells her go ahead and order for him.

Olivia tells Dante that she knows it’s complicated. She’s honored that he feels comfortable telling her about it, but the most important thing is the little girl. She didn’t asks for the circumstances, and however she came into their lives. It’s a blessing. As for Valentin, she tells Dante to do what’s necessary to protect Charlotte, and she’ll do what she has to do to protect her son when Julian gets better. She says both of their situations aren’t easy, and asks how he’s going to make his work.

Valentin tells Nina that he’s a single father doing his best to raise his daughter alone. Nina is a natural and Charlotte likes her. He says Charlotte’s life benefits from having her in it, and so does his. The doorbell rings. Nina takes Charlotte’s dress upstairs to her.

Valentin answers the door. It’s Lulu. He says it’s not a surprise, and she tells him that she’s taking her daughter home. Like it works that way.

Tomorrow, Anna is on to something, Tracy tells Hayden that Finn might have found a cure, and Tom is still caged.

Dec15

December 14, 2016 – Griff Confirms Lulu’s Motherhood & Some Random Notes

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sam visits Maxie at the office. She’s in her third trimester. That was fast. Maxie is going to throw her the baby shower to end all baby showers.

Lulu asks Griff if Valentin was telling the truth.

Ava sets Julian up in the penthouse. She’s glad he’s still in the land of the living. Alexis shows up, and Ava tells her not to wander around, poking in her things. Alexis says she’s not interested in Ava’s things. Ava says she doesn’t agree with Alexis being Julian’s caretaker and is keeping an eye on her. Ava suggests Bloody Marys, but Alexis says that she’ll not only put Julian in a coma, it’s pretty early for cocktails, which is pretty funny coming from her.

Nell brings a box of ornaments over to Sonny’s. She says she’s glad that he and Carly are on better terms.

At the MetroCourt, Curtis tells Jason that everything in the bag could have been used to make the bomb. Jason says too bad it was wiped clean. Curtis isn’t happy about what he had to do to get it, but Jason says it might have told them more than he realized. Carly brings them coffee. She asks Jason again what’s going on, telling him he’s distant. He flashes back to Sonny’s confession about Nell. Carly asks if something has happened.

Ava says she was just talking about a small celebratory toast. She suggests that Alexis use her self-righteous indignation to help find the person who hit Julian. Alexis reiterates that if she mixes the pain meds with alcohol, she could kill Julian, and tells her to read the medical instructions. She bypasses the vodka bottle and goes into the hallway. She says she can’t do this, but if she doesn’t, she’ll lose her license. She repeats this mantra as she pours a vodka nip into her takeout coffee.

Nell asks if Sonny wants her to help hang the ornaments. Sonny says Carly loves Christmas. She was raised by an adoptive mother and when she had a family of her own, she wanted to do it right. Sonny says they’ve spent a lot of Christmases together and Nell says looks like they’ll be spending another one this year.

Curtis says Carly just caught them at a bad time. She tells Jason she’ll see him later, reminding him that this time of year should be spent with family and friends. She leans over and tells him if something is wrong, she’s going to figure it out. Curtis asks Jason what’s up, and he says maybe they’ve been going about it all wrong. Maybe the bag itself has what they need on it.

Griff says they’ll have answers yet, but they will soon. He says this is one for the record books. Lulu thanks him for trying to protect Charlotte from Valentin. He says no matter what, the back and forth has to end. The tests are being conducted blindly by two separate groups.

Sam tells Maxie she doesn’t have to throw her a shower. Maxie promises she’ll like it when she gets all the presents. She says it’s also for Sam, since she thought she couldn’t have any more children. Sam says she was blown away when Finn told her. Maxie says everyone is thrilled. Sam drops her purse and an envelope falls out. Maxie asks what it is and Sam says it’s a secret from Dr. Lee.

Alexis flashes back on the accident, and I laugh one more time at Julian flying up in the air. She says she just needs to get through this and has more “coffee.”

Julian tells Ava that he doesn’t want to be referee, and to stop taking pot shots at Alexis. Ava says he should call the police, and he repeats it was an accident. She says he must have more on Alexis than he’s saying. Everyone has a blind spot, and his is Alexis. She asks him to please let her help him and tell her what’s really going on.

Alexis chugs her coffee and goes back in. Julian is sleeping. Ava says that Alexis might have Julian fooled, but she knows the truth.

Curtis says if there’s more dumpster diving, Jason is on his own. Jason says maybe they can find out where the bag came from. Curtis is pretty sure every Chinese food place in the country has the same bag, but there’s an address on it, and Jason says it’s worth a shot. Curtis says okay, but no more dumpsters.

Nell asks Sonny if he’s okay with her doing this. Trimming the tree is a family thing and if Carly finds out what happened between them… Sonny says she won’t. Nell says it will stay between them. Carly comes in and says the tree looks beautiful. She starts to put on ornaments and asks Sonny if he wants to help. He tells her she does a great job, but she says that sounds like an excuse to stand around and do nothing. I’m totally with her on this, as my husband does the same thing to me, telling me how good I am at something he doesn’t feel like doing. She hands Sonny an angel.

Alexis says she doesn’t know what Ava is talking about, and is too tired to decode her rants. Ava says that Alexis thinks she covered her tracks, but she knows why Alexis is there. Alexis says vague accusations only work in old detective novels. Ava says okay, you ran over my brother. She says Julian told her. Julian wakes up.

Carly goes down Memory Lane with the ornaments. Her phone rings. It’s someone from Atlanta. She says yes, Nell is her assistant. She asks Sonny if he wrote a recommendation for Nell to get a job in Atlanta.

Jason and Curtis go to the Chinese food place. But it’s a pawn shop. Jason asks the proprietor if it used to be a Chinese restaurant, and he says it closed a while ago. He asks if either one of them would like jewelry for their ladies. Jason asks if the guy could look at some photos. He shows him Julian’s picture, but he doesn’t recognize him. He shows more pictures, and also the tools they found in the bag, but it’s a no. The guy says he does recognize the bag though.

Sam explains that the doctor wrote down the sex of the baby, but she and Jason don’t want to know. Maxie tells her that’s old-fashioned. She says if Sam didn’t want to know, she wouldn’t be carrying it around. She tells Sam about how she named Georgie early and talked to her. She asks Sam how she’s going to decorate the baby’s room and what about Danny? Sam says he’s curious about Scout, and wanted a puppy, but is settling for a sibling. She says they’ll know when the time is right. Sam goes to take a call and Maxie brings out the envelope again.

Lulu thanks Dante for coming with her to the hospital. She says she knows how much he loves her, but also knows it’s hard on him in a different way, since she had a daughter with another man. She says despite Helena, Charlotte is innocent. Dante says Claudette is a liar, and Valentin hasn’t been forthcoming, so they’ll have to wait for the results to know for sure. Griff comes back out.

The pawn shop guy says tons of the bags were left behind, so he uses them. Jason thinks the tools might have been bought there, but the guy doesn’t recall selling them. Curtis asks to look at a watch while Jason wanders around. Jason says they might have something.

Carly says Nell works for her and made no mention of going back to Atlanta. She says she wants to discuss it with Nell before she talks to them about her. She hangs up and says Nell has a well-paying teaching job thanks to Sonny. She wants to know what’s going on and why no one talked to her. Nell says it’s just a misunderstanding. She was talking about being a teacher in the future, but Sonny thought she meant now. She says Sonny wanted to do something for her because she’s been so helpful to Carly, but she’s not going. Carly doesn’t want her to give up on her dream. Nell thanks her, but says she already feels like this is her real home. Cut to Sonny who does not look happy.

Griff tells Lulu she’s Charlotte’s mother. Dante asks if Valentin is the father for sure, and Griff says without question. Lulu says it’s like a dream, but it’s real. The man who killed her brother, the man who she hates so much, is the reason she has a daughter.

Ava tells Alexis she belongs behind bars. She asks if Alexis is so worried about getting her precious license back that she’d actually take care of Julian. Ava says she’s shocked that with all her self-righteousness, Alexis didn’t cop to it immediately. Julian tells her to stop it, and says everything stays between them. Alexis says she showed bad judgement, but the bottom line is that she has to stay with Julian until he’s convalesced, and that’s what she’s doing. Ava says there’s something about the night Alexis isn’t telling them, otherwise it makes no sense. Alexis says she’s going to the store. Ava tries to stop her, and the bottle falls out of her purse.

Nell says she loves the kids, but she finds working for Carly more interesting. She talks about going with Michael to the gala, and how he changed his outfit for her. Carly tells Sonny that Michael is thoughtful; her, not so much lately. Sonny says it’s time to move on, and he’s looking forward to Christmas together with the family.

Jason says the tool set seems to be missing a tool. The guy says it’s a pawn shop and not everything comes with a full set. Jason says it’s curious how a homeless man ended up with one of the bags. Pawn shop guy says he could have gotten the bag from anywhere, and he doesn’t recognize the photo. Jason takes the wire clippers out of his bag, and they fit in the empty spot in the took kit.

Sam thanks Maxie for the offer, but Maxie is insistent and Sam realizes she just wants to throw a party. She tells her no baby shower games, and goes down in the elevator. Maxie says there will be a surprise and she knows just what to do with this (meaning the envelope, which she still has).

Ava says Alexis was drinking that night, but Alexis says she collects them when she flies. Ava says she’s endlessly judging, but the truth is, she drove drunk. She says Julian might be willing to enable her, but she isn’t. She’s going to cops and telling them the truth. She can’t wait to see Alexis in prison.

Lulu is aghast that she shares a child with Valentin. Dante says they have to prepare for a custody battle. Griff says Charlotte is lucky to have Lulu as a mother, and goes back to work. Dante tries to get ahold of Diane. Lulu says before they call, she needs to know about them. She says whenever they’ve talked about the embryo, it’s been hypothetical, but it’s not anymore. She wants to know if he’s with her in this, and if he can love Charlotte like a father.

Carly doesn’t want to jinx anything, but thinks she and Sonny have a shot at making this Christmas about love and honoring Morgan. Avery cries and Carly goes upstairs.

Pawn shop guy doesn’t know what to tell them. Jason says he hasn’t told them anything, but they’re not leaving until he does. Curtis says he’s told them a bunch of lies, but he’s easy-going and can look past it. Jason can’t though. Jason says the wire cutters were involved in a serious crime, and someone he loved died. He suggests that if the guy doesn’t want to join that person, he start telling them what they need to know. A security camera films the exchange.

Tomorrow, Olivia talks to Dante about his pending fatherhood, Nina asks why Valentin is lying to her, and Jordan visits Julian.

⛴ Sad news – there will be no Below Deck reunion this season.

🏖 Good news? Ah-ha! Now I see why those twins made friends with Stassi, and we saw them on Vanderpump Rules. A new show is coming up called Summer House. Stassi is barely in the commercials, but I saw her, and the twins are more prominently featured. It looks like The Real World with people ten years older. While I can somewhat excuse the hot tub drunken sex behavior on The Real World considering the age of the participants, this looks very unattractive. I also heard that the town of Montauk is not happy. Apparently, they’re making it sound like Montauk is a party town when the house isn’t even located there. Nobody wants another Jersey Shore on their hands.