Tag Archives: Teresa Giudice

February 9, 2023 – Willow Gets Bad News, Doing Time, Baby Amelia, Joining GH, Loss Trend, Text Leak, Missing Nothing, Party Time, Celebrate Pets (!) & Happy

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Willow tries to get Austin to tell her what’s going on, but he says, Dr. Randolph will be her shortly to update her. Michael asks if Austin knows what Terry is going to tell them about the harvested stem cells, and Austin says he does. Willow says, whatever it is, she can take it; they all can.

In the waiting area, Sonny brings Nina an empty cup of coffee, and she says she’s going to have to learn about Willow’s transplant from someone else in the family. He says he’s sorry Willow is keeping her at arm’s length. He knows she’s worried. She says, hopefully, that worry will soon be in the past. The transplant will work, Willow will go into remission, and Nina can focus on what the future holds; with her, her daughter, and their new granddaughter.

Gregory asks if Alexis can just create a job for him, and she says she can do anything she wants; she’s the boss. Someone from the editorial board is retiring, and she thought of him. He’s been very helpful to her, whether she likes it or not. He says, mostly not, but she asks if she’d be offering him a job if that were true. He’d be an asset and could start immediately. She tells him this is the part where he says he’d love the job.

Finn asks how he would know why Elizabeth is meeting with Scotty, and Obrecht says, he must have a guess. He flashes back to Elizabeth telling him that she’d never been pregnant, and how she helped Nikolas hold Esme captive. Obrecht says, he does know something. Tell her. He asks why he would do that, and she says, so she can help.

Scotty asks what Elizabeth did; run over her neighbor’s mailbox and not tell them? She says, it’s worse. She wants to come forward, but before she does, she wants to know the potential consequences. If she needs a lawyer… He says he’ll represent her, and she asks if everything she says will be protected by… He says, yes, of course (🍷). He’s been a lawyer his entire life, and he’ll get her out of whatever mess she’s in. Now what did she do? She says, a few months ago, she entered into a crime in progress, and she’s been a part of it ever since. He asks if it’s still ongoing, but she says, no. He asks how bad it is, and she says, bad. He asks if there’s a chance this could come to light, and does anybody know about it? She says, a few people, and he says, who knows about it, and who’s involved? The doorbell rings, but he tells her to ignore it. She goes to the door anyway, and finds Ava on the porch. Ava says, they need to talk, and asks if Scotty is here to spend time with the boys, but Elizabeth says he’s here for her. Scotty says, they have some family legal matters to discuss, and Ava says, normally, she woudn’t dream of interrupting, but this is important. She asks if Scotty will give them some privacy. She wants to talk about Nikolas. Scotty asks what he’s done now, and Ava says, this is a conversation for those who know him best, and Elizabeth has experience with Nikolas and his secrets. Elizabeth suggests she and Scotty finish their conversation later, and Scotty says, see ya, Ava. She says, not if she sees him first, and Scotty tells Elizabeth not to discuss this with anyone else. He leaves, and Elizabeth asks what Nikolas told Ava. Ava says, everything.

Finn wonders what Elizabeth is to Obrecht, and Obrecht says she cares for Elizabeth. He asks, since when? and she says, since she fell in love with Scotty. Elizabeth is his son’s widow, and her sons are the closest thing he has to grandchildren. His daughter is obsessed with the preservation of the sea, an admirable pursuit, but he rarely sees her, so Elizabeth and her sons are his family. When she took him into her life, she also took in those he cares about. She and Finn both know she can be a valuable ally. If Elizabeth is over her head, Obrecht has the skills to get her out of it, with no harm coming to her and her boys. But she can only do that if Finn tells her what’s going on.

Gregory says, it means a lot that Alexis thought of him. He knows how important The Invader is to her. She says, he’s stalling, and he says, sadly, he’s going to have to turn down her offer. She says, why?

Nina says, it feels like she and Sonny have been on a roller coaster these past few weeks. Finding out Willow is sick, and then that Willow is her daughter, fighting for her life, the birth of her child… He says, Nina’s had a lot to process, and she says, the stem cell transplant is going to work. Willow will go into remission, and she and Michael will return to raising their two beautiful children. Maybe Willow will return to nursing. He says, then the two of them can repair what’s broken, and she says she hopes that’s possible. He says, Willow has a big heart. As soon as this is over, she’ll come around and accept Nina as her mother. Nina says she’ll pray for that, but in the meantime, she’ll keep trying to show that Willow can depend on her, and how much Willow means to her. She’ll do it or die trying. He says he knows the feeling, and she says, maybe the same thing can happen with him and Michael. When all of this is over, they’ll find their way back to each other. He says he’s not holding his breath, and she says, in the meantime, they have a lot to be grateful for. He has a bunch of kids who adore him, and now they have a beautiful new granddaughter. She suggests they go; they have to get ready for Curtis and Portia’s wedding. He wonders how much time they have, and she asks what he’s thinking. He says, she’ll see.

Austin thinks they should wait for Terry, and Michael says he knows there are protocols, but it’s more important they find out what they’re facing. Willow agrees, and Austin says, every procedure is going to have its complications. Terry walks in, and asks how Willow’s feeling. Willow says, weak and sore. Dr. Navarro says that’s normal after a C-section. (Well, duh.) But they’re anxious to know what the next steps are. Dr. Gatlin-Holt said there might be complications. Terry  looks at Austin, and he says, the good news is, Willow is healing nicely. They want to keep her in the OR for observation, but so far, everything is encouraging. Michael says, but Austin told them there were complications, and Terry says, they were unable to harvest enough functional stem cells for Willow to undergo the procedure. She’s sorry. This stem cell transplant is no longer an option for Willow.

Ava tells Elizabeth that Nikolas came to see her last night. He told her all about the tower bedroom, and what really went on there; that it wasn’t some tawdry affair. They made that up to conceal what was really going on, and she has to say she’s impressed. She almost admires Elizabeth. Elizabeth says, Esme should have been turned over to the police. It would have saved them all a lot of heartache. She’s sorry she got in the way of Ava and Nikolas reconciling, but Ava says, Nikolas broke us long before you entered his scheme. Elizabeth says she still regrets her involvement, and has to fix things. That’s why she called Scotty. She’s decided to turn herself in. Ava asks why she’d sacrifice herself. What good would that do? Elizabeth says she knows the police will investigate Spoon Island, and she apologizes for the headache it’s going to cause Ava. Ava flashes back to talking to Austin about covering up Nikolas’s death, and how she doesn’t want the cops investigating Spoon Island. Ava says, it will be so much worse for Elizabeth. Has she thought about the consequences? Elizabeth says, it’s all she’s thought about, but she can’t live with herself like this. Ava asks if Elizabeth’s children can live without her.

Sonny brings Donna to the waiting area where Nina is, and says he’s going to make her pancakes for breakfast tomorrow, but first, he has someone for her to meet. He lifts her up to the window, and tells her, that is Baby Amelia, her brother’s new baby. Donna says hi to Amelia, and Sonny says, Willow’s her mother, he’s her granddad, and Nina is her grandma. Donna says, we’re a family.

Carly asks, what went wrong? and Terry says, in order to give the patient the best chance for survival, there needs to be a certain amount of stem cells in the placenta and the umbilical cord; ideally, 21 million per kilograms of body weight. Willow says, TNC, total nuclear cell count; she studied it in nursing school. Terry says, if there are too few stem cells, the patient doesn’t have time to grow healthy blood cells, and they’re at risk for infections without the immune system to fight them. When they analyzed the stem cells from Willow, they found that the TNC was too low. It contained too few stem cells for a successful procedure. Willow asks if her hemorrhaging had anything to do with it, and Austin says, they don’t know for sure, but there’s no reason for her to think like that. Sometimes there are too few stem cells, even if there are no complications with the delivery. Terry says some other medical stuff about there not being a match, and how it’s influenced by a number of factors, including Willow’s disease status. Willow says, leukemia Stage IV. She studied this in oncology class, and knew it would be a possibility. She just didn’t want to believe it. Michael says, moving forward, what’s next?

Ava says, when Nikolas told her about Esme, he was already concerned that Elizabeth was having a crisis of conscience. He told her that he tried to reason with Elizabeth, and then he did what Nikolas always does; he tried to save his own skin. She hasn’t told Laura because Laura’s upset already, but she thinks Nikolas left town. If Elizabeth insists on turning herself in to the police, she alone will pay for his crimes.

Finn tells Obrecht that he doesn’t know why Elizabeth called Scotty, when Scotty walks into the hospital. Finn suggests she ask him, and she asks if Scotty is already finished with Elizabeth. Scotty says, Ava interrupted them, and she says, another one of his favorite clients. What did Elizabeth want? He suggests they talk somewhere else, and Finn says, Obrecht was just telling him how concerned she was about Elizabeth. Scotty says, Finn dumped her, but Finn says, it’s more complicated than that, and he still cares about her. Is it something with the boys? Scotty says, the boys are fine, and Finn asks if it’s something with Elizabeth. He’d like to help if he can. Scotty says, Elizabeth has enough problems right now, and Finn asks if she’s in trouble. Scotty says, that’s between a lawyer and his client, and Finn says, of course (🍷). He tells them, it’s been a pleasure, and jets.

Alexis says, Gregory has told her that he wanted to be where the action is. He said he wanted to make a change. He tells her, actually, she suggested he explore having a second act, and he said he’d think about it. She says, obviously, he’s decided against it, and he says he considered trying something new, but he made a commitment to the university. He can’t just leave in the middle of a semester. She says, he’s been volunteering here, teaching, and giving advice for weeks. The only difference is, he’d be being paid. He says, working on the editorial board will demand a greater commitment, and she says, they’ll be flexible until his semester is over, and then he can work full time. He says, it’s not that simple, but she says, from where she’s standing it is… unless he’s scared.

Nina looks through the window at Amelia, and says, it’s Grandma Nina again. She just wanted to remind Amelia that she loves her, and will do everything in her power to make sure Amelia is safe. Amelia’s mommy and daddy don’t want her anywhere near Amelia right now, but she’ll always be here for her, and Amelia will always be in her heart. Always.

Terry says, now that the stem cell transplant isn’t an option, Willow’s best chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant. She’s still on the registry. Michael says, she’s been on the registry for months, and hasn’t found a viable match. Willow says, what about more chemo? She’s willing to do whatever’s necessary. Terry says, she’s afraid at this advanced stage, chemo could do more harm than good. The best thing they can do right now is manage her illness until a donor is found. Carly says, a match will turn up; there’s still time. Isn’t there? Willow asks Terry, exactly how much time does she have? Terry says, sometimes, patients live far longer than what’s expected, and Willow asks, what’s expected of her? Terry says, it’s likely a matter of weeks, and Austin says, they don’t know any of this for sure. This is just their best guess based on the advanced state of Willow’s leukemia, but every patient is different. Willow says she gets it. She could live longer than that… or not. She thinks she needs some time alone. Austin says, there are some things they should discuss, but Terry says, there’s time for that later, and they leave.

In the hallway, Austin says, they need to talk to them about palliative care, or at least start thinking about it, but Terrys says, it’s too much for them right now. They’re processing the most horrible news anyone can be given. They need to give them space for that before they talk about what’s next.

Carly tells Willow, this is not the end. She will find a donor. She tells them that she loves them both, and leaves.

Sonny puts a chair up to the window for Donna to kneel on so she can see Amelia. He asks what she thinks of her niece, and Donna asks, what’s a niece? He says, it means Baby Amelia is her brother’s daughter. Donna says, she’s really little, and he says, she was little once. Now she’s a big girl, and Amelia is going to be a big girl. She’s going to look up to Donna, the way Donna looks up to Josslyn and Avery. She’s going to want Donna to look out for her and be there for her. Does Donna think she can do that? Because that’s what families do. Donna says, okay, daddy.

Elizabeth says, Nikolas left Port Charles? and Ava says, the way he stormed out of Windymere last night, she doubts they’ll ever see him again. Between his and his Uncle Victor’s resources, Nikolas has the means to disappear forever. In the meantime, Elizabeth will be held responsible for his crimes while he gets off scot-free. Is that fair? Elizabeth says, of course (🍷) not, but it doesn’t absolve her or erase what she did. Ava says, don’t ruin her life because of Nikolas’s bad decisions, and Elizabeth asks why Ava cares what she does. What’s it to Ava if she turns herself in?

Carly leaves a message for Drew, saying, he’s probably getting ready for Curtis’s wedding, and he’s going to make the perfect best man. She’s still at the hospital. They got some information, and she’d really like to hear his voice right now. When he gets some time, can he call her? Sonny brings Donna over, and she hugs Carly. Sonny says he took her to see Baby Amelia, and Carly says she was on her way there. Donna says, they’re all a family, and Carly says, they are. Donna asks, what’s wrong? and Carly says, she just got some news. She tells Sonny, it didn’t work. She doesn’t have much time. Nina joins them.

Ava says, Elizabeth is right. It’s her life. Blow it up if she wants to. But she knows what it’s like to be betrayed by Nikolas. She really loved him, and doesn’t want to see anyone else suffer because of Nikolas Cassadine. Elizabeth says she’s not doing this for Nikolas; she’s doing it for herself. She needs to own what she did wrong. Ava says, why? Nikolas is gone, Demetrius is gone, Esme has no memory. There isn’t anybody left who knows anything about Elizabeth’s involvement. Elizabeth says, except Ava, and Ava says she’s not going to say anything. If Elizabeth gets sent to jail, it won’t just be her life that’s destroyed. It will affect her children, and all the people who care about her and need her. Just let Nikolas go, and let his crimes go with him. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Finn. He says he wanted to see if Elizabeth was all right, and Ava says she was just talking to Elizabeth about all the people who care about her.

Gregory admits he finds the prospect of trying something new daunting, but he’s not holding back because he’s scared, and Alexis asks, then what is it? He says he likes teaching. He doesn’t want to give it up, and doesn’t want to walk away from his retirement. She says, so do both, and he asks if she won’t need more from him. She says she might, but he’ll be on the frontline of breaking news. Think how interesting that would be for his students. She’s sure PCU would lighten his load a little, and she’d work it out so he could do both. He’s not sure the university would be so accommodating, and she says, then they’d be stupid. He says, with hundreds of adjuncts breathing down his neck for his position, willing to work for less than he makes, he’s lucky he has a job. She says, now he’s being modest? It doesn’t become him, and if he really didn’t want this job, that would be one thing, but she knows this interests him, and she’ll work it out so he can teach and do this. She’s offering him this job. Why doesn’t he take it?

Nina says, it looks like they all had the same idea, and Sonny says, they were going to take Donna for some hot chocolate. Donna asks if mommy can come, and Carly suggests they get hot chocolate on their own and have some mommy/daughter time. Sonny asks for a big hug first, and Donna hugs him, then Nina. Carly leaves with Donna, and Nina asks if Carly told Sonny anything new about Willow’s procedure. Come on, tell her. He says, there’s not going to be a stem cell transplant. The doctors can’t harvest the stem cells. She asks what that means for Willow, and he says he’s sorry. Willow doesn’t have much time. Nina says, she just found Willow… that’s not right, and Sonny holds her.

Michael asks what Willow is thinking, and she says, that she loves him so much, but she really needs to be alone right now. He kisses her forehead, says he loves her too, and leaves. She flashes back to being with Michael and Wiley in the park, and Wiley saying he loves her, and remembers holding Baby Amelia for the first time. She flashes back to her and Michael exchanging I love yous for the first time, and saying she’ll marry him. She fingers the ring he gave her, and cries.

Alexis says, all Gregory has to do is have a quick chat with his department head, and figure out what he can take on and still be able to teach. Just give it a try. That’s all she asks. He tells her, how can he say no?

Sonny tells Nina that Carly couldn’t say a lot because Donna was there. They don’t have the complete picture, but he’s sure the doctors are figuring out what they can do for Willow. She says, it’s hard for her to have hope. Anything between her and her daughters is always the worst case scenario. She was in a coma for most of their lives, and Nelle was dead when she found out Nelle was hers. Now Willow, everything she’s been through. She just had a baby, she has a child at home. Willow doesn’t deserve this; she’s a good person. You know who deserves it? She does. She’s done horrible things in her life. Maybe she brought this on her girls. Maybe it’s some cosmic payback. He says he doesn’t believe that. Everybody messes up. Everybody makes mistakes. He’s done plenty he’s not proud of, but look where his life is at. He has a good life, a good family, and a woman who loves him. Willow and everybody who loves her is being dealt a bad hand, but they’re not going to give up. She takes his hand, and says, they’re not, but she just wants to be with Willow. She just wants to be able to comfort her. He says he’s sure Willow and Michael have a lot to talk about, when Scotty and Obrecht come out of the elevator. Obrecht asks Nina, what’s happened? Is it Willow?

Elizabeth thanks Ava for stopping by, and Ava thanks Elizabeth for hearing her out. Ava leaves, and Finn asks, what was that all about?

Outside, Ava calls Austin, and says she needs to meet with him right away. He asks, what’s wrong? and she says, they have a huge problem.

Elizabeth tells Finn, Ava stopped by to tell her that Nikolas left town.

Donna asks if Carly is still sad, and Carly says she is, but being with Donna makes her feel better. Donna asks if this will help too, and hugs her. Carly says, it helps a lot.

Obrecht says she can’t bear to see her Nina suffer like this, and Scotty asks what she’s going to do. Obrecht sees Terry at the reception desk, and says she was powerless to help her Britta, but there is something she can do for Willow. She says she needs to speak with Terry, but Terry says, this isn’t a good time. Can Obrecht call her assistant and make an appointment? Obrecht says, this is a matter of life or death. She understands her niece’s daughter needs a bone marrow donor. Take her to get tested.

Michael goes back to Willow’s room, and takes her hand. She says, all she wants is for them to have a long overdue conversation, and he says, about? She says, his life without her.

Tomorrow, Willow needs Michael to face the truth; Finn tells Elizabeth, that changes everything; TJ tells Jordan, they both know there’s more going on; and Curtis says he’s never been more sure of anything in his life.

Workin’ On the Chain Gang…

Musings on Spencer’s taste of thug life.

👶 Extra Large…

At least they admit she looks way past eight months in the oven. And I admit she’s a cutie; round and rosy, with squishable cheeks. Very animated, too, like the original Wiley.

🩺 New Doctor In the House…

I see a moving van headed to Port Charles…

💉 One More Magic Solution Down the Drain…

Her anti-aging doctor? Does she mean plastic surgeon or anesthetist? Why does everyone think there’s some quick fix to weight loss? Stop eating crap and exercise. Calories in/calories out. There you go.

https://people.com/health/vanderpump-rules-lala-kent-ozempic-weight-loss-trend-hollywood/

👠 She’s All About the Love…

Nona and Noni must be shaking their heads.

💎 Don’t Go Away Mad…

They got along without you before they met you; they’ll get along without you now.

🗽 Fashion Fêtes…

A peek into New York Fashion Week.

🐈 February Is For Pets…

For the feline lovers.

https://people.com/pets/fancy-feast-creates-cuddle-collection-for-spending-valentines-day-with-cats/

And of course the 🐕 Bowl.

https://people.com/pets/how-to-watch-the-2023-puppy-bowl-on-super-bowl-sunday/

🏈 Running Interference…

Join me tomorrow for free-for-all Friday, with the usual soap, a mix of tea, wise words (or not), and music to soothe the savage breast. And yes, that’s correct; it’s not beast. Until then, stay safe, stay remembering to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, and stay never holding back because you’re scared.

February 7, 2023 – Felicia Plans a Vigorous Haunting, Same Old Jersey, Calendar Boys, Leaving Port Charles, Everything Grammy & Handsome

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura thanks Eileen for meeting her at Kelly’s. She needed the comfort and coziness of the diner tonight. She asks Eileen to step in for her tomorrow at the sanitation worker’s negotiation meeting. When she attended Britt Westbourne’s memorial, she found out a dear friend of hers died.

Anna says, Valentin and Charlotte had a nice visit, but he says it was too brief. Holding her in his arms made him realize what he was missing. His girl is growing up. Anna says, they have a tendency to do that, and he says, she and Charlotte seem to be getting along. She says, Charlotte is on to them, and she thinks Charlotte approves. Felicia comes in, and Anna asks how it went. Felicia says, as planned. Charlotte is home with Doc at Laura’s. She asks if there’s a problem, and Anna says, other than Victor, no.

Spencer finds Victor in the chapel, and Victor says he was hoping to give Obrecht his condolences, but he’s too late. Spencer says, Britt would have approved of the memorial, and Victor thinks Obrecht will be struck by the irony of the situation. They’re living in the same hell; the hell of losing one’s only child.

At The Savoy, Portia hugs Curtis, thanking him for making everything look so beautiful. Molly asks if TJ is ready for the big day tomorrow, and he says, absolutely. Portia and Curtis should be celebrated. She says, but she can’t help wondering how his mom feels.

Taggert and Jordan have dinner at Kelly’s, and she tells him that he was probably her most successful relationship. He says, he gets her, and tomorrow their exes are going to become partners for life.

Curtis says he knows Portia was disappointed that her mom’s condition prevents her from traveling, and she says, of course (🍷) she’d like to have her family here, but as long as she has him, she’ll be all right. He says he can’t have his beautiful bride disappointed, and turns her around. She sees her father and brother, and hugs them both, squealing with happiness. Marshall asks Trina if that’s her grandfather, and she says, and her Uncle Ezekiel. He asks if her uncle is a doctor too, but she says, Uncle Zeke went his own way.

Elizabeth stands at the doorway of The Savoy, and almost leaves, but Drew says, not so fast. Didn’t she just get here? He’s sorry for blocking her escape, but he’s also sorry for everything she’s going through. She looks at him blankly, and he says, her break-up with Finn. She says, it’s been a rough couple of weeks; for the boys as well. Cameron had a first love break-up, and it’s a unique type of pain. Drew says, he’ll get through it, and he’s sure Cameron knows she’s there for him. She says, but what if she can’t be?

Ava says she can’t let Nikolas take Avery, and he says, don’t worry. He’ll tell Avery that she said goodbye. He turns to leave, and she grabs a statue of a griffon, and whacks him in the back of the head. He drops to the floor, and she goes to him, asking him if he’s all right, and telling him to please answer her. She couldn’t let him take Avery. She just wanted to stop him, so she could reason with him. Please wake up.

Eileen says, Anna Devane is dead? and Laura says, along with her granddaughter’s father, Valentin Cassadine. Valentin tracked Anna to a Paris catacomb, and it collapsed. There were multiple fatalities. Whoever was behind this is responsible for a tremendous loss of life.

Jordan asks if Taggert invited her out to have a pity party, but he says, pity is not their style. Everyone is at The Savoy, celebrating the happy couple and toasting them, so he thought they could share a meal. She says, because she might feel lonely? Jealous? He says, left out, like him, and she says, they were invited. He says, but they declined because it wouldn’t be right, and she says, because he’s not over Portia. He says he’s been over Portia. Jordan isn’t over Curtis. She says she’s not over wanting to protect him, and Taggert asks what that means.

Curtis introduces him self to Portia’s father Sterling, and says he’s glad Sterling and Ezekiel could make it. Ezekiel tells him, it’s Zeke. No one calls him Ezekiel except his mom when she’s mad at him. Portia asks Zeke to tell her everything, and Zeke says, not only did Curtis arrange for their flights at the last minute, he hired a caretaker to look after their mom. Portia says, he’s a keeper.

TJ tells Molly that his mom thought it best to sit this one out, although he’s sure she wishes them well. Molly says, it must be hard to watch Curtis move on, and he says, if they ever split up and Molly committed to someone else he doesn’t know how he’d take it. She says, if they ever split up, she’s joining a nunnery, but he says, that, he can’t imagine. No relationship is infallible. She wonders why they’re talking about this at the rehearsal dinner, and says she’s sorry she mentioned it, but he says, they’re good. He just wants them to stay that way. She asks why they wouldn’t, and he says, because they have something in common with his mom and Taggert.

Trina asks Marshall where Epiphany is, and he says, she’s out of town. Now that she passed her MCATs, she’s checking out a few med schools. She asks if Epiphany is moving, and he says, hopefully not. Why is Trina hanging around him? Doesn’t she have a date tonight, or is he late? She says, Marshall is fun to hang around, and she knew better than to invite Spencer to a family event. He says, good call.

Spencer asks if something happened to Valentin, and Victor says, he died. He drowned in Paris. Spencer asks if Valentin was there on business, and Victor says, his son died putting others ahead of his family. Let that be a lesson to Spencer. Friends may have their appeal, women may have their uses, but in the final analysis, cleave only to his true family. Only a Cassadine can truly understand a Cassadine. Heed these words, lest Spencer suffer the same fate as his son.

Ava tells Nikolas, please wake up. She didn’t mean it. She just wanted to stop him from taking Avery. She wonders if he’s breathing, and listens for a heartbeat, when there’s a knock at the door. Ava hears, open up. It’s Austin.

Laura says, now Eileen knows why she asked her to step in. It’s so upsetting, the loss of innocent life. She believes Anna was innocent and thinks she was framed. Of course (🍷) now she’ll never have the chance to prove that. And Laura’s little granddaughter is just bereft over the loss of her father. She suggests they go over the sanitation workers’ contracts, but Eileen says she’s not feeling very well. Could they tackle this in the morning? She gets up, gathering her things, and Laura says, of course (🍷). Does Eileen think she’ll be up to it? Eileen says she’ll be fine. She’s sorry about Laura’s friends. She leaves, and Laura takes out her phone. She sends a text, and says, mission accomplished.

Taggert asks why Jordan still feels the need to protect Curtis, and she says, just because they divorced their exes doesn’t mean they don’t still care. He says he still cares about Portia, but protecting her is Curtis’s responsibility now. Trina’s a different story. He’s always going to care about his baby girl, no matter what. She says, protecting the people she cares about is second nature; that includes him. He says he doesn’t need protecting any more than Curtis does. Unless there’s something she’s not saying. She says, she and Taggert have always trusted each other, with their lives and with their secrets… Laura comes by, and says she was on her way to the rehearsal dinner,  and she guesses they’re not going. Jordan says she’s not really feeling the moment. Laura’s meeting with Eileen looked intense. Anything she should know about? Laura says, they were just going over contracts for tomorrow’s meeting, then Eileen felt sick, and left kind of suddenly. Jordan hopes she feels better soon, but Laura says she thinks things are likely to get worse for Eileen before they get better. She hopes Stella feels better soon. She heard Stella was too sick to officiate at the wedding.

Zeke says, their mom wanted to be here more than anything, and Portia says, she knows, and asks how she’s doing. Is she having any side affects from the new medication? He says, she’s doing okay. She made him promise not to talk about her health with Portia. Portia says, of course (🍷) she did, and Zeke says, she wants Portia to focus on her wedding. He takes out a jewelry box, and says, she wanted Portia to have this. She opens it to a beautiful rhinestone flower brooch, and says, it’s their great grandmother’s brooch. She can’t accept it; it’s far too valuable. He says, their mom knew Portia would say that, and also said nothing is more priceless than the happiness of her only daughter. And he’s not wearing it, so she’d better. He leaves, and Curtis comes along. Portia hugs him, and says, how can she thank him? It’s going to be perfect tomorrow… What’s wrong? He says, there’s been a slight hedge, but they have guests and can talk about it later. She says, if there’s going to be a problem, she wants to know.

Drew says, Elizabeth can tell him, and she says she’s just hyper-aware that time’s fleeting and tomorrow’s not promised.

Trina tells Marshall that she sees Spencer. He’s sensitive and kind. People just need to keep an open mind and give him a chance. Marshall says, it sounds like her friendship has been good for Spencer. Just make sure the reverse is true.

TJ tells Molly that Curtis and his mom started leading separate lives when they let their careers take their focus. He doesn’t want them to make the same mistake. She says she misses him, but still feels close to him, and he says he feels the same. He asks her to promise they’ll always be vigilant about this, and she promises. In fact, she can’t wait to get closer tonight. They kiss, and Trina says, sorry, but she needs to know, how close is the DA to nailing Esme Prince?

Victor asks Spencer to promise he’s committed to this family, and the future Victor is trying to build for the generations of Cassadines to come. Spencer says he is. He believes there is a better future for the Cassadine line. Victor says he knew he could count on Spencer to do what’s necessary, and Spencer says, he can. Starting with taking full custody of his little brother or sister.

Ava closes the sitting room doors, and opens the front door. She tells Austin that it isn’t a good time, but he says, it will only take a minute. She says, maybe tomorrow? She really wasn’t expecting company this evening. He says, it’s really important. Will she let him in? It’s really cold out here. She tells him to go to the sitting room, upstairs to the right. The staff has the night off, so he’ll have to find it on his own. He heads upstairs, and she goes back to Nikolas. She says, think, Ava. Think.

Jordan says she hadn’t heard about Stella being sick, but she was worried this might happen. Stella has a history of health issues, and was a little off when Jordan saw her earlier. Laura says, at least it’s nothing serious. She should get going. She hopes they have a wonderful evening. She leaves, and Curtis says, whatever it is, it must have really laid Stella out. He can’t imagine her missing her nephew’s big day. Jordan says, maybe she’ll check in on Stella, and he says, it’s good she’s kept up a relationship with Curtis’s family. She says, when there’s a divorce, it doesn’t just affect the two people in the marriage, and he says, he and Portia need to have a relationship for Trina’s sake. Now that Curtis is part of the equation… He’s a good guy. She says, he is, and so is Taggert. Portia is a good woman, but sometimes good people get caught up… He says, hold up. He knows why she feels she has to protect Curtis. It’s because of Portia’s lie.

Portia asks why Curtis didn’t tell her about Stella earlier, and he says, auntie didn’t want to ruin tonight. She feels awful about tomorrow. She says she knows how badly he wanted Stella to officiate, but he says, as long as he gets to marry her tomorrow, nothing else matters.

Marshall asks if Drew has his speech locked down, but Drew says he’s on the fence between funny and sentimental. Marshall says, as long as it’s from the heart, and Drew says he’ll do his best. The gift Curtis is most grateful for is Marshall being at the wedding. Marshall says he just wishes he could give Curtis the one thing he asked for.

Trina guesses she came in kind of hot, but Molly says, it’s totally understandable, given what Esme has put Trina through. But she’s afraid the defense might try to plead it out, argue for lesser penalties or even a dismissal of charges. Trina says, which means Esme will be free to live her life and raise her baby.

Spencer tells Victor that Diane agreed to be his counsel, and even Ava offered to help. He also has the support of his friends. Victor says, Spencer is making this move now, after what he just said about putting others ahead of family? Spencer says, his sibling is a Cassadine too, arguably the only one worth saving. This baby represents the future Victor is so passionate about. Shouldn’t they give the newest Cassadine heir the best chance in life? Can Victor honestly say that would be with his father or Esme? Victor says, Nikolas is desperate to raise this child, but Spencer says he doesn’t care what his father wants. Victor says, neither does he. He knew he was right to put his trust in Spencer. Well played. This custody move is a stroke of genius.

N’neka says, Curtis has an uninvited guest. She told him it was a private event, but he says he needs to have a word. Curtis says he’ll handle it, and goes outside to find Brad. Brad apologizes for intruding, but he told his aunt that he’d stop by. He holds out an envelope, and says, on the occasion of Curtis’s wedding, his aunt sends her warmest compliments.

Ava drags Nikolas to a closet in the stables, and says she’s so sorry. She really did love him. She padlocks the closet door on her way out, and sees Austin watching her.

Valentin says, the authorities confirmed their deaths, but how do they know Victor buys it? and Felicia says, after Victor was contacted by Laura, he verified it with his people. Valentin says, it’s neat, it’s clean; what’s next? Felicia says, as far as Victor knows, he and Anna are deceased. They’re ghosts. And what do ghosts do best? He says, they get three sheets to the wind. It’s not a dad joke; he got it from Charlotte. Felicia says, ghosts do love their boos. They also like to exorcise. Anna says, stop it please, and Felicia asks how ghosts exorcise. With a vigorous haunting.

Curtis asks Brad to tell his auntie that he appreciates the well wishes. He’s welcome to stay for a drink. Brad says, thanks, but he’s not in a celebrating mood, and Curtis says, sorry about his friend. Brad says, congratulations, and leaves. Laura arrives, and hugs Curtis. She asks if he can believe his big day is here already, and asks how he feels. He says, overwhelmed, but happy, when Portia joins them. She and Laura hug, and Curtis says, they have a big favor to ask Laura. Laura says she’d love to officiate their wedding, and he asks if she’s psychic, but she says, no. Stella called her. He says, that’s his auntie; always taking care of business. Portia thanks Laura for taking the weight off their shoulders, and Laura says, her pleasure. Stella wanted them to know how sorry she is. She didn’t sound that bad, but Jordan seemed to think it was coming on all day. Portia says, Jordan said Stella was sick? and Laura asks if something is wrong. Portia says, Stella seemed fine when she saw her last, but Laura says, those bugs can come on suddenly. Curtis suggests they get a drink, but Portia says she wants to take a second with her mother’s gift, and Curtis and Laura go inside.

Spencer says he’s surprised Victor approves of him seeking custody, but he’s glad Victor does. Victor says, he doesn’t just approve; he’s impressed. This is a masterful move, and could be the key to getting Spencer’s father to fall in line. Spencer says, this isn’t about getting his father to fall in line. It’s about getting him out of their lives. Isn’t Victor finished with Nikolas? Victor says, no one’s ever finished with family. This move is seamless. It builds on everything already in motion. It’ll take Nikolas losing everything, including his baby, to force him back into the fold.

Austin asks if Ava is going to explain what’s going on, and she asks if he’s going to the cops. He asks if there’s any reason he wouldn’t, and she says she and Nikolas were arguing, and he threatened to take her daughter. He would use his Uncle Victor’s resources, and she’d never see Avery again. She panicked, grabbing the first thing she could, and she hit him. She just wanted to stop him, but he fell and he wasn’t breathing. Austin says, so she put him in a closet? Can they talk about that? (Ha-ha! Roger Howarth’s delivery.) She says, people will think she killed her husband out of revenge, and he says, did she? She says, no. She just wanted to stop him and talk to him. He threatened to take her daughter. Austin says, she thinks that sounds like a defense, but it sounds like motive, and she says, despite everything, she loved him. Austin says, so Nikolas shows up here late at night, unannounced, uninvited, and threatened to take her daughter. He doesn’t know her track record with the truth, but it rings true. She says, he doesn’t understand. She loved Nikolas and she killed him. It doesn’t matter that she didn’t mean to or what any court may rule. She’ll be condemned and sentenced by Victor Cassadine.

Taggert says, Portia really hurt him, but he’s forgiven her, and Jordan says, but Trina… and he says, of course (🍷) it’s never easy learning your parents aren’t perfect. She was hurt, but understands his behavior was part of it. Jordan asks how any of this was his fault, and he says he was never home. When they were off doing undercover work, his wife was lonely; she felt neglected. He gets why Jordan feels she has to protect Curtis. She feels if Portia was unfaithful before, she could do it again. Jordan says, actually, she’s sure Portia loves Curtis, and would do absolutely anything not to lose him.

Portia leaves a voicemail for Stella, saying, she wanted to check in and see if Stella was okay. If she needs anything, let her know. They miss her. Zeke asks, what’s wrong? and she says, nothing, hopefully. Curtis’s aunt suddenly fell ill. He says, and she’s worried, but she says, not for the reason he might think.

Marshall tells Drew that Curtis asked him to perform at the ceremony, but he doesn’t want to screw up on Curtis’s big day. Drew says, that’s highly unlikely. As a wise man once told him, all that matters is that it comes from the heart.

Trina introduces her grandfather to TJ and Molly, and Sterling says, thank goodness for Molly. They’re a little doctor heavy in this family. Curtis tells Trina, they’re playing our jam, and takes her to the dance floor. TJ tells Molly that he’d like to continue their conversation about getting closer.

At the bar, Laura asks if Elizabeth is okay, and Elizabeth says she just has a lot on her mind. Laura asks if one of those things would be Nikolas. What was going on at the hospital earlier? What were they arguing about?

Felicia says, years ago, her, Sean, and Mac devised a plan to outwit outlast outplay Ryan Chamberlain. She was already dead, so Ryan thought, and she haunted him to get his confession on tape, and it worked. Valentin says, so she thinks since it worked on Ryan, it will be worth trying on Victor? and she says, they have way better technology now, but in a nutshell, the strategy is torment, guilt, compel. Anna asks if it isn’t worth a try. She already recorded a message from the Great Beyond earlier. He says, she knew of this plan? and she says she did. Just hear them out. He says, there’s one minor flaw. Felicia’s plan will never work on his father.

Spencer tells Victor, there’s enough manipulation in this family. This is a baby; this is not leverage. Victor says, everything’s leverage, if used in the right way, but Spencer says, him gaining custody serves a higher purpose; to save his little brother or sister from his father. Victor says, keep telling himself that, but from where he’s standing, he’s seeing a man tapping into his natural born instincts. Before he saw Spencer, he was really quite bereft. Now he has hope again.

Ava asks if there’s anything she can do to get Austin to walk away right now. He can have money. He can have this house. He can have the gallery. She knows they don’t know each other very well, but she thinks they understand some things, and hopes, despite her history, he knows this is not who she is. Not anymore. Just give her some time to leave with her daughter. He says he’s going to stop her right now. There’s nothing she can do to change his mind.

Sterling says, Portia looks way too serious for a blushing bride. It’s not too late to back out. She says, if there’s one thing she’s sure about, it’s Curtis, and Sterling says he likes Curtis. He’s not sure if Curtis deserves her, but he’ll do. She’s done nothing but make him proud. She’s every father’s dream; her and that little granddaughter of his. Everyone goes back to dancing, and Spencer watches Trina from the top of the steps.

Eileen meets Victor in the chapel, and says, since he wouldn’t take her call. Anna and Valentin are dead. He says, news travels fast. Yes, his son was killed. She says, Anna and his son were looking for Lucy Coe. Is she dead as well? He assured her nobody would die. She didn’t sign up for this. Obviously, she did no research before that sign-up. He says, she acts like she has some choice in the matter; she doesn’t. She works for him. She knew there were risks. She says she’s out. She’s no longer at his disposal. He says, that’s not her decision to make. If she crosses him, getting caught will be the least of her worries.

Valentin says, if they hope to get a confession from his father by playing on Victor’s guilt, they’re going to be disappointed. Anna supposes you can’t shame the shameless, and Felicia says, which is why she had to adjust the plan this time. He says, which part? The torment part, the guilt part, or the compel part? She says, that all stays the same. She’s talking target. It’s not Victor.

Eileen gets her really, really nice car, and the radio comes on. There’s nothing but static, and she tries to adjust the dial. She hears Anna’s voice saying, you’re next. You’re next, Eileen. You’re next. You’re next. YOU’RE NEXT!

Austin says he doesn’t believe Ava wanted Nikolas dead, and she asks if he’s saying he’ll wait to report this. He says he has no intention of reporting this at all, and she asks, why not? He says he’s not really clear on that, but it feels right, and she helped him out when she didn’t have to. They’ve talked about this; families are complicated. If Victor is going to kill her if he finds out, then the only solution is for him not to find out. She wonders how to keep it from Laura and Spencer, and he says he’ll help her.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says she’s not as perfect as Laura thinks she is; Alexis supposes Gregory is over it; and Carly thinks the nightmare will finally be over

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Getting down to business, there are a couple of new wives, Rachel and Danielle (no, not that Danielle), as well as another Jennifer who’s a friend. We’ll call her Jen to avoid confusion. These Jennifers are getting like the Joes. Throw a rock, hit a Joe or Jennifer. Dolores has new man Paulie in her life, and it looks like Frank isn’t hanging around so much anymore. Although you’d think he wouldn’t want to, since he’s dating Brittany, and Dolores said she had dogs who were older than Brittany. I think she’s exaggerating, but if not, I want to know what she’s feeding them.

Teresa had a destination 50th birthday celebration, where Jennifer #1 broke her toe. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she had the evil eye on her, and her mother did something called a kurşun, which was supposed to remove it. Jennifer didn’t feel it worked, and thought the evil was coming from Dolores. Joe #2 was pissed about Melissa being frozen out of Teresa’s wedding, but Melissa texted Teresa that it was all good. She didn’t hear back, and two months later, Teresa invited Melissa to her birthday. As you can imagine, Melissa RSVP’d a big fat no. Teresa also celebrated her birthday at home with Louie’s family, and said, it was a dream, since apparently, she’d traded her own family for them. Louie’s mom is a therapist, so she must be having a field day. Teresa said it hurt that Joe and Melissa hadn’t come to her party, and thought it was coming from Melissa, and Joe was just following blindly. Louie said Joe was weak and immature, and Melissa was insecure. Teresa’s birthday wish was that the family not fight and love each other. I don’t see how that could fail, considering her fine example. And talk about a follower. Louie is like her bobblehead. Whatever she says, he just agrees.

To kick off Memorial Day weekend, Melissa had an 80s roller skating party, because the 80s was her jam. Everyone except Louie dressed up, and those who’d gone through the 80s (Rachel was born in 1991) had 80s flashbacks. Marge ended up breaking her wrist when she landed on her ass. Not that I’m judging. I’m terrible on skates. In Teresa’s interview, she said she’d been going to therapy, and was learning that she didn’t have to be so reactive, yelling and throwing things. I wonder how much that therapist is charging. I’ll tell her that for half of it. We also found out that her father had been volatile when angry, which makes complete sense. In Danielle’s interview, she said she was a combination of Staten Island and New Jersey. She got her cojones from Staten Island, but her sass from Jersey. Jennifer avoided Dolores like the plague, and Dolores wondered if they were in the schoolyard.

Dolores said, since the charity softball game for breast cancer research was such a success, they were doing a calendar of the husbands. Teresa invited Marge and Joe #3 to have lunch with her and Louie at their house. Marge said she was a little anxious, since last time they met, Teresa had dumped a whole table on her, and we flashed back to that. Teresa wanted to talk it out, and once they got going, Louie told her to stop interrupting Marge. That’s another thing he does, the gentle correction when they’re in public. I think it’s all for show. Teresa blamed Marge for her issues with Melissa, because Melissa didn’t stand up for Louie. Yeah. She’s a real logic queen, a regular Mr. Spock. Teresa said she’d also texted Melissa to tell them not to talk about Louie, and Melissa read the text to the group. Teresa said she was being raw as a cucumber, apologized to Marge, and invited her to the wedding. While I’d like to see Teresa shown the door, I would miss her little bon mots.

The guys gathered with the Wives at Dolores’s house for the calendar shoot. One new husband – I’m not sure which was which – was photographed watering plants (shirtless of course), and the other was a lumberjack. Joe #2 was a chef at the grill, and Joe #3 was on a motorcycle. Evan was a basketball player, and Bill, a sexy doctor. Louie did yoga poses, and Marge said, Teresa could be the fluffer. In Teresa’s interview, a producer asked if she knew what that was, and she thought it was a long stick with a feather at the end. If you don’t know, google it. In Melissa’s interview, she said, Joe #2 was going all Zoolander. Marge told Joe #2 and Melissa about Teresa’s apology, and that she’d said Melissa didn’t back Louie up. Paulie, who’d just gotten over covid, showed up last, and his character was a bartender. He’s not jacked like Frank is, but he seems sweet.

Jennifer babbled about Marge, but Rachel wasn’t having it. She talked to Dolores, who said she didn’t know what she’d done to Jennifer. She said Jennifer was telling everyone else how she felt, but not her. In Dolores’s interview, she said, now she was f***ing mad, and she hunted Jennifer down for a talk. She said Jennifer had been talking about her during the whole party. She’d tried talking to Jennifer at the roller rink, and she’d walked away. Jennifer whined that Dolores had told her, f*** you, the last time they’d talk, and said she didn’t have the decency to say what Marge did wrong. She said she and Jennifer didn’t agree on what a friend is, and Jennifer said she was nice, but Dolores wasn’t. She started yelling that Dolores was never her friend, and was two-faced. Bill steered her out, and she yelled that Dolores looks like an old f***ing handbag.

I don’t think there was a preview, but I imagine it will be more of the same yelling, screaming, and acting ignorant in general.

📅 About That Calendar…

Well, it is for charity, and face it, the husbands are the best part of the show.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-see-the-pics-from-the-husbands-charity-calendar-photoshoot

🚢 Aντιο σας, Nikolas…

They probably just wanted someone new to own Windymere. Faison owned it when he first came to Port Charles. It’s about time it changed hands again.

🏆 For the Gram…my…

The basics. Who won, who didn’t.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list

The performances.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/02/05/grammys-2023-brutally-honest-reviews-every-performance-ranked/11193018002/

https://people.com/music/grammys-2023-best-performances/

The fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/35657/grammys-2023-red-carpet-fashion

https://people.com/style/2023-grammys-standout-style-moments/

https://www.grammy.com/news/lizzo-fashion-2023-grammys-red-carpet-pre-grammy-gala-performance-outfits

And a bunch of odd stuff. Like the untouched food.

https://www.popsugar.com/food/charcuterie-boards-grammys-2023-49079835

Madonna’s new face. I’m more concerned about what she’s wearing, the Pilgrim Wednesday Addams look.

I don’t think they were saying she looked old. Just weird.

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/madonna-responds-ageism-after-comments-appearance-grammys/story?id=96963896

Controversy! Although I’m sure he was referring to his social status or upbringing or something.

https://apnews.com/article/grammys-2023-harry-styles-album-of-the-year-harry-beyonce-68bfa38b02e797e3300b7c32f00d8b2c

I’m not even sure what to make of this.

🤓 Hello, I Must Be Going…

Drop by tomorrow for soap and what’s pumping in VanderLand. Until then, stay safe, stay celebrating your progress, no matter how small, and stay hyper-aware that time’s fleeting and tomorrow’s not promised.

December 30, 2022 – The Clock Strikes Midnight In Port Charles, Preempt, Jersey Devil, Husband Talk, NYE Happenings, Drink It Up, About Those Pets (!), 2 X 3 = 5 Quotes For the New Year & Another

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt’s cake is brought out by a shirtless waiter, and Brad says, they all know how much Britt hates the birthday song. Maxie says, but there’s one tradition they must insist on, and they both say, make a wish. Britt looks at everyone around her, and Finn looks at Elizabeth, who jets out of sight.

On deck, Trina says, she and Spencer should get back inside. People will wonder where they are. He says, that’s the idea; to get people wondering about them, so word gets back to Esme. Someone watches from the shadows.

Willow picks up a pair of 2023 eyeglasses, and Michael comes downstairs. He tells Willow that Wiley is completely zonked out, and she says, poor little guy. He was determined to make it until midnight. Michael says, he did see midnight, in London, and she says, it was genius on his part, but Wiley really wanted to stay up and ring in the New Year in Port Charles. She puts the glasses on him, and he says, there’s always next year.

Dante asks why Sam wanted to come to Kelly’s instead of staying at the restaurant, and she says, because nothing on their menu looked as good to her as an ice cream sundae. She hopes he’s not disappointed, but he says, nothing with her could disappoint him. He’s glad it’s just the two of them.

Outside, Josslyn apologizes for making bodyguard Steve wait outside. She just needs some privacy to talk to Cam. He tells her to take as long as she needs, and she goes inside. She sees Sam and Dante, and they all say, happy New Year. Dante asks, what brings her to Kelly’s on New Year’s Eve?

Laura says she’s not just worried about Nikolas; she’s worried about Spencer. If he knows something, he should tell her. He says he can’t, and she says, why? Has Victor threatened him? He says, no one is at risk if they play Victor’s game, but if she insists on taking Victor down, he’ll go down with him. Leave him alone, or she’ll lose her son. She says she’s not going to let Victor do this to him. Victor can’t take Nikolas away from her. He says, don’t be so sure, and she asks if he’s fallen so far that Victor is his only way back.

Esme says, one day Ace will go to school, and she’ll teach them about the fire triangle, the three things you need to start a fire; oxygen, fuel, and heat. She takes the matchstick out of her cardigan pocket, and smiles.

Britt says, she wishes… but Maxie says, don’t. Brad says, her wish won’t come true, and Britt says, forgive her; it’s her first birthday party. In a low voice, Austin tells her, there’s still time. She can change her mind and stay. She blows out the candles, but only on one part of the cake. Maxie says she knows Britt’s new to this, but tradition is that she blow out all the candles. Nina blows out the rest because she can’t help herself, and everyone applauds. Brad picks up a knife, and asks if Britt will do the honor of performing surgery on her cake. Britt’s hand trembles slightly, and Terry says, she needs the practice for all those surgeries she’ll be picking up while Britt is on vacation. She takes the knife from Brad, and cuts the cake. Britt squeals, and everyone applauds. Terry puts a piece of cake on a plate, and Brad says, the birthday girl gets the first slice, giving it to Britt. Drag queen Alyssa says, besides cake, they have another special treat for the birthday girl. Mommy dearest, you’re on. Obrecht takes the stage, and says, this is a song she sang at the Nurses Ball, which brought the house down if she does say so herself. Everyone cheers.

Finn finds Elizabeth on deck, and says he knows it’s none of his business, but he’s still a doctor and still cares about her. Drinking this early in her pregnancy isn’t good for the baby. She tells him, there is no baby.

Spencer tells Trina, just a little longer. They want everyone to miss them, remember? She says, this is a very dangerous game, and he takes her hand, saying, it’s not all a game. The lurker starts to walk out to the deck.

The woman behind the counter tells Josslyn that Cameron isn’t there; he’s filling in for one of the catering crew. Josslyn asks when he’ll be back, but she says, not until after midnight. Josslyn guesses she’ll have to talk to him another time, and tells Sam and Dante, happy New Year. She starts to leave, and Sam makes a face at Dante. He gets up, and tells Josslyn, wait. What’s the rush? Does she want to join them?

Nikolas says he’s the only one to blame for the errors in his judgement, and won’t let Laura get involved. She says she is involved, and he says, it’s like he made it his life’s work to disappoint her. She tells him not to say that. There is nothing he could ever do to make her stop loving him. The Cassadines have been trying to take him away from her since the day he was born, and she’s not going to let them win. He says he loves her fighting for him, but it’s not just about him.

Esme looks at the fire alarm, and says, it’s a long shot. She may get trapped, instead of finding a way to escape, but it’s the only chance she’s got. No. The only chance they’ve got. Brace yourself. It won’t be long now.

Scotty says, Obrecht was wunderbar, and Nina says, a real star. Too bad we didn’t get to see it. Britt hugs Obrecht, and says she wishes there could be an encore. Obrecht tells her, there will be if she has anything to say about it.

Finn says, what does Elizabeth mean, there’s no baby? and she says she had a miscarriage.

Nina tells Sonny, it may be Britt’s first birthday party, but she did it right. Everyone’s enjoying it. He says he’s happy as long as Nina enjoys it.

Trina says, the other guests must be asking about them by now, and Spencer says, if they are, then good. It’ll get back to Esme. She says, they should get back, and he says, yeah. They hear something, and she says, what was that? He says he doesn’t know, but we see it’s The Hook who’s lurking. She says, it’s probably the people at the party.

Willow says, it’s fine if Michael opens a bottle of champagne. She won’t feel deprived. He tells her, don’t be so noble; he knows she loves champagne. She says she does, especially the kind he buys. Since they have a rack full of it, open one. He says, so he can have champagne while she goes without? No. She says she’s happy with her sparkling cider, and he says, so is he. They’ll have champagne next year. She says she thought they were celebrating with Wiley next year, but he says, they can do both. Champagne for them, and cider for Wiley. They can wake up the baby, and they can ring in the new year together. She says, nothing says happy New Year like a screaming baby, but he says, maybe their daughter will be a night owl, and she’ll like staying up until midnight. She says, then he can be the one to get her back to sleep, and he says, she has his solemn promise. She says, what if she’s not here next year?

Finn says he’s sorry for Elizabeth’s loss, and she thanks him. She says she wouldn’t blame him if he said it was some kind of poetic justice, but he tells her that he’d never say that. She and Nikolas could try again. She says, she and Nikolas were never going to last. Ava knows, but she never told the boys. Not that he owes her anything… He says, they won’t hear it from him; no one will. She thanks him, and he tells her, happy New Year. He goes back inside, passing Terry, who’s on her way out to the deck. Elizabeth says, Terry probably wants to know what that was all about, and Terry says, when Elizabeth is ready, she’ll tell her, or not. They hug.

Scotty takes the mic, and asks for everyone’s attention. Sonny says, Scotty’s not going to sing, is he? and Scotty says, he couldn’t carry a tune if it had handles. So if there’s no more hecklers, let’s get on with this. They had great music, and had a great cake, but there’s one thing missing. Britt says, presents? and everyone goes, wooo!

Josslyn gets a sundae, and says, Dante and Sam are super dressed up. Are they going somewhere fancy to watch the ball drop? Sam says, they did fancy. Now they’re just enjoying sundaes. Josslyn says, it’s a fun way to start the new year. She bets they’re excited. Dante says he’s excited for all the cool projects they have planned, and Sam says, their New Year’s resolution is a do-it-yourself remodel of the den. What about Josslyn? Any resolutions? Josslyn says, to become a doctor, and Dante asks, since when? She says, a lot of it has to do with when she found Ava after she’d been stabbed. She felt so helpless; she didn’t know what to do for her. Then she realized she can learn what to do, so she submitted her application to switch her major to pre-med. Dante says, she’s going to be an incredible doctor, and Sam says, good for Josslyn, to go through something terrible, and find a positive way to take action. Josslyn thanks her, and says she hopes the police find Esme, lock her up, and throw away the key. Dante says he wants to catch The Hook too, but they don’t know that it’s Esme for sure. She knows what happens when they jump to conclusions, right? Sam asks what she’s missing, and Dante says, for a while, Sonny thought Dex was behind the killings.  

Nikolas tells Laura that he should have never come back to Port Charles. He would have done everyone a favor if he’d stayed dead. She tells him, don’t ever say that. She was heartbroken when she thought she’d lost him, and that’s when Spencer began to spiral. Actually, she doesn’t think he ever recovered from it. They need Nikolas to fight for himself and fight for them. If he gives in to Victor now, Victor will never let go. He says, what if it’s too late? but she says, it is not too late. She’ll back him up with every possible resource she can muster. Everything, she promises. If he could have a clean slate – wipe it clean, and start over – would he do it? He asks if it’s possible, and she says, yes. It is. It’s never too late. It can start tonight. All he has to do is decide. Does he belong to Victor or does he belong to himself?

As The Hook raises her hook, Trina says she hopes Joss and Cam will join them before midnight, and Spencer says, they will, if Cam gets off in time. Maxie calls to them, and asks what they’re doing out here. They’re missing all the fun. The Hook shrinks back in the shadows, and Maxie says, there’s cake and birthday presents, and Spencer says, they were just getting a breath of fresh air. Maxie says, in the cold? and Trina says, they didn’t realize how long they were out there, handing Spencer back his coat. Spencer says, it didn’t feel that cold to him, and they all go inside, while The Hook goes back to lurking.

Esme takes an ornament off the tree, and says, something to remember their first Christmas by. She puts it in her cardigan pocket.

Taking the mic, Maxie says, after a slight delay to round up some stragglers, it’s time to get back to the business at hand. She tells Britt, some of her nearest and dearest worked together to give her a very special birthday present. Obrecht gives Britt a box, and Britt thanks everyone. She opens it, and says, a remote control. Brad says, bring it in, boys, and the waiters roll in a giant TV. Sonny asks if Nina has any idea what’s going on, but she says, just watch. Brad says, lights, camera, action, and tells Britt, press play. Obrecht says, Britta Westbourne, this is your life. A song presumably called I Am Here to Win plays, and pictures and videos of Britt’s life come on the screen – baby pictures, pictures of her growing up, her graduations, with Nathan, Nina, Obrecht, Finn, Terry, Epiphany <sniff>, Brad, Brad, Brad, Cody, Carly, Austin, and Spencer.

Josslyn says, if Dante is asking about what Sonny did to Dex, he already knows the answer. Dante says, Michael made some serious allegations, and Dex denied them, and Josslyn says, lucky him. Sam asks why Dante is lucky, and Josslyn says, because he doesn’t have to arrest his own father. Michael was worried, because he didn’t want Dante stuck in the middle, even though he is. Sonny put him there, and keeps putting him there. Dante says, Sonny has been who Sonny has been long before he came to town, and Josslyn says, there he goes, making excuses. Dante asks if that’s what he’s doing, and Josslyn says she can’t tell Dante how to feel. All she can tell him is how she feels, and she feels Sonny’s a fraud. All of that talk about honor and loyalty is just words; he doesn’t live it. Dante does. He’s a good cop. He puts his life on the line to protect and serve, while Sonny sits back and lets other people put their lives on the line. To what? Make him richer? Then when he almost kills someone, he expects them to lie and cover for him. Now Sonny is protecting her. Is she supposed to feel grateful? That’s not happening.

Britt’s Memory Lane ends with a video of her waving goodbye. Everyone applauds, and Brad says, speech. Britt thanks everyone, and says, that was… Brad says, fantastic? and Maxie says, terrific? Britt says, that was one of the nicest things anyone’s ever done for her. She did prepare a speech, but being here now, and seeing their faces, faces she loves, she wants them to know how very, very much… She gets choked up, and Maxie says, blame Austin; it was his idea. Austin says, and in case she doesn’t want to haul a huge monitor around with her, they got her this cute digital frame. Maxie says, she, Brad, and Liesl have the password, so they can upload photos. That way, they can be with her, on vacation or where she goes. Britt hugs Austin, and thanks him.

Nikolas tells Laura, happy New Year, but she says she doesn’t think it’s midnight yet. He still has time to make a New Year’s resolution. He promises to think about what she said, and if there’s a way to disentangle himself from Victor… She says, they can manage on their own. Throw him out, change the locks, then stand back and dare him to do his worst. Because Nikolas isn’t just a Cassadine, he’s her son, and he’s Spencer’s father, and as long as they stick together, they’ll be just fine. She tells him that she loves him, and they hug

Esme tells Ace, no matter what happens, no matter how scary it gets, remember mommy is with you. Womb to tomb. She looks at the smoke alarm, and lights the match.

Nina and Sonny come out on deck, and she asks why he’s taking her away from the party. He says, don’t worry. He’ll have her back before the ball drops. She asks if he’ll have her back before she freezes to death, and he puts his arm around her, asking if she’s warm now. She says she’s getting there, and he asks if she remembers last New Year’s Eve. She says, when he was at Charlie’s, and he says he was at a tough point in his life. Dante grabbed his keys and wouldn’t let him go home, then Nina came along. She says she took him home, and thought that would be the end of them. That he’d sober up the next day, and go back to Carly. He says, here they are a year later. Is she sorry about how it ended? She puts her arms around him, and tells him, who said it was ending? They’ve only just begun. He tells her to kiss him, and she does.

Nikolas pours a drink, when the fire alarm goes off. He runs upstairs. In her now smoke filled room, the tree ablaze, Esme says, maybe this wasn’t such a brilliant plan after all. She watches the door.

Britt thanks Spencer for coming, and he says he woudn’t miss it for the world. She asks where his plus one is, and he calls Trina over. He says, there’s someone he’d like her to meet, and Trina wishes Britt a happy birthday. Spencer says he was telling Trina how much Britt means to him and how alike they are. Britt says she hopes not, and tells Trina, if she’s truly Spencer’s friend, make sure he doesn’t end up like her. He says he’d be proud to be like her, they hug, and Britt mouths he’s the best to Trina. Brad tells them, break it up. It’s the last dance before the year ends. He pulls Britt away, and Spencer asks what Britt said over his shoulder. Trina says she’ll never tell, and leads him onto the dance floor.

Josslyn tells Dante that she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to go off like that. It’s not the best way to ring in the new year. Sam says, Dante started it, and Dante says, he kinda did. Josslyn tells him, all she’s trying to say is that she thinks he’s awesome, and she’s sorry he’s stuck in this position. He thanks her, but says, don’t feel sorry for him. He’s a lucky guy for many reasons. Sam says, and don’t you forget it. She asks if she can make an observation, and Josslyn says, please; she has it coming. Sam says she thinks Josslyn is smart and strong, especially since she realizes she wants to become a doctor. Focus on that. Being hung up on Sonny is a waste. She has better things to do with her time. Josslyn thanks her, and says she’ll try to remember that. Dante says, it’s almost midnight. Times Square might have the crowds, but Port Charles has the fireworks. It’s a pretty good view. He asks if Josslyn wants to join them, and she thanks him for the invitation, but she wants to try and make Britt’s birthday party. They all wish each other a happy New Year, and Josslyn leaves. Outside, Josslyn tells Steve that she’s going to head home and change, then go to the party at the Haunted Star. Sonny will be there; he doesn’t have to worry. He follows her out of the gate.

Willow tells Michael, sorry. They were having such a nice time, and she… She was going to say killed the mood, but that sounds morbid. He says, she can be morbid, scared, or angry. She doesn’t have to put up a front for him. Wiley is a child and has to feel secure, so she has to pretend with him, but she doesn’t have to pretend with him. She says she’s not pretending. That’s the crazy part. As scared as she is that she’s going to die, this is the happiest time of her life. She loves him, she loves Wiley, she loves their daughter, she loves where they live, with his squabbling relative right up the driveway. There was a long time when she was alone, and now her life is so rich, and so full, beyond anything she could have imagined. Most of it came from him. He thinks her, but says he thinks he got the better half of the bargain. She changed his life. It wasn’t a bad life before. He’s been blessed with a lot, and knows he’s lucky, but with her, he has a connection he’s never felt with anyone. He loves the trust and compatibility. He know he sounds unromantic… She says, not to her. She feels compatible with him too. He says, hold that thought.

Nikolas unlocks Esme’s room, and goes in with a fire extinguisher. As he sprays it and calls her name, she runs out.  

Michael shows Willow a ring, and says, remember this? She says, it’s his great-grandmother’s ring, and he says, to him, it’s Willow’s ring. It has been since she accepted it the first time. She says she gave it back when they had their marriage annulled, and he says he hated signing those papers. She says, so did she, and he says, it’s a family heirloom. He could have put it back with his great grandmother’s jewelry, but he held on to it, hoping she’d accept it again – but this time forever. He gets down on one knee, and asks her to marry him.

Esme runs out on the parapet, coughing. She says, let mommy catch her breath. Then they’re out of here. She hears a door close, and Nikolas is on the parapet with her.

Sonny and Nina come back inside, and Spencer says, nice up there, huh? Nina says, it’s beautiful, and Spencer says, they thought so too, putting his arm around Trina. Alyssa says, okay, party people. It’s that time. Out with the old year, and in with the new. So chill the champagne, grab someone you love, or at least you don’t hate, and get ready for the countdown. Finn looks at Elizabeth.

Nikolas tells Esme, she took her best shot. The fire is out, and there’s only one way out, which is down. Or did she forget last time? She says she hasn’t forgotten, and he says he knows she cares about the baby. Once they get to Cassadine Island, she’ll have everything she needs or wants until the baby is born. He promises her. Just take his hand. She hoists herself up, and stands on the wall. She looks down.

Everyone gets coupled up, and Finn starts to leave. Austin asks where he’s going, and Finn says, the emcee said you should be with someone you love, so he’s going home to bring in the new year with his daughter. He leaves, and Britt hugs Austin, thanking him for the gift. Being quiet about where she’s going has given everyone she loves something to remember her by. Alyssa begins the countdown, 10…9… 8…

Willow says, yes, with all her heart she’ll marry Michael. He puts the ring on her, and says, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. She says, as long as they both shall live, and they kiss.

7…6…

Dante wonders if he should have driven Josslyn, but Sam says, she has Sonny’s bodyguard. She’s probably having fun at the party right now. Truth? He says, of course (🍷), and she says she didn’t really want to share him tonight, and they kiss.

5… 4… 3… 2… 1! Happy New Year! Horns blow and noisemakers make noise, and Austin watches Britt slip out. Scotty kisses Obrecht, and Sonny kisses Nina. Spencer and Trina get close enough to kiss, but he blows a noisemaker instead. Elizabeth hugs Terry, and Terry says, it’s going to be a better year for Elizabeth; she promises. Elizabeth says, it has to be. For Terry as well. Terry says she’ll drink to that, and they clink glasses. Maxie asks if Austin has seen Britt, and Brad says, she’s missing the best part of the party. Austin tells them, say what you will about Britt, that woman knows how to make an exit. Happy New Year. The three of them clink glasses

Nikolas asks what Esme is doing, and tells her, get down. She says she’s survived the drop once before, and she’ll do it again. He watches as she falls backward.

All dressed up, Josslyn waits at the docks. So does The Hook, who comes out of the shadows.  

Next week, Dante asks Sam what justice looks like when it’s applied to his father; Britt says, ten minutes before she says goodbye to Port Charles; Nikolas tells Elizabeth, no one is going to know; and The Hook comes for Josslyn.

Just a thought, but what the hell was Steve thinking, letting Josslyn wait on the docks all by herself? I knew she said Sonny was going to be at the party, but the party was not on the docks. He should have made sure she got on the boat safely. He’s fired.

🏈 No Soap Monday…

But if you like college football, you’re the lucky one.

👠 Real Nightmare of New Jersey…

Did she bother watching her own contribution to the mess?

It wouldn’t surprise me.

It never occurs to them that they might be asked to leave.

🥾 Having Their Say…

How come there hasn’t been a Real Househusbands series yet?

🎊 Here It Comes…

All about kicking 2022 to the curb, and ringing in 2023. Mostly if you don’t have something better to do, like actually going out. We’ve decided we’ve done it all, and did it when it was safer and less expensive.

https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20221229340929/5-new-year-eve-tv-specials/

This actually sounds really cool.

https://blockster.com/where-to-celebrate-new-years-eve-in-the-metaverse

🥂 Agreed…

The Mayor de Blasio comment was the best.

https://www.gawker.com/celebrity/cnn-andy-cohen-drunk-new-years-eve

🐕 Because I Have To…

Ending 2022 with something interesting about what I like to call God’s best invention.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-fascinating-things-we-learned-about-pet-dogs-and-cats-in-2022/

🦜 Quotes of the Week

If your goal is to enjoy some genuine joie de vivre this holiday season, keep in mind that the simplest acts of generosity, connection, and self-care can offer the biggest rewards. – 11 Ways to Experience Holiday Joy

Sometimes a person has to go a very long distance out of his way to come back a short distance correctly. – Jerry, The Zoo Story by Edward Albee

If you hear a voice within you say, you cannot paint, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. – Vincent Van Gogh

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. – Robert Brault

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent. – Barbara Bush (Or your pets!)

🍾 Auld Lang Syning Off…

There’s no GH on Monday, and although there’s a new Deck, I’m postponing it a day, since I have a deadline on Tuesday. New Year’s Day isn’t exactly an ideal workday, so… Enjoy your journey into the new year, whether you celebrate or not. And don’t feel pressured to, or let anyone tell you how to feel about it. So until next year, stay safe, stay being true to yourself, and stay finding a positive way to take action when you go through something terrible.

🎉Happy New Year!🎉

December 28, 2022 – Cyrus Offers His Help To Laura, Why He Left, NeNe Wants Grace, Avoidance, Captain Eddie, Continuing To Celebrate & Party

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Zaanse Schans, Netherlands. Anna and Valentin walk into a café. Valentin asks if she’s sure they’re not being set up, but she says she told him. It’s not just a former colleague; it’s an old friend. And here he is. Andre says, Anna Devane, it’s been far, far too long, and they hug.

Britt clinks a martini glass against a framed photo of her and Brad, then puts them both in a suitcase. She looks at a bracelet that says Britt on it, and puts that in too. She says she guesses this means she has plenty of room for clothes.

At Kelly’s, Ava says, it was a lovely memorial for Rory yesterday, and Trina agrees. She thanks Ava for being there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). She’d do anything to support Trina. Trina says she knows she can count on Ava, and Ava says, her question is, can Trina count on Spencer? She shows Trina her phone, and the article in The Invader with the picture of her, Spencer, and Laura, is on the screen.

As Spencer tries to get out the door, Victor says he’s glad he caught Spencer. Spencer tells Victor that he was just on his way… but Victor asks if Spencer will join him. He promises not to keep Spencer long, and then he can join his friends for the New Year celebrations. Although it’s a little early, isn’t it? He pours them drinks, and Spencer says he has some things to get done before Britt’s birthday party. Victor says he’s surprised Spencer is attending, and Spencer says, she was a good friend to him when he was a kid, and luckily, they’ve remained friends. Victor says, good. He was hoping Spencer would be available tomorrow afternoon. He was hoping to get the family together for a nice brunch to usher in the New Year. Spencer says, forgive him, but under no circumstances will he be having brunch with his father. He has every intention of turning 2023 into a fresh start for himself. Which means, once he moves out of Windymere, he hopes never to speak to or lay eyes on his father again.

Esme looks at her Christmas tree, and says, a definite fire hazard. Now all she needs is the spark. She hears keys, and jumps on the bed. Nikolas comes in, and she asks what she did to warrant a visit from her jailer. He says, her plan is not going to work.

Martin meets Laura in the Pentenville visitor’s room, and they hug. She says she’s glad to see he’s all right, and he says, none the worse for wear. She says, when he called her from a jail cell in Ireland… He says he can’t tell her how much he appreciates her riding to his rescue, and interceding on his behalf. She says, of course (🍷). That was very brave of him. He says, bravery had nothing to do with it. The last thing he expected when he went over there was to fall on his sword so that Anna Devane could get away. She laughs, and says she thinks he’s pretty lucky the WSB let him get away with just a fine. He says, something fishy about that. For all the good it did him. He went from one prison to another. She says, at least he’s not behind bars in this one. He didn’t have to come. He says, after all she’s done for him, did she think he’d let her face their wayward brother alone? What does she think he wants? The guard lets Cyrus in, and he says, sister. And is this his brother he sees before him? What a lovely surprise. The Lord has truly blessed him this day.

There’s a knock at Britt’s door, and Obrecht says, it’s her mutter; open up. Britt says, just a second, and tries to put the suitcase under the bed, but it doesn’t fit. Obrecht knocks again, and says something in German. Britt says, just hang on, shoving the suitcase in the other room, and opens the door. She asks what Obrecht is doing here. She thought they were meeting at the party. Obrecht says she thought Britt might need help getting ready. Is that how she’s wearing her hair? Britt says, yes. She’s decided brushing her hair is giving in to the patriarchy. Of course (🍷) she’s not wearing her hair like this. Obrecht says, thank Gott. What will she be wearing? Britt says, this, indicating the robe she’s in. It goes with the coiffure. Obrecht sees a garment bag, and says she found Britt’s regalia. Britt says she can’t wait to hear what’s wrong with it, but Obrecht gasps and says, it’s wunderbar. It’s just the tiniest bit wrinkled. She’ll hang it in the shower, turn it on, and see what happens. She nearly trips over Britt’s suitcase, and asks what Britt is doing with it.

Victor says he thought Spencer moved past this childish resentment of his father, but Spencer says, his father continues to top his previous transgressions. It’s one thing to let your family think you’re dead. It’s quite another to take advantage of a vulnerable woman. Victor says, come on. What Nikolas did might be inexcusable, but to characterize Esme as vulnerable… Spencer says he was talking about Elizabeth Baldwin, and Victor says, oh. Spencer says, Victor knew, and Victor says he did. Spencer asks how he can be okay with this, and Victor asks what there is to disapprove of. Nikolas and Elizabeth are consenting adults. Spencer says, everyone knows she’s been struggling. She checked herself in to Shadybrook. He’s sure she turned to Nikolas for comfort and support, and he used her trust to get her into bed. It’s disgusting. He hopes Cameron’s mother comes to her senses, and kicks him out of her life for good. Victor says, Spencer has to be realistic. There’s no way Elizabeth can cut ties with Nikolas now. Spencer asks, why not?

Esme asks, what’s his plan? and Nikolas says, Demetrius informed him that she barely touched her lunch, and she still hasn’t. She asks if he’s worried about her, and he says, the baby needs nourishment. She says she wasn’t hungry. Heartburn is a thing; look it up. He says, it will make her life a lot easier if she just accepts her situation, and she asks, what about her situation is acceptable? He says, if she wants something in particular, tell Demetrius, but he won’t tolerate a hunger strike. Eat her dinner, or he’ll get her a feeding tube. Don’t push him. He leaves, and she says, she’ll push Nikolas… right off a cliff.

Valentin says, Anna didn’t tell him that her contact was the esteemed Dr. Maddox. Andre says, If he’d known Valentin was going to be here, he might not have shown. Anna says, here’s the thing. She has to clear her name, and they also want to bring down Victor. So all of that is more important than past conflicts. She needs both their help. Call her selfish, but that’s what they’re going to focus on. Andre says, absolutely; anything he can do to help. Valentin says he’s sure Andre’s intentions are sterling, but he doesn’t see how a doctor – Andre says, a psychiatrist – can help them. Andre says he was thinking the same thing. What does Anna think he can do? She says, it’s not because of who he is now, but who he used to be.

Cyrus says, praise God that He has softened his brother’s heart enough to grant him this visit, but Martin says, God hasn’t softened anything. Cyrus says he understands Martin’s anger… Laura says, that’s great. The warden told her that Cyrus wanted to see her, so what does he want? Cyrus says, to warn her there’s a serpent in her garden, and she asks if they can skip the Biblical metaphors. Just tell her the name of the snake. He says, strings were pulled in order to arrange her grandson Spencer’s early release, and Martin says, early release usually requires some kind of string pulling. Cyrus says, unfortunately, all these strings lead directly back to Laura.

Britt says she decided to go on a little vacation, and Obrecht asks where she’s going. When is she leaving? Why doesn’t she have Britt’s itinerary? Britt says, a whole bunch of places, and she’ll send Obrecht postcards from when she gets there. To answer her remaining question, she’s flying out tonight after the party. Obrecht asks why this is the first time she’s hearing about this vacation, and Britt says, it was a spur of the moment idea, and she got a good deal. She also doesn’t need Obrecht’s permission; she’s a grown woman, even though tonight will be her first birthday party ever. Thank you for that. Obrecht says she didn’t have parties growing up, so she never threw any for Britt. She thought Britt was better off; that doing without such trivialities would make her stronger. She didn’t realize what Britt was missing. Britt says she was just kidding, and Obrecht says she knows she wasn’t the warmest mother when Britt was growing up, but she knew the world was tough, and needed Britt to be tougher, so she pushed Britt. It’s a miracle she grew into the magnificent woman she is. Britt is her miracle. Britt asks if Obrecht thinks for a second that she wouldn’t have the drive, the strength, and vastly superior skills she has, if Obrecht hadn’t drilled it into her? Obrecht says, a mother should be someone who inspires you, not someone you have to survive. Britt says, we are who we are. They’ve both changed for the better, and that’s good enough. Obrecht says she hasn’t changed enough, and Britt asks what she’s done. Who did she kidnap this time? Obrecht says, what she’s done is worse than a simple abduction. She betrayed Britt’s trust.

Ava says that she knows before Rory died, Trina was struggling with her feelings for Spencer, and Trina says, the last thing Rory said to her was that he meant it when he told her that he loved her. She was planning to break up with him. Ava says, she can’t control how she feels. Choosing to tell him was brave of her. Trina says, it feels kind of the opposite, and Ava asks if she’s told Spencer about her feelings, but Trina says, God no, and she can’t now. Ava says, that’s probably for the best. Just for now. Trina is grieving, and needs to give herself time to heal. Trina says she can’t heal until Rory’s killer is caught. This has to end. Esme needs to be stopped.

Cyrus says he worries about Laura’s political future if her constituents think she interfered with Spencer’s sentence, but Laura says, he doesn’t give a damn about her political future, and he knows she had nothing to do with Spencer’s early release. Spencer told her that Cyrus was here with him when Victor picked him up. Obviously, Victor is the one who arranged for the early release. Cyrus says, the three of them know the truth, but they also know, in politics, appearances can be more damning than the facts. Martin says, so Cyrus thinks Victor is trying to frame Laura for this, and Cyrus says, Victor has a lot of sway in Pentenville. It’s obvious from the way he was able to meet with Spencer in the prison library. They also know Victor never gets his own hands dirty. One of his agents did the actual work to get Spencer’s release. This agent also works for Laura. He’s sorry to tell her, but there’s a mole in the mayor’s office. Martin says, along with the snake, and Cyrus says, as her brother, he feels it’s his duty to warn her that her Deputy Mayor is working for Victor.

Andre says, the research he was doing was for the WSB. It was only later he discovered it was corrupted by the Cassadines. Anna says, Victor and Helena, and Andre says, yes, as well as her old nemesis, Liesl Obrecht. Anna says she more interested in his interactions with the Cassadines, in particular Victor. He says he had to give the occasional progress report on his various dealings. Does she need him to be more specific? She says, not with the dealings, but the communication. Did they come to him, or did he go to them? Andre says, he went to them, always the same place, and Valentin asks Anna if he thinks Victor is using the same location. She says, the WSB never found that particular base of operations, and Victor has no reason to risk moving that location because no one really remembers it… except Andre. So where is it?

Spencer asks Victor why Elizabeth should run, and Victor says, regardless of what happened, Nikolas and Elizabeth are bound together, and Spencer should support them. Spencer says he hopes Elizabeth snaps out of whatever led her to this lamentable lapse in judgement, but regardless, his father is no longer his concern. Victor says, Nikolas is Spencer’s family. He can’t just walk away. Spencer says, why not? Nikolas doesn’t want anything to do with him. Victor says, that’s not true, and Spencer says, then tell him why, when he told Nikolas of his plans to leave, Nikolas didn’t say he was proud of Spencer for being his own man. Victor says he must have misunderstood, but Nikolas walks in, and says, Spencer is right. He thinks it’s best if Spencer leaves Windymere. Victor says, that’s a ludicrous thing to say, and Spencer suggests the two of them talk it out. It’s no longer his concern. He leaves, and Victor asks why Nikolas isn’t fighting for his son, and Nikolas says, Victor doesn’t understand. Victor says he understands more than Nikolas thinks. Does Nikolas imagine a new baby will really give him a second chance?

Esme hears someone coming and gets back in bed. Demetrius comes in, and says, she needs to eat, but she says she guesses she’s sad. He asks if she has any requests for dinner; anything. How about a steak? She asks if he trusts her with a knife, but he says he’ll bring it pre-cut. She says, whatever, and he says, he’ll have the chef prepare something special. She smiles, and says, he’s been so nice to her, but what she wants doesn’t matter. Nikolas has made that perfectly clear. He starts to leave, and she says, actually, there is something she’d like.

Anna says, where in Paris? and Andre says, the 11th. He can’t tell them exactly where. Unfortunately, he was blindfolded every time he was taken there. Anna says, of course (🍷), but maybe some detail, a sound he heard, and he says, the place was like a fortress, security everywhere. He can’t give them the exact location, but the route was always the same. He got the sense they turned off a main boulevard, not a side street. She says, that’s a good place start, and Andre asks what Victor has done now, and Anna says, they think… they hope that’s where Victor is holding Lucy Coe, because he faked Lucy’s murder, and then framed her for it. So any help Andre can give would be greatly appreciated. Andre asks if the WSB is looking for the space, but Anna says, no. They’re working on their own. Andre says, so the two of them are going to infiltrate Victor Cassadine’s top secret base by themselves? Valentin says, piece of cake.

Obrecht tells Britt that it wasn’t her intention, but Scotty was away, and she was left alone with her fears. Britt tells her, just spit it out, and Obrecht says she told Nina about Britt’s condition. Britt says she’d rather Obrecht didn’t, but Nina is family. Obrecht says, and Sonny. She’s so sorry. Britt says, Obrecht told Sonny her deepest most personal secret? and Obrecht says, not really. She told Nina, and Sonny just happened to be there. It’s been so difficult keeping this terrible secret. Britt says, it’s her secret, and Obrecht says, Britt is her daughter. No matter what kind of mother she was, the mother she is now can’t tolerate her suffering. For what it’s worth (🍷), they promised not to tell anyone. She asks if Britt hates her.

Demetrius says, whatever Esme wants, he’s certain the chef can provide it, and she says, steak medium rare does sound delicious. But what she really wants is some company. Is there any way he can join her for dinner?

Nikolas asks how Victor found out about the baby, and Victor says, Ava told him. Nikolas asks what she said, and Victor tells him, not only was Nikolas having an affair with Elizabeth, she was also about to furnish him with a new heir. Congratulations, by the way. Despite the circumstances, another Cassadine is always a blessing. Nikolas says, Elizabeth had a miscarriage. Ava must not have heard when she talked to Victor, but she knows now. Victor says he’s sorry to hear that, and Nikolas asks why he was talking to Ava in the first place.  

Ava says she understands how much Trina wants justice for Rory… Trina says, and Ava, and Diane, and Brando, and even Oz Haggerty. If it wasn’t for him, she might be in prison right now. Ava says she knows the police are doing everything they can to find this killer, whether it’s Esme or someone else, and Trina flashes back to hatching a plan with Spencer to catch Esme. Ava asks what she’s thinking, and Trina says, that she’s going to follow her heart, and do what’s right. Ava says, no doubt, when Spencer walks in. Ava says, just remember, while she’s following her heart, she should also protect it. Spencer walks over to their table, and says he’s glad he ran into Trina. She thanks him for being supportive at the memorial, and Ava says she should be on her way, but Spencer says, if Ava doesn’t mind waiting, he’d like to speak to her alone.

Laura says, if Eileen is working with Victor, why does Cyrus care? and Cyrus says, she already knew this. She’s using Ashby against Victor. That is a bold move. She says, he still hasn’t answered her question, and he says, if it becomes public knowledge that the Deputy Mayor arranged for Spencer’s release, Ashby could easily say she was acting on Laura’s behalf. Laura asks why that sounds like a threat, and Cyrus says, because she doesn’t trust him. It saddens him, but he understands. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Martin says, Cyrus best get comfortable. He’s going to be waiting a long time. Cyrus promises it’s not a threat; it’s a warning. She asks why he would warn her, and he says he reached out because they’re family. Victor Cassadine interfered with his family, and he has no intention of turning the other cheek.

Valentin wonders if there are any specific defenses other than armed guards, and Andre says, they entered the building via secured elevator underground. Despite being in the center of the city, the place is like a bunker. Anna says, they’ve gotten into tougher places than that, and Valentin says, they have? She says, they’ve certainly gotten out of them. She figures getting in will be easier. Andre suggests he go with them. He might remember something when he’s in the general vicinity. Valentin thanks him, and says, he’s been very helpful as it is, but Andre says he wasn’t not asking Valentin, and asks if Anna can really trust this guy.

Britt says she knows Obrecht wouldn’t betray her trust on purpose, and Obrecht says she swears, it just spilled out. Britt says she’s sorry. She didn’t realize keeping her Huntington’s a secret was taking such a toll on Obrecht. Obrecht says, I am the mutter; you are mein kind. She realizes she wasn’t there for Britt as a child…  Britt says, oh, she was there, and Obrecht laughs, and says, Britt knows what she means. But she is here now. Britt says, still, she’s sorry for all the pain she caused, but Obrecht says, no. She’s the one who should be sorry. Any pain she’s feeling is worth it. It’s worth anything to have Britt as her daughter.  

Victor says, Ava wanted to discuss the terms of her divorce, and Nikolas says, with Victor? Victor says, after finding out Nikolas had strayed, not only with Esme, but Elizabeth as well, does Nikolas blame Ava for wanting to come to him for advice? Word of warning. Don’t give his soon-to-be ex-wife more ammunition. Ava is out for blood.

Spencer asks if Trina wouldn’t mind giving him and Ava a moment alone. Then he’d like to talk to her about Britt’s party. Ava asks, what about Britt’s party? and Spencer says, he’ll explain, if she’ll listen. Trina says she’ll check in with Joss, and leaves. Spencer sits down with Ava, and she says she assumes this is about the trust fund, but he says, it’s not about money. It’s about something entirely different. She says, if he’s expecting any help from her about Trina… but he says, this has nothing to do with Trina. She says, if it were up to her… He asks her to shut up. He’s trying to apologize.

Demetrius says he’s Esme’s guard; it wouldn’t be right. She says she understands. It’s just, she’s so lonely up here in this tower, and it’s New Year’s Eve. Her favorite New Year’s Eve memory is when Spencer surprised her with a romantic dinner; candles, a single rose adorning the table. It made her feel so special. He says, Mr. Cassadine would not like it, and she says, probably not, but it is his duty to guard her. What better way to ensure she’s eating than to be in the same room? They can enjoy a candlelit dinner. He doesn’t say anything, and she tells him that she understands. She knows that’s probably not how he’d choose to spend his evening, but he says, it’s not that. She asks if that means he’ll consider it, and he says he will. She thanks him, and says, he has no idea how much this means to her.

Ava says, Spencer wants to apologize to her? and he says, if she’ll ever let him get around to it. He put her through hell because she broke a promise to him. He thought she wasn’t good enough for his father, but it turns out, his father wasn’t the man Spencer thought he was. And he’s sorry, because he never should have targeted her. No one deserves to be put through what he put her through. He knows they’re not going to be friends, and she says, certainly not… Nikolas let us both down. So what is this about Britt’s party? He says, Trina is going with him. He figures it’s better than her sitting at home alone missing Rory. He just wants to help her get through this. Ava says, then he’ll have to be a much better man than his father. If he lets Trina down in any way… He says he knows. He’ll answer to her. She says, he’s got that right.

Nikolas says he knows Ava will never forgive him, and Victor says he thinks Elizabeth would make a better match for him than Ava. She seems to be more malleable. Nikolas says, clearly, Victor doesn’t know Elizabeth. She may have her vulnerabilities, but she’s no push over. Victor says, even better, and Nikolas says, all Victor needs to know is that he trusts her. Victor tells him, just don’t make the same mistake as he did with Ava. Don’t trust her with any Cassadine family secrets.

Britt says, she and Obrecht have come a long way. Yes, there have been nicer, warmer, and fuzzier mothers, but there’s no one like her. And she means that in the best way. There’s no one more fierce, more protective, more loyal, more brilliant, and hilarious, and extraordinary. To be here with her, to celebrate and mourn with her, to forgive and be forgiven by her, to evolve with her. It’s no surprise she’s always been so protective of her heart, because there’s no one Britt has ever met that feels as deeply and as passionately as Obrecht does. It is an honor and an adventure – she takes Obrecht’s hand – to be her daughter. It’s a thrill ride, and she’s so glad Obrecht is her mom. Obrecht says, and she’s so proud to be blessed with such a strong, acerbically witty, beautiful and brilliant daughter. Not only a doctor – just like her mutter – but Chief of Staff – also just like her mutter. Britt says, Co-Chief, and Obrecht says, only because Monica Quartermaine is an idiot. Britt says, Monica is a savvy and brilliant woman. And if Obrecht ever repeats that… Obrecht says, she could never, not without choking. Britt says, unfortunately, she won’t be able to do this job much longer, and Obrecht says, when Britt falters, she’ll be there to see that Britt soars again. That is her promise to Britt. Britt will not go through this alone. She’ll be by Britt’s side for everything. Britt says, ich liebe dich, and Obrecht says she loves Britt too.

Valentin says, Andre’s not questioning his motives, is he? and Andre says, he is a Cassadine. Helena used to talk about him all the time. He was the one person she really seemed afraid of. Valentin says, Andre is flattering him, but Andre says, not at all. He’s simply stating, he knows Valentin’s reputation. He knows how dangerous Valentin is. Valentin says, Andre has no idea, and Anna says, all right. Valentin’s dangerous. Andre’s dangerous. She’s dangerous. The three of them are threats to the common good, but they’re all trying to be better, aren’t they? She trusts Andre’s intel; she trusts Valentin with her life 

Laura says, so Cyrus wants to take Victor down? and Martin says, only one bully in the playground, right? Cyrus says he wants to protect his family. He will be an enemy to their enemies, and oppose those who oppose them, and Martin says he knew Cyrus would circle around to the Old Testament sooner or later. Laura asks if Cyrus is suggesting they work together, and Cyrus says he thinks they’re stronger together. He has resources she doesn’t; can do things she can’t. Laura says, he means, that she won’t, and he says, she’s a fair person. Doesn’t she think it’s fair that Victor pay for Luke Spencer’s death?

Alone with Valentin, Anna says, she told him that she vouches for Andre. Valentin says he doesn’t trust anyone who’s willing to get involved with the Cassadines. She asks if he wants to run that by her again, and he says, she knows what he means. He didn’t have any choice; he was born into this family. Tell him again why Andre is willing to help them. She says she’s sure he has a lot of reasons to hate the Cassadines. Besides, wouldn’t Valentin want to help someone who said they were going to bring down Victor? He says he would if it was her. He’d do it in a heartbeat.

Esme looks at the tree, and says, not very fancy, but oh so flammable. She tells Ace that she only needs one more thing to make her escape. And Demetrius is going to provide it.

Nikolas tells Victor, don’t worry. He’s not going to share any of his Cassadine secrets with Elizabeth. Victor says, good. Elizabeth may be a loyal friend, but she’s not family. Don’t let her too close. Nikolas says, that’s not going to happen, and Victor says, from now on, he thinks it’s best he deal with Ava in regards to the divorce. They seem to have developed a kind of rapport. Nikolas says, that’s fine by him. He has his hands full enough. Victor says, anything he can help with? and Nikolas says, he’s just trying to figure out the mess he’s made of his life. Victor says he knows it seems like Nikolas is on a long road right now, but from where he stands, it looks like Nikolas is headed in the right direction. Soon his marriage to Ava will be behind him. Nikolas says he can’t pretend to be happy about that, and Victor tells him, just remember, he’s meant for much better things… So is Ava.

Ava and Trina wish each other a happy New Year, and Ava tells Spencer to be good. She leaves, and Trina thanks Spencer for telling Ava about the party. She was working up to telling her. Spencer says, there’s no reason Trina should suffer Ava’s questions and judgement when he’s here to take the brunt. She says, how gallant, and he says, besides, the whole reason they’re doing this is to get people to talk. Wherever Esme is hiding out, she’ll be furious if she thinks they’re together. Unless of course (🍷), Trina’s changed her mind. Then he’ll go back to his original plan, and try to lure Esme out of hiding by himself. She says, no. We said we were going to do this together. He says, we? She’s the one who said that. He just knew better than to argue with her. She says, he’s finally learning, and he says, just so she knows he can handle it. She doesn’t have to help him. She says, yes, she does… even if it means pretending to enjoy his company, and he says, when Esme does come after them, they’ll be ready.

Britt comes out in an amazing black sparkly dress, and Obrecht says, she looks absolutely atemberaubend. Britt says, she looks underfed? and Obrecht says, no, atemberaubend – stunning. Britt says, Obrecht is right. She does, doesn’t she? Obrecht says she’s always right, especially when it comes to Britt’s beauty. She suggests they take a picture to remember the moment, but Britt says she doesn’t need a picture to remember. Obrecht says, come, and they stand together. Obrecht tells Britt, say happy birthday, they do, and Obrecht snaps the picture.

Cyrus says he’s offering Laura justice for the father of her children, but Laura says, he’s talking about vengeance. He says, what if he is? Isn’t she entitled to that as well? Martin asks, is it Deuteronomy or Romans where the Lord says, vengeance is Mine, and Cyrus says, both. Laura says she doesn’t think this is about justice or vengeance. She thinks Cyrus wants to use her to get rid of Victor. Cyrus says, the Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. Laura says, but vengeance isn’t his, because he’s not God. She and Martin get up, and Cyrus says he’s really enjoyed their little family reunion. Happy new year, sister. I’ll be right here when you need me.

Tomorrow, Finn tells Terry that he’d be the wrong guy to ask; Trina says she has something to clear up; Nikolas tells Laura, if she takes down Victor, she takes him down; and Britt says, happy birthday to me, and a shirtless waiter offers her a drink.

🏥 Confusing Exit…

Wow. Two radically different stories. This sounds more like backtracking, but who knows?

🍑 More Confusion…

This woman is becoming the NeNeCoaster. Five minutes ago, she was suing the network and accusing Andy of being racist, and now she wants back on the show? I just don’t get it.

🌬 Toxicity Be Gone…

But how is she going to avoid herself?

⚓️ Below Deck Begot…

Apparently, he’s redeemed himself since the Rocky days.

🎄 Not Done Yet…

I like to milk the holidays as long as possible.

https://people.com/celebrity/christmas-2022-how-stars-celebrated-photos/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays-2022/

👶🏽 In With the New…

Join me tomorrow for soap, tea, and music. Until then, stay safe, stay not feeling pressured to celebrate on New Year’s Eve, and stay remembering, while following your heart, you should also protect it.

December 21, 2022 – Christmas Eve In Port Charles, More Sad, Granddad Sonny, Getting Closer, Mishaps On Deck, Good War, Puppies (!) & Spicier Wrapping

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Leo and Wiley open their presents at the Quartermaines’, and Olivia says, it’s a shame Monica is under the weather. She would have loved this. Michael and Willow play with Wiley.

The Gingerbread Jam is being set up at Rice Plaza, and Maxie gets a text from her mom: I’m here, where are you? Austen approaches her, and she asks what he’s doing here. He says he thought they had a plan.

Spencer arrives at Alexis’s house, and Sam says, the kids are upstairs making videos for social media. Whatever you do, do not engage. Spencer thanks Alexis for having him, and she hugs him, saying, he’s always welcome here. She’s just surprised his father didn’t monopolize him over the holidays now that he’s out of Pentenville. Spencer says he can see his father every day, not so much all of them, so he wanted to make up for it this Christmas, and Alexis say, famous last words.

Trina comes downstairs, and says, gosh, looking at all the fabulous decorations. She sees Curtis, Portia, Marshall, and Josslyn waiting for her, and says, what’s all this? Curtis says, they wanted to do something special for her, and Marshall says, but if she’s not in the mood… Trina says, no. It’s beautiful. Portia tells her, merry Christmas, and hugs her.

Violet, Finn, Chase and Gregory walk into Finn’s house, and Violet asks if they saw the house with all the angels, lights, and music. She makes a head exploding gesture, and Gregory suggests she find some more appropriate attire for their Christmas celebration. She says, on it, and runs off. Gregory says he knows Finn and Chase are hurting, but that little girl expects a merry Christmas, not a grumpy one. Can’t they focus on their blessings for one night, for her sake?

On the phone, Brook says, it’s happening? Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means… Yes, she knows they did her a favor, and she owes them. And they’re definitely going to collect.

At Alexis’s house, gifts are opened. Molly says she got socks for everyone, because you can never have too many, and TJ agrees, saying, he should know; he’s a doctor. Kristina says, you are too… you guys, and Molly thanks her, kissing TJ. They go to get more cider, and Spencer looks at the tree. Alexis asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s great. This is good. This is fun. She says, for a Cassadine, he’s a terrible liar, and he says he has a lot on his mind. She says she has a lot of time, so what’s on his mind? He says, this is probably a stupid question, but is he destined to be just like his father?

Trina says she’s sorry, but Josslyn says she has nothing to be sorry for, and Portia says, Trina is entitled to feel however she feels. There’s no pressure here. Trina says she appreciates that, but she doesn’t want to bring down the holiday, and Marshall says, she couldn’t if she tried. Curtis says, the holidays are about family; the ones we’re born into, and the ones we’ve chosen. And the ones we’re lucky enough to be chosen by. All that matters is them being here for her. Portia says, you know what they’re going to do? They’re going to follow Trina’s lead. So if she wants to do something, she has supplies to decorate ornaments. Trina says, it used to be their tradition, and Portia says, they stopped doing it for a couple of years, but she figured this was the perfect time to bring it back. And if Trina wants to be low-key, that’s absolutely fine too. Just do what makes her heart feel good. Trina says, thanks, but Christmas is even more important during hard times. Yes, she’s sad, and scared, and hurt, but being here with all of them, she knows she’s lucky too. She, Portia, and Curtis have a three-way hug.

Austin asks if he can talk to Maxie. He thinks they should clear the air. No matter what, they should know where they stand before the holidays, right? She asks where he thinks that is, and he says he doesn’t know where she’s at, but for him, he knows he messed up. He let his insecurities get the best of him, and he did some shady stuff. And the worst of that was to pressure Spinelli. He shouldn’t have done that; he knows Spinelli is important to her. He’s sorry. He thinks he might have driven a wedge between them. She says, the wedge was already there, and she thinks he knows that.

Brook comes into the sitting room, and says she didn’t know they were opening presents tonight. Olivia says, they’re letting the kids open one present, and Ned says he was beginning to think they weren’t going to see her until the show at Rice Plaza tonight. She says she has a couple of minutes before she has to go. Nothing’s more important than family at Christmas, right? Ned says, family is important, but there are other things… Leo asks, where’s Chase? He wants to show Chase his book. Brook says, he’s with family at the moment, and Leo leaves to read his book. Olivia asks if they’ll see Chase before the show, but Brook says, Chase isn’t coming. Not here, not Rice Plaza, nowhere that she is.

Gregory says, look at them, all together at Christmas. There was a time he never thought he’d spend the holiday with his sons, much less his beautiful granddaughter. They’ve come so far. Chase says he’s sorry. He’s not really in the holiday spirit. Maybe he should just go. Gregory says, Chase isn’t performing tonight; he’s free to spend time with his family. Chase says, Brook completely screwed him over, and Finn says he’s sorry. Gregory says, what Brook did was wrong… and Chase says, it was beyond wrong. She cost him his badge when she took it upon herself to make decisions about his life. The more he thinks about it, the more he’s glad that he backed out of the Gingerbread Jam. Brook can deal with the fallout. Gregory says he gets it. This is about revenge.

Michael tells Wiley that he and Willow have something to tell him, and asks Willow if she wants to do the telling. She says, they found out the baby in mommy’s tummy is a girl. He’s going to have a little sister. Michael asks how that sounds, and Wiley says he can’t wait.

Drew says he’s really glad Carly is here, and she says, her too. Donna’s with Sonny, and Avery is with her mother. Joss is with Trina, and she’d be going crazy if she was sitting in the house by herself. Not to mention she gets bonus time with Wiley. And she gets holiday bonus time with him, which is really, really nice. She wonders if Willow’s okay; she’s really pale. She seems to be having a really hard time with this pregnancy. Drew says, unfortunately, he thinks finding out that her birth mother was dead really added on the stress, but now that they know that Denise was lying, he’s not going to stop until he finds Willow’s birth parents, or at least find out what happened to them. She says, he’s a man with a mission, and he says, they have to tell her there’s hope her family’s out there. She says she thinks that would be a really big mistake, and he asks, why? She says she thinks he should wait until he has all the facts before he gives Willow more bad news. He says, like the suspicion Harmony stole Willow from her birth parents? and she says, let Willow enjoy Christmas before he puts all that on her.

Wiley asks if his sister will be here next Christmas, and Michael says, she sure will. Wiley asks if they’ll open presents together, and Michael says, she’ll have presents, but she’ll be too small to open them herself. Wiley says, then you, me, and mommy will help open them, right mommy? and Willow says, they sure will. She tells them that she’ll be right back, and leaves.

Ned says he’s sorry to hear Brook and Chase split up, and Olivia says, they were worried something like this might happen. Brook says, worried, but hardly surprised? Ned says, and Chase bailed on the performance tonight? and Brook says, Chase was only performing because they were together. Go ahead. Tell her how selfish and stupid, and she deserved what she got. Ned says he’s so sorry, and hugs her. Olivia says, they know how important Chase was to her. If anyone understands what she’s going through, it’s them. Brook says, they’re not going to lecture her? and Ned says, it’s Christmas Eve. No lecture today. Maybe on New Year’s.

Dante looks at his phone, and Sam says, no phones tonight. Tonight, Dante is all hers. Anything important? He says, no. He was just going to check on Cody; make sure he’s not alone. She says, he could invite Cody to the Gingerbread Jam, and he says he doesn’t know if he told her lately how incredible she is. She says, a couple times, when his phone dings. He says he’s got to go, and she says, was it work? It’s not another attack. He says, nothing like that. He’ll be right back. He promises.

Spencer says he shouldn’t have brought it up on Christmas, but Alexis says, it’s the perfect holiday to maximize family disfunction. What’s going on with his dad? Spence says he found out some things about him. He’s embarrassed and ashamed that it makes him look bad by association. Does that make sense? She says, sadly, it does, and he says he wants to find a life outside of his family, to stay away from his father, and even Uncle Victor, but he can’t find a permanent way out. He needs her to tell him how to escape his own family, but she says, they can’t.

Curtis suggests Marshall and Portia take a break, and Portia says, in a minute. She wants to make everything perfect for Trina. Marshall says, he’s helping; doctor’s orders. Curtis says he’s sure Trina will appreciate the effort, but what he has to tell them can’t wait.

Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t have to stay. The traffic is going to be crazy with the Gingerbread Jam at Rice Plaza. Josslyn says she’ll take the back roads, and tells Trina, stop putting everybody else first. She’s here as long as Trina needs her. Trina says she was supposed to be with Rory’s family tonight. She told him she’d go before… She was on her way to tell Rory that she didn’t love him. All because she can’t shake her feelings for Spencer. He might have broken up with her, but she’ll never know. Rory is gone, and he’d still be here if he’d never met her. She starts to cry.

Curtis says, they’re all working hard to help Trina, and she’s their number one priority. But it’s his and Portia’s first Christmas as an engaged couple in their home. It’s his and Marshall’s first Christmas in over 30 years, since Marshall came back into his life. And even after everything that’s been going on, he thinks these things need to be celebrated. He gives a gift to Portia, and one to Marshall, and says, open them. They tear open the paper, and Portia says, it’s like self-care in a box, and thanks Curtis. Marshall opens a set of record albums, and says, this is like a time machine. He thanks Curtis, and they hug.

Josslyn asks, in what universe is Trina even remotely responsible for Rory’s death? He was investigating a crime. Trina says, this crime, and Josslyn says, the killer happened to be there. Trina says, exactly. If it wasn’t for her, Rory wouldn’t have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Josslyn says, okay. It’s time for some tough love. What happened to Rory was a tragedy, and Trina is entitled to feel however she wants about that, but not responsible. The only person responsible is the monster who killed Rory. Trina says, right, and Josslyn says she knows Trina is saying it, but doesn’t think Trina means it. It’s human nature that when things get really, really bad, we try to make sense of them, and we’re willing to accept answers from anywhere, even if it means believing the worst about ourselves. Trina says, and Josslyn thinks that’s what she’s doing? Josslyn says, it is what she’s doing. Blaming herself is only going to hold her back. Rory wouldn’t want that for her. Rory would want her to keep moving forward. She puts her arms around Trina, and holds her.

Maxie says she appreciates Austin owning what he did. It proves he can still be a good man, which is why she was drawn to him in the first place. He says, helping a woman deliver a baby when she’s being chased be a crazy nurse would make anyone look like a hero, and she says, that’s where the root of their problem is. When she met him, she was trying to save her own life, and her daughter’s life, and trying to survive the most traumatic relationship she’s ever been in. And there Austin was, like a guardian angel. They went through something huge together, and became really important to each other really fast; so fast, she thinks lines were blurred. Trauma bonding is a real thing and fate  brought them together, but… He says, they’re not meant to be.

Drew tells Carly that they need to let Willow know there’s still a chance her birth parents could be out there. She needs some hope. Carly says, it’s not hopeful to hear you were taken from your family. When you’re pregnant, your hormones just compound everything, and that’s what’s going on with Willow. There’s nothing to worry about. Um… she brought up that Willow wasn’t looking too good.

Brook tells Ned and Olivia that she just got so caught up in what she wanted, she convinced herself that’s what Chase wanted too. Now Chase is gone, and she has to live with it. Ned asks what she’s going to do about the show tonight. She’ll be in breach of contract if she doesn’t show up with an act. She says, she’ll just have to get a different act… Ned could take Chase’s place. Olivia laughs.

Violet drapes a candy cane striped scarf around Finn’s neck, and says, it’s his color. He says he’ll take her word for it, and she asks if they can do the advent calendar. He says, you bet, and they sit in front of the calendar on the coffee table. She asks why there isn’t anything for Christmas Day, and he says, that’s because Santa brings her candy for her stocking, but she says she knows Finn does that. Santa only brings presents. He says, she’s getting way too smart for him.

Gregory says he’s not trying to excuse what Brook did; Chase has every right to be angry. Brook made a mistake, one that cost Chase dearly, but just because Brook made a mistake doesn’t mean Chase can’t. Chase asks what he’s talking about, and Gregory says, his badge was taken away, not his moral compass. There’s still a wrong he has to make right – tonight. Dante knocks at the door, and says he’s sorry to interrupt, but he has some news he doesn’t think can wait.

Brook says, who needs Chase when she has Eddie Maine? but Ned says, what Linc and Blaze signed up for, and what the Rice Plaza bookers agreed to was a performance by two up and comers. She can’t change the terms at the last minute. Brook says, it’s an emergency, but he says, they won’t see it that way. If there’s no way she can get Chase to do this, she needs to be honest with the people she made an agreement with. Brook says, and tell them she can’t deliver, and Ned says, unfortunately, dare he say it – Olivia says, please don’t – she has to face the music.

Drew says he doesn’t feel good keeping this from Willow, but Carly says, all they have is a theory, an extremely disturbing one at that. He says, she’s right… he thinks, and she says she’ll take that.

Willow comes back, and Michael asks if she’s okay. She says, yeah. She’s sorry for getting so… He says, they’re going to spend many and more Christmases together, and he, Willow, and Wiley have a three-way hug.

Violet says she’s taking the calendar to her room, and runs out. Gregory says, Finn is doing a good job of hiding his pain from Violet, and Finn says he wasn’t so sure after what Gregory told him the other day. Gregory says, Finn’s performance has improved. He’s not trying to pry. He knows there are elements of Finn’s break-up he doesn’t want to discuss, but Violet loves her Aunt Elizabeth. Finn says he knows, and no matter what happens between them, Elizabeth will be a part of Violet’s life. Gregory says he’s proud of Finn not leaning into despair when it would be so easy to, and Finn says he’s had a lot of practice. He’s learned his lesson this time. He’s not cut out for love and relationships. As much as he tries, some tragedy always follows him everywhere. Gregory says he knows Finn has experienced his share of darkness; they had their share of darkness as a family as well. But it would be a mistake to ignore all the joy they’ve had too. Finn asks if this is the part of the conversation where Gregory says, everything happens for reason, and Gregory says he wouldn’t dream of being so cliché, but the journey Finn has been on, put him on the path that brought Violet into his life. Would he change that? Finn says, of course (🍷) not; not for a minute. Gregory says, so maybe don’t throw in the towel yet.

Dante says, the CCRB is going to revisit Chase’s reinstatement. They’re going to take another look at his case at the next meeting in the spring. Chase says, that’s fantastic, but it was supposed to be a done deal, and Dante says, it was, but Brook managed to get them her letter. Chase says he thought it was too late for that, and Dante says, it was. He has no idea what happened; maybe she wore them down. Chase says, Brook has that effect on people, and thanks Dante for letting him know. Dante shakes his hand, and says, merry Christmas, partner. He leaves, and Chase goes back inside. Finn asks what Dante wanted, and Chase says, to deliver a Christmas miracle.

Austin says, Maxie means a lot to him. He wishes things were different, but they’re just not. So he thinks maybe they should just call it. She says she is grateful for him. Not just because he brought Bailey Lou into this world, but for the time they spent together, even though it didn’t work out. He says, him too, and they hug. He tells her, merry Christmas. He hopes those kids have a great holiday. Give little Bailey a hug for him. She says, of course (🍷), and he leaves.

Trina thanks Josslyn for being the best, and Josslyn says, call if she needs anything. Trina says, she will, and Josslyn leaves. Portia asks how Trina is feeling, and Trina says she’s okay. There’s something she wants to do, and she needs Portia’s help.

Marshall gives Curtis a gift, and says, Curtis didn’t think he’d be left out. Curtis says, he figured he’d have to wait until morning, and Marshall says, that was the plan, but Curtis inspired him. Curtis opens the gift, and Marshall says, it was their first Christmas together; Curtis’s mama, him, Tommy, and that blur is his Aunt Stella. She set the timer too fast. They all thought it was funny, so that’s their favorite. And that little boy there is Curtis. He can’t tell Curtis how grateful he is for this second chance to make up for all those holidays he missed spending with him.

Spencer tells Alexis, he doesn’t understand. She, Kristina, Molly, and Sam all have lives. They’re not… They don’t get drawn in by their family. They’re not dependent on them. They don’t get sucked into the drama, and the scheming, and the treachery. Alexis says, they’re still connected to them. She fully expected Victor to walk through that door, and refer to this gathering as if it were some little soiree, while he’s lecturing them about family. Spencer can’t escape being a Cassadine, but he can survive it. He asks, how? and she says, she and the girls have their own lives because she insisted on that; they insisted on that. That wasn’t easy. It just looks easy on nights like this. Victor has a special interest in Spencer, and she’s advising him to be very cautious about that. If Spencer has questions he can’t answer, ask her instead. Because this band of psychopathic murdering megalomaniacs are theirs. They’re their family, and always will be. He says, so basically, he’s doomed with the brontosaurus in the tarpit, and she says, this place he lives in is always going to take up space in his head. The key is to just accept that, and if you do that, it’s easier to forge your own path. He asks if that’s how she’s always able to rise above the insanity that’s their family, because that’s all he wants to do. She tells him, remember, genetics don’t dictate your actions. He’s his own person. He can never not be a Cassadine, but he can ground himself in other things. He says, such as? and she says he has to find out what makes him feel alive; him, Spencer, not Spencer Cassadine. Does that make sense? He says he’s not sure. He wants it to. She says, find out what makes him happy. Figure out what that is, then hang on to that, and let it be his guide. She promises this won’t last forever. At some point he’ll be able to ignore their attempts to pull him in, and follow his own heart.

Linc (I assume; it’s a different actor) approaches Brook at Rice Plaza, and says he’s been looking everywhere for her. Where’s his opening act? Brook says, about that… when Maxie runs over, and hugs her. Linc gets distracted by some set pieces, and Maxie asks, where’s Chase? Brook says, Chase isn’t coming, and Maxie says she’s sorry. Is there something she can do to help? Brook says, no, but thanks her anyway, and Maxie says she’s going to go find her kids and her mom. Break a leg. She hugs Brook again, and leaves. Linc says, where is he? and Brook says she’s so sorry. She knows this is disappointing, but Blaze is going to have to perform solo. Linc says, no, and Brook says, Chase isn’t coming. She doesn’t see any other option. He says, Blaze’s manager has been screaming at him all afternoon. A solo performance is a non-starter. Brook needs to fix this – now.  

Sam says, Molly’s caramel apple pie is to die for. She legitimately made this herself? Molly says she did, and thanks Sam. She says, baking has become a sort of meditation for her these days. Kristina says, she, too, has begun to realize there’s more to life than work. She’s organizing a charity clothing drive to help struggling LGBTQ+ youth. She realized helping people gives her life purpose, and she never would have realized that if she hadn’t had a job that allowed her the time to explore it. Spencer says, seems like they all found things that make them feel alive, and Molly says, that’s one way of putting it. Sam says she guesses they’re all lucky that way, and Spencer tells them, merry Christmas. He has to be going. Alexis asks if he’s okay, and Molly asks if it’s something Kristina said. He laughs, and says, it was actually what all of them said. He thanks Alexis, says, he realized there’s somewhere he has to be, and leaves.

Portia and Trina are concentrating on something, and Curtis brings Marshall some coffee. Marshall says, look at those two. Even though they know better, you would think nothing’s wrong with the world. There truly is peace on earth. Curtis says, they are beautiful, and Marshall says, this whole evening. He gets to spend Christmas with his family – that’s a gift. Curtis says, merry Christmas, dad, Marshall says, merry Christmas, and they clink cups.

We see a Rory tribute ornament, and Portia tells Trina, this was such a lovely idea, so thoughtful. Trina says, Rory holds a special place in her heart, and it’s important for her to keep his memory alive, even as she moves forward. It just needs one final touch. She puts a soda can ring over the hook, and says, she knows it’s corny, but the day she and Rory met, the police had been questioning her for a while, and he brought her a soda. Then when she was exonerated, he brought her another one. And because she’s ridiculous, she saved the tab. Portia says, she’s not ridiculous in any way, shape, or form. You know what that is? That’s perfect.

Carly tells Willow and Michael that she has to go, and tells Wiley to have a merry Christmas. He hugs her, and she says she loves him. Drew says he’ll walk her out, and when they get outside, he kisses her.

Josslyn is driving, and shields her eyes from someone’s brights. She slams on the brakes.

Drew says he’s been dying to do that all night, and Carly says, it’s been difficult keeping her hands off him. He says, before she goes, he got her a present, and hands her a small box. She opens it, and takes out a keyring from Jacksonville, with a key attached. He says, hopefully, it will remind her of their time together there, and she says, that she could never forget. She asks what the key is for, and he says, she’ll find out. He leans in for another kiss, but she says, merry Christmas, and walks off.

At Rice Plaza, Brook turns to see Chase walking toward her, wearing his leather jacket.

Gregory and Violet bring mugs into the living room, and Violet asks when she’ll be able to make hot cocoa by herself. Gregory says, far too soon, and Finn joins them on the sofa. Finn says, all right. They have their hot cocoa. Is anybody ready for a story? Violet asks if grandpa can read it, and Finn hands the book to him. Gregory says he’d be honored, and Violet sits in Finn’s lap. Gregory begins to read… ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

Alexis says, so that charity work Kristina is doing… Kristina says she doesn’t want to argue with Alexis on Christmas Eve, but Alexis says, then Santa came early for Kristina, because she was going to say she loves that Kristina is doing something she loves. Alexis is so proud of her.

Sam lets Dante in, and says, welcome home. He says, there’s no place he’d rather be, and they hug.

Alexis and Kristina hug, and TJ and Molly kiss

There’s a knock at the door, and Trina answers it. Spencer says, merry Christmas.

Tomorrow, Brook asks Chase if they can get past this; Spencer tells Trina, if the police won’t do it, he will; and Mac says, they have a lead on Rory’s murderer.

👼🏾 Singing With the Angels…

She will be missed. I still can’t believe it. Watching GH today made me want to cry, knowing she’ll no longer be bossing people around.

🧓🏻 In Happier News…

I’ll bet he’s an amazing grandpa.

👠 They’re Coming…

I wonder who Teresa will throw something at this season.

https://ew.com/tv/the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-season-13-trailer/

🛥 Deck Disasters…

Captain Lee will turn this boat around.

🍰 Bakers At Battle…

I am so addicted to this show. Those who can’t do, watch it on TV.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/holiday-wars

🐕 All About That Bowl…

It’s never too early to talk about the Bowl.

https://www.chiff.com/articles/puppy-bowl.htm

Westward Leading, Still Proceeding…

Come back for more of the same tomorrow. If nothing else, I’m consistent. Until then, stay safe, stay believing it’s the thought that counts, and stay remembering, genetics don’t dictate your actions. You’re your own person.

December 9, 2022 – Ryan Gets a Blast From the Past, Love To Hate, NJ Dish, Hot Stuff, VanderDumped, Competition, Dead Talk, DocuGlee, Critic Noms, Pets (!), a Bouquet Of Quotes & Hazy

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny asks, how’s Donna? and Nina says, he’s missing all the fun. Donna is running circles around her and Pilar. She asks how his day is, and he says he’ll tell her all about it when he gets home. She says, they’ll be here. Donna and Pilar are having an early supper in the kitchen, but for them, she ordered a gourmet dinner for two to be delivered from the MetroCourt. He says he’ll see her when he gets home, and Dex comes to his office. Dex says he wanted to follow up on the deal Sonny mentioned; some third party who wants to use his facilities? Sonny said he might want Dex to assist him. Sonny says, that depends, and Dex says, on what? Sonny says, on what’s important to Dex; working for him, or making time with Josslyn?

Nina hums as she sets the table and pours some wine. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, it must be dinner. She opens the door, and Josslyn asks what she’s doing here.

Trina tells Rory that she doesn’t know what to say, and he says, when he was in training at the Police Academy, he had several instructors tell him that he was going to be a great cop because he’s so naturally stoic. Big emotions like this don’t come easy to him, but tonight… He guesses his feelings for her are so strong, he had to say something. And even though this is new to him, he wanted her to know how much he meant it, every single word. He loves her. Spencer watches, and tells Victor that he thinks he lost his appetite. Rory tells Trina that he didn’t know how he was actually going to feel after saying that. He feels great, but he wants her to know he doesn’t expect her to say anything in return. He got her something, and it’s not another can of soda; they’ve progressed. He wanted to get her something to symbolize how he felt. He gives her a gift bag, and she takes out a perfume (I think) box. He says, it’s called L’Amore. It seemed fitting. She says, this is… and looks up to see Spencer practically hugging the back of Rory’s chair. FYI, perfume is probably not a good choice of gift, unless you really know the person or you know that’s what they wear.

Alone in his room, Ryan says, Esme, where the hell are you? What have you gotten yourself into now? The doorknob rattles, and he goes back to his locked-in persona. Someone wearing a bathrobe comes in and closes the door. Heather says, hello… lover. They tell her that he can’t talk to her, but she bets she knows what he’s thinking. A blast from the past, right? Her and him, together again for the first time. It almost feels like a lifetime ago, but some things in life, you just can’t forget. They both know when they were bad, it was very good.

Elizabeth says, Finn went to Spoon Island? and he says, like he told her, he was looking for Esme Prince. Sha asks, what made him think Esme would be on the island of all places? and he says he was just following the trail. She says, what trail? and he says, the one that begins and ends with her. She says she doesn’t understand. How could she have led him to look for Esme on Spoon Island? He says, she was the last person to see Esme before Esme attacked her on the pier. If she hadn’t called the police first, who knows what Esme would have done? Elizabeth says, but she didn’t. They should be thankful she just ended up with a bump on her head, and leave it at that. He says, but who knows if it would have ended there? He thinks Esme went to Spoon Island, and now that he’s been there, he’s even more convinced he’s on the right track.

Heather asks if Ryan remembers how they first met; that was ages ago. Decades. But she can still see it, as if it was yesterday. She runs her hand up his arm, and stands behind his chair, feeling his chest. She says, she was hiking the Cascade Mountains. A regular nature girl on a journey to find a place for herself outside the rigid confines of middleclass society. That’s when she smelled smoke, coming out of a cabin in the middle of nowhere. And there he was, chopping wood with a hatchet. The blade gleamed in the moonlight. He always was handy with a blade. She caresses his right arm and says, such a shame to lose this hand. It was so talented in so many ways. She said her name was Hazel, and he said his name was Richard. They were both playing the same game. They found each other. Soulmates. Is it beginning to come back to you, Richie?

Rory asks Trina, what’s wrong? and follows her gaze to Spencer behind him. He says, oh, and Trina says she doesn’t understand. They said Spencer’s release was weeks away. Spencer says, it was supposed to be. Don’t let him interrupt their dinner. They’re clearly in the middle of something special. Rory says, they are, and Trina gets up, asking, what happened? How is he a free man? He says, don’t worry; he didn’t escape this time. Trina asks, what changed? and Victor says, his nephew’s exemplary behavior earned him an early release. Spencer thanks him, but says, Trina is smarter than that. He did what he always does and relied on his family to get him out of trouble.

Nina asks why Josslyn is surprised. Everyone, including Josslyn, knows that she and Sonny are involved. Josslyn walks in, and says she’s here to pick up Donna, and it was her understanding Nina isn’t allowed anywhere near her little sister. Nina says she’s happy to tell Josslyn, that information is outdated. Sonny and Carly reached a new understanding, and she had the best day with Donna. She’s in the kitchen with Pilar having an early supper. Josslyn says she’ll check in with her mom about the change in rules when she gets home, and starts to head for the kitchen, but Nina says, Sonny isn’t home from work yet. Josslyn says, shocking. The family man is too busy obstructing justice, or whatever it is he does (see? Josslyn doesn’t even know what he does), to spend time with his youngest child, so he leaves her with the girlfriend. Lucky Donna is still too young to understand where she ranks on Sonny’s list of priorities. Nina says, Sonny is on his way home right now, and she knows he’d love to see his daughter and kiss her before Josslyn takes her home to Carly, so wait a little while. She can take it if Josslyn can.

Dex tells Sonny that he didn’t go to Josslyn for help. He never meant for her to be involved. Sonny says, but she was involved, and Dex flashes back to Josslyn fixing up his bullet wound in the gatehouse. He says he doesn’t know if Josslyn saved his life, but she definitely saved his freedom. People know he works for Sonny. If Josslyn had called an ambulance or the cops, Sonny would have been investigated at the very least. Sonny asks, what’s his point? and he says, Josslyn did him a favor, and he’s grateful, but that’s as far as it goes. Sonny says, good, because he spent today cleaning up the mess Dex made when he was driving that transfer van to Pentenville. He was concerned that someone could identify Dex as the driver, so he made sure no one is going to identify Dex. Dex says he appreciates it, and promises Sonny that he learns from his mistakes. Sonny says he believes Dex means that when he says it, but like his old man used to say, some mistakes are too big to make. He opens his desk drawer, and Dex sees a gun. Sonny says, Dex is probably standing there thinking, he’s done a solid job, why is Sonny so hard on him? Dex says, something like that, and Sonny says, when he was Dex’s age, he was in debt to a guy named Joe Skully, and he would have done anything to pay him back. Joe wanted him to do a job, he was young and inexperienced, he did the job, and left a trail that could have led straight back to him. Even worse, it could have led straight from him to Joe. Dex says, obviously Sonny is still in the game, so what happened? What saved him? Sonny says he had a guardian angel. He took it upon himself to clean up after Sonny. Dex says, that was lucky, and Sonny says, luck is only going to get you so far in life. In this business, you’ve got to have brains; you need to trust your instincts. Dex says he has both, and Sonny says, think of this as a crossroads in his life. Dex is the one who’s going to have to make that call. He’s got to figure out what he’s going to hold on to, and what he’s going to let go. What matters; what doesn’t matter.

Josslyn tells Nina that she can wait until Donna’s done eating, because they both know Pilar cooked that meal, and Nina didn’t. (Not sure how that applies.) But let’s be clear, when Donna is done, they’re leaving whether Sonny is back or not. Nina suggests they go to their separate corners until the referee rings the bell for round two. Josslyn says, like a fight? Why would she want to fight Nina? She’s so grateful. Nina says, Josslyn’s idea of gratitude leaves a lot to be desired, and Josslyn says, Nina did what no one else ever could. She took Sonny away from Josslyn’s mom, and set her free. She feels a little bit sorry for Donna, but in the end, Josslyn knows she’s better off. She doesn’t have to grow up listening to her mom defend the indefensible, like Josslyn did. She watched her mom turn herself inside out for Sonny. She doesn’t have to do that anymore. She can live her life the way she wants to, and she has never had a better time. Josslyn thanks Nina, and says, out of all of Sonny’s many girlfriends, Nina might just be her favorite. Nina says, Josslyn makes it sound like she’s the latest in a long line, and Josslyn tells Nina, she said it, not her.

Spencer asks what he can say. When your grandmother is the mayor and your great uncle is Victor Cassadine. you can pretty much get yourself out of anything. Rory asks if he’s saying he mayor pulled strings to get him an early release, and Spencer says, when you have family connections, the golden rule is to never advertise who did what. Though he will say his Uncle Cyrus looked out for him when he was on the inside. Rory says, Cyrus as in Cyrus Renault? and Victor says, that unfortunate family tie came to an end the second Spencer came out of the Pentenville gates. Keeping the box with the doves out of sight, Spencer says, they’ll let Trina and Rory get back to their dinner. Good seeing Trina. They walk away, and Victor says, that was very graciously done, but Spencer is making one mistake. He’s a Cassadine, and Cassadines never quit.

Elizabeth asks what Finn found on Spoon Island, and he says, it’s more what he didn’t find when he went to Windymere. She says, he went to the house? and he says he thought Nikolas might cooperate and help him find Esme, but he had to play the big shot. Supposedly, he had some of the staff search the property, but even if they did look, they weren’t going to find Esme. She says, so he walked away empty handed, and he tells her, of course (🍷) Nikolas said he was just looking out for her best interests, but he wasn’t buying it. She asks, why not? and he says, his lips were moving.

Heather flops onto Ryan’s bed, and says, remember how they used to bundle together in the cabin on those cold winter nights, when the wolves howled outside the window. They’d howl right back at them because that’s what they were; a couple of timber wolves, too wild for all of those poor pathetic sheep out there. He’s in there, isn’t he? He might have everybody else fooled, but she knows him, inside and out. He’s not really paralyzed, is he? It’s just his way of controlling the situation. Getting everyone lulled into a false sense of security, and that’s when he’s going to strike. She knows she’s getting to him. After all, she’s his Hazel, and can affect him in ways nobody else can. She’s about to kiss him, when he says, you left me without so much as a goodbye. You broke my heart. He doesn’t think she’s ever been hurt as badly, but that can be arranged.

Finn says, he gets the sense Nikolas is only willing to cooperate when he’s in charge, and Elizabeth says, sounds like him. He says, maybe, and she asks what he means. He says he has the feeling Nikolas is hiding something.

Heather says, it speaks. She knew her mountain man was in there, just waiting to break free. Ryan talks without moving anything but his mouth, and says, she just might live to regret that… or not. She says, ooh, naughty boy. She knows he wouldn’t hurt her. He says, since when did she mind a little pain, and she says, you remembered my sweet spot, lover, but he says, there was never anything sweet about her, but that was her appeal; two of a kind. She says, like knows like, and he says he actually began to question if it ever happened at all. She seemed too good to be true, and then she disappeared without a trace. He actually wondered if he imagined the whole thing. She says, it wasn’t his imagination. She stands up and leans over him, saying, take a whiff. She still uses the same soap… all over her body… every inch. He inhales deeply, and she smacks him hard across the face.

Victor tells Spencer to sit down. He said they were going to celebrate Spencer’s first night of freedom from Pentenville, so that’s exactly what they’re going to do. A little life lesson. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent him from enjoying his first breath of freedom. Spencer says he’s not ungrateful for Victor getting him out early. He never thought he was going to be out of Pentenville by New Year’s Eve, much less Christmas, but it’s difficult to celebrate when… Victor says, Spencer feels the same way about the lovely Miss Robinson? Spencer says, with all due respect, what is the point? They got here just in time to hear Rory tell Trina that he loves her. Victor says he thinks it makes all the difference in the world.

Trina says, where were they? and Rory says, they were celebrating their three-month anniversary. He hopes she likes… His phone rings, and he tells her, he’s so sorry; it’s work. He has to take it. She tells him, go, and he says, yes, Commissioner, as he goes outside. Victor tells Spencer, remember, opportunity is only lost on those who fail to seize it, and Spencer jets over to Trina, asking if he can join her. Before she can answer, he sits down, and she asks what he’s doing. He says he has a question. Can they start over?

Nina says, Josslyn’s gratitude sounds a lot like resentment. She’s guessing Josslyn talked to her mother about what happened between them today. Josslyn says, her mom never mentions Nina, and Nina says, so Josslyn doesn’t know. She and Carly were at Willow’s, and Willow fainted. Josslyn asks if Willow is okay; does Michael know? Nina says she imagines by now he does, and Josslyn asks, what happened and how is Nina involved? Nina says she went over there to talk to Willow about helping Sasha. Things got heated, Willow got upset, and passed out. Josslyn says, only Nina would pick a fight with a pregnant woman, but Nina says she didn’t pick a fight with Willow. Her point is, that for a split second, she and Carly put aside their differences to help Willow. If they’re able to do that, why can’t she and Josslyn do the same thing? Josslyn says, her mother makes her own choices; so does she. Even though she’s grateful Nina took Sonny off her mom’s hands, that doesn’t mean she likes Nina. Nina says she didn’t take Sonny off of anyone’s hands; she fell in love with him. Josslyn says, how romantic, and Nina says, the only part of it she regrets is keeping the truth from everyone. Josslyn might not understand, but Nina kept the truth from herself. She came to care for someone when everything else told her it was wrong. Josslyn flashes back to kissing Dex in her dorm room, and says, Nina is right. She can’t understand. She’s nothing like Nina. Nina asks what she’s talking about. Who said Josslyn was like her?

Sonny tells Dex, one of the hardest things he’s had to learn in his life is when to use a gun, and when to keep the safety on. It’s taken him almost a lifetime to learn that. Dex says, he had to start sometime, right? and Sonny says, yes, he did, and so does Dex. He takes out the gun, and slides it across the desk, along with a clip. Dex asks what Sonny wants him to do with it, and Sonny says, it’s his; take it. Dex puts the clip in the gun, and puts the gun in his waistband. Sonny says, so the deal Dex asked him about. He set up a meeting with a third party, and wants Dex to come with him. Dex asks what Sonny wants him to do, and Sonny says, just listen. Take orders. He’s probably not going to have to use the gun. Dex says, so Sonny just wants a little security, and Sonny says, the go-between who set up the meeting isn’t really a trusted friend or someone he’s done business with, but it’s who the contractors chose. He just wants to be prepared. Does Dex have any questions? Dex says, nope, and Sonny tosses him the car keys, saying, let’s go. Dex asks where they’re going.  

Josslyn asks if that isn’t what Nina is after; sympathy, empathy? Nina wants people to put themselves in her shoes, so they can see she had no other option but to lie. Josslyn’s not like that; she doesn’t use deceit to get what she wants. She’s nothing like Nina. Nina asks what Josslyn is talking about. She never said Josslyn was deceitful. If anything, she’s honest to a fault, and a little quick to judge people by her own high standards. Josslyn says she’s going to see if Donna is done with dessert, and Nina asks, how’s Cameron? Josslyn flashes back to telling Trina that she thought sleeping together would help her and Cameron reconnect, and be a magic fix for what she hasn’t been feeling. She tells Nina, it’s none of her business.

Trina tells Spencer, she doesn’t know. So much has happened, she doesn’t think a fresh start is even possible for them. He says he supposes that’s fair. He did what he did, and there are consequences he has to live with. She says she appreciates that he wants to try, but it’s hard for her to even think about this now, much less talk it over. He says, she’s with Rory at the PC Grill, not at Kelly’s having burgers. He knew they were in the middle of something special, and if he’d known she was going to be here with her boyfriend, celebrating, he would have insisted to his uncle that they go elsewhere, especially when he heard what Rory said to her. He wasn’t trying to eavesdrop; he practically announced it to the entire restaurant. Not that he blames Rory. If he were in Rory’s place, he’d want to tell everyone too. She says, it’s not what he thinks it is, but he says, when a guy takes you out to one of the best restaurants in town and tells you he loves you. What else could that mean?

Outside on the phone, Rory says, copy that, Commissioner. See you soon. He starts to go back in, when Victor blocks his way. Victor says he admires Rory’s dedication. Rory tries to walk around him, but Victor moves, and says, Rory swore to do the right thing. He assumes Rory knows when to stay the course, and when to call it a day. I love how with all his big plans, whatever they are, Victor still has time to meddle in a kid’s love life.

Ryan asks, what the hell was that for? and Heather says, for what he did to her Franco. He says he keeps a pretty good record of the crimes he’s committed, and the people he’s killed, and Franco Baldwin isn’t on that list. She says, don’t even mention his name. Ryan victimized her son, and what’s that old expression? One bad turn deserves another. He says, you wouldn’t blow the whistle on me, would you, Hazel… dear? and she says, I’d hate to be backed into that corner, Richie… boy.

Elizabeth tells Finn that Nikolas’s Uncle Victor is living at Windymere now. There’s bound to be something Nikolas is hiding. He says, she thinks Victor is using Spoon Island for something? and she says, Windymere isn’t just a family estate; it’s a fortress. He says, a fortress where they might be hiding Esme Prince. He thinks this is a good time to have a conversation with Jordan, but she says, he can’t. He says, why not? and she says, he’s a healer, not a detective. His place is here at GH, doing the kind of life saving work he was meant to do, not taking on a cold-blooded killer. He says he’s not taking on the killer himself. He knows that’s a job for the PCPD. She says, if Esme finds out Finn led them to her, she’s going to put him on her list, but he says he can’t let this go, not after Esme attacked her. As long as Esme is out there, she’s free to go after Elizabeth again, or her kids, or anybody else who gets in her way. She says, what about his daughter? If he doesn’t give up this search, what if Esme targets Violet? He says, it’s Violet he’s thinking about. How does he look his little girl in the eye, knowing he didn’t do what he could to put a stop to this? Come to his office. They’ll call Jordan and see what she has to say about this. They go out in the hallway, and Finn says, Elizabeth forgot something. She says, wait, but he goes back in and picks up the bottle of prenatal vitamins, taking a look at it. He remembers seeing an empty bottle of the same thing at Windymere.  

Ryan says, of all the women he’s loved, Heather was always his most vivid memory. She says she read all about him, and she’s guessing that’s a crock, but she’d love to believe it. She always knew their paths would cross again. What they had was kismet. He says, then why even dream of exposing him? and she says, don’t worry, mountain man. She wouldn’t do that. She’s just putting him on notice not to even think of adding her to his list of victims. He says, heaven forbid, and she says, heaven is not his final destination, or hers. Still, she’s sorry for walking out on him. If she’d stuck around, who knows? Maybe both their lives would have been different. Let’s just say, she owes him one. He says, according to his math, she owes him two.

Trina tells Spencer, Rory is a great guy. He’s honest, kind, and has a great start on a very solid career. Even Ava, who has very high standards, thinks she’d be crazy if she let him get away. He says, and of course (🍷) she and Ava always agree with each other. Rory comes back, and asks if everything is okay here. Spencer says, everything’s fine. Time for him to rejoin his uncle. He shakes Rory’s hand, and says, great seeing Trina. He leaves, and Rory sits down. He asks what Spencer wanted.  

Josslyn comes out of the kitchen, and Nina asks, where’s Donna? Josslyn says, Pilar is helping her wash up. As soon as they’re done, she and Donna are leaving. Sonny’s just going to have to do better with his time management. Sonny walks in with Dex, and says, he didn’t expect to find Josslyn here. What’s going on? Nina asks if Dex will be joining them, and Sonny asks what Josslyn is doing here. She says she’s here to pick up Donna. She’ll see if Donna is ready. She can’t get out of the room fast enough, and Dex says, if it’s okay with Sonny, he’s going to pass on the dinner invitation. He’s not hungry, and should probably call it an early night. Sonny says he’ll see Dex tomorrow, Dex says goodnight to Nina, and leaves. Sonny says, Nina was here alone with Josslyn. He doesn’t see any broken glass anywhere. What happened? Nina says, it’s clear Josslyn has other things on her mind, and they hug.

Trina tells Rory, Spencer just wanted to touch base since his early release from Pentenville. Obviously, she wasn’t expecting to see him tonight. Rory says, it’s unfortunate their big night got interrupted. Now he’s been called back to the station. Plus, he did tell her mom that he’d have her home early. She says, they’ll do it again with no interruptions. She picks up the bag, saying, she can’t forget her gift. She really loves it. He kisses her, and they leave holding hands. Victor says, if Trina chooses Rory over Spencer, it’s her loss. Spencer says he has to go to the restroom, and tosses the box containing the doves on the table. When he’s gone, Victor  picks up the box and puts it in his pocket.

Finn says, Elizabeth left these behind. It’s strange. He saw a bottle just like this when he went to see Nikolas. Prenatal vitamins. Are they hers?

Heather says, she owes Ryan two? How does he mean? He says, when she left him never to return, she didn’t just stomp on his heart and walk out of his life. In the years since, he’s learned that when she left, she was carrying the child they created.

Finn asks, what’s going on? Is there something Elizabeth wants to tell him? She says, just let it go, but he says he doesn’t want to. He wants to hear her voice, but if she doesn’t want to tell him, he’s fine with going to Windymere and getting answers. She says, please don’t, and he says, please don’t what? Is she pregnant?

On Monday, Drew asks Denise, where did Baby Callie come from; Willow tells Carly that she’s far from okay; and Ryan tells Heather, if something falls into the wrong hands, he’s holding her responsible.

💣 Man With a Plan…

Victor is the best at bad.

👰🏻 Still In the Bubble…

Maybe it’s me, but I still don’t see why this woman is not just employed, but celebrated, by Bravo.

How she makes new friends is also beyond me, but give it time.

🎤 Burning Down the Mic…

Housewives caught saying what they shouldn’t, and production lapping it up.

🍸 No Longer Employed…

Was this ever even in question?

🕶  Odd Combo…

I don’t know if I’ll be watching, but it’s an interesting concept. Although I could do without Brandi, another one they should dump.

⚰️ Dead In the City…

This. Looks. Wonderful.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/maggie-and-negan-return-in-the-walking-dead-dead-city-teaser-trailer/

https://ew.com/tv/jeffrey-dean-morgan-negan-walking-dead-dead-city/

🎼 Fame Kills…

This is a bit of a stretch, considering the size of the cast. Stuff happens.

https://people.com/tv/the-price-of-glee-trailer-explores-deaths-of-naya-rivera-cory-monteith-mark-salling/

🏆 Upcoming Choices…

Nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards.

https://ew.com/awards/leslie-jordan-ray-liotta-receive-posthumous-critics-choice-award-nominations/

🐩 Hello Pets…

And to send you off on a good note, places you can’t afford, but someone’s pet can. Hey, they deserve it.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/gallery/20220504139347/celebrity-pets-with-pampered-lifestyles-houses/1/

🦉 Quotes of the Week

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. – Harry S. Truman (Or you could say, Murphy was an optimist.)

No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday. – Alexander Pope

A rich man is nothing but a poor man with money. – W.C. Fields

My belief is that personal freedom cannot grow beyond personal responsibility. The more people that learn to be fully accountable for their lives, the more freedom each of us can enjoy and the more fulfilling all of our lives will be. – Ross Parmenter

Infinitely more important than sharing one’s material wealth is sharing the wealth of ourselves—our time and energy, our passion and commitment, and, above all, our love.William E. Simon (But a little cash never hurts.)

There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them. – Ray Bradbury

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. – Maya Angelou

Being dead really doesn’t make things easier. – Barbara (Geena Davis), Beetlejuice

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

Social media is the devil. – Judge Star Jones, Divorce Court

🦌 Playing Reindeer Games…

Exiting stage left until Monday really Tuesday, when I’ll be back with soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay within your budget, and stay remembering, opportunity is only lost on those who fail to seize it.

December 2, 2022 – Victor Meets Cyrus, Absent, Jackie’s 45th, Remembrance, Cover Boy, Rudest, Sailed, Amends, That Cake, Only a Donor, Daryl’s Spin, Holiday Horror, First List, New TV, a Handful of Quotes & 1963

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Dante walks into Pozzulo’s and knocks on Sonny’s office door. On the phone, Sonny tells Brick to let him know what he comes up with. He asks Dante, what’s up? and Dante thanks him again for Thanksgiving. They had a great time seeing everybody, and he thinks it must have meant a lot to Gladys and Sasha to be included. Sonny says, his commitment is always to his family, no matter what Michael thinks, and Dante says, that’s the real reason he’s here. They both know Michael was right about Sonny.

Drew goes into Sonny’s ex-kitchen to visit the moss bowl🎍, and sees Michael. He thanks Michael for meeting him, and Michael says, it sounded urgent. He asks why Drew asked to meet at his mom’s house, and Drew says, this conversation has to be completely confidential, and there’s too many potential eavesdroppers at the Quartermaines, and probably at Aurora too. Michael asks, what’s going on? and Drew says, they have to be prepared, because he and Carly could be facing criminal charges.

Josslyn checks out a shirtless Dex (another possible drinking game!), and says, his wound is almost healed. Dex says he told her he was fine; nothing to worry about. She says, that sounds so familiar. That’s what he said when he was bleeding and fighting a 104 fever in her dorm room, so excuse her for checking it out herself. He says, so she just came to provide medical attention? and she asks what else she’d come here for. He says he thought maybe she wanted to see him.

Sam struggles to put up a wreath, and Sasha helps her. Sam says, Sasha’s timing is impeccable; good reach. Sasha says she appreciates Sam helping, and Sam says, Dante texted her, and said she was helping with the community decorations. Sasha says, it was Nina’s idea. Nina thought she might be at loose ends as the holiday approached. Sam says, good for Nina, and good for Sasha too, and Sasha says, Nina really deserves all the credit. Not only is she a good person, she’s thoughtful and generous too.

Willow tells Nina, Sasha was just the latest excuse for Nina to get closer to her, and scheme her way back into Wiley’s orbit. Which after the lies Nina spread, is just ludicrous. Nina says she didn’t spread any lies, and Willow says, so Nina didn’t tell Michael that she and TJ were having an affair, when nothing could be further from the truth? Nina says, she made that one mistake. Can Willow calm down? And when she apologized, Willow told her to drop dead. Willow says, that’s because nothing else gets through to her. She doesn’t listen. She doesn’t stop; she just keeps pushing and pushing. Go away, and leave her family the hell alone. Carly walks in, and Willow drops to the floor. Carly and Nina run to her, and Nina says, she’ll call 9-1-1, but Carly says, no. Help her with Willow first.

On the phone in the hallway at Pentenville, Victor says he needs to know what happened to that necklace. If it burned up in the cabin, sift through the ashes. He must have those diamonds. They’re pivotal to his next step. He goes into the visitor’s room, and Nikolas is there. Nikolas says he thinks this is a bad idea; his son doesn’t want to see him. Victor says, Nikolas is Spencer’s father. Spencer misses him, even if he’s angry. The guard lets Spencer in, but Spencer says he wishes to return to his cell. Victor asks if that’s any way to treat family. No matter how many times they might disagree, Cassadines always come together in the end. Nikolas says he’s glad to see Spencer, even if Spencer doesn’t feel the same.

Sonny tells Dante that he can’t believe he’s hearing this. They both know Michael’s anger is out of control. He keeps trying to reconcile, but Michael doesn’t bend. Dante says he’s not condoning the way Michael is treating Sonny – he doesn’t like it – but Michael was telling the truth when he said Sonny abducted Dex Heller and had him beaten. He saw some of Dex’s injuries, and the only reason he didn’t arrest Sonny is because Dex lied and covered for him. Sonny says, that was after Brando’s funeral, months ago. Why is Dante bringing it up now? Dante says, because he looked the other way. Sonny committed a felony, and now he’s doing it again. He does know what Sonny does for a living, right?

Josslyn tells Dex that he can put his shirt on now, and he says he didn’t mean to make her feel uncomfortable, but she says she’s not uncomfortable. He says, true, she’s seen him in less, and she says, he slept in her bed. He says, too bad all he did was sleep, and she says, wow. He really went there. He says he can’t help it. Of all the rotten luck to be lying in her bed, too feverish to do anything but sleep. She says, there’s always next time.

Sasha says, Sam must be on decoration overload. She’s helping get Rice Plaza ready for Christmas, and also has her own house to decorate. Sam says she does have three elves to help with that; she hopes anyway. Scout’s down to help, but she doesn’t know if Danny and Rocco will think they’re too old for decoration. Sasha says, too bad if they are. At least Scout is on board. Christmas is magic at any age, but especially for the little ones. She used to… How about adding some ribbon to this? Sam says, Sasha doesn’t have to edit herself with her. Whatever she was going to say, whatever she’s feeling, she can say it.

Drew tells Michael, he spoke to his legal team, and they think there might be a case against him and Carly for insider trading; even though Carly didn’t make any money, and the merger between ELQ and Aurora didn’t happen. Michael asks if Drew really thinks Ned would go to the SEC, and Drew says he doesn’t think Ned would go that far, but he can’t afford for it to happen. They shared pizza together at Thanksgiving, but he can’t assume that peace offering is going to make Ned forgive and forget. Michael says, the Quartermaines are famous for holding a grudge, and Drew says, exactly. That’s why he has to back way off. He can’t afford to provoke Ned more than he already has. Michael says, given Ned’s anger at feeling they abandoned him, he doesn’t blame Drew, and Drew says, in addition to Leo’s sweet desire for family peace, it’s in their best interest for him and Carly to mend fences with Ned. Michael says he will too, and Drew thanks him. Michael asks what else Drew and Carly can do to protect themselves, and Drew says, they could stop seeing each other.

Nina brings in a cold towel, while Carly props up Willow’s feet, and tells Willow to open her eyes. Willow opens her eyes, and Carly tells her to take it easy. Nina says she’s going to call 9-1-1, but Willow sits up and says, no.

Victor says, Nikolas is Spencer’s father, and Spencer is going to need his father’s support when he’s released, but Spencer says, not if Victor fulfills his end of the bargain. Nikolas says, what bargain? and Spencer says, Victor didn’t tell him? Victor says, he didn’t see the need, and Spencer says, if he agreed to keep his mouth shut about Nikolas sleeping with Esme, Victor promised Spencer would get his birthright ahead of schedule. So he doesn’t need Nikolas anymore; he’s obsolete. Uncle Victor made sure of it. Nikolas says he can’t say he blames Spencer. He hasn’t been a good father, and doesn’t deserve Spencer’s forgiveness, despite his mistakes. Spencer is a better man than he is, and he envies how Spencer gives his whole heart. He hates that he broke it. Spencer says he’s used to it, and Nikolas says he hates that too. Spencer has no reason to trust him, but if Spencer lets him in his life, he gives Spencer his word that he’ll never hurt him again. Spencer says he’d settle for not having to listen to another of these disingenuous speeches, and Nikolas says he told Victor this was a bad idea. He leaves, and Victor tells Spencer, sit down. Spencer sits, and Victor says he’s so disappointed in Spencer. Spencer says, Victor and his father both disrespected his wishes, but Victor says he’d do it again, even though Spencer squandered the time he bought, so Spencer could realign with his father. Spencer says, Victor may be all powerful on the outside, but he has competition in here. Cyrus walks in.

Michael says he didn’t know Drew and his mother were seeing each other. Although the looked cozy at the Quartermaine picnic, and Drew did go to Florida to help his mom with her adoptive mother’s grave, which was above and beyond. Drew says, to be honest, he’s had a thing for Carly for a while now, and Michael says, since they came back from Jacksonville, he just got a friendship vibe. Drew says, the point is, if he and Carly are going to openly be a couple (or perhaps a throuple with the moss bowl🎍), it could strengthen the SEC’s case that he gave her privileged business information. So they’ve got to be casual in public, and probably in private too. How uncomfortable is this conversation making Michael right now? Michael says he knows Drew and his mom are adults, and he’s got to admit, since his mom came back from Florida, this is the happiest he’s seen her in a long time. Drew says, Carly makes him happy too. Unfortunately, this relationship may be short-lived. Michael asks if it has to go that far, and Drew says he thought they could meet in private, but it isn’t fair. They can’t meet at the Quartermaines because he lives there, and there’s always someone popping in and unexpected moments in that house. Like when Olivia walked in on Chase in Brook’s bedroom, for example. Michael says, he heard about that? It was a moment. Drew says, if they meet here in Carly’s house, they have to time their visits to when Donna and Joss aren’t here. It seems dishonest. Maybe he has to accept the timing isn’t right. Michael asks, what if this is the only time they’re going to get?

Tucked in on the couch, Willow says she’s fine. Please don’t call an ambulance. Carly feels Willow’s forehead, and asks if she still feels dizzy. She going to check Willow’s temperature. Willow says she’s not dizzy, and she’s not running a fever, but Nina says, at least let them take her to the hospital, so she can notify her OB. Willow asks, what part of I’m fine doesn’t Nina understand? She’s not in pain; she just needs to rest. Carly gives her some water, and says she needs to stay hydrated. She asks Nina if they can chat outside.

Sonny says he thought things were good with him and Dante, and Dante says, maybe they’re too good. They spend holidays together; they’re neighbors. It seems like the further apart Sonny and Michael get, the closer they get. Sonny asks, what’s wrong with it? and Dante says, there’s been this boundary that he’s always had to keep, between his love for Sonny as a son, and his duty as a cop. And that line is starting to blur. Sonny asks, how so? and Dante says, if this was anyone else, he would pursue the case into Dex’s abduction. He’d get more evidence, and talk to witnesses. He’d build a case, bring it back to Dex, and try and get him to cooperate. And instead, he called Michael a liar. He did that for Sonny’s benefit. He wanted Sonny to know he knew what Sonny had done, and had to tell him to his face that he knows Sonny is behind what happened to Dex. Sonny says he’s never asked Dante to cover for him, and never would, and Dante says, that’s good. Maybe Sonny can tell him about Anna’s escape then.

Josslyn tells Dex to take it easy, and limit all activity for one more week. He says, no offense, but how does she know? Did she consult a medical professional about him? She says she’s been doing some research online, and he asks, where? BulletWounds.com? She says, GH’s website. She went through all this trouble to take care of him, so it woudn’t make sense to bail before he’s healed. He says, that’s exactly what she needs to do – bail.

Cyrus wonders when Spencer is coming back to their chess game, and Spencer tells Victor that he’s improving his game in here. Victor says he’s glad Spencer’s not without friends, but Cyrus says, they’re not just friends; they’re family. Victor says he’s Spencer’s actual family, and Cyrus says he knows who Victor is. Victor says, and he is? and Cyrus says, Cyrus Renault. He’s sure Victor’s heard of him. Victor says, so he’s the famous Cyrus Renault, and Cyrus says, same name, different man, but the Bible says, the memory of the just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.

Dante says, less than an hour before he found out about Anna’s escape, he heard Sonny on the phone, asking someone how it went with Anna. Sonny says, he told Dante, he provided her help when she reached Pentenville. He walks out into the restaurant, and Dante follows, saying, the guy who was supposed to be driving the van was found in the parking lot, tied up with a bag over his head; he was unharmed. Sonny says he’s happy to hear that, and Dante says he’s sure Sonny is. Because whoever conducted Anna’s escape, clearly didn’t want to hurt anyone else. All they wanted was for Anna to get out of there. Sonny sips his espresso, and Dante asks, what happened to Anna? Where is she? Who else has a whole bunch of safe houses in the area? Sonny doesn’t say anything, and Dante says, see what he’s talking about here? It all adds up. Sonny broke Anna out of police custody, and he’s not doing a damn thing about it.

Michael tells Drew that he doesn’t want to be too involved in his mom’s personal life, but he knows from experience, you have less time than you think. He’s sure Drew would like to believe he has years and decades to spend with the person he loves, to do what he dreamed  of. He hopes Drew gets that time, but it’s not guaranteed. Drew asks if this is about the tension between Michael and his father. Is he worried Sonny is going to retaliate?

Josslyn says she’s sorry if her medical skills don’t meet Dex’s high standards, but he says she knows better. If she’d taken him to a hospital, the ER doctor would have had to report the bullet wound, and he’d be behind bars. He owes her. She says, he’s welcome, and he says, she asked him before how he got shot, and she says, and he didn’t tell her. He says, she doesn’t need to know the details to know it was something illegal, and she says, he works for Sonny. Of course (🍷) it’s something illegal (ha-ha!). Dex flashes back to Michael telling him, none of this is fine, and that Dex needs to find a way to keep Josslyn at arm’s length. He tells Josslyn, that’s why he needs her to leave now, and never come back.

Sasha tells Sam, it’s not easy for her to acknowledge her feelings. It’s something she’s working on in therapy; taking time to process her emotions, instead of bottling them up until the overwhelm her in a public and messy explosion. Sam says, it can be really scary, admitting to yourself how you really feel; revisiting dreams for someone whose gone that you know aren’t going to come true. She’s learned, the more time passes, the more she’s able to accept those dreams, and even smile a little. Sasha asks what Sam dreams about, and Sam says, her first child, a daughter, was stillborn. Sasha says she had no idea. She’s so sorry. Sam says she thinks about her all the time, and Sasha says, Liam would have been about a year; he was born near Christmas. He’d have been too young to understand who Santa was, but she thinks she and Brando would have still taken him to see Santa. It never happened, but the thought of it still makes her smile.

They walk outside, and Nina tells Carly that she doesn’t need another lecture. She didn’t come here to pick a fight with Willow. She didn’t come here to orchestrate a run-in with Wiley. She just came her to reach out to Willow on Sasha’s behalf. Carly says she believes Nina.

Willow says she’s sorry to the baby. She should have been more careful. She didn’t mean to get so upset. She’s afraid they’re in for a bumpy ride, but they’re going to make it. She’s their mommy, and she’s going to bring them safely into this world. She promises.

Spencer says he may not have a father he can count on, but he’s lucky to have uncles that look out for him; Cyrus and Victor, and of course (🍷) Uncles Sonny and Martin. Cyrus says, Victor knows his brother Martin, and Victor says, Martin is his son’s attorney, but Cyrus says, they both know Martin is much more than that. Victor gets up, saying, he doesn’t want to interrupt Spencer’s game, but he hopes Spencer reconsiders mending fences with his father. Cyrus says, Victor Cassadine mediator? and Spencer says, Uncle Victor wants peace for their family. Cyrus asks if that’s why Victor tried to kill his. Victor caused his brother great harm. Victor says, the implication that he had anything to do with Lucy Coe’s disappearance is unfounded, and frankly insulting, but Cyrus says he’s not talking about Ms. Coe. He’s referring to the attempt on his brother’s life, and that of their sister Laura.

Carly says, she and Nina aren’t friends, but she doesn’t think Nina came here with the intention of upsetting Willow so much, she fainted. But she has to stay away and accept the fact that seeing her upsets Willow so much, and they both know that’s not good for the baby. Nina says she’d never hurt that baby, and Carly says she believes Nina. Nina says, all right, she’ll go. If Carly will just tell… don’t tell her anything. Nina leaves, and Carly goes back inside. She tells Willow, Nina’s gone, and Willow thanks her. Carly says, but she’s not wrong. Willow needs to see her doctor. Let Carly take her to GH.

Sonny says he doesn’t need Dante’s protection. He can investigate and act on whatever he wants. Dante says, he’ll do that. He just hopes Sonny covered his tracks this time. Because next time – and there will be a next time, and a time after that – he might not have an employee who lies to take a beating. Sonny might slip up, and then Dante will have to do something he doesn’t want to do. Sonny says, so Dante feels the same way Michael does; that he should lose his family, that he should have everything he loves taken from him? Dante says he’s not Michael. He’s not out to get Sonny. He loves Sonny, but he took an oath to uphold the law, and he’s going to keep that oath. Sonny says he doesn’t expect anything less, and if it gets worse, and Dante is forced to arrest him one day, he won’t love Dante any less. Dante says he woudn’t blame Sonny if he did, but Sonny says, it’s not going to happen… ever, and they hug.  

Sam says she can cover if Sasha wants to take a break, but Sasha says she’s having fun. It feels good to be doing something useful and positive. Not that putting up Christmas decorations is going to change the world. Sam says, maybe not, but people seem to take extra care of each other this time of year. She sees a lot of smiles at the decorations and the trees lit up. Sasha says she’s grateful to be part of it, even if in a small way. It turns out what people have been telling her is true. Helping others is a great way to help yourself.

Michael tells Drew that he doesn’t believe he’s in any physical danger from his father, and the emotional damage has already been done. But this whole rift with his father has made him value his family even more. He spent the first year and a half of Wiley’s life believing Wiley was dead. Now he has Wiley… he has Willow and a baby on the way. Every day is precious to him. He wants to freeze time, and live in this place of joy with Willow and the kids. Drew says, if only they could, and Michael says, life has a way of messing up your plans. When it happens, all he can do is deal with it the best he can. Drew says he can’t argue with that, and Michael says, what he won’t do is waste any more time, or overlook the little things. Like the look of wonder on Willow’s face when she feels the baby kick. Or Wiley insisting he read Willow’s baby bump a bedtime story. Drew says, which of course (🍷) he does, and Michael says, those things only come around once. You don’t get do-overs. So if Drew and his mom feel the need to hide, then hide, but don’t pass up the chance of something really good. Now he’s going to go home to Willow.

Spencer asks if Cyrus is talking about the attack on his grandmother and Uncle Martin at the safe house last year. His Uncle Victor had nothing to do with it. Cyrus says, his sources don’t lie, nor do his instincts. Victor tells him, says the man who held Trina Robinson and her mother at gunpoint, and tried to kill Spencer’s friend Britt Westbourne. Or does the attack on Dr. Westbourne not count because Cyrus sent his minions to do his dirty work? Cyrus says he doesn’t hear Victor denying what he did to Laura and Martin, but Victor says he doesn’t answer to Cyrus. Cyrus says, Victor will if he goes near Cyrus’s family again, and that includes Spencer. Victor says, Cyrus doesn’t want him as an enemy, and Cyrus says, or he’ll go on Victor’s hit list too? Victor tells Spencer, don’t let this man manipulate him, but Spencer says he doesn’t get manipulated, and he won’t again. If there’s nothing else Victor has to say… He points toward the door, and Victor tells Spencer, like he said, he doesn’t want to interrupt his game. But remember, your pawns need to be guarded, and you won’t always have a knight to ride to your rescue. He leaves, and Spencer tells Cyrus, could he be more obvious? Cyrus says, instantly, there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales, and he could see once more. He’s sorry Spencer had to learn about Victor this way. Spencer says he’s not in the mood to play chess. He’s going back to his cell.

Willow thanks Carly for hooking her to the portable fetal monitor and checking for herself. Carly says, the baby’s heartbeat looks fine, and Willow’s blood pressure is good, but she’s no OB. She’s not going to insist Willow go to GH, but she wants Willow to promise to see her doctor in the next couple of days. Michael walks in, and asks, what happened? but Willow says, it’s nothing. Michael asks why she needs to see her doctor then, and Carly says, because she fainted. Willow says, she’s fine. Once again, she forgot to eat. Carly says, Willow didn’t want to call an ambulance, but she thinks Willow should see her OB. Willow needs to rest, and needs some TLC. Michael says he’ll make sure of it, and Carly leaves. Michael takes out his phone, and says he’s going to call Terry. She needs to know Willow fainted.

Nina goes to Rice Plaza, and Sasha asks what she thinks of the progress so far. Nina says, it’s great; everyone is doing a fantastic job. Sasha says, Nina doesn’t have to pretend with her. Did something happen? Nina says, sometimes she’s afraid that she’s really as awful as Willow thinks she is.

Dante tells Sam that she’d better pace herself; she has a penthouse to decorate. She says she was just telling Sasha that Scout will definitely want to help decorate, but does he think the boys will think they’re above it all? He says, Rocco seems like he’s going through something right now, but Danny will step up for Scout’s sake. The minute the ornaments and candy canes come out, they’ll get into it. Their boys aren’t as old as they think they are, thank God. Sam wonders where that came from, and he says he loves his father, but their relationship has always been a bit of a minefield. He’s hoping he and Rocco don’t turn into that when he’s an adult.

Josslyn says, Dex is out of bandages and antibiotic ointment, so she’s going out to get some. He tells her not to bother. He can order that stuff online. He doesn’t need her to come back. She says, skip it. It’s not going to work. He says, what? and she says, the big speech. He tries to warn her about how dangerous he is, and tries to push her away for her own good. She knows he’s dangerous. He was beating up some guy under Sonny’s orders the night they met. He can do so much better than Sonny. He’s resourceful; he keeps his head in a crisis. He’s loyal, and doesn’t complain even when he’s hurt. He says, Dex Heller, hero, and she tells him, stop it. She found him bleeding. She nursed him through a fever. She sat up with him all night to make sure he was still breathing. So she’s not going to walk out and pretend what they went through doesn’t mean something.

Sam says, most of the tension between Dante and Sonny is because Dante’s a cop, and Sonny is… Sonny. As long as Rocco doesn’t want to grow up like his grandfather, she doesn’t think Dante has anything to worry about. He says, fathers and sons butt heads about stuff, and she asks if she looks worried. She sees him and Rocco interact every day, and she sees love. Not only Dante’s love for Rocco, but Rocco’s love for him. You know what that tells her? He says, that they’re love is so strong it can survive anything, and she hugs him, saying, don’t make fun of her. He’s so smart. He says he just gets it through osmosis living with her. He thanks her for making him look forward to Christmas, and for their blended family. For the traditions they’re going to make. He’s already got his Christmas presents. She says, her too, and they kiss.

Nina says, too bad she doesn’t have a flask of brandy to go with this hot chocolate, and Sasha says, that bad? Nina says, it’s her fault Willow fainted. She never should have gone over to Willow’s place. For a smart women, she does a lot of stupid things. If something happens to Willow and that baby, she’ll never forgive herself. Sasha says, Nina made a mistake. Welcome to the club. The important thing here is to take a breath, figure out how it happened, and how to avoid it happening again. Nina says, she knows the answer, and oddly enough, got it from Carly. Sasha says, Carly’s a smart lady, and Nina says, even though it galls her to admit this, Carly helped her to see that the only thing she can do for Willow is stay away from her.

Willow thanks Michael for the soup, and says she’s feeling much better. Staring at his phone isn’t going to make Terry call back any faster. Michael says, maybe they should go to GH. If the chemo is causing her to faint… She says, it’s not the chemo. It was Nina, or rather her response to Nina. He says, Nina was here? and Willow says, Nina volunteered Sasha to oversee the decorations in Rice Plaza, and showed up to ask her to help. When she tried to decline, Nina said she was selfish. Things went downhill from there. She snapped and started screaming at Nina, and next thing she knew, it was lights out. He says he’ll make sure Nina never comes here again, but she says she doesn’t think that will be a problem. She thinks her fainting scared Nina more than it scared her. Michael says he doubts Nina would have gotten in an argument with Willow if she’d known Willow just had chemo. They need to find Willow a bone marrow donor, and need for people like Nina to treat her with consideration. They need to tell people Willow has leukemia.

Drew surprises Carly with a kiss as she walks into the kitchen. She says not that she’s complaining, but what’s going on? He says he has it on good advice that they should take full advantage of their time together while they’re lucky enough to have it. She says she’s not arguing with that, but she thought they were staying away from each other. He says he can’t stay away from her. And they’re lucky enough to have this big house on acres of grounds, with secluded nooks and crannies, and the moss bowl🎍. They kiss, and his phone chimes. She insists he get it, and he says, good news. They have a lead on Willow’s birth parents.

Josslyn tells Dex, she won’t hang around where she’s not wanted, but she’s not going to deny what’s standing in front of her, and neither can he. It’s like this wall went up between them, and Dex remembered he had to protect little old her from big bad him. She calls BS on that. She makes her own decisions, and knows the risks she’s taking. If he doesn’t want her, just say that. He says he’s trying to do the right thing here, and she suggests he try being honest instead. He says, she wants honest? and kisses her. There’s a knock at the door, and Sonny says, open up.

On Monday, Cody tells Britt, it’s more than that and she knows it; Willow tells Michael that she needs to do this on her terms; and Valentin says, if Mac has evidence, he’d like to hear it.

🤷🏻 Where In the World…

God forbid she gets some free time.

🏥 Happy Anniversary…

More pictures would have been nice.

🌱 A Mother’s Memories…

This is still just the saddest thing.

🧼 Wait, What…

I never knew he was on the cover of Playgirl, but then again, it was never on my list of publications to buy.

👠 Love Bubble My Foot…

No surprise whatsoever. I love how Andy says she must have been provoked. Yeah, they said her name.

🍹 Ahoy…

Leva dishes on Southern reality.

💞 Aww…

I’m sure it won’t last for long.

👰🏾 Speaking Of Which…

The cake is ridiculous, but I love the traditional theme.

https://people.com/food/porsha-williams-husband-simon-guobadia-wedding-cake-sword/

🍼 No Chances…

Can’t say I blame her. Randall wasn’t much of a step up from James. As a matter-of-fact, aside from the money, he was a step down.

⚰️ Resetting Daryl…

More on viva le Daryl.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-norman-reedus-reset/

🎄 Sub-Genre…

I never thought of The Thing as a Christmas movie, but why not? I have my own cinematic quirks.

https://ew.com/movies/best-christmas-horror-movies/

🥀 Early Roll Call…

Those we’ve lost.

https://ew.com/celebrity/stars-we-lost-in-2022/

📺 Rushing the TV Season…

What’s coming up next year.

https://ew.com/tv/2023-tv-premiere-dates/

📬 Quotes of the Week

Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided. – Paracelsus

Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor. – Sholem Aleichem

Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.Lou Holtz

You get to decide where your time goes. You can either spend it moving forward, or you can spend it putting out fires. You decide. And if you don’t decide, others will decide for you. – Tony Morgan

Compassion is the ultimate and most meaningful embodiment of emotional maturity. It is through compassion that a person achieves the highest peak and deepest reach in his or her search for self-fulfillment. – Arthur Jersild

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self.Aristotle

I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste. – Marcel Duchamp

If a zombie bear isn’t the problem, what is? – Doc (Russell Hodgkinson), Z Nation

🕰 Time Keeps On Tickin’…

Boomerang back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and my favorite Boat Daddy. Until then, stay safe, stay never settling for less than, and stay helping others. It’s a great way to help yourself.

November 16, 2022 – Leo Finds Dex’s Phone, Damn Shame, Dramatic Reading, Mirror Image, Sanity Speaks, Awards Coming Up & Mister

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly knocks on Brick’s hotel room door, and when he opens it, he says, Carly Corinthos. He tells her that she looks more gorgeous every time he sees her, and she says, it’s Carly Spencer now. And he’s looking so dapper as usual. She thanks him for coming through for her, and he says, she knows he’ll always be there for her. Come on in. She goes inside, and Nina comes out from around the corner in the hallway, wearing her nosy face. She wonders what Drew would think of this.

Drew tells Willow, if he’s overstepping, tell him, but if she really wants to know the full story of her biological parents, he thinks he can help. She thanks him, and says, he’s not overstepping; he’s being incredibly generous. Michael says, nothing’s more important than family, and Drew agrees. Both the family Willow has here, and the unknown one somewhere out there.

Elizabeth asks what Jeff is doing in Finn’s office, and he says he had to see her. She says, of course (🍷) he did, because why do things on her terms? Finn says he heard she was admitted to GH last night, and Jeff asks if she’s okay. She says she’s not the one with the busted lip, and tells Finn that she’s okay. She’ll talk to him about it later, but is he okay? He says, yeah; it’s been interesting. Elizabeth tells Jeff, he should leave now before he makes everything worse.

Nikolas tosses Esme a bag, and tells her to pack up. He tells Demetrius to load up the jet, and notify the airstrip. Demetrius says, right away, and Nikolas says, make sure the house is stocked and ready for guests. Demetrius leaves, and Esme asks where they’re going. Nikolas says, someplace no one will ever find her.

Dex wakes up, breathing heavily, and Josslyn tells him, take it easy. She feels his arm, and says, God, he’s hot. He says, so is she, and she says, with fever. She puts a wet cloth on his forehead, and he says, that feels nice. She tells him, just try to rest. Her mom should be here soon with the antibiotics.

Nina comes back to the table, and Sonny asks if everything is okay with the guests. The hostess said she was having a problem with some customer service issue. Nina says she managed to put out that fire, and inadvertently walked into another one, and he asks, what happened? She says, nothing, and he says, just tell him. She says, he told her Brick used to flirt with Carly? and he says, all in good fun. Why? She says she has a habit of getting things wrong, but he says, she needs to tell him what’s going on here, and she says, okay. She saw Carly go into Brick’s room. He asks if they saw her, but she says, no; she was out in the hallway. He asks if she heard anything, and she tells him, she heard Brick say he’d always be there for Carly; that she gets more gorgeous every time he sees her. She’s sure there’s a simple explanation.

Michael tells Leo that his mom called. Time for dinner. Leo asks if Michael knows how to unlock a phone, showing him the phone he found. Michael asks if it’s his, but Leo says he found it when he was looking for leaves. Michael looks at it, and says, it’s dead. They have to hook it up to a charger. Leo says, then can he have it? but Michael says, no. It doesn’t belong to Leo. They have to return it, as soon as they figure out to who.

Willow tells Drew, so the issue of her parents first became a thing when Michael wanted to take her to Paris. She needed her birth certificate to get a passport, only Harmony didn’t have one, so she got one forged. Drew says, right, and Harmony told Carly before she died that she wasn’t Willow’s biological mother. Willow says, if only she’d told Carly who her biological mother was, but he says, the way he sees it, there’s a real birth certificate out there. He’ll get an investigative reporter on the trail. She asks, how? Harmony lied about so many things. Is her birth name really Callie? Is her birthday real or fake? He says, they locate some of the people who used to live in the Denver commune with Harmony and her husband, but she says, if the only way to find her biological parents is by talking to Harmony’s commune friends, she can save him the time and trouble, because that’s going to be a dead end.

Josslyn tells Dex to open his mouth, and puts a thermometer in it. She says, now he can’t talk. It’s her turn. The night they met, when Sonny ordered him to attack that paparazzi, she recorded the whole thing and threatened to take it to the cops. Sonny took off, and just left him there. Then Sonny decides, with zero evidence, that Dex is the one going around attacking people with a hook. He ties Dex up, leaves him in a freezer, and has some freak threaten to torture Dex with knives. Then he orders Dex to do something – God knows what – and Dex gets shot in the process. Dex can’t even call him for help. There’s no way Sonny is paying him enough to go through all of that. She’d accuse him of being blindly, stupidly loyal, but she knows he’s not stupid. So tell her – she takes the thermometer out – what is it? Why has he been risking so much for Sonny? He flashes back to Michael saying, Josslyn can’t know Dex works for him, and says, all he can tell her is, he has his reasons. She looks at the thermometer, and says, his temperature is 104. If her mom isn’t back soon with the antibiotics, she’ll have to take him to the hospital.

Jeff says he’s sorry Elizabeth feels that way, calling her Lizzy, and she says, her name is Elizabeth. And she’s only stating true facts. He wreaks havoc on everybody’s lives. He cheated on her mom more than once; Hayden is living proof. He’s the reason Reiko betrayed Finn; he’s the reason Elizabeth argued with Reiko at the top of those stairs. If Jeff hadn’t met Reiko, she’d probably still be alive. And she and Finn might still be married, and Elizabeth wouldn’t have spent years repressing the memory of her. Jeff says, she’s right. He can’t dispute anything she just said. Finn’s phone dings, and he says he’s wanted in the lab… unless Elizabeth wants him to stay. She says, it’s okay. Her dad won’t be here long. Jeff says, before Finn goes, he’s sorry for what happened to Reiko. Finn says nothing, and leaves, closing the door behind him. Elizabeth asks if Jeff came here to absolve his guilt, but he says he had no idea he’d run into Finn, and he knows what he did was unforgivable. She says, why show up at all? and he says, he took a chance. There was so much left unsaid. She says, really? Like what?

Esme says she’s not going anywhere with Nikolas, and he says, yet she was so eager to leave last night. She asks how she knows he won’t throw her into the ocean from the plane, and he says, that would be the simplest solution; ridding the world of her forever. But she’s carrying his child. He always wanted more children. He’d hoped to have them with a woman he truly cared about, and instead, it’s with her, but the end result is to keep her safe… at least for now. She says, he can’t leave Port Charles. Doesn’t he still love Ava? Or Spence. He should be getting out of Pentenville soon. Doesn’t Nikolas want to be around here for that? His mom… He says, they’re wasting time, and she asks, where’s her suitcase? The one she was packing before his whacked out wife threw her off the parapet. He says, Ava didn’t throw her; she fell from her own momentum. Esme suggests they tell that story to the police and see what they think, but he says he’s sure they’ll be more interested in charging her for the hook attacks. She says, not this again, and he says, as for her luggage, when she went missing, there was no reason to keep it, so it went up in smoke, so to speak. She says, like his plan to keep her here? and he says he’s establishing new house rules. Rule number one; no more lies. She asks, what’s rule number two? and he says, never make him repeat himself. She has five minutes to pack her meager belongings for their journey. He walks to the door, and she doubles over. She says, Nikolas, wait. It’s the baby. Something’s happening. He asks, what hurts? and she says, it’s a sharp pain. He says, she’ll have to do better than that, but she says she’s serious. Demetrius knocks, and says, the helicopter will be here in 30 minutes. Esme yells for Demetrius to help her, but Nikolas opens the door, and says, there’s nothing to worry about. Their guest is just violating rule number one about lying. Esme says, someone help her to the bed please, and Nikolas says, it’s just an act. Esme screams in pain, and Demetrius hustles over, asking if Nikolas is sure. Nikolas says, absolutely. Esme is conveniently getting cramps right before they’re going to travel to a location where it will be impossible for her to escape. Demetrius doesn’t know what a formidable liar she is. Esme says, and Nikolas doesn’t know what it’s like to carry a child inside him, much less lose one… but he’s about to.

Elizabeth says, sending her away as a teenager to live without her parents says it all, and Jeff says, he and her mother didn’t feel they had any other choice. She says, right. Because they were just trying to – quote, unquote – protect her. She guesses it was just an added bonus that they no longer had to parent their wayward daughter; the one who exposed his affair, and killed his mistress. He tells her, stop it. He won’t let her talk that way. She says, let her? He walked out of her life 25 years ago. He doesn’t get to be her dad now. Or is the real issue that she called him out? He says, she’s created this narrative where he and her mother were relieved to get rid of her. She wasn’t wayward; those are her words, not his. And she wasn’t responsible for Reiko’s death. She says, but she still wasn’t perfect either, was she? Like Sarah. He says, Sarah wasn’t perfect either; there’s no such thing. All he and Carolyn ever wanted was for both of their daughters to be healthy and happy. She says, really? Because they didn’t have to drug Sarah to be either. He says he’s not saying they didn’t make mistakes, because they did. But one of the few things they got right was to finally admit the truth to her in Monterey. Even if it means she’ll never forgive them.

Drew wonders why Willow is so certain the people who lived with Harmony in the commune wouldn’t know who her birth mother might be, and she says, in her experience, people who live in communes frequently change their names. They consider themselves to be free spirits with a firm distrust of outsiders. He says he gets that. People that used to live in that community have a fundamental distrust of law enforcement and government in general, but he’s not a cop, and doesn’t work for the government. He’ll show up with a reporter from Aurora, and they’ll frame the questions as part of a human interest story. Then they’ll use the company’s publications to get the story out there. Somebody gave birth to her, and the odds are they had help. Somebody’s got to know something. She says, he almost makes her feel like this could actually happen. Almost. He says, every riddle has an answer. It’s about being thorough and reaching as many people as they can. She says, hopefully, as soon as possible.

Nina asks if Sonny still wants dinner. What is he in the mood for? He says, whatever she wants is fine with him, and she says she ruined tonight. He asks why she says that, and she tells him, she keeps putting her foot in her mouth, with Willow, and Michael, and TJ, and now Carly. She’s going to have a new resolution; stay out of everyone’s damn business. He says, he is her business, and she knew he’d want to know, so she did the right thing. She says, wait until Carly finds out. Carly is going to want her dead. He says, she’s got to let it go. Let’s just enjoy the evening. She says she’d love to… and he says, but? She says she can’t help but wonder if it matters to him because Brick is a trusted associate friend, or because Carly is his ex-wife.  

Dex asks why Josslyn keeps sticking her neck out for a total stranger, but she says, they’re not strangers. He came dumpster diving with her to help her find Avery’s bracelet. And she happens to know his life ambition is to learn how to surf. He says, he knows she already knows how to surf, and she’s an engaged, considerate big sister, but he doesn’t know a lot else. She says, like what? and he says, like what kind of music she listens to; what shows does she binge? She says, him first. Is he into sports? He says he loves watching football, and she asks, what’s is favorite team? He says, college? Georgia Bulldogs. She asks, why? and he says, there was a guy in his unit who loved the Dawgs. He talked non-stop, had the whole roster memorized. It was infections. He got so excited every game day, you couldn’t help but cheer them on too. She asks if they stayed in touch, but Dex says, he died; KIA. She says, killed in action. She’s sorry. He says, him too. He still roots for the Bulldogs. He’s not around to cheer them on anymore, so Dex does it for him. He wants to go to a game in person someday. His buddy always said the game days were incredible. The stadium is packed, and when the team runs out, they play Baba O’Riley. That’s the weirdest name for a song. She says, he needs to hydrate. He needs to sit up and drink this for her. She sees he’s struggling, and says, or he’s going to need her help. She puts her arm around him to help him sit up, and there’s a knock at the door.

Jeff says he doesn’t expect Elizabeth to forgive them. He doesn’t even expect her to understand what they did. Although he’d be incredibly grateful if she did. Please believe him. Every choice they made, as flawed and misguided as they were, were based on unconditional love for her. She’s a parent now. She loves each of her sons in a unique way. Just like he loved her and Sarah with all his heart, but honestly, the child he felt the most kinship with was her. She says, why? Because she’s screwed up like him? He says, because she goes her own way. She’s not afraid to take chances. She says, the way she sees it, she’s nothing like him, but he says, she was when she was younger. She says, he knew her as a child, barely as a teenager. She’s not the same person he sent away. He says he hopes she’ll allow him to learn who she’s become. He already knows he loves Elizabeth as much as he loves Lizzy. Another chance would mean the world to him – her phone rings – but he won’t push; he won’t invade her space. Her phone keeps ringing, and he goes to the door. He says, from the little he’s encountered of Finn, he seems like a good man. He hopes he hasn’t ruined things.

On the phone, Nikolas says he needs someone. Please get to Windymere as soon as they can. He’ll be very grateful to them. Esme wails that it hurts so bad, and asks Demetrius to please hold her hand.

Carly says, it’s mom, and Josslyn lets her in. She says, Dex’s temperature is really high. Does she have the antibiotics? Carly gives them to her, and she gives some to Dex. Dex thanks Carly, and she says, if he wants to thank her, get some rest. The sooner his fever breaks, the better for all of them. Dex drifts off again, and Josslyn tells Carly, he’s had a really high fever for over a day now. How long does she think until it breaks? Carly tells her, they’re strong antibiotics. Her guess is, his fever will break in the morning. Josslyn hopes she’s right.

Drew says, it seems like Willow wants to find her biological parents quickly, and Willow says, of course (🍷). She hopes it’s sooner than later. He says he gets that, but to be clear, these things take time. She says she’s just a little anxious to finally know the truth. Harmony wasn’t perfect, but there was still some comfort in knowing Harmony was her mom. Now that she knows Harmony wasn’t, she feels a bit unmoored. Michael comes in with Leo, and she says she thought Leo had to be back at the main house for dinner. Michael says he called Olivia and told her that Leo would be delayed. Leo found a cellphone, but it’s dead, so they have to charge it, and find out who it belongs to. Leo wanted to stay around until the mystery was solved. He asks, if Leo were a charger, where would he be? and Leo says, he’d be made of aluminum and silicone… maybe upstairs. He runs up, and Michael follows. Willow tells Drew that she’s sorry if she seems overzealous. She went back and forth, deciding if she wanted to find her biological family. Now that she’s made up her mind… He says, stop right there. He knows exactly why she’s in such a hurry.

Sonny says, the only thing between him and Carly is Donna, and Nina says she knows. Would it be awkward if Carly started dating someone he knows? Brick walks in, and Sonny tells her to do him a favor and order for him. He wants a big steak.

Sonny goes over to Brick, and asks if Brick got everything taken care of. Brick says, it’s all good, and Sonny says he’s glad to hear it. He wouldn’t want Brick to leave his ex-wife unsatisfied.  

Drew says, his and Willow’s situations aren’t identical, but they’re similar enough. There was a time when he didn’t know who his family was, and when you make that decision to find out, you need to know right now. She says, then he knows how she’s feeling, and he says, absolutely. The Quartermaines embraced him as one of their own, and he hopes it’s the same in her case. She says, that would be ideal, but she knows her biological relatives may not be as welcoming as the Quartermaines, and that’s okay. She doesn’t have to like them. He asks why she says that, when Leo comes back down. Willow asks if he found the charger, and Leo tells her, it’s where he thought silicone would be. He’s hungry now. Bye. He jets, and Drew says, that’s what makes family everything; Scout, Leo, Rocco, Wiley… She says, they’re all characters; funny, smart, precocious. He says, imagine in ten years when they’re teenagers. Won’t it be fun to see who they turn out to be?

We see Elizabeth has a voicemail, and Finn comes back. He asks if she’s okay, and she says, her father won’t come around uninvited again. He asks, what happened last night that got her checked in here? and she says, she ran into Esme Prince on Pier 55. He asks if Esme attacked her, but she says, no. She went to call 9-1-1, Esme tried to grab her phone, and she fell and hit her head. She was brought in for observation, and they said she had a mild concussion, but she thinks they were being overly cautious. He says, better safe than sorry, and she says she’s the last person to defend Esme – she thinks Esme is a maniac – but she doesn’t think Esme meant for her to fall. He says he’s glad she wasn’t hurt, and she says she wishes Reiko hadn’t been. He says, him too, and she says she hates that her dad showed up without warning. The last thing she wanted was for him to cause Finn more pain. He says, it’s okay. It woudn’t have been his first choice to talk to her dad this morning, but in a strange way, it may have helped. Her phone rings again, and she turns it off. She asks if it felt good to punch her father in the face, and he says, maybe. Not now but… She says, what about her role in what happened with Reiko? The last time they saw each other, he seemed like he needed space to think about things. Has he? He says he has, a lot, and she says, he can’t be with her anymore, can he? She doesn’t blame him.

Carly asks what Josslyn is doing. Dex was shot, and she doesn’t know if someone is coming after him. What she does know is, he’s working for Sonny, so whatever he’s doing is dangerous. Josslyn says, it’s not like she planned this; it just happened. One thing led to another, and it snowballed. Once he’s better, she’ll show him the door. Carly says, okay, but it’s a lot to risk for a guy she barely knows.

Brick says, it’s not what Sonny thinks. Nothing inappropriate happened between him and Sonny’s ex-wife. He would never. Sonny says, he can’t imagine Brick would, but he likes flirting with Carly. Brick says, that’s all it is, and Sonny says, she was in his room. Brick says, briefly, and only out of necessity, and Sonny says, let’s get something clear. Brick works for him; Carly’s his ex-wife. Brick says he comprehends, and Sonny says, so tell him what was going on in that room, but Brick says he can’t do that. This has nothing to do with Sonny. Carly needed something, and asked him to help her get it. Sonny says, and Brick is the only one who can give it to her? Brick says, give it to her, no questions asked, discreet. His allegiance is with Sonny, always, forever, and Sonny knows Brick will tell him if he insists, but he’d rather not go back on his word. Sonny says, Brick’s word is his bond, and if Brick tells him nothing compromising happened, Sonny accepts his word. Brick says, but he doesn’t like it.

Carly says she knows Josslyn is compassionate, but is there any other reason she’s going this far out on a limb for Dex? Josslyn says she doesn’t know him all that well, but they’re kind of becoming friends. When she found Ava after Ava had been stabbed, and she yelled for help, Dex came running. He helped her save Ava’s life, and that bonded them. On the subject of Ava, she’s assuming the cops haven’t found Esme since she’s been back. Carly says, they haven’t, and Josslyn says, Spencer’s in jail, and Esme has no support system here. She has to be getting desperate. It’s only a matter of time, right? Things will go back to normal. Carly says, this is not a time to let her guard down. They both know how dangerous Esme is. And Esme isn’t the only threat to Josslyn’s normal. They both look at Dex, who looks like no one with a 104 fever ever looked.

Drew tells Willow a story about how Scout decided she wants to be a blonde, when Michael comes back down with the charged phone. He sees the email from Sonny’s address, and tells Willow and Drew that he has to make a call real quick. He goes outside, and calls Dex from his own phone. The mystery phone rings.

Elizabeth says, in the short amount of time she and Finn have been together, they have a pretty spotty track record. Most of it has been on her. She kept Finn at arm’s length, attacked his brother, she didn’t get help when she needed it, she lied to Finn, and now he knows Reiko fell because Reiko was having an argument with her. That’s how Reiko caught the disease that killed her, and it’s just too much for one relationship to withstand. It’s too much for him to possibly forget. He says, neither one of them will ever forget what they’ve been through, but that doesn’t mean they still have nothing to talk about. Her phone rings, and she sees it’s Nikolas. She says she’s sorry, but she has to answer this. She steps away, and says, she’s in the middle of something. Why does he keep calling?… She’s on her way. She tells Finn that she’s sorry, but she has to go, and he asks if it’s the boys. She says, no, it’s something else, and he says, something else she can’t tell him. She says she really wants to finish this conversation, and he says he really wants to believe that’s true. She grabs her stuff, says she’s so sorry, and runs out.

Nikolas tells Demetrius to go downstairs, and get the first aid kit. He leaves, and Esme says, Nikolas can’t let her have even one friend. He says, if memory serves, she makes sex tapes of her friends. Help is on the way. She says, really? and thanks him. She says she knows how much their baby means to him, even if she doesn’t mean anything. He sits, and says he knows she knows that, and that’s why she’s pretending the little one is at risk. She says she’s not pretending; she’s in pain. He says he promises her this, if she’s not really in pain now, she will be soon.

Michael wonders why Dex’s phone is here, and says, where is Dex?

Drew says he appreciates Willow entrusting him with looking for her birth parents. He’ll use every resource he has to get her some answers. She says she knows he’ll do everything he can, but she also knows this is a secret decades in the making, and she won’t blame him if he hits a blank wall. He says he’s confident he’s going to get some results, because someone out there knows the truth about who she really is.

Carly asks if Josslyn knows anything about Dex, and Josslyn says she knows he was in the military, and she knows he doesn’t talk to his siblings. And she knows he didn’t come to her for help. She found him by accident, and now she’s in this. She needs to see it through. Carly says, it’s like looking in a mirror. Josslyn is so stubborn, and Carly knows she gets it from her. She not going to waster her breath giving Josslyn more warnings, because she knows Josslyn won’t listen. Josslyn says she always listens. She just doesn’t always take Carly’s advice. Carly says, Josslyn is going to sit with him all night, isn’t she? and Josslyn says, somebody’s got to. Carly says she has to get home to Donna, or she would stay with Josslyn. Do not open the door for anyone, and call if she needs anything. They hug, and Josslyn thanks Carly for getting the antibiotics. She say she loves Carly, and they hug again. Carly says she loves Josslyn too, so much. Lock the door. She leaves, and Josslyn locks it. She sits on the bed, and watches Dex.

Brick asks Sonny if they’re good, when Nina walks up. She asks if Brick is going to join them for dinner, but Brick asks for a raincheck. Sonny says, they’ll circle back later, and Trish gives Brick a to-go bag. He tells Sonny and Nina to have a good evening, and leaves. Nina tells Sonny that she shouldn’t have said anything, but Sonny says, Carly can see who she wants whenever she wants, as long as they’re not connected to him. She’s not the only one with boundaries to be respected. Nina asks what Brick said, and Sonny tells her, he said they’re not having an affair. She asks if he believes Brick, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. Brick is his guy. He’s known Brick for years, and trusts him completely. Nina asks why she senses a but, and he says, no buts. Let’s eat.

Nikolas thanks Elizabeth for coming right over. He knows she doesn’t approve of what he’s doing. She says, keeping a young pregnant woman captive? and he says, the way he sees it, he’s keeping a murderer off the streets. She says, even worse. If Esme’s really dangerous, she belongs behind bars. He says he already explained why that can’t happen right now, not before she’s given birth. She says she doesn’t want to argue with him. Just tell her why he asked her to come here. He says, Esme is complaining about being in pain. He’s not sure she’s being honest about her symptoms, but an examination can’t hurt. He doesn’t want to take any chances where this baby is concerned. She says, he really cares about this baby, doesn’t he? and he says, more than she knows. She says she’ll do this for him, but only once. He says he knew he could count on her, and they go into Esme’s room. Esme lies unconscious (maybe) on the floor.  

Tomorrow, Britt tells Brad, tonight they’re going to raise a little hell; Laura asks if someone knows something she doesn’t; Robert tells Holly, friendship’s a serious business, and so is betrayal; and Elizabeth tells Nikolas, they need to call an ambulance.

😢 What a World…

This is just sad.

🎭 Better Than the Original…

How Andy gets these people to do this stuff, I’ll never know.

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3444738/ralph-fiennes-dramatically-recreated-real-housewives-lisa-barlows-hot-mic-monologue-about-meredith-marks-and-it-was-hilarious

🖌 Photoshop This…

Frankly, they both look weird.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/6684459/rhonj-teresa-giudice-unedited-makeup-filter/

💎 Crystal Clears…

I hope she comes back. She’s the only one I’ve seen actually mature on the show.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1353533/rhobhs-crystal-kung-minkoff-addresses-her-future-on-the-bravo-series

🏆 Red, White and Awards…

One of my favorites, Wayne Brady will be hosting, and it sounds like a good line-up. November 20th, 8 pm, on ABC, and the next day on Hulu.

https://people.com/music/pink-to-perform-tribute-to-the-late-olivia-newton-john-at-the-2022-amas/

You, too, can have a vote.

https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-american-music-awards-how-to-vote-1235155402/

🎸 Shake, Rattle, and Rolling On Out…

Make a pit stop here tomorrow for some soap, and raking that horrible House cast over the coals. Until then, stay safe, stay knowing, the worst is not, as long as we can say, this is the worst, and stay out of everyone’s damn business. Unless they ask.

November 9, 2022 – Nikolas Is Attacked By The Hook, Christmas Weirdness, VanderNews, Salty Talk, All Dead, Real Good & Power

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth tells Finn, the doctor she argued with, the one who fell down the stairs, it was Reiko. He asks if she thinks Reiko fell because of her, and she says she doesn’t just think it; she knows it’s true.

On the phone, Nikolas tells Demetrius that Esme’s not in her room. She tied her bedsheets together to make a rope, probably so she could use them to get off the ledge into an adjoining room… He looked through the entire main house, and she’s nowhere to be found.

Cody tears open the envelope, and Felicia says, well? Mac says, give him a moment, and she says, he’s right… Moment’s over. Is Mac his father? Cody says, Mac’s not his dad. Mac asks if he’s sure, and Cody says, he’s not a match. Felicia asks to see the results, but Mac tells her not to drag it out. Looking at the paper isn’t going to change what it says. Cody’s not his son. Felicia hugs Mac, and says she’s sorry. Britt asks if Cody is okay, and Cody tells Mac, congrats. The Scorpio gene pool remains pristine.

Willow tells TJ, she’s so scared. She doesn’t want to die. He hugs her, and she cries. Michael walks in, and she asks if Melanie got Wiley okay. He says, Wiley’s fine. What did he just walk in on?

Sitting in his car, Valentin says, Anna should have been here by now. He listens on a police radio, and hears about a hardware store alarm being tripped. He says, nothing about a police transport. Anna, where are you?

At the hospital on the phone, Sonny says, he hasn’t heard from them. How’d it go with Anna? Dante comes by, and asks what Sonny knows about Anna.

The transport van sits off-road with a crunched-in front, steam coming out of the hood, Dex and the guard unconscious. We see Anna, also unconscious, in the back. On the radio, a dispatcher asks, what’s their status? Dex comes to, and checks the guard’s pulse. He suggests the guard to himself a favor and stay unconscious. He gets out, struggling to walk to the passenger door on the other side. The dispatcher says, prisoner transport 2015, do you copy? She needs a status check. Dex tries to rouse Anna, saying, he needs her to wake up now. Help him out here.

Sonny tells Dante that he heard Anna was being transported to Pentenville tonight. He just wants to make sure when she gets there she’s taken care of – unofficial of course (🍷). Dante unofficially thanks him, and Sonny says, Dante knows she was set up, right? and Dante says, yes, but there’s literally nothing they can do until they get some evidence of what really happened to Lucy Coe. Sonny asks if he’s working on that, and Dante asks, what gave it away? The badge and the gun? Sonny laughs, and Dante says he was doing a witness statement, but he’s glad he ran into Sonny. He suggests they have a guys night, and Sonny says he’d love to, but isn’t Dante supposed to be spending his free time with Sam and Rocco, working on blending their families? Dante says, they’re blended up. If he can make the time, Sonny can. Sonny asks, what’s going on?

Mac thanks Cody for agreeing to the DNA test. At least now they know the truth. He tells Felicia, let’s go, but Cody tells him, hold on a sec, and Britt suggests she and Felicia give them some privacy. They leave, and Mac asks, what’s left to talk about? and Cody says, they may not be related, but Britt kept telling him how great a guy Mac is, and other than Dante, he really doesn’t have any friends here. Mac asks if he wants to go out for a beer sometime, and Cody asks if that would be so bad. Shoot some pool, go on a hike… Mac says, Cody doesn’t have to fake a friendship to spare his bruised feelings, but Cody asks why it has to be fake. According to Britt, Mac’s a good guy, and he could use a buddy. Mac says, in case he gets arrested again? and Cody says, there’s that sense of humor Britt was telling him about. What does Mac say? Should they give this friend thing a shot? Mac says, why not? They’ll go out for a beer some time. As long as Cody doesn’t feel forced. Cody says, deal.

Finn says, this memory Elizabeth has been having is about Reiko, and she’s been too afraid to tell him? She says, it’s a jumble, and all the flashes… Then she suspected her dad was involved. She was really confused, and didn’t want to burden Finn until she knew more. Now she wishes she never found out she caused Reiko’s death. He asks how she even knows anything her parents told her is true.

Michael says, none of this makes any sense. Willow is supposed to be at her OB appointment. Why is she in Dr. Randolph’s office? TJ says, there’s information Michael doesn’t know, and Michael says, whatever he needs to hear, he’ll hear from Willow. Why did he walk in on her in an empty office in the arms of another man? What exactly is going on here? She says, oh my God. Does he think she’s cheating on him with TJ?

Britt says she knows Cody was on the fence about gaining a new family. So look on the bright side. Now his life doesn’t have to change. He sees Mac and Felicia hugging, and says, yeah, bright side. Mac tells Felicia, let’s go, but she says, not so fast, tough guy.

Valentin hears a request for all available units to go to Route 31. Prisoner transport 2015 is overdue and not responding. He says, that’s Anna’s transport, and starts the car.

Dex says he needs Anna to wake up now. If she doesn’t, he has to take her to the hospital, and they’re both screwed. She says, okay, and opens her eyes. She sits up, and he asks if she knows her name. Does she remember where she is? She says she’s Anna Devane and they’re on their way to Pentenville. He looks in her eyes with his phone flashlight, and says, she hit her head, but her pupils are even. There’s a wound on her head, but it looks shallow. Other than a headache, she should be fine. She asks, what happened? and he says, the guard figured out he was a plant, and tried to grab the steering wheel. She asks if the guard is okay, and Dex says, he’s unconscious, but should be fine. She asks, where’s Heather? but he says he’s not sure. When he came to, there was no sign of the second prisoner.

Dante guesses he’s worried about Sonny, but Sonny says, there’s nothing to worry about; he’s fine. Dante says he knows Sonny’s rift with Michael has been weighing on him for a long time. This thing with Anna. Brando getting murdered. Ava and Diane attacked; that’s a lot of stuff. Sonny says he’s used to having a lot on his plate, and Dante says, Sonny doesn’t have to go it alone. He’s here to look after Sonny while Sonny is busy looking after other people. Dante’s phone rings and he steps away. Sonny looks at his phone, and says, Dex, come on. Dante walks back, telling someone to text him the details. He’s on his way. He tells Sonny that he has to go to work, and Sonny says, be careful. Dante says he will, and tells Sonny, you too.

Willow says she can’t believe Michael would ever think she’d cheat on him. Wait… Nina was in the park. She said something to him, didn’t she? Oh, that woman. He says, forget Nina. What’s going on? Willow says she’ll tell him what’s not going on; she and TJ are not having an affair. TJ says, Nina is wrong. She totally misinterpreted their friendship. Michael says, Nina told him that she’s seen them having emotional, intimate talks. What’s really going on? Willow asks TJ to give them some privacy, and he tells her, good luck. He leaves, and Michael says he knows every word coming out of Nina’s mouth is a lie, but when Sonny said Willow had been on edge, he couldn’t deny it. At first, he chalked it up to her pregnancy and a new job, but something has been off for a long time now. Whatever it is, tell him the truth. She says, he’s right. She’s been on edge for a while… because… she has leukemia.

Britt asks how Cody really is. She knows he had mixed feelings about becoming a Scorpio. He says he thinks he got what he deserves, and she asks what that means, when her phone beeps. She says she has to check on a patient, and leaves.

Felicia tells Mac, talk to her. After all these years of helping raise Robert’s daughter and her daughter, he thought he had a son of his own. It’s got to be a big disappointment. He says, it’s not like he knew Cody very well, and now he doesn’t have to worry about anything disrupting their family. It all worked out for the best. She says, so that’s it? It’s back to life as usual? Mac admits he was a little excited at the prospect of having a son, and she says she’s sorry. He says, if Cody had turned out to be his, he would have enjoyed that, but that’s not what the test results proved, and that’s okay, because he loves his life as it is. He’ll be okay. She says, maybe when they go home, they can video call Robin, and Mac’s phone rings. He answers, and says he’s on his way. He tells Felicia, there’s an issue with Anna’s transport to Pentenville, and she tells him to go; she’ll call a Ride Share. Keep her posted. He leaves, and Cody says, Mac sure took off in a hurry. She says, what’s it to him?

Finn says he remembers this. Reiko was hospitalized for some injuries; she fell down a flight of stairs. She told him that she tripped. Elizabeth says she wishes it was true. She remembers it now. She caused the fall that put Reiko in the hospital where she contracted Blackwood’s. She’s been pushing Finn away so she’d never have to know what happened, and neither would he.

Nikolas walks into the living room, and the lights won’t work. He finds broken glass on the floor, and says, that’s strange. He sees there’s no lightbulb in a nearby lamp, and says, why would this… A hooded figure enters the room, and raises a hook.  

Finn tells Elizabeth, that can’t be what happened. It doesn’t make any sense. If Reiko fell because of a fight with her, why did she claim she was alone? Why would Reiko lie to him? Elizabeth says she loves him… and he says, just say the words. She says, Reiko and her dad were having an affair.

Anna wonders if Heather escaped, and calls out for her. Dex says, when he came around the van, the door was open, and Anna was alone. She says, they need to find her, and asks if he has the keys. He uncuffs her, and asks if she’s injured anywhere else, but she says she’s fine; she just feels dizzy. Is he okay? He says he’ll be fine, but they need to get out of here before the cops find them. She says, and anyone else who wants her dead. They get out, and see headlights, but it’s Valentin, and Anna tells Dex, he’s with us. Valentin asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s fine; she hit her head. He says he has a police scanner in the car, and they’re on their way. They’ve got to move. Anna says, they can’t leave until they find Heather; she escaped. Valentin says, there’s no time, but Anna says, she’s dangerous. He says, the police are on their way, and they’ll take her to Pentenville where Victor wants her. Victor is going to eliminate her. She says, all right, gives Dex her thanks, and they leave.

TJ sees Sonny, and asks if there’s any chance he’s here with Nina. Sonny says he’s here by himself. Can he help TJ with anything? TJ says, no. His problem’s with Nina, and Sonny says, really? Is this about him and Willow?

Michael says, leukemia? and Willow says, that’s why she’s in Dr. Randolph’s office; Terry is her oncologist. The test results she was getting weren’t about her pregnancy; they were about her cancer. He asks how long she’s known, and she says, since maybe a week after she found out she was pregnant. TJ was the first one  to suspect it. She’s sorry she kept it from him. It’s been the hardest decision she’s ever had to live with in her life. He hugs her, and says, he’s so sorry.

Cody tells Felicia, what’s it to him? He honestly doesn’t know. Mac rushed out, and he looked upset. Mac may not be his dad, but he still cares. She says, Mac got some unsettling news about one of their good friends, and he says he’s sorry. Are they going to be okay? She says, it’s kind of him to ask, but it’s clear he was ambivalent at best at being a part of their family. She can imagine he might feel guilty, since Mac got his hopes up. He says, from what sounds like, he’s not worthy to be a part of their family, and they’re better off without him. She says, if he feels that way, then the results are for the best. Take care of himself. She means that.

Dex checks the guard again, and says, he has a pulse. Good. Now how is he going to get him to the hospital? He’s about to phone Sonny, when he hears sirens. He tells he guard, help is on the way, and limps off.

Nikolas walks through the room in the dark, the hooded figure following him. The hook comes down.

Finn says he doesn’t even remember a Jeff Webber, and Elizabeth says, all she knows is, her father and Reiko were having an affair. Her dad had a history of cheating on her mom. Finn says, he and his wife were happy, and she says she knows, and she’s really sorry. He says, so is he, touches her face, and leaves.

Willow thanks Michael, and says she’s sure he has a lot of questions. They sit down, and he says, let’s start with the obvious. How is she feeling? She says she’s scared, and he says, and the baby? She says, the baby is fine, and he says, so all the times she’s been dizzy and tired… She’s been doing chemo all by herself? She says, for the baby’s sake, she hasn’t started chemo yet. She decided to wait until the second trimester. He asks, why? even though she just told him.

Sonny tells TJ that he was hoping he didn’t have to get into this personal matter, but Willow is the mother of his grandchildren. And his son is involved, even though they’re not on good terms, and also Molly. He was hoping the TJ he knew wouldn’t jeopardize all this. TJ tells him, can we stop, please? This is all a huge misunderstanding. Nina confronted both him and Willow separately, and they made it clear they’re not having an affair, but Nina doesn’t want to believe it. Now she’s dragged Sonny into it, and he doesn’t… Sonny says, he doesn’t what? Say it. TJ says, Sonny has always been there for him, and he respects Sonny, but Nina is hell-bent on causing trouble for Michael and Willow, and doesn’t care how much trouble it’s going to cause for Sonny too.

At the crashed transport van. Mac tells Dante, the security guard is on his way to GH. He’s in good condition; no injuries except for the bump on his head. Dante asks what he said, and Mac tells him, the guard was blacked out until the paramedics arrived. Once he regained consciousness, Mac asked a few questions, but his memory is still foggy. Dante asks if he knows how the crash happened, and Mac says, the transport was supposed to stop at Pentenville first, D’Archam second. The driver drove right past the exit for Pentenville. Dante says, so the driver was a plant, and Mac says, that’s what the guard thought. He tried to stop the driver, that’s when the van spun out of control. Dante says, so this whole thing was organized to spring one of the prisoners. He can only imagine that Anna was the one to sort something like that out. Mac says, she certainly has enough contacts to call for support and stay on the run. Dante says, Anna is going to give them a real run for their money. Frankly, I think the guard should be fired. Obviously I’m on Anna’s side, but playing devil’s advocate, the guard should have waited until they got to D’Archam, and called for help while Heather was still in the van. Not try to take the wheel or shoot the driver while the van is moving.

Valentin tells Anna, they have to wait here for a minute. They can’t risk getting pulled over. She says, that’s a good strategy, and he says, thank you. She says, not even an ounce of modesty anywhere, and he says he’s good at this stuff. She says, lucky her, and asks if he thinks Dex is going to be all right. He says he thinks Dex is going to be fine. Even if the guard realizes he was a plant, the guard can’t ID him. And Sonny will take care of Dex. She thanks him for taking care of her, and he says, always, kissing her hand. He likes taking care of her. She says she hopes he’s ready for this. She thinks it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Nikolas fights back, and The Hook drops her hook. She runs out, and Nikolas collapses.  

Elizabeth leaves a message for Terry. She says she just spoke with Finn, and she really needs someone to talk to. Can Terry call her back? She flashes back to confiding in Nikolas, and looks up his contact info.

Nikolas’s phone rings, and he struggles to get up. Holding his head, he finds his phone. He uses the phone flashlight to look around, and sees the hook on the floor. He takes out a hanky – because all guys who live in castles carry them – and picks it up. He says, this is from our boathouse. You should have killed me when you had the chance, Esme. You made a big mistake.

Willow tells Michael, she did her own research, in addition to what the doctors here told her. If she were to start chemotherapy in the first trimester, it would put their baby at great risk. If she could wait to start chemo until the second trimester, that would give their baby the best chance of survival. Michael says, she’s been living with this by herself all these months? It must have been so hard on her. She says she wasn’t totally alone. The doctors here have been supportive, and TJ has been a great friend. But the decision to delay chemotherapy has come with a cost. Dr. Randolph just told her that the test results confirm her leukemia is in Stage IV. He says, okay, what’s next? and she says she’s starting chemo right away, but because of the advanced stage, Terry also wants to look into a bone marrow transplant.

Britt rubs her neck, and Cody says, you know what’s really good for a stiff neck? She says, if he’s going to offer her a massage, no thanks, but he tells her, he was going to say muscle relaxers. And he happens to know a great doctor. He gives her a cup of coffee, and tells her, it’s to say thanks. She says, for what? and he says, standing by him during all of his Maury drama. She takes a sip, and he says, it’s just a latte, not poison. She says, don’t do that. Stop trying to avoid what’s really going on here.

Willow says she’s sorry she waited so long to tell Michael, but she swears, even if he hadn’t walked in on them, she was going to tell him today. He says he believes her. It’s just… She says, he wants to know why she didn’t tell him before, and he says, they’re a team. They built a life together, with Wiley. If he said or did anything that would make her think he wouldn’t be supportive, or wouldn’t be able to handle it… She says, it’s not that. When she heard her diagnosis, and what chemo would mean for their unborn child, and the doctors here – Britt, Terry, and TJ – all wanted her to start chemo immediately. She struggled with it. Deep in her heart she knew she couldn’t face losing another baby, not after losing Jonah. She knew that wasn’t fair to Wiley; that the worst case would be that the leukemia progressed, and she woudn’t recover. But she convinced herself that it wouldn’t do much harm to delay treatment for a few weeks. She felt it was the best choice for her entire family. Michael tells her to let him make it clear; it was always her choice. He supports that today, and would have supported it then. She says she just wanted them to enjoy their time with Wiley, before things got too hard. To spare them all heartache, especially if she doesn’t have much time left… which she might not.

Sonny says he appreciates TJ warning him about Nina, but he knows her really well, and believes her heart is in the right place. TJ says, okay, but what possible good could come of telling Michael that he and Willow were having an affair? That’s absolutely the last thing Willow needs. Sonny says he saw them together, and it seemed like something was going on. He even said something to Michael. TJ says, Sonny has known him practically his entire life. Is that what Sonny thinks? He’s a cheater? Sonny says he’s not hearing TJ deny it, and TJ says he promises he and Willow aren’t romantically involved. He gives Sonny his word; that is not happening. Sonny says, something is happening, and he knows it, but TJ tells him, that’s not for him to say. He’s asking Sonny to trust him. Sonny says, if TJ tells him nothing is going on between him and Willow, he chooses to believe it, but that’s not going to be enough for Michael, and TJ knows it.

Valentin says, a lot of people are looking for Anna, and she says, Victor’s people, law enforcement, and in no time, they’ll be searching for Valentin too. He says he knows. They have to get someplace secure. They look around, and she asks what he thinks. Can they risk getting on the road now? He says he doesn’t think they have a choice. If they stay here, the police will find them in the morning, and all this will have been for nothing. He starts the car, and she touches his face.

On the phone, Dante says, he needs a BOLO posted for the two women who were being transported to Pentenville Penitentiary and D’Archam Asylum. He doesn’t believe they’re armed, but Heather Webber should be considered dangerous. The other woman, Anna Devane, is a fugitive, but not a threat. He thanks them, and tells Mac, he’s notified the highway patrol, although they don’t have much to go on since the guard didn’t give them much of a description of the driver. They don’t know if Anna and Heather are on foot or in a vehicle. Any chances of them getting a lead tonight are slim.

Cody asks what Britt thinks is going on here, and she says she thinks he’s hiding behind sugary coffee, so he doesn’t have to deal with his feelings about Mac not being his father. He says, she can’t blame him for wondering what it’s like to be part of a close knit family. For a few seconds, he thought maybe he wouldn’t be alone in this world. She says she gets that. Even though her mom drives her crazy, she doesn’t know what she’d do without her. He says, Taub might be a son of a bitch, but he’s my dad, and that is that. He’s pretty much been alone his whole life. Looking out for just him has served him well so far. She says, maybe he dodged a bullet. Family is a curse. She leaves, and he looks at the results. No huge surprise, Mac is 99.9999999999998% his father. The red herring was his willingness to let Felicia take a look.

Michael says, from now on, he and Willow are a team, no matter what comes. She says she’s sorry she didn’t tell him sooner, and he says, the important thing is, he knows now. She doesn’t have to face this alone. They’re going to get through this how they always do – together. He tells her that she’s his family, and they hug.

Dante calls Sonny, who says, he thought Dante was working. Dante says he was, but since Sonny was talking about her before, he thought he’d let Sonny know, Anna escaped, along with Heather Webber. Sonny says, Heather’s with Anna? and Dante says he guesses there was a problem with the vehicle that was supposed to take Heather to D’Archam, so she was thrown in there with Anna. The plan was to take Anna to Pentenville, then take Heather to D’Archam, but they didn’t make it that far. There was an accident and the van crashed, and he’s here on the scene right now. Sonny asks, what caused the accident? but Dante says he doesn’t know. There was some sort of struggle, but there was only a guard here when they got here; he was the only one with the vehicle. He was injured and taken to GH. Sonny says, any idea what happened? and Dante says, no, not yet, but he’s going to figure it out.

Dex goes through the woods. He leans against a tree, and checks the bullet wound in his side.

Finn sits in on the floor in his office in the dark. He looks at a picture of him and Reiko on his phone.  

Heading for the door on the phone, Nikolas says, do not let anybody off the island. That hook wielding psychopath was in the house, and he’ll be damned if he lets her get away. He walks out, slamming the door behind him.

Esme is at the docks, but hears something and hides. Elizabeth comes out, and Esme peeks at her from behind a crate.  

Tomorrow, Willow asks Michael for a favor; Victor asks if there’s any word on his son; Elizabeth says she spotted a fugitive; Dante says, Heather Webber is capable of anything; and Heather says, they’re going to get what they deserve.

🎄 Unless She’s the Grinch…

I don’t even know what to make of this, but God help me, I’ll probably watch it.

🍸 VanderDating…

Who’s zooming who.

🧂 Passing the Salt…

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know, not wanted to know, or were indifferent to about this season.

https://allaboutthetea.com/category/reality-tv-shows/real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city/

⚰️ What He Said…

The Walking Dead family weighs in on the finale.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-finale-norman-reedus-everybody-dies/

👭🏻 Sisterly Reality…

This is the best show! Like Sweet Home Oklahoma was, it’s fun without being mean. They’re sort of like the Kardashians would be if they were a million times more relatable, and actually worked.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1353089/the-culpo-sisters-tease-relationships-highs-and-lows-on-new-reality-series

👀 On Amazon Watch…

Check in with me tomorrow, for some soap and smack talk about possibly the worst reality show ever, Winter House (interchangeable with Summer House). Until then, stay safe, stay being clear-sighted, and stay not hiding behind sugary coffee, so you don’t have to deal with your feelings.

September 27, 2022 – Drew Finds Carly In Jacksonville, Soapy Memoir, Visiting, Tuc Update, a Tribute, Buh-Bye, Andy’s Excuse, Piecing It Together, Pets (!) & Need To

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny gives Gladys lavender tea to help her relax. She asks what he knows about tea; he’s a coffee importer. He says, maybe he’ll branch out, and she apologizes, adding, it does smell good. Sasha comes out, and Nina asks if she got any sleep, but Sasha says, every time she closes her eyes, all she can see is Brando in that hospital bed. Nina hugs her.

Curtis goes to the hospital, and Portia hugs him, saying, she’s so glad to see him. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, Diane Miller was brought in with a stab wound tonight. He says, wow. First Ava, then Brando, now Diane. She says, looks that way, and he asks if Diane is okay. She says, they’re operating right now, and that’s all she knows, but it’s got her really on edge. He says, of course (🍷) it does. She says she wanted to tell Trina, but she was with Rory, and Portia didn’t want to tell her then. He says, it’s going to be okay, but she says, how? When? He says he doesn’t know, but thanks to that Invader article, at least they’re all watching their backs. She says, speaking of that, Jordan feels some type of way about whoever leaked it to the press, and he asks if Jordan said something to her. Jordan comes out of the elevator, and Portia says, Jordan wasn’t very happy that she defended the source. Jordan says, because she’s trying to capture a violent criminal. And to that end, she needs Portia’s help.

Dante comes into the interrogation room, and sits across from Dex. He says he’s been briefed on the Diane Miller attack. Dex was the first person at the scene? Dex says he got there just before Miss Davis and Mr. Chase. He’s sorry; he won’t be able to tell Dante much. Dante says he doesn’t know about that. He bets Dex has plenty to tell him.

On the phone, Carly tells Olivia, she feels so bad… Because her family was going through hell and couldn’t get in touch with her… She already talked to everybody, and wanted to jump on the first plane home when she heard about Brando… Yeah, she and Sonny agreed it’s probably safer if she stays here… She knows. There’s a knock at her hotel room door, and she tells Olivia that she’ll call her back; someone’s at the door. She opens it, and Drew asks if someone ordered room service, holding up a six-pack. Yes, we could make a lot of jokes here.

Josslyn, Cameron, Trina, and Rory go to the hatchet throwing place, and Trina says, wow. She didn’t even know places like this even existed. Josslyn says, her mom told her about it. She said it’s super fun. Cameron tells Rory that they should start collecting their weapons, or can he even say that to a cop? Rory says he’s off-duty, and they go to make their selection. Josslyn says, finally they get a little double date action with the guys, and Trina says, it’s so cute. Josslyn says she likes Rory. She’s so happy Trina ended up with him. Trina says, as opposed to Spencer? and Josslyn says, Rory’s definitely preferable… isn’t he?

Dex says he wants to speak to a lawyer, and Dante says, that’s his right, and he should. Dante points to his neck, and asks what Dex has here, and Dex takes out his dog tags, asking if they quality as a lethal weapon. Dante says he certainly hopes not, but you tell me. Dex says he doesn’t know what happed to Miss Miller. He doesn’t know how many times, or how he can say that until they actually believe him, and Dante asks, what makes Dex think he doesn’t believe him? Dex says, the way Dante came at him just now, and how he questioned Dex at the hospital. It’s clear Dante’s made up his mind. Dante says, so far, Dex is the only person who could have seen what happened, and Dex says, but he didn’t. When he came in, she was on the ground bleeding. Dante asks what Dex was doing in the garage in the first place. This is his chance to go on the record and clear up any misconceptions. Dex says he was working, and Dante says, doing what? Dex says, Dante’s father asked him to lock up behind Diane while he took Sasha home, and Dante says, so Dex was there when she was attacked? Dex says he must have been, and Dante says, the garage is a big open space; how could Dex not have seen it? Dex says he was outside, and Dante says, Dex is good at his job, right? Dex says, ask his dad, and Dante says he will, but right now he’s asking Dex. When Sonny ordered Dex to stick around, how could he not see someone enter the garage? It feels to Dante like Dex is lying about something. What is it?

Trina says, now that Spencer’s not in her life, she’s happier than she’s been in a while, and Josslyn says, with Rory. Trina says she’s ready for a fun, uncomplicated relationship, and Josslyn says, Trina deserves it. Trina says, Josslyn’s turn. She and Cam went through a rough patch, and Josslyn says, yeah, but they’re out of it. Trina asks if Josslyn told Cam about the dumpster thing with Dex, and Josslyn says, just because they’re together doesn’t mean they have to tell each other everything. Didn’t Cam prove that by keeping Spencer’s secret? Cameron and Rory come back, and Cameron asks what they’re talking about. Josslyn and Trina both say, nothing, and Cameron tells Rory, nothing means them, right? Rory says, 100%, and Josslyn says, the egos on these two.

Sasha says she really appreciates Nina and Sonny being here, but please go; get back to their lives. Sonny says he can stay, but Gladys says, he’s done enough. The truth is, nothing’s going to make this better. They just have to live through it as best they can. Sonny says he’ll go, but if she needs anything, call him at any time. That goes for Sasha too. He hugs Sasha, and Nina says she’ll walk Sonny out, but she’ll be back. They can’t get rid of her that easily. In the hallway, Nina says she didn’t want to broach this in front of Sasha, but what are they going to do about the guardianship? He says, Diane’s filing a continuance with the judge right now, but the thing is, Sasha is still under guardianship. She asks what that even means without Brando. Is the court going to appoint some interim person, a stranger? Sonny says, no. They’ll give Sasha some time to grieve before they get into the details. Nina says she just can’t believe on top of everything else, Sasha has to contend with that. Sonny’s phone rings, and it’s Alexis. He says, whoa. Hold on… What?

Jordan says she knows Dr. Finn was on hand when Diane was brought in, but he was called on a patient emergency. She was hoping, since he and Portia worked together on Brando’s case, Portia might be able to provide some helpful information. Portia says, Finn did brief her, so she thinks she can help Portia, and Jordan says, and this conversation will stay at GH this time? Curtis asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Jordan says, he saw the article in The Invader. The leak came from the hospital. She’s just reiterating the need for discretion to keep important details under wraps. He says, that was always her area of expertise, wasn’t it? He’ll leave them to it. Portia tells Jordan, sorry. The divorce paper situation has him a bit… Jordan says, Portia doesn’t have to explain Curtis to her, and suggests they go somewhere private to discuss Diane.

Carly asks what Drew is doing here, and he says, what is he doing here as in, it’s so good to see you? She says, of course (🍷) it’s good to see him, and he says, phew. She says, but she told him that she was fine, and he says, he was already on the plane at that point. She says, to Jacksonville? How did he know she was here? He says, it wasn’t easy, but lucky for her, he’s got skills. She says, he’s got Spinelli on the case, and he says he was going to call Spinelli next, but he called Mia. She says, at the seminar, and he says, Mia told him that Carly’s flight had an emergency landing in Jacksonville, and here he is. She says, he came all the way down here for her? and he says he came all the way down here for her. Is she going to invite him in or what? She tells him, come in

Sonny tells Alexis, thanks for letting him know, and Nina asks if it’s another attack. He says, Diane. He’s got to get to GH. She says, of course (🍷), and he tells her to stay safe. She says, him too, and he leaves.

Drew gives Carly a beer, and says, he’s assuming she spoke to her family, and she says she knows about Brando. He says he’s so sorry, and she says, so is she. She feels so awful for Sasha. First her son, now this? He says, it’s unfathomable, and she says, it is. She’s so sorry she was out of touch. He says, she lost her phone; it happens. She says, during a family emergency? She was going to be on the first flight home when she found out about Brando, but she talked to Sonny, and he thought it was safer for her here. He says, he’s sure she hates that, but Sonny’s right. With a violent psychopath on the loose, it’s better she stays here. She says, but just hearing that, she feels like she’s abandoning her kids, and he says he gets that, but Sonny’s never going to let anything happen to them. She says she knows. He’s got security on Michael, he’s doubled security on Josslyn, and Donna and Avery live with him. Drew says, the penthouse is like a fortress; it’s fine. She says she knows. She still can’t believe he tracked her down just to tell her about Brando. He says, it’s not just that, and she says, okay. What else?

Gladys shows Sasha some photos on her phone, and Sasha says, Brando as a baby. Gladys says, a baby who was so proud to serve his country. That war made a mess of him. She barely recognized him when he got back. They lost so much time. If only she’d known how little time they had. Sasha says, but when they did reconnect, she’d say they made the most of it; woudn’t Gladys? Brando loved her. Gladys says she drove Brando crazy, and Sasha says, he didn’t love her any less. Gladys says she just wishes she had one more chance to tell him how much he meant to her, and Sasha says she wishes that too. Gladys gets to pictures of Brando and Sasha in Niagara Falls, and says, their wedding… which no one was invited to. Sasha says, if she could do it again, she’d celebrate with the whole world, all their friends and family… It’s just hitting her that she’s completely alone now. Without Brando, she has no family left. Gladys takes her hand, and says, listen to her. She and Sasha became family the second Sasha married her son, and that doesn’t change now. She’s got news for Sasha; Sasha’s stuck with her. Sasha says she’s so glad.

Sonny goes to the hospital reception desk, and asks where Diane’s room is, and what condition she’s in. The nurse says she can’t share information with anyone but family, when Curtis comes along, and says, Diane is in surgery. Sonny asks how he knows, and Curtis says he has his sources. Sonny says he’s surprised Curtis is sharing that with him. The last time they saw each other, it was a one-sided friendship.  Curtis says he owes Sonny for what Sonny did for his father. His father told him that Sonny knew he was on antipsychotic meds and kept quiet. Sonny says he knows something about that diagnosis, and Curtis says he appreciates it. Sonny says, the truth be told, he wasn’t just looking out for Marshall. He respects the hell out of Curtis.  

Trina gets a bullseye, and says, it’s so satisfying. Josslyn suggests they make it a friendly competition, and Trina says, here we go. Josslyn says, what? and Trina tells Rory, if he hasn’t picked up on it yet, Josslyn is totally extra in the competitive department. Josslyn says, what is the point of throwing these things unless someone is keeping score? and Rory says he’s game. Josslyn says, see? She told Trina that she liked him. Why don’t they do a tournament? They’ll pair up, and the winners get to compete for the ultimate glory. Trina says, sounds good, and Josslyn says, let the games begin.

Jordan and Portia go to Portia’s office, and Portia looks through some folders. She says, Diane’s wound was consistent with how Ava and Brando’s presented, and Jordan says, so it was likely a hook was used too. Portia says, the only difference was, the doctors noticed when they were operating that the wound was more precisely inflicted. Jordan says, the attacker is improving their technique. Was a tox screen run? Portia says, it confirms the presence of the same venom that was found in Brando’s system. Thankfully, Finn found an anti-venom, and was able to race it over to the surgical team quickly. The last she heard, Diane was stable and the procedure was going well. Jordan says, thank God for that, and Portia says, it seems like something is still weighing heavily on Jordan’s mind. Jordan says, the last time their victim survived, the assailant made sure the next attack would kill. She doubts this will be any different.

Dex says he’s telling Dante the truth. Sonny told him to lock up, not to keep watch, so he didn’t have eyes on the door. Dante asks, then what was he doing? and Dex says, working; answering texts and emails. Dante can check his phone; there are time stamps on everything. Dante says, good. At the Quartermaine picnic, no one can verify Dex’s whereabouts before he found Ava and Josslyn. Dex says he was bringing paperwork for Dante’s father to sign. The front drive was crowded, so he parked on the access road. Dante says, what about Charlie’s? and Dex says, what about it? Dante tells him, Josslyn said she followed him out to the back alley, but when she got there, Dex wasn’t there. Dex says, because he wasn’t there, and Dante says, Dex has been on the scene of all three attacks; that’s a pattern. Dex says, you know what else is a pattern? He gave Diane and Ava first aid, and hopefully, it helped save both their lives. Dante says he doesn’t know if that’s enough for him, and Dex says, time stamps? Dante starts to leave, and Dex asks if he’s being arrested. Does he need to make a call? Dante says he thinks Dex should call his lawyer, and leaves. Dex makes a call, and says he’s in trouble. He needs their help. Sonny asks where he is, and Dex says, the PCPD. Sonny tells Dex, he’s on his way.

Rory gets a bullseye, but Trina’s hatchet bounces off the target. Rory and Cameron chest bump. Cameron’s hatchet bounces off the target, and Josslyn says, sorry. Cameron says he doesn’t even want to talk to her, and she gets just inside the middle circle. Cameron says, you’re joking, and Trina and Josslyn do a happy dance. Rory and Josslyn are the winners.

Dante asks what Sonny is doing at the station, and Sonny says, Dex said he was in some kind of trouble. Does Dante know anything about that? Dante says, he’s being questioned. He thought Dex was calling a lawyer. Sonny asks if he needs one, and Dante says, he was on the scene of Diane’s attack. Sonny says, he asked Dex to lock up, and Dante wonders if Sonny asked Dex to stand over Diane’s body with her blood on his hands.

Jordan says she’s going to arrange for somebody to stand guard over Diane, and Portia says, good idea. Portia leaves, and Jordan calls Rory. She says she’s sorry to bother him on his night off, but she was hoping for a favor. He says, of course (🍷), and she says, there’s been another stabbing. The victim’s Diane Miller. Dex Heller was at the scene. He’s been brought in for questioning. Rory says, wow, okay, and Jordan says she’d like him to come to the hospital and stand guard over Diane. He says, absolutely. She can count on him.

Drew says he knows Carly doesn’t have the best memories of Jacksonville, and he figured something big must be going on to get her to stay here. Before she can protest, he says he knows she can take care of herself. He just wanted to make sure she was okay, and offer his support if needed. She says, that support of his… He says, completely unnecessary? but she says, completely appreciated. The fact that he flew down here, she can’t tell him how much that means to her. He says he thinks she just did. Her phone dings, and she looks at it, saying, oh no. Come on. He says, more bad news? and she says, that something big he was referring to? He was spot-on. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, they’re clearing out the cemetery Virginia is buried in to put in a parkway to the beach. He asks if she’s talking about moving the bodies, and she says, yeah. He says, for beach access? That’s unbelievable. She says, it is. That spot was so perfect for Virginia, and it was so important to Carly that she be buried there… for many reasons. He says he remembers, and she says, oh, right. She decided to fight it. He says, of course (🍷) she did, and she says she hired a lawyer, and filed an injunction. Apparently, she has no legal standing because she’s not a resident. He says, so now what? and she says she doesn’t know what to do. He says she has to keep fighting, but she says, that injunction was her Plan A, B, and C. He says, there’s got to be other options, and she says, like what? He asks if she trusts him, and they sit down with some beers. He says, she may not have legal standing, but there are other ways to enact change. She says she’s listening, and he says, hi, I’m Drew Cane, holding out his hand. He says, and you are? She says her name is Carly, and he says, that’s such a beautiful name. She says, thank you, and he tells her to ask him what he does for a living. She asks, and he says, he owns a media company. The lightbulb comes on, and Carly says, a media company they can use to raise some hell. He says, exactly. He’ll stay one or two days; he’ll help her make some noise; they lay into the Guild and the developers. She says she can’t ask him to do that, and he says, she didn’t. She says he has a family back home who needs him, but he says he’s talking about a couple of days; they’re not even going to miss him. He’d never offer if it wasn’t something he wanted to do. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, 100% positive. She says, okay, and he says, let’s make this town sorry it ever crossed you. They clink beer bottles, and she says, Jacksonville, you have no idea what’s coming.

Nina tells Sasha and Gladys, bit by bit, it will get easier. Every week that passes, the pain will lift a little more. Sasha says, but does she really want that? Then it will be like Brando will truly be gone. Nina says, no. Brando will never be gone. She feels the people she’s lost every single day. Jay (Nathan), her daughter… Sasha feels Liam, doesn’t she? Sasha says she does, and Nina says, it’s no different. Gladys says, there’s a step they can take if Sasha is ready. They can make arrangements for the funeral, and put their boy to rest.

Curtis asks how things went with Jordan, and Portia says, it was tense, but it was fine. Curtis says he sensed a little tension with her as well, and Porta says she saw that. Um… I did too, and it was because Curtis made a snide remark. Are they in the same show I’m watching? Curtis wonders if it will always be this way even if they get their divorce issue dealt with, and she says, he was going to tell her about their talk. He says, Jordan swears she didn’t deliberately sit on those divorce papers, and Portia says, but what else? He tells her, Jordan also started saying some pretty strange things, and Portia says, strange how? He says, she asked if he and Portia were on solid ground, and then she fed him a line that you can never really know someone even if you’re married to them. It felt off, like she thought they were keeping secrets from each other. But he’s sure she’s just projecting, right? Portia says, mm-hmm, and he says, because they’re about as solid as it gets.

Sonny asks if Dante is sure, and Dante says, Alexis and Gregory found Dex in the garage. He says he was helping Diane. He says he didn’t see anyone or know what happened. Sonny says, Dante doesn’t believe him? and Dante says, Dex has been on the scene of all three attacks, and hasn’t seen or heard anything. Sonny asks what Dante’s implying, and an officer says, they have the forensics report Dante wanted. Dante thanks her and says, one second. Dante tells Sonny, he knows Sonny likes this kid, but he has to ask himself, how well does he know Dex Heller?

Rory says, sorry about the forfeit, and Josslyn says, a win is a win. Rory says, there was another attack; Diane Miller was the victim. Trina says, oh my God, and Josslyn asks if she’s okay. Rory says, all he knows is that she’s in surgery. He’s supposed to go to GH and stand guard, and make sure no one gets in to see her who shouldn’t. Trina says, this is so awful, and Rory says, there is some good news; a suspect was brought in. Josslyn asks, who is it? and he says, that still doesn’t mean things are safe. Trina says, they’ve got hatchets. This is the safest place in Port Charles. Rory asks them to promise to go home together, kisses Trina on the cheek, and leaves. Josslyn follows him, and outside, she says she knows there are certain things he can’t tell her, but this feels really personal. She’s been at two of the crime scenes, and Diane’s a close family friend. Who’s the suspect? He says, all he can tell her is, it’s someone who’s been questioned before, and has been spotted at all three crime scenes. Josslyn flashes back to telling Dex the police are looking for him, and Dex saying he already spoke to Dante.

Dex thanks Sonny for coming, and Sonny asks how they’re treating him. Dex says, so far no arrest, but they think he did it. Sonny asks, what happened? Why did they bring Dex in? Dex says, they think he’s behind it because he happened to be in the vicinity of all three attacks, but he’s innocent. Sonny believes him, right?

Gladys gets on the phone, but Nina says she doesn’t think they have to do this right now. Sasha says, Gladys is right. How long can they wait? Brando deserves a proper goodbye. Gladys says, now he’s just sitting in the morgue, and Sasha says she can’t think about it. They can’t leave him there. And this will be good for them too. They’ll have somewhere to go and visit and talk to him, right? Nina does that with her brother. Nina says, and Nelle. On the phone, Gladys says she’s sorry. Are they sure?… She understands. She’ll be in touch. Nina asks, what’s wrong? and Gladys says, nothing that can’t be fixed, she’s sure. Sasha asks, what is it? and Gladys says, the funeral home won’t take Sasha’s card because there’s a hold on it at the bank. Sasha says she has more than enough… Brando was her guardian. She needs him to sign off on purchases. Nina says, there’s no problem. Why don’t they call back and use her card? Sasha says, no. He is her husband… was her husband. She’s the one who should… She cries, and Nina holds her. Sasha says, oh my God. What do I do now?  

Curtis tells Portia that when he was with Jordan, he could just feel it. There was a part of her that she was holding back from him. He doesn’t feel that with Portia. Portia says she’s glad, and he says, the poor thing must think just because she’s keeping secrets, everyone does. Portia looks uncomfortable, and I question Curtis’s P.I. skills. Portia flashes back to Jordan saying she’s glad to hear they’re both on the side of truth. She remembers she and Jordan being trapped in the basement, and saying she needs to tell Trina the truth about her father. Curtis says, what is it? and she says she’s so sorry. She just remembered something she needs to take care of that’s very important. Does he mind if she… He says, of course (🍷) not, and she kisses him. She says she loves him, he says he loves her too, and she leaves.

Trina says she can’t believe it’s Diane, and Josslyn says, this is all just hitting too close to home. Trina asks if they can just get out of here, and Josslyn says she wants to check on Diane, and report back to her family. Cameron says, they’ll go with her, but she says, no, it’s fine, okay? Cameron says he won’t have her go out alone, but she says, thanks to Sonny, she won’t be. She has a guard 24 hours. She’ll have Reed take her, but please, get home safe. She leaves, and Trina and Cameron sit down. Trina asks if they should get out of here too. There’s no point in hanging around here. Cameron says, or they could talk about what’s going on between them. She says she doesn’t know what he means, and he says, she’s been avoiding him since she found out he was covering for Spencer. He gets it. She has every right to be mad. She says, good. Because she is.

Drew says he forgot. He has something he wants to send Carly. Does she have her tablet? She says, yeah, and it’s one of those looking at the camera like Jim from The Office moments. If Carly had her tablet, couldn’t she have sent everyone messages? Hell, she could have called them using it. He says he stopped on the way to the airport to send her a little message. She looks at her tablet (😐) and sees a video of Drew with Donna and Avery. The girls say they miss her, and good luck. Drew tells them, what else? and they say they love her, and can’t want to see her when she gets home. Drew tells them to blow Carly a kiss, and counts to three. He, Donna, and Avery blow a kiss to the camera, and Drew tells Carly, he was hoping she’d like that. She says she loved it, and he says, it’s getting a little bit late. She asks where he’s going, and he tells her, there are some conventions in town, and a lot of the hotels are booked. He’ll probably get a hotel out of town, but he’ll be back in the morning. She says, that’s crazy, but he says, it’s no big deal. She says she’s sure this couch pulls out. Really? I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in a hotel room with a pullout couch. She tells him to stay here, and he says, with her? She says, yeah. She’s going to be here too. He says he doesn’t know. He’s not sure it’s the best idea considering… She says, it’s fine. They’re adults. They can have an adult friendly sleepover. It’s the least she can do. Please stay. He says, okay.

Dex asks if Sonny isn’t going to say something, when Jordan comes in. She says she didn’t know Sonny was a lawyer now, and Sonny says, far from it. He came to check on Dex, and found out he has no lawyer present. Dante joins them, and says, Dex chose not to call one. Sonny asks if Dex is arrested, and when they don’t say anything, Sonny says, that’s a no. Let’s go. They leave, and as Dex passes Jordan, she says, don’t leave town. He says, got it, and she closes the door. She asks if Dex gave Dante anything, and Dante tells her, Dex swears he didn’t see or hear anything. She asks how that’s possible, and Dante says he doesn’t know, but they don’t have anything to hold him on. All the evidence they have is circumstantial. She asks if she’s wrong. There’s something about him; something off. Dante says, she’s not wrong, and she tells him, keep digging. He says, will do, and she leaves.

Outside, Dex thanks Sonny, and Sonny says he’ll give Dex a ride. Dex says, he doesn’t have to, but Sonny says, let’s go. They leave, and Dex looks worried. I’d be worried too.

Drew puts blankets and pillows on the couch, and Carly tells him that she’s sorry. She thought it pulled out. He says, it’s fine, and she says she can call downstairs for a cot. He says he thinks she’s forgetting he spent two years in a cell. This is like heaven compared to that. She says, noted, and they say goodnight. Carly goes to bed a few feet away, which seems really awkward, and Drew lies on the couch. Carly turns out the light, and tells Drew, she knows she said it before, but thanks for coming. It really means everything. He says she’s welcome. They’re going to fix the situation with her mother. She knows that, right? She says she does now.

Sasha thanks Nina for being here, and Gladys says she hasn’t always been the kindest or the most welcoming to Nina. Nina says, for legitimate reason, and Gladys says, but what Nina’s done for them, it hits her right here. Gladys touches her heart, and Nina says, well, get used to it, because she’s not going anywhere. The three of them join hands.

Portia storms into Jordan’s office, and slams the door. Jordan asks what she’s doing, and Portia says, Curtis told her about their little divorce papers chat. How dare she?

Cameron says he hated every second of lying to Trina. It’s just that he and Spencer had this history… She says, so do they. It may not be as long, but it’s pretty important. He says, so important, and if this messes it up at all… She says, it won’t. She’s not planning on holding a grudge, but it might take time to get past it. He says, that’s totally fair. He doesn’t want to give an excuse, but he wants to explain himself. He was torn between two people he care so much about, and that’s… She says, hard, and he says, extremely. Has she ever experienced something like that? She flashes back to Josslyn telling her that Cameron assumed she was alone in the dumpster, and she didn’t correct him. She tells Cameron, yeah. She guesses she has.

Josslyn strides into the PCPD, and Dante asks, what’s going on? She asks if Dex is here, and he wonders why she’s asking. She says she heard he was a suspect in all the attacks, and Dante says he can’t comment, but where did she hear that? She says, it doesn’t matter. He really can’t tell her anything at all? Dante says, Dex was brought in. He left with Sonny a while ago.

Dex gets in the car, but Sonny doesn’t look at him. Sonny just continues to look out the window, and Dex says, thanks for the ride home. Sonny finally looks at him, and says, they’re going to make a stop first. Then he stares straight ahead with an odd smile.

Tomorrow, Sam asks what Spinelli isn’t telling her; Maxie tells Austin, she’s glad it’s finally out in the open; Josslyn tells Dante that she’s got some evidence of her own; and Dex asks, how can he make Sonny believe him, as he hangs from the ceiling. It’s not looking good for Dex.

📖 Coming Soon…

She doesn’t just edit The Invader.

👨🏻‍⚕️ From the Ashes…

I forget. Did they ever find Griff’s body? Maybe he ran off with Esme. Or maybe he’s the Hook.

🏐 Playing Catch-Up…

I always liked him in OLTL, and he was fun in Desperate Housewives.

Star Studded…

This sounds pretty cool. October 8th on YouTube, 2 pm EST.

💃🏻 Tango Back To Your Love Bubble…

Of course it was because a judge didn’t like her. It couldn’t possibly be that the other couples were more talented.

💩 Calling Doctor BS…

What does he mean, the cameras were down for the night? How do they film all those other wee hour confabs and meltdowns?

🤿 Diving For Drama…

There seem to be some contradicting viewpoints here, but it all boils down to Kathy being a spoiled brat. Billie Jean must be a hot button issue though. I have a friend who once argued with a music store clerk over the lyrics. My friend thought they couldn’t possibly be that stupid.

🦥 You May Now Squee…

Kind of old news, obviously before Queen Elizabeth’s passing, but who cares? They’re still cute. And now I want a kinkajou.

https://collider.com/celebrity-pets-too-cute/

🪑 Now Leaving the Desk Chair…

Come back tomorrow for Dex’s dilemma and those too-old-for-this Wives. Until then, stay safe, stay learning all the information before weighing in, and stay never being spotted at more than one crime scene. It could leave you hanging.