Tag Archives: television

December 4, 2016 – Emma Lives in a Dreamworld, Negan Wants to Live in Alexandria & Westworld Lives On for Another Season – But When?

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Once Upon a Time

The Evil Queen tells Regina that she wants “the best version of us.” She says the only way for Regina to hurt her is to hurt herself, and tells her that love is weakness. Emma uses her sword to slice the Evil Queen’s cheek and nothing happens to Regina. The evil queen disappears, poof! in a cloud of purple smoke, and Emma says it’s possible kill her.

The Evil Queen reappears elsewhere. Gold tells her it looks like the Savior found a weapon. He says he can focus on finding his son and she can prepare to die. He puts the cuff on her so he can track her whereabouts. It’s like a GPS. He says at the end of the day, if Emma hasn’t done away with her, after he’s done finding his son, hell gladly finish the job.

Snow sleeps. Emma says the Evil Queen needs to die. Hook tells her not to do it. Henry says what if this is how she dies? There’s no face under the hood in her vision, so for all they know, the queen kills her. Emma has a mini vision. She tells Regina to stay with Henry. Hook, David, and Emma set off to face the queen. They hear a cry for help and run into Granny’s. Jasmine is tied to a chair. The Evil Queen says it’s not about Jasmine, it’s about her – always. She can snap Jasmine’s neck before they step any closer. She rubs the lamp and Aladdin appears, poof! in a cloud of yellow smoke. She says she has three wishes. He says they come at a price. She says she’s not going to wish for her, but something someone else wants. She wishes that Emma’s wish to not be the Savior be granted. Emma says no, and charges forward. Aladdin raises his hand and she disappears. No poof or anything though. I just thought. What if you weren’t done with your three wishes yet, and someone else got ahold of the lamp? Does that mean you lose out?

Somewhere, it’s Emma’s birthday. She’s a princess and the palace is celebrating. She didn’t wish for anything, since everything she’s ever wanted is already there. Snow and David are now king and queen, and older. Snow asks Emma what’s wrong. Emma says she had a dream that the queen was successful with her curse and she was the Savior. Snow says that was avoided. Emma says she was in a fantastical land, but David says it was just a dream. Emma says when she woke up, she found this, and shows them a sword that was under her bed – the same one as in Storybrooke Emma’s vision. Henry runs in saying he had been practicing for tomorrow and sorry he’s late. He thinks the sword is for him. Emma says his father would be proud, and he says he wishes he’d known him. They look at his portrait, and Emma says he’s watching over Henry. David says time to celebrate, and Snow tells Henry put the sword away; this family is done fighting. Henry gets a weird look on his face. Or maybe it’s just me reading too much into it.

Back in the future, Hook and David start to argue, and Regina says that’s just what the Evil Queen wants. Regina says she’s thrown a lot of punches, but she knows a way to get her back.

Gold makes magic that includes a strand of his hair. He asks a globe to show him his son. Nope. Didn’t happen.

Aladdin makes a martini for the Evil Queen. She tells him it’s a request though, not a wish. She flirts with Aladdin and he says, eww. Regina walks in. The Evil Queen tells her that wishes can’t be undone, but tells her to have a seat, and tells Aladdin to make another drink. She says there was a time all Regina wanted was to tear Snow and David apart and kick Emma out of Storybrooke, and now it’s been done. She gives a one-sided toast. She tells Regina she’s won and can’t even admit it, but that victory feels luxurious. Regina says she’s right, they are the same person, so she’s not the only master of the lamp.

Regina asks to be sent to the same place as Emma. Aladdin obeys.

Regina is in a beautiful wood. She calls out for Emma. She hears the dwarfs whistling on their way to work, and asks if they’ve seen Emma. They think the Evil Queen is back and Grumpy tells the others to run and warn everyone that the war isn’t over.

Regina sees a statue marking the spot where she was defeated by Snow and David. She sees Emma dancing around, carrying a basket of flowers, and humming Someday My Prince Will Come. Regina frightens her, but she says she’s Emma’s friend and none of this is real. Emma thinks she’s the Evil Queen and tells her that she’s been banished. Regina says she risked her life coming here because Emma is the Savior and her family needs her.

An arrow nearly misses her. David and Snow have arrived. David tells Regina that this is their kingdom now. Snow says they’re protecting their people. Regina tries to convince Emma that this isn’t real, saying some part of Emma must know. David tries to attack her with his sword, and she disappears, poof! in a puff of purple smoke.

Moving forward, David is freaking out. He wants to get the lamp. Hook stops him and says they’re out-gunned and they need a plan. Jasmine wonders what the Evil Queen is doing to Aladdin. Probably not what she’d like to be doing. David says to meet him at the sheriff’s station in an hour. The Evil Queen’s reign ends today.

Somewhere in the Enchanted Forest, Regina goes into a mountain where there’s a prison cell. Rumpelstiltskin is in it, humming the tune of the day, Someday My Prince Will Come. He tells her to come closer and says the apprentice is back to see the old master. Regina says she needs his help. He says she’s his biggest failure, so why would he help? She says she’s not the Evil Queen in this reality, and it’s not even a reality, it’s all fake – he’s fake. She says the world was created by a wish to trap Emma.

Rumpel says maybe he can help her and wants a deal. Regina says he’s not even real. He says he wants his freedom in return, and she says it’s not worth it. He says if the world isn’t real, what’s the harm? She says he has a point, but she knows better than to deal with him in any realm. He tells her that every Savior needs a villain, and that a real queen with purpose can remind Emma that the world needs a savior. Show her inner darkness, and the Savior will be reborn. Regina says they’re just old friends talking, so they haven’t made a deal. Rumpel says she doesn’t know the way back to Storybrooke. Regina wonders how he knows the name of the town she’s from, and he says he can find her a magic bean, but it will cost her. She opens the cell.

He says he needs fresh air and starts to go, but she asks about the bean. He tells her to meet him tomorrow at noon by the lake. He says if she wants to be an Evil Queen, she should look like one. In a puff of purple smoke, poof! she changes into an Evil Queen outfit. He tells her to go be evil.

In Storybrooke time, Gold sees Belle. She says he sped up her pregnancy and the fairies sped up her recovery. He tells her their son is gone; he’s not anywhere. He says he knows his words mean nothing, so he’ll give her actions. He gives Belle a card with Mother Superior’s number, so she can verify his story. Mother Superior isn’t doing too well. She’s been walloped by the Black Fairy who’s kidnapped Gideon.

Where fairy tales happen, everyone gathers for Prince Henry to be knighted. He makes his entrance wearing some really cool copper armor. Snow takes the infamous sword out, and she and David say the stuff you say when you knight someone. Before Henry can be dubbed, Regina as the Evil Queen pops in and says sorry she’s late. She throws the knights aside and freezes David and Snow, saying she vows to destroy their happiness. Emma asks her not to hurt her parents. Regina says hurting them is the point, unless she knows a hero who can stop her (wink-wink). Emma begs for mercy. Regina tells her to look for the hero, and when you find one, you know where to find us. The three disappear, poof! in a puff of purple smoke.

In Storybrooke, the real Evil Queen confronts David. He tries to attack her, and she blows him back with magic. She tells him that he can’t kill her. He picks up the lamp, saying he can do something much worse. He rubs the lamp and Aladdin appears. He tells Aladdin that he has a new master. So back to my original question. She loses the one she has left now? Or is it just postponed? What are the lamp rules?

The Evil Queen tells David not to dabble in forces he doesn’t understand. Aladdin reminds him wishes come with a price. He says the only one paying a price will be her. He wishes the Evil Queen gets what she deserves. Nothing happens. Aladdin says he granted the wish. The Evil Queen says David wasted it. She wanted to tear the family apart and she did. She already has what she deserves. Okay, so doesn’t he have two more wishes now? This is the kind of nonsense I think about while watching this.

David rushes her, and she stops him mid-stride. Hook and Jasmine enter. Hook says they have the lamp and the Evil Queen is lost. She drops David, saying death is too good for him and she’d rather watch him suffer. She disappears, poof! You know the rest.

In the unreal world, the Evil Queen has the Charmings prisoner. Prince David says they always defeat her. Emma shows up with a box. Regina says she knew Emma would find the hero in her, but it’s the key to the kingdom. Emma wants to surrender. Regina says she doesn’t want the key; she just wants Emma to get back to Storybrooke. Emma says that was the name of the place in her dream. Regina says this is the dream, and she’s going to have to wake her. She takes David and Snow’s hearts and says stop her or they die. Emma says she’s not the Savior. Regina says she knows how to fight when she has to and crushes the hearts to dust. Emma starts to weep. Regina says she doesn’t remember and can’t fight. Henry comes in and says the Evil Queen will pay. Emma tries to stop him. He says he has the sword. Regina says she won’t fight, and Henry throws the sword at her. Emma stops it, surprising herself. Regina says she saved her. Emma says Regina came to this crazy land to save her, so it’s fair. She remembers. She asks if her parents are dead, and Regina reminds her that they’re not real. Emma thanks Regina, and says, but it was very dark. She tells Regina let’s go stop the real Evil Queen.

Walking the streets of Storybrooke at night, the Evil Queen says the town is almost tolerable when the peasantry is hidden away. A hooded figure comes out of Granny’s. She asks who the hell are you? and gets blown back. She starts to follow, and the hooded figure turns her into a cobra in a cage.

It’s time for Regina and Emma to go back, and Regina wonders where Rumpel is. Surprisingly, he shows up. He tells her to throw the bean and think of where she wants to go. He disappears, poof! in a puff of red smoke.

At the Charming’s Storybrooke apartment, David is worried that he’s like his brother. Hook tells him to grow up and kiss his wife. Jasmine comes in with the lamp, and suggests that David use it to break the curse with Snow. He gives it back to her, trusting she’ll be wise with it. She says that she and Aladdin have to find Agribah. Henry asks if she’s sure, and she says they have to make the sacrifice. Aladdin gives Henry a pendant for Emma, from one savior to another. Jasmine wishes to go to Agribah and they disappear. Okay, I wasn’t totally paying attention, but it was probably poof! in a puff of yellow smoke.

Grumpy comes in with the snake. He tells them it’s the Evil Queen and a guy in a hood put her in there. David asks if he saw who was under the hood.

The hooded figure comes into Gold’s shop. It’s Gold and Belle’s son, Gideon.

At the lake, Regina throws the bean and it turns into a green whirlpool. She and Emma are about to leap in, when arrows fly past them. It’s Robin. He says it’s a robbery and to give him their jewelry. Regina is mesmerized, seeing him again, and starts to walk toward him. Emma tells her he’s not real, but she doesn’t pay attention. The whirlpool disappears.

In March, a war is coming to Storybrooke where romance, danger and hope collide.

The Walking Dead

Michonne walks along the road, whistling Farmer in the Dell. A zombie lumbers out of the forest. And another. They trail behind her. She drops her bag, stabs one in the head and decapitates the other. She drags the headless one’s body away. Her radio sits unattended.

Jesus and Carl are in the back of the truck with the scotch. Jesus cuts open the bottom of one of the boxes. He opens one of the bottles and leaves a trail, like breadcrumbs. He tells Carl that they should bail and walk the rest of the way. He says to roll with the fall and stay in the blind spot. Jesus goes first and Carl waves good-by. Brat!

The truck stops. A guy picks up the box that Jesus cut, and the bottom falls out. Carl shoots a few people and says no one else needs to die, he just wants Negan. Negan comes out whistling (what’s up with that tonight?) and says he’s adorable. He asks if Carl picked the gun because it looks cool. A couple of people rush Carl and he shoots, but gets pulled down. Negan tells Dwight to back off, saying that’s no way to treat a new guest and he wants to show him around.

Negan tells Carl he has the same stank eye as his dad, but half as good since he only has one eye. What a card! We see the zombie target practice or whatever it is, and Daryl is in with the zombies. Negan asks him how the job is going. I hope it pays well. Carl lets Negan help him up. Dwight takes Daryl out to learn grub prep. Carl asks what he’s going to do to him. Negan tells him not to shatter his image of him as a bad-ass and says screw him if he thinks he’s going to ruin the surprise.

He taks Carl into a warehouse. A bunch of people are there they kneel when they see Negan. He tells them to work hard and play by the rules. He says everyone gets fresh vegetables tonight for dinner – no points needed. They applaud, and he tells Carl that respect is cool.

Eugene and Rosita walk to the gate. She says they aren’t doing anything for Negan. Spencer tells her not to fight it. Father Gabriel says maybe they should all go together. Spencer says they have to produce for the Saviors; it’s like taxes. He tells Rosita not to be pissed at him. He didn’t do this; Rick did. She tells him to pay his taxes from all the stuff he stole and leave her alone. She leaves with Eugene. Spencer gets into the car with Gabriel.

Negan shows Carl his harem. He tells him to knock himself out. He asks Sherry if he can talk to her. They step aside and he asks what happened with Amber and Mark she says what they talk about when he’s not there is none of his business. Wow. She’s brave. He tells her that he heard Mark skipped out on a directive and needs to know if it’s true. He says there are rules for a reason and nothing matters if you’re dead. She tells him to calm down, but he says he’s never hit any of them. She says what he does is worse. He smiles and says, to be continued.

Negan gives Carl a beer. Amber is crying. He tells her he doesn’t want anyone there who doesn’t want to be there. If she wants to leave and go back to Mark, she can. But she can’t cheat on him. He says there are plenty of gals who would like to take her place. He suggests he put her on the same job as Mark and her mom. I’m assuming they’re on zombie duty. She tells him no, and he says she knows what that means. She tells him she loves him and he says of course, and that it will all work out for her.

Negan tells Sherry that he wasn’t hard on her, and she calls him an a-hole. They start kissing. Dwight brings in Daryl, who’s job tonight is serving hors d’oevres. Daryl asks why Carl is here. Negan says what they talk about when he isn’t here is none of his business, and not to make him put the toothpick in his hand through the only eye Carl has. He tells Dwight to fire up the furnace. It’s time for deja vu. Daryl lingers and Dwight pulls him out the door.

Rick tells Aaron they only have today to find something. The climb over a fence that has a sign saying the only thing to be found there is trouble.

Spencer drives with Gabriel. He asks if thoughts are a sin, but Gabriel says they’re just thoughts; it’s our actions that matter in the end. Spencer says he hates Rick, and that his mother served in congress and brought out the good in people. Gabriel says Rick brought out the good in him by inspiring him; he kept everyone together. He says it wasn’t Rick’s fault. Gabriel says that Spencer looks at it a different way, but they’re here now and can look to the future. Spencer says what future? There isn’t any with Rick in charge. He says the only good thing that could happen is Rick not making it back. Gabriel tells him to stop the car.

He tells Spencer that what he’s saying doesn’t make him a sinner, but does make him a tremendous sh*t. Just for now; it doesn’t have to be terminal. He gets out of the car and says he’s going back. Spencer gets out and jets into the forest. He sees a zombie hunter up on a blind.

In Negan’s parlor, Carl asks Negan if the women are actually his wives. Negan says he thought why not make life better? He tells Carl to sit and says let’s get started. He wants to get to know Carl better. He says Carl is smart. He’d expect a kid his age to be moping around, but instead he has a mission. He came looking for Negan, but he’s not going to let things slide. He asks if Carl really wants to piss him off, and asks to see Carl’s non-eye. Carl takes his bandana off and Negan goes on about how gross it is. He asks to touch it. What is he, ten? He says it’s easy to forget Carl is just a kid, and he was just screwing around.

There’s a knock at the door. Fat Joseph brings Lucille in, telling Negan that he left it by the truck. Negan tells Carl that it might not be a hit with hit ladies, but no one will want to screw with someone who looks like him. He asks Fat Joseph if he treated Lucille like a lady. He makes a joke, Fat Joseph laughs, and Negan tells him get out. He tells Carl that this is the sh*t his dad should be teaching him – men busting each other’s balls. I could almost like this guy.

Negan asks what Carl does for fun and if he likes music. He wants Carl to sing. He says that Carl mowed down two of his men, and he wants something in return. Carl is like, no, and Negan points Lucille at him and says start singing. Carl starts to sing You Are My Sunshine. Negan swings the bat around as Carl sings badly. He tells Carl not to let him be a distraction. Carl starts crying and now I want to hit him with the bat. No offense to the teen and tween hearts that are going pitty-pat right now.

Carl finishes the song, and Negan says Lucille loves being sung to more than she loves bashing brains, and mentions how weird that is. It’s weird all right. He asks if Carl’s mother sang that to him, and where she is now. By Carl’s reaction, Negan knows she’s dead, and he asks if Carl saw it happen. Carl says he shot her before she could turn. Negan says no wonder he’s a serial killer in the making, and tells him that was an example of breaking balls. He tells Carl to get up, because it should be ready.

Dwight tends the furnace. The crowd is back in the warehouse. Negan comes in, banging Lucille along the banister. He tells Carl to hold the bat. He tells the people that they know the deal. What’s going to happen will be hard to watch. He doesn’t want to do this, but he has to. Why? Because rules keep us in line. They survive and provide security to others, which is civilization. To the world, they’re the Saviors, but they can’t do it without rules. Rules make it work. It’s not easy, but there’s always a cost. If you try to cut corners, it’s the iron for you. He tells everyone to get up from their kneeling positions.

Mark is tied to a chair and Negan approaches him. Dwight takes a literal iron from the fire. Negan says, sorry, but it is what it is. Mark gets on iron on his face, and even Dwight can’t look. Mark passes out. Negan says it wasn’t so bad. Carl and Daryl lock eyes. Negan says Mark peed himself and tells Daryl to clean it up. He tells the doctor to do his thing.

Negan tells the crowd everything is cool. Let Mark’s face be a daily reminder that the rules matter. He hopes they all learned something, because he doesn’t want to have to do this again. He says Carl probably thinks he’s a lunatic. He says let’s figure out what to do with you, and leads Carl away.

Spencer gets a rope. He jiggles the hunter’s plaform until his weapon falls. Poor dude is just hanging there, and Spencer finally gets him down and goes through his pockets. There’s a note in there that I can’t read, but Spencer finds it of interest.

Rosita and Eugene go to the auto shop or whatever it is. Eugene says he didn’t want to come back here, and tells her no. She says she asked him to make her a bullet and he said yes, so make one. He says he can’t figure out any way it makes sense, and wants her to slow her roll. She says she’s not waiting, and he tells her that she’s being stupid. He’s analyzed it top to bottom, and Abe was right; they have the numbers. He says even if she’s willing to pay the price, it’s unlikely she’ll be the one who pays it. She says he’s not talking her out of it. He owes her and Abe. She says he’s a coward and weak. The only reason he’s alive is because he lied, and people feel sorry for him. She tells him to do something useful and make her a bullet. Eugene gets the bullet-making stuff ready.

Sherry is in the stairwell having a smoke. Dwight joins her. He tells her not to beat herself up about selling out Mark. She says that’s not what happened. Okay, don’t tell us or anything. He says whatever helps you sleep at night. For him, it’s watching TV until morning. She leaves before they get caught.

Carl wants his bandana back on, and Negan says no; he’s not done with him and he likes looking at his rat-ass bad-ass eye. Ha-ha! If nothing else, Negan is colorful. Carl asks why he hasn’t killed him, Rick or Daryl. Negan says Daryl is going to make a good soldier, and Carl’s dad is already getting him great stuff. As for him, they’ll see. It’s more productive and fun to break him. He asks what Carl thinks he should do. Does he kill him, iron his face, chop off his arm, what? Carl says he should jump out the window to save him the trouble of killing him. Negan says there’s the kid he knows and loves. Carl says he’s not doing anything and won’t. He should kill them, but he can’t. Negan says maybe he’s right and decides they should go on a ride. I’m not sure what to think about this exchange.

Jesus is on the top of the truck that Negan and Carl pull out in. Negan calls Daryl over. He says he’s taking the kid home. Daryl says if you do anything to him – and Negan tells Dwight that Daryl needs a time out and to put him in the box for a while. Daryl looks up while he’s being led away. There’s no Jesus on the top when it leaves though.

A note is slipped under Daryl’s cell door. it says go now.

Zombie piles! There’s a blockade of zombies in the road, and a woman has to stop her car. Michone comes out of nowhere and tells her to drop her weapons. She asks if Michonne wants her shoes too. Michonne says take her to Negan. They get in the car. The woman breaks quickly and tries to get the better of Michonne, but that doesn’t happen. Michonne tells her again to take her to Negan.

In Alexandria, Negan visits Olivia. He’s all happy and asks where Rick is. She says scavenging for him, and he says he’ll wait. She says they might not be back today. They’re out of everything and practically starving. He notes her weight and says not really. He’s so obviously mean, it’s funny. She starts crying, and he tells her she has no sense of humor. He apologizes for being rude, and says he thinks it would be enjoyable to screw her brains out if she’s agreeable. She slaps him. He says he’s about 50% more into her now. Okay, I have to say at this moment he made me laugh out loud. He asks her to make them lemonade.

When she leaves, he tells Carl to take him on the grand tour. He plays with the water and a dartboard while we hear a country tune. He sees baby Judith and loves on her, doing the coochy-coo thing.

Rick sneaks around with Aaron. They see a sign with long explaination and warning. It says if they’ve goten this far without being shot, the dude is dead. Maybe. They see a lake or river with zombies bobbing around in it.

Rosita has her bullet. She thanks Eugene and says she’s sorry for what she said. He says maybe the words, but not the intent. She meant it, she felt it, that’s her truth, and he’d like silence now. She got what she wanted and is just feeling bad.

Spencer drives up with a load of cans. He says they got it off a dead guy, and found all kinds of stuff like medical supplies. Rosita says he’s just going to give it to them ? He says that’s what Rick said to do, so that’s what they’re going to do. The gate to Alexiandria is opened, and they see that Negan is there.

Negan is on the porch, rocking Judith. He tells Carl that he likes it there, and might have to stay. He wonders why he’s trying so hard to keep Carl and Rick alive. Maybe he should bury them in a flower bed and settle into the suburbs.

Next time, the mid-season finale…sigh…

👢 Quick Westworld mention. After making a few failed attempts at watching HBO’s new drama, I caught a marathon a couple of weekends ago. It took me a minute, but I decided I’m in. I thought they were a bit heavy on the sub-plots, but let that pass because it’s so damned fascinating. I love me some Ed Harris and James Marsden as well. Obviously, it’s a far cry from the 1973 film, which I probably saw ten times in the theater. I could watch Yul Brynner chase Richard Benjamin around all day, and it was a lot cheaper back then.  (Digression: I was blessed to see Yul Brynner in a revival of The King and I on Broadway in the late 70s. Shall We Dance? is forever burned into my mind as one of my all time favorite moments in theater.) I do have the same desire with the series as I did for the original film – I’d like to see more of the park. It’s touched on by both that there are other worlds, most notably Roman World and Midieval World, but we don’t see much of them. I’d like to see those explored further, and it’s been hinted at that this will happen. Sadly, I also heard that Westworld might not return until 2018. Like Nancy Kerrigan, I cry, why? why?

December 2, 2016 – Sonny’s Dream Comes True, Murphy is Roberta’s Nightmare & Collectible Quotes

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Jason and Sam are meeting Curtis. He’s late, and Sam asks if Jason still trusts him. Jason says he never did.

Curtis eavesdrops on Ava’s visit to Julian in the hospital. I’m wondering why Julian doesn’t have a guard. Sonny would have one. Ava asks if there’s been any progress tracking down the driver. Julian tells her no, and he doesn’t think there ever will be.

Alexis gets a text from Julian asking her to stop avoiding him. She flashes back to the accident. OMG – she just hung her purse on the back of the chair at Kelly’s. You should never do that. It’s a huge invitation to a purse snatcher. And Lord knows, Port Charles is rife with criminals. She puts a nip of liquor into her coffee. Anna is suddenly there, and says she hopes there’s more where that came from; she could use some. It’s cold in Port Charles today.

Nell listens to the recording of Sonny on her phone with earbuds. Michael asks if she’s listening to something good.

Carly wakes up Sonny, who’s sleeping on the couch. She says she woke up and reached for him, but he wasn’t there. She didn’t like the feeling of life without him. She says they have a lot to work on, but have to work on it together. She wants him beside her now and forever. He says he loves her and they kiss. As their lips part, he sees Nell’s face, and she says she loves him too. He wakes up. Carly is there. For real. I think.

Nina tells the kids at the hospital that Santa is on his way. She plugs Toys for Tots. Valentin comes in and asks if he can help with anything.

Alexis asks Anna why she wanted to meet. Anna says she heard about Alexis’s case being reviewed. Having returned to the WSB, she has some pull with the bar, and could use her influence to get Alexis’s license restored. Alexis asks what the catch is.

Ava complains to Julian about the inept police department. She says he has to do something about Sonny – it’s the second attempt on is life. She says he’s vulnerable right now, and she wouldn’t miss the opportunity. He asks what she has in mind.

Nell acts like she was listening to music. She asks Michael what’s up, and he says he’s going Christmas shopping and asks if she can help him. He wants to brainstorm some gift ideas for Carly. He thanks her for helping on Thanksgiving, and asks if she cheered her friend up. Not really, but her “friend” doesn’t know that.

Sonny tells Carly he was having a nightmare, and she asks if he remembers what it was about. He says every time he sleeps on the couch, he can’t get his mind to shut off. He tells her that it was a long day, and she says not as long as Julian’s.

Laura and Doc bask in the afterglow. So that’s where Santa is. He asks if she has any regrets, but she has none. Not counting opening her coat and finding Santa staring at her. She says that she realizes that she’s been making excuses and she loves being with him. She says her life is better with him in it, and he says the feeling is mutual.

Jason tells Sam that it’s safe to assume Curtis is sympathetic to law enforcement, so he doesn’t really trust him, but his favorite PI, meaning her, is out of commission. Sam wonders if Curtis has loyalty to Julian, but Jason thinks it’s just the opposite. He has unanswered questions, and maybe a grudge. And they’re running out of time to prove Sonny’s innocence.

Sonny tells Carly it’s a shame Julian wasn’t finished off. He says go ahead and ask if it was him.

Dante and Lulu are still all romantic when they arrive at the hospital. Lulu tells Dante about how Tracy ended up babysitting, but doesn’t have the details.

Valentin has brought toy donations. He talks with Nina about Toys for Tots. I always love how every year they try to make these conversations sound natural. Valentin says that Nina has a soft spot for children, and she says maybe a little.

Doc suggests breakfast in bed to Laura. He likes to cook, but says it’s no fun doing it for one person. She suggests they cook breakfast for each other. He asks if she’s up for the challenge of eggs Florentine. She asks when he’s supposed to be at the hospital, and he says right now. Oops.

Nell gives Michael gift suggestions. He says she really knows Carly, but there’s one more thing he needs to ask before he goes. He tells her there’s a Toys for Tots gala happening, and asks if she’d like to go with him.

Carly doesn’t think for one second that Sonny did it, but says the police probably do. He’s surprised they haven’t questioned him, and she says they know he’s not going anywhere. She says when they first lost Morgan, the only way to deal with it was anger, and she lashed out at everyone, especially him. She says the grief is still there, but the anger has faded and she’s seeing things more clearly.She knows he’s not responsible for Morgan’s death, and it makes the grief more bearable. Sonny says it matters a lot. If she doesn’t believe in anything else, believe he wants to change for her.

Anna asks Alexis how much she knows about Valentin. Alexis says he’s proved he’s the heir and owns everything Cassadine. They talk about Charlotte. Anna says Claudette has disappeared, and Valentin came forth with proof he’s her father. She says Griff lost in court because it’s impossible to prove any of Valentin’s crimes. She needs a place to start looking. Anna says she knows Alexis has been in contact with the Greek authorities, and if Alexis could help, she would be grateful. Alexis says she knows Valentin is evil.

Ava goes on to Julian about Sonny. Curtis’s phone rings, so he steps away. Julian tells Ava that when the time is right, he’ll deal with it as he sees fit. He suggests she not provoke Sonny. He asks what if Sonny gets off, and she says he’s making it sound like Sonny has been wrongly accused. She tells him the trouble is going to be all Sonny’s and leaves.

Jason tells Sam that the new DA will want to make a name for herself and is interested in making a case, so she’ll want an early trial date. Sam says Diane will push it back. Jason says even though Sonny was previously pardoned by a judge, they can still bring up his past.

Carly asks Sonny if Jason has made any progress. Sonny says not yet, but he will. He’s hoping there will be enough evidence that the charges get dropped. He says he’s not doing anything stupid; he doesn’t want to throw away the good he has left. Carly says she believes him and they’ve had too much loss not to be honest. Sonny thinks back to Nell in the bed. He asks if Carly wants coffee, and she says he doesn’t have to change the subject. She can tell something is eating him up inside and asks what it is. Oh brother.

At the hospital, Lulu wonders why Valentin is hanging around Nina. She freaks when she realizes they’re together. Nina tells Valentin she has to get back to work. He asks if he’s done something to offend her, and she says if Anna has her way, he will.

Anna tells Alexis that any detail could open up a line of inquiry. Alexis tells her about establishing Valentin’s lineage, and that he resided in the UK. Anna asks about his time there. Alexis says she doesn’t know much except that he went to boarding school when he was five. She says when she asked about his mother, he told her to keep her focus on the Cassadines. She tells Anna not to say anything to the bar. She wants her license back on her own merit.

Curtis enters Julian’s room. He says Julian needs him. He needs to find out who’s after him before his luck runs out. The third time’s the charm and it’s already been twice.

Sonny tells Carly that he has too much time to think and be alone. He knows he shouldn’t be playing coulda, shoulda, woulda, but he does it all the time. Carly says she does it too. She says you have to stop and think about the future and the people who love and need you. She tells him to think about Avery. Sonny’s phone rings. An old fashioned landline phone with a twirly cord. He says to send her up and tells Carly to guess who’s here. It’s Ava. He asks what she wants and she says they have to talk. She hopes they can keep it civilized. She sees Carly and wants to speak privately, but Sonny says she can talk in front of Carly. Ava says no secrets between the two of them, eh?

Valentin asks Nina if Anna has been talking to her. She says more like an interrogation. He asks if Anna said to stay away from him, and she says more or less. Valentin was hoping Anna would back off after Charlotte’s custody hearing. Nina thinks it might have something to do with what happened in Greece, but she chooses to believe his version. She says he’s far from innocent, but he’s a good father and it carries a lot of weight with her. He whispers something naughty in her ear.

Dante tells Lulu that eventually Valentin will make a mistake and they’ll catch him then.

Alexis tells Anna to nail Valentin to the wall. She wants him to pay for Nicholas’s death. Anna says she’ll do what she can, and steps away to make a call. She says she has the name of Valentin’s childhood school and it’s a starting point.

Alexis sees Sam and Jason outside. She apologizes for ditching them on Thanksgiving. She gets another text from Julian and says she has to go. Sam asks if she knows Julian was hit by a car. Alexis asks if there are any suspects. Sam says the police are looking at Sonny, and Jason adds that they don’t think it’s him

Julian says maybe it was an accident. Curtis asks what he remembers, and Julian says he remembers firing Curtis. He’s not giving him one more cent. He says if he keeps investigating, he’s going to regret it.

Michael and Nell talk about business. She says he’s cool and icy, and it’s the opposite of the warmth he has with his family. He says she’s been so good to them, he wants to treat her to something fun.

Ava tells Sonny that they need to revisit the custody agreement. Sonny says the agreement is that it’s on his terms. She says he doesn’t have a leg to stand on, and one of them has a monitor. I think Scotty is rubbing off on her. Sonny says he’s Avery’s father, and Ava says he can’t even go out his front door. He says she can go to the park or wherever with her brother or sisters, and the charges could be dropped next week. Ava says not only did he kill Morgan, he tried to run Julian over, so why not spare Avery more turmoil and chaos? There’s no reason that Avery shouldn’t be with her mother. Carly says she’s the reason.

On Monday, Curtis thinks Julian is hiding something, Anna talks to Laura, and Carly threatens to kick Ava’s ass.

Z Nation

Addie continues to follow The Man and Lucy, and a zombie pops out at us like one of those things on YouTube. A ball of zombies tumbles past. Ha-ha-ha! Lots of hijinks already. Addie stops for gas at a station overrun with zombies. She dispatches them with her nifty new weapon. She thinks she sees Lucy in the back of a car, but it’s a doll.

Kaya says Spokane is totally powered up. She tells Citizen Z that The Man is still headed for the coast with Lucy. No word about Operation Bite Mark though. Citizen Z is bumping along in a tiny plane that Uncle is piloting. He tells Kaya to keep and eye out for Roberta. He asks Uncle if everything is okay, and Uncle tells him they’re carrying too much weight. Citizen Z says Uncle thinks he’s funny, but he’s not.

Roberta and company spy on Murphytown. She feels badly for the Blends, who live in some kind of limbo. She says Murphy has the numbers. Sun asks how she plans on limiting collateral damage. Kyle says the whole world is collateral damage. Roberta says they made their choice, and she can’t let them stand in the way of saving humanity. She’s come too far and killed too many to give up now.

10K is shooting zombies and sees Roberta. He runs down an alley. She waits at the other end and knocks him out as he runs past.

Kaya sees Roberta on the screen. She radios Citizen Z, telling him OBM has landed. She says Roberta looks like she’s traveling with some rough customers, and tells him that Addie isn’t with them before he asks. Neither is Doc. Citizen Z says they’re going into strong headwinds, but don’t worry. He looks pretty worried though.

Roberta makes a plan with Kyle and Sun. She gives Kyle instructions He says they’re professionals and suggests a grisly distraction. Roberta wonders what to do with 10K. She says she can see the Murphy in his eyes. She asks if Murphy sent him to kill her. Sun keeps her from getting physical with 10K, saying he could be useful knowing about Merch’s work. He doesn’t want to talk to her, and Roberta tells him it’s for his own good and punches him. She pulls a paper out of his pocket and hands it to Sun to read. It’s the paper he was looking at in the previous episode. It says: Find Warren, bring her to me. If she won’t come, kill her. Roberta tells Sun to give him a booster. Sun hesitates, wanting a baseline first, since he’s had so many drugs pumped into him. Robert says she’s do it herself. A bloody severed hand drops down from above. Murphy says hello to Roberta.

Murphy tells Roberta that it’s the new new him and if she likes it. He looks like a cross between my Uncle Al and a KISS band member. He tells them no sudden moves, but one of the men aims at him anyway and is shot down. Roberta asks if he’s dying, and he says he’s becoming. She asks if he’s becoming Moses or Billy Idol, and he tells her he’s becoming his destiny. He asks where she gets off judging him, and says at least 10K has the good grace to count his kill. He points out that she’s brought along the Red Hand. He tells Kyle that if he wants to stop being a murdering nihilist, to take the cure. Kyle says he’ll stick to his nihilist ways. Murphy wonders where Hector is, and answers his own question – dead.

Murphy suggests that Roberta take the cure, but she says no way. He tells her that their lives as they know them are over, but they can be reborn. Roberta says he’s insane. He says they were all wrong, and look at what he’s built. He says it’s over for the human race and they all know it. He knows how she thinks and tells her don’t do this. He wants and needs her on his side. She says she has a species to think of. His species. He says not any more, not for a long time.

Roberta tells him Sun needs his blood for a vaccine. He says he doesn’t trust humans anymore, and wants to let nature take its course. He helps 10K up and tells Roberta her friends are rubbing off on her. He leads 10K away, telling him he did good in reaching out.

Sun tells Roberta maybe they can still reason with Murphy. Roberta says she doesn’t know him. Sun says this is about revenge, not the mission. Roberta says nothing else matters except getting Murphy’s blood for the vaccine. Sun says give her a lab and she’ll do her part

The zombies are eating someone who fell into the moat. Murphy asks what he did, and looks up to see a huge sign hanging from the building, saying Be Afraid. Murphy says he knew the day would come, and it’s here, but they won’t be afraid.

Kaya plays with streetlights, trying to get Roberta’s attention. Sun asks Roberta how they’re going to cut the power to the fence. She and Sun go down an alley. One of Murphy’s minions is checking the bridge security and Kyle and his men take her down.

In Murphytown, tons of people are still getting inoculated. Murphy’s head guy tells im that they’re almost out of vaccine, and Murphy gives him a new batch. He says it’s wonderful how so many are joining him.

Citizen Z is trying to talk to Kaya, but he’s not coming in clearly.

Roberta sees that Kaya is signaling them in Morse code on the streetlight. Sun translates. Operation Bite Mark, Frenchy. It’s the fast food clown. Kaya explains who she is and says she has a message from Citizen Z, but the screen goes blank before they can copy. Roberta isn’t sure, but she thinks Kaya said they found Lucy. She tells Sun that they need to finish what they came to do.

Murphy says Warren! the way Seinfeld says Newman!

Murphy tells his clan that living without fear is within reach, but some find comfort in chaos and terror. He says they knew the day would come when they’d have to defend their way of life. He tells them be careful out there a la Hill Street Blues. He tells 10K to get the power restored. He’s ready to dance with Roberta.

10K and a technician head for the power supply, but get shot at. The tech thinks they should try to reason with them. He walks out, raising his hands over his head, explaining that he’s the one who restores the electricity. He gets shot for his trouble, and 10K ends up getting shot in the arm. Then a zombie grabs him with a small crowd of them on the way. What do you know there’s Red and 5K with a slingshot. Red leads 10K away.

Even though he can’t hear her, Kaya tells Citizen Z something is going down in Murphytown and the power is down. She says she forgives him for being recklessly brave, and that he’s her hero. She says don’t forget to be careful and come back to her.

The woman from the bridge is covered with blood and approaches Murphytown. The guys run out to get her, but she struggles against them. She screams for Murphy to help her. Kyle pops out of a trailer and we realize she’s attached to it. She tells them not to let go and yells for help. Kyle says it’s time to die and they let her go. She scoots back to the trailer and there’s a shootout between Kyle’s men and Murphy’s. Murphy watches and makes a hand gesture. Not that kind of gesture. He’s controlling them.

Sun and Roberta continue on. The get inside and go upstairs to the lab. Roberta tells Sun to get what she needs while she finds Murphy. Roberta looks around and hears what’s going on outside. She sees the gunfight. A woman tells her she can’t be in there, and then recognizes her. Roberta shoots her. She says “Murphy loved you,” and drops to the ground. Roberta says she has something for him.

10K tells Red she looks good for an hallucination. He hears Murphy and says he has to go.

Murphy makes another hand gesture and the zombies in the moat break the gate down. They’re cut off at the ankles by a wire which is pretty cool. Unfortunately both the bridge woman and Kyle are casualties. A zombie free-for-all ensues.

Roberta comes up behind Murphy and says knock knock. He says her lost boys are bleeding out. She says they knew what they were in for and served their purpose. He tells her that she’s turning into an ends justifies the means gal. She says she has a mission and he says that’s getting old. He says he saved the world, and she tells him that he’s taking the zombie messiah thing to heart. He says he’s brought peace and that’s what a savior does.

Roberta wants his blood. He says she’s on a fool’s errand. She tells him that there are still survivors. He says they come to him every day, begging to be released from fear. He says she needs a bite mark to make her see things more clearly. She holds up a brain and Murphy gets all longing and shaky.

10K catches Sun in the lab. She says she can help him and the rest of them. He says they don’t need help, they need Murphy. She says she has to test the vaccine and asks if he can help find the notes she needs. Red and 5K run in, and 10K says don’t worry, they’re not real. He tells Sun that he can’t help, but Red tells him to let her do what she needs. He says Red isn’t real, but Red says she’ll prove it and kisses him. I can’t help but think of how he must smell. And when was the last time he brushed his teeth? 10K is all happy and hugs 5K. He tells Sun where the research is. The password is password and she opens the vault.

Some guys come in and tell Sun to put the book down.

Murphy asks Roberta where she got that and she teases him with a piece. He grabs it and eats it. She knocks him down, asking him if he’s saving the people or are they his food supply? He says she doesn’t understand. They wrestle, and Roberta kicks him in the cojones. Roberta tells him that he’s reborn this very moment, because she’s decided not to kill him. His cronies come in. The little girl runs to him, and Murphy asks who the monster is now. He asks if reality is setting in. He’s never seen a look of resignation on Roberta and it doesn’t suit her.

Uncle lands the plane near Murphytown. Roberta says Citizen Z might have a message about Lucy. The plane doesn’t land well.

Everyone goes out to the plane. Citizen Z is weirded out by actually seeing everyone in person. He says he sees it’s a bad time, but has a message for Roberta. She hugs him and asks if Addie and Doc are still alive. He says he doesn’t know, but Doc told him that Lucy has been kidnapped by The Man. Murphy says he’s taking her to Zona. Citizen Z says he’s taking her to a top secret rendezvous, but he has the coordinates. Murphy tells Roberta that he needs her help and she says let’s make a deal.

Kaya keeps trying to get Citizen Z. Suddenly he’s there. He says things got dicey, but they’re going after Lucy. Kaya tells him that The Man is still on his way to Puget Sound. He tells her that she’s saved the world. She says she’s missed her period. He asks if that’s a code thing, and she says it’s a she’s pregnant thing. He says the world will have to take care of itself; he’s coming home.

Murphy says he’ll be back soon. He’s told that Roberta can’t be found, and he says that everything will be fine.

Meanwhile, Addie finds The Man’s car abandoned on the road. It’s still warm. She sees a few dead zombies. One of them is pointing, and Addie says, “Clever girl.”

Next time, Addie faces The Man, and Lucy shows her mettle.

Quotes of the Week

We can complain that rose bushes have thorns or we can rejoice that thorn bushes have roses.          – Abraham Lincoln

The adoption process is simple. We put cats in your car when you’re not looking.Kate McKenna in a Whiskers R We SNL skit

…Above all things lose no occasion of exercising your dispositions to be grateful to be generous, to be charitable, to be humane, to be true... – Thomas Jefferson

December 1, 2016 – Over-Thinking on GH, a Random Thought & a Joke

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Lulu and Dante are having some relaxing time. Rocco is asleep and the bills are paid. Laura walks in. So much for relaxing time.

Maxie begs Nathan to give her just a hint about her wedding present. Nina knocks at the door with some Crimson updates. She says sorry she’s late, but she was visiting a friend. Nathan is like, please, not Valentin.

Valentin tells Anna she already knows why he said “open your eyes” in Latin. She says he must know it’s the WSB training motto, and asks what his involvement might be.

Griff breaks up the fight between Franco and Tom. Tom says Franco is the crazy one, and Franco tells him if he goes near Elizabeth again, he’ll kill him. The second Griff lets Franco go, he goes after Tom again. Griff calls for help and a security guard comes running. Tom says he’s done his time and Elizabeth’s boyfriend just tried to murder him in front of her – which one is the monster?

Kiki tells Dillon about quitting her job. She says she hurt someone that Carly and Michael love.  They couldn’t get past it and neither could she. Dillon thinks she should take the chance to figure out what she really wants to do. He doesn’t think it’s waitressing.

Laura is like, sorry, and says she’s cramping Lulu and Dante’s style, but it’s temporary. She hands Lulu an envelope that has a honeymoon package for the MetroCourt, and asks if they feel better now. It sounds great and I am so ready to go. Oh wait, it’s not for me. She tells them to pack a bag and get going. She calls Doc.

Laura tells Doc she got his message. He says he’s just getting off work and has a pasta recipe he’d like to try. She explains that she’s babysitting and he offers to cook there. She’s not comfortable with that, and he says another time. He says he enjoys spending time with her and is glad she’s giving it another chance, but he feels like she’s pulling away. She says she’s not quite ready to go there just yet, and he tells her she’s worth the wait and he’ll call her tomorrow.

Monica sees Doc in the hospital corridor, and tells him that he’s the only person she can trust and she needs his help. Lulu and Dante take off for the MetroCourt.

Valentin asks if Anna would like a drink, but she’d rather have an answer. He tells her she’s over-thinking things. He says it was an invitation to look at him without prejudice. He’s not a threat to anyone, least of all her. She doesn’t believe it.

Dante and Lulu get busy in the honeymoon suite.

Tracy comes by Lulu and Dante’s place, and Laura explains where they are. She’s brought some wine and says it’s not a very creative gift when she sees the table overflowing with wine and flowers. She tells Laura that Lulu is a wonderful girl. Laura tells Tracy that she’s grateful to her for the support and guidance that she gave Lulu when she couldn’t be there. Tracy says they’ve never had a drink together, and no time like the present.

Doc tells Monica that it’s outside his area of expertise. Monica says she has to make tough decisions, and she doesn’t need the board to have one more excuse to turn the hospital into condos if she messes up. She gives him a file box and says they’re counting on him. I’m pretty certain this is going to turn out to be something goofy.

Dillon talks to Kiki about how he found his niche. He says he feels that waitressing is a way to put off chasing her dreams. Kiki says she’d need a dream to begin with, and she has no clue what she wants to do with her life.

Anna asks about Valentin’s childhood. He asks why the interest. She says his eyes and that they’ve met before. He says he’d remember her, calling her Agent Devaine, and then asks if he can call her Anna.

Nina tells Nathan and Maxie that Ava is a liar, and because she says Valentin is a killer, that gives her all the more reason to think that he’s a thoughtful, kind man. Maxie brings up the kidnapping, and Nina says he didn’t know anything about it and just wants to be with his daughter.

Elizabeth tells Tom that he provoked Franco. Tom asks if anyone buys the brain tumor thing. Franco says he and his brother better sleep in shifts. The first chance he gets, he’s coming after him. Griff says if they both don’t calm down, he’s calling the police. Monica asks what the blip they’re doing.

Tracy and Laura toast to Lulu and Dante. Tracy asks what’s happening with Laura and Doc. Laura says they’ve been seeing a lot of each other, but she slowed it down. She says she was worried about getting in too deep, and Tracy says she understands. Laura tells her she was glad to have the babysitting excuse tonight, and when he offered to come there, she turned him down. She says she’s been defined buy men all her life and doesn’t want to lose herself. Tracy asks if she’s over-thinking. Today’s theme. Laura says it’s exhausting, but it’s how she thinks. Tracy has an idea.

Doc says the hospital needs this and someone has to do it. It might as well be him.

Monica asks if Tom remembers her, or her daughter Emily, who he tried to extort. She tells him to get out or she’ll have him arrested for trespassing. He says they’ll hear from his lawyer and gets in the elevator. Monica says sorry, but GH has a zero tolerance policy for violence, and Franco is going to have to go too. Monica says she understands that he attacked Tom first, and at the least she can do is to suspend him for two days. Elizabeth tells Franco that maybe it’s best if he goes home. Franco says Tom was stalking her and scaring her. She says right now he’s scaring her. He says deep down he’ll always be the monster and walks away from her.

Laura tells Tracy that she’s having second thoughts, and Tracy tells her to come out. Laura is all made up and wearing a fur coat. Tracy says she looks great. Laura asks what if Lulu and Dante come home, and Tracy says she’s babysat for them before, and to loosen up. She pushes Laura out the door.

Dante has called room service for beer in a champagne bucket. He tells Lulu the story about when he saw her for the first time and fell in love with her.

Nina tells Nathan and Maxie that she’s taken an interest in Charlotte. She’s been through the wringer, having been introduced to three fathers within a month. Nina says it’s a lot for someone to take, let alone a small child, but she’s been reunited with her loving father. She says she enjoys Valentin’s company, and that he treats her like an adult, which is more she can say for them. She says she’s done a lot with her life, including saving a company. Nathan says he’s just worried about her, and she tells him that if she’s making a mistake, it’s hers to make, not his. After she’s gone, Nathan tells Maxie that he blew it. Maxie says badly, but she loves him anyway.

Valentin tells Anna that he chooses not to dwell on the past. His solitary study taught him a lot from books. He talks about what can be learned from Shakespeare. She asks if he sees himself as a Shakespearean character. He says he did when he was younger, and it steered him to who he wanted to be. She asks who he sees himself as, and he says not Richard III. He says the only reason Richard lost the battle at Bosworth was that he trusted the wrong person. Anna gets up, saying she obviously isn’t getting any answers. Valentin tells her that he thought they could be friends, and maybe were in another life. She smiles to herself on the porch, perplexing me.

Franco says the anger is returning and there’s no way for him to keep it in check, especially since the recipient is deserving. We see that he’s talking to Heather. He needs Heather’s advice because no one else knows where he’s coming from.

Laura knocks at Doc’s door. She opens the coat. She’s nakey underneath. Santa answers the door. He’s probably thinking, ho-ho-ho, but she screams.

Lulu tells Dante that she’s heard this story before, but he’s leaving out details, like her brothers kicking the spit out of him.

Dillon goes to Lulu and Dante’s place, and Tracy answers the door. He says he’ll add his gift to the pile. She’s glad he mended his relationship with Lulu. He says thanks for reminding him of their rift, but he and Lulu are friends now. Tracy asks if he’s going to let the same thing happen with Kiki.

Kiki is applying for a waitress job at Kelly’s and says maybe Dillon is right. She brings up a career aptitude test on her phone.

Franco says he knows Heather is upset with him. She says he ratted her out, and she can’t sneeze now without an intervention. Franco says he’s scared he’s going to lose Elizabeth if he does what he wants to do. He tells her about Tom and how he wants to watch him suffer. Heather says he came to the right place. He asks how to make it stop. She says his thoughts aren’t the problem, Elizabeth is.

Griff asks Elizabeth if she’s okay. She says she has to be, she has three kids. She says she knew this day was coming, and made a promise that Tom couldn’t control her when he got out of prison.

Anna sees Nina at Kelly’s and asks if she can join her. Nina says before she starts her inquisition, Claudette is a pathological liar, and nothing she says about Valentin is true. She tells Anna that she and Valentin are strangely alike, and they were both lonely kids. He was shipped off to school as a child and never even  went home for holidays. Anna asks what school he went to.

Valentin recites Shakespeare as he takes an old picture of Anna out of a wooden box.

Laura thinks she got the wrong house, but it’s Doc in a Santa suit. He explains that Monica put him on Santa duty. Laura says she doesn’t know what she was thinking, but he says he likes it. She says that she wanted to prove she could be spontaneous. He says he likes the way she is, and she doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone except herself. She asks if he’s inviting her in, and he asks if she’s sure. I guess Santa duty is going to have to wait.

Lulu and Dante toast to new beginnings.

Dillon tells Tracy that Kiki feels she would be betraying Morgan if they got together, and he has to respect that. Tracy appreciates that she raised him properly, but asks if he’s giving up without a fight.

Kiki looks at the phone and says her career weirdly makes sense.

Nathan leaves a message for Nina, apologizing. He tells Maxie that he pressed all the wrong buttons and practically shoved her back to Valentin. I gotta say, I’m into Valentin too, and nobody shoved me.

After a few tries at remembering, Nina tells Anna that Valentin’s school was Bedlington in England. Anna asks if she’s sure. (Maybe England is where she and Valentin know each other from?) Nina says she’s not sure about anything, least of all why she should cooperate with her, when Anna is after a man she considers a friend. Nina bids her good day.

Anna makes a call. She wants some information about the boarding school.

Valentin says Anna will have her answers when the time is right.

Franco tells Heather that Elizabeth isn’t the problem, Tom is. Heather says he’s a symptom; Elizabeth is the disease. She says a catalyst comes along, and Franco tries to be something he’s not. It’s like putting a pin in a balloon and he’s about to explode. She tells him everything is fine if there are no complications, but you can’t remove pinpricks from life. Franco says, watch him.

Elizabeth tells Griff that Franco is very protective of the people he cares about, and there’s no telling what he would do if one of them is threatened.

While leaving Kelly’s, Kiki drops her wallet. Tom picks it up and gives it back to her. He waits a few beats, and follows.

Tomorrow, Michael asks Nell out, Anna asks Alexis for dirt on Valentin, and Carly wants to get back with Sonny.

🍳 Random thought. I find myself nodding sagely as I watch Top Chef. Like I know the first thing about what they’re doing.

😸 Joke heard on Life in Pieces: Did you hear about the corduroy pillow? It’s making headlines. BA-DUM-CHH!

November 30, 2016 – It’s All About That GH & a Nod to the Little Side

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Franco wants Elizabeth to go with him to NYC for some decent coffee. There’s also an art exhibit he wants to see. She says she can’t just take off like that, but gets a clue and asks him what’s really up. He says they don’t have to go to the city, just away, because Tom Baker is at the hospital.

Nina visits Windemere. Valentin says he thinks Charlotte is missing her mother, and Nina’s visit will do her good. Nina gives Charlotte a beautifully wrapped box. Inside is a gorgeous doll, who Charlotte names Giselle. She asks if Nina will stay, and Nina says for a little bit. Valentin says she’s just what the doctor ordered; Charlotte likes Nina a lot.

Maxie opens a wedding present from Fiddy. We don’t see it, but she says he has good taste. The phone rings. It’s a call from France. Maxie thinks it’s Claudette.

Dillon stops by the MetroCourt and startles Kiki, who’s concentrating on Anna Karenina. She’d been reading it for a class at Vassar before she dropped out. Dillon points out how depressing it is. Kiki says it isn’t the content that’s getting to her, but what it represents. She talks about being a different person back then, and how she didn’t care what consequences her actions led to. Dillon tells her to quit punishing herself.

Nell eavesdrops on Carly and Sonny. Seeing two glasses on the table, Carly asks who was with Sonny last night, and he tells her it was Max. She asks when Max started wearing lipstick. Maybe that’s what the fight with Diane was about. Ha-ha!

Griff talks to Anna and Nathan, saying people don’t just disappear. Anna asks if there’s any info on the man who was with the airline passenger they think was Claudette. Nathan says he can only be partially seen in the photo, but the Canadian authorities are working on it. He says thy may have to face the possibility of not finding her. Anna says it’s possible she might be dead.

Maxie tells Claudette to slow down. Someone else gets on the phone, and the connection is severed. Maxie tries to call back.

Sonny tells Carly that Laura stopped by, and they talked about losing their children. She knew Sonny was alone, and Carly has Jax to help her. Carly says he went back to Australia because his mom is sick and there’s nothing else he can do here anyway. Sonny is skeptical, and Carly says she wants to tell him what happened between her and Jax.

Griff doesn’t want to accept that Claudette is dead. Nathan says they have to be realistic, and the trail is cold. Anna says she knows it’s not easy for Nathan either. Nathan says he knows now that everything Claudette did was to protect Charlotte from Valentin. Griff asks Anna if it’s over. He mentions that what Valentin said at the custody hearing upset her. She tells him it was a Latin phrase that means “open your eyes.”

Charlotte goes to introduce Giselle to her animals, Pinky the bear and Charlemagne the lion. Nina says Valentin must have helped with the lion’s name. He says that he knows what it’s like to be a child without love, and wanted Charlotte to experience things differently. Nina asks what his childhood was like, and he says that he didn’t grow up in a house like Windemere. Nina says growing up rich isn’t that great, and Valentin says he’d thought if he got money, power and prestige, it would fix everything. She asks what happened to him. He says he doesn’t usually talk about it, but maybe it’s time he did.

Kiki says she betrayed what she had with Morgan, and Dillon suggests maybe her reading material is a bad idea right now. He pretends to read from the book, but changes it to something about a trip to Aspen. Kiki is like, that’s not from the book, and he says it’s from Crimson. A top ten things to do article.

Carly tells Sonny that she was hurting badly, and did what she always does, hide from the pain by hurting herself worse, but she stopped. She says she kissed Jax, but he pulled back. She could have pursued it, but didn’t want to use her grief as an excuse to act out. She wants to tell him the truth, and wants honesty between them. Sonny says if she wants honesty now, it’s too late. What?

Elizabeth tells Franco that every time she asks him to do something, he does the opposite. I know the feeling. He explains how he’s tracking Tom with a GPS, and she asks if he wants to get arrested for stalking. He says Tom seems to be following her, and she suggests they go home and talk about it. They head in opposite directions, and Elizabeth comes face to face with Tom.

Nathan comes home and gets on the phone, speaking in French. After he hangs up, Nathan tells Maxie that the call was from Paris.

Anna tells Griff that he didn’t hear it from her, but “open your eyes” is the motto of the WSB training camp. It means to be alert to what’s right in front of you. Griff says he doesn’t believe Valentin pulled it out of the blue. Anna says there’s a connection between Valentin and the WSB.

Nina tells Valentin that she was a poor little rich girl with a distant father and a cold controlling mother; lots of toys, no love, and her only friend was a pony. Valentin says he was a bastard who never knew his mother, and was sent to boarding school by the time he was nine. He thinks his father possibly wanted to protect him from his stepmother, or just wanted him out of the way. He says by the time he got to Bedlington (is that where Spencer is now?), he was the youngest boarder. He never went home, not even for Christmas, and none of the other students invited him to their homes. He was different from the other kids.

Sonny tells Carly that Morgan is dead, like she forgot Carly asks if he thought she was jumping in bed with Jax, and he kind of nods. She says it wouldn’t have fixed anything, and just caused more pain, although it crossed her mind. She thanks him for calling and says sorry she didn’t call him back. She tells him to let her know if he needs anything, and leaves. Best timing of the century.

Nell comes down. She apologizes and says she never should have told him that Carly and Jax slept together. He says that’s why this happened. Nell says she should have left, but she felt badly for him, He tells her that he takes full responsibility doesn’t, even though he doesn’t remember anything. He says the good news is, it’s done, and Nell says. what if it isn’t?

Elizabeth asks Tom what he’s doing there. He says he didn’t know she was working there today. Franco suddenly appears, and asks why Tom is there and if he’s stalking Elizabeth. A guy walks up to them, saying Tom just got hired. He’s doing some construction work at the hospital and hires parolees because he believes in second chances. Tom says bizarre coincidence and he’s sorry. Hmm…

Maxie asks Nathan what’s going on. He says he ordered a wedding gift for her from Paris. He says they were supposed to call his cell; the landline was just a back-up number. She says now that she knows about it, he should tell her what it is, but that’s not happening. She pumps him for information, and he says she’s going to ruin the surprise. She says she has ways of making him talk, and they start to kiss. He tells her to keep trying.

Anna tells Griff that Valentine’s uncle was head of the WSB at one time, and nearly took the bureau down. Robert says there’s no record that Valentin was ever a recruit, and Griff reminds her that there are no records of him before 2011. He says maybe Valentin was using the phrase to get to her head; he probably did research. Anna wonders why he seemed familiar though, and thinks he was being specific. He knows something about her and her time when she was a recruit. Griff wonders what that could be, and she says she’s going to find out.

Valentin tells Nina that he never fit in at school. After that, he went looking for trouble, and found it many times over. She says she knows how it feels to be an outsider, longing for love and acceptance. She says she’ll tell him about it sometime. He says he’d love to have a lot more of her time.

Kiki is off work. Dillon hands her his phone with the Crimson article on it. She says be honest, they have to know how ridiculous the articles are. He jokes that they put their heart and soul into them. She says these are the kinds of fantasies that make you jealous, and he says that’s the point. He shows her something about seeing Niagara Falls for free, and says they could take a day trip. How far upstate are they? Carly walks in and sees them sitting at a table together.

Nell tells Sonny that she doesn’t know if she can look Carly in the face again. Sonny says it was a lapse in judgement that’s not happening again. Nell says that Carly is going to know something is wrong, and maybe they should tell her the truth. Sonny says that’s not going to happen.

Carly asks to talk to Kiki and Dillon excuses himself. Kiki tells Carly she’s off the clock, and asks what she wants to talk about. Carly tells her never mind. Kiki says she knows how Carly feels about her, and that when Carly sees her, she thinks about her breaking Morgan’s heart. She thinks maybe it’s time for her to move on.

Sonny tells Nell to get herself together, and under no circumstances are they telling Carly. It won’t benefit anybody. Nell says he’s right; it will only cause more pain, and she just didn’t think it through. He says you think confessing is going to wipe the slate clean, but you have to think about the consequences. He tells her again that he takes full responsibility, and apologizes. He says if she needs anything moving forward, he’s there to help. Nell leaves. When she gets outside, she takes out her phone.

Nina has to get to work. She asks Valentin to tell Charlotte that she had to go to the office, but she’ll be looking for purple outfits for Giselle. She tells him that if he needs any help to let her know. He kisses her at the door and Anna pops out of nowhere. Second best timing of the century.

Tom leaves with his boss. He drops a hammer and Franco puts his foot on it. He says Tom isn’t fooling him, and he’s watching him. He knew he’d show up here, and he’ll know if he ever comes back. Tom calls him a freak, and Franco slams him against the wall.

Basking in the afterglow, Maxie says Nathan might as well tell her. He won’t, and she tells him not to make her go to extreme measures. He says show him what she has, and they start kissing again.

Nina leaves, and Valentin asks Anna what he can do for her. She asks him what he meant by the phrase “open your eyes,” and he says she already knows.

Griff breaks up the fight between Franco and Tom. Franco tells Tom that if he goes near Elizabeth again, he’ll kill him. Not wise words to say in public.

Kiki says whenever she and Carly see each other, they’re hit again by the pain, so it might be better if she moves on. Carly says it’s a mature decision, and she’ll give Kiki severance pay, as well as a good recommendation. Kiki thanks Carly, and says she’s sorry. Carly says she knows Kiki did the best she could, and is no position to judge. She wants to figure out how to get through the grief and honor Morgan by moving forward, but it’s hard. She wants to avoid unnecessary pain.

Nell listens to her recording of Sonny saying they slept together, not to tell Carly, and that he takes full responsibility. Inside, Sonny throws a glass at the fireplace. Nell looks smug as she looks at the phone.

Tomorrow, Anna doesn’t believe Valentin, Laura is afraid to move forward with Doc, and Franco attacks Tom again.

A Little Recommendation

💍 I’m loving Little Weddings. It combines the little people I love with a family run wedding business. It seems like when a reality show cast has something else to focus on, rather than just each other, there’s less chance of physical altercations. Not that the wedding business, as well as being in it with family, isn’t fraught with angst, but none of these people are throwing anything except bouquets. Kelly is the boss, with sisters Kacy and Kensey, and brother T.J. involved. T.J. also has an upcoming wedding of his own, so that’s a subplot itself. He and Kelly butt heads so much, it’s questionable as to whether she’ll end up being the planner. It’s a lovely family, and the gorgeous weddings are a fabulous plus.

👢 Too bad I can’t say the same for Little Women: Dallas. It hasn’t even been on that long, and has already degenerated into Little Women: Atlanta territory. And no wonder, since there are a few crossover cast members, and another who could pass for Miss Juicy’s sister. It’s only episode five, and we have a pending police report and/or lawsuit. At least Little Women: LA waited several seasons for that. It’s one of those shows that’s on my radar, because there are some good moments, but it’s no tragedy if I miss it.

November 29, 2016 – Bad Timing on GH, Some Good-Bys on ILYIW, a Good Final Charter for Below Deck & Hello to the London Ladies

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Julian has a visitor. He thinks it’s Alexis, but it’s Jordan. She tells him he had internal bleeding and some bone breakage, and just got out of surgery. Isn’t it the doctor’s job to update him on his condition? And why is she allowed to go in there alone when he just had surgery five minutes ago? She asks if he remembers what happened and he says he was hit by a car. She wants to know details, like who hit him.

Molly shows up at Alexis’s house early. She wonders what happened on Thanksgiving. She tells Alexis that she texted five times and there was no response. She wants to know what Alexis was doing out all night.

Finn is looking for Hayden and tells Tracy that it looks like she was out all night. Hayden comes in from the kitchen and wonders what the emergency is.

Obrecht and Franco are having breakfast. His face is in his phone and she tells him that he’s fallen into the mindless obsession of screens. Ha-ha! She wants to know what’s more important than her scintillating conversation. He says Tom Baker.

At the hospital, Bobbie gets flowers from Carly.

Sonny wakes up with Nell next to him. He’s like oh, geez. She says good morning, but it’s not like she’s smiling. Please, please, please don’t tell me she’s going to say he forced himself on her. I won’t be able to take it.

Finn chastises Tracy for telling him Hayden was upstairs. Tracy suggests installing a GPS chip in Hayden. Finn says Hayden’s bed looks like it hasn’t been slept in. Hayden tells him what a shock, since she made her bed after she got up. She says she’s feeling better and wants to go to work, but Finn says her test results came back.

Obrecht confuses Tom Baker with the actor from Dr. Who, and then realizes who Franco is talking about. Franco wonders if he should be judging Tom, but Obrecht says he doesn’t have an illness like Franco did. She says she’s glad he hasn’t risked his freedom by killing Tom, and asks why he’s watching him. The hospital tech has set it up so he can track Tom on his phone.

Alexis tells Molly that she underestimated how hard Thanksgiving would be. She wanted to clear her head and went for drive. She starts to clean things up and drops something. Molly asks if she’s okay, and she says no.

Julian tells Jordan that he remembers going to the bar, but after that, nothing. Jordan says the more details he can give her, the faster she can solve the case. She thinks there might be a connection to the bomb. She says it’s her duty to protect the citizens of Port Charles. even him.

Sonny asks Nell what happened, saying that he doesn’t remember anything. He says he’s been drinking since Morgan died and never blacked out before. He remembers Nell coming over and talking about Morgan. He says he remembers her getting the scotch, and wonders how they wound up sleeping together. Oh-ho! I guess she slipped him something. Maybe that’s why she was messing around with the photos; she was hiding it.

Carly congratulates Bobbie on returning to GH, and says the flowers are also a peace offering for their altercation about Nell. Bobbie says maybe she’s just being judgemental, but she has a bad feeling about Nell. Carly understands about something being too good to be true, but says just because they were lying schemers when they were young, doesn’t mean Nell is. Bobbie promises to wait until something actually happens before reacting.

Sonny is trying to figure it out. He says Nell is lovely and sweet, and no disrespect, but how did they wind up sleeping together? I guess that’s his way of saying she’s not his type. She says she helped him upstairs and put him to bed. She says they were both lonely, and one thing led to another. She starts to cry, and says she’s sorry, she never should have let it happen. He tells her no worries, but she wonders how she can look Carly in the face again.

Obrecht tells Franco to give up his fool’s errand. She says she isn’t Elizabeth’s greatest fan, but reminds him that Elizabeth is already upset about him going after Tom the first time. She takes his phone. She says Tom is a lump and not moving. He’s no threat, and Elizabeth doesn’t need to be rescued.

Elizabeth checks Julian’s vitals. She remembers being in the hospital herself, and he says he’s sorry about what happened with Paul. She says she had friends and family to help her, and he says he does’t have that luxury.

Finn tells Hayden that he’d hoped the antibiotics would help. She says maybe they did, since she’s feeling better. He says she tested positve for the same disease he has.

Nell says Carly is going to be angry and disappointed. She asks Sonny not to tell her. He says Carly will be angry with him, not her, but Nell says she doesn’t want Carly looking at her differently. She starts to cry again, and begs Sonny not to say anything. He tells her not to worry, he won’t. He might not have to. Carly calls to him from downstairs. Sonny says he’ll be right down. He tells Nell to stay put.

Hayden thanks Finn, but she still wants to go to work. He says they need to figure out what happens next. She says he does; she still has to earn a living. Tracy suggests that Hayden take the day off, but she says she’s not dying today, and she’ll see them when she gets back. Tracy asks Finn, now what?

Obrecht says Tom is most likely contemplating the futility of his own existence. Franco says, or his next move. Obrecht insists he’s no threat, but Franco says this guy is practically vibrating that he thinks he’s invincible. She thinks he should wait until Tom makes the first move, but he doesn’t want to take that chance. If he can’t protect Elizabeth within the confines of the law, he’ll do it another way. He says he can’t let anything happen to her and won’t.

Julian asks if he’s going to live, and Elizabeth says it appears so. He asks when he can leave. She tells him that he just got done with surgery and has broken bones. He’s going to need significant care, plus someone to look after him when he gets home. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Molly asks Alexis if something else happened. Alexis says the holidays are getting to her and it’s going to be a long month. Molly says it’s the worst month of Alexis’s life, and Alexis is impressed that Molly’s response is both hyperbole and an understatement. Molly says after the new year, Alexis has a chance to get her law life back.

There’s a knock at the door and Alexis says it must be opportunity. Nope, it’s Jordan. She says they need to talk about Julian.

Sonny comes downstairs. Carly says she wanted to check on him and see how he’s doing, since he was stuck by himself on Thanksgiving. He says he’s fine, and she says she also has to ask him a question.

Alexis asks Jordan what Julian has done now. Jordan says he’s in the hospital. She asks if it’s serious, and Jordan says he was hit by a car. Molly hopes he’s dead, I laugh, and Alexis chastises her. Alexis asks if they know who it was, but Jordan says not yet. Molly says if they find out, she’ll help raise money for his defense. She’s a real card today. Jordan says he was having a drink in a bar outside of Port Charles, but has no recollection of the accident. She’s concerned it was another attempt on his life, and wonders if there’s a connection to the car bomb. Alexis says you can never be too careful.

Obrecht tells Franco that he’s actually an honorable man, but until Tom makes a move, he can’t do anything. As if he heard her, Tom makes a move.

Elizabeth sees Hayden banging on the vending machine. She asks if everything is all right.

Sonny asks Carly what’s on her mind, and she asks if Jason has come up with anything in his investigation. Sonny says no leads, but he’s working on it. Carly asks to be kept posted. Sonny repeats what Carly had told him, that whether it was him or not, their son is still dead. Carly says it doesn’t honor him for her to punish Sonny, so she’s going to stop. Great timing, Carly.

Carly apologizes and says Morgan would want them to do better and be kind to each other. She says she spent the day thinking about previous holidays, and they go down Morgan Memory Lane. Carly says she kept staring at the door on Thanksgiving, hoping he would come in. Sonny says he’s the same way. She says Christmas is around the corner. She knows they have to keep up appearances for the kids, but she’ll be going through the same thing he is, so maybe they can look out for each other and make each other feel better.

Tracy tells Finn that could have gone better, but at least Hayden is feeling positive. He says she needs to come back to reality, and that she’s in a state of denial. Tracy says there’s nothing she can do, and too bad he quit GH when he did. Finn says he had no choice. He says what Brad found is keeping him alive, and now it will have to keep Hayden alive too. Tracy asks if he has enough, and he says not even close.

Elizabeth approaches Hayden. She starts to cry, and Elizabeth hugs her.

Alexis thanks Jordan, but doesn’t know how she can help. Jordan says Sonny is a person of interest. She says Alexis and Julian are divorced, but Julian keeps declaring his love, which makes her a target. Jordan tells her to live her life, but be careful. Alexis says she’ll do her best. Jordan leaves, and Molly asks if Alexis is okay, suggesting she needs retail therapy. Alexis keen on crowded stores and bumping up against strangers, but tells Molly to have a good time. As soon as Molly is gone,  Alexis says she isn’t sure if she believes in God, but if He’s up there, thank you. Julian calls, and I wonder if she silently takes back her thanks.

Julian says she didn’t expect to hear from him, did she? She says she heard he’s in the hospital, and asks how he’s feeling. He says he’ll live, but he’s had better days. He wants her to visit him. She says she can’t, but he says she owes him that much.

Tracy wants to check her contacts. She tells Finn that she’ll find the drug he needs in a country where it’s legal, and have it sent. Finn doesn’t want her risking it. She says he’s not in this alone. Finn says he appreciates it, but it’s a problem he needs to solve. He doesn’t want to lose anyone else. Tracy says she doesn’t want to lose him, and he doesn’t want to lose Hayden. He says he’s not resting until he finds a cure.

Franco is agitated, and Obrecht tells him to calm down. He says a predator is on the loose, and wonders if this is how people felt about him. Obrecht says that she imagines some still might. He sees Tom is headed for the hospital.

Hayden says Elizabeth is the last person she wants to be with right now and walks away.

Carly tells Sonny that she can’t imagine how lonely he must be, and he says it’s better than being in a cell. She tells him to call her. She sees the two glasses on the table, and asks who was there with him.

Tomorrow, Carly wants to be honest, Valentin meets with Nina, and Griff asks Nathan about Claudette.

If Loving You is Wrong

We go back to last week’s ending – Randal pleading with Rusty, and Rusty telling him shut up, boy. One of Rusty’s boys smacks Randal with a shovel. Rusty tells them to hurry up and they tell him to keep his pants on. Randal isn’t down for long, and says he can give Rusty money. Rusty asks where he’d get money, and Randal says he’s a doctor. Rusty says there are no Black doctors and no one watching even knows what to say. He insists Randal must be a drug dealer. Randal begs again for Rusty not to hurt his son.

Rusty tells his boys they’re good for nothing, and tells Randal to shut up again. Okay, can we move on? For whatever reason, Rusty’s boys can’t deal with some chain. We hear the baby cry. He’s lying on the front lawn, and Randal moves toward him. Virginia comes onto the porch and tells him that he’d better not. She says he’s going to die. She lights up a cigarette to emphasize how bad she is.

She says she knows he didn’t rape Alex, but he’d better not tell Rusty she said it, and no way is she going to help him. She tells him he should have stuck to his own kind. Randal says they’re in love, and Virginia says Alex doesn’t love him. He says in her heart she does, and Virginia asks why Alex would have come to them for help then. Alex told them he was trying to take the baby from her. She asks him why they would have gone through all this trouble except for her. Randal can’t believe Alex would do something like that.

The baby is crying, and Randal asks if she can at least pick him up. Virginia says she wouldn’t dare; Rusty would knock her sideways. He says he knows she’s not this person, and she asks how he would know who she is. He asks if Rusty was her first love, and then asks if she had to settle for him. Oh, that’s right, he’s a shrink. He says she had big dreams and ended up there. He starts talking about her parents which is always the root of the problem. She asks if Alex told him or is he a witch. He says he just knows people. She calls him a witch in black and says good thing Rusty is going to hang him. She says they’re going to hang him and take him to Alligator Alley and drop his body in, and the boy too. Randal starts to beg agina, but she goes inside.

Rusty tells Randal to back away from the baby like he’s a baby alarm. You are too close to the baby! Step away from the baby!

Meanwhile, back at the station, Steven gets a message from Andrew. He’s out of area, so Steven tells the operator to call Andrew’s cell. She says he’s in good hands; Eddie is with him. She says Eddie went to back him up, but said not to tell Steven. Steven asks if Andrew has Alex with him, and she says she thinks so. She makes calls to both Eddie and Andrew, but they go to voicemail.

At Alex’s house, Kelly paces, and Marcie asks what’s wrong. Kelly returns the question and Marcie says she’s just tired. Kelly says she’s worried about Alex, and wishes someone would get back. Marcie asks who’s on her porch. It’s Travis. Marcie is about to invite him in, but Kelly says no. Kelly makes sure the door is locked, and tells Marcie that Travis is acting strange. She says he broke into her house and he’s been stalking her. Marcie wants her to call the police, but she says she’ll be okay. She wonders if she led him on, and Marcie tells her not to be one of those women who blame themselves, and to call the police. Now. Kelly takes out her phone.

Lushion’s phone rings, and Natalie tells him to answer it. She says Joey has been stable and his phone has been blowing up. He goes into the hallway. It’s Kelly. She asks about Joey, and then says she might need a restraining order. She asks him to keep it between them, and tells him what Travis has been up to and that he’s been acting crazy. He asks if she’s safe, and she says she thinks so. He says he can’t come right now, but he’ll send someone he trusts. She asks if Ramses said anything about leaving, and Lushion says no. She tells him that Travis told her that Ramses was gone for good, like he knew something. Kelly says there was a sign on Ramses’s door saying he went back to Utah, but it seemed weird to her. She asks him to check. Lushion says he has the key and he’ll send it with Officer Rick. Kelly says she’ll pray for Joey, and they hang up. Marcie tells her she did the right thing, and what Travis is doing isn’t okay. Kelly knows Marcie is holding something back and says she’ll spill it eventually.

Lushion calls Steven. He asks Steven to send Rick to Kelly’s, and do a sweep of both of their houses. He can pick up the keys at the hospital. Steven tells Lushion about Andrew, and how he thinks Eddie got involved. Now he can’t get either one on the phone. Lushion says they need to take him down now. They have more than enough to take the whole department down. Steven says he almost has the cartel and they can’t risk it. Lushion says Eddie is running amok, and they don’t even know where Pete is. He says to make sure Michael finds him. Steven asks about Joey, and says they’re going out to Alex’s parents’. Lushion tells him to call it in to FBI headquarters; it’s a kidnapping. Steven says Eddie is already on to him, but Lushion insists. He can’t believe the way his night is going.

Natalie asks what’s going on, and Lushion says nothing. Ha-ha! She says she knows him, and he needs to go take care of whatever. He refuses to leave, and she wants to know what’s up. He tells her about Alex’s parents kidnapping Randal and the baby. He says he’s sending some guys from the FBI. She asks if Eddie is there, and when Lushion says yes, she insists he go. He tells her to call him if there’s any change.

The police arrive. Kelly sees that they’re going to her house, and she peeks out the door. No Travis. Rick introduces himself and asks what the deal is. She says it’s her ex, and explains about Travis breaking into her house. She asks if she’s over-reacting, and Rick says not if he broke in. Duh. She says he’s just a kid and she doesn’t know this side of him. Rick says he’ll make a report, and to call if anything else happens. He’s going to Ramses’s house and Kelly wants to come, but he tells her to stay there.

Rick shines his flashlight in the windows and knocks on the door. He asks if anyone is home and goes inside. He comes back out pretty quickly. Kelly asks if everything is okay and he tells her to get inside immediately. He radios for back-up. Kelly tells Marcie that something happened to Ramses.

Commercial break with important information. The Haves and the Have Nots is back on Tuesday, January 3 at 9 pm.

Rusty’s boys can’t get the boat off the hitch. Rusty goes to get the saw. I guess Rusty’s hitch is rusty.

Randal asks Virginia to pick up the baby, and she says she’s not picking “that thing” up. He says the baby is cold, and she tells him being cold is the least of its worries. She says she’s not touching him or Randal. He says he’ll pay her. She’s another one who can’t fathom that he has money. She asks how much. He says 100 grand. She thinks this over. He asks if she can’t use the money, and she acts like it’s an insult and tells him he has nothing they want.

Virginia goes over to Rusty. It would be really funny if she got the boat unhitched. She tells Rusty that Randal says he has money, 100K. Rusty says Randal is going to die and he doesn’t want anything from him. He sees Randal moving toward the baby and kicks him. A police car drives in. It’s Alex.

Virginia gives Rusty his gun and Alex tells them to give her the child. Randal calls to Alex and Rusty fires a shot near him. Alex says she’s not going without her baby. Virginia says that Alex laid with that trash and now she’s saying please. She says it’s a sin before God and she can’t love the baby. They have to let him die so she can get forgiveness and go to heaven. Alex tells Rusty she’s sorry. Rusty tells her to put a bullet in Randal’s head. Virginia tells Rusty not to trust her, but he says she’s his daughter. Alex says she can’t, and he says she’s not sorry then. He says she brought this to them. She says she’s sorry, and he asks what she’s sorry for. She says she’s sorry she slept with Randal. Rusty is like, what? and she says she’s sorry she let him rape her.

Randal protests, and Alex pops him one in the head. Virginia tells Rusty not to trust her, but he gives her the gun. Randal begs – a lazy acting week for him, since he had hardly any lines to learn – and Alex says it’s for her son. He keeps telling her please don’t. She can’t. Rusty says she’s always been soft-hearted like her mom, but he’s going to teach her different. Another police car pulls up. It’s Eddie. Great. Just what this party needs.

Rusty asks what he’s doing there, and he says he came to watch. He says Alex’s husband is his best friend and Randal raped her. Randal is like, Eddie, please, and Eddie says go ahead and beg. He asks if he can have the pleasure, and Rusty says sure, but they have to get the boat in the water first. Because – he says it – it’s rusty. Eddie shoots the chain and the boat is free. Boy, they are stupid. Everybody has a gun and no one thought of that.

They put the noose around Randal’s neck. He’s all noooo! and they drag him off, Eddie in the lead. Eddie throws the rope over a tree branch and they hoist Randal up. Police sirens are heard, and they all take off, and I laugh. Randal drops to the ground, and there’s a shoot out.

I hope someone picked up the baby. Everyone runs everywhere and everyone is shooting. Steven and Lushion are there too. It’s a total free-for-all. Eddie shoots Rusty in the back (good riddance), and then acts like he was after them the whole time. He starts yapping about Andrew being missing like he’s concerned. Man, I hope Randal spills the beans on that a-hole. Brad drives up. Why not?

Someone did pick up the baby. Virginia is in the boat, out on the lake, holding the baby over the water by one of his feet. Alex cries and screams. Lushion says take the shot, and an officer shoots.

Season finale.

Below Deck

Kate video chats with Ro. She thinks the other stews are being lackadaisical because it’s the end of the season, but if they want the last tip, she says they have to do the last few days of work.

Kelly is upset about Captain Lee feeling he’s not up to the task of his job.

Ben says it was nice to become more comfortable with Emily, so I guess their friend date went well.

Kyle and Nico talk about Ashley coming to visit. Nico asks if Kyle told her about asking Sierra out. Kyle says he did, but Ashley took it well and just thought Sierra was an idiot. Hmm… I think there was more to the conversation than that.

Time for hearing about the next guests. Dawn is the primary, with a group of former models who all have a lifestyle blog together. Their only requirements are a photo shoot and a thank you dinner for Dawn. Kate says there’s a lot of potential for Kelley. In his interview, he says he has experience with older women and knows what the ladies like and it’s him. He talks about being 26 and dating a 42-year-old. Oh yeah? When I was 19, I dated a 40-year-old.

The crew gets the boat ready,and Captain Lee asks Kelley to assemble the deck crew. He wants to end things on a positive note. He says this charter should be a piece of cake. He tells Kelley to give the guests guidance – away from using the pool, which has been troublesome all season. He tells them to use Kate’s playbook. If Ben doesn’t have something, she steers the guests away from it. Nico translates that to causing someone to believe something when they don’t actually believe it.

Kate compares the crews’ radios to egg babies. She says Sierra and Emily have been great all season, but they suddenly have senior-itis. In her interview, Sierra wonders where this is coming from. Emily seems puzzled too, but I’m not. I don’t blame Kate when she couldn’t even take a break last charter because the captain had to hunt down indoor help.

Ben rubs Emily’s shoulders as Kate radios for her. See? They kis,s and Kate radios that they’re all fired, hoping to get someone’s attention. It’s not just Emily though. Everyone is leaving their radios everywhere. The crew gets ready to greet the guests. Kelley asks Kate for advice about the pool, and she suggests he say it’s more for babies and older people. Good one. The captain tells them to act like they’ve done this before.

Kate does the boat tour. Ben gets lunch ready. The guests are dressed beautifully. Lots of paisley in bright colors. The Valor shoves off. The guests consult their photographer. Kate says the guests are so happy, it’s annoying, but with every beverage served, she’s that much closer to freedom.

Kelley and Nico talk to the guests about the toys. Kelley goes through the list, and downplays the pool. The ladies say definitely on the slide, and after that, he can choose. Ben is doing a quinoa dish “because models love that sh*t.” I do too, and I’m not a model. Now where’s that brownie chaser?

Ben tells Kate they should see if they can avoid having any arguments this charter. Kate suggests avoiding to keep from being annoyed. Yep. The Valor drops anchor. Kate finds Sierra’s radio in one of the guest bedrooms. She attaches the girls’ radios to them. In her interview, Kate says they say brains and beauty are a hard combination to find, and Sierra is very pretty, so pretty…

Lunchtime! Next to seeing how much the tip is, my favorite part of the show is to eat vicariously. Emily and Ben flirt in the galley. In his interview, he’s not sure if they’re “an item,” but he knows he likes her. In her interview, Kate says she appreciates the budding romance that is Bemily, but they still have to focus on work.

Dawn makes a toast about women inspiring women. Kate says she feels like she’s in a Lifetime movie. In her interview, she says being an independent woman isn’t sitting on a yacht talking about independence, but I dunno. It can be. The guests talk about giving back.

Emily and Sierra tidy the rooms. Kelley talks to Ben, who thinks it’s been a great season. Kelley does some weird dance and says he’s letting loose. Kate looks on skeptically, and slightly disapproving.

Captain Lee is happy with the team of Nico and Kelley. The guests use the slide, and it looks like a load of fun. Sierra tells Emily that she feels disrespected, but she doesn’t want to make a big deal since it’s the last charter.

A glorious sunset happens, and Ben gets dinner ready. Kyle doesn’t like the way Sierra eats dinner. More radio hyjinks. Kyle gets sulky when Sierra touches his radio and he thinks she’s accusing him of taking hers. She calls him a child, and he calls her an f-ing idiot. Nice. She complains to Emily that he’s petty. In her interview, she says he’s still holding a grudge because she wasn’t into him. They start to argue and Nico tells them to knock it off, reminding them that it’s the last charter.

Kelley tells Kyle to be a man and fix it. Big baby Kyle doesn’t want to apologize, saying Sierra is a psychopath, and that she probably has an ex-boyfriend’s body parts stashed away. I’m speechless yet again tonight.

The photographer leaves, and the ladies sit down to dinner. Kyle complains to Kelley about Sierra, but Kelley tells him that in confined places, they have to get along. Kelley tells Sierra that it was her delivery that was wrong. She says every time she deals with him, it’s an unpleasant encounter and she doesn’t want to talk to him anymore. Kelley says she’s being rude right now. She says she only has a problem with him and Kyle, and Kelley says just let it go. He and Kyle complain about her as soon as she leaves.

Sierra tells Kate about Kyle’s reaction to her picking up his radio. In her interview, Kate says the only thing she has time for is the job they’re supposed to be doing. Sierra says Kelley will probably apologize now. Kelley overhears and says not this time. He tells her that he was actually trying to get Kyle to apologize to her when she went off on him.

Dinner is served. Chilean sea bass. I’m in. The women cheer Ben’s food. Kate tells Ben they want to meet him, so he comes up along with the dessert. More applause and accolades. And hugs. The way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach. Truth.

Lauren and Nico talk about yachting. Kyle talks about Sierra being mental. Lauren thinks Kate is a sh*t stirrer. Ben can’t sleep. He tells Kate that he doesn’t have much anxiety though. He says Kate’s been nicer to him, and she says it’s because she’s been avoiding him. Ha-ha! In his interview, Ben says Kate is an easy person to work with. Like Attila the Hun.

The guests have breakfast and the stews are supposed to be tidying the cabins, but Sierra is busy scarfing down some toast. Kelley thinks the deckhands are just getting into stride and the stews are falling apart. One of the guests bothers Captain Lee and wants to see the anchor come up, so he palms her off on Kelley.

Kate tells Ben how much time they have left down to the second. She says oddly enough, she’s least annoyed with him out of everyone. Sierra complains about the deckhands asking her to do their chores. Kelley gets notified and relays a complaint from Kate. Kate says that just because these guests aren’t Dean, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get Dean service. Ben jokes that he’d planned on giving them bad service tonight. In his interview, he says Kate is there to spoil everyone’s day again.

The guests are going to the Baths on the mainland. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds great. The deckhands put snorkeling gear in the small boat, and Kate makes a cocktail for the guests before departure. She loves when they go to the Baths because they’re gone for a solid three hours. Kate finds two of the guest bathrooms have no toilet paper, and I’d be livid if I was her. That’s a huge no-no when you’re paying that much money. I wouldn’t expect that from a Day’s Inn. She discusses the situation with Sierra and Emily, and tells them to shiny up the rooms. After they leave, Kate complains to Ben.

In her interview, Sierra thinks she’s worked hard all season, and this is bullsh*t.

Next time, the season finale (sniff), Ben wants to be naughty, Kyle proposes to Ashley, and Ben doesn’t want to work with Kate anymore.

✈  Ladies of London is back. Joan Collins Sophie is now a full cast member. Julie has the tremendous task of taking over her husband’s family’s estate. She’s feeling the pressure of eventually becoming the Countess of Sandwich. I’m not making that up. She’s concerned that if she fails at this task, it will be a black mark against all Americans. Marissa is pregnant. It’s a girl with a side of complications, and has to come into the world two months early. Caroline #1 has turned 40, and since losing her business last season, is basically a housewife. She and her husband are moving to Dubai. Sister-in-law Alexis Carrington Sophie and Caroline’s brother are getting divorced, although that hasn’t interfered with their friendship. Caroline #2‘s father has cancer, causing her to divide her time between Denmark and England. In the first episode, there’s already an altercation between Caroline #1 and Julie, with kibitzing from Juliet, probably because Caroline is jealous of Julie’s friendship with her almost ex-SIL. I’ll keep you mini-posted.

November 28, 2016 – Everyone into the Rehab! Drunken Mistakes on GH & Drunken Arguments at SUR

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Nell tells Sonny that she thinks Jax just wants to help Carly. She tells him she saw them kissing and probably misinterpreted it. Sonny asks the same question I do – how can you misinterpret that?

Carly thanks Jax for his Thanksgiving help. Josslyn asks if he can make dinner again on Christmas. He suggests taking her to Australia for the holiday, but she says that would be two more people for Carly to miss.

Jordan confronts Andre about answering her phone and telling Curtis to leave her alone.

Curtis asks Valerie if she’d join him when her shift is over for drinks and an apology.

Jason and Sam are out for ice cream. Sam tells Jason about how Alexis went out for whipped cream, but then texted her saying that she was with Diane who’d had a fight with Max. Jason thinks Sam isn’t buying Alexis’s story.

I laugh again when we revisit Alexis hitting the accelerator instead of backing up, sending Julian into the air. I can’t help it. It just doesn’t look real. Alexis can’t believe what she just did and gets out of the car. She makes a phone call when Julian won’t answer her.

Jax gets a phone call. While he’s talking in the hallway, Carly tells Josslyn not to pressure him. He rejoins them, saying that his mother is sick, and he has to fly back to Australia.

Nell tells Sonny that Jax is walking around like the man of the house, and he’s spending the night. Sonny asks if he’s sleeping with Carly. Well, actually he says “my wife.”

Andre tells Jordan that he did answer her phone. She says she has voicemail, so that was unnecessary. She asks if he told Curtis to leave her alone, and Andre admits it. He says Curtis had already riled her up, and he thought he was doing her a favor. She asks if he’s out of his mind. Seriously.

Curtis tells Valerie that he knows he made a mistake, but they had a good thing going. He tells her he’s not working for Julian anymore and wants to make things right. He entices her with Thanksgiving football, as friends, but she says they’re not friends anymore.

Sam tells Jason about how Alexis seemed to be looking for an excuse to leave. She says ever since Julian was acquitted and Alexis lost her license, Alexis has been lost. Sam amends it, and says she’s probably worried about nothing, and tells him about Alexis possibly getting her license back after the new year.

On the phone, Alexis says there’s been an accident, and tells Julian not to die on her. Man, I would have just gotten the hell out of there and let him rot. I also think Alexis called Jax first, although he’s giving a really poor excuse that can easily be found out.

Curtis asks Valerie for a Thanksgiving truce, but she says he’s not really sorry about anything. She says he is who he is, and he’s not going to change. They’re done.

Jordan tells Andre that the phone call was about a case, and Curtis was calling her out of respect. Andre says Curtis doesn’t respect anything. He asks if Curtis pounced on telling on him. She says just the opposite; she was trying to find out what happened with the case on his end. Andre tells her that if she can’t see how much aggravation he causes, Curtis wins. Remind me not to call Andre if I need therapy.

Curtis thanks Sam for including him in dinner. He asks if they can talk shop for a second. They set Danny up with some coloring and step away.

Alexis keeps yelling at Julian to answer her while the ambulance takes ten hours to get there. She asks why he didn’t just leave her alone. She hears the sirens and tries to pull herself together. She says she can’t stay. She tells Julian he’ll be fine and jets. I’ll bet she’s a lot more sober than when she got in the car before. I was actually hoping she’d make the same mistake again, but back over him this time. Didn’t happen.

Jax tells Carly and Josslyn that he didn’t get any details, but he was told he should get to the hospital right away. Josslyn asks if she should come with him, but he says to let him see what’s going on first. Josslyn goes upstairs. Jax says he hates leaving right now, but Carly says she understands. He tells her to try and find some kind of happiness. He hopes it doesn’t involve Sonny, but tells her that she has to do what she has to do. She thanks him for not feeding into her issue confusion.

Nell tells Sonny she can’t say for sure what bed Jax is sleeping in. She says Jax asked her to book a suite at the hotel, but then decided to stay at Carly’s. Sonny says, of course.

Andre tells Jordan that maybe he overstepped, but he was coming from a good place. Jordan says he could have at least told her that Curtis called. She doesn’t need someone to make her decisions for her, and she thinks he’s feeding her a line of crap.

Curtis, Jason and Sam agree that the truck that blocked the view from the mini-mart camera wasn’t supposed to be there. Sam checked with the store and there were no deliveries scheduled. Curtis asks if they would mind doing some work even though it’s still the holiday in Port Charles.

Alexis gets back to her house, but no one is there. She relives the moment, and heads for the liquor.

Ava runs into the hospital. The nurse tells her they think it’s a hit and run.

Jax gets to Alexis’s. She’s glad to see him. Told ya! I ain’t been watching this 50 years for nuthin’.

Carly sees the Thanksgiving call from Sonny on her phone.

Sonny asks Nell to make him a drink. He says when Carly is hurt, she hurts herself even more, but he can’t criticize because he does it too. He says that’s how they got together, and before they loved each other, they hated each other. They were both hurt and one thing led to another. It was mutual self-destruction, but they learned to love each other and that’s how Morgan came to be. He was everything good about them, and now he’s gone, and now his wife is sleeping with Jax. Nell gives him a scotch and he slugs it down.

Andre asks what Jordan wants. She wants an apology and for him to understand what he did wrong. Sounds reasonable.

Curtis tells Jason about his conversation with Julian. He says that Julian claimed not to know Jessup, and then fired him. Jason tells him that Jessup has been dead for 20 years.

Carly tells Josslyn that Sonny had nothing to do with the bomb, and Jason is going to prove it. Josslyn asks if she’s going to forgive Sonny and take him back now.

Nell has a drink too, since no one should drink alone. Uh-huh. Sonny says there’s always trouble when Jax is around. Nell shuts off his phone and messes around with the family photos (?) while Sonny drunkenly prattles on about Jax. He wants to go punch Jax out, but Nell stops him, reminding him about his angle monitor. She tells him not to let Jax be the reason he goes back to prison. He says he’s not going anywhere, she is. He says he can take care of himself, and she should go home. Nell says he needs some rest, and offers to help him upstairs. Another uh-huh, along with an uh-oh.

Jax wants to know what’s going on with Alexis, saying he hardly recognizes her. He sees blood on her blouse, and she says she’s done something awful. She says she may have killed Julian.

Ava visits Julian, who’s hooked up to all kinds of tubes. He’s conscious, and she tells him that he’s in the hospital, explaining that he was in an accident. He doesn’t remember anything though. She asks how he feels, and he says like he’s going to die. She insists he’d better not die on her. She asks her to call everyone so he can see them one last time. She says she’ll call, but they’re survivors and remember that. Geez, for someone on pain meds, he sure is a downer. He tells her he didn’t get back into the business because of her.

Alexis tells Jax it was an accident; she put the car in the wrong gear. He asks if she was drunk, and she says she’d been drinking. He tells her leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense, like she doesn’t know. She’s worried that Julian died after she left, and asks him to find out.

Valerie stops by Julian’s room to ask questions. Ava says the meds kicked in, but she thinks it was another attempt on Julian’s life by the same person who planted the bomb.

Jax tells Alexis that Julian is in serious, but stable condition, and expected to recover. Dammit! Jax wonders about the bartender, but Alexis says he didn’t see anything. Jax says he can testify to how many drinks she had. He asks what if it had been him or one of her daughters, and says to let this be her rock bottom. He wants her to check into rehab. She says she’ll find a treatment center and check in tomorrow. He says tonight. She begs him to give her a chance to talk to the girls. She asks him to trust her, but he says he doesn’t trust her one bit. Good for him. Those guys on Intervention would be proud.

Sam says the name that was on the van isn’t an existing company. Curtis thanks them and leaves. Sam is concerned about Sonny and wants to stop by.

Andre says if Jordan wants to talk more they can do it at home. She says they’re not going anywhere together.

Nell gets Sonny upstairs. She tells him he’ll be all right, and starts to take his shirt off. Sonny tells her she’s a good girl and lies down on the bed.

Jordan slams out of Kelly’s and Curtis approaches her. She says whenever there’s a problem, he’s involved, and he says she’s done a number on his life too.

Jax agrees to let Alexis wait. No, Jax, no! We all take back our pride in him. He says he’ll be checking on her later, and don’t make regret this. He leaves, and she looks at the liquor bottles.

Carly tells Josslyn that Sonny sounded lonely on the voicemail. She says he’s lost a child too. She’s been trying to stay angry and not see his side, but when she heard his voice, it touched her.

Sonny lies in bed. Nell says she’s sorry. She takes her clothes off and gets in with him, cuddling his arm.

Tomorrow, Molly asks Alexis where she’s been, someone sends Bobbie flowers, and Sonny wonders how he and Nell ended up sleeping together.

Vanderpump Rules

Ariana’s brother, Jeremy, has moved in with her and Tom, and it’s pretty much trashed their sex life. Ariana, Tom, Lala and Jeremy are out for lunch. They check out Lala’s range rover. Lala is being questioned about where she gets her money, but she says it’s nobody’s business. Truth. She tells them about James’s shared penthouse, and how she helped him make it less mannish for his girlfriend who is coming. They discuss James testing Lisa’s patience.

James has decorated his place with some welcome home stuff for his new girlfriend, Raquel. They’ve been seeing each other long distance, but she’s home for the summer. She’s a pageant queen who works with children, and I’m wondering if James is another charity case. Oh, I take it back, she’s just stupid. She wonders why people don’t like him. He claims it’s because they’re jealous. I’m always jealous of drunks who get in physical altercations while they’re working.

Stassi, Kristen and Katie are out drinking. Kristen is getting veneers put on, so I guess this is a good-by party for her old teeth. They talk about Scheana and Katie says she’s constantly saying Katie said things she didn’t.

Scheana and Brittany are at work, and Scheana is accusing Katie of the same thing. Lala comes in and they talk about the party happening in the outside area at SUR. Scheana brings up being Katie’s friend, and says talking with Lala makes her uncomfortable.

Kristen gets a text from Scheana who tells her about not talking to Lala. Stassi is proud of her, but thinks she should have done it earlier. She thinks it’s going to come up again and Katie thinks they should have a confrontation conversion about it.

Lisa meets with manager Diana, who asks how long they’re going to tolerate James. She says he’s coming in drunk, screaming and yelling, and disconnecting the music when he shouldn’t be. Lisa says if she can get definitive evidence that he’s drinking on the job, it’s all she needs.

Schwartz is late for the doctor. He says he’s having premarital heebie-jeebies, so he’s sought professional help. What? He says he feels like he’s going behind Katie’s back and talking about her. He says when she loses control and goes to the dark side, it scares him, but in her mind, he doesn’t have her back. He tells us that they have chronic falling outs, and alcohol is usually the catalyst. We flash back to some of them. He feels like he hasn’t been able to express how it “kills the Schwartz” when she does this. The therapist gives him homework – a discussion with Katie about what’s behind her rage. She asks if he’s ready to make a committment. There’s a cricket moment, but he says he’s sure about getting married. I’m not. He sounds like a big baby, although I think that’s already been established in previous seasons.

Jax gives Lisa a heads up that Scheana and Lala were going at it, although they weren’t really. Scheana comes in, and Jax says she can explain. Lisa tells her it’s their work place and they all need to knock it off. Scheana says Katie gets mad because she doesn’t hold grudges along with her. Lisa reminds her again that she’s at work. Jax tries to interject, and Lisa calls him out on being a sh*t stirrer.

Schwartz gets home, and Katie is coloring while she has some wine. The new happy hour. He tells her that he went to the therapist. He tries to explain that when she goes to the dark side, it pushes him away. He wonders if some of the things she says when she’s angry have a nugget of truth in them. In her interview, she says she needs him to be a support system and he doesn’t listen. (Yeah, Katie, it’s called being a guy.) Katie says he just dropped a bomb on her, and he says this isn’t going the way he wanted it to. In his interview, Schwartz says the therapist should have told him not to bring a knife to a gunfight. Schwartz tells Katie there are no doubts on his end, and he’s happy and excited. She’s kind of not having it though, and shoves what looks like lettuce with ranch dressing into her mouth.

Brittany asks Jax to clean the fish tank. He says he’s happy to be supportive, but wants a minute to have a sandwich when he gets home. He finds out they’re scheduled at the same time tonight, and wonders if James is working too. He wants to beat the crap out of him. While explaining this in her interview, Brittany has a continuous wardrobe malfunction where her shirt keeps popping open.

Kristen is back from the dentist and feeling fine. Time to drink. Katie tells her and Stassi about Schwartz’s therapist appointment, and how he said he’s scared of her when she drinks. Stassi says it’s just human emotion and the way women are. Scheana shows up with more champagne. She and Kristen discuss dentistry. Katie wants her to elaborate on the text she sent Kristen. Scheana tells Katie to have some faith in her. Katie doesn’t want Scheana to think she’s being combative. She says it’s not a huge issue, just something that doesn’t sit well with her. She’s afraid if she communicates, Scheana will think she’s coming at her. Kristen tells her she’s a little sensitive. In her interview, Scheana says she feels like it’s always three against one. Stassi says from now on, they confront each other in a constructive way when there’s an issue, even if they’re drinking. That should go well.

James says he knows Lisa told him not to drink before work, but doesn’t think it’s a big issue to be “a bit buzzy.” Brittany is trying to work on memorizing the wine list. Another server, Gigi, talks about having problems with James and how he called her a whore because she didn’t want to go out with him after finding out he had a girlfriend. Brittany asks if his girlfriend knows. She says no, and Jax says he will now.

Jax tells Tom and Ariana what James is saying about Gigi, and they think it’s similar to what he did to Lala when Brittany came to town. We flash back and they’re right. Lala asks James if he’s been hooking up with other chicks, and says Gigi has been telling on him. James denies everything. Jax happens to be walking by and adds his two cents. James asks why a man of his age cares. Jax says that James thinks he’s a rock star and anyone can just plug in a turntable. Oddly, it doesn’t end up with them punching each other. Yet.

Schwartz tells Tom that he left therapy feeling good, but when he tried talking to Katie, it didn’t work out very well. In his interview, he says Katie doesn’t want Ariana to be a bridesmaid for several reasons, including her friendship with Lala, but he’s going to make her a groomsman. Okay, and then he wonders why Katie doesn’t think he has her back. He consistently does things that go directly against how she feels when he’s well-aware of it.

James confronts Gigi. He acts like nothing ever happened. She says he’s always drunk and has no talent. Ha-ha! Diana tells them to both stop it, and Gigi tells her that James is drunk. Lala is glad the rumors aren’t swirling around her this time.

Diana wants to talk to Lisa outside. She says James is obnoxious. When she came in, he was yelling and flapping his arms, and everyone was looking. Lisa asks James what’s going on. He says nothing and she’s not buying it. He says there’s drama with bitches and she tells him not to talk like that. He asks why. She tells him he’s turning into an a-hole right before her eyes. She tells him he doesn’t understand what a civilized conversation is. He says he doesn’t appreciate her feeding in to what everyone is telling her. She says he’s not Calvin Harris. She tells him that when he’s creating a problem and raising his voice at her business, he needs to stop talking, but he continues to argue with her. She tells him to go spin his little disks and shut up, because she’s close to telling him to go home. In her interview, she says they’ve given him a million chances and this is how he repays them.

Outside during their break, Schwartz asks Ariana to be a groomsman. He says there’s a catch though. He tells her about the dinner he made for Jax and Tom and gives her some leftovers. We flash back to how he had put the food in and around a certain body part before cooking it. He tells her it’s official now.

James approaches Tom at the bar. Man bun alert! James suggests they have a shot, and Tom says only if he’s going home, since he wants him to keep his job. James claims everything is cool. Lisa sees them and tells James to go back to the booth. She tells Tom this is crazy, and he has to put his foot down. Ken takes James outside and says he’s drunk and getting one warning. James starts crying. Ken tells him he’d best not disrespect Lisa and they both tell him to go home.

The next day, James comes to Lisa’s to apologize. She asks what he has to say for himself and wonders what happened to the guy she knew. She tells him he’s turned into a drunken a-hole. He asks what to do. She says he’s not working for her any longer, and not coming into SUR or PUMP. He tells her that it’s crazy, and she says she’s given him more chances than anyone else would have. She tells him he needs to sober up. He starts crying (omg – these baby men) and says it’s hard. She says he should never have another drink in his life, and tells him to go. In her interview, Lisa says she did what she could. She’ll always support James, but refuses to enable him.

Next time, Tom tells Jax that he’s an instigator, Lala confronts James, and Katie and Schwartz argue. Basically, nothing new.

November 27, 2016 – We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Squid Ink & Tara’s Oceanside Vacation

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Once Upon a Time

Gold ties up one of Blue’s fairy nuns, poof! in a puff of red smoke. The Evil Queen joins him. He wants her to take care of Zelena, but she’s not willing to kill her sister for him. He claims he’s come to his senses as far as Belle loving him is concerned. Gold says he’s going to send a message via fairy and dumps some gold sprinkles on the nun, making her turn old.

Belle tells the group that Gold is going to do the same thing to her to speed the baby along. She says he’s trying to scare her into going back to him, but it’s still a no.

Back in the day, Rumpelstiltskin brings a baby to Belle, asking her to take care of it. She asks where its parents are, but Rumpel says it doesn’t matter, the baby is his now. Belle realizes he stole the child, and wonders what happened to him to make him so awful. She asks the baby’s name, but he says you don’t waste a name on something you’re not going to become attached to. She asks what he’s going to do with the baby. He says he’ll be back at sundown and don’t even think of hiding it.

Back in Storybrooke, Belle finds a book on defeating the Dark One. It tells her to follow the strand. Voila! She look down and there’s a red strand in the form of a glowing red ribbon. She follows it. It leads to the shears, but they disappear when she tries to take them. She says she’s in the dreamworld and her son appears. He’s come to warn her. He says she followed the strand of his fate, and his father intends to use the shears. He tells her the answer is inside of her and she has to move quickly.

Snow and Jasmine grade papers. Jasmine thinks Aladdin found a way to find Agribah, but she’s worried about what the price will be for finding it. Snow tells her to be the princess she was meant to be.

Emma and Belle peruse the book Belle was looking at. Hook says the magic is in the ink and Emma thinks she can extract it.

Back at ye olde palace, Belle reads a story to Nameless Baby. She wonders what Rumpel is planning. She leaves, carrying the sleeping baby in a basket.

The Evil Queen visits Zelena. She says Gold sent her, and suggests they take it outside. In the backyard, the Evil Queen tells Zelena enough games; let’s end it. She slams Zelena up against a shed, but as she’s about to finish her off, she clutches her heart. Regina is standing behind her and says it’s her heart. She’s willing to crush it to stop her twin. Zelena tells her it’s because of Rumpel, who says it’s either her or him. Regina says he lied. The Evil Queen has a hole in her heart, and she’s so desperate, she believed him. She tells the Evil Queen they’re done with her, and she disappears, poof! in a puff of purple smoke.

Hook goes to Gold’s shop. Gold is about to zap him, but Emma gets him first, and using the squid ink, puts Gold in freeze mode. Emma and Hook start to look for the shears, and Emma has a vision. She’d thought they’d stopped, and it throws her totally off-balance. In the meantime, Gold becomes animated again and leaves the shop.

Gold finds Belle, telling her that he’s far too powerful to be beaten by squid ink. She tells him it’s never going to happen, and he says he can’t lose another son. Belle stumbles backward into the elevator. She asks why he’s doing this. He says he can never be who she wants him to be. He says when they met, he told her that he was a difficult man to love, but he’s come to believe that he’s actually a man no one can love. With his son, he can start over. Belle says she never wanted him to be perfect, just to try. He says he did and look what happened. He thinks all they have is magic, and she reminds him that it comes with a price. She says he’ll lose her forever and asks if that’s a price he’s willing to pay.

In olden times, Belle takes the baby to library tower. She sees an incantation from the Black Fairy. She wonders out loud what Rumpel would need with that, and Rumpel appears, saying it’s for him to know and her not to find out. He says he doesn’t speak fairy, but he has her. He makes the baby disappear, and says she can stay there for a while, in case she has any ideas about stopping him.

Regina heals Zelena’s wounds. Zelena says she should have been the one to reach out, but Regina says she didn’t come here to apologize; she came to steal something for a spell to reverse the fairy’s aging. When Zelena questions why she didn’t just ask for help, Regina says she didn’t think Zelena could be trusted after what she’s done. Zelena realizes that Regina still holds her responsible for Robin’s death and asks what about forgiveness. Regina says she can do a lot, even spare Zelena’s life, but can never forgive her.

Jasmine rubs the lamp that Aladdin gave her, and a gold cuff pops out, poof! in a cloud of yellow smoke, but Aladdin tells her the genie has been freed. He puts the cuff on himself. She tells him he’ll be a prisoner of the lamp now, but he thinks it can help them find Agribah. He tells her let’s find out and goes into the lamp. I wonder if it has tiny couch inside, like in I Dream of Jeannie.

The Evil Queen lambastes Gold. She tells him even if he could be the person Belle wanted him to be, how long would it last? She says this time, Belle has a child to protect, and she’ll do what she should have done long ago. Leave and take the child, and he’ll be alone. He tells her to look in the mirror, and not to question him again. He says they’re done and to get out.

In the tower, Belle bangs at the door with a metal thing. She calls for help. She opens the little window in the door, and the Blue Fairy flies in. Belle says she needs Blue to get her out. Blue says they have to stop Rumpel before he gets to the Black Fairy, who stopped defending the children she was supposed to protect and started stealing them. Rumpel is going to use the baby to lure her. Blue says Belle is the only one who can help. She opens the door and Belle scurries out.

At Granny’s, Hook tells Emma that they have to make sure Gold can’t use the magic on Belle. Belle sips tea while Hook grills Emma about her vision. She tells him that there was something new. The sword used to kill her had a glowing red jewel in it. Belle says something about the tea, and she’s suddenly about to give birth.

In the enchanted forest, Rumpel does an incantation to bring forth the Black Fairy. She’s very punk looking. He tells her she can’t have the baby yet and she asks who summons her. He squid ink freezes her and she realizes who he is. She says squid ink won’t hold her long. He brings out a dagger as back-up, and asks why she abandoned the one child that was hers. She says it can’t be and he says it can, mother. Hard to believe Rumpel was once a baby. He says she didn’t even bother to give him a name. He asks why she abandoned him. She says she’s surprised he’d even ask, and sometimes you have to choose power over love. She tells him time’s up, and he’ll just have to keep on wondering. She flies off and Belle is standing there with the baby.

She says he didn’t deserve what the fairy did, but sacrificing an innocent child isn’t the answer, no matter how much pain he’s in. He says no one knows anything about his pain and woe is him, and disappears, poof! in cloud of scarlet smoke.

Fast forward to Gold saying behind every pita there’s a fairy. He tries to go toward the house where Belle is giving birth, and is held back by fairy magic.

With Emma and the aged fairy in attendance, Belle goes into her dreamworld and meets her son on a swing set. She says his father’s coming and will use the shears. She needs to know what to do, but he says she already knows. She jumps up and says she can’t. He says there’s no other way; they’re out of time. She says she loves him more than anything, and he says he won’t ever forget it. He tells her not to forget the book. As she asks what book? she’s back in the bed pushing.

Belle has her son. She’s asked for Blue, and says she needs her help. She asks if Blue will be his fairy godmother, and take him somewhere safe and far away. She says it’s her sons only chance. She thinks it will be over someday, but until then, she wants distance between him and Storybrooke. Blue agrees and takes the baby. Belle gives Blue a book to read to him so he knows where he came from. She tells him she loves him and blah-blah- blah, stuff you would say in that position.

Gold enters, but Blue is already gone with the baby. Foiled again! He looks out the window and sees Blue soaring away. He accuses Belle of abandoning their son. She says she gave him his best chance at a good life and tells Gold that it’s over. Belle says he can do what he wants with her, but he’ll never find their son. Gold says he will, and leaves.

In the old days, A couple gets their son back from Belle as Rumpel watches. Foiled again in the past!

Gold goes into his shop and the Evil Queen asks if someone lost another son. He tells her don’t, and she says Belle really hates him now. He tells her to go, and she says she’s waited a long time to see what happens when you poison your love. He says she did it. She says she did the legwork with the tea, but he forced her hand. She says just tell Belle, no, wait, she won’t believe him. He tells her she crossed the line and he’ll make sure she pays. The Evil Queen says she’s not too concerned. He says he plays a very long game, and she’s nothing more than another pawn. She tells him good luck finding his son – again – adding that fairies make wonderful mothers.

Gold is abashed and beaten. He trashes his place, smashing everything.

Hook says Regina was able to reverse the aging spell on the fairy, and Belle is as good as expected after what happened. Emma says that’s why she keeps fighting. Belle remnded her why she doesn’t run. She wants to help her family and friends. Hook knows the vision is still getting to her. She suggest they find out what really happened to her.

They go into Gold’s shop, and Emma says someone had a temper tantrum. She sees the sword that was in her dream. When she touches it, she has a vision. She says this is the sword that will kill her. Now that they have it, they can find out who’s responsible and stop them.

Next time, be careful what you wish for, Emma disappears, and the course of fairy tale could be altered forever.

The Walking Dead

A zombie flounders on the beach and gets a stick in his head for his trouble. A child and young woman are walking on the beach. The child sees another one, but as she’s about to stab it, the woman says to wait. She says the woman isn’t “a bobber,” she’s alive.The child wants to do it anyway, but is told that they don’t have to if they don’t tell anyone. She asks if the child is going to be a snitch. The child says no, but she’s not going to help.

It’s Tara washed up on shore. The woman drags her in.

Two rusty cans of okra and a bottle of aspirin are all Tara and Heath could find on their run. Heath says it’s been two weeks. They need ammo and medicine and there are people counting on him. He talks about all the people they killed just for some milk and corn. He says you take what you can and take out who you have to and keep going, but no one is in this together anymore. Tara says it only hurts because he knows it’s bullsh*t. Heath says it’s him, her, and whoever else wants to stay alive. He tells her that after today, they go back.

The woman from the beach looks at a map. She brings water, a weapon, and something wrapped in a cloth to Tara. Tara is still unconscious, so she leaves everything next to her. When she’s gone, Tara drinks some water, watching from behind a huge tangle of driftwood. She finds dried fish in the cloth. She follows the woman while keeping her distance.

They go through a forest. Tara sees some women talking while carrying baskets into a cabin. Children are playing outside, and it looks like it was once some kind of resort. It’s now a mini-colony called Oceanside. Tara stealthily checks the place out. Looks like it’s also all women.

Something is happening. Several women go inside a shed that houses weapons and come running out with guns, and the rest flee inside. They start shooting at Tara. She runs and they chase her. One catches up but falls. Tara gets the gun, but doesn’t shoot her. She continues to run. The kid from the beach confronts Tara, saying they’re supposed to. The woman who was with her calls her name, Rachel, and stops her.

The rest surround Tara with their guns drawn. Tara says hi, she’s cool, and not here to hurt anyone. The young woman, whose name is Cindy, tells them to put their guns down, but she’s told to get away. Tara says sorry, she just stumbled in, and didn’t even realize she was in. The women continue to aim their guns at her.

In the backstory, Heath and Tara stand on top of a dumpster and survey some possible scavenging. Heath says it looks like there are a lot of blind spots, but they jump down. I would break my ankle for sure if I did that. They look around for a while and go past some tarps that are hanging across part of the road. They see a humongous dump truck that has dropped a load of sand. Tara starts pulling at something in it. Heath is digging around with his foot and finds a ton of bullets. Just as he’s about to tell her Tara, the tug she makes causes the sand to shift and come tumbling down. The sand hill is filled with zombies.

They fight them off, but the struggle is real. Heath and Tara get separated in the melee. Tara gets cornered.

Back at the seashore, a lady asks Tara if she needs to use the bathroom before they begin, but Tara indicates that she’s handcuffed to a radiator. There are several women there, and the speaker, Natanya, introduces the others as Cathy and Beatrice, and Cindy, the woman from the beach. Tara asks about the bells she heard, and Natanya explains their alarm system. She says that they were lucky the place was relatively clear to begin with. She asks Tara where she’s from. Tara tells her Atlanta originally, but she’s been traveling with a companion for a few years, and they’ve been working on fishing boats. Natanya asks a few questions and asks how she got there. Tara explains that they were attacked by zombies, she ended up falling off of a bridge and the current brought her there. She says she followed Cindy back from the beach to see if she could get help. She’s asked why she was sneaking around and Tara says she wanted to see if it was safe – and she’s still not sure. Natanya says they usually shoot strangers on sight. Tara says if they just point her in the right direction, she’s gone. I have no idea why these people aren’t satisfied with her answers. Natanya says give them a while and maybe they’ll have a brainstorm as to what to do with this anomaly.

Beatrice fetches Tara, taking her to Natanya’s house. Natanya formally introduces Cindy, who is also her granddaughter, and Tara thanks Cindy for what she did. She says she was trying to show Rachel. Natanya assumes she means how to kill zombies, but Tara knows that she was also teaching her compassion. Everyone sits to eat. Nice dishware.

Natanya says she’s hoping to convince Tara to stay. They can keep their village a secre,t and she can put down roots. She says if they can find Heath, he can stay too. Tara says forgive her, but where are all the men? Natanya says there was a skirmish with another group, and none of them made it. They lost others too. After that, they decided to protect themselves no matter what. They left with nothing except the clothes on their backs. They found this place, and could stay hidden and alive. She hopes Tara understands why they shoot first and don’t bother asking questions. Natanya tells Tara that she knows she was lying about her past, and asks her to tell the truth.

Tara tells her about Alexandria, and how they did things just like they do in Oceanside. She talks about taking out the Saviors, and how they got what they deserved. She says they didn’t do it to make the world a better place, but they did it to stay alive. Tara thinks the women shouldn’t be hiding though. She says if they keep seeing everyone as an enemy, that’s all they’ll find. If they band together, they can keep each other safe.

Natanya suggests sending a guide with Tara to find Heath, and then on to her community. Cindy wants to go, but Natanya tells her no, because she didn’t follow the rules. She says if it works out, there will be other chances, and if not, she doesn’t want her going. Tara says there will be other chances.

Tara gets ready to leave. Cindy is in the cabin sulking, and Natanya sees her off. Beatrice and Cathy go with her. A zombie is stuck in a tangle of tree branches, and Tara says she’s on it, but Beatrice shoots at her and she runs. She tumbles down a hill and stays there, holding her knife. She watches as Cathy comes by with a gun and jumps her. She does not win the battle.

Tara says she could have killed Cathy back in the village, but she didn’t, and to return the favor. Cathy says Tara’s people are all dead. She says that was just a Savior outpost where they killed the people, and Tara has no idea what they did. She says if the Saviors know about her friends, it’s already too late. Tara asks if the Saviors were the ones who killed their men. Cathy says they tried to fight, but lost, and every male over the age of ten was lined up and shot in the head. They were supposed to work for Negan, but they left in the middle of the night. She says Tara will lead the Saviors back to them. She’s about to shoot Tara, when Cindy intercepts her, and Tara takes off.

Cindy calls after her to wait. Cindy aims her gun, but Tara says she’s saved her three times, she isn’t going to shoot. Cindy wants Tara to swear she won’t tell anyone about them, even her own people. Tara asks why she would do that? Cindy asks why they killed all those people? She says they didn’t really have to, and nobody’s evil; they just decide to forget who they are. Tara says some people are evil. She’s seen it, and that’s why she has to go back. Cindy asks her to swear.

Tara says she swears. Cindy gives her a pack of food and water. She says it will take Tara to the bridge, and try not to fall off this time.

Cindy takes Tara back where she was at the dumpsters. Tara tells Cindy to just go back and say that Tara attacked her. Cindy says Cathy and Beatrice will be coming, and she has a gun and ammo. Tara asks why she’s different from the others, and Cindy asks why Tara is.

They sneak around and whack a sand zombie in the head. Cindy is grabbed by a surprise zombie from a car, and Tara nails that one. This alerts two other sand zombies to their presence, and all of a sudden, there are tons of them. More than I think could have fit in that sand pile. Cindy and Tara run along the tops of the cars. Cindy covers Tara as she runs the sand zombie gauntlet. Cindy runs out of of ammo just as Tara gets to the other side.

Tara has a flash back, remembering Heath running out of ammo. She tells him to leave her, but he won’t and she gets pushed back and falls off the bridge. Back in the present, Tara dodges sand and car zombies, one of which gets an eerie bead on her. She looks in between the dumpsters and sees Cindy being led away. She sees Heath’s glasses on the ground. And fresh tire tracks nearby. She says, maybe that was you, then sees a hotel room key with PPP on it, and adds she hopes it was.

Tara scavenges something from a boat and sees a gift shop. Wanting to purchase some sunglasses, or perhaps take a break from the zombies stumbling around outside, she goes in and checks the place out. She eats some of the dried fish that Cindy packed for her. She finds a shell bracelet in the backpack.

Holy! She did get sunglasses. Bright orange ones.

Eugene looks through his binoculars and opens the gate. Tara enters. He stands there and cries.

Rosalie says she’s sorry, and Tara says she’s sorry too. She asks if Tara has any leads. She says she doesn’t care how dangerous it is, she’ll go. She says they can make it right; they have to. Tara says they can’t, and she didn’t see anything like that up there, making good on her promise to Cindy

Next time, Negan and the Saviors (sounds like a band) return, but so does Jesus, so it’s not all bad.

 

November 25, 2016 – All Zs All the Time, Plus a Few Quotes

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

Z Nation

Doc and Addie have split up. Doc to find Roberta, and Addie to find Lucy.

Kaya shows Citizen Z some weird humans who are behaving zombie-ish. Like the one that was after Lucy last week. They discuss a guy who’s been working on vaccines, but have heard nothing from Operation Bite Mark except for the occasional Murphy rant. Citizen Z wonders if the world is emptier

Doc comes across a castle (!). He investigates while listening to a woman reciting Poe on the radio. This is an awesome piece of property. He locks eyes with a zombie who has all kinds of gems an studs embedded into him. Doc tries to shoot, but the bullets bounce off. Oh sh*t! moment. Doc is trapped and there are two more zombies coming. All decorated the same way, like members of a strange motorcycle gang.

There’s a sound like someone banging on a pan, and the zombies leave. Three women approach Doc.

Doc lies on bed and the women watch him. He asks if he’s dead, and they tell him good morning. One of them says he’s safe, another says he had a bad sunburn, but her ointment will make it disappear. They introduce themselves as Sarah, Linda and Camilla. Doc says it’s like zombie Christmas out there, and he’s told that happens to be Sarah’s forte – bedazzling. Doc asks if it’s their radio he heard, and Camilla says that he probably heard her radio show. She recites poetry and is a poet herself. The ladies tend to Doc’s beard and hair. He finds out they have a solar-powered transmitter and asks if he can use it to contact someone. Sarah asks if he has a girlfriend. He says no, and explains that he got separated from his group. Sarah has given him a man bun, and he has the same reaction I do to one.

Doc tries to get Citizen Z on the radio. The women ask what mission he’s on, but he’s not at liberty to say anything except that the fate of humanity lies in the balance. Linda asks what he and his group do for fun, and he says it’s been a while. Sarah starts to massage his shoulders, and we see that the wire on the back of the radio is detached.

Citizen Z hears something on the radio and asks if anyone copies. Kaya thinks he’s nuts, but he says he knows he heard something.

All of a sudden, the radio Doc is on goes dark. Sarah says sometimes the battery won’t hold a charge, but they can try again tomorrow. They bring Doc to the zen room. I guess they’re a very small artist colony? And apparently haven’t seen a living man in a while. Doc sits in the garden and the ladies bring him food. Linda explains that they’re self-sufficient, and Sarah tells him there’s nothing they don’t have and nothing they can’t do. Doc is impressed with their culinary skills. Linda plays footsie with him.

The women ask Doc questions and vie for his attention. They finally leave as he finishes his food. He goes back to the castle where they wait on him. He hears Sarah calling “here, kitty,” and he says he hasn’t seen one in years. Linda says neither have they. Sarah puts some food down and zombies come to eat. They’ve been given cat’s names and are somewhat trained. One wears the cone of shame because he won’t stop trying to eat himself.

Doc gets cornered by a zombie and shoves its spike adorned head into the wall. He says sorry, but Linda says there’s more where that came from. Linda plays the organ while Camilla reads poetry. Sarah asks Doc if he’d like to see her scrapbook. She was an accountant before the apocalypse and likes to keep a record of things. She takes a scrap of clothing from each of the zombies, causing Doc to think about 10K counting his kills, and wonders if he’s all right. There are some rather grisly souvenirs of Sarah’s relatives as well. Doc wants to get away to bed, but the ladies think the night is still young and offer him some homegrown. He asks if they’re angels of mercy.

Doc finally gets to bed, but not before removing his man bun. He hears the doorknob to his room rattle. He slowly moves toward the door. It’s Sarah with a glass of milk that she milked herself. She says she’s just one room over if he needs anything. Next is Camilla with her book of poetry. It’s meant to be read in the nude, because that’s how she wrote it. Actually, she doesn’t have much on right now. Linda comes in with a sword and worried that she’s going to kill him, he says he has people depending on him including a little blue girl. Linda says if she wanted to kill him, he’d be dead, but she brought the sword in case he needs it during the night. He quadruple locks the door when she leaves.

It doesn’t matter. All three women get in somehow and join Doc in bed. He tells himself to walk away before he ends up pickled in a jar. Then again, it’s the apocalypse.

It must have been quite a night. Doc extracts himself from the tangle, but can’t find his clothes. Donning a pink robe, he washes his face while thinking things over. He sees finger parts in the sink, but before he can even comprehend it, he hears something on the transistor radio and tries the transmitter again. Linda follows him, saying she wishes he hadn’t seen that and Doc runs for it.

Linda chases after him. The zombies pop out of the woods and he runs back to the house. He realizes that a lot of the crafts around the place are made of skulls and skin. He runs to the basement with Linda still after him. He sees a half-bedazzled zombie in chains, people in stocks, and a guy with weed growing out of his head. Doc says he must be in the hobby lobby of hell. A guy chained to a table begs him for help. Doc asks why the cute ones are always crazy. The guy tells him to run while he still has legs. Doc gives him a means to free himself and gets moving again. The three women confront him, wearing masks of human skin. They look like missing members of Slipknot.

Linda asks if he’s leaving without saying good-by. Sarah shoots a bedazzling gun at him. He threatens to shred her scrapbook. Linda attacks him, saying pain is a beautiful thing. She head butts him, Camilla hits him with a hammer and Sarah shoots another bedazzle at him. Lucky for Doc, the people from the basement come upstairs just in time to stop Linda from using a meat clever on him. He bangs on a pan near the door and let’s the outside zombies in. Chaos ensues.

Doc runs to where the radio is and hot wires it. Citizen Z is trying to get in touch, and Doc gets through. Citizen Z asks where they are. Doc says he has an emergency message for Roberta that The Man has kidnapped Lucy. He says Roberta is headed to Spokane to stop Murphy, but this changes everything. The women break the door down, but Doc is nowhere to be seen. Until they look up.

It’s tea time. Doc is climbing up the radio tower with the zombies below. Linda and the others kibbutz while drinking tea. He says he likes his skin on his bones where it belongs and he’s not coming down. Sarah tells him there’s a cup of tea for him if he changes his mind.

Doc kicks the connection to the tower off and starts to swing the tower until it falls. Just before it hits the ground, he flings himself off. He runs away, wearing the pink robe and his underwear.

Citizen Z tries to get Roberta on the radio. Kaya got coordinates to a place where they think The Man is contacting Zona. Kaya says what if they can’t reach Roberta in time or she doesn’t have a radio. Road trip?

Doc finds a zombie stuck with a bicycle in some trees. He kills the zombie, takes the bike and plucks the bedazzle out of himself.

Linda and the ladies clean up the tower mess. Sarah finds some of Doc’s beard hair and puts in it in her scrapbook. The one that got away.

Next time, 10K is about to assassinate Roberta and the day Murphy said would come, is here.

Quotes of the Week

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle (I know a lot of people on Facebook that should heed that right now.)

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.William Arthur Ward

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! –  Dr. Seuss

 

November 23, 2016 – A Very GH Thanksgiving

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What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Whatever Dillon is looking for (I missed it) is gone and a ransom note is in its place, instructing him to go to the Quartermaine living room or whatever they call it in a mansion. Monica’s tennis racket has met the same fate, as well as Ned’s gold record. Dillon wonders who would take their most cherished items. Tracy enters and says they’ll get them back after they celebrate Thanksgiving as a happy family.

Laura calls Lulu. We actually hear her on the other end of the phone, which I don’t think has ever happened before. She’s going to be late. Dante gets a call from Sonny, who says he’s fine and getting used to the accessory. Dante tells him not to mess around with it, and I have visions of him putting it on the family dog. If they had one. He asks if Sonny wants them to bring him some dinner, but Sonny thinks Lulu wouldn’t be too happy if they left. And besides, he’d rather just drink. He doesn’t say that, but it’s obvious that his Thanksgiving meal is going to consist of bourbon in a short glass. Sonny tells Dante to celebrate with his family, but Dante doesn’t like him being alone.

Carly forgot it’s Thanksgiving, but Nell has gone shopping for dinner.

Sonny tells Dante that he has plenty to keep him busy with the games on TV. Dante says he knows things are hard right now, but they’re family, so if Sonny needs him, just call. Sonny opens the door and Laura is standing there. Surprise!

Alexis asks Julian what he’s doing at the dive bar. I see the name of it is Gene’s not Gent’s, making me wonder if I need glasses. Julian tells her not to let let him stop her, and she says she wouldn’t dream of it.

Tracy asks if they thought they could skip out on a family Thanksgiving. Ned says how dare he forego pizza and her nagging? She insists they’re having turkey with all the fixings. Dillon says it always ends in disaster, and Ned asks if she’s serious. Dillon gets drinks and Monica gets the pizza menu.

Carly apologizes, and Michael says she doesn’t have to be so strong all the time. Josslyn tells her that everyone needs to be taken care of sometimes, even moms. Jax has cooked all of her favorites. Man, send that guy over here.

Laura apologizes for not coming to see Sonny sooner. (Say that three times real fast.) She doesn’t want to intrude, but it’s not like Sonny has anything going on. She says that Dante and Lulu would love to come by, and he says he just talked to Dante. He can’t go anywhere and Laura says it’s a hard time. He says he talked to Spencer, who told him that he’s going to be president of his class. Laura tells him that Spencer created the position. Ha-ha! She says there’s still a lot to be grateful for. He says the holiday is a reminder of what you’re missing. She says if anyone would know how she feels, it’s him.

Alexis orders a double. She tells Julian he’s in her space and he’s violating a court order. He says he’ll get out of her space as soon as he calls Sam and tells her what’s on Alexis’s menu. I wonder if Alexis forgot she went out for whipped cream already because I did until he said that.

Lulu is in cahoots with Dante and Doc about a surprise. Maxie asks if they’re breaking up again.

Jax promises that Carly will be dazzled by his culinary skills. Carly wants to double-check things in the kitchen, but he won’t let her. The doorbell rings. It’s Olivia. She has some paperwork to give Carly, and is surprised that she isn’t with Sonny.

Sonny tells Laura it’s his own fault he’s alone. She asks if that’s what Morgan would want, and says whether he likes it or not, he has people who care about him. She tells him that some of them might be scattered right now, but when they come back, let them in, don’t push them away. The death of a child isn’t something anyone should endure alone.

Alexis tells Julian that tattling on her is rich. He asks how she’s going to explain that she prefers the company of barflys to her family. She says his repeated attempts to kill her would drive anyone to drink, and he asks if she’s finding answers at the bottom of a glass. She asks him what’s the big deal, and he asks her why she’s hiding it. She says she doesn’t have to answer to him or his creepy texts. He says what it amounts to is stopping her downward spiral.

Tracy is happy that everyone is together, but sorry Finn and Hayden couldn’t join them. She’s researched fun activities for Thanksgiving, and asks if anyone would like to play a board game. Ned tells her the June Cleaver act is too weird. Dillon cries extortion. Tracy says she was just trying to do something good after a crummy year, and here’s their stuff back. She tells them there’s a lizard she’d rather spend the holiday with. I assume she’s referring to Roxie, but I’m not positive.

Laura shows up at Lulu’s and Maxie tells her they have to keep Dante and Lulu from breaking up. Dante says they’re not breaking up, they’re getting married.

Michael says he knows his mom is happy to have the family around. Nell says even if Sonny isn’t there? Carly tells Olivia that Sonny isn’t responsible for the bomb that killed Morgan. Olivia says this changes everything. Sonny did what she asked. She tells Carly to think of all the people who’ve asked him to change his ways. He wouldn’t do it for any of them, but he did it for her. She sees that Jax is there and tells them to have a good holiday.

Sonny drinks alone. He thinks back to Carly telling him she loved him. He brings up her number on his phone and stares at it for a while before calling. Nell sees who’s calling and is about to get Carly, but sees her hugging Jax.

Alexis tells Julian her life is a mess and she feels like she’s falling apart. Sam is happy and she doesn’t want her bothered. She says he’s right, she knows she’s drinking too much, but don’t make a bigger deal out of it than it is. She asks to keep it between them and puts her hand over his.

Lulu tells everyone that she and Dante are getting married today. She says they have everything they need, even an officiant. Doc is now an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church online. Maxie says she wishes she’d thought of it. Olivia comes running in and asks what she missed.

Tracy says she doesn’t want to spend Thanksgiving with people who are just waiting for it to be over. Monica suggests she drop the word normal from the conversation. She says it’s important for them to stick together, and Ned thanks Tracy. Dillon tells her happy Thanksgiving.

Nell considers answering Carly’s phone. Sonny leaves a message. He says their children are lucky to have a mom like her. Nell eavesdrops on Carly and Jax. Carly says maybe she’s not being fair to Sonny. Nell starts to leave and Michael catches her, asking where she’s going.

Julian asks Alexis what she’s doing. He says she needs help, and maybe she should talk to someone. When Julian is the voice of reason, you know something is wrong. He suggests Diane or Jax, and says she can always talk to him. She says she’d rather die. She says she’s never turning to him for anything again. She says she might have a problem, but he has a bigger one. He says she thinks she knows everything about him. She says she knows his children hate him and she hates him, but she has a family that loves her and she’s getting her career back. He says he worries about her prospective clients.

Michael asks if Nell is taking off. She says she has a friend who’s alone, so she made plans with them. She leaves.

Carly asks Jax if it’s wrong to grieve Morgan together with Sonny. Jax says she’s talking about getting back together with him, to be careful.

Olivia calls Ned. She’s shocked they’re having turkey instead of pizza. Monica can’t believe it’s really happening. Tracy says Cook used a special brine. Ned says it doesn’t smell like turkey, like they’d know. Monica stops them from eating. She says she noticed a full container labeled “brine” in the refrigerator and an empty container labeled “bacteria” on the counter and goes to get the pizza menu. Maybe Cook needs a vacation.

Lulu is wearing a gorgeous deep red strapless gown and carries matching flowers. Doc starts the ceremony.

Dillon thanks Monica for saving them from being poisoned.

Lulu says she’s learned that falling in love and taking vows is just the beginning. Love requires work and dedication. She says she’ll take care of Dante and Rocco, keep them safe, and love them today and every day.

At the Quartermaines, they go around the table saying what they’re thankful for. Tracy is thankful for GH’s resurrection. Ned is thankful for her filling Edward and Lila’s shoes.

At Carly’s place, Jax is thankful for everyone in his life. Josslyn thanks them for being her parents, Michael for teaching her to ride a bike, and Morgan for teaching her that if she falls down, she can get back up. Michael is thankful for his family – those who are here and those who can’t be. He asks if Carly has anything to say, and she sees Sonny in place of Jax on the couch.

Dante and Lulu exchange vows and rings. Doc pronounces them husband and wife.

Carly says she’s grateful for all of them, and wonders where Nell is. Michael says there’s someone she needed to see. At Sonny’s place, he opens the door to find Nell there.

The pizza arrives, and Dillon says it’s really Thanksgiving now. Tracy says it feels like they’re forgetting something, and they sing We Gather Together, almost making me cry. Ned leaves a slice of pizza by Edward and Lila’s picture and I lose it.

Nell tells Sonny she felt out of place at Carly’s, and he invites her in. Sonny says Carly has Michael to lean on, and Nell says, and Jax.

Michael and Josslyn go to the kitchen to slice the pie, and Carly thanks Jax. He says Nell did the shopping, and Carly says she’s really good to them.

Sonny is like, what? and Nell says she probably misunderstood. He asks if something happened between Jax and his wife.

Carly tells Jax that she thought she knew how she felt about Sonny, but now she’s not sure.

Nell tells Sonny that it was probably nothing. Carly is in a lot of pain, and Jax is just there to help her. Sonny gets loud and says she has to tell him right now. She says she saw them kissing. Sonny looks for the family dog. Just kidding.

Julian asks another bar patron for his phone, telling him his companion is in no condition to drive, but when he turns around, Alexis is gone. She jets through the parking lot and gets into her car. Julian runs after her, telling her not to drive. He stupidly stands in front of the car, and instead of backing up, she hits the accelerator. God help me, I laugh when he flies up in the air.

Tomorrow, a rerun from Thanksgiving 2014; On Friday, football; On Monday, Jordan asks Andre if he kept Curtis’s call from her, Sonny asks Nell if Jax is sleeping with his wife, and Alexis tells Julian not to die on her instead of just getting the hell out of there.

📻 Little Women: LA is done for the season, and Bravo has reruns tonight. There’s a new show on Lifetime called Little Weddings that I’m going to check out. Little Women: Dallas is only half-promising. It started off well, but is already degenerating into a little battleground.

🏈 Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving and that no one mistakes the refrigerated bacteria for turkey brine. See you on Friday for Z Nation. SyFy is also having a Z Nation marathon before the new episode.

November 22, 2016 – A Quartermaine Streak is Broken, Alex Makes a Break for It & the Valor Breaks a Tip Record

Standard

What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

General Hospital

Thanksgiving begins. Jordan and Andre stop b Kelly’s where TJ is working. He’s working toward his college education, and Andre offers to help with the applications. Jordan asks if he has any pies left and he does. Everyone is going to Alexis’s for dinner. Jordan says she’s thankful for TJ. Andre says he’s thankful for her.

Alexis thinks back to last year’s Thanksgiving with Julian, while Molly does some cooking. Kristina brings wine, but Molly reminds her of Alexis’s promise not to drink along with Sam. Sam arrives with the green bean casserole. She tells the other two about the oven incident.

Julian talks on the phone, saying he’s heard “we’re partners” before. Ava brings Avery to the MetroCourt to celebrate Thanksgiving with Kiki who’s working. She says they had an early rush and she’s about ready for her break, so perfect timing. Ava goes to talk to Scotty and Kiki explains wishbones to Avery.

Dillon is on the phone. He says sorry, they’ll have to eat pizza without him, since he has to work. Geez, half of Port Charles is working on Thanksgiving.

Ava asks Scotty how it went, and he says Lucy is smarter than the average bear. She knew he was scamming her for the pills, but he’s going to handle it today. I gotta say, Avery, although big for her age, is very cute. She’s more animated than the usual toddler. I see a future for that one.

Curtis stops by Kelly’s and is surprised to see TJ working. TJ asks Curtis what’s up, and he says he and Valerie are done. He’s ordering the turkey special and watching football. He says nationally televised sports means you never heave to be alone. TJ suggests he go to Alexis’s with him.

Sam says Jason and Danny are staying home to watch football. Maybe they should get together with Curtis. They talk about Sam’s new baby, and Kristina is going to The Rocky Horror Picture Show later. I’m not kidding. She said she’s going to a special showing. Nothing says Thanksgiving like RHPS. She tells them that she got a note from Parker saying sorry about Morgan. Sam says they should all be thankful for one another, and Alexis says she doesn’t know what she’d do without them.

Scotty suggests Ava go to the bar, have some ‘tinis and dinner, and he’ll be back before she knows it.

Julian gripes to whoever he’s talking to that it’s a holiday and then says he’ll see what he can do.

Alexis tells the girls that the bar is reconsidering her suspension. Not that bar, the Bar Association. She might actually be working in 2017. She has to stay out of trouble though. Kristina says she should have it in the bag then. Yeah, as long as she doesn’t get in the bag. BA-DUM-CHH!

Lucy tells Scotty she’s disappointed that he prefered Ava’s friendship to their long-standing one. He says he got her some good wine to make up for it. She’s like, btw, the guy you have breaking in is going to be disappointed, since she has the pills with her. He says she’s always a step ahead and that’s why he’s crazy about her. They kiss.

Avery gets the wish part of the wishbone. Kiki goes to look for another one. This was the biggest wishbone I have ever seen. What size turkeys are these from? Human sized? Julian approaches Ava’s table, and she says he must miss the family. He says no one has called or texted. She reminds him of last year, and says she never saw him happier than when he was surrounded by family.

Andre and Jordan arrive bearing liquor. Alexis joneses. They have a toast and Jordan thanks her for inviting them. Alexis says TJ is practically family. Alexis is given sparkling cider, which is a huge disappointment. TJ comes in and he’s brought Curtis with him. Andre looks bummed. Sam introduces Curtis to Alexis and her sisters. Alexis gets a text from Julian saying he misses them.

Dillon’s phone rings. It’s Tracy. He says he was talking to someone in Milan and has to explain that there’s no Thanksgiving there.

Kiki returns to Ava’s table. Julian wonders if they can set aside their issues and come together as a famiy, and she says no. He says Morgan’s death wasn’t his fault, and she tells him not to talk about that in front of Avery. She leaves the wishbone with him and Ava. Ava asks if he wants to talk about anything. She breaks the wishbone with him and he gets the short end. He wishes them a happy Thanksgiving and leaves. Ava tells Avery that on the bright side, she’s getting her wish.

Lucy and Scotty are rolling around on the bed. She says he’s not focused enough, and puts the pills in a safe in what looks like a mini-fridge. He says he thought they’d agreed to blackmail Ava, and she says he can’t risk him double-crossing her. He’s aghast that she doesn’t trust him, and he asks if she trusts that he wants her. She tells him to convince her.

It’s post dinner time at Alexis’s. Andre asks Jordan if she’d like to come to Chicago for the holidays. Curtis says meeting the family is a huge step and prelude to a proposal. Andre says maybe, and Jordan says let’s focus on dessert. Jordan tells Alexis that she noticed she’s not drinking, and Sam explains why. Jordan says she’s only asking because of what happened at Julian’s trial. Alexis says they’ve discussed it before, and she’d only had one glass of wine. Jordan thinks that Paul might have had something to do with it, and they’ll get to the truth eventually. I totally forgot about Paul already. Alexis sees everyone drinking and can’t stop focusing on it.

Lucy and Scotty bask in the afterglow. She says she’s very relaxed, and he says any differences they have always go out the window when they go to bed. She says she heard her phone and thinks it must be a real estate thing. It’s a message from Felicia who’s invited her to dinner. She jumps up to change. Scotty stares at the safe.

Ava asks if Kiki has seen Dillon. She says he was at Morgan’s funeral, but wanted to give her some space. Ava says men like that are hard to find. Kiki still feels responsible, and Ava says she shouldn’t feel like that. She has to get back to work and thanks Ava for bringing Avery. Ava says they’ll be seeing more of Avery since Sonny is in jail, and Kiki fills her in on the change to house arrest.

Alexis is messing with her phone and Sam asks for help whisking. Alexis ends up spilling the bowl because she needs a drink. She says that was the last of the cream, and that she’ll run out to get some more. She won’t come back without it. And several bottles of liqur.

Julian is in the dive bar. Grady shows up, and Julian says he wants the condo deal done yesterday. Grady says GH is bleeding money, but the new financial adviser is being given a chance before any decisions are made. He says Julian is going to face a PR nightmare because it’s a beloved institution. He asks if it’s worth it, and Julian says he doesn’t have a choice.

Lucy asks Scotty if he wants to come. He says maybe later, since he has work to do. She asks if he’s really running over to tell Ava that he didn’t score the pills, but he tells her that since he got Julian off the hook, his case load has tripled. She gives him an air kiss and leaves.

Kiki brings some food to Nina’s office and sees Dillon. He says he’s avoiding his family. He remembers last year when he and his dad blew out the power cooking the turkey. Yep, I remember that too. She tells him the restaurant ran out of roasted turkey, so she’s brought him a turkey burger.

Scotty goes to the MetroCourt. Ava tells him to give her the pill bottle, and he says he wishes he could. She gets distressed, but he says he figured out the combination to the room safe, and that everything is going to be okay. He says Lucy would have been suspicious if he took the bottle, so he did the next best thing.

The girls wonder how long it takes to pick up whipped cream. Sam says the stores are probably closed. They get a group text from Alexis saying that Diane and Max had a fight and she’s with Diane. I’ll just bet that Max and Diane show up at some point. Andre gets an emergency call about a patient. Jordan says his patients are crazy about him and doesn’t get it when Curtis and TJ laugh.

Alexis looks at the text from Julian while sitting at the dive bar. I guess she didn’t notice Julian when she came in?

Curtis says he has one more thing for Jordan to be grateful for – he’s out of a job. He and Julian didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. Jordan asks if he knows Sam because of Jason. She notes that he and Jason were both in the area at the time of the murder. She says she thought Curtis would call and let her know what was going on, and he says he called her right away.

Julian says good-by to Grady. He sees Grady to the door, and at first I think it’s the men’s room, but it turns out that the name of the bar is Gent’s. Julian sees Alexis sitting at the bar.

Scotty says he swapped out dumdum pills for the real McCoys. He got them from a drug dealer he’s representing who owed him a favor. She says Lucy still has the bottle and could give it to Carly and Sonny. Scotty tells her that they would just think she was seeing Morgan again and not have any idea what really happened. He tells her that she should be celebrating, and he’ll be looking for repayment.

Dillon tells Kiki that it’s perfect. He’ll be the first Quartermaine to eat turkey on Thanksgiving since 1994. Dillon breaks the streak! He explains that, no matter how hard they’ve tried, the Quartermaines have always ended up with pizza on Thanksgiving. Kiki tells him to enjoy his triumph. He asks her to join him, and she says there’s only one burger. He introduces her to the invention of the knife, and cuts it in half.

Jordan says Curtis never called. Curtis says he did. Andre asks if everything is okay. Jordan asks about his patient, and he says he has to call in a prescription. He walks away, and Jordan tells Curtis that she would have gotten the message. He says Andre picked up and said not to bother her any more. He says the doctor staked his claim, and maybe he was threatened by their rhythm. He suggests couples therapy and leaves.

Julian appraches Alexis. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says, don’t let me stop you.

Tomorrow, Olivia talks to Carly, Alexis asks Julian to keep it between them, and Tracy insists that everyone have a happy Thanksgiving.

If Loving You is Wrong

Marcie takes in the news that she’s pregnant. She tells the doctor she can’t have children, and the doctor says better tell that to the baby. She keeps asking if the doctor is sure, but the answer doesn’t change. Marcie says she has a lot going on, and the doctor offers a counselor. Marcie says she doesn’t need therapy; she has to go. The doctor doesn’t recommend it, but Marcie says her husband is in trouble. The doctor says not only is she putting the child in danger, she could have a stroke, but she can’t legally keep Marcie there.

Brad gets home and asks how the kids are. Kelly says they’re fine, and he asks what’s wrong with her. He thinks she’s afraid of him, but she says she never thought he did it; it’s something else. He asks about Marcie, and Kelly says she fainted while visiting Louise and is in the hospital. With soap opera timing, Marcie walks in. She tells them she’s fine and it was just all the excitement. Kelly tells her to sit while she makes something to eat.

Marcie tells Brad she’s sorry and he says for what. She says all of it. He asks for specifics and Kelly asks if he can’t see that she’s not well. Marcie says she’s sorry for thinking he could have been involved with the kidnapping, but Brad thinks there’s more. She says she knows he’s mad and she apologizes again, saying she shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. She says she hasn’t been handling anything very well. She explains why she thought what she did, and Brad acts like the idiot he is. He says he’s going to take a nap. At what? Midnight? She tells him not to pretend he doesn’t care, but he says he doesn’t. He says everyone will be fine, but Marcie doesn’t agree. He goes to check on the kids.

Kelly says it’s too much. Marcie thinks she shouldn’t have said anything, but Kelly says she did what she thought was best and it was the right thing. Marcie wants to go home. She says Brad doesn’t want her here. Kelly encourages her to stay, but Marcie says she can’t be there if Alex comes home. Like that’s happening. Kelly asks what the doctor said, and Marcie makes something up about needing to eat and rest, and her blood pressure being high. She tells Kelly she’s fine and to let it go. She tells Kelly that she has to get Louise’s purse and call the FBI. Kelly doesn’t like it; she says it’s bad over there. Marcie leaves anyway. Poor Kelly. She has her own damn set of problems.

Marcie sees the blood on the sidewalk leading to her house. Why isn’t there any crime scene tape? She goes inside and sees the bloody mess. She starts to cry. She wonders how this could happen.

Kelly tells Brad that Marcie might need him right now. She says that Marcie went next door and asks him to get her. She says she’d go herself, but it was too much for her. She thinks Marcie might be in danger and begs Brad to go get her.

Brad goes next door. Marcie asks who would do this? She wonders if it’s Randal’s blood. She asks Brad if he knows where “they” live. He doesn’t want to tell her. She asks him to take her there, but he doesn’t want to. He wants to stay as far away as possible and doesn’t want her involved. She says they’re both involved; they’re right in the middle of it. He says he doesn’t care, but she doesn’t believe it. Brad says the police are handling it, and Marcie asks if he means Eddie. She says he knows Rusty and stood up to him, but Brad can’t believe she’s asking him to help Randal. She says there’s a baby involved too, but Brad says after everything Randal has caused, he doesn’t deserve help. Marcie asks if Brad thinks he deserves death, and Brad says sorrynotsorry.

Marcie looks for Louise’s purse. Brad says the police probably took it. She starts looking at tax records online for Alex’s parents’ address. She says when she finds it, she’s going. Brad blocks her way. She says she needs to do this, and Brad says she still loves Randal. She says if anything happens, she’ll never forgive Brad for stopping her. He says he’s protecting her, and he doesn’t want to, but she wins, he’ll go. Marcie says he won’t, and he asks if she’s doubting him again. He says he’ll do it for her. She asks him to hurry and gives him her car keys.

Lushion goes to Joey’s room. Natalie says he’s still breathing, and if he makes it through the next 24 hours, his chances for recovery go up. She says she’s never clock-watched like this before. Lushion says every second that goes by, Joey gets better. She tells Lushion that he looks stressed. He says a lot is going on at the station, but the most important thing is right here. She asks him to call her sister and check on the kids. She thinks the disk might be at her sister’s house, remembering that the kids were there that day. Lushion says it’s not important right now; the only important thing is right here, right now. She thanks him, but says he should leave for a while. Natalie knows something is up, but he repeats that it’s just work. She insists he go.

Andrew tells Alex he’s sorry, but he has to do this right or he’ll get in a lot of trouble. She asks if he has kids, and he says he has one on the way. She says her newborn baby was snatched by her racist parents. The baby is half Black, and she needs to find him. Andrew finally says okay, but here comes a-hole Eddie. Andrew thinks it’s back-up and gets out of the car.

Andrew tells Eddie that he thought they were sending local back-up, and Eddie says no, just him. Andrew starts to radio the station. Eddie says it won’t work and talk to him. He asks if there’s a girl in the car. Andrew says she told him her parents kidnapped her baby. Eddie says he’ll take care of it, and tells Andrew to go. Andrew is hesitant and says he’s not leaving. Eddie says he’s here to help her too. Eddie suddenly maces Andrew in the face and he’s late on the draw.

Andrew flounders, and Eddie says it’s not his first time crawling around. Eddie approaches the car. Alex is stunned to see him. Eddie tells her to get out of the car, but she refuses. He calls her a whore and says she’s caused enough problems. She says he knows her father has the baby, and he tells her don’t make him drag her out. He points his gun at her, saying he’ll blow her head off and get out of the car. She sees the keys are in the car and slowly slides across the seat.

Eddie opens the door. Just as Alex is about to get out, she slams the door shut and takes off. That was a pretty slick move for a girl from the backwoods.

Andrew gets to his feet and says it’s too late. Eddie makes stupid remarks and Andrew says he’s not going after her. Eddie says, who gonna check me, boo? I mean, who gonna stop me, you? Andrew says he’s warning him, and Eddie says try it. Andrew points his gun at Eddie, and Eddie says he’ll have to shoot him to stop him. He says he’s tested Andrew and he’s a nobody. Eddie advances. Andrew asks why he’s doing this, and Eddie asks why Andrew is testing him. Eddie tells him go ahead. I wish he would. I would. He tells Andrew he ain’t cut out for this, and asks if he wants help. Eddie draws his own gun and points it at Andrew’s face. He says, two guys with two guns; who has the balls to pull the trigger?

Eddie goes around behind Andrew. He asks if Andrew has ever shot a gun before, and says it’s like this – and shoots Andrew in the shoulder. Eddie tells him how it’s going down and asks if he’s ready to listen now. They both came out there and came across Rusty and his boys. There was a shoot out and Eddie had Andrew’s back. Eddie says if he hears anything but yes, he’ll say he found him out there dead and Rusty must have outnumbered him. Andrew says he’ll do whatever Eddie says. Eddie says he might be able to use him yet. He tells Andrew get his act up and he can come over to the good side, but then again he might just say the hell with it – and shoots Andrew in the leg. He says Lushion likes to shoot in the vest, but he likes them to feel it. He tells Andrew to think about working for him and drives off.

Randal begs Rusty and his boys not to harm his son. Rusty says Randal raped his daughter. Randal calls Rusty “sir,” and Rusty says he’s not so uppity now. Randal says he’s sorry. Rusty says sorry for what (running theme!), and Randal says just don’t hurt his son. Rusty says his son is his sin. They’re going to hang him and feed his body to the gators, but first, he’s going to ask for Rusty’s forgiveness and then ask the Lord for forgiveness. He makes Randal call him Mr. Rusty and wants Randal to tell everyone that he raped his daughter. Randal says that’s not true, and Rusty says he’d better tell them. Randal says he raped Alex. Rusty tells him to say that the bastard child is a part of the rape. Randal says it, and Rusty says ask for his forgiveness. Randal asks Rusty for forgiveness, then asks the Lord. As much as I hate Randal, I hate Rusty more. Double, because now I feel sorry for Randal.

Randal asks for his son, and Rusty says he’s getting nothing but death. Rusty tells the boys to get the boat ready. Randal begs them not to hurt his son. Rusty says the gators are hungry and to get the baby.

Next time, Virginia tells Randal what’s going to happen to him, Eddie gets involved, Kelly frets about Travis, and Lushion tells Steven that Eddie is out of control.

Below Deck

When we last left the Valor and crew, Kelley had stupidly left the Intrepid’s keys with Nico, thus leaving Dean and company stranded on the beach. The captain is not happy about having to bail Kelley out, and Kate makes a math story problem out of it. Nico suddenly realizes he has the keys.

Ben says it’s affecting everyone. The captain brings the guests back, and Kate calls for alcohol immediately. Captain Lee apologizes to the guests, and Kate plies them with champagne.

Kelley radios the captain that Nico came out of nowhere with the keys, but too little too late. The captain is already there in the inflatable boat, and makes them switch with him. In his interview, Nico says Kelley shouldn’t have called the captain, but gotten a taxi to get the keys. In her interview, Kate thanks Kelley for making her life harder.

The captain returns, and Dean talks about what hell waiting on the beach was. Please. Lunch is served. Fabulous as usual. Sierra says the best way to get the guests happy again is liquor and food. I couldn’t agree more.

To say Captain Lee is unhappy would be an understatement, and he says it’s not going to happen again. Kelley gets called to the wheelhouse. The captain says a million things went wrong, and what he’d like to do is rip Kelley’s f-ing head off. He says he can’t even talk about now, because he’ll say something he regrets. He makes Nico senior deckhand, hoping this will clear Kelley’s head, and hopes Nico deals with the extra responsibility well. He tells them the next few days had better go flawlessly. He asks if there are any questions and if so, he doesn’t want to hear them.

Dean gripes about the beach some more. Nico tells Lauren about his promotion, which I think is well-deserved. Lauren says they have to celebrate. Kelley tells Kyle that Nico is the next Trevor. Kyle makes light of the whole thing and gets Kelley laughing. Dean goes to the galley and talks to Ben about dinner. Ben wants to throw in some more courses to make up for their late lunch.

In her interview, Kate says Dean expects decorative folds on his bed, because it’s how their relationship started. We flash back to her rocket ship. Emily tells Ben about Nico’s promotion. Dean wanders around his room, not really noticing Kate’s efforts. Ben and Kate confer about dinner. Ben is doing a tasting menu. In her interview, Kate says if he hadn’t messed up the night before, he wouldn’t be doing this. I concur.

Kyle asks if Kelley is bothered about Nico. Kelley says he likes to leave feeling that he’s done a good job and apparently that’s not happening. The menu sounds amazing. Kate says Ben is knocking it out of the park.

Kelley goes to Dean and apologizes, saying it was his fault. Dean thinks he and Nico should do a singing apology. In his interview, Kelley says normally he’d think this was weird, but it’s Dean. We flash back to Dean’s other oddball requests. Dean tells Kelley he wants to feel the emotion in song.

Kate thinks Emily and Sierra are taking advantage of her leniency, or they’re just being lackadaisical. Nico isn’t keen on singing, since he feels like it wasn’t his fault. Technically, it wasn’t, although he could have remembered he had the keys. Ben gets dinner rolling. The first course is snails, one of the few things I’ve never eaten, but would like to try. Dean is impressed with the foie gras.

Kyle helps Kelley work on writing the song. They sing something about turning Dean’s frown upside down and I literally lol. Dean says Ben is on fire tonight. Kate isn’t that impressed, since she thinks he should be on fire all the time. Carrot cake! The guests talk about what their favorite dishes were. Ben thanks Emily for her team work, ignoring Kate.

Kelley and Nico do some body painting. In her interview, Kate is disappointed that Ben is being distracted by his love life. The guys practice their song badly. The go on deck where the guests have just finished dinner.

Nico says they wanted to apologize and Kelley says it was “our” fault. I just know he’s one of those “we were all drunk” people. At the end of their song, they open their shirts, displaying an apology written in neon green. Dean thinks it’s a catchy tune, and actually it is.

Ben asks Kelley about Nico being second bosun, and Kelley corrects him. Kelley is annoyed that Lauren relayed the information wrong.

The flowers Ben gave to Emily seem to be making the rounds. Kate nearly gets impalied trying to get some cheese out of the refrigerator.

Kyle’s girlfriend is coming for a visit. He says Ashley is the love of his life, but doesn’t think she’s react to well to hearing he tried to take out Sierra. I’m not even sure what to say about that except maybe, is he an idiot? Of course she won’t.

Kate has no folding inspiration. She thinks maybe a big D, since Dean wasn’t into the Vs. She says she knows what to do now. Make the biggest D he’s ever seen.

Emily and Ben discuss Nico’s promotion. Kelley comes in and clarifies Nico’s new title. In his interview, Kelley says Lauren is awesome, but needs to stop talking so much. Kelley tells her to watch what she says. Kyle asks the captain if it’s okay for him to knock off early, since his girlfriend is coming. The captain is good with it as long as the work is done. He also reminds Kyle about the next charter.

Kate approaches Ben about the flowers, saying they’re magnificent, but in the way. The Valor pulls out into dazzling blue water and the guests are served an awesome breakfast. Dean sees the big D and says Kate has been at it again. Kate says Ben is obsessed with the flowers. Ben claims that he wants Emily to enjoy them without the guests being around. He tells Emily that Kate has it in for the flowers. He wants to savor them. I’m starting to think he bought them for himself.

The guests take some pictures with the captain in the wheelhouse. Captain Lee is pleased with Nico’s work so far. It’s time for the guests to depart, and the crew gathers. I bet that beach thing is going to cost them. Dean says there were some ups and downs with Nico and Kelley stranding him and the dud dish Ben made, but they made up for it and their tip is deserved.

The crew gathers in the mess. Kelley doesn’t want to be there. The captain says not their best effort. There’s one more charter, and he wants them to stay focused. He tells the crew that Dean was happier than he was, because he gave them 26K, which means $2350 each. I think that’s the biggest tip I’ve seen since this show started. Captain Lee tells everyone that Nico is senior deckhand now, and the crew is to give Nico the same respect they give Kelley and himself. He’s letting them loose tonight, but the boat had better be ready for the next guests. The crew gets to work so that Kyle can leave early. Sierra talks to Emily about Ben. She’s not sure she wants it to go any further. She says his relationship with Kate kind of turns her off.

Kyle runs out on the dock to meet Ashley. He introduces her to the crew. Sierra says she feels for Ashley being in a relationship with Kyle. Emily thinks she’s a typical Manchester girl, whatever that means. Kate asks how she met Kyle, but it’s not very interesting. Kate likes her, saying she’s a girly-girl, but sassy.

Ben asks if Emily wants to go out tonight. She thinks it might be nice to meet up with the crew. In his interview, he says he’s shocked. He tells her he has an amazing place lined up, but she’s staunch in wanting to hang out with her co-workers. Ben follows Emily around, asking her to take a break when she’s trying to iron. She finally relents. Kyle and Ashley leave for the mainland. In his interview, Ben says he wants to settle down, and realizes Emily is younger and the timing might be wrong, but he wants to give it his best shot.

Kyle tells Ashley he doesn’t like Sierra. He tells her about Sierra texting her boyfriend while they were out, and then calling him a queen. Ashley is more concerned about him going out with Sierra than what Sierra called him. She tells Kyle that it wasn’t a free pass and calls him an a-hole. He thanks her for coming out to see him. So I guess we’re past that now?

Ben isn’t sure where he stands with Emily and he’s rattled. He waits at the bar, ordering champagne. Emily joins him, and he says he thought they had a nice thing going. She asks if they still don’t. She says she’s having fun dating him, but isn’t ready for a relationship. She puts him in the friend zone. He says he’s disappointed, but then backtracks, saying he’s having fun in the moment. He asks for a kiss and then puts on her glasses. He asks if she’ll stay at the hotel with him – nothing sexual, just Netflix only.

Ashley discusses her upcoming surgery with Kyle. She wants to make sure he’ll be around since she won’t be able to do any physical exertion for a while. He’s all happy she’s including him. He wonders what happens if she dumps him in a few years, and asks if she really wants to share this with him. They hug.

Everyone gets back to the boat. Kyle says good-by to Ashley and Kate video chats with Ro. Emily goes back to the hotel with Ben.

Next time, more models for the last charter, Kate can’t find “Benily.” Lauren thinks Kate is a sh*t stirrer, and Sierra doesn’t know what’s happening, which is nothing new.