Tag Archives: The Rumjacks

March 17, 2022 – Victor Shows His Hand, Explanation, He’s Back, Hopeful, Catching Up, Salty Talk, VanderSplit, Sad Farewell & Pub Song

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

On the footbridge, Victor looks at the Three of Cups tarot card. He hears Drew coming, and slips it into his jacket pocket. Drew says, here he is. Why was it so important they meet in person? Victor says he sees they’re dispensing with the pleasantries, and Drew says he thinks he made it pretty clear what he thinks about Victor. Victor says, yet here Drew stands. Is he alone? Drew asks, why? Does Victor have something up his sleeve as usual?

Sam and Dante are in a nearby van with surveillance equipment. They’re having a problem hearing, and Sam asks if Dante wants to go over the checklist again. He says, the wireless transmitter is functioning, the firmware is current… She says, what about the software on his tablet? and he says he updated it this morning. She can’t hear anything? She says, no, and if she can’t hear Drew, he can’t hear them. He says, that means Drew is on his own with Victor.

Portia literally runs into Jordan at the hospital, and says she’s sorry; she should watch where she’s going. Jordan says, you and me both, and Portia asks if everything is okay. Jordan says she’s just there for a check-up; she feels pretty good. Portia says, that’s what they like to hear, and Jordan says she should be going. She starts to leave, but Portia asks if she has time for one question. There’s something that’s been weighing on her mind. Jordan says, sure, and Portia asks if she considers Spencer Cassadine dangerous.

Spencer says, Trina must be psychic; he was just thinking about her. She says she’s been thinking about him too, and he says he was hoping she’d visit. She says, life’s been hectic, and he says he heard about the sex tape. She says, it’s been rough on Cam, but she can’t even begin to describe what Joss is going through. He says, what about her? He knows she and Joss are best friends, so Joss’s pain must be her pain. She says, which is why she’s here, and he says, so her first visit isn’t a social call. She says, this isn’t a social call, and this isn’t just her first visit. It’s also her last.

At the hospital, Britt asks if Carly is okay, and Carly says she’s fine. Britt says she thought they made peace on Valentine’s Day, or was it just a temporary truce? Carly says, no, they’re fine. She just has a lot going on. Britt says, Jason, and Carly says, what about Jason? Britt says she thought Carly knew. Monica’s decided to have Jason legally declared dead.

There’s a knock at the penthouse door, and Sonny shuffles over to answer it. It’s Nina, and he says, she wants to know if he talked to Michael, right? She comes in, and says, he’s right. Did he? He says, yeah, Michael and Willow, and she says she guesses she’s too late then. She was having second thoughts. He asks, why? and she says she just didn’t want to cause him anymore trouble. She asks how it went, and he says, Michael and Willow don’t want her to see Wiley. End of discussion. She thanks him for trying, and says she’ll call Martin Grey and tell him to start the paperwork… Sonny swipes some stuff off the table, startling Nina, and tells her, he said he’d fix it, and he will.

Jordan says, if Portia is asking for her personal opinion on Spencer, she hasn’t really formed one. Portia says, and her professional one? and Jordan says, not so much opinion as fact. Spencer Cassadine is a convicted felon, currently serving a custodial sentence at Spring Ridge. He’s never been charged with a violent infraction. Portia says, he admitted to stalking, harassing, and damaging property. That sounds like someone capable of violence. Jordan says, if she’s talking about setting Ava Jerome’s car on fire, Spencer had an alibi. Portia says, which brings her straight to his girlfriend Esme Prince. Why exactly wasn’t she charged? Jordan says, it’s complicated, but may she ask, why all the questions about Spencer and Esme? Portia says she needs to know the risks involved for someone that’s in their lives. Curtis comes out of the elevator, and Jordan asks if this is about Trina. Curtis asks, what happened to Trina?

Spencer says, this is Trina’s first and last visit because he’s getting out soon, but she says, no, it’s because of his girlfriend. As long as Esme’s in his life – she takes the book he gave her out of her bag – she can’t be. He says he wants to discuss this with her, but right now is not a good time, and she asks, when is a good time? Joss and Cam told her that he avoided this conversation at the cabin too. They sit, and he says he’s not avoiding the conversation, but Esme is here. She interns at Spring Ridge for her psychology class. Trina says, he’s never going to change, and he asks what that’s supposed to mean? She says, it means, no matter how many horrible things Esme does, he keeps trying to make her happy. It’s been very apparent he’s made Esme the priority since she first got here. Correction, since she first showed herself. Esme is about to walk in, and stops. Trina says, who knows how long Spencer and Esme were lurking around Port Charles, leaving creepy things for children, and he says, that is not… He made some horrible mistakes. That’s why he’s in here, to pay for them. She says, Esme should be the one paying; she’s the one who torched a car. Esme listens from behind a door, and Trina says, Esme took a step back and Spencer took the fall, and he’s okay with that. Just like he’s okay with the fact that Esme taped Joss and Cam having sex, and showed it to the entire world. He says, she’s got it all wrong, but she says she has it all right. Which is why she’s giving him this. She holds out the book, and says, take it. She doesn’t want it anymore. Esme smiles.

Dante says he doesn’t understand. The Wi-Fi signal is garbage. He checked it yesterday and it was totally fine. Sam says she knew she should have called Spinelli, but he says, they don’t need Spinelli. He just needs some time to sort this out. She says, they don’t have any time. Maybe they should just leave; move the van, find a new spot. He says she’s right. It rained and the wet leaves are interfering with the Wi-Fi signal. She wonders why she didn’t think of that, and he says, he’ll move the van a few feet, and they’ll get the signal lout and clear. She tells him, hurry up. They need to know what’s going on between Drew and Victor on that bridge.

Drew says, Victor told him that he wanted to discuss ELQ. What difference does it make if he came alone? Why did they need to have this conversation in private? Victor says, they’re here to discuss sensitive financial matters, and Drew says, if Victor didn’t want an audience for that, why did he bring his attack dog? Yeah, he surveilled the area before he came out in the open; all that Navy SEAL training is pretty ingrained. Victor says, all right, Yohan, he’s on to you. Might as well join us. Yohan stands next to Victor, and Victor says, there are those who might mistake his motives, but Drew says he doesn’t think any of them are mistaken. Victor says, Yohan is his insurance policy. Victor flashes back to telling Yohan that they’ll have to lure Drew to a secluded location, and activate the condition, and Yohan saying Drew figured out what he was doing the last time. If it happens again, there’ll be no denying it. Victor says Yohan makes an excellent point. It will be a terrible waste, but if the conditioning doesn’t work this time, Drew will have to be eliminated. In the present, Victor starts to slide the card out of his pocket, and Drew says, Victor’s henchman is there to protect him, but if this meeting goes sideways, who’s going to protect Yohan?

Britt tells Carly, it’s not a done deal. Monica has to petition the court, and the judge might make her wait the full seven years before declaring Jason legally dead. Carly says she doesn’t understand. It’s only been three months; why is Monica doing this now? Britt says, Carly will have to ask Monica, but she thinks Jason’s kids need closure. Carly says, and Monica told her? and Britt says, only because she was on Cassadine Island when Jason was killed. Monica might need her to provide a statement for the declaration. Carly asks if she will, and Britt says, of course (🍷), whatever Monica needs. Carly says she guesses it’s official. She’ll have to live the rest of her life without her best friend.

Sonny says he didn’t mean to yell, and Nina says, they can talk about this another time. She has to get out of here. She heads for the door, and he follows, saying, it won’t happen again. She asks how she knows that. He’s obviously drunk, and angry. How does she know what he’s going to do? He says he’s not angry. He’s had a couple of bad days. Can she just come in? She says she doesn’t know what’s going on in his life. She wants to help him, but she can’t put herself at risk. He says she knows him… but she says, no. She knew Mike. He says she’s right. Mike would have never scared her like that. She tells him, she shouldn’t have said that, but he says, she was being honest. She misses Mike; so does he. She says, he misses Mike? She comes back in, closes the door, and says, what part? He says, Mike wasn’t very complicated; obviously he had no history. Mike didn’t have a best friend who was buried in rubble in a tunnel, never recovered his body, and now he’s being declared legally dead. She says she didn’t know… and he says, Mike didn’t have a wife who left him, and a son who blames him for the break-up of his family. Mike didn’t have a stepfather – he starts to cry, but pulls himself together and continues – who used to get drunk and beat his mother. Deke was an animal; Sonny never wanted to be anything like him. And now he can see Deke reflected in her eyes.

Jordan asks if Spencer and Esme were threatening Trina, but Portia says, no. She shouldn’t have brought it up. Trina wouldn’t appreciate Portia meddling in her life anyway. Curtis says, it’s not meddling to show concern. In fact, if Portia is worried, maybe Jordan can help. Jordan says she can at least look into Spencer and Esme, and Portia says, please don’t do that. It’s just that Trina is dealing with some friend drama right now. Curtis says, but she’s doing okay in classes, still enjoying her courses? and Portia says she is. Jordan’s phone dings, and she says her appointment’s been pushed back thirty minutes. She’s going to grab a bite in the cafeteria. Curtis asks if she’s okay, and Jordan says, it’s routine; everything is fine. She tells Portia to please reach out if she needs any help, and leaves.

Spencer says he’s not taking that book. Esme continues to listen, and takes out her phone. Spencer says, Trina loves Richard Molineux’s work and she says she did. (I honestly don’t know if that’s the right name for the artist, but close enough), Esme looks at the video of Cameron and Josslyn, and Spencer asks Trina, what changed? She says, her perspective, about a lot of things, starting with the fact she accepted the book under false pretenses. She thought they were friends. He says, aren’t they? and she says, friends have each other’s backs, no matter what the cost. He says he’d do anything for her, and she says, except stop asking him to lie for her, like she did to Joss and Cam and his dad for weeks, not telling them about him being in Port Charles before he said he was. And he swore that he was sorry, and would never put her in that position again, until the other day at the cemetery when he asked her to lie to the Police Commissioner for him. Which is bad on him, but worse on her because she did it. He says, but it all worked out, and she says, what if it hadn’t? What if she had gotten caught? He committed the crime, but his family has enough money to keep him out of trouble; Uncle Victor would have been there with the fix. But her future, her dreams, everything she’s worked so hard for, she put on the line to cover for him, and all he can do is get her a book? Well, no thanks. He wants to prove he cares? Leave his girlfriend. Esme keeps listening, and he says, she wants him to break up with Esme for her? She says she wants him to leave Esme because she’s responsible for filming Cam and Joss. He tells her, Esme says she is, and she says, he believes her? He says, no, he doesn’t, and Esme quietly comes in, but their backs are to her. He says, she would never hurt Joss and Cam that way, and Esme sticks the phone in Trina’s bag and slips back out. He says, she would never tape something that private and personal, much less post it. Trina says, he knows deep down that Esme would, and did, and yet he still chooses to be with her. And that’s not something she can respect. She tries to hand him the book, and he says, he told her, it’s hers. She says, fine, and gets up, leaving the book on the table. Goodbye, Spencer. He says, please don’t walk out on him. If she does, he’ll always wonder. She says, wonder what?

Britt says, accepting Jason’s death is hard, and Carly says, she’s just trying to adjust to the world without him, where she can’t turn to him or… There are so many times when it doesn’t feel like he’s gone, when it feels like he’s still here, and she has to remember all over again. Declaring him dead is like giving up on him. Britt says, they have to let him go, putting her hand on Carly’s arm. Carly says, has she? Britt is telling her to move on, but Britt’s not. Britt says, it’s a process, and they have to accept that what they had with Jason are now just memories. Carly says, what Britt had with Jason was a memory before she even left for Greece.

Dante gets goes to the back of the van, and says, anything? Sam says she’ll never doubt him again, and tells Drew, if he can hear her, cough. He does, and Sam tells Dante, okay. Now hopefully, Victor shows him the tarot card. Dante says, that puts them back in business.

Victor says, nothing is going sideways. They’re just here for a friendly, informative meeting. Drew says, that sounds lovely. Let’s get to it, shall we? He said he wanted to discuss Valentin’s ELQ shares. Now what? Victor says, when he called, Drew was adamant about not wanting to meet with him, yet here he is, eager to hear about voting shares. Drew says, ELQ is his daughter’s birthright. What concerns Scout, concerns him. Victor says, Valentin is in charge of the company. Brook deceived Victor’s son in the worst way possible just to get ahold of his shares. He wonders what other schemes the Quartermaines are hatching to get back ELQ. Drew says, does Victor really think if he knew that he’d tell him? and Victor takes out the card. Drew asks if it’s another tarot card. Did Victor go out and buy a whole deck from the local fortune teller? Victor chuckles, and says, this isn’t any old tarot card. This is the card. The one Peter August used to control Drew. He turns the card around, and says, you are active, and Drew says, reporting for duty. Yohan says, Victor did it, and Victor says, so it seems, but they have to be sure. He tells Drew, throw Yohan over the side of the bridge.

Sonny tells Nina, he never wants anybody he cares about to be afraid of him. Does she forgive him? She says she can forgive him, but it’s not the first time he lashed out. He says he knows; he grabbed her and hurt her. She says, he did, and he says he has no excuses. She says, he had to say goodbye to his friend Jason, on top of everything that’s happening with his family. It must be very painful. He says, ever since he came home, everybody he loves is just slipping through his fingers. He picks up his glass of scotch, and says, and this is not helping. She says, he’s right, and it’s good of him to recognize it doesn’t help, and he says, please don’t tell him that. Ever since he’s been taking bipolar medication, he’s been able to drink in moderation. She asks, what changed? and he says, ever since he came home, he’s been drinking a lot. She asks what he’s going to do about it.

Britt says, whatever. She thought Carly would want to know Monica’s plans. Carly says she’s sorry. She had no right to say that to Britt, and no right to take her anger and grief out on her. At the end of the hallway, Jordan stops and listens, and Carly says, she’s sorry. She’s just going through a lot right now. Hearing about Jason didn’t help. Britt says she’s sorry Carly is going through a divorce. She’s sure things have not been easy. Carly says, not for any of them. Josslyn is going through something really difficult, and she doesn’t know how to help her. This is the time she would turn to Jason. Britt says, Jason always had a way of making challenges seem easy to face, and Carly says, how many times she goes to call him, or a guy will come to the bar in the MetroCourt, wearing a black t-shirt. It just feels so final. Jordan walks up, and says, she’s so sorry about Jason. Carly thanks her, and says she’s going to go. She leaves, and Jordan tells Britt, it’s hard to accept the person you love isn’t coming back. Britt suggests they talk about happier news. She heard Jordan got a clean bill of health. Jordan says she did. Although she never would have chosen to go through it, her health scare was an important reminder, life’s not promised to everybody. Britt flexes her hand and says, doesn’t she know it.

Sam says, Victor just ordered Drew to kill Yohan. On the bridge, Yohan says, boss, don’t, and Dante says, Sam has to tell Drew to abort. Sam says, you mean blow his cover? No, they’ve got to see how this plays out. Dante says, they have no time, but she says, he’ll be able to sell this. He says, they can’t let this get out of hand, even if it does mean bringing down Victor. She says, it’s not going to come to that. They’re not going to another shot at this. She trusts Drew, and Dante has to trust her. On the bridge, Drew grabs Yohan, and shoves him toward the railing.

Portia and Curtis go to her office, and she says, now Esme blames Trina for filming Cameron and Josslyn, and putting it on the internet. He says, that’s insane; Trina would never do that. She says, of course (🍷) she wouldn’t. She doesn’t have a malicious bone in her body. He says, she’s kind, she’s generous, she’s just like her mother, which means she’s strong, and she can stand up to Esme. Portia says, she knows, but she can’t help wanting to protect Trina. She wants to put a smackdown on Esme, but she supposes it’s a bad idea. He says, sadly, yes, and she laughs. She says, there was some good news she wanted to share with him. She told Trina their plans to buy the beach house, and she seemed excited about it. He says, seemed, and Portia says, she told him, Trina is distracted. This whole friend drama thing, it’s taken its toll on her. He says, and Portia? but she says she’s fine. He says, what was done to Cameron and Josslyn was inexcusable, and Esme blaming Trina, despicable, but he knows her and he knows there’s something on her mind. What is it? She says, Trina’s inexplicable attachment to this Cassadine kid.

Spencer says he’ll always wonder… what Trina thought of the book. She says, it was inspiring, but she also felt let down. Esme listens again from behind the door and takes out her phone. Spencer asks, why? and Trina says, Richard Molineux is one of the reasons she got into modernism, even though Joss thinks his art is just a bunch of squiggles, which is what most people see. He says, but she saw beyond that; she saw beyond the squiggles. That is her talent, to understand true art. She says, the book allowed her to see pieces she never saw before. It was amazing; she felt closer to the artist. He says, but? and she says, but the book also provided professional criticism, very insightful stuff that exposed the artist’s limitations. He says, she once told him frailty is what makes us human. Isn’t there beauty in someone’s imperfections? She says, there can be. Only if someone recognizes those imperfections, and chooses to live up to their potential. He says, what if a person wants to do better, and just needs more time? It must seem so simple from the outside. All someone needs to do to live a better life is make different choices, better choices. But if it were that easy, wouldn’t the whole world be full of happy, fulfilled people? Esme looks confused, and makes a call to the PCPD Anonymous Tip Line. A recording says, all calls are confidential and will not be traced. Speak clearly after the tone. The line beeps, and Esme says she’s calling to report a case of revenge porn. She knows who uploaded the sex video of Josslyn Jax and Cameron Webber. I start laughing because, that’s really not how that works.

Sonny says, clearly he can’t drink like he used to. He guesses it just acts differently with the medication. I see an out of control plant on his coffee table, and think, if he just had the moss bowl🎍, his life would be so much better. Nina says, does the reason really matter? It seems to her, the important thing is, he can’t drink to prop himself up, or to dull his pain. He says, his stepdad used to just escape to the bottom of a whiskey bottle, and then that wasn’t enough. She says, he’s not his stepdad, and he tells her, like she said, he can’t keep using liquor as an excuse. He hands her his glass, and says, she can drink it, but she says, no thank you, and puts the glass aside. She asks if it’s going to be enough later. It’s not like Michael and Willow’s rejection is going to be the last piece of bad news he’s going to get. He says he can’t keep using booze as a crutch. He can’t do it anymore. He promises he’ll never hurt her again, and she says she wants to believe him, but it’s easier said than done. Can he dump the contents of the decanter in the sink? He says, there’s a first time for everything.

Portia says, Trina was twisting herself in knots trying to defend Spencer, and Curtis says, Trina’s loyal to her friends. She says, that’s the problem. Ever since Trina defended Spencer, she’s had to deal with all of his lies, and his vendetta against Ava, who just happens to be Trina’s mentor, and Trina’s own conflict, exposing him as the stalker. Spencer doesn’t deserve Trina’s loyalty. He says, and he’s sure Esme in Spencer’s life, makes Trina’s friendship with him even more fraught. She says, before Spencer came into Trina’s life, she was never self-conscious; she never second guessed her choices. Portia wishes Trina would just leave him alone and move on, but Curtis says, isn’t that Trina’s decision?

Trina tells Spencer, all the time in the world won’t help someone who’s not willing to grow. The book points out that Richard Molineux’s work stopped evolving in the last two decades of his career. He says, maybe something happened to him, something beyond his control, and she says, sometimes people are who they are, and they can’t change. He says, so that’s it then. She’s dropping her favorite artist and him. She doesn’t care about their friendship. She says, don’t give her those puppy dog eyes. She lied for him, she forgave him, she covered for him. She made stupid decisions for him, and he can’t even stand up for her against Esme’s ridiculous accusations. He says she’s right. He doesn’t deserve her friendship, but he needs it. He needs her not to give up on him. She tells him, it’s not too late to end things with Esme, and send her back to France or wherever she’s really from. He says he can’t do that. He’s all she has. Trina says, but if he keeps defending Esme, she’ll be all he has.

Yohan begs Victor to make Drew stop, and Victor says, all right. He tells Drew, enough; he’s proved himself. Let go. Dante looks at Sam, and Drew releases Yohan. Victor tells Drew that he needs information from Drew’s Navy SEAL days. He needs to know about Operation Demeter. Carly says, shut this down right now, and Dante says, what the hell is she doing here? Carly walks up to Victor, holding her phone out, and says, Drew won’t be telling him a damn thing. Let Drew go, or this streams live online. Victor tells Yohan, take Carly’s phone, but Drew steps between them, and says he doesn’t think so. Carly continues to film, and Victor says, Drew was never activated. Drew says, surprise, and Victor says, until next time, and leaves with Yohan. Drew asks what the hell Carly is doing here, and she says, you’re welcome. He says she has no idea what she’s done, and she says, besides saving him, what is he talking about? Dante and Sam run up on the bridge, and Dante asks where Victor is, but Drew says, he’s gone. Sam says, perfect timing, Carly, but Drew says, in all fairness, she had no idea. Carly asks if someone can please tell her what she’s missing here, and Drew says, their best chance to find out what Victor Cassadine is really up to. Um… you’d think that film might be worth something to the WSB.

Sonny walks out with the empty decanter, and Nina says, what he did wasn’t easy. He says he’s not an alcoholic, and doesn’t intend to become one. He’s going to keep drinking every so often, socially, but he just doesn’t want liquor in his house. Nina says he can fill the decanters up with candy, for Donna, Avery… and Wiley. She says she should go, and he says she doesn’t have to go. He can’t let her go… until he says this.

Jordan is approached by a reporter as she’s getting into the hospital elevator. He asks if she has any comment on the revenge porn story developing at PCU.

Spencer says he may not have Trina’s eye for art, but when he chose this book, he was struck by how rich the color palette was. It’s fun, exciting, fresh, like her. If she walks out on him, his world will turn grey. She says she has no choice, not if he refuses to see Esme for who she really is. He’s afraid of the truth, just like Richard Molineux was afraid to grow, and expand on his style. Esme stomps out, and asks if Trina is for real. How can she show her face here after what she did to her supposed friends?

Carly says she’s so sorry. Had she known she was stepping into an undercover operation, she never would have interfered. Drew says, forget it. He gave her enough information to get worried, but not enough for her to know they had it under control, but it’s not all bad news. They know what Victor is up to. Sam says, Operation Demeter? and Dante says, that’s something to go on. Sam says, and hopefully helps them stop Victor, and Carly says, before he realizes what hit him.

Spencer says, Esme, don’t, and she says, don’t what? Call Trina out? She tells Trina, the next time you have a fight with a friend, tell them to their face. Don’t tape them having sex and upload it. Trina says she’s not going to stand here and listen to this. She picks up her bag, and tells Spencer that she hopes he lives up to his potential. She walks out, and Esme says, can you believe her? She just ignored me and walked out. Spencer asks what Trina is supposed to say, and Esme says, how about I’m sorry or I’m wrong? Not that she would. She was way too focused on Spencer. She notices he’s holding the book, and asks if that’s the gift he gave her. He says, it was. Apparently, Trina doesn’t want anything from him. She says, not even friendship? and he turns away from her. She asks if that means Trina is out of his life.

Portia says, Spencer and Esme are trouble, plain and simple, and Curtis says he’s sure they are. And he’s sure she’s right, like his Aunt Stella was right about some of the knuckleheads he used to hang around when he was about Trina’s age. Portia says she bets Aunt Stella wasn’t shy about telling him what her opinion was, and he says, but he didn’t listen. He stayed close to those same knuckleheads, and didn’t care how much it dragged him down. She says, because he didn’t want to admit Aunt Stella might know better than him, and he says, after many hard knocks, he knew Aunt Stella was right, and he changed his class of friends. She says, message received, and thanks him. She says she’s going to keep her opinions to herself, and going to allow Trina to make her own decisions. He says, sounds good, but why does she look so worried? She says, mother’s intuition. She doesn’t know, she’s just afraid Trina’s in some trouble, and hopes she can protect Trina before it’s too late.

The reporter asks Jordan, is it true high profile individuals urged the PCPD to take over the investigation from the university officials? She tells him to contact the PCPD media liaison, and he asks if she can confirm Sonny Corinthos’s stepdaughter was the victim of revenge porn? The elevator opens, and he follows her in, asking her to give him something.

On the phone, Britt says she received a Society Set-Ups subscription as a gift. Her name is Britt Westbourne… No, actually she deleted the questionnaire; she never filled it out… No, she doesn’t need a refund. Actually, she was hoping they could resend the questionnaire. She’s ready to move forward.

Sonny says, the whole Wiley situation… and Nina says, they can revisit that conversation another day. He says, the point is, she can’t give up. Their grandson is lucky to have her in his corner. She thanks him for that, and he thanks her. He walks her to the door, they smile at each other, and she leaves.  

Tomorrow, Shawn says Alexis is playing dirty, Michael’s patience is running thin, and Esme says she’s finally calling Spencer out with the truth.

📚 A Study In Priorities…

I love this girl’s attitude and sensibility.

💖 Our Funny Valentin…

I’ve missed him.

🔬 Study Buddy Fail…

I’m not so sure I’d want my first recurring role to be that of a d-bag, but then again, there is Roger Howarth.

🎭 Try To Remember…

She went on to do great things, but at one time she was a resident of Pine Valley.

🧂 Choose Your Salt…

Recaps big and small for RHOSL’s Reunion Part Three.

🥓 Not the Bubbas…

It was bound to happen. Schwartz isn’t exactly a go-getter.

https://people.com/tv/vpr-tom-schwartz-and-katie-maloney-split-after-12-years-together/

🥀 It Hurts…

One of my brushes with celebrity was William Hurt. I was working at the theater where he was doing a play, and while we didn’t have a lot of interaction, he was always very kind, and acknowledged everyone. In a twist, both he and my acting teacher William Hickey were up for Academy Awards the same year. Hurt won, Hickey didn’t, and I never watched the Oscars again after that. I knew it could never possibly be more exciting.

https://people.com/movies/william-hurt-dead-academy-award-winner-mcu-star-dies-71/

🐑 Sheep Counting 101…

Drop by tomorrow for soap, tea, sage words, and a musical moment. Until then, stay safe, stay constructive with your critiques, and stay understanding, sometimes people are who they are, and they can’t change.

🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀 🍀

March 17, 2021 – Franco’s Legacy Is Displayed, Teresa Has a Pool Party, Some St. Patrick’s O’Tidbits & Pub

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the gallery, Nikolas says he followed Ava’s instructions to the letter. Everything is ready for Franco’s memorial. Nina says the guests should be arriving soon. Nina sees the display (which we don’t), and says, it’s inspiring. She thinks Franco would love this. Ava thanks her, and says she wishes Franco was there to see it. Nina says, her too. She’ll go open the doors. Nikolas asks how Ava is doing, and she says, okay.

Laura goes to Elizabeth’s house, and hugs her. Elizabeth says she didn’t expect to see Laura until the memorial. Why is she there so early? Laura says she wanted to make this day easier for Elizabeth. Please tell her what she can do to help. Elizabeth says they’re fine, as much as they can be under the circumstances. Laura says she knows Elizabeth has to be strong for her boys, but she’s there to take care of Elizabeth.

TJ sees Curtis at the hospital, and Curtis says, there he is, the newly domestic partnered, and on Valentine’s Day no less. How does he feel? TJ says he feels great. It’s funny. All they did was sign some papers, and nothing has changed, but it feels like the bond he and Molly share is deeper and more solid. Curtis asks why TJ thinks that is, but TJ has no idea. It’s not like he and Molly are suddenly more committed to each other. Curtis says he thinks they are. Saying you’re committed to spending the rest of your lives together, and putting it on record, says something. He’s saying that he’ll be there when times get rough, and whatever it is, they’ll stick it out. Jordan walks in.

Dante thanks Sam for meeting him at Kelly’s, and she says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? He says he ran into her mom yesterday, and they got to talking about her trial. He was honest with Alexis about the testimony he’d have to give. She says she doesn’t think he’ll have to worry about that, because there’s been a change in plans. Her mom told her and her sisters that she’s decided to plead guilty.

Carly stands near the great and mighty moss bowl, as Josslyn walks into the kitchen. Carly puts her coffee cup down, and Josslyn asks if there’s something wrong with it. Carly says, it’s just cold. She asks if Josslyn is ready for Franco’s memorial, and Josslyn says she is, but it’s going to be weird listening to people talk about how great Franco was. (Um… Doesn’t Cameron do that all the time?) Carly says, one of the many reasons she’s not going. How’s Cameron? Josslyn says, he’s hurting. He really loved Franco. Jason walks in, and Josslyn asks if Carly is upset that she’s going to the memorial.

Obrecht arrives at the gallery, and Nina says she’s so glad Obrecht came. Obrecht says, here she is, and asks if that’s all Nina has to say. Nina says, she’s so glad Obrecht was exonerated, and Obrecht says, indeed she was. Months ago. Yet no one believed her when she said she was innocent. But no matter. Peter has finally been unmasked as the villain he is. Nina says she’s truly sorry for assuming the worst, and Obrecht says, as she should be, but now is not the time to hold grudges. And today – Obrecht tears up – they are there to say goodbye to Franco.

Peter enters the cemetery, and goes over to Nathan’s grave. He says, hello, brother. Strange place for a meeting, he knows, but he didn’t pick the venue. Cyrus says, good morning, Mr. August, and Peter spins around, gun drawn. He says, good morning, Mr. Renault.

Trina walks in the gallery, and says, this is all Franco’s? Cool. She tells Ava that she’s never been to a memorial in a gallery before, and Ava says, at Trina’s age, she’s sorry Trina has been to as many memorials as she has. It’s a little unorthodox, but she and Elizabeth agreed Franco’s life should be celebrated there in the gallery. It’s going to be a surprise. Nikolas says, she doesn’t know? and Ava says, not yet. Trina says, Cameron is going to love it, and Nikolas says he’s sure Elizabeth will too. He puts his arm around Ava.

Obrecht says she can’t believe Nelle was Nina’s long lost daughter, and Nina says, it’s a shame she only knew about it after Nelle died. To think they knew each other all those years. They’d been in the same room so many times, and didn’t grasp… She had the idea that her daughter was out there, living this happy life. Then she learned, not only did she have a horrible life, it was too late for Nina to do anything about it. When the dust settled, not only did she miss out on her chance to be a mother to her daughter, she lost the man she loved. Obrecht touches Nina’s arm, and says, she never would have thought Heir Jax capable of such deception. In business, certainly, but not with someone he proposed to love. Nina says, that’s the thing. Above all else, Jax will protect the people he loves, right? But this time, he protected Carly, not her.  

Josslyn tells Carly and Jax that she just wants to make it clear to both of them, she’s going to this memorial not to celebrate Franco, but to support Cameron. Carly says she loves Josslyn for that, and memorials are more for the people still living than the people who have died. Josslyn asks if Sonny’s funeral helped Carly, and Carly says, yeah. It was important to acknowledge Sonny’s life, but also important to acknowledge that he’s gone. It helped. Josslyn asks if Carly is okay, and Carly says she is. Josslyn needs to get going. Josslyn leaves, and Carly asks what brings Jason by. Is something going on? He says, you tell me. What’s wrong?

Dante asks how Sam feels about her mother’s decision, and Sam says she doesn’t think pleading guilty is the right idea right now. When her mother attacked Dante… or Franco, and got Dante by accident, she was out of her mind. She was drunk, she was scared, and she thinks her mother should plead not guilty, and have a lawyer explain all those things. He says, trials are costly and time-consuming, and if Alexis is going to plead out, it favors the court. If she admits her guilt and shows remorse, the system will go easier on her. Sam asks how can he, of all people, have faith in the system, when Peter probably won’t be charged with Drew’s murder?

Cyrus asks if this is how Peter begins all his business meetings, and Peter says, only the ones in the graveyards. Cyrus laughs, and says, that’s fair, but if Peter shoots him, it will be the last thing he does. Look at his chest. Peter sees a red dot, and Cyrus says, there’s another one on the back of his head. Obviously he can’t see that, so Peter will have to take his word for it. He tells Peter, at this point, he should put the gun down. He just wants to talk. Peter asks if it’s about the Jackie Templeton article, but Cyrus says that’s not why they’re there. He’s already spoken to Jackie himself. Peter asks if there’s going to be a follow-up interview, or is her body in a metal foundry? Cyrus says, neither. He’s well aware that once something is made public, it can’t be undone. That’s the value in secrets, and why Peter has been working so hard to protect his.

Jordan sees TJ and Curtis, and says, it’s a nice surprise. She asks what they’re up to, and Curtis says he was taking TJ to lunch to celebrate his domestic partnership. Jordan says she was happy she got to be there, and TJ says he needed a ride. She even used the siren to make sure he got there before they were closed. Curtis says, of course (🍷) she did. She’s a secret romantic. Jordan says Curtis has more soul than she thought, and TJ says he’s confused. Are they back together? Jordan says, she meant… and Curtis says he was going to tell TJ the news over lunch. She says, sorry. Spoiler she guesses. TJ says, now that he knows there’s something to know, tell him. Curtis says he’s making big changes to his life.

Elizabeth tells Aiden that he looks handsome, and Scotty comes in wearing sunglasses. He tells them that they don’t have to send out a search party; he’s there. Aiden says, hi, grandpa, and Scotty tells him that he looks sharp. Laura says she’s glad he’s there, and he says he’s sorry he missed the breakfast. Elizabeth says there’s some left, and asks if he wants her to heat it up, but he says, sorry, he couldn’t eat. Laura says, no apology necessary. Everyone knows how hard the day is for him. He says, when he was putting on his suit, he remembered how Franco made fun of his pocket squares, saying they were dated. It made him crazy. Laura says Scotty is funny when he’s annoyed, and he says, Franco got a kick out of it. He thought of the memories when he found out Franco was his son, and couldn’t put a square in his pocket today. Laura says she’s sorry. She wishes there was something she could say or do to make it easier. He says, the fact that she’s there makes it much better, and they hug.

Jake says Cameron went over his speech with him, and Elizabeth says, Franco would be glad he was prepared. Jake asks if Aiden is going to say anything, but Elizabeth says he doesn’t have to. Franco knew Aiden loved him. Aiden says, Franco wasn’t good at baking, although he tried hard. What he was good at was being a dad.

Josslyn tells Nina that she’s so sorry. She knows Nina and Franco were close. Nina thanks her, and says they were. Josslyn says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s sorry that Nina and her dad broke up. She thought they were great together. Nina says, so did she, and Josslyn says she knows Nina finding out Nelle was her daughter was horrible… She didn’t mean it like that; she means the way Nina found out. Nina says, it was horrible, but she wants Josslyn to know that she doesn’t blame her for her father’s actions. Josslyn says Jax wasn’t trying to hurt Nina; he was trying to protect his family. Her mom and dad will always be family because of her. She says, it’s all coming out so wrong. She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to make Nina feel bad. Nina takes her hands, and tells Josslyn to promise never to say she’s sorry for being honest.

Cyrus says he’s been watching Peter closely for the past few days. Peter’s been busy since it turned out Anna’s not his mother, and Maxie kicked him to the curb. Peter says, Maxie will come around, and Cyrus says, as long as nothing else comes out. That’s where he can help. Peter asks why he should trust Cyrus, but Cyrus tells him, he never said trust. He simply wants to work together to solve a common problem.

Carly tells Jason that she doesn’t want to talk about it; it’s stupid. Jason says, maybe, but it’s bothering her, so… She says, it’s her coffee. He says, her coffee? and she says she told him it was stupid. Sonny would make her the first cup every morning, and every morning it was perfect. She doesn’t know what he did or how he did it. She’s tried to make it like him, but she can’t. Whatever she does, it’s wrong. It’s not bad, but it’s not right. It doesn’t taste the way it’s supposed to taste; it tastes like the same coffee she has all day. Every time she takes a sip she’s reminded that the person who made the cup is missing, and he’s never coming back, and she’s sick of forcing herself to drink the wrong damn cup. She throws the mug across the room, and it shatters.

Elizabeth says, Aiden is so right. Franco was an amazing dad, and the memorial is the perfect place to tell everyone before they say goodbye. Aiden says he doesn’t know what to say, and Jake says, maybe if he reads his, Aiden will think of something. Aiden says, okay, and Jake reads, before Franco was his stepdad, Franco was his friend. They talked a lot, but a lot of the time, they didn’t need to. They could just draw. He misses Franco. He misses drawing with him, but he misses being Franco’s son even more. Elizabeth says, beautiful, and hugs him.

Obrecht asks if Nina is all right, and Nina says she’s okay. Josslyn is a wonderful young woman, but she shares her mother’s hate for Nelle. Obrecht says she can’t blame Josslyn. Perhaps Nelle’s life would have been different if she’d known Nina was her mother, but she didn’t. Nelle was treacherous and vindictive. Nina says she understands Nelle did terrible things and hurt a lot of people, but she didn’t deserve to die. Obrecht says, it’s not like Nelle was murdered. She was running from the law, and literally ran off a cliff. Nina says, but she could have been saved. Instead, she died alone like she spent her life. Obrecht says she had more than a passing familiarity with Nina’s daughter. She helped deliver Nelle’s baby. Nina says, she helped deliver Wiley? and Obrecht says she’d been arrested. She was on her way to another unlawful incarceration, when the van crashed, and she escaped into the woods. She came across Nelle in labor, and couldn’t leave her. Nina says, thank God Obrecht was there, or Wiley might not have survived. Obrecht says she’s happy that at least Nina will have a chance to know her grandson, but Nina says, not if Carly has anything to do with it.

Josslyn sees Trina, and says, thank God she’s there to save her from herself. She already put her foot in it with Nina. Trina asks, what happened? but Josslyn says it’s the last thing she wants to relive right now. Trina says she’s worried about Cameron. The last time they saw him, he was upset. Josslyn says, he was by his father grave, and Trina says Cameron needs them, and they have to do whatever it takes.

Obrecht agrees that Carly has Nina at a disadvantage, and Nina says she realized she needs a break. She’s sick of the lies and betrayal. She can’t do it anymore. Obrecht asks what she’s saying, and Nina says, it’s time for her to get out of Port Charles.

Curtis tells TJ, he bought a nightclub, and TJ says he thought Curtis loved being a P.I. Curtis says he did, but after a while he got tired of trading in secrets. He wants to start over, and do something positive. What’s more positive than bringing good vibes and good music to people? Jordan says she thinks it’s a good idea, and TJ says he does too, but he has to wrap his head around it; it’s a big adjustment. It’s not who he knows Curtis to be, but it’s totally who he is. It’s good to know, because so much is changing. Curtis says, lives change, and sometimes it can be good. Jordan says, it can be.

Sam tells Dante, Drew deserves justice, but she doesn’t think it’s going to happen. Dante asks, what’s the alternative? Vigilante justice? Sam says, Jason didn’t kill Franco, if that’s what he’s implying, and he says, it’s not, but Elizabeth thinks otherwise. Sam says she knows Elizabeth is wrong, and Dante asks, how? She says Jason told her that he didn’t do it, and she believes him.

Aiden asks what Cameron is going to say, and Cameron says, Franco saved his life, literally, and gave their family a new life. He’ll forever be grateful for that, and regrets giving Franco a hard time in the beginning. Jake says Cameron had to make sure Franco was good enough for their mom, and Elizabeth says, her brave boys; always protecting her. Scotty says, they were always up front, and Franco couldn’t have been happier when they accepted him into the family. Cameron wishes he knew that Franco knew that, and Aiden says, him too. That’s why he wants to say something. Elizabeth goes into the kitchen, and Laura follows her. Laura asks, what’s wrong? and Elizabeth says she hates that the boys have to defend Franco when he was taken so cruelly from them.

Cyrus says he can’t imagine Jason is pleased with the role Peter played in his brother’s death. Is Peter willing to look over his shoulder for the rest of Jason’s life, however short it might be? Peter asks what Cyrus thinks he can do about that? Cyrus says, they can do a lot.

Peter says he can see how it would benefit him, but what does Cyrus get out of it? Cyrus says, in the short term, he gets rid of a nuisance, and Peter says, and the long term? Cyrus says he’s sure Peter will be of use to him. Do they have a deal? Cyrus holds out his hand and smiles, and Peter takes it.

Jordan shows Curtis pictures from the commitment ceremony, and he says TJ and Molly look great together. TJ says he can’t wait to show Curtis his moves at the nightclub, and Curtis says he’s seen TJ’s moves, and can’t wait to see an improvement. Jordan’s phone rings, and Curtis says, work? She says, sorry. It was great bumping into them. Enjoy their lunch. She leaves, and TJ asks if Curtis is sure the changes he’s making are for the better.   

Obrecht says, Nina is leaving? Obrecht just got back, and will miss her. Nina says, it’s not for good. She just needs time away. Obrecht says, as long as she remembers Port Charles is her home, and Nina says, it doesn’t feel like it is right now. Obrecht says, it will again, and Nina says, maybe when she gets perspective on what happened.  

Nikolas tells Ava, a lot of people would rather celebrate Franco’s death than mourn him, and Ava says she thinks they should celebrate Franco. Remember the good he did, and the effort he made to redeem himself, and make amends for the wrongs he did. He asks if Ava thinks Franco did redeem himself, and she says she does, as much as possible. Despite Franco’s faults, there were people who loved him.

Elizabeth tells Laura, she thought it was her and Franco against the world. He tried to be a decent person, and for what? Jason killed him anyway. Laura says they don’t know that for sure, and Elizabeth says she saw Jason standing over Franco’s body. She thought Jason’s love for Jake would overcome his hate for Franco, but she was wrong. His hate won, and she’s going to make sure Jason pays.

While Carly cleans up the mess, she tells Jason, she not only destroyed her cup of coffee, now she destroyed her favorite mug. Why did he push her? She gets louder as she talks, and says, why did he make her confront her feelings? It’s not like he’s in touch with his feelings; he doesn’t even like to admit he has any. She has to be fine for her family. Why did he ask her what was wrong? Sonny is gone, and she’s grieving, but she has to function as a mom, and run the MetroCourt. She has no time to cry. Jason suggests she find the time, and she tells him, stop being calm and reasonable. She’s yelling at him; yell back! He says he knows she’s not mad at him. She’s mad at Sonny. She says he’s damn right.

Laura arrives at the memorial, and Obrecht asks her if Peter has been arrested yet, but Laura says she’s afraid not. Obrecht asks what she’s waiting for. Peter confessed. Everyone at his wedding disaster heard it. Laura says, he only confessed to Valentin. They only have Valentin’s word, and Peter swears he’s innocent. She’s sorry. She leaves, and Obrecht says she has nothing to be sorry for. It’s almost a relief. She’d much rather do it herself.

Laura tells Ava and Nikolas that Elizabeth and the boys are late, but they’ll be there soon. Nikolas asks how Elizabeth is doing, and Laura says, she’s staying strong for the boys, but she’s grieving. She’s positive Jason killed Franco. Nikolas asks if Laura thinks he did it, but she says, honestly, she’s not sure. He says if Elizabeth believes it, that’s good enough for him, but Laura says, there will be no justice if the wrong man is accused.

Carly tells Jason, Sonny left her, and she doesn’t know what happened, not really. She knows Sonny was on the bridge when it fell – Jason saw it – but then what? He drowned? Where is his body? In the water they dragged? There’s no sign of him. Was it in the water that blows through the marsh and out to sea? They don’t know, but the thought of Sonny and his body lost forever under the cold water is more than she can stand. Jason says he knows. It’s going to take time. He touches her shoulder, but she shrugs him off, saying, how much time? Sonny is gone, and everything is wrong. She’s up with Donna at all hours because Sonny isn’t there to sing her back to sleep. Avery is at Windymere instead of there at home where she belongs. All this time, it’s been on her to keep what family they have left together. Jason says she doesn’t have to do it by herself, but she says, yes she does. She has to keep it together, and be strong. Jason says he knows, and he knows she can, but she doesn’t have to do this alone. She cries, and he holds her. I tell them once again to get a room.

Sam doesn’t get it. Dante has faith in the system? He says he thinks ultimately there are enough good people working within the system to make it good. She asks when he became such a Pollyanna, and he tells her that’s his middle name; Dante Angelo Pollyanna Falconari. His phone rings, and he says, sorry, and steps away. It’s Obrecht, who tells him, they must meet at once. He asks, where?… He’ll be there. He tells Sam, sorry, he has to go. She says, work? and he says, hopefully a chance to do some good.

Aiden asks Scotty if his speech is okay, and Scotty says he makes speeches for a living, and thinks it’s top drawer. He guesses they can get going, and they get their coats on. Elizabeth hangs back. She looks into the living room, and remembers her relationship with Franco – becoming friends; her saying he was a good friend, even when everyone hated her; and him saying, everyone make mistakes; everyone needs a friend. She flashes back to him asking if she believes he’s changed, and her saying she does. She thinks about him planning a special evening, and showing the portrait he painted of her; saying she deserves to be with someone who treats her right, someone like him. She remembers him saying he promises to never intentionally hurt her, and their first kiss. She thinks about him being in the hospital, and telling him that they’ll face it together or not at all. She flashes back to them making it official, and Franco giving her a ring; Franco with the boys, baking with Aiden; and their jailhouse wedding ceremony, with Franco saying, till death do us part. She says, I love you too, and leaves. I’m more pissed off than sad, since I feel like Franco’s death is a rip-off.

Ava tells Nina, she got a text from Scotty. They’re on their way over, so she thinks people should take their seats. Nina says she knows Ava is going to get busier, and wants to make sure to say goodbye. Ava asks where Nina is going, and Nina says she needs a break. Ava says, from Carly? Wait; she’ll come with Nina. Nina says she needs breathing room to figure out who she is with Jax and Wiley. She’s going to leave after the memorial. Ava says, she’s coming back? and Nina says, yeah. Ava says she’d better. Believe it or not, she’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, believe it or not, she’s going to miss Ava too.  

TJ tells Curtis, forget he said anything. It’s none of his busines. Curtis says, it means a lot that TJ cares enough to speak out. As to whether the change is for the better, it’s too soon to know, but he’s hopeful. TJ says, him too. So does the club have a name? Curtis laughs, and says, not yet. Does TJ have a suggestion? TJ says he’ll have to see it first, then they’ll talk.

Dante stands at Nathan’s grave, when Obrecht shows up. He asks, what’s going on? and she says she’s made a decision. She has no interest in delayed gratification. It’s time to finally take care of Peter. At this rate, it’s going to be like Murder on the Orient Express, with everyone having a hand in it.

Sam looks up to see Peter, and tells him, keep walking. He says, no need for animosity, and she says she can agree. Once he’s behind bars, she won’t have to look at him again. He says he hates to disappoint her, but the bogus charges will never stick.

Jason asks if Carly is okay, and she says she had so much bottled up. She misses Sonny so much, and feels so bad. She’s so angry, and it’s not fair. Sonny didn’t want to be gone. Jason says, it doesn’t have to make sense, and she thanks him for being there. She doesn’t know what she’d do without him. He says he’s not going anywhere, and a guard says, sorry to interrupt. The Commissioner is here. Carly tells him to ask Jordan to come in. Jordan joins them, and Carly says, please, tell her there’s some good news, and Jordan isn’t bothering Jason with a million questions. Jordan says Jason is under arrest for the murder of Franco Baldwin.

Elizabeth thanks Ava for holding the memorial there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). Before they go in, she wants to give everyone chance to share their memories, but to her, it felt like Franco’s life couldn’t be summed up in words. She decided to show a collection she considers his greatest work.

They go in, and Elizabeth says, oh! Aiden says he doesn’t get it; Jake did that one. Elizabeth says, these were painted by the people Franco helped in art therapy at GH. Scotty says, it was his true legacy. Franco would be proud to see them hanging here. Cameron asks if Elizabeth is okay, and she smiles and nods. She says she can’t thank Ava enough. This is the Franco she loves. The kind and caring man she married, and wants the world to remember. Her Franco. We’re all sad.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Brook that he can never know, Jax finds Nina, Obrecht tells Dante that they need a permanent solution, and Diane says it looks like Jason is in serious trouble.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Joe #2 and Melissa took the kids to their Tom’s River house, where they were celebrating Joe’s 46th birthday. Melissa told him that he was the only person who could get through to Teresa, and in Joe’s interview, he said Teresa had taken things way too far. It was time for her to step up and do the right thing. Melissa and Joe had lunch with Melissa’s sisters and their husbands (one of which is a Joe #4012), and Teresa, who informed us that eating pineapple or peaches would make you taste sweeter, before ordering a vodka and pineapple. I dunno if that’s true, but I’ve read that if you feed dogs pineapple, they’re less likely to eat poopies. True story. The group teased Teresa about liking pool boy Tony, and Teresa screeched she was having a midweek pool party. Joe wanted Teresa to invite Jackie, and own her part in what went wrong. He said he thought Jackie had given a sincere apology at Evan’s birthday part two, but Teresa suggested he tell Jackie to stop being a crybaby. He told Teresa that it was his birthday wish, and Teresa had Melissa send out a group text invite, including Jackie. She told Melissa to invite Michelle too, and Joe asked if that wasn’t the crazy bitch who said he owed her husband money. Teresa told him that she’d informed Michelle that she wouldn’t sell the house until Jon made good with Joe.  

In Paramus, Jennifer, her sister, and dad discussed a trip to Turkey. There was concern Jennifer’s mom would want to go, but she couldn’t be included in the same trip as her dad, because she continually fought with him. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she was just trying to keep the peace, and wished her mom could see that she loved her parents equally.

David didn’t believe Delores was ever moving in with him, even after he’d built the house to her specifications. She said when the house was finished, they were supposed to get engaged. When she didn’t get a ring, she thought he was pushing her away. They made a pact to spend more time together.

Marge wanted Joe #3 to hurry up with the house, since it was filled with boxes and plastic tubs of stuff. Marge was on a diet because she was going to be shooting her book cover, and had a meeting with ghostwriter Emily. She told Emily, she got Joe to do more when she was his girlfriend. Well, of course. I’ll have what Marge is having though. She looks fabulous. She told Emily that she had let men in power manipulate her when she was younger, because she was intimidated, and her mother’s self-worth hinged on being attractive to men. Marge came from instability, and thought first husband Jan was stable, marrying him at a young age. Her relationship with Joe #3 was the first nurturing, healthy adult relationship she’d had. In her interview, she said Joe was the culmination of everything she wanted in a relationship. She told Emily that she wasn’t sure how Joe was going to like the book, and Emily said people feeling that way was to be expected, but she thought they were off to a good start.

Joe #1, aka Juicy Joe, signed the divorce papers, and Teresa said it was the easiest divorce in the world. In her interview, she said, despite what everyone had been thinking about Joe coming after her money, she knew he’d do the right thing because of their daughters.

Everyone got ready for the pool party, and Marge told Joe #3 that his red shorts would bring out the pimento in the olives. Melissa said she didn’t want any man fights, and when Delores told Frank about Teresa inviting Michelle and Jon, Frank asked if Delores had ever seen Joe #2 lose his temper. We flashed back to the Joe versus Joe take-down at the christening. Jackie and Evan didn’t show, so the point was moot. Melissa said when she’d told Jackie that Teresa was extending an olive branch, she said Teresa could put the branch up her ass. Why Melissa relayed those exact words to Teresa, I’ll never know, because that prompted Teresa to say Jackie could shove it up her husband’s ass. Then maybe he wouldn’t cheat. Nice. Marge said Jackie was upset, and the invitation should have been more personal; not in a group text. Melissa said she just wanted to get to a place where Teresa and Jackie could be in the same room. Delores said she was getting an award for Breast Cancer Awareness; she’d done some PSAs and helped raise money for it. She was getting the Ambassador of Hope Award, and was inviting everyone over afterward. Teresa said she was going to be out of town for a soccer tournament, and Marge said the issue was really going to drag TF out.

When Michelle and Jon showed up, Joe #2 called Jon over, and Marge said, this could get really ugly really fast, and Melissa said it stressed her when men had conversations. IMO, it’s a lot less likely for it to result in a fistfight if it’s the men. Joe told Jon that he’d heard stuff Jon’s been saying (I’ve heard things…), and Jon was saying Joe owed him tens of thousands of dollars. Jon said they were partners on the deal, but Joe said the event was called Grow with Gorga. Jon asked why Joe thought he’d send $20K worth of vendor memberships for nothing in return, and Joe said to ride his coattails. Not to be left out, Melissa called Michelle over, and wanted to know why Michelle complained to Jennifer about Joe at Jackie’s party, but never said anything to her. Michelle said she hadn’t thought it was a big deal, but Melissa called it a schmear fest. Michelle said it was true. In the men’s department, Joe told Jon that had there been money involved, it would have been done up front. Jon said he thought they had a handshake deal, and were going to split the proceeds if the event worked out, then do more of them. Joe said he meant going forward, which sounded shady to me, but whatever. Michelle told Melissa, it had nothing to do with them, but Delores said Michelle shouldn’t have been talking about it at the party. Michelle agreed that it hadn’t been the right atmosphere, and apologized, but said again that it was between the husbands. She’d told Jon to talk to Joe, and that was happening. Jon suggested he and Joe squash their beef, but he also wanted Joe to allow his wife to sell Teresa’s house. Joe told Jon to say he didn’t mean anything by it (really, he said that), and Jon said it had been a miscommunication – code for, I did nothing wrong. Jon said next time, they’d do it in writing, and they shook hands. Michelle said, if they were good, there was no reason for her and Melissa not to be good, and Teresa encouraged everyone to have shots.

Bill came late, followed by pool boy Tony. Joe #2 eyeballed Tony flirting with Teresa, and in his interview, he said Tony was his best friend. He’d known Tony since he was five, but he didn’t want Tony near his sister. He was a dirty, dirty dog. Jennifer got very drunk early on, and when Bill asked how many shots she’d had, she slurred that she had tequila drinks. Teresa wanted everyone in the pool – which turned out to be the women and Tony – and they played tequila pong using a raft float. Marge wondered why Jennifer was drinking so much, as Jennifer totally missed her mouth trying to drink from a bottle of water. In Marge’s interview, she said she was all about a good time, but it wasn’t the first time she’d seen Tequila Jennifer. We flashed back to a few times, and Marge said this was falling into serious drinking issue problem. She was worried about Jennifer. Marge told Jennifer that it was time to go home, and Jennifer fell over.  

Bill asked Jennifer if she was okay, and told her they had to go home. He picked her up in his arms, and carried her, which was really sweet. Before he got to the car, Joe #2 and Joe #3 came out to help, and Jennifer laughed her ass off. They got her in the car, and she said, so embarrassing, but they told her, we all do it. Then we flashed back to Bill doing it. Joe #3 said Jennifer must have done 40 effing shots, and Joe #2 told Bill to be ready to pull over. As they went down the driveway, it sounded like maybe he didn’t have time for that.  

Next time, Jennifer tells Delores that Joe #3 fueled the rumor fire, Marge and Jen get into it, and Teresa tells everyone to go f*** themselves before storming off. In other words, same old. Minus the Solo cup.

🍀 O’Something For St. Patrick’s Day…

Everything you need to know about the o’holiday.

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/real-meaning-saint-patricks-day

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/who-invented-st-patricks-day

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/st-patricks-day-why-we-celebrate

📺 Goodnight, Chet…

Calling it a night. Almost. Like Vanessa Williams, I have work to do, but I’ll meet you tomorrow for tea at that God awful House I can’t look away from like it’s a bad accident. Until then, stay safe, stay taking care of your corner of the world, and stay not bottling up your emotions so much, you end up smashing your favorite mug.