Tag Archives: The Mandalorian

October 19, 2020 – Sam surprises Alexis During Her Bender, Med Yachties Reunite, More Phat, a Second Helping Of Baby Yoda, Rich Kid Wedding, Animated Dead, Halloween Treats & Have a Ball

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly comes into the station, and meets Diane. Diane tells her, being on time creates a favorable impression. Being early shows you’re too eager, and being late shows you don’t care. Carly says she was told because Nelle’s body was found in a different jurisdiction, that’s why the detective wants to talk to her. What’s the real reason? Diane says he referred to her as Mrs. Corinthos three times when she talked to him, and wanted to know if her husband would be joining them. Carly says, so it’s about Sonny, and Diane says, he probably wants to enhance his reputation by taking down a Corinthos – any Corinthos – including her. Carly says, Diane isn’t going to let that happen, right? and Diane says, not based on the information Carly gave her. Has she left anything out?    

At Charlie’s, Jax tells Nina that he’ll have to sell the company or get a competent CEO. Nelle says he already runs half of Aurora; why not run the whole thing? She’s just putting it on the table as an option. Her phone rings, and she answers, telling the person, a single plot with just a headstone. Her name was Jenelle Benson.

Outside, Sasha drops her bag, and everything falls out. She says, perfect. She sees her baggie of coke, and scoops it up. Willow comes by, and asks if she needs some help.

Michael hits the heavy bag at the gym, flashing back to Willow saying she wants to be Wiley’s mom, no matter what happens with them. He tells her, him too, but there’s no rush. Wiley isn’t old enough to wonder what the nature of their marriage is. Chase walks in, and says Michael is really unloading on that bag. Michael says he’s trying to clear his head, and Chase asks how that’s working out for him. Michael says, it’s not, and Chase says it might help if he has an actual opponent. Michael says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea for them to spar, but Chase puts on punching mitts, and says he won’t throw any punches. Michael tells him, proceed at his own risk.

Sam knocks on Alexis’s door. Alexis opens it, saying, that was fast. Sam asks if she’s expecting someone, and Alexis says, it’s a bad time. Sam says she’d rather be home with Scout and Danny, but this can’t wait.

Brook quietly goes back into the Quartermaine mansion. She hears Monica telling Ned, one great advantage he has, is that his wife is head over heels in love with him. He’d have to do something so appalling for her to give up and leave him. He says, like finding out he cheated with Alexis. Would that do it? She says, tell her that’s not true, but he asks if she thinks he’d make that up. He cheated on his wife. Monica says, now he’s really done it. Brook hears everything.

Carly says she told Diane everything that happened, and Diane says Carly also told her everything the night Claudia Zaccara died, and it turned out to be a lie. Michael was convicted for a murder he didn’t commit. Carly says, it was years ago, and Diane says she wants to believe that Nelle ran off, and that was the last Carly saw of her. Carly asks why Diane is arguing then, and Diane says things are seldom clear cut with her. Jordan thanks them for coming, and Diane says, like they had a choice. She asks if it’s standard operating procedure, allowing visiting police officers to order her constituents around, and Jordan says, it’s a professional courtesy. They can wait in the interrogation room. Diane says they know where it is, and Jordan says, the detective will be there shortly. Diane asks if she’s not sitting in on it, and Jordan says she offered, but the detective declined. She’s going to let him experience the full impact of Diane’s defense. She leaves, and Diane tells Carly, short, concise answers. I don’t recall and I can’t recollect are options, and if she’s withholding anything, please keep it withheld. The last thing Diane wants is a surprise.

Nina says, no funeral, but a prayer at the gravesite. She doesn’t think Nelle was religious, so something simple. She thanks them, and says, Jax doesn’t think she should be doing this. He says it’s not his place to say; she should do what she wants. She says he doesn’t think Nelle deserves a proper burial, and he says he thinks Nelle caused a lot of problems, and the sooner she’s forgotten about, the better. She says, Nelle is leaving behind a little boy. Someday he’s going to grow up and ask questions, and might want to visit her grave. Now there will be one to visit. He asks if she’s doing this for Wiley, and she says, partly, but also for Nelle. Not the psychotic Nelle, but the Nelle that could have been if life were different. Jax gets a call from Jordan, who says she has some follow-up questions about the night Nelle disappeared. He says he’s already told her what he knows, but she asks to see him tonight. He says he’ll be there, and Nina says, that sounded ominous. He tells her, Jordan has questions about the night Nelle died.

Sasha tells Willow, she’s good, thanks. She’s just clumsy. Willow asks if Sasha is sure she’s all right, and Sasha says she doesn’t see why Willow should care. Willow should hate her. Willow says she doesn’t. In fact, she thinks they should have a glass of wine together.

Chase says he’s not sure Michael is aware, but a Pennsylvania detective is looking into Nelle’s death. Michael asks, why? and Chase says the body was recovered across state lines, and they opened their own investigation. He thought Michael should know in case he’s contacted. Michael says Chase is acting like it was six months ago, but it’s not. Too much has changed. Chase says he understands, but Michael doesn’t think he does. Willow loved Chase, and believed in him. Chase broke her heart, and it might be unfair, but Michael blames Chase more than Sasha.  

Alexis says Sam seems put out, and Sam says she’s worried about Alexis. She missed Mike’s funeral; Kristina’s grandfather’s funeral. Alexis says she told Sam, she forgot to set her alarm, and Sam says, getting hammered does funny things to you memory.

Ned says he knows he made a mistake, and Monica says, one he has no intention of repeating. He says, of course (🍷) not. He only did it because he thought she was cheating with Robert. Monica says she knows infidelity runs in the family, but thought he would have learned from the Lois/Kathryn debacle. He says if she mentions it again, he’ll blow his top, but she says that’s better than blowing his chance with his wife. He needs to tell Olivia. He says he has no intention of telling her. This secret is going with him to his grave. In the foyer, Olivia asks what Brook is doing home. And who is she spying on?

The detective comes into the interrogation room, and introduces himself as Detective DeLeon from the Hanover PD. Nelle’s body was recovered in his jurisdiction, and it’s his understanding that Carly was the last person who saw her alive. Diane says, hello, and introduces herself. She says, while her client is certainly willing to answer his questions to the best of her ability, she wants it noted that Carly has already given a statement to the PCPD. DeLeon says he read it, but has additional questions. Carly can answer them tonight, or he subpoena her. Diane says he’d have to show cause for a subpoena, and has none. Instead of wasting the court’s time, Carly has agreed. She says she’s sure he intends on recording the interview, and she wants a copy or they’ll see him in court. He says she doesn’t miss a trick, and she says, his choice.

Valentin asks Nina if the seat next to her is taken, and she says Jax was there, but he can take it. She’s busy though. He asks if it’s Crimson, and she says, a personal project. He asks if she’s willing to tell him, and she says she’s looking for a nurse names Phyllis Caulfield. She has every reason to believe Phyllis knows what happened to her baby.  

Sasha thinks it’s a bad idea, but Willow says she knows Sasha loves the house pinot. They sit, and Sasha asks if Willow remembers the time they got a bottle for the table. They drank most of it. The guys were so busy debating the merits of the wine, they missed the actual wine. Willow says she misses the four of them being friends, and Sasha says she does too.

Ned asks if Monica is telling him to destroy his marriage, but she says he has a better shot at saving it if he tells Olivia himself. Better she hear it from him than from someone else. She asks how many people know, and he says, him, her, and Alexis. She asks if he expects attorney/client privilege in the bedroom, and he says, Alexis may not be the most reliable person at the moment – she’s no longer recovering – and Monica says, Olivia may figure it out even if Alexis says nothing. Olivia and Brook walk in, and Olivia asks if they want to explain what Brook is doing with her ear pressed to the door. What are they talking about?   

Alexis says she already told Sam that she didn’t forget, and Sam says, so she chose to skip the funeral? Alexis asks why she’d do that, and Sam says she had more important drinking to do. Alexis says it may come shock, but she doesn’t answer to Sam. Sam says when they were at the MetroCourt, Alexis put her drink down. When she left, Sam picked it up, and it was full of vodka. It’s the first step – honesty. Just admit she was drinking. There’s a knock at the door, and Sam says Alexis doesn’t have to get it, but Alexis says she does. Alexis tells the delivery guy, right on time, and takes a bag obviously containing a bottle out of his hand. Sam asks what it is, and Alexis shows her the bottle.    

DeLeon starts the recording. He says it’s an inquiry into the death of Nelle Benson. He’s interviewing Carly Corinthos, and also present is Carly’s attorney. He asks Carly, to her knowledge, was she the last person to see Nelle alive?  

Alexis tells Sam, she can go, but Sam says she’s not leaving Alexis like this. Alexis says she’s partaking in a legal substance in the privacy of her own home. She’s not hurting anyone. Sam says she’s hurting herself and the people who love her. Alexis says, what Sam’s doing isn’t love. It’s holier than thou condescension, and a convenient distraction from the mess waiting for her at home. Sam says Alexis is trying to change the subject, and Alexis asks if Valentin wasn’t all that Sam hoped. Sam says she thought Alexis and Valentin were buddies. She and Jason noticed how stressed Alexis was at the reception. Alexis asks how they knew that, and Sam says, she was drunk. Alexis asks why Sam is hounding her. Go home. Jason is back. Or is their reunion not all it’s cracked up to be?

Olivia says she’s thrilled Brook is home, but Brook says, she’s not there to stay. Monica summoned her, but it turned out to be a trap to get her to have a face-to-face with her father. He said hurtful things, so she left. Olivia asks if she snuck back in to spy on them, but Brook says she thought of some other things she wanted to say. Olivia says, by all means, have at it. It’s time to clear the air.

Chase asks why Michael blames him more, but Michael doesn’t want to get into it. It’s not the right place. Chase says, Michael is always so restrained and controlled. He needs to learn to let loose. Michael says he had everything he wanted, but it came at a cost, mostly for Willow. He thought she and Chase had something real, and he thought they were friends. He guesses he was wrong on both counts. Chase says he wasn’t.

Willow asks how Deception is going, and Sasha says, this morning it was great. Now it’s on the brink of disaster, mostly because of her. Willow tells her not to be hard on herself. Everyone can be a nervous wreck. She was before the custody hearing. Sasha says, but Willow nailed it. She showed the judge what a great person she is, and why she deserved Wiley. Willow nailed her moment, while Sasha crashed and burned.

Nina tells Valentin that Phyllis was one of the nurses who took care of her. She remembers Phyllis because she was kind, and actually took care of her. He asks if she thinks Phyllis was there when her child was born, but Nina says she doesn’t know. And she won’t know until she finds her. She does believe Phyllis forced her mother to give half of the necklace to her baby, so she might know who adopted them. Valentin asks her to let him help her find Phyllis.

Jordan thanks Jax for coming in, and he says, absolutely. She said she had additional questions, specifically about the timeline the night Nelle disappeared. Jax asks why they’re going over it again, and she says, Nelle’s body was found downriver in Pennsylvania, and the local PD is opening their own investigation. She wants to make sure his statement is complete. He wonders if she’s also asking Carly questions, and she says, they sent a detective. Carly is in the interrogation room with him and her lawyer now.   

DeLeon says the autopsy shows Nelle didn’t die from drowning. She died from a traumatic fall. Does Carly know anything about that? Diane asks, what about? Autopsies or traumatic falls in general? He’s supposed to ask specific questions. DeLeon asks if Carly pushed Nelle off a cliff, and Carly says, no. He says Nelle was a threat to her and her family, and she wanted Nelle stopped. Carly says, yes, and he asks if she wanted Nelle to die. She says, Nelle was twisted and dangerous, and she’s relieved Nelle is dead.

Ned says he was looking for Olivia, and she says she got caught up in something she needs to tell him about. She needs to tell everyone, but right now, she’s brokering a father/daughter conversation. Monica thinks they might want to discuss things in private, and Olivia tells them, just remember they love each other. It’s a precious bond; don’t take it for granted. Don’t get caught up in their pride, and throw it away. She and Monica leave, and Brook stands with her arms folded. He asks how much she heard, and she says he slept with Alexis. He says, it was a mistake, and she says, sure. She gets it. Things happen. Out of curiosity, when she traded stock she legitimately owned, was it a worse mistake than him cheating on his wife?

Sam says she’s there because she loves Alexis. She’s not avoiding Jason; they’re doing fine. Alexis tells Sam, if she says so, and Sam says Alexis can be as ugly as she wants, but can’t drive her away. Alexis says so Sam wants to help her when she doesn’t want it, and Sam says maybe Alexis can hear it from someone else. She can call Finn to take Alexis to a meeting. Alexis says, great idea. Finn will be the first person to convince Sam that she can’t be talked into doing something she doesn’t want to. Sam asks what she’s supposed to do. Nothing, and watch Alexis drink? Alexis suggests Sam have a drink with her. How much does she want? One finger? Two? Three?   

Chase tells Michael, he’s not making excuses for what he did, but before Nelle filed for custody, before things spiraled out of control, his life was on a completely different rack. He was committed to Willow, and considered Michael a good friend. He loves his brother, but he’s nowhere near as close to Finn as he was to Michael. Michael is easier to talk to than Finn. Michael says he spent a lot of time with his younger brother. Morgan was his best friend, and when he died, Michael went looking for another. That’s what Chase became for a while. Chase says, but not anymore, and Michael says, no; not anymore.  

Sasha tells Willow, this is crazy. She cheated with Willow’s boyfriend, and now she’s asking for Willow’s sympathy. Willow says Sasha is having trouble at work. One has nothing to do with… the other. Sasha says, except it does. Her confidence is shot. She thought she knew who she was and what she wanted. She thought she could handle losing Michael, but it’s been harder than she could have ever dreamed. She knew she loved him, but she had no idea how deeply. Now it’s too late. Willow flashes back to Michael asking if she wants to go back to the way things were before, and her saying, it’s not possible. She can’t pretend Chase didn’t betray her, no more than he can pretend Sasha didn’t betray him, but they might want to open their hearts to someone else one day. Michael asks, how would that work if they’re still married? Willow asks Sasha, what if it wasn’t too late? What if she had another chance? Sasha asks, what if Willow had another chance with Chase, would she take it?

Valentin tells Nina, she knows the name and when Phyllis was employed. It should be relatively easy to track her. Nina tells him to promise he won’t do that. She can’t have him near this. He says he just wants to help, but she says he wants to control the narrative; what she knows and what he thinks is too painful for her to now. That’s why she wasted months not looking for her real child. He says he didn’t know about the necklace. If she’d told him… She says, he would have made sure Sasha got the necklace to make it more convincing. He says he didn’t know she had a legitimate lead, or he never would have recruited Sasha. She says, it doesn’t matter. She needs to find her child on her own. He says, or with Jax?

Jordan asks if Jax heard anything; a cry for help? He says, no, and she asks what Carly’s attitude was when he found her. Defiant? Angry? Disoriented? He says she was upset Nelle got away, but they knew the police were coming, and decided to leave the search to them. She says, anything else? and he flashes back to telling Carly to either tell the whole truth, or take his advice and save herself. He says he’s told Jordan everything he remembers.   

DeLeon asks, when Carly found Nelle, did she push Nelle off the cliff? Carly says, no, and he says she wanted Nelle dead, but Diane says, what Carly wanted or didn’t want doesn’t matter. It’s what she did or didn’t do. Carly says Nelle wanted her to destroy herself. She’d never kill Nelle. She wouldn’t give Nelle the satisfaction. She stands by her statement. Nelle ran away, and she never saw Nelle again.  

Chase says, this is probably their last work out together, and Michael says, probably. Chase says he’s glad Wiley got the parents he needed, and glad Willow is adopting Wiley. She’ll be an awesome mom. Michael says it’s none of Chase’s business, and hits Chase. Chase says, please tell him that wasn’t on purpose. Michael says he’s got to go, but for what it’s worth (🍷), he wishes things had gone differently. After Michael leaves, Chase says, him too.

Willow tells Sasha, that wasn’t fair; she asked first. Sasha thinks the answer is the same for both of them. There’s no going back. No do-overs. Willow and Michael are married. They’re Wiley’s parents, and the three of them are obviously happy. Willow says, they are, and Sasha says, that’s how it should be. She and Chase did what they did, now they have to live with it. She says she should get going, and takes out her wallet. Willow says, her treat, and Sasha says, good seeing her, but they probably shouldn’t do this again.

Nina says, Jax is helping her, and Valentin is sure he is. Nina says, what he’s not doing is lying to her or having her go down a path of breadcrumbs where the outcome is staged for his own good. She can trust him. Valentin says that’s what she thinks in the short time she’s known him. Ask Carly what he’s capable of. He’s sure Jax has lied to and for Carly, and will again. For Jax, Carly comes first. She says he sounds like Ava, and he asks what that tells her. He and Ava disagree on everything, yet they agree about Jax’s feelings for Carly. Nina’s phone dings, and she says, thank God. A place she needs to be. She and Valentin can stay in each other’s lives for Charlotte’s sake. Other than that, stay out of her life. She walks out.

Diane tells Carly, to be clear, Carly revealed on record that she’s relieved Nelle is dead. That’s the kind of surprise she was talking about that’s not welcome. Carly says she’d obviously be lying if she’d said she wasn’t relieved. That doesn’t mean she killed Nelle. Diane asks how long Carly and Jason have been friends, and Carly says, forever. Diane says, in that forever, how many times has he been interrogated by the PCPD? Carly says, hundreds, and Diane says, yes. In all the hundreds, how many times does she think he’s ever volunteered information? It’s never okay. Take a lesson, and confine her answers to yes, no, I don’t know, I can’t remember. Never explain or interpret or under any circumstances comment on her feelings. Feelings lead to motives, motives lead to convictions. Carly says she didn’t push Nelle, and Diane says she believes Carly, but the detective obviously doesn’t. Carly says, there’s no way to prove Nelle didn’t fall, and Diane says Carly is in the clear if she doesn’t volunteer anything else to the police. She tells Carly that she needs a drink, and she’s going to be billing Carly double for this. Carly requires more fancy footwork than any other client. Diane leaves, and Carly sits down. Jax comes in, and asks if she’s okay. She says she honestly doesn’t know.

Ned tells Brook, he deeply regrets cheating, and she says she’s sure he does. He says it probably wouldn’t have happened if he’d heard the message Brook deleted. Brook says, so it’s not his fault that he slept with Alexis; it’s hers. He says she acted impulsively and selfishly, and she asks him to hear himself. He cheated on his wife, and she’s selfish. He says it’s between him and Olivia, and Brook says he made it clear to Monica that he’s going to cover it up. He says he’s trying to spare Olivia pain in knowing something that shouldn’t have happened. Brook calls him a hypocrite. She has to tell the truth and take responsibly, but he sleeps with who he wants. Knock himself out. He’ll have to find someone else to blame next time. Maybe he should look in the mirror. She storms out.  

Alexis tells Sam to have a drink with her mom. It’s better with company. Sam says she’s not enabling Alexis, and Alexis says, that’s not very equitable, considering the enabling Sam has received in her life. Jason is an unhealthy addiction. Sam says she loves Jason, and Alexis loves that bottle. Alexis says, unlike various people in her life, the bottle doesn’t criticize her or lie to her or judge her. Sam says it’s victimized her, and Alexis says, it makes her feel better. She doesn’t love the bottle, but she likes it a lot more than Sam right now. Sam needs to get off her back or get the hell out. She takes a drink. Geez, I’m starting to want a drink.

Michael walks into the Quartermaine mansion, and Willow says, good; he’s home. She wanted to do some thinking about their marriage, and she’s made a decision. He says, so did he.  

Chase hits the heavy bag, when Sasha comes in. He says she just missed Michael, and she says, small world. She just saw Willow at Charlie’s. They had some wine, like old times. Chase asks how Willow is, and Sasha says, moving on, whether she knows it or not. Chase says Michael is too.

Olivia asks, where’s Brook? and Ned says, gone again. Monica asks, what happened? She thought they were clearing the air. Ned says Brook made it very clear she wants nothing to do with him. Olivia says she’s sorry they’re at odds, but she’ll find a way to build a bridge. Monica says she tried with no success, but Olivia says she’s on hot streak. Monica says she seems confident, and Olivia says she is. The most wonderful thing happened. Dante is home. When she went to Geneva, he didn’t see her, but she stood outside his room, and he heard her talking. Something she said got through. He was discharged and he’s back in Port Charles. He’s in the house right now. He’s not back at Lulu’s; long story. She hopes it’s okay, and Monica says, it’s fine. She’s fond of Dante, and it will be nice to have a detective in the house.

Sam tells Alexis that she didn’t come looking for fight, and Alexis says she found one anyway. Sam says drinking is just going to hurt her, and Alexis says she’s been hurting for the last three years, but she’s not feeling any pain now. Sam asks, what about tomorrow? When she wakes up hungover because she’s putting booze ahead of the people who love her. Alexis says she doesn’t intend to lose her family, but she intends to do as she sees fit to do without judgment. Accept that, or Sam is welcome to leave. Sam says she’s going to go, but she’ll be coming back. She leaves, and Alexis looks miserable, but drinks some more.

Valentin is drinking at the bar at Charlie’s, when Brook comes in. She sits next to him, and asks if he’s ever tried a black Russian. He says, once, in Moscow, and I think he’s going to make a joke, but he says he prefers vodka straight, especially if he’s drinking to get drunk. She says she might join him. It’s been that kind of day.

Jax asks why Carly didn’t call him, and she says Diane was with her. Diane knows how to protect her. He asks if she did, and Carly says, the autopsy says Nelle died from a traumatic fall. The detective thinks Carly pushed her, but there’s no evidence because it didn’t happen. She stuck to her story like he told her to. He says he knows the pressure she’s under, and she says he was right. If she admits to being there, she’ll be charged with murder. She thanks him for talking sense into her. She’s grateful she can count on him. He hugs her, and says, always. Nina sees them hugging.

Tomorrow, Cyrus asks if someone has the answers he wants, Dustin says he’s willing to let Lulu go, and Sam asks for Sonny’s hep.

Below Deck Mediterranean – Reunion – Part One

The reunion was remote, and Hannah told us it was 3 am in Sydney when she was getting her makeup done. Everyone was everywhere all over the globe, and we started with flashing back to Laura, the insanely bitchy second stew for five minutes. Andy said she’d been invited, but had told the producers, considering how she’d been portrayed, she was declining the invite. Andy asked the cast if they thought she’d been represented unfairly, and that was a unanimous no. Captain Sandy said had she known what all was going on, she would have fired Laura.

Things seemed scratchy between Hannah and the captain from the jump. There was a big deal about the laundry having been behind until Bugs created a system, and it went on for way too long. Andy brought up Kiko telling Hannah to watch out for Bugs, and Kiko said he was getting a weird vibe from Bugs, but Bugs insisted she never tried to throw Hannah under the bus. Andy tried to get Jess to choose between them, but she stayed diplomatic.

The issue of Hannah not being herself was brought up pretty quickly. Bugs thought Hannah hadn’t wanted to be there, but added that everyone was getting to the stage where yachting wasn’t the be all and end all. Hannah said she didn’t want to be cleaning toilets at age 45. Andy moved on as quickly as he landed on that topic, and we flashed back to the deckhands, mainly Pete, being disrespectful to Malia. Andy read that Pete was terminated in June after sharing a racist and sexist meme on his Instagram. (You can find it if you google it, but I’m not leading you there.) Captain Sandy said Pete lacked consciousness about what’s going on in the world. She said the meme was disturbing, and everyone agreed. She’d texted him, asking what he was thinking, and he replied it was a mistake, but then there was radio silence. You could tell Malia was all proud of herself when she was brought up as being a chick woman in charge. She was also in semi-darkness with halo light, looking as though she was posing for glamour shots. Bugs seemed heavy handed, pouring her own champagne.

Hannah thought Captain Sandy didn’t like the fact that she didn’t want be in yachting long term, but the captain said she was happy for Hannah, who was living her dream. Malia was proud of herself again when Captain Sandy gave her props. Andy said Kiko was one of the only living yacht chefs who was not totally insane, and Malia seemed amused when the captain said Kiko didn’t live up to his resumé. I wanted to smack her. The captain said, it wasn’t personal, it was professional (a recurring theme from her), and he needed more training. Seriously though, anyone who would have a bad thing to say about this guy personally, would be off their rocker. He’s probably one of the nicest people alive, especially in comparison to the other chefs they’ve had. Tom went apesh*t over a cucumber, for God’s sake. Hannah thought they should have lifted Kiko up more, but Captain Sandy said professionalism required you to keep your emotions in check. She said if Kiko studied under another chef, he’d be great, since he had the best attitude of any chef she’d ever worked with. He said he would have fired himself for Vegas night. This was rehashed for way too long too.

Malia said yachting wasn’t Hannah’s thing anymore, and it showed. Hannah said, when she started the season, she was of two minds. Then she had to deal with Laura. Andy asked why Captain Sandy didn’t go to Hannah first, and tell her that she’d have to switch cabins so Tom and Malia could bunk together, instead of announcing it over the radio? There was never an actual answer to this, and the captain said it’s actually up to the first officer, but she made an executive call. Malia said there was no clear-cut protocol, and she thought it was blown out of proportion. They moved on to Hannah’s valium and weed or CBD pen, depending on who you believe. Again, I got why they did it, but didn’t like how it was done. Andy said viewers found the timing after the cabin argument suspicious, even though Malia insisted that had nothing to do with it. Captain Sandy said it was a fine line. You don’t want to mess with someone’s livelihood, but have culpability as a captain. Andy said Hannah’s pen matched the manufacturer’s THC pen; not their CBD one. And that’s where they left it.

As reunion episodes go, it was pretty harmless, but it’s still early. No doubt they’ll get to that point where everyone talks at once and you can’t hear anybody.

Next time, Malia is asked if she regrets Tom joining the crew, Jess claims Rob sent Aesha an inappropriate text, maritime law is discussed, Jess threatens to air Rob’s dirty laundry, and Andy bangs his head on the desk.       On purpose.

👠 Welcome Return…

I loved Baby Phat! And I love Kimora Lee Simmons. I think she’s one of the most beautiful women ever, and I have the Barbie that was fashioned after her. Bonus: It comes with a little dog.

🛸 Never Enough Baby Yoda…

The trailer for The Mandalorian’s second season is here.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-mandalorian-season-2-trailer-star-wars-disney-plus/

👰🏻 Rich and Married…

I don’t really remember her, but I did like this series.

https://extratv.com/2020/10/19/wedding-pic-reality-star-roxy-sowlaty-marries-nicolas-bijan/

⚰️ More Dead Ahead…

I’m all for milking a franchise, but do we really need an animated version?

https://comicbook.com/thewalkingdead/news/the-walking-dead-considering-animated-episodes-more-current-char/

👻 Ghostly Travels…

Travel channel’s Ghostober TV schedule. You’ve still got 11 days to get your scare on.

https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/new-on-travel-channel/ghostober-october-tv-schedule

If Halloween attracts you.

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/photos/scariest-halloween-attractions

And if you’re not afraid to spend the night.

https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/haunted/photos/top-10-haunted-hotels-in-america

🧚🏽‍♀️ Spiriting Myself Away…

Tomorrow is a busy day, and I still have to shop for Halloween. Although I’m still unclear on the status of trick-or-treating in my town this year. I don’t want to end up living off of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the next month like I did after Hurricane Sandy hit. No matter what your Halloween plans, stay safe, stay out of the candy, and stay masked under your mask. Unless your mask is your mask.

September 18, 2020 – Sonny Gets His Bike, Two To Know, Goodbye Chuck, Not Cast, Kenya’s Gain, Runway Shocks, an Ending, South Special, Your Choice, Season Two, Six Quotes, a Poem & Race

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ned brings Alexis to the hospital, and Portia asks what she can do for them. Alexis says she can reassure Ned there’s nothing wrong with her. Portia says she’ll need a few more details, and Alexis says she fell at the gym and aggravated an old injury. Ned says it was weeks ago, and Alexis is still in pain. Portia says she can examine Alexis and Ned can come if Alexis is okay with it. Alexis says she wants Ned to be there when Portia tells her there’s nothing wrong.

Outside Kelly’s, TJ tells Brando he’s being too hard on himself. He just got out of the hospital, maybe it was too early for him to get out on the field. Brando says, from now on, they stick to basketball, and TJ says he should have said that earlier. Moving forward, they’ll stick to the court. Molly sees them together and looks horrified.

New York City. Nina asks Jax, how is it this woman who paid to have her necklace divided became her nurse twenty years later? He says, it would be quite the coincidence, and she says, there has to be a connection. She knows what happened to Nina’s child.

Josslyn tells Jason, it might sound crazy, but she wanted to feel her lungs fill up with air. He says it doesn’t sound crazy, and she wonders how long it’s been since Mike ran until he was out of breath. Little by little, everything was taken away from him until there was nothing left. She cries, and says she doesn’t even know what she’s saying anymore. He was a great grandpa. She’s going to miss him. Jason says he’ll miss Mike too, and she says Mike dies, and all she wants is to feel alive. He says, that’s what Mike would have wanted. Mike made some big mistakes, but he lived his life. He didn’t stand on the sidelines, watching and criticizing. Mike made sure he lived. He took chances and had to live with the consequences. There are people who run the race, and people who stand by and do nothing but watch. He knows she’s going to be someone who runs the race. She’s won’t know who’s going to win, but those are lessons she’ll learn. She’s going to live her life to the fullest, and it’s all Mike would have asked for.

Sonny looks at the picture of the boy on the bike, and shows it to Carly, asking if she saw this picture that Avery drew. His dad loved it, and said it looked like Sonny when he was a kid, but he doesn’t think it looks like him. They laugh, and Sonny says his dad never gave him the bike he wanted when he was a kid. He nursed that broken promise for years, and thought it was proof Mike wasn’t a good father. He didn’t know it haunted Mike. Even when his mind was gone, he needed to get Sonny the bike, and keep his word. Carly says Mike knew Sonny loved him, and Sonny says he knows. He asks if she can imagine them riding bikes together after all these years. The laugh some more, and Sonny says, it hurts.

Winston tells Ethan and Robert to keep their hands where he can see them. He says, this must be Ethan Lovett. He was afraid the calvary would come riding to the rescue when Holly placed the call. Robert says Winston knew Holly was alive.

Winston says, he takes their lack of professional detachment to mean there’s a personal interest. Robert calls Winston a smarmy bastard, and says, tell him where Holly is, or he’ll rip Winton’s throat out with his bare hands. Winston says Robert showed up for a gunfight with no gun, and tells his henchmen to restrain them, without shooting if possible. He tells Robert, Holly was investigating their less than reputable businesses that were being run from the casino. When he learned of her interest, he arranged for her ship to sink, but brought her there to manage her. They wanted to know just how much the Bureau had. Ethan tells him to take them to Holly, but Winston says she managed to distract a guard, and appropriate his phone. By the time they knew what was going on, it was too late. Robert says he knew it was her voice. Where is she? Winston says she had to be dealt with, and Robert asks what that means. Winston says, he’ll demonstrate. He raises his gun, but Olivia comes up behind him, and hits him over the head with an automatic weapon that she got from who knows where.

Nikolas tells Ava, he squandered his son’s chance at being close with this grandfather, and having a connection to his own mother. Mike knew Courtney better than he did; the things could Mike could have shared. It goes to show how messed up his priorities are. Ava says they’ve all been there, but he says, not as much as he has. The truth is, he keeps making the same mistakes. He doesn’t see how valuable something is until he lets it go.

Chase brings Brook to Turning Woods, and Brook thanks Michael for letting her know. She asks if Sonny is in Mike’s room, and Michael says he is, so she goes to  find him. Chase tells Michael that he gave Brook a ride. He’s sorry about Mike. Michael thanks him for bringing Brook. He thinks it will do his dad good to see her. He knows she had a big fight with Ned, and she’s too prideful to accept help. He’s worried about her being by herself. She didn’t say anything about a plan, and he wonders if she has a place to stay. Chase says he thinks she’s going to crash with him.

Nina tells Jax, after all the years of unanswered questions, she has an actual fact. He tells her, be prepared; she might not like what Phyllis has to say. She says she knows, and thanks him. Because of his connections, she’s closer than ever before to knowing what happened to her child. It would mean the world to her. He says he’d give her the world if he could, and she says she knows he would.

Molly joins TJ and Brando, and TJ says he believes Molly is a couple of minutes late; she’s obnoxious about being on time. Brando says he’s guilty of it too; it was drilled into him in the military. Molly says she didn’t know Brando was joining them, and TJ says they’re having a drink after their game. He’s buying; a consolation prize for beating Brando in all 8 innings. Brando asks if they don’t have plans, and Molly says, just studying medicine and law. TJ says they can take one night off, but Molly says, maybe Brando has someplace to be.

Portia presses on Alexis’s wrist, and asks if it hurts. Alexis says, ow! and Portia says, it’s definitely swollen. It might be more than a sprain. Ned says Alexis got an injury last summer, and Alexis says she thinks Portia was speaking to her. He says, sorry, and she says she slipped on the porch steps, and when she tried to steady herself, jammed her wrist. It ached for a week or two, then it felt better, until she fell at the gym. Portia asks if there was any weakness, and Alexis says, some in between incidents. Portia asks if it was continuous, and Alexis says not that she can recall. Portia asks, what about this time? and Alexis says this time, it’s been aching since she fell at the gym. She’s left-handed, and trying not do things with her left hand, and icing it. Portia asks if she’s done anything besides icing it, and Alexis says, nothing stronger than taking over the counter medication. She’s a recovering addict, and also highly sensitive after Neil’s death. Portia says she can prescribe a non-narcotic pain medication. They can take x-rays, and take it from there. She’s sorry to hear about Neil. She didn’t work with him very long, but he was a good man. Portia leaves, and Ned says, it’s okay to cry. He won’t judge.

Olivia says, a little help here? and Robert and Ethan deck the guards. Robert takes the gun from Olivia, and Ethan punches a guard one more time, saying, that one was for his mother. Robert gets on the phone, and says, it’s former field agent Robert Scorpio, and he’d like a direct line to the field office for District 3. He has a prisoner of interest.

Alexis cries, and says, the last place she expected to be was an examining room. Ned says he’s sorry, and suggests she get checked out; not just her wrist, everything. She says Neil was only in her life for two years, but changed it so much. He got her to dig inside for answers, and believe she’s worth being loved without conditions, secrets, or pain. If she hadn’t met him, she wouldn’t have risked her career for happiness. Now he’s just gone, and she’s in there getting a check-up for her aching wrist, like it’s any other day. Life just goes on, but it doesn’t. It’s not fair. Ned holds her, and says he’s so sorry.

Molly says Brando doesn’t want to hang out with a couple of studyholics. He might have someone to see. TJ says, the ladies are probably lining up, but Brando says he’s going through a dry spell. TJ says Molly can hook him up with one of her friends from law school. Ashley and CJ are smart and fun. Molly says she’ll see what she can do, and TJ says he’ll grab some ice teas, and Molly can arrange something with her friends. Molly says, no pressure, and TJ goes inside Kelly’s. She says TJ and Brando are bonding all over the place, and Brando says TJ is a good guy, but he’ll start making himself scarce.

Ava comes running in, and tells Nikolas, Avery is gone. The sliding door was open, and she’s gone. He says, she couldn’t have gone far.

Looking in the phone directory, Nina says she told Jax that she just wanted a trail to follow, and this is it. The woman she remembered, and will recognize when she sees, but she still has to find her. Who knew there were so many Phillis Caulfield in NYC? He says, there’s more than one? and she says, a lot more. Jax gets a call from Josslyn, and asks if everything is okay. Josslyn says, actually, no, and he says, Mike? Josslyn says, he’s gone. She knows it’s a good thing. It was time, and he doesn’t have to suffer now, but she just wanted to call and hear his voice, and know he’s still there to talk to. He says, always.

Sonny thanks Brook for everything she did for his dad. When she would visit and sing, Mike lit up like a kid. She says she’s glad Mike liked her singing and company, but the person he lit up for was Sonny. He loved Sonny so much, and Sonny was with him to the end. He did good. So, so good.

Avery walks through the woods with a flashlight.

Molly says, so Brando is just going to take off and leave her to explain? He says, isn’t that what she wants? She says she’s asking him not to be rude. When TJ challenges him to a basketball game or whatever, he can be busy. He tells her not to worry; he’s not getting in her business. She says she and TJ are in a great place; she’s not worried. There’s not going to be a repeat them. He says, no offense, but he’s not looking for one. She says, no offense, but she’s clear about what she wants in life, and it’s TJ. He says he likes hanging out with TJ; he’s a cool guy. TJ likes hanging out with him and wants to be friends, but he doesn’t lie to friends. She says neither does she, and he says maybe they should tell TJ the truth.

Ned waits in the hallway, and Portia says she wanted to give Alexis privacy, since Ned isn’t a family member. The orthopedic specialist confirmed it’s a fracture, which explains her limited movement and pain. Alexis says it’s not like when she fell in the spring, and it healed on its own. Portia says women lose bone density rapidly after menopause, and can get a fracture easily. They’re going to put her wrist in a cast. They stay on six to eight weeks, sometimes longer, but that only addresses the immediate injury. She suggests Alexis consult with the specialist, and have more tests to see if bone loss is the reason for the break. A fall shouldn’t result in a fracture, and there could be an underlying condition.

Jax tells Josslyn that he’ll be home first thing in the morning. In between, if she needs to, what should she do? She says, call him, and he says, that’s right. He loves her. She says she loves him too.

Avery finds Nelle’s half of the heart necklace, and hears Ava calling to her. Avery says, ooh, pretty. Ava calls again, and she says, coming, mom.

A WSB agent tells Robert his people are doing a sweep of the casino. There’s a laundry list of illegal activities there, enough to put Winston and his cronies in Steinmaur until they’re old and grey. Ethan asks if they found his mother, but the agent says, there’s no sign of Holly. She’s not there, if she ever was. Robert grabs Winston by his lapels, picks him up and shoves him against the wall, saying, you bastard, where is she?

Josslyn says, it must be strange for Willow. She joined the family five minutes ago, then has to jump into this experience. Willow says it’s sad, and she’s sorry about their grandfather, but what she’s experiencing is really how close they are, and how much they love each other. She was never part of a family in that way. To see them help sustain each other makes her more grateful than before.

Winston says, Holly is gone, and Robert says, son of a bitch. The agent says, let him go, and Robert drops him. Robert says, he’s lying, but the agent says it’s out of Robert’s hands. The Bureau is taking over. Ethan says, hell, the Bureau sent her there, and kicks Winston, asking, where is my mother? Winston says, gone. Disparue. What’s Mandarin for gone? The agent tells Ethan, don’t make them arrest him. They’ll search the grounds. The WSB is grateful for their help, so they avoided running Ethan’s name and finding out he has outstanding warrants. He’d like to see Ethan walk out a free man, so don’t kick Winston again. He tells another agent to help him load the prisoner for transport, and they take Winston out. Ethan says, Winston is lying. He has to be.

Molly says she thinks about telling TJ every day, and Brando says he thinks if she tells him the actual reason – that she thought he was ghosting her – he’ll realize there’s nothing to forgive. She says, except for keeping the truth from him. He says he’ll keep his distance, and she says she doesn’t want that; obviously TJ doesn’t want that. He says TJ can’t force him to shoot hoops; he has a garage to run. And if she keeps driving her hybrid like a tank, she’s going to severely damage it. TJ comes back with the drinks, and says, sorry. He was phoning a guy in his study group. He asks if Molly gave Brando contact with CJ and Ashley.

Willow asks if Michael is going to wait for his parents, but he says he thinks his dad would like to be alone with his mom for a bit. He and Willow leave.

Carly tells Sonny that she spoke with administration, and he can have all the time he wants with Mike. Sonny asks if they’re ready to take him, and she says if he’s ready. He says, let’s do this. He goes over to Mike, and picks up the drawing. He says he got his bicycle. He loves this bike; he loves this picture. And I’ll always love you, dad. He cries a little, and joins Carly.

Back at the cabin, Ava tells Avery, no more woods. Promise her. Avery promises.

Portia tells Alexis, a nurse practitioner will come in to cast her, and she can consult with the orthopedic specialist. They might be able to run more tests tonight. Alexis says, it’s kind of her to offer, but she’d like to get home. She’s dealing with a lot, and just wants to take a moment to catch her breath. She promises to make an appointment. Portia says, obviously, it’s her call, but she doesn’t advise putting it off, since any underlying condition needs to be addressed. Alexis asks what tests the specialist will want to run, and Portia says a big term that means bone density scan. Alexis asks what condition Portia thinks she has, and Portia says, the specialist will explain in depth. Alexis says the specialist isn’t there, Portia is. What does Portia thinks she’s dealing with? Portia says, based on her symptoms, Alexis might have osteoporosis.

Brando tells TJ, the garage needs his attention; he has no time for a social life. TJ says he’s said the same thing a million times. If not for Molly, he’d have no social life. Brando says, there’s only one Molly, but TJ says, her friends are really cool. What if the set up a meeting while supporting a righteous cause? They have a group who’s standing with GH. Brando says, against what? and Molly says, not what; who. Cyrus Renault, the Chairman of the Board.

Ethan tells Robert, the agent told them they have enough on Winston to send him to Steinmaur. They can use it as a bargaining chip, and trade Holly’s whereabouts for a lighter sentence. Robert says, Holly wasn’t an agent; she did contract work. They’re not going to bargain for her return. Ethan says, they have to. They said she was investigating the casino. She risked her life for the Bureau; they have to find her. The agent comes back, and says, they did find her. They found a shallow grave, containing a woman’s body burned beyond recognition. Ethan says, it could be anyone, and the agent says, they’ll find out when they do an autopsy, but the body matches Holly’s height and build. And they found this. He gives Robert something, and says, it was on the body. Ethan asks, what is it? and Robert shows him a ring.

We see Holly and Robert back when we were all so much younger. He says she should have a ring. He bought it a while back, and after tonight, he realized she might want it for appearances sake. He puts it in her hand, and she thanks him.

Robert tells Ethan, it’s Holly’s wedding ring.

Outside Turning Woods, a staff member says they have something for Sonny. It came several weeks ago, and they put it in the back for safe keeping. Sorry no one told him. They bring out a bicycle with a big bow on it, and my heart sings. Carly says, how… and he says, who cares? He hands her the picture, and opens the card. Sonny reads, Sonny, this is late, but I hope it’s not too late. I love you. Dad. She says, it’s a beauty, and he says, it’s perfect.

Nikolas asks Ava if Avery is all right, and she says, Avery is snug as a bug in a rug. She thanks him for helping her look, and being wonderful with her. She thinks he’s got himself a fan in her daughter. He says Ava must be relieved they found her. She’s quite an adventurous girl. He wonders where she gets it from. Ava asks if he’s leaving, and he says, yeah. He thinks there’s been enough excitement for one night. He asks if she’s returning to Windymere tomorrow, and she says she is. It’s her home. He tells her, goodnight, and she says, drive safe.

Jax says he hates to bail on Nina, but she says, is he out of his mind? Of course (🍷) he has to be with his daughter. This can wait. He says she could continue without him, and she says she could, but she wants him to be with her, no matter how it ends, if he wants to be. He says he does, and she asks if he’d mind company on the flight back. He says he’d love that. We see the necklace around her neck.

Avery takes the necklace out from under her pillow, and puts it in her backpack. She gets back in bed.

Brando says he understands why the hospital isn’t thrilled by Cyrus being on the board – Molly says, Chairman of the Boar – but maybe they could volunteer for another cause. TJ says, GH is the heart of Port Charles. They can’t let Cyrus corrupt it. He’s signing up staff members, and Molly is pulling some people from law school. Brando says, Cyrus could bring them a lot of trouble, and TJ says, let him bring it. The hospital is worth fighting for. Brando asks if Molly agrees, and she says she backs TJ all the way. Brando says, okay; he’s in. TJ says he knew it. Brando might be a sorry softball player, but he’s a man with principles. Brando hopes Molly’s friends are worth the trouble.

Alexis asks if osteoporosis isn’t common in women older than she is, but Portia says, that’s a misconception. Post-menopausal women over 50 are at risk. She can’t say for certain that’s it though, until the test results come back. Alexis says she’ll make arrangements. Ned pops in, and asks if everything is okay. Alexis says she’s waiting to get a cast, and tells him, go ahead and say it – I told you so. He says he’s just thankful she’s being treated. He tells her, he’ll wait outside, but Alexis says, they’d like to run more tests; it could take time. She’ll grab a Ride Share. He says, nice try. He’s not going anywhere. For once, stop arguing and say thank you. She says, thank you, and he says he’ll be outside.

Ned calls Olivia, and says, come on. Call him back.

Olivia gives Robert a drink, saying she thinks he could use this. Ethan says Holly was wearing the ring the last time he saw her. They met in Singapore to run game on a billionaire. Robert says he gave it to her when they got married. One thing after another happened, and it wound up in a safety deposit box in Switzerland. He gave it back to her after a two-year separation, saying, while they were separated, they were never going to be done with each other. He says he never should have given Ethan false hope that she was alive, but Ethan says now they know the truth, and who’s responsible. Robert says he should have gotten there sooner, and Olivia says he did what he could, but he says, it doesn’t feel like it. The agent comes in, and says the Bureau sent for a plane to take them home; it’s waiting on the tarmac in Nice. Robert wonders why the Bureau is so accommodating, and the agent says they’ve wanted the casino shut down, and now they were given a way to do it. Olivia says, as a girl from Kansas said, there’s no place like home. Robert asks Ethan if he’s going somewhere, and Ethan says, any continent but this one. When they leave, a man comes out and makes a call.

We see a woman’s hand pick a phone up. The man says, they’re gone. Scorpio and Ethan were given proof she’s dead. The casino was shut down, but the Bureau might be able to link the place to her. Winston knows to keep his mouth shut about what she really did with Holly. On one of the screens, we see a room with a woman sitting on the floor, leaning against a bed. She gets up, and starts yelling, open the door. Holly looks at the camera, and says, you bastard, let me out of here.

On Monday, Lulu asks Curtis what his fascination with her mother is; Curtis tells Jordan that she should have skipped this visit; and Jason tells Brando, he told Sonny they need a plan, but it will take both of them.

🏥 In Case You Haven’t Met…

All about Winston.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/winston-rudge-david-s-lee

All about Courtney.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-courtney-matthews-alicia-leigh-willis-168882

🎸 The Boys In the Band…

Think it was creative differences?

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burton-says-goodbye-to-port-chuck

💎 Anything’s Better Than Brandi…

I don’t even know who they are and wish they’d been cast.

https://extratv.com/2020/09/14/jana-kramer-and-mike-caussin-on-auditioning-for-rhobh-and-fighting-through-the-tough-times/

🍕 She’s Not Going Out Anyway…

The quarantine twenty-five’s got nothing on Kenya.

https://people.com/health/rhoas-kenya-moore-doesnt-mind-25-pound-quarantine-weight-gain/

👠 It’s An Outrage…

Fashion scandals should be our worst problem.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1187374/relive-16-of-the-biggest-fashion-week-scandals-on-and-off-the-runway

⚰️ Explaining the Dead…

But will it line up with the show?

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-walking-dead-comic-ending-explained/

🤡 Laughing In the Face Of Pandemonia…

Think they’ll kill Kenny?

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/south-park-season-24-release-date-pandemic-special/

✉️ Almost Time To Vote…

For the People’s Choice Awards.

https://pca.eonline.com/window

🛸 Break It Down…

Because, Baby Yoda.

https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-wars-the-mandalorian-season-2-trailer-breakdown-analysis-spoilers/

🧾 Quotes of the Week

The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished. – Nelson De Mille

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity. – Albert Einstein

Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent. – Freeman Dyson

You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships every day. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.Epicurus

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.Harvey Fierstein

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman (Hmm… Apparently I’ve been mature since I was 5.)

I Call You Dog

Author Unknown

When God had made the earth and sky,

The flowers and the trees,

He then made all the animals,

The fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He’d finished,

Not one was quite the same,

God said, “I’ll walk this earth of mine,

And give each one a name.”

And so He traveled far and wide,

And everywhere He went,

A little creature followed Him,

Until its strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth,

And in the sky and sea,

The little creature said, “Dear Lord,

There’s not one left for me.”

Kindly the Father said to him,

“I’ve left you to the end,

I’ve turned my own name back to front,

And called you DOG, my friend.”

🍂 A New Season…

We made it to autumn, and another weekend. Or whatever name you’ve made up for what used to be your weekend. No matter the term, stay safe, stay discriminating, and stay running the race instead of watching from the sidelines.