Tag Archives: The Spice Girls

February 6, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Willow Tells Drew All, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Grammy Dish, Spice Minus One, Bowling For Puppies, Best, Octonary Quotes & Stars

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥤 Weekday Big Gulps…                                                                   

Monday: 

Ric went to Sonny’s, and Sonny said Ric needed to make sure Michael didn’t lose his children.

Gio and Emma came into the nook to find Chase and Brook there. Emma asked how mad Tracy was, and Brook asked why she’d be mad.

Suzanne said someone was waiting for Alexis in her office who would only talk to her. Alexis went in to find Willow there.

At Bobbie’s, Lucas told Marco that it was nice to go to Ava’s, and Marco said, and spending the night at the MetroCourt. Lucas suggested they enjoy this unicorn of a day. Maybe it was time they got their own apartment on the mainland.

At a nearby table, Michael said he was sorry Jacinda had to ride out the storm alone, but Jacinda said she was fine. He said he’d missed her, and she said she liked knowing he thought about her. She’d missed him too.

Britt woke up to Jason puttering around, and he said he’d let her sleep. He asked how she was feeling, she said, amazing, and they kissed.

Lucas said living at Windymere had been amazing (WOTD), which was why he thought he and Marco were ready for the next step. They could afford a nice place downtown, close to where they worked. Marco asked if this meant Lucas wasn’t happy at Windymere.

Brook said they couldn’t find Tracy, and Gio said she’d gone to get back the Quartermaine heirlooms. Emma said, Tracy had a plan, and Brook said, that was never good. Gio said they were supposed to meet her, but had to turn back, and Emma said they hadn’t heard from her. Brook said, what if she’d gotten stuck? They had to find her.

Michael and Jacinda talked about making pancakes, and Jacinda said she didn’t like cooking, but she liked watching cooking shows. (Same. I knew we were kindred spirits.) Kristina came in and said it was nice to see Michael smiling.

Ric said he was happy that his and Sonny’s relationship had improved, but he’d represented Willow at the custody hearing. Sonny said it wasn’t about sides, but about the grandkids, and Ric said his hands were tied. Sonny said he wanted Ric to broker a compromise. He was a damn good lawyer and had another chance to prove it.

Alexis asked if it was something with Drew, but Willow said his status was the same. He could only communicate by blinking. It was the reason she needed Alexis now more than ever. Her visitation hearing was coming up and she’d relied on Drew. She’d been proven innocent (nope – not guilty is not necessarily innocent) and Alexis was a fantastic lawyer. She was the only one Willow trusted to show what a good mother she was.

Britt told Jason that she wished she could stay in this moment. It was easier when it was just them. The rest of the world screwed everything up. It would be hard to stay away from him. He said it was temporary. He could help her get out and didn’t want her to be afraid. Walking out of this room was the first step in setting her free.

Ric told Sonny that compromise was the most logical way to end the battle, but Michael and Willow had said goodbye to logical and rational, and Sonny said Willow might be more reasonable without Drew. Ric said Michael would be a harder sell. He’d gone in on Michael hard during the custody hearing. Sonny said somebody had to make the first move and it was going to be them.

Alexis said she didn’t think she was the right person, but Willow said Alexis was the best lawyer she knew and she wasn’t leaving anything to chance. Alexis said, what about Ric? but Willow said she didn’t trust him after he’d disappeared on her. Judge Haran’s death delayed the hearing, and it was torture not seeing her kids. She’d been exonerated and Michael was now under suspicion. Alexis said she hadn’t heard anything of the kind, but Willow said she assumed it was just a matter of time before they charged him. He’d also been endangering her children by openly dating a criminal and she had proof.

Kristina said Scout had loved the snow, but Molly had been absent with Cody, and Jacinda said, they finally figured it out. Michael asked how it was with Scout living there, and Kristina said Scout sometimes felt guilty about being happy without her dad. Michael said Wiley had those moments about Willow, but Drew’s stroke had done what he couldn’t – gotten Drew out of their lives. Kristina asked if he’d heard anything new from the PCPD, but he said he’d heard nothing.

Chase said Tracy’s car hadn’t been involved in an accident, and Gio said it wasn’t in the garage. Brook fretted that Tracy was stuck on a back street, when Tracy walked in saying, the things she endured for this family… What? Gio said, thank God she was alive, and everyone gave her a group hug.  

Jason told Britt that her boat was gone, and she said when she made it back to shore, she’d have to deal with insurance and Jason would have to act like he hated her. He said it would be tough, but all that mattered was that they both knew the truth. They were in this together. He thanked her for trusting him, and she said he was the only person she did trust. He was the only one who knew the hell she’d been going through. Now they had to pretend last night didn’t happen. He said, it did, it was real, and it was amazing. He wouldn’t abandon her. She said she’d try to remember that, and he said she had to believe Cullum and follow his orders. It was the only way to be safe.

Britt said she’d miss this place, and Jason said, as soon as they were back, give him the medicine, and he’d have Brick work on reverse engineering it. She said they usually gave her a week’s supply, and she had four in her room. He suggested that he sneak in and grab one. They were watching her, not her room. Brick would get this done. She said neither one of them were . They must bring out the best in each other. They kissed.

Lucas said Windymere was great, but it was Marco’s dad’s house, and Marco said Luas had seemed okay living with his sister and aunt. Lucas said it was nice to get time with them, and Marco said that’s how he felt. He’d gotten closer to his dad since his mom died and wanted a deeper relationship. Lucas asked if he was afraid he’d lose that if he moved out, and Marco said, sort of. Sidwell was busy and running into him in the kitchen was easier than scheduling time to see him. Lucas said, Pascal creeps me out.

Brook said they’d been concerned, but Tracy said she was fine. She’d gone to retrieve her possessions and got stuck spending the night with Martin Grey. Emma said they’d tried to get to her, and Tracy asked, how hard did they try? Brook told them that she thought Tracy was trying to say she was grateful they’d been smart and obeyed the police, and Tracy said, exactly. It was too late anyway. She was already in hell, but she’d managed to resolve the issue. Brook asked what she did, and Chase asked, where’s Martin?

Jacinda got a call and stepped away, and Kristina asked Michael how it had been living with their brother the acting Police Commissioner and Chase. Michael said, Dante was in a tougher position, when Jacinda came back and said Nina’s last appointment canceled, so she wouldn’t be in until later. Kristina asked how it was going, and Jacinda said Nina hated her and was giving her the boring, busy work, but she had no intention of letting Nina win. Nina was vindictive but knew a ton about the fashion world. She was going to learn from her whether Nina liked it or not, and also make full use of the Crimson closet. Michael said he knew she’d be a perfect fit, and Jacinda said liked Nina knowing that she was more loyal him than her. Michael’s phone rang, and he said it was Sonny. He asked, what’s up? and Sonny said he needed to come to the house. It wasn’t an emergency, but it was important. Michael said he’d be right there.

Willow told Alexis that Jacinda had a long history of arrests before she’d drugged Drew, and Alexis said she didn’t think she was the right lawyer. Willow said her children were more important than her own freedom, and if she wasn’t with them, she might as well be in prison. Alexis would do anything for Scout, and it was the same way with her and her kids. The both understood that you did what you had to for the people you loved. You didn’t have to like it. You just did it.

Jason said they’d dock at King’s Beach and Britt could get a car, but she said her phone washed away. He said she could grab a bus, but she said the bus smelled as she followed him out.

Lucas told Marco that Pascal gave him a weird vibe. He’d gone to the wine cellar and was definitely alone, but suddenly Pascal was behind him. Marco said being quiet and unobtrusive came with the job, but Lucas said, quiet was one thing, but he was positive the cellar was empty. He was standing between the door and Pascal. How did he get in? He thought Pascal had gone through the catacombs. Pascal escorted him out, but he went back and couldn’t find a door. Marco told him, leave the catacombs alone.  

Chase asked if they needed to call the paramedics, but Tracy said she didn’t need to resort to violence. Besides, she needed Martin mobile so he could load things into her car. Emma said, good for her, and Gio said it was the least Martin could do. Tracy said he conceded that she was within her rights. She’d brought the items dearest to her in her car and the rest would be picked up this afternoon. Chase asked if she’d talked to Willow first.

Alexis suggested she familiarize herself with Willow’s case and they’d talk another time, but Willow said she needed her children. If Alexis didn’t help her, there would be no Scout. No nothing. She didn’t like saying it, but they did what they had to for their children and grandchildren. She gave Alexis the folder, and Alexis said they’d do it her way. Willow said she felt better knowing Alexis was on her side, and left. Suzanne brought Alexis her coffee and closed the door. She asked what she could do to help, but Alexis said, nothing. Willow blackmailed her into representing her at the visitation hearing. She’d represent Willow or no Scout. Suzanne said Alexis had no choice, but Alexis said she had one. Suzanne said it was unthinkable, but Alexis said Willow played the Sam’s daughter card and the grandchild card perfectly and gave her no choice.

Michael wondered why Ric was there, and Sonny said they wanted to talk about the best way to approach the visitation hearing. Michael said Ric had been Willow’s lawyer, and Sonny said Ric was his brother. He’d find a way to peace between Michael and Willow.

Tracy said she didn’t feel the need to check with Willow before retrieving her family heirlooms, and Chase said she removed property from Drew’s house without permission. Tracy said, Drew didn’t object, but Chase said Drew couldn’t talk. Gio said Ned could have died when Drew walked away after he collapsed. The least he deserved was to lose the stuff he’d stolen. Tracy said, spoken like a true Quartermaine, and Gio said, yeah, he was. Chase said Tracy had taken the law into her own hands, but Tracy said Martin had been there watching her the whole time. If Drew’s attorney didn’t object, why would Drew? Brook said Tracy had a point, and Chase said, okay. She won. Tracy said she usually did. She was going to look for Yuri to help unload the car, and Gio said he’d help. Jason came in and Chase asked where he was all night. (Dude is so working my last nerve.)

Lucas asked why Marco was touchy about the catacombs. It wasn’t the first time. Maroc said, sorry. He’d gotten lost in a cave when he was a kid and was freaked out about dark enclosed spaces. He didn’t want Lucas to get hurt. Lucas said it was a completely different situation. He was an adult and could take care of himself. Britt came in and walked upstairs, and Lucas asked if that wasn’t what she was wearing yesterday. Marco said maybe she’d gotten stuck and holed up somewhere, but Lucas said, no way. She’d had plenty of time to get home. If that wasn’t the walk shame, he didn’t know what was.

Suzanne said Willow genuinely seemed to love her children, and Alexis said, she also acted like she loved her husband. Suzanne said it was a completely different category, but Alexis said she didn’t know how Willow felt about anyone or anything since she was a convincing liar. If she didn’t know that Willow shot Drew, she’d be helping her, but now she questioned everything. Suzanne said she was a great lawyer. It was hard to defend someone who was guilty, but she’d done it before. Alexis said it was different. She’d be handing over Ameilia and Wiley to a woman who’d shot her husband in the back. Suzanne said the decision wasn’t solely up to her. She’d present the argument to the judge who would make the decision. She had to trust that the system did what it was supposed to do and achieved justice.

Michael told Ric that he didn’t need to compromise. He had full custody, which would hold weight with the judge. Ric said he disagreed. Michael was in a worse position now. Willow had been exonerated and married a congressman. He was facing potential criminal charges and Alexis had given the prosecution a roadmap to follow. Michael said he hadn’t been charged, but Ric said it would still affect the judge’s perception. Willow would get visitation this time. The question was how generous the judge would be. If they decided in her favor, it would open the door to Willow getting full custody. Sonny said they had to get in front of a judge that didn’t decide in Willow’s favor.

Kristina said she loved seeing her brother laugh. Being with Jacinda made his life more bearable. Jacinda said she hoped so. She was so lucky they met at the Port Charles Grill. She couldn’t believe how understanding he was about her not telling him about being with Boyle when Drew was shot. Not many men would understand how she had to protect herself. She never thought Boyle would admit it. Kristina said Michael was one of the most loyal people she knew, and extremely fair. He knew her lie wasn’t meant to hurt him. Jacinda said she could see he was a special guy and she loved spending time with him. She’d never lie to him again. Kristina said she’d always wanted this for her brother. Jacinda got him and treated him well. She was good for him… Willow came in and went over to their table. She told Kristina that Alexis told her that they’d had a great time with Scout. Alexis was going to represent her at the visitation hearing. She was glad Jacinda was there. She couldn’t thank her enough for helping her reunite with her children.

Michael told Ric and Sonny that they were both wrong. He still had the power. Talking was a sign of weakness. If she wanted to compromise, Willow had to come to him. His phone rang, and he said, can you push it?… Okay. He’d be right there… Diane needed him to meet at ADA Turner’s office. Turner wanted to question him about Drew’s shooting.

Jacinda said Willow had lost touch with reality again. The children belonged to Michael. Willow promised Jacinda that she was thinking clearly. She remembered when she first laid eyes on Jacinda in Drew’s bedroom. She had a sketchy past. The judge wouldn’t like Michael being with someone like her and would be generous with visitation. Kristina said, Willow was just proving how unstable she was. She kept doing this. She’d made a scene when she lost custody. At her wedding she told everyone what a bad guy Drew was, then she married him. She thought Willow should take a look at herself and think about what she’d done before she dragged Jacinda through the mud. Willow said she’d expect Kristina to have more empathy, considering the mistakes she’d made. After this unwarranted attack, the judge would think twice about who Alexis exposed Drew’s daughter to.

Alexis told Suzanne that Scout was all she had left of her daughter. She’d do what she had to, to protect Scout. Suzanne said, the hearing would come and go, but her relationship with Scout would resonate through her whole life. Alexis wondered how many compromises she had to make. What if Michael was arrested and Willow got full custody? How could she stay quiet just because she got what she wanted?

Marco said he was sorry and would talk to Pascal, but Lucas said that would just make it weirder. He got Marco wanting to be close to his dad and would put up with it for him. Marco asked Lucas to promise to stay out of the passageways and catacombs, and Lucas said he used to live there. He was very familiar with the catacombs. Marco said, accidents happened. If Lucas got hurt, he’d never forgive himself. Lucas said, okay. He’d stay away. Marco took his hand and thanked him. He said, they could look at apartments later, and Lucas said, fine. They’d live at Windymere for now, but it wasn’t permanent. Marco suggested they look for apartments in May, and Lucas said, deal.

Back in her room, Britt opened the nightstand drawer, but her medicine wasn’t there.

Tracy said, good luck getting Jason to open up, and Chase asked where he was. Danny, Charlotte, and Rocco spent the night in the gatehouse. Yuri found them about 3 am and brought them back. Jason asked if they were okay, and Chase said, yeah. Jason said he didn’t see the problem, and Chase asked if he didn’t think it was a problem for them to know where he was when Emma got a call. She said, yes, this is Anna Devane’s granddaughter…. What happened?

Britt tossed the room, sat on the bed, and said her medicine was gone.

Emma thanked them, and said, oh my God. It was a police officer from a small town in France. They found her grandmother. Chase asked if Anna was okay, and Emma said she didn’t know. Anna had flagged down a car on a remote road. She said she needed help. She’d been held prisoner and escaped. She needed to warn everyone – Cesar Faison was alive.

Tuesday:

Emma found Felicia at the hospital and said her grandma was in trouble.

Jason went to Dante’s office and asked when he’d last heard from Anna. Dante said before she’d left, but apparently, she was found by the side of a road in France. She’d been taken into custody and was in some kind of state. She kept saying she had to warn them because Faison was still alive.

Cullum knocked at Britt’s door and said she seemed to have misplaced something. (He’s a real card.)

Willow went to see Nina, who asked, how was her meeting with Martin? Willow said he claimed the reason he was in Drew’s house was to keep an eye on the place, but he’d had an unexpected visitor – Tracy Quartermaine. She’d let herself in with this. She showed Nina the key and said, Martin took Tracy’s key and she took back the Quartermaine family heirlooms. Nina said she didn’t blame Tracy, but didn’t see Drew giving her a key. Willow asked if there was any way she could use Tracy’s breaking and entering and theft against Michael. (I guess no one remembers the court order about the heirlooms.)

In Turner’s office, Diane said Michael had been reciting this since he could form words, but she wanted to review. He said, don’t volunteer anything and keep his answers short and sweet, and she said, preferably, yes, no, and I don’t know. And the last and most important one… Michael said, Diane knows best, and she said, Diane always knows best. And she hated surprises. Michael said, unless they were in a Tiffany bag, and she said, the smaller the bag, the better. Molly and Nathan came in, and Molly said she wanted to go over the timeline of Michael’s movements the night of Congressman Cain’s shooting. Diane said she was sorry, but Molly had made that impossible.

Turner went to Sonny’s and said her office was questioning Michael. She thought she’d stop by to clarify her role. She saw a Pomeranian with Sonny, and he said the dog wasn’t an alpha dog, but don’t tell him. She said, it wasn’t the size of the dog in the fight… and he said, it was the size of the fight in the dog. The Pom growled.

Nina said Michael seemed like an odd choice for Tracy to bring with her, but Willow said Martin told her that he was alone. Nina said, so Michael wasn’t involved, but Willow said, he could have been involved in some other way. Maybe he and Tracy came up with a plan. Nina said Tracy never said he was in Drew’s house. She saw his car on the block. It sounded like Willow had no evidence. Willow said she had to focus on what she could prove against Michael and Alexis was going to help her.  

Diane said there was a conflict of interest. Since Molly and Michael were cousins, it wasn’t proper for her to interrogate him. Molly said she understood, but it wasn’t a trial or deposition. If Turner followed through, she wouldn’t be involved in the prosecution. Diane said she needed a moment to confer with her client, or they could wait for a subpoena, and Molly and Nathan left. Michael asked if they were going to wait for a subpoena, but Diane said, of course (🍷) not. Turner just handed them a massive gift.

Sonny said the Pom’s name was Fizz. They’d rescued Fizz, but his daughter said Fizz rescued them. He introduced Turner to Fizz, who growled. Sonny said he’d been trying to teach Fizz manners, but he didn’t like cops. Dogs were hypersensitive and maybe he smelled the PCPD on her. Fizz made the same mistake he did, judging her on the first impression. He took Fizz to the kitchen.

Emma told Felicia that she’d gotten a call from Captain Russo, a municipal police captain from a small town outside Dijon. They were holding Anna there. She thought Anna was okay physically, but she didn’t know if Anna was in trouble. He’d said she got in a fight with an officer, but before that, she’d flagged down a car, insisting she had to warn everyone that Cesar Faison was alive when he’d been dead for years.

Dante told Jason that Captain Russo had Anna in custody, and Jason asked if she was hurt. Dante said she’d had an altercation with an officer that had been deescalated. She said Faison was alive and had been holding her hostage, but she managed to escape. Jason wondered why she’d say it if it wasn’t true, and Dante asked if she’d mentioned it to him. Jason said she was adamant that if Britt and Nathan were alive, Faison could be too, but there was no way that was true.

Britt said Cullum took her meds, but he said he’d had them secured. From now on, they’d be kept in the lab at Windymere. She could access them when she was working and it would provide incentive for her to make the progress they needed. Britt said she’d gone there to work. It wasn’t her fault the blizzard took out the power. She needed her meds to perform her work there. Cullum said they allowed her life, but she’d overestimated herself. She’d done good work, but again, she wasn’t the only scientist who could complete the project. She’d officially made herself expendable.

Sonny said Turner was safe. Fizz the terror was in the kitchen. He gave Fizz bacon. It put him in a happy place. Turner said, her too, and he said, so she came there because of Michael. She said she wouldn’t be personally prosecuting him, and he asked if she was saying Michael had been charged. She told him that she wasn’t saying that and it wouldn’t be information she could share. He said he’d never asked her to cross any lines and had been upfront with her. Could she say the same?

Diane told Michael that this was perfect, a huge misstep. Molly was biased in his favor. Michael said he didn’t do it, and she said she believed him. Unfortunately, he’d been caught in a lie, so the truth didn’t matter anymore. Invite them back in. Michael opened the door, and Diane said her client would be happy to answer questions. Molly asked what Michael’s whereabouts were on the night of Congressman Drew Cain’s shooting, and he said he was in his office talking to his sister Kristina…

Willow told Nina that Alexis agreed to represent her. Alexis had already proved her innocence and made Michael look guilty. She could do the same thing again in family court. Nina said she wasn’t sure doing that with no proof would help, and Willow said she could prove Michael was endangering her children by having them around his girlfriend. Drew had compiled a dossier on Jacinda after she’d drugged him. Nina actually did her a favor. Michael had no problem with the children being around a hooker who’d had multiple arrests for solicitation, shoplifting, and who knew what else. No judge would support a father who made such irresponsible choices.

Jason told Dante that he’d shot Faison. He’d thought he got through to Anna, suggesting someone was using Faison as a distraction. Dante said the mention of Faison triggered Anna’s PTSD and he knew that kind. Just when you thought you had it under control, you woke up somewhere and didn’t know how you got there. Jason wondered if it caused Anna to have a break, and Dante said she could be suffering from paranoia and would need someone she knew and trusted to bring her back.

Britt said she was due at the hospital and needed her meds to function and keep up appearances, but Cullum said she’d figure it out. She said she’d been playing by his rules and needed access to her medicine. Let her hold onto a couple of doses. He said Sidwell had given her too much leeway. She’d be dealing with him from now on. His terms were clear. She’d get one dose at a time at Windymere. He left and she cried.

Molly said, that was everything, and thanked Diane and Michael. She’d leave them to discuss things. She and Nathan left, and Michael said he guessed it was over, but Diane said, no. it was definitely not over.

Turner told Sonny that she thought she’d been transparent about her intentions. She enjoyed his company and his cooking, but if he committed a crime she could prove, she’d prosecute him to the full extent of the law. He said he didn’t doubt it. She was ambitious, which wasn’t a bad thing since she wasn’t corrupt. He’d be concerned if she had a vendetta. She asked if he thought that was different, and he said, yeah. Someone without principles was a threat and would do anything – plant, manufacture, tamper with evidence – to get what they wanted and get away with it. Going against him or someone he loved to get what she wanted wasn’t who she was.

Jason said the only way was to talk to Anna in person, so he’d go, and Dante said he’d make arrangements. Keep him in the loop. Jason said he had something to take care of first, and left.

Britt straightened up the room and flashed back to Jason saying he’d get her out of this. She said she should have known it was too good to be true.

Mac said he’d get the next flight to France, and Emma asked if he believed Faison was alive. He said, the better question was, did Anna believe it? and Emma said, she must have a good reason. Felicia said, unless it was a ruse. Anna was strong and wouldn’t suddenly break. Emma said, unless she was pushed too far. She’d been gone for months. They didn’t know what she’d been through or where she’d been. Mac said maybe it was ruse. Anna’s way of sending a flare and reaching out for help. Emma said Anna did reach out to her and she was coming with them.

Dante said he was informed Anna had a mental break, and Nathan asked where she was. Dante said, in police custody in France. She claimed Nathan’s father was still alive. Nathan asked why she’d think that, and Dante said it sounded like the fact he and Britt were alive led Anna to think Faison was too. It might be far-fetched, but did he have any insights?

Jason knocked at the window, and Britt let him in. He said, sorry, but she was supposed to be at work. She said she was on her way. He couldn’t be there. He told her to give him a vial to give to Brick, but she said she couldn’t. Cullum took them and was keeping them at Windymere, and she could only access one dose there. He said he was going to Windymere, but she said, stop. This was over. He had to leave. Cullum was there today and may be watching her.

Turner said Sonny thought because she had principles, it would be a fair fight, but he asked, who said they were fighting? She said if she had to, she’d come for his criminal enterprise with bulletproof evidence and every bit of her legal expertise, and he said, alleged. She said she came as a courtesy. That was it. He said he hoped one day she realized they had a lot more in common than she knew, and, moving closer to him, she said anything was possible, but don’t hold his breath. She left.

Nina asked if Alexis was pushing the scorched earth strategy, but Willow said they didn’t discuss it. But she was sure Alexis would agree they would need an aggressive approach. Michael would have one. Nina said that didn’t mean she had to. The children were the priority, and the judge saw parents use the court as a place to settle scores. The last thing Willow wanted them to see was the same thing. Willow said the last thing she wanted to see was Michael walking away with her children. Nina said the best way was to be the reasonable parent who wanted the best for her children, the rare parent actually seeking peace. Willow said she’d tried peace before, and it didn’t work. It was time for something stronger.

Diane said she needed to know if there was anything out there that could tie Michael to the shooting, but he said, nothing. The last thing he needed was to go to family court being a potential suspect. She said he hadn’t fully grasped how severe this was. He had the means, motive, and opportunity and the authorities knew that. He said it was no secret that he hated Drew, but he didn’t shoot him, and she said the only reason he hadn’t been charged was that the DA’s didn’t want to lose another case. They needed a case stronger than Willow’s and he was one piece of evidence away from being charged and tried for attempted murder.

Willow told Nina that she’d begged for peace, repeatedly, pleading and crying for a drop of mercy. She was sick of it. If she’d gotten time with her kids, it would have been worth it, but all she got was more time away from them and an attempted murder charge. Nina said Willow was in charge now, not Michael or Drew. She was the parent seeking understanding and compromise for the best interest of the children. That was what the court responded to. Willow said that’s what she thought, but last year taught her that it was the fastest way to lose. If she wanted to win, she had to fight for them. She had to go after Michael with everything she had.

Felicia said they had no idea what they’d be walking into, but Emma said she could handle herself. Her grandmother could be pretending and the police called her. Anna gave them her name. Anna needed her and expected her to come. If she had to, she’d go alone. Felicia said it was dangerous, and Emma said she’d call her grandpa for back-up. Mac said Robert would bulldoze the French authorities, and Felicia said if Anna had wanted his help, she would have reached out to him or had him call the French authorities. Emma said, all right. When did they leave?

Nathan wondered why Dante thought he had insight, and Dante said Nathan had lost seven years. He was probably investigating that. Had he uncovered anything that Anna might have stumbled on? Nathan said he was in the dark. Did Emma know? Dante said, she was the one who got the call, and Nathan said, at least now they knew where Anna was. He hoped they could help.

Britt said she needed to go, but Jason said they could figure it out. She had to trust him. She said there was nothing to figure out. She was trapped. He said he was going to find a way. He promised he’d make this okay.  

Michael said Diane thought they were getting ready to prosecute him, but Sonny said they were wasting their time. Michael said, maybe, but Willow still had the advantage. Sonny said, Ric knew what he was talking about, and Michael said Ric was right. He had to compromise. He had to get Willow to the table before he lost his leverage.

Nina said it would make sense if Willow had proof, but she didn’t, and Willow said, everyone knew Michael was guilty. The only reason he hadn’t been arrested was because of his powerful family – the Quartermaines, Sonny, and Dante. Nina said, the Quartermaines would use their influence, but Sonny had always been sympathetic toward her. He wasn’t out to get her. Dante was a fair man and wouldn’t hide or suppress evidence. Willow said she didn’t want to fight with Nina, and Nina said she didn’t either. Willow said Alexis was on her side. She’d been cleared of the shooting, and she would see her children.

Turner asked Molly what the status was on Michael Corinthos, and Molly said, he answered every question. Turner asked if she felt he was truthful, but Molly said she wasn’t sure. It was difficult to give an impartial read. Turner said that’s why she’d asked Nathan to join her. What did he think? Nathan said he was a cop. Michael had driven to Drew’s house, but other than that, the evidence hadn’t changed. Molly asked if Turner still believed Willow was guilty, but Turner said it didn’t matter. There had to be accountability, but she needed evidence. Not footage that could be corrupted or disappear, but solid physical evidence. That was on Nathan. He asked if she wanted him to find evidence that Michael Corinthos did more than stand outside, and she said, and let himself in the house and shot Drew. Then and only then would her office move for securing a conviction.  

Willow looked at the key to Drew’s house.

Mac called Dante that they were headed to France, and told Felicia and Emma that he’d spoken to the French authorities. Felicia asked what they told him, and Mac said they wanted to transfer Anna to a mental health facility this evening. They weren’t equipped to care for her, and it was for her own safety. Felicia said they didn’t know Anna’s state. It could be an elaborate con or a breakdown. She’d be trapped in a state-run institution and that couldn’t happen. Mac said he’d called Doc. Maybe he could recommend a hospital. Felicia said they needed to make arrangements to get there before Anna was committed.

Jason told Dante that he was needed there and couldn’t go. He couldn’t get into it, but it was a family matter he had to handle. He told Dante that he was sorry and left.

Cullum went back to Britt’s and said she’d made a strong argument about keeping up appearances. They needed her in good condition. He took out a syringe and said, consider it a gesture of good will. He’d administer it for her. She said she was a doctor and had… but he repeated that he’d administer it for her. She swabbed an area on her side with an alcohol wipe, and he administered the shot. (It was creepy.)

Wednesday:

Lulu ran into Nathan at Bobbie’s.

Obrecht went to see Nina, who said it would be wise for Willow to stay away from Drew. Obrecht said it would also be best for Drew.

Ric told Alexis that Michael and Willow had one shot at peace and it would take them to make it happen.

Outside the office, Willow stared at the key some more, when Michael showed up.

In her office, Laura talked to Josslyn about infrastructure and they talked about the storm. Laura said Spoon Island was the only place where the power was out for a significant amount of time. She saw that Josslyn had a copy of The Crystalline Conspiracy and asked where she got it.

Jason told Sonny that Anna was in trouble.

Aix-les-Bains, France. Mac and Felicia talked to Dr. Laurantt, who said Anna was agitated and sometimes incoherent. She’d been through a traumatic ordeal. Emma asked if they could see her, and the doctor told them not to say anything that would traumatize her more. Felicia and Mac went in first.

Anna was pacing, when Mac and Felicia came in. She told them that they had to get her out. She had to stop Faison.

Nathan told Lulu that Jen was okay with them breaking in to seek shelter, but he was paying for a new lock and a bottle of whiskey. Lulu said she should be the one paying, but he said it was his way of saying thanks for an unforgettable evening. Other than Christmas with James, it was the best time he’d had since being back.

Josslyn said she’d taken the book out of the library because the woman on the cover looked like Anna, and Laura said it was Anna. She explained about Faison’s pseudonym and said her family still had a connection to him. Britt was his daughter and Obrecht had a relationship with Rocco. Josslyn asked if Faison wasn’t dead, and Laura said, very, very dead. Thank God.

Mac said last they heard, Anna was on a top-secret assignment for the WSB, but Anna said it was all lies. She’d been kidnapped on Halloween. She was chloroformed in her car, came to handcuffed to a chair, then transferred to another location in France somewhere. The attendant spoke French to her, and she knew he was working for Faison. She’d tried to escape and failed, and when she needed a phlebotomy treatment, they brought in Obrecht.

Obrecht told Nina that Drew and Willow had a toxic co-dependent relationship, and this would make it worse. Nina should talk to Willow. Nina said her and Willow’s relationship was still fragile and all she could do was support Willow.

Willow said she and Michael shouldn’t talk without their lawyers, when Alexis came out and suggested they get started.

Nathan asked if Lulu was avoiding him and were they still friends, and she said, absolutely. He said he’d miss her if she wasn’t there, and she said her too. Nathan admitted it would be tough.

Obrecht said Nina wasn’t doing Willow any favors, but Nina said she couldn’t risk losing Willow again. Obrecht said what had gotten Nina into trouble was neglecting to warn Willow about Drew. It was a parent’s job to tell their children the hard truths, even if they didn’t want to hear them – especially if they didn’t.

Michael said Diane was in court, but he showed up as a sign of good faith and figured they could reach a compromise. Ric said their goal was to facilitate an agreement for the good of the children, and Alexis asked if Willow agreed to hear Ric out. Willow said, fine, and Ric said if they went back to family court, it would be a year, maybe two, and there was no guarantee it would be the outcome either of them wanted. Alexis said if they both came to an agreement, they could present it to the judge, but Willow said Michael would soon be charged with shooting Drew and was dating a hooker with a record. She was in a better position, so why shouldn’t she take her chances in court?

Doctor Laurantt asked if Emma’s grandmother wasn’t the Police Commissioner, and Emma said, she was also the best WSB agent on record. She was smart and nothing got by her – ever. That’s why her possible breakdown might not be what it seemed.

Felicia asked if Anna was sure it was Obrecht, and Anna said Obrecht was still loyal to Faison and did what he wanted her to. Felicia said Obrecht had been in Port Charles. She visited James regularly. Anna said she must have skipped town for a few days. After she left, that’s when Faison made an appearance. Mac said, she saw him? and she said, not immediately. First she saw a lit cigarillo in her room, then he talked to her through the intercom. Mac said Faison was dead, but Anna said that’s what they were supposed to think, but it wasn’t true. The same with Britt’s death or Nathan’s. Peter visited her too.

Sonny said Anna was convinced Faison was alive? and Jason said he’d told Dante that he’d go to France, but he wasn’t going. Anna wasn’t the only one in trouble. Britt finally opened up to him, and it was exactly what they thought. She was being forced to work on her father’s project by Sidwell and his partner. Sonny asked who Sidwell’s partner was, and Jason said, Ross Cullum, the WSB director. Sonny said, son of a bitch, and Jason said he was the guy who tried to kill Sonny and almost killed Michael.

Lulu went to Laura’s office bearing coffee, and asked if she could trade it for advice. Laura said, deal, and Lulu said she was falling for her best friend’s husband.

Nina said Nathan just missed their mother, and he said it was a relief. He loved her, but wasn’t in the right headspace to deal with her. After spending time with Lulu when they were holed up during the storm, he needed to confront something he’d already suspected. He had feelings for Lulu.

Alexis said there were still good arguments to be made against Willow, the strongest being the evidence that Drew paid off Judge Haran and had her killed. Willow said they couldn’t prove it and she had nothing to do with it, but Alexis said she was married to the number one suspect and shared her home with him. No judge would be inclined to give her half custody, let alone full custody. Willow said, so because of Drew, she couldn’t have her children? and Alexis said she was pointing out that Willow’s case wasn’t a slam dunk. Willow said, even if Michael was arrested? and Alexis said, in the eyes of the law, the case wasn’t about her best interests. It was about the best interests of the children. Ric said nobody would get everything they wanted, but they could guarantee that both of them would get access to their children, and Willow asked what they were offering.

Jason said Brick connected Cullum to the WSB slush fund that paid for the assassin and the firebomb, and Sonny asked if Cullum was in town. Jason said he was. He’d been pressuring Britt and Britt didn’t scare easily, but she was terrified. Sonny said they’d get eyes on Cullum and know his routine. The more they knew, the easier it would be to take him out. Jason said they couldn’t. Not yet.

Josslyn saw Obrecht walk into Bobbie’s, and said she was just thinking about her. She was reading The Crystalline Conspiracy, and heard the author was Obrecht’s ex. Was that true? Obrecht said, yes, and Josslyn said she’d read his bio. Was it true he smoked those nasty cigarillos? Obrecht asked if Josslyn thought she was a fool. What did she really want?

Anna said Faison came into the room and was as close to her as they were, and Mac asked where he was now. Anna said she wasn’t sure, and started to cry. She thought she passed out, and when she woke up, she was tied up inside the trunk of a car. When they pulled over for gas, she managed to get out. She ran and flagged down a farmer who called the police. Mac asked about the altercation, and she said she was trying to get the officer to listen officer, but he refused… Then he grabbed her. She fought back and now she was in a mental clinic. Felicia said, so Faison was out there somewhere? and Anna grabbed her and said Felicia knew better than anyone what Faison was capable of. They had to get her out so she could stop him. With tears in her eyes, Felicia said, okay.

Outside, Mac said Anna was convinced she’d been held prisoner, and Dr. Laurant said, Faison was dead? Felicia said, very much so, and the doctor said the paranoia caused a break in reality. Emma said, or it was all a ruse. It wouldn’t be the first time Faison faked his death. The doctor said, possibly Anna was reliving a past trauma and created a new reality from the pieces of her history, and Felicia said it did feel like a mash-up of previous encounters. She thought Anna needed time to heal and needed professional help. Mac asked when they could bring her back, but Dr. Laurant said Anna wasn’t going anywhere.

Laura asked if Lulu was talking about Nathan, and Lulu said they’d been getting close. She was feeling like they were more than friends, and she found out her hunch was right when they got stuck together in a café during the storm. Laura asked if something happened, and Lulu said they made their own connection. They kissed and it was wonderful, but when reality set in, they realized they couldn’t pursue it. Laura said, because of Maxie and James, and Lulu said they were at the top of the list, but just now when she saw Nathan, she had second thoughts about staying away.

Nina said she had no idea Nathan was interested in Lulu, and he said they’d bonded since he came back. Their circumstances were strangely similar. They’d both lost time with the ones they loved. Nina said she’d had issues with Lulu in the past, but Lulu was a good person, and Nathan said she was easy to talk to, funny, and beautiful. Being around her was exhilarating, but they had a huge problem. Nina said, starting with Maxie.

Michael said Willow could have the children every other weekend and a month in the summer, but Willow said that was ridiculous. His rationale for keeping the kids was not wanting Drew in their lives. He’d had a massive stroke, and the odds of his recovery weren’t great. So Michael’s reason for keeping them was only to punish her. Michael said he had a stable home and shuttling the kids back and forth wasn’t good for them, but Willow said plenty of kids went back and forth. He was just making excuses. Ric said Willow was right, a lot of kids split their time. What was so unreasonable? Alexis said she thought it made sense to start with 60/40 custody, and Willow said, in Michael’s favor? Alexis said, for now. Could Michael live with that? Michael said he guessed so, and Willow said she needed a minute to think – alone.  

Sonny told Jason that he was all for being cautious, but they had to make a move before Cullum took a shot at him or his children. Michael had third degree burns because of that son of a bitch, and the same almost happened to Kristina because of Sidwell. But he couldn’t go after Sidwell because he was framing Laura for Dalton’s death. Jason said, Britt was there when Sidwell killed Dalton, and Sonny asked if there was proof, but Jason said, no. It was Britt’s word against Sidwell’s, and they couldn’t take action right now.  Sonny said because Sidwell supplied her medicine? and Jason said, Cullum did. That’s why they couldn’t kill him yet. If he died, so did Britt.

Dr. Laurant said Anna was also facing assault charges, but Mac said, it was a misunderstanding. The doctor said they’d sort it out in court. At the moment, Anna knowing she was in a French clinic connected her to reality. Transporting her might fuel her paranoia and she’d think she was a prisoner again. Emma asked if it wasn’t better for her to be surrounded by family and friends, and Dr. Laurant said, eventually, but she advised they keep her until she was mentally strong. Felicia said she thought the doctor was right, and Mac said, with the legal situation, they didn’t have much choice. Emma said she wasn’t leaving until she saw Anna.

Nina asked if Nathan still loved Maxie, and he said, of course (🍷). He always would. It was like no time passed for him, but for her, it was seven years and she’d moved on. That was a good thing, since he wouldn’t want her stuck in the past with a dead guy. She made a family with Spinelli, and he had no intention of interfering. If Maxie recovered… when she recovered, he didn’t want to ruin what she had. Nina said he’d decided it was time for him to move on, and he said he didn’t expect it to be Lulu. She asked how Lulu felt, and he said, the same, but they agreed it couldn’t go anywhere. That didn’t change how he felt and he was sure it didn’t change how Lulu felt either.

Laura said Lulu and Dante were divorced and Maxie was with Spinelli, but Lulu said Maxie was still married to Nathan. Laura said it was a grey area when someone was declared dead, and Lulu said she felt like she was betraying Maxie, especially now. And it could still affect Dante’s friendship with Nathan. Laura asked if she still had feelings for Dante, but Lulu said, no. She’d always love him, but it was clear his heart belonged to Sam for the foreseeable future. They were in a good place. Laura said there were fewer obstacles than Lulu thought.

Alexis told Michael that she knew her defense put him in the PCPD’s crosshairs. She was just doing her job. Sorry. She thought he was a good man and admired that he put his children first. Michael said he hoped Willow did the same.

Willow took Michael’s keys out of his coat pocket and put Drew’s key on the key ring.

Obrecht said she had a difficult time believing that Josslyn happened to pick up the book and develop an interest in Faison’s nicotine habit, and Josslyn said, full disclosure. She checked the book out of the library after she saw a copy at Windymere. She was curious as to why it was there. Obrecht said it was once Faison’s home. Maybe he left a copy. Josslyn said when she found it, it was with a pack of cigarillos. She showed Obrecht a picture on her phone, and Obrecht asked when she took it. Josslyn said, it was during the storm. She looked inside and there was an inscription – for my muse – signed with the initial C. Obrecht said, Faison had one muse, and one muse only – Anna Devane.  

Anna asked what Emma was doing there. Faison was watching. He was always watching. Emma asked if Anna thought he was alive, and Anna said he was and he was obsessed with her, but it was worse now because he had Emma on his radar. He’d mentioned her, a veiled threat. That meant she had to stay away. Emma said she had no choice. The doctor said Anna couldn’t come home. Anna said it was better. Faison would be fixated on her and not Emma. Emma cried, and Anna said she had to leave now before it was too late.  

Laura told Lulu that you couldn’t control who you fell for. She learned the hard way that her actions had consequences. Not just for herself, but the people she loved. Lulu said that’s why her initial reaction was to shut this thing down, and Laura said Lulu was just getting back her life. Go slowly and remember she deserved to be happy. Lulu said being able to talk to and confide in Laura meant more than she’d ever know, and Laura said, for her too.

Nathan said it wasn’t just Maxie. Dante was his best friend, and Lulu was his ex and the mother of his child. Nina suggested they date quietly and see if it went anywhere, but he said he didn’t want to start being dishonest. Nina said she’d done that and look where she was – alone – and he said he thought he should go for it. She said if his heart was telling him to go with Lulu, trust it, and he said that was exactly what he was going to do.  

Willow said she accepted the terms, and Ric said he thought it was wise. Alexis said she’d draw up the paperwork and present it to the judge. She suggested Michael run it by Diane, and he said he would. He and Willow left, and outside, she said she knew it wasn’t easy. He said it was a compromise. Neither of them got what they wanted, but they were doing the best for their kids. She said that’s all she ever wanted.

Jason told Sonny that Britt was going to take a sample and reverse engineer Britt’s medicine, but Cullum restricted access. He had to figure out a way to get his hands on it, but needed a little time. Sonny said he wouldn’t move on Cullum until Jason secured the medicine, and Jason thanked him. Sonny said he understood, but it was to their advantage. Sidwell thought they were in the dark, but he didn’t know how long that would last. Jason said when they got rid of Cullum, Sidwell would think it was WSB blowback, and Sonny said the clock was ticking. Jason said, as soon as Britt was in the clear, Cullum was dead.

Josslyn said a book from the 90s and the cigarillos were weird. Wasn’t Faison dead? Obrecht said, unquestionably, but his memory was alive in those who revered him. Josslyn asked if it was someone impersonating him, and Obrecht said, that, or emulating him. Perhaps it was a passionate fan.

Emma said Anna was safe there, but Anna said she wasn’t. Faison was a monster and had proven he could find her anywhere. That’s why Emma couldn’t be there. Faison wouldn’t leave her alone until they were together. Dr. Laurant came in with an orderly, and Anna tried to jet, but the orderly grabbed her. Emma cried, and Anna said, tell Jason I’m right. He has to stop Faison. Mac and Felicia pulled Emma out of the room, and Anna collapsed.

Thursday:

Michael met with Sonny and Carly in the nook. He told them that he and Willow reached a custody agreement.

Turner ran into Jordan at the rock wall and asked if she could talk to Jordan about a cold case file where Sonny was a person of interest.

Brook and Chase went to Bobbie’s and Chase whined about having to follow rules of the PCPD. He went to the counter where Molly was on the phone about the Michael’s questioning. He eavesdropped and asked if it wasn’t a massive conflict of interest.

Curtis went to see Alexis and asked what he needed to get a court order to compel Portia to get a paternity test.

Kai texted Trina that he needed to see her asap, and she asked where he was.

Lucas told Isaiah that Willow had decided Drew was better off at home under her care, and we all got good laugh seeing him incapacitated in a wheelchair.

Michael said he’d wanted the deal. It was 60/40, him. Sonny thought it was fair, but Carly wondered what he was thinking.

Chase asked if Molly shouldn’t recuse herself, but she said it was preliminary questioning. He asked if Michael was charged, but she said, no. There was no new evidence. Chase said he’d been placed near the scene, but she said Michael had no means to get in and there was no sign of forced entry. Chase’s superiors would fill him in if they deemed it appropriate. Ric came in and she left to sit with him. Brook told Chase that he’d overstepped and Molly saved his career by shutting it down.

Molly told Ric that her editor wanted to publish her book, and he wondered why she wasn’t excited. She said the book might be the reason she and Cody were over.

Jordan said the consensus was that Sonny was involved, but the evidence was largely circumstantial, and Turner wondered, why make the presumption he was guilty? Jordan said she thought Turner knew better. Never give Sonny the benefit of the doubt.

Curtis said Portia was giving him the runaround and he had to protect his interests, but Alexis said she couldn’t help him after she’d torn Portia’s life to shreds on the stand. He said he’d tried to convince Portia to take the test, but she’d said no.

Seeing Isaiah and Portia together, the nurses giggled, and Portia told him that they’d be old news by next week. It was freeing that the secret was out in the open. She missed being Co-Chief, but now she wasn’t his boss, so they had nothing to hide and at the end of the day, she went home with him.

Kai let Trina into Drew’s house and said he was supervising delivery of medical equipment. Willow was bringing Drew back home today.

Elizabeth said she knew Willow was a great nurse, but this was a massive undertaking, and Willow said she appreciated Elizabeth’s concern, but she was hiring help. It would be hard, but Drew’s best chance of recovery was with her. Scout was staying with Alexis, so it was just them and she was the only one who could give him what he needed.

Lucas told Drew, one blink for yes, two for no. He’d get Drew’s therapy set up when he was ready. Willow asked if Drew was ready, and he blinked once.  

Molly told Ric that the character was inspired by Cody, but all aspects of him, both the jerk and the sweet, soulful man she’d gotten to know. The point was, he shouldn’t be insulted if he read it without her permission. They got in a big argument and hadn’t spoken since. Ric said he was sorry, but he didn’t know how Cody would come back without her taking the first step.

Portia asked if Isaiah felt they were moving too fast, and he said, no, but if she felt that way, they’d pull back. He wanted her to be happy and comfortable. Portia’s phone rang and she said duty called.

Curtis asked if he had grounds, and Alexis said, yes, as long as it didn’t jeopardize the health of the baby or mother. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Turner said Sonny had been questioned dozens of times, but only convicted once, and Jordan said Sonny didn’t make mistakes and wasn’t sloppy. Turner said he seemed to be the PCPD’s default go-to guy. She was concerned that in some cases, they might have allowed the real perp to get away. She’d seen Sonny when his grandson was arrested, and he was nothing but a concerned grandfather. Maybe they should reassess if he was really the boogeyman. Jordan said she’d told Laura that Rocco was innocent, but make no mistake, Sonny was not.

Sonny said he’d advised Michael to compromise, and Carly said he’d negotiated against himself. Michael said he was being investigated for shooting Drew and couldn’t go to the hearing while under suspicion. Sonny said he could have lost custody altogether, and Michael said, it was either compromise or leave the country with the kids.

Chase told Brook that everybody assigned to the investigation was too close to Michael. The acting Police Commissioner was his brother. Brook said Michael had been Chase’s best friend and was his cousin-in-law. He shouldn’t be involved either, but Chase said he wasn’t. She said, then why wouldn’t he let this go?

Kai said Willow asked him to supervise the delivery of medical supplies, and Trina wondered why he was getting wrapped up in this. Willow shot Drew twice, which could have been why he had the stroke. She suggested they leave and that he resign from Drew’s office, and he said it made sense, but he couldn’t do that.

Molly asked why the onus was on her to reach out, since it was dramatic license, and Ric said Cody wouldn’t know that. Men were prone to self-sabotage. Don’t be fooled by his actions. He was probably torturing himself about the ways he’d screwed up. Take it from an expert.

Elizabeth said she was glad Portia was back, and Portia said she’d probably be out on the street if not for Tracy and Laura putting in a good word for her. Elizabeth said she was surprised about Tracy, and Portia said she was ready to prove they were right. Elizabeth asked if she’d gotten quality time with Isaiah, and Portia said things were easy with him and she didn’t have to live up to impossible standards. It had been a long time since she felt comfortable with someone.

Curtis said he didn’t want to force Portia, but didn’t have any choice, and Alexis said he had choices, but kept circling back to the same one. A court order would make it worse and if it was his baby, he’d be setting the tone of how he’d deal with Portia until the child was an adult, litigating every aspect of her life. She’d done it twice and it wasn’t a template he wanted to set.

Lucas said he hadn’t known Portia was back, and Isaiah was surprised he hadn’t heard the whispers. Lucas said personal relationships were tricky at work. If Isaiah needed a sounding board, he was there. Isaiah said there were no issues so far. He hoped that translated to raising the child.

Chase said someone shot the congressman and framed Willow, and Brook said she was found not guilty. What did he stand to gain? He said Michael was the likely suspect and was free, but she said there was a list of suspects, but he was locked in to Michael and not seeing clearly.

Kai told Trina that he realized Drew wasn’t the man he thought, but he was still a human being, and Trina said they did what they could to expose Willow. Now it was out of their hands. Kai said she did what she could. He’d stopped her from calling 911 and insisted they stay quiet. By the time they came forward, it was too late, and that was on him. Now it was on him to keep Drew safe. She said Willow was dangerous. She’d shot her husband and they didn’t know what else she was capable of. Willow walked in from the back.

Ric told Molly not to take Cody’s silence to mean it was over, but if she wanted to reconcile, she had to take the first step. Maybe he should take his own advice. After his ashwagandha adventure, he was grateful to be alive and told Elizabeth that he’d lied about representing Willow pro bono. She was happy he’d told her the truth, but they had a good friendship opportunity, and he didn’t want to ruin it by pushing the envelope. Molly said she liked how Elizabeth saw the man he could be. Maybe she could help him see it too.

Elizabeth asked how Portia was feeling, and Portia said it was a way easier pregnancy than with Trina. She’d been a nervous wreck. Curtis had ended their affair, and she was lying to Taggert. This time, everything was out in the open and Isaiah was making everything smooth. Elizabeth asked if Isaiah and Curtis were managing to co-exist, and Portia said true peace wouldn’t come until she took the paternity test. Elizabeth asked what was stopping her, and Portia said she wanted to enjoy the pregnancy this time. She didn’t think this would happen again and didn’t want or need the pressure. Curtis would have to wait.

Curtis told Alexis that he’d put his life on pause because he had two possible futures – one where he was the baby’s father and the other where he wasn’t. Alexis said she advised him to wait. Court was time consuming, laborious, and adversarial. Portia would come around sooner or later. He said later bothered him. He’d waited 20 years to know Trina was his daughter and it was when Portia was forced to tell him. He had the right to have a part in this baby’s life like he did Trina’s. She suggested he communicate with Portia first before doing something drastic.

Lucas said Isaiah seemed unfazed by fatherhood, but Isaiah said he was quietly freaking out. He didn’t want to add to Portia’s stress. It was enough with Curtis being worried the baby was his. He could dictate Portia’s life, or worse, push for full custody. Lucas suggested he keep the peace, and Isaiah said Portia did tell him that Curtis was a good dad to Trina. So if Curtis put his child’s interest first, he knew Portia would appreciate it if he did the same.

Chase said the evidence pointed to Michael, but Brook said it wasn’t enough. Chase asked what more proof she needed to move the needle, and she said it depended on the proof. Both she and Dante acknowledged that Michael was capable of it, but neither of them accepted the likelihood that he did it. Chase walked out and Brook followed.

Michael told Carly and Sonny that if Willow had gotten sole custody, he would have taken the children and left the county. He’d rather be a fugitive than leave the kids with Willow and Drew. Sonny said Michael did what he had to. He had the kids the majority of the time, and Drew’s stroke left him immobile, so he wasn’t a factor. Michael said the kids were asking for their mother. They loved her and wanted time with her. He prayed Willow would be a good mother 40% of the time.

Willow thanked Kai, and he said he and Trina had plans, so she stopped by to help. Willow said she was waiting for a ramp, but until then, it was easier access with Drew through the back. Trina said she’d wait outside, and left. Willow said she was sorry for stepping on Kai’s plans. He had no idea what it meant to have Drew home.

Lucas said it was good to see Portia, who said it was nice to be back. Curtis joined them, nudging Lucas over, and Lucas stepped away. Curtis asked how Portia was, and she said everything was going great. He asked when she planned to take the paternity test.

Jordan said she just wanted Turner to know that Sonny had a way of pulling people in. Her son TJ (who?) had gotten close to him at one point. It was easy to fall under Sonny’s spell, but doing so was a serious mistake. Turner asked if Jordan thought Sonny was cultivating her to protect his son.

Carly wondered what kind of questions Michael was asked, and Michael said about his movements the night of the shooting. She asked if he left out anything, but Michael said the police knew everything. Sonny flashed back to Turner telling him that she wouldn’t personally prosecute Michael, and he said, don’t worry about it. Michael wasn’t going down for this. Brook and Chase walked in.

Trina and Kai went to Alexis’s office and she asked, what happened/ Trina said they were at Drew’s house and Willow brought Drew home. Alexis was surprised Drew wasn’t going to a facility, and Kai said she’d asked him to oversee the medical equipment being installed. Drew would be living at home with her. Alexis said, the woman who tried to kill him was caring for him?

The technician told Willow that they had a database of caregivers, and to call with any questions. She thanked him and he left. She told Drew, alone at last. (Mua-ha-ha!)

Isaiah brought Elizabeth a flower delivery, and the card said, Stay right there – R. Ric walked in and she thanked him for the beautiful flowers. He asked if she was going to give them to a patient or throw them away, but she said they were coming home with her. He asked if she’d have dinner with him, and she said she hadn’t heard from him in months. He said he’d been reevaluating what was important in his life, without the benefits of ashwagandha, and she said she guessed she made the cut. He said he was sorry for the radio silence and asked for a chance to make it up, and she said, name the time and place.

Jordan told Turner that Sonny would do anything to shield his kids. A good rule of thumb was that whatever Sonny advised, do the opposite.  

Curtis said he needed to figure out how to move forward, and Portia said she’d work with him, but was doing what was best for her child. He said he had the right to know if the baby was his, and she said he would. He told her to take the test next week or he’d get a court order and compel her to tell him. Lucas listened in, and Portia said she planned on carrying through the pregnancy on her own terms. If that wasn’t okay, go get his court order.

Sonny said he was just leaving and told Michael to see his mom out. Michael and Carly left, and Brook said she wanted to run something by Sonny about Gio. Sonny and Brook left and Chase saw Michael’s keychain on the table. He flashed back to Molly saying Michael had no means of getting in and it wasn’t a forced entry, and he saw Drew’s key.

Trina wondered why Willow would do this, and Alexis said maybe she felt guilty. She was Drew’s wife and had power of attorney and the final say in medical decisions. Kai said he decided to keep working for Drew, so he still had access, and Alexis said Drew was still Scout’s father. Be careful and keep an eye on things. Kai said he would, and Alexis said they’d both learned their lesson the night Drew was shot. If they saw anything, don’t wait, and come to her immediately.

Willow said she’d been counting the minutes. Dreaming about this moment where it was just them, no distractions. Could he hear her clearly? Drew blinked, and she said, good, and tucked his hands under the blanket. She said sometimes she felt like he just talked over her. She guessed she could say he was her captive audience now. He had to listen to her now and should know it was her. She was the one who shot him.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At the hospital, Elizabeth tells Britt that she has patients waiting, and Dr. Rand… Britt says she knows she had patients waiting. She’s a doctor and always has patients waiting. Elizabeth isn’t her supervisor and needs to stop ordering her around and policing her movements. Elizabeth tells her that what she was going to say was that Dr. Randolph is looking for her. Dr. Randolph is Chief of Staff, and unlike her, is Britt’s supervisor. Should she tell Dr. Randolph that Britt is late because she’s moonlighting at Windymere?

At the gym, Kristina thanks Jacinda for joining her, and Jacinda thanks her for the invitation. She’s been meaning to check out this teacher. Everyone at Aurora keeps buzzing about her flow class recently. Kristina says, Rya is the best. She’s so glad they got in the class because it fills up. Jacinda says, so she’s a front row regular. What’s so special about this class? Kristina says, never the front row. (Same.) She can’t take the pressure. But Michael was the one who actually told her about the class. Jacinda says, he doesn’t strike her as the yoga type, and Kristina says, it takes effort, but he manages to find his zen. If she likes the class, they could go together. Jacinda says she’d love that. Michael is always busy. Kristina says, now that the kids will have more time with Willow, she’s sure Michael’s schedule will lighten up and he’ll have more time, and Jacinda says, since when are the kids spending more time with Willow?

Chase is in the nook, when he hears Dante calling for Rocco. Dante comes in and asks if Chase has seen Rocco. He’s got to get him to GH for his community service. Chase says he’s sorry, but he hasn’t. Before Dante goes, he’s curious how the follow-up questions went with Michael.

In the solarium, Michael looks at a picture of Wiley and Amelia on his phone, when Brook comes in. She says, it was a little tense with him and Chase earlier, and they hug. He says, yeah. He’s trying not to let it affect the rest of the family, but he doesn’t think he’s pulling it off. He knows it’s been affecting her. Sorry. She says, he can’t take that on. She’s fine, but if in the future she’s not, she’ll let him know. He says he appreciates it, and she says, Uncle Sonny told her that he had news regarding the kids. He says he has to let them know they can start seeing their mom again.

Willow says she can’t tell Drew what it feels like to finally say it out loud, to finally say it to him. I shot you, Drew – twice – in the back. She still has a hard time believing she did it. Even though she learned how to use a gun at Dawn of Day, she never thought she’d touch one again. She didn’t know there was a part of her capable of hurting someone like that. She’s a mother and a nurse, committed to helping people. She does what she can to help people heal, but that night she realized she had no other choice. It was the only way she’d ever really be free – of him.

Britt says, Elizabeth knows about her being Windymere’s doctor? and Elizabeth says, Dr. Jones mentioned she was working as their concierge doctor. Britt says, let her guess. Lucas snowshoed over here as fast as he possibly could just to tell her that, but Elizabeth says, no. They were just talking about the storm, and he said the two of them barely made it off Spoon Island. Britt says, yes. It was a rough ride, but she made it back shore to before the storm got bad. She’s been moonlighting as a private doctor because it turns out getting her life back in order after coming back from the dead is expensive. Sorry she jumped down Elizabeth’s throat earlier. She overreacted. Elizabeth says, apology accepted, and Britt leaves.

Brook says she thought the visitation hearing wasn’t until next week, and Michael says, there’s not going to be a hearing. They came to an agreement on their own. It’s going be a 60/40 custody split. Brook says, wow. Okay. She wasn’t expecting him to say any of that. All right. She assumes the 60 is time with him. He says, yeah, and she says he doesn’t seem happy. Why did he agree to it? He says he’d rather lose 40% now than go to court and risk losing everything.

Jacinda says, so Michael agreed to let Wiley and Amelia spend 40% of the time with Willow before the visitation hearing? and Kristina says, yeah. Sorry she just blurted it out like that. She assumed Michael told her. Jacinda says, he hasn’t told her anything, and Kristina says she’s sure he didn’t get a chance to yet. Jacinda says, or he’s mad at her and just needs to find his zen before they talk face to face, and Kristina asks why Michael would be mad at her. Jacinda says, when Willow threatened to expose her laundry list of crimes and indiscretions to the family court judge, what if she was using it to back Michael into a corner? She could be forcing him to give up custody of his kids because of her.

Dante says, Chase was demoted because of his involvement in this case. Now he was asking about Michael. Does he really think he should be doing that? Chase says he may have gotten demoted, but he still cares about justice being served. Or does that not count for anything because he’s just a beat cop and Dante now outranks him. Dante says, come on. They’re equals. They’re at home and there are no ranks. And Michael lives here, so when they walk through the door, they’re not suspects, they’re family. Chase says, in an ideal world, that’s how they’d handle it, but the fact remains that Drew’s shooter is still walking around. He hopes if evidence surfaces that shows Michael had something to do with the shooting, Dante won’t do anything to shield him. Dante says, if evidence surfaces for any suspect, he’ll follow it to the letter of the law. Rocco comes in, and Dante asks if he’s got everything he needs. Rocco says, yep, and Dante says, all right. Let’s get out of here. Dante and Rocco leave, Chase looks at Drew’s key on Michael’s key ring, and leaves.

Willow says she knows Drew must have a lot of questions. She’ll do her best to answer them. After she found out about him and her mother, she felt the need to get away. Yes, it was a major shock and a huge betrayal. She thought it was something she could recover from, but she needed to do it alone, without him hovering, and honestly she needed to take a step back and breathe. She was concerned about getting her children. She was living with Elizabeth, working, and doing everything possible to show the court that she was a stable, loving mother who deserved her children, but she just had one problem that would not go away. And yes, she knows he would have helped her with it, but you see, he was the problem. She begged him to leave her alone, but he wouldn’t listen. If she couldn’t get him to leave her alone, she knew she’d never have a chance at getting her children back. And he knew that. He knew what Michael’s terms were and just wouldn’t back off. Something had to change. She was desperate and didn’t know what to do, so she went to the Quartermaine’s and got the gun from Edward’s study. She flashes back to that, and says she didn’t know if she could bring herself to use it. She just knew she needed to have something, some way to get free. She really scared herself that day. She was going to lose her kids, maybe forever. She would have done anything not to cross that line… but then Judge Haran was murdered.

Rocco and Dante arrive at the hospital, and Elizabeth says she’ll get Rocco signed in. Britt comes by and asks when Dr. Navarro is available for a consult. Her patient needs… Rocco! How’s community service going? Rocco says, so far so good. He thinks he’s getting the hang of it. He likes helping patients. Britt says, great to hear. Maybe he’ll be a doctor someday. He says, maybe, if the NHL turns him down, and Britt says, that reminds her. Her mother bought tickets for his next game, so she’ll be in the stands. She’ll try to keep her mother under control, but she already has a foam finger, so she can’t make any promises. Elizabeth says she’ll get Rocco set up with his assignment, and he thanks her. He says, it’s nice to see Britt again, and Dante tells him to text him or his mother when he’s done. Rocco leaves with Elizabeth, and Britt says, great kid. No surprise the patients love him. Dante asks how far Britt thinks she can push him.

Kristina says, Willow’s not above blackmail or much else, but Jacinda isn’t the reason Michael decided to share custody. Jacinda says, really? Because the fact he’s dating a former escort with a criminal record definitely won’t help in front of a judge. It would make sense that Michael tried to cut a deal before the visitation hearing to avoid having to explain her. Kristin says, Michael would never let himself be bullied by Willow or anyone else when it comes to his children. He obviously cares about her, and she told Jacinda that she’s really good for him. Jacinda says she appreciates that, but they both know if she ends up being a problem for Michael in the eyes of the court, he’ll have to rethink their relationship. Maybe being with her is more trouble than it’s worth. Boyle comes in and says he thought that was Jacinda. It’s been a while.

Brook says, the judge might give Willow visitation, but the court already gave him full custody. Why did he think he was at risk of losing his kids? Michael says, because circumstances have changed. Willow was cleared of Drew’s shooting. She’ll likely be back to work at the hospital soon. On paper, she’s perceived as a suitable parent. Brook says, so? He’s better that that. He’s a great dad on paper and in real life. He says, for now, and she says he thinks he’s going to be arrested and charged in Drew’s shooting, doesn’t he?

Willow asks if Drew remembers tracking her down at the hospital the night he was shot, and he blinks once. She says, he interrupted her conversation with Chase. He was doing that thing he always does when he’s threatened by something, anything. She flashed back to Chase saying he knows she’s a great mom and the court will see that too, and Drew saying, thank you so much for your expert opinion, Detective Chase, but how they get Willow’s kids back is up to them. In the present, she tells Drew that Chase talked to Judge Haran for her. He told her that she was the to getting her kids back. If she showed that she was stable and working, she could get her kids back without Drew’s money, power, or congressional influence, because she was enough without him. She hadn’t been told she was enough for anything in so long… and then Judge Haran was dead. She was the woman who gave her a lifeline to her kids without him and she was gone. She leans closer and asks if Drew killed her. Or did he have someone else do it? Drew blinks once.

Outside, Chase looks around, then tries several keys in the backdoor.

Willow says she knows he’s capable of killing Judge Haran. He’s capable of anything, as long as it can keep her dependent on him. Because that’s what the whole thing has been about, manipulating her and using her children in any way he needed to keep her needing him and tied to him. All of that ends now.

Britt asked how she was pushing Dante by going to a hockey game, cheering, and drinking a gallon of hot chocolate just to stay warm, and he says, Rocco doesn’t need her support. In fact, he can’t think of any instance where she should pursue any kind of relationship with his son. She says she’s confused. She thought they’d all come to a truce between Mayor Collins and Nathan tag teaming to play peacemaker with her mother. She doesn’t understand where all this energy is coming from. He says, she doesn’t? She stole seven months of his son’s life and doesn’t have the tiniest clue? Britt says, it’s ancient history. Rocco seems to be thriving despite a few situations that can be chalked up to being 15. And Dante seems to be doing okay too – Mr. Acting Commissioner – so she doesn’t understand why he’s up in her face. He says, she doesn’t care, does she, about what she’s done or who she’s hurt, and she says she’s not defending the hurtful things she’s done, but in this case, she’s defending the outcome. His beautiful boy is in this world because she brought him here. So yes, Rocco is going to be curious about her. She knows he might hate this, but she actually thinks Rocco kind of likes her. He says, because Rocco doesn’t know the real her. The one who uses and manipulates people, something she’s not going to get the chance to do with his son because she’s not going to be in Rocco’s life. She doesn’t deserve to be. She says, maybe not, but Rocco’s not a little boy anymore. He gets to choose who he lets into his life, not Dante.

Boyle says he contacted Jacinda’s agent, who said she was still on hiatus. He was hoping maybe they could get dinner sometime. Kristina says, they’re heading into yoga class, so… and he says, far be it from him to keep them from their fitness regime. Jacinda is more than welcome to bring her friend to dinner. Jacinda says her friend isn’t interested in dinner. This is Kristina Corinthos-Davis. Boyle says, oh, sorry. He didn’t even recognize her, but the offer still stands for dinner with them both. He likes to keep in touch with his constituency. So… Okay. He’s going to hit the weights. It may surprise them, but this – he indicates his dad bod – doesn’t happen on its own. Good to see her. He leaves, and Kristina says, that guy is just so… She feels like she wants to take a shower before class. Is Jacinda ready to go in? Jacinda says, give her a minute. She’s not quite done with him yet.

Michael tells Brook that Diane thinks there’s an excellent chance he’ll be charged in Drew’s shooting. If that happens, his standing in family court will be severely weakened to say the least. Willow could even file for emergency custody. Brook says, and there’s a good chance she’d get it, and he says, yeah. She says, he probably blames Chase for his part in Willow’s exoneration, and he says he definitely doesn’t agree with the choices Chase has made and thinks his loyalty to Willow is incredibly misguided, but he’d never blame her for Chase’s actions. Brook wonders if she can ask him something, and he says, yeah, of course (🍷). She asks if he’s concerned about the kids well-being when they’ll be with Willow. Is he worried about their safety? He says he’s questioned Willow’s priorities since all this began, especially in regard to Drew, but now Drew had a stroke and he’s incapacitated. She says, so he’s not a danger to the kids for the moment, and Michael says he still has misgivings about Willow. If it was up to him, he wouldn’t allow her to see the children at all, but he thinks right now a 60/40 split is the best option he has.

Willow says, if it had just been her he was manipulating, she probably could have detached herself enough to keep thing from escalating to this point, but it wasn’t. He used her kids to hold on to her and hurt them in the process. He twisted Wiley up more than once and had him in tears. She is his mother. Did he think she’d just forget that or did he think she saw it the same way he did, her children as collateral damage, a means to an end.

Chase slips inside and looks at the key. (I’m surprised the key isn’t in the credits at this point. Have one on me. 🍷)

Willow says she trusted Drew wanted what was best for her and her kids. When she flew to Germany, he said he supported her, but he sabotaged her. She flashes back to telling Michael that she spoke to the receptionist in person. She said he didn’t want to see her and should send her away. Michael says, no, that never happened. He’d never say anything like that. He was alone and in pain and missing his family. He would have loved to see her. In the present, she tells Drew that he paid off the receptionist and made her say Michael didn’t want to see her, didn’t he? and he blinks once. She says, then he set up Wiley, her sweet, little boy, to hear that his father didn’t want him anymore. She remembers telling Michael that either Wiley misconstrued something he or someone in his family said or he was making this up to turn her against Drew. She tells Drew that he knew it would make Michael furious and he knew she would defend him because he knew she could never have imagined he’d do something so hateful. She throws a tray across the room, and it crashes, scattering everything. She says he never loved her and never loved her kids. He just wanted to have her to get back at Michael and the Quartermaines for pushing him out of their family. So he systematically destroyed every part of her life, so she was isolated and had nothing but him. And that’s why she shot him. Her only regret is that he didn’t die. Chase calls to Willow and says he heard a crash. Is she okay?. He walks in.

Chase asks if Willow is okay, and she says, sorry. She’s fine. She accidentally knocked over a tray. She guesses she’s emotional and ended up scaring all three of them. Chase says he’s sure she is. How could she not be. She asks if she left the front door unlocked, and he says she must have. He heard she was bringing Drew home and he wanted to check on both of them. She tells Drew, that’s nice of him, isn’t it? and Drew blinks once. She suggests she and Chase go into the living room and let Drew get some rest. Coming from the hospital and getting him here has taken a lot out of him. Chase says, yeah, sure. He hopes Drew makes a swift recovery. He knows Willow is taking great care of him. Willow says she’ll be right back. Get some rest. She kisses Drew on the cheek and follows Chase out, stopping to glare at Drew from the doorway. (I am loving this Willow.)

Brook tells Michael, from the kids’ perspective, this is great news. She knows how much they’ve been missing their mom. He says, they have, but he just didn’t want it to turn into an endless back and forth between him and Willow. He doesn’t want his kids to be stuck in the middle of a tug of war between their parents like he was. She says, don’t let them be. She understands why he feels like he made a huge concession and conceded a ton of territory to Willow, but he can’t look at it that way. He asks how he’s supposed to look at it, and she says, like he’s giving the kids something they desperately want. He’s helping them reclaim their relationship with their mom, who they love and miss and need in their lives. To a degree that’s heathy and safe, of course (🍷), which is a lot easier to manage now that Drew is out of the picture. He says he just doesn’t want his anger to impact the kids, but she says, it won’t. He’s a great dad and will put his kids first. She’ll help him.

Jacinda tells Boyle that she’s sorry Kristina was so abrupt. She’s actually really nice. He says he’s sure she has he famed Corinthos charm just like her father. He’s so sorry for putting her on the spot mentioning her agent. It was indiscreet of him. He knows her privacy is important to her. She says, his is important to him too, and he says, and she’s always been respectful of it. He appreciates that and he meant what he said. Now that they shared the delightful experience of testifying in court, what was between them is out in the open. He was thinking they could grab dinner and they could be out in the open too.

Dante says, Britt isn’t getting it. It’s not just about her past. They both know she is a danger right here, right now. As far as her faking her death, no one was buying that she was living in Croatia making exfoliants and taking a spa day on her off time. Britt says she’s trying to rebuild her life, and he says, that’s great. Do it. Just keep his son out of it. Rocco being a part of her life could get him killed. Just being near her puts him at risk. She says, think what he wants of her, but she’d do anything to protect Rocco, and he says, that’s great. Start by staying away from him.

Michael and Brook sit in the solarium with the kids, and Brook says they have good news. Michael says, they get to see mommy again, and Wiley says, when? Michael says, they’re still figuring that part out, but it will be soon, and Wiley tells Amelia that they get to see mommy. He asks if the judge won’t be mad at mommy, and Brook says, the judge isn’t mad at anyone. She’ll be really happy that mommy and daddy made a compromise and will both get to see them. Wiley says, Aunt Tracy said, never compromise but… Michael says, as wise as Aunt Tracy is, sometimes it’s good to compromise, especially when it helps the people you love. Brook says, with compromise, everyone gives a little and gets a little back. That way, no one’s left out. Wiley says, mommy’s not left out? and Michael says, mommy’s not left out anymore. Wiley hugs him.

Chase tells Willow, sorry about bursting in like that. When he heard the crash, he thought Drew might have fallen or that she needed help. Willow says, no, it’s okay. It was just nice that he came over. She guesses she’s a little overwhelmed, which is strange. She’s used to dealing with patients in situations like this. He says, it’s got to be difficult when the patient is your husband, and she says, it is. It’s a lot for her brain to process. How did this happen? How did they end up here? He says, this, all this, it’s on Michael, and she says she doesn’t know if he heard, but they came to an agreement. The kids get to stay with her, and she gets to see them 40% of the time. He says, that’s great. The kids will be so happy. But he doesn’t think she should trust Michael.

Jacinda tells Boyle that her plans are kind of up in the air right now, so she’s not exactly free to say yes to dinner. Possibly her schedule will clear up in a month or two. He says, cool. Okay. So what does she want him to do? Contact her agency? She says, no. Call her directly. She’ll give him her personal number. He says, personal number? Yeah. Okay. Kristina watches them.

Elizabeth asks if the coast is clear, and Dante says he guesses it is – for now. He guesses she’s surprised he and Britt got into it. She says she had a feeling it was headed in that direction, and he thanks her for getting Rocco out of here. She says she totally understands that Britt can be triggering – let her count the ways – but is that part of the reason Britt got under his skin today? He says he doesn’t know. He feels like he’s watching a car crash in slow motion. His son is about to get hurt and there’s nothing he can do to get him out of the way.

Britt runs into Rocco and he asks if she even likes hockey. She says, that’s the one with the balls and sticks and the shoes you have to rent, right? and he says, yes. Those are part of hockey. You nailed it. Britt says she doesn’t know much about hockey, but she does try to stay open to new things. He says he knows how busy she is. Don’t feel like she has to come to the game.  

Dante says, no matter how much he hates it, Rocco is curious about Britt, and he wants to get to know her and he likes her. Elizabeth says, and he hates that, and he says, of course (🍷). When he sees Britt, he sees a threat and he doesn’t think that’s going to change. Elizabeth says, what Britt did to him and Lulu was horrific, but people do change. Personally, she has no use for Britt, but some people in town do, people she likes and respects. People who’ve grown to trust Britt. He says, like Jason? and she says, yes. Jason is one of them, but it does seem like Britt has reformed and she’s always been an excellent doctor. He asks if Elizabeth would trust Britt with her kids, and Elizabeth tells him that she’ll say this. She didn’t think Britt would knowingly put anyone’s kids in danger, least of all Rocco. He says, that doesn’t make him feel any better, and she says she wishes it did. He says he does appreciate her keeping an eye on Rocco when he’s at the hospital, and she says she’s happy to do it.

Britt says Rocco is right. She’s got a lot of work at the hospital, and she just took another job as a concierge doctor. She’s really busy. She’ll try to make it to the game, but she can’t make any promises. He says, she should work. They’re not that good and she’d be doing all that cheering for nothing. He’ll see her. He starts to leave, but she calls to him. She tells him to wear his mouth guard. She doesn’t want any flying pucks or swinging sticks to ruin that million-dollar smile. He says, yeah, and she says, that’s the one, and Rocco leaves.  

Kristina says, did Jacinda just give her number to Boyle? but Jacinda says, no. It’s nothing like that… She doesn’t know why she was just about to lie. Yes. She gave Boyle her number. Kristina asks, why? He gave her up on the stand. That guy is a walking red flag. Jacinda says, otherwise, he’s been more than decent to her. For the record, she gave him her number, but she gave him no promises. Kristina says, what a relief, but what about the promises to her brother? and Jacinda says she hasn’t made any and Michael hasn’t made any to her. Kristina says she’s just a little confused. She thought things with Jacinda and Michael were good. Jacinda says, as far as she knows, they are. Thanks to Kristina’s brother, she has a pretty great life right now, but who knows how long it will last? Kristina says she doesn’t know what Jacinda means, and Jacinda says, it’s just that there are no guarantees. Boyle is probably a good person, so she’s staying in touch just in case. Kristina says she thinks Jacinda is drastically underestimating Michael. Even if they broke up tomorrow, she’d still have her job at Crimson. Jacinda says, until Willow forces Michael’s hand because she doesn’t want some hooker around her kids or her mother’s place of business. She has to prepare for the worst-case scenario since it always happens. Kristina says she looks forward to Michael proving Jacinda wrong.  

Michael tells Wiley, time for homework. Where’s his backpack? Wiley says, maybe he left it in the nook, and Michael says, check. Then they’ll get to work. Wiley says, okay, and runs out. Michael says he can’t thank Brook enough, and she says she was just here for moral support. Michael says, here’s to hoping he made the right call – time for everyone – and she says he’s doing the best he can for his kids. As a parent, it’s all he can do, right?

Chase puts the keys on the floor in the nook and Wiley sees.

Willow tells Drew, it was nice of Chase to stop by and check on them, wasn’t it? He wished Drew a speedy recovery and he meant it because he’s a kind and generous person. And even though he hates Drew for what he’s done to her – and Chase does hate him – he’s able to put all that aside, but she just couldn’t. She doesn’t know if he’ll find this a consolation, but he didn’t have a stroke. She drugged him with this medicine – she shows him the vial – and as long as he receives his regular dosage, he’ll stay just like this, and she needs him to stay just like this because she needs to make sure that he never has power over her, or anyone, again. But that’s going to take time and effort on her part. She shows him the syringe and approaches the bed. She says, until then, his money, connections, and the power of attorney he signed over to her, are all going to help her forge a new life for herself and for her children that’s all hers. A life where she’s in control. He didn’t leave her a choice, and she swears she tried really hard to come up with one. This was only way back into her children’s lives. She puts the contents of the syringe into his IV and says, so for now, she needs him to stay on this medication.

On Monday, Laura tells Chase and Dante that Anna isn’t coming back as Police Commissioner; Valentin says Carly always knows the right buttons to push; and Felicia tells Jason that she has a message for him from Anna.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

This could definitely be good if she tortures him for a while.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-willow-confesses-she-doesnt-necessarily-feel-proud-says-katelyn-macmullen-excl/

Everyone should have a side gig.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-ryan-paevey-shares-a-special-look-into-his-personal-life-with-fans/

This was never a regular show for me, but he was in one of my favorite kick boxing videos.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-stars-remember-kristoff-st-john-on-the-anniversary-of-his-passing/

I don’t think any of us expected it to ever happen.

https://ew.com/susan-lucci-recalls-stunned-disbelief-when-she-won-first-daytime-emmy-after-18-losses-11898932

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

The beginning was basically an introduction to the crew. There were familiar faces – Daisy as chief stew, deckhand João, and my favorite chef, Chef Ben. I tuned in late and someone was crying already, but I didn’t even know everyone’s names yet, much less why there was crying so soon. It was the crossover with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and So. Very. Noisy. Ben was very restrained, especially since his sous chef Alesia seems like an idiot. For me, the less time spent in the kitchen the better, but even I knew more. One of the deckhands said the guests sounded like the group at his local pub, but Daisy summed it up best when she said, these bitches are next level delulu.

The new cast.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-down-under-season-4-cast-official-bios-photos-details

Summer House

I immediately found it depressing that, at their age, this group was still gathering for summer parties that always ended up both literally and figuratively messy. You could smell the break-up brewing between Kyle and Amanda. The best thing about the episode was the party theme, a carnival that included a petting zoo. I just hope the animals got to safety before beer cans were crushed against foreheads. This show is just sad anymore.

Vanderpump Rules

This was even worse than Summer House. They’re the right age for messy parties and lives, but that’s about all that’s going on with them. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about Shayne breaking up – if that’s what they want to call it – with Angelica. After her initial immature reaction, they were still walking down the aisle in her head. Girl, when they guy says he’s not good enough for you, believe him. Luckily, it was World Dog Day and LVP gave a speech. She said she knew the names of all the dogs who walked by, but not the owners. Same. Tom Schwartz also made an appearance.

Southern Charm

Salley is an agent of chaos all right, but Craig isn’t much better. I just don’t get the constant rivalry Craig feels for Austen. But then again, I don’t get what all the girls see in Austen. The dating style of this group is very high school, but it might have something to do with the small pool. They need to get out once in a while. Madison managed to.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Dorit is an idiot who’s become even more insufferable now that she’s sans PK. Her pearl clutching faces make me want to scream. I’m no Amanda fan, but I had to agree when she said she wanted to get through a dinner without being verbally accosted by Dorit. The others actually disagreed, but why shouldn’t she want one freaking dinner in peace? But when Amanda asked for that, Dorit pivoted to Amanda having once been in a cult. Not only did this have nothing to do with the topic at hand, but it was also Dorit’s attempt to out Amanda. They all made it sound like it was a big secret, and Kyle called it a deep dive. It’s not very deep when it’s right there on Google. Dorit found it on a public blog, so… Poor Rachel broke down, dealing with the viralness of her upcoming divorce, but she still managed to be the voice of reason.

The Valley: Persian Style

Sky insisted on going home, so Bamshad had to follow, but she wasn’t happy with his lack of support as she cursed everyone out. She insisted she’s not snobby, but in the next breath said everyone was beneath her. 🤯 Golnesa was still looking at houses beyond her means, and realized she’d have to rely on Dennis once more. He seems surprisingly easy-going about her tirades. Mercedeh is now working for Mauricio, who still manages to pop up everywhere on Bravo. He does seem like he’d be a good boss though. Tanin hosted a girls night where there was lots and lots of wonderful food, and RJ hosted a boys night that Reza described as minimal and broke down. In their interview, Adam said, it was definitely girls night for the win.

Random Reality Items

Say no more – I’m in!

So does this mean they won’t be acting like high schoolers or are they just taking that act to the city?

Good for her. And I don’t hate a Kinder-Bueno.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Wicked Little Letters. Hulu. I loved this movie. Based on a true story, the town saint begins to get anonymous letters of a profane nature. The town free spirit is immediately suspected, even thought the two were once friends. Funny AF, but also poignant without going to the cornfield. It was one of those movies where I couldn’t stop smiling.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. HBO/MAX. This was an excellent film. I wouldn’t quite call it horror, although it was a bit like Polanski’s Repulsion. Or maybe even Rosemary’s Baby. It was ultimately about a woman not being heard. A lot of the protagonist ’s angst comes from a parenting standpoint, but even though I’m only parent to four-legged creatures, I identified. Rose Byrne was amazing, leading the cast, as were Conan O’Brien as her therapist and A$AP Rocky as a friend she meets along the way.

https://www.polygon.com/if-i-had-legs-id-kick-you-hbo-max/

Falling Skies. Netflix. This is not a new series, but it’s new to Netflix and was new to me. Aliens aren’t on my short list of genres, except for the original V, but it still involved an apocalypse of sorts, so I was like, why not? The cast is good, the story’s not awful, and the effects are adequate. But I just kept wondering, if this life is so intelligent, why are they clunking around in armor that just seemed to get in the way of any movement? It’s also not clear why these monsters are here, although I assume all will be revealed. I haven’t finished watching it yet, but I’m in for the rest of it. I like having a series on tap that I can throw in on a Sunday night.

https://movieweb.com/falling-skies-stream-netflix-january-2026-sci-fi-action/

The rest of my line-up included Fallout on Amazon Prime (only one more episode… sniff…), The Beauty on Hulu (doling episodes out like methadone), and Beyond the Gates on Paramount+ (why did they move People’s Court to 2 pm?).  

🔮 Watch Of the (Near) Future…

Ghouls have hopes too.

https://extratv.com/2026/02/04/fallout-walton-goggins-on-hopes-for-the-ghoul-and-cooper-in-season-3-exclusive/

Bad to the Bowl.

https://people.com/who-is-performing-at-the-2026-super-bowl-11896597

Only watching it for the ads.

https://ew.com/jurassic-park-reunion-super-bowl-sam-neill-laura-dern-jeff-goldblum-exclusive-11896974

Olympic entertainment.

https://ew.com/winter-olympics-2026-performers-11898843

It’s truly a new world. No, really. How did he get this gig?

🏆 Not Your Grammy’s Grammy…

The winners.

https://ew.com/grammy-awards-2026-winners-list-11892584

The best and worst moments.

https://ew.com/grammys-2026-best-worst-moments-11896738

And most important, the fashion.

https://ew.com/grammys-2026-red-carpet-photos-11894866

I actually like Miley Cyrus’s jacket, but it looks cumbersome. And I see Billie Eilish wearing Wednesday.

https://www.purewow.com/news/grammys-red-carpet-fashion

This is just beautiful.

https://www.purewow.com/news/grammys-2026-best-look

🎤 Four-Fifths Of a Reunion…

Just because I like them. Loved the fashion back in the day too.

https://ew.com/spice-girls-reunion-viva-forever-amid-victoria-beckham-family-drama-11900149

🐶 Sunday Goes To the Dogs…

🐕 The competition.

https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/puppy-bowl-2026-photos-see-adorable-shelter-dogs-competing-year

🐾 Meet the players.

https://www.today.com/video/meet-the-cats-and-pups-of-the-2026-great-american-rescue-bowl-257273413830

🐕‍🦺 Almost as good as when the Golden Retriever peed in the ring at Westminster. The audience applauded and a good time was had by all except the handler, who was mortified.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/06/entertainment/video/puppy-bowl-puppies-john-berman-vrtc-digvid

🐩 Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Puppy Bowl, including past Bowls.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl

🥇 Best Of the Best…

Last, but not least – God loves a terrier.

https://ew.com/westminster-dog-show-catherine-ohara-best-in-show-tribute-11899177

🎺 Quotes of the Week

Our ancestors achieved far more with far less. – Kristian Smith

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. – Anais Nin

Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. – Franz Kafka

You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it. – Robin Williams

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. – Warren Buffett

Kites rise highest against the wind—not with it.Winston Churchill

I just want to eat shrimp and die alone. – Bailey Taylor, Summer House

The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. Please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. – Bad Bunny, Grammy Awards

So Sabrina Carpenter releases a dove, and everyone is up in arms, yet it’s okay for several poor groundhogs to be yanked from their hibernation for no reason whatsoever. Priorities.

🥶 Getting Cold Feet…

Until next time, stay safe; stay keeping your faucets dripping if it’s below freezing; and stay leaving other people’s keys alone.

December 19, 2024 – Curtis Confronts Drew, New Girlfriend, Missed New York, Charming Dog Party, Little Craig’s First Birthday & More Wrapping

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada on Fridays; the other days, who knows?)

General Hospital

Isaiah is in the steam room when Jordan comes in. She asks what he’s doing in here.

Brook and Gio wrap gifts, and Brook wonders if she went overboard, but Gio says, there’s no such thing as too many presents. And no matter how many presents Scout and Danny get, they’ll still miss their mom.

Sasha is at a table in the nook, when Jason walks in with a plate. Without looking up, she says, put it down. Does he like it when someone does his job? Leave the plate. He wisely puts it down and asks if she’s coming up with new stuff. She says, she’s figuring out how to repurpose leftovers so she can serve the same food twice and no one thinks she’s slacking. He says he doesn’t think anyone would, and she asks if he’s met Tracy. He says, point taken. He wanted to thank her for having snacks available for the kids. Danny and Scout don’t have much of an appetite. Sasha says, they lost their mom. It’s the least she can do. Since he’s here, she wants to say thank you. He says, for what? and she says she owes him her life.

Willow comes into Nina’s apartment, and Nina says she probably over did it with the decorations. Willow says, she can’t believe Nina did this for the kids, but Nina says she did it for Willow too. And that’s not all she did.

Tracy opens the door to Martin, who says he’s here for Michael. She asks what business he has with Michael, and he says, confidential business. She says, Michael’s not here. He can leave the paperwork with her. He says he can’t do that.

Drew goes into his office and finds Curtis there. Curtis asks, what brings him by? and Drew says, the stock is plummeting. What is Curtis doing about it? Why doesn’t he seem concerned that Drew’s company is in trouble?

In the Wellness Center gym, Michael looks at the press release from Aurora Media on his tablet. Chase comes in and asks if Michael is okay. Michael asks why he wouldn’t be, and Chase says, what happened at the party was rough. Michael says, it wasn’t the happiest Quartermaine gathering, and Chase says he’s sorry for what Michael is going through. Michael says, Chase is being generous considering Michael did to Chase what Drew is doing to him.

Josslyn sees Cameron in Rice Plaza.

Isaiah says he didn’t expect to see Jordan, and Jordan says she didn’t expect to see him in the women’s steam room. He says, oh my God. He swears he saw the sign… He’s just going to go. He tries to open the door, but it’s stuck. Jordan says, you’ve got to be kidding me.

Tracy asks if Martin is trying to save money on a process server. She figures he’s here to serve Michael papers. He says he’s sorry, but he’s not at liberty to discuss it, and she asks if she can make a guess. She thinks Michael’s faithless wife retained him, along with her barracuda of a mother. He repeats that he’s not at liberty to discuss it. Tracy tells him to take a message back. Going against Michael is going against the entire Quartermaine family. Martin says, she sounds over rehearsed. Does she say that to the pizza delivery boy on Thanksgiving? She says, a word of advice. Tell the harlots he’s working for to raise the white flag. He asks why he would do that, and she says, because smarter and richer people have gone against the Quartermaines and they always end up victorious.

Michael says he guesses turnabout is fair play, but Chase says he doesn’t see it that way. He never did. Michael says, he loved Willow and supposes that’s why he justified her being with Drew, and Chase says, what he did was misguided, but he’s a good guy and no one deserves to go through what he’s going through. If Michael wants to talk, he’s here. Michael says he might take Chase up on it, but now he has to figure out what’s next.

Curtis says, the stock price is already stabilizing, and Drew says, the quarterly report was released early. How could Curtis let that happen? Why isn’t he doing something? Curtis asks why he should do anything, and Drew says, it’s his job. Curtis says, sounds like a job for a CEO. Isn’t Drew replacing him with Michael?

Nina says, it might seem like she overstepped, but she retained Martin Grey as Willow’s attorney. He filed for a legal separation from Michael. Willow says she wishes Nina had talked to her first, and Nina says, they’re talking now. They have to be proactive. No one knows better than she does that Michael’s family will be. Time is not on their side. Willow says, it’s been one day, and Nina says, a lot can happen. Michael will be represented by Diane Miller and she’s the best. He’ll probably want full custody. Willow says, no. Michael knows the children belong with her. When it comes to the kids, they’ll find a way to compromise. Nina says, Michael is a Quartermaine and a Corinthos, and they never compromise.

Josslyn asks when Cameron got in, and he says, today. He’s just passing through to wish everyone a merry Christmas. His mom nearly hugged the life out of him. She says, if he’s just passing through, where is he spending the holidays? He says, Key West, and she says, after all the times he grumbled at her about going to Puerto Rico. He doesn’t deserve a warm Christmas. He says, how about her and Dex? Are they doing anything?…  Is she okay? She says, obviously, he wouldn’t know, but Dex just died.

Brook says, Gio must miss his ma, and he says, she loved to play Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle every year. It’s an Italian Christmas Carol. Brook asks what it means, and he says, you come down from the stars. He’ll play it for her sometime. She says she’d love that. He can tell her that it’s none of her business – not that she doesn’t appreciate the help, which she clearly needs – but why is he home? Doesn’t he have any holiday plans with friends?

Isaiah says, the was fine when he came in, and Jordan says, something must have happened when she shut it. They can’t just stand here like lobsters in a pot. He says, technically, they’re being steamed, not boiled, and she says, help her find something to open the door. He says, they have towels, his workbook, and their hands, and she says, now what? He says, they call for help. They start pounding on the door and yelling.

Jason says, sorry she got caught up with Sidwell, and Sasha says, that was because of her mother. He asks if she’s heard from Holly, and she says, usually she would answer, are you kidding me? but Holly and Robert have been texting her. Sometimes she texts back. He says, they seemed driven to find her, and she says, it’s less trouble to believe that about Robert, who she just met, then her mother, who she’s known her whole life. Her mother had her reasons. He says, parents are human too, and she says, her mother had the good sense to send him to rescue her, so she guesses Holly can’t be all that bad.

Chase says, so Michael doesn’t want to end his marriage? and Michael says he doesn’t. He’s still angry, but the video popped up and his whole family saw it. He never wanted that to happen. He didn’t want Willow to ever know about the video. Chase says, why not? They both have to be honest with each other. Michael says he didn’t want to confront Willow. He was afraid it would blow up his marriage. Now, it may be too late to save it.

Nina tells Willow that Michael has his family – Carly, Sonny, and all the Quartermaines – and they’re all protective of each other and extremely possessive about their children. Willow says she can’t think, but Nina says, that’s what she’s here for and Martin is here for. No matter what it takes or costs, she’ll do everything to make sure the children stay with Willow. She has to remember, she can’t count on anyone in Michael’s family to help her. Willow says, that’s not true. Drew is on her side. Nina tells her that she hates to say it, but Drew really isn’t a man Willow should rely on.

Drew asks what Curtis is talking about, and Curtis asks if he was misinformed. Drew says he was going to put Curtis back in Wellness with a big bump in salary, and Curtis says, that’s generous, especially since Drew knows Aurora thrived under his leadership. Drew says, until today. The stock dive put the company in jeopardy and Curtis did nothing to stop it. Curtis says, so Drew has had zero complaints about his performance until today. Interesting. Drew says, he let it happen on purpose. Was it payback? He’s got to let Curtis go. It’s what’s best for the company. Curtis says, it’s not and Drew can’t do that. In fact, he’s just been promoted.

Cameron tells Josslyn that he’s so sorry. He had no idea. Josslyn says, it just happened last night, and he says he can’t imagine how she’s feeling. She says she wouldn’t want him to, and he says, she’s probably sick of people asking, but how is she doing? She says, right now, she’s putting one foot in front of the other. Dex just graduated from the police academy. He was on duty when he was stabbed. He hugs her and says he’s so sorry.

Jordan and Isaiah continue to bang on the door, and Jordan yells, we’re stuck! Can anyone hear me? On the other side of the door, a woman asks if they need help, and Isaiah says, the door is stuck. It won’t open. She asks if he’s aware he’s in the women’s steam room, and he says, yes. He’s new… Jordan says, they can discuss it later. The woman tries the door and says, yep, it’s stuck. She’ll get help. Jordan says, please turn off the steam… More steam comes in, and Isaiah asks if it’s getting hotter. Jordan says, of course (🍷).

Martin tells Tracy that no one is going to side with a spoiled billionaire against a beautiful, young mother who has survived a cult and cancer. Tracy asks if they’re going to tie her to a railroad track, and he says he supposes a woman as bitter as she is doesn’t understand that optics matter. She says, Willow slept with her husband’s uncle. What jury will find that more sympathetic than a loving father who would do anything for his children? He says, good question, but you know what they say, marriage is complicated. They both know that since they have eight between them. She’s got him beat by two. She says she used to feel sorry for him, but he’s nothing but a vulture, feeding off broken relationships and misery. How does he look in the mirror? He laughs and says, all that from a woman whose only source of joy is to make life miserable for everyone else, and he leaves.

Chase asks why Michael thinks he and Willow don’t tell each other the truth, and Michael says, they’re always trying to protect each other. Chase asks what he’s protecting Willow from, and Michael says, ELQ, Aurora, him going after his dad, him dealing with Nina… Chase says he’s not seeing why it’s worth it to keep secrets, when they could share their burdens, and Michael says he wants Willow to think the best of him. He can’t be honest, and he can’t know for sure, but when Willow sees Drew, she sees someone who won’t lie to her. It’s the one thing that draws her to him.

Curtis tells Drew that there will be a press release soon saying the company has a new majority shareholder, Michael Corinthos, and Michael has named him new permanent CEO affective immediately. Drew says, he and Michael teamed up against him, but Curtis says, they saw an opportunity and took it. Drew says, they manipulated the stock to steal the company from him, but Curtis says, the preliminary report being released was an accident. Drew says he was Curtis’s friend. How could Curtis do this to him? Curtis says, they were friends, until Drew decided to lie to him. Drew says he’s going to find a way to get Curtis removed from the office and the company, and Curtis says, good luck. He already made the mistake of trusting a Quartermaine once. This time, Michael has signed a legal and binding contract to insure he remains CEO of Aurora for five years. It’s in the best interest of the company. Drew says, if it wasn’t so despicable, he might be impressed (yeah, it’s always despicable when it’s not you), and Curtis says, there’s no way he’s letting a Quartermaine take advantage of him again. He refuses to be a pawn in the Quartermaine family games.

Nina says, Diane will use any contact Willow has with Drew to exploit that she slept with him, and Willow says, they didn’t plan it. It happened once. Nina says, that helps, but only if she doesn’t see Drew again. Willow says she and Drew aren’t seeing each other, and Nina says, she can’t see him socially and not privately. She doesn’t want to seem insensitive to Michael’s pain. Willow says, he’s not the only one in pain, and Nina says she knows Willow is hurting. Willow says she meant Drew. (Ugh.) He’s away from his daughter. Nina says she feels bad for Scout, but Drew did this to himself. Willow says, he’s going to be alone on Christmas, and Nina says, maybe he deserves that. Willow says, no one does. That’s why she invited him and Scout over on Christmas Eve.

Cameron says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s happy Josslyn and Dex found each other and had the time they did. Josslyn says she appreciates that, when Gretchen joins them and kisses Cameron on the cheek.

Jordan laughs and says, so this is how they die. Isaiah asks if she’s really worried, and she says, no…  mostly. Isaiah says, she saved him from an assassin, and she says, maybe someone’s trying to take out both of them. Two birds with one steam room. He says, she was a cop and this is how she goes out? and she says she wasn’t just a cop. She was Police Commissioner. He says, his point is, she’s been in more dangerous situations, and she says, how about him? He could say the same, working in war torn countries. This must be a walk in the park. A sweaty, disgusting park. He laughs.

Brook says, Gio is young. He should be out enjoying life. Gio says he is, but between moving here, practice, school, and practice, he doesn’t have much time for friends. She says, change is hard. She’s sure it was hard for his mom, moving to Brooklyn from Italy, but then she met his dad. He asks if she’s saying that he’s going to meet his future wife, and she says, he’d better before her mother finds her for him. She’s not trying to force him, but fair warning, she’s going to be on him. He’s got to get out there. He has a good heart and should share it with others. Corny? He says, yeah, but she sounds just like his mom.

Sasha tells Jason that it would be nice if she could forgive Holly, but she doesn’t know if she’ll ever get there. He says, families are complicated. His is complicated. She says she’s seen photos of him around the house and he looked like a different person. He says he was. That’s part of the reason he keeps his distance. He wouldn’t be here if Danny wasn’t here. She says, one more question. It’s a tough one. She saw a photo of him in a reindeer sweater. Any chance of him wearing it this year? He says, it doesn’t fit, and she says, it stretches. He says he heard, and she says, he’s not going to change his mind. He says, those days are long gone. (I would pay money to see Jason in a reindeer sweater.)

Chase says, Willow is beautiful and trusting and has a big heart, and Michael says, she’s practically perfect. Chase says, she’s not perfect. She’s suffered trauma. She was raised in a cult. Michael says, it took strength to run away from Dawn of Day, and Chase says, people who escape cults don’t trust easily. They put their trust in a rescuer like Drew. It’s easy to forget what she’s been through and put her on a pedestal. Michael says he did put Willow on a pedestal, and Chase says he thinks she did the same to him and Drew. Michael says he thought she was perfect and learned the hard way how wrong he was.

Drew says he brought Curtis in and handed him the Wellness division, and Curtis says, Drew trusted him. Drew says he never stopped trusting Curtis or being his friend, and Curtis says, they see friendship differently. Friends don’t lead each other on and don’t hide the truth. Drew asks why Curtis didn’t talk to him, and Curtis says he tried to, and Drew put him off like a lackey. Like he’s doing now, but refuses to see. Why did he offer Michael the CEO position? Drew says, Michael ran Aurora before and has more C-suite experience, but Curtis says, that’s not the reason. They both know what Drew can’t say aloud, so allow him. Drew offered Michael the job because he was sneaking around with Michael’s wife.

Isaiah tells Jordan that he was in medical school and had no time to eat or sleep. One night, he went to a megastore to stock up on some junk food. He went past the furniture section and saw a comfy recliner. Jordan says, and he was exhausted, so he took it for a test drive, and he says he closed his eyes for one minute and woke up at four in the morning. He was locked inside and had a final the next day. She says, and he had no phone, and he says he did, but… She says, it was dead, and he had to charge it, didn’t he? He says, maybe. He thought about calling the police, the fire department, his med school buddies, anyone who could help. The doors finally opened. She asks how he did on the final, and he says he aced it of course (🍷). She says, of course (🍷).

Cameron introduces Josslyn and Gretchen, and Gretchen says, Cameron told her about Josslyn, Trina and Spencer. Josslyn says she’s lucky she’s got great friends. She assumes they’re going to Key West together. Cameron says, Gretchen’s family has a house on the water. They were getting some last-minute gifts for her parents. Gretchen says, they need to head to the airport. She’s going to go call a Ride Share. She tells Josslyn that it was nice to meet her, and Josslyn says, her too. Gretchen leaves.  

Tracy asks for a word with Jason, and he says, sure. What does she need? She says she’s never made a secret of her dislike of him. He’s a thug, a murderer, and an ingrate. He says, okay, and she says, despite his rejecting the family at every turn, Monica, Alan, and her father loved him. He dismissed that love, and it meant nothing to him. He asks if there’s a point, and she says, yeah. He had no use for the family, but all of a sudden, he feels entitled to live here like nothing happened. He says he’s not entitled. Danny is. Danny needs his family and he’s here for him. And he’s trying to make it work with everyone, even her.

Curtis says, if Drew doesn’t mind, he has a company to run, and Drew says, Curtis may not trust him, but he can’t trust Michael. He has his own agenda. Curtis says he knows. Michael told him. He wanted to bring down the man who seduced his wife. That means he was the only person who had Aurora’s best interest at heart.

Nina tells Willow that when Diane hears she invited the man she committed adultery with to spend Christmas Eve with Michael’s children… Willow says, they’re her children too, and Nina says, they are, but they won’t be much longer if she keeps Drew in her life. Willow says, Scout will be here. Nina will be here. She’ll make sure she’s never alone with Drew. Nina says, she’s trying to think strategically. Willow is in for a very long, brutal battle. Willow says, it is Christmas. Leave the strategies to the lawyers. What she needs from Nina is to be her mom.  

Michael tells Chase that he wants to work things out. Despite everything, he still loves Willow. Chase says, he’s a good father and a loving husband if he chooses to forgive Willow and move past it. Michael says he might forgive Willow someday, but Drew, no. Never. Drew went after his wife, and he’ll never forgive him. Drew is going to pay for blowing up his marriage.

The steam room door opens, and a fireman comes in. He says, they’re free. The wedge was stuck in the door… Deputy Mayor. Jordan says, in the flesh. She thanks him for his help and leaves. Isaiah smiles.

Tracy says, for all her complaints about Jason, she’ll say one thing. He’s exactly who he says he is and never pretends to be anybody else. He asks, why would he? and she says, he’s a hitman and he’s asking, why would he? She vastly prefers his presence to that of his brother’s. He says, thank you? and she says, Drew made a big display of taking the Quartermaine name. Jason rejected it. Irony of ironies, between the hitman and the congressman, Jason has shown himself to be the true member of this family. He says he never thought of it that way, and she says, of course (🍷) he didn’t. He says, now he’s here for Danny. She’s right. He is.

Drew tells Curtis, this is not over. There’s no way he’s letting Curtis steal the company he built from the ground up. He goes out the door, and Curtis says, Drew forgot something. He takes off Drew’s nameplate and hands it to him. He says, Drew is still a minority shareholder and under his leadership, they’ll make great money. Aurora will be booming for the next five years.

Nina says, if Willow really wants it, okay. Drew can bring Scout over for Christmas Eve. Willow says she’ll make sure he knows the ground rules, but Nina says she’ll do it. And they’re going to keep Martin. Once Michael finds out, they’ll need him. Willow says, it will be fine for now, and Nina says she wants to let Willow know that she likes having her here. She’ll always be Willow’s mom and always be her for her. They hug.  

Martin finds Michael on the treadmill, and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Martin hands Michael an envelope and says, he can consider himself served. Martin leaves and Michael looks at the paperwork. It’s a filing for a legal separation.  

Cameron says, have a nice Christmas, and Josslyn tells him the same. They hug, and he tells her, take care. He leaves and Josslyn’s phone dings. She looks at it and says, 24 hours. My first full day without you. She looks up and closes her eyes. When she opens them, she sees Dex in full uniform. He smiles, and she looks around. When she looks back, he’s gone and she’s alone in the Plaza.

Tomorrow, Jack tells Carly that it’s a Christmas miracle; James says he finally has an uncle, so shouldn’t he be here for Christmas; and Willow tells Drew that she’s beginning to feel like she doesn’t know Michael at all.

💝 The Girl Behind Gretchen…

I actually remember Kids Bop. I’m just not sure why.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/who-is-camerons-girlfriend-on-general-hospital

🗽 Back To New York…

Since this wasn’t posted on the night of. TBH, I’ve already forgotten what happened. Except I keep getting reminded about Abe’s d*ck.

👒 Putting On the Dog…

The highlight of this episode was the 13th birthday party for Bella, Rodrigo and Tyler’s dog. Watching them shop for the party made me wish I had a gay best friend. The theme was Doggy Parton and cute dogs in outfits abounded. JT, however, was not invited, even though he could be considered a dog.

It was pretty much unanimous that he did not call Patricia a bitch, as Craig inferred. He also wrote Patricia an apology letter for his cluelessness at the Carolina Cup. In her interview, she said he was like an annoying gnat – agreed! – but letter writing was a lost art, and he did apologize. I’m sure it’s doubtful she’ll be inviting him to her next gentleman’s dinner though.

Madison asked JT to join her for coffee, and in her interview, she said, the last thing she needed was some little weasel in the middle of all this life. Again, agreed. She didn’t mince words, but asked if JT had ever seen her husband and made it clear that there was no world or lifetime in which she and JT would be lovers.

🐶 Little Craig Turns One…

The best thing about Shep.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/shep-rose-dog-lil-craig-first-birthday-southern-charm

❄️ A Woman Made Of Snow…

Join me tomorrow for soap and other matters of importance. Until then, stay safe; stay not overdoing the alcohol at holiday gatherings; and stay being exactly who you say you are and never pretending to be anybody else. Be like Jason.

March 26, 2024 – Jason Breaks His Silence, Tea Is Spilled At TomTom But Sandoval Is Still the Most Awful, Valley Villain & My Girls

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura comes to the PT room to find Curtis doing his leg weights and tells him not to stop on her account. He’s doing great. He says, it’s nothing like his workouts before he got shot, but it does feel good to work up a sweat again. She says she’s so glad. Maybe it’s the music he’s listening to. Send her his playlists when he gets a chance. She doesn’t want to interrupt him, so she’ll let him get back to it. He says, if she needs someone to hang with, she’s more than welcome.

Chase and Brook come out of the hospital elevator, and Chase says he keeps thinking he’s going to walk into Dante’s hospital room and he’s just going to be awake. He never wanted to hear someone’s words so much in his life. She says she knows he’s worried Dante’s condition hasn’t changed, and she is too. It’ll happen. The Dante she knows and loves isn’t a quitter. He says, that is the last word he’d use to describe Dante. Besides, Sam would never let him quit on her. She’s been here around the clock sitting with him. Brook asks if that’s why he didn’t tell Sam that Jason turned himself in. He doesn’t want to distract her? Chase says, Jason Morgan has done enough damage. She’ll find out soon enough. Finn and Gregory come out of the elevator, Gregory heavily leaning on his cane and breathing heavily. Chase asks, what happened?

Michael goes to the penthouse and Ava answers the door. He says he’s there to see his father, and she says, he should have called. She doesn’t know if Sonny wants to see anyone. He says, that’s why he stopped by. He knows the news must have hit Sonny pretty hard. Sonny comes out and says, the news about what?

John goes into Bobbie’s, and Carly asks what she can get him. He says he’s not here for food. He owes her an apology. He suspected she was harboring a fugitive. He was wrong. She asks, what changed his mind? and he says, Jason Morgan is in custody.

An officer brings Jason into the interrogation room where Anna is waiting. He leads Jason to a chair and leaves. Anna says, hello, Jason, and he says, Anna. She says, just to be clear, he’s under no obligation to answer her questions without the benefit of counsel, and he says he understands. She says, but she wanted to see him and ask him face to face. Did he shoot Dante? He says, no, and she thanks him. She says she believes him, but her faith in his innocence isn’t going to do him much good.

Michael says, Sonny doesn’t know? and Sonny says he’s not in the mood to play games right now. Say what he’s going to say and go. Michael says, Jason turned himself in to the cops, and Sonny says, is that all? Michael says, he walked into the PCPD with Diane beside him and turned himself in. The arraignment is already scheduled for tomorrow. They don’t have much time. Sonny says, time for what? and Michael says, to help Jason. Sonny says, Diane’s with him. She’ll do everything she can. Michael says, so that’s it. Sonny’s not going to do anything to help Jason himself. Sonny says, Michael isn’t getting it. Just leave, now. Michael says, no. He’s not going anywhere. Ava looks like she’s watching a tennis match.

Laura asks Curtis if she’s that transparent. She guesses it’s no secret that Heather Webber is having her surgery tonight, and he says, no, it’s not. She says she’s a little concerned about Heather. She doesn’t want to minimize the horrible things Heather has done, but her situation is more complicated than most people realize. He says he’ll take her word for it, and she says she ran into Portia. Portia told her that Curtis was up here exercising, and she realized they hadn’t talked in a long time, so she came to say hi and make sure he’s not being too hard on himself. He says, there’s no such thing. He’s determined to start walking as soon as possible. She says she’s sure he will, and he thanks her. And about his playlist. That wasn’t music he was listening to just now. It was breaking news about Jason Morgan.

Chase asks, what is going on? Is Gregory okay? Gregory says, don’t worry. He’s fine. Chase asks, what happened? Do they need to call a doctor? Finn says he is a doctor. Remember? Chase says he meant, do they need to call dad’s specialist? and Brook says she can take care of that if they want her to. Gregory says, that’s not necessary. He just came from his office. Chase asks what he said, and Finn suggests they talk about it at home. Gregory says, it’s fine. He said… He runs out of breath, and Brook suggests they let Gregory have a few minutes of rest. Chase wants to help Gregory to a seat, but Gregory says, it’s not necessary. He’s fine. Finn says, don’t be so stubborn. Let them help him. Gregory yells that he’s fine. He can stand on his own two feet. He doesn’t need his sons to hold him up. Finn says he’s sorry, and Chase says, they didn’t mean to offend him. They were just trying to make things easier for him. Gregory says, well, they can’t. What’s happening to him isn’t a crisis or an emergency. It’s just a new normal. Finn says, they don’t have to do this here, and Gregory says he rushed down here just to have his doctor remind him that the symptoms are to be expected. It’s the same old song. The prognosis is hard to predict. He just has to take it day by day. Chase asks Finn if Gregory’s doctor really said that, and Gregory says he still hears just fine. So don’t talk about it like he’s not standing here. Finn says, they’ll talk about this later. Right now, he’s taking Gregory home so he can get some rest. Gregory says, not yet. Because there’s something he wants to say to all of them… Back… off.

Carly asks if John talked to Jason. Where did they find him? John says, they didn’t. Mr. Morgan was accompanied by his lawyer when he turned himself in. She says, so he brought Diane with him. That’s great. At least his rights are being protected. Did John see Jason, or did someone pass this information on to him? John says he saw him. He spoke with him. Although Jason didn’t tell him anything useful.

Anna says, so there’s this plausible theory, supported by evidence, that Jason shot Dante before Dante recognized him, but it’s good to hear he didn’t. Dante isn’t just a detective on her squad. He’s a friend. He’s someone she admires and respects. He says, him too, and she says, he’s been informed that there’s footage of him and another man on the roof of the warehouse at 257 Water Street – Jason nods – and the other man has a sniper rifle. Can he explain what he was doing there? He says he has nothing to say without his attorney, and she says, it just makes it all the more curious why he would waive his right to counsel in order to meet with Special Agent Cates, alone. And according to the desk sergeant, they were both in here for the better part of an hour, and she can’t believe that he would spend most of that time talking about the good old days. Jason asks what she means, and she says, high school. The two of them. Robin told her that they both fell in love with the same girl at one point. He says he can’t even remember anything about high school, and she says, but he knows John Cates was Stone’s older brother. He used to go by the name Jagger. Jason says he’s heard the name… but he didn’t know it was Agent Cates. Anna says, he probably had no reason to mention it. It was years ago and has absolutely nothing to do with why Jason is in handcuffs now. Jason bangs on the table, stands up, and says he’s been working for Agent John Cates since November 2021. (The floodgates are officially open.)

Laura says, so Curtis already knows they have Jason in custody, and Curtis says, it’s all over the news. She says, it must have come as a shock though, especially since he turned himself in. How is Curtis doing with all of this? He says he’s not sure, because if Jason took a shot at Sonny at the MetroCourt, then Jason is the one who put him in this wheelchair. She says she thinks it’s a good thing they have Jason in custody. Now they’ll get some answers about what’s really going on. He asks what she means, and she says she just has a very hard time believing Jason would target Sonny. He says, maybe she has a hard time believing it because that’s not what really happened, and she asks why he says that. Does he know something? He says, it’s nothing for certain, but everyone knows how close Sonny and Jason were. Jason was his righthand man. So Jason taking a shot at Sonny just doesn’t make sense to him. So if Jason wasn’t gunning for Sonny, then maybe he was still working for Sonny and he was the intended target. (Oh, okay. That’s new.)

Sonny says, it’s always something with Michael. Save it. He’s not interested. Michael says, he needs to hear this, and Sonny asks what part of I’m not interested is he not getting? Ava says, Michael heard his father. He’s done talking. It’s time to cut his losses and go. Michael says, he doesn’t understand… but Sonny says he does understand. Michael sent Dex to spy on him. Carly knew about it. The three people he trusted the most went behind his back and betrayed him. Michael says, they weren’t betraying him. They were keeping him safe. Sonny says, and Michael kept the secret that Nina turned Drew and Carly in to the SEC because he wanted to blackmail her to stay away from Willow and the kids. Why is that safe for him? Does he have the answer? Because everything’s about him. Michael says, that is not true… and Sonny says, now Michael comes to him when Jason left Dante at the pier to die. What is wrong with him?

Anna says, Jason is working for Agent Cates. In what capacity? Jason says, as an informant, and she says, for the FBI? He says, yes, and she asks how this arrangement came about. She doesn’t know how he got involved with Cates and the FBI, or how he wound up on a roof with a sniper, but if there’s any chance she can help him, he has to tell her the truth. He has to know that he can trust her. He says he knows, and they sit back down. He says, after the tunnel collapsed on Cassadine Island, he couldn’t make it back to Britt and the others, he found his way out. Anna says, go on, but he says he saw it in her face when he said Britt’s name. What is it? What’s wrong? She says she’s sorry. Britt died. She was murdered. It was New Year’s Eve, 2022. He exhales and asks if they know who killed her, and she says, the killer is in custody. She’s really sorry. He’s obviously distressed (at least as much as Jason can be), and she asks if he needs a minute. He says, Britt. She just had such a great smile. Anna says she didn’t know Britt, but she’s glad he has that memory of her, and he composes himself. He says, when he made it out of the tunnel, he started toward the main house. That’s when two FBI agents stopped him and placed him under arrest.

Carly tells Beth that she’s going to need her to hold down the fort for a little while. She’ll be back as soon as she can. Beth says, sure, and John asks where she’s going. She says she’s going to see that Jason’s okay for herself, and he blocks her way and says, she can’t do that.

Finn asks what Gregory means, back off, and Chase asks if he wants them to stop helping him. Gregory sits, and Brook says, their father obviously has something to say. Let him talk. Gregory thanks her, and says, at least someone in this family is paying attention to what he wants. Chase and Finn exchange glances, and Gregory tells them not to look at each other like their worried, like it isn’t just his body that’s going, but his mind too. Finn says, that’s not what they think, and Chase says, they’re worried about him. Gregory says he knows they are and he loves them both for caring about him. Brook says, they all do, and Gregory says, but he’s not an invalid and he refuses to be treated like one. Finn says, understood. He’s sorry if they made him feel like that. It wasn’t their intention. Gregory says he knows that too. It’s only natural to want to swoop in and take care of someone when they’re sick. But they both have lives to lead and he won’t let them put their lives on hold because of him. Chase says, no one’s putting anything on hold, but Gregory says, aren’t they? Finn has patients who depend on him. He should be attending to them, not sitting in on every single one of Gregory’s doctor’s appointments. If he learns something important, he’ll let them know. Finn says, okay, and Gregory says he knows how worried Chase is about Dante. Dante and his family need Chase right now. That’s where his focus should be. So go donate blood again or say a prayer in the chapel. Maybe even take Rocco to a movie and help take his mind off of what’s happening with his father. Chase says, that’s actually a great idea, and Brook says she bets Sam would love that. And it would be good for Chase to hang out with Rocco too. Chase says he’ll talk to her after this, and Gregory says, good. He’ll call a ride and head home – alone, which he’s perfectly capable of doing. He gets up and walks off. Chase says, okay, dad, and Finn says, see him at home. He tells Chase, for what it’s worth (🍷), he might want to consider moving up his wedding date.

Laura pulls up a stool and asks Curtis if he’s telling her that he thinks Jason was following Sonny’s orders when he shot Curtis and tried to kill him. Why? What possible reason could Sonny have for wanting him dead? He says he’s not sure. It’s just a theory right now. She asks if it’s his theory or somebody else’s, and he says, just looking at everything through a different lens. Everyone assumed that what happened to him was just bad luck, wrong place, wrong time. He believed it too. She says, but he doesn’t anymore, and he says he doesn’t know. Because ever since they found out Jason was alive, someone floated the idea to him that Jason’s death might be staged. If that’s the case, that means Sonny has himself a hitman that can’t be traced. Doesn’t that have a certain logic to it? She says, that depends, and he says, on what? She says, on who’s posing the question.

Michael says, Sonny really doesn’t trust anyone anymore, does he? and Sonny says, should he? Michael says, yes, he should. He gets that Sonny is hurt, but he’s seeing enemies behind every door, even when there is none. How could he possibly think Jason would shoot Dante? Sonny says, it’s not like he’s never been betrayed before. Repeatedly. Why would he think Jason wouldn’t do it? Michael says, because it’s Jason. He has no reason to shoot Dante. Sonny says, none that he knows of, but it doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. Ava asks if it isn’t possible Jason shot Dante by mistake. That in all the confusion, he didn’t realize it was Dante until it was too late. That would explain why he stayed and gave Dante first aid. Right, Sonny? Sonny says, anything’s possible, and Michael says, even forgiveness?

Carly tells John to get out of her way, and he says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Jason is currently in police custody awaiting arraignment. He can’t have any visitors. She says, that’s all Jason is to him, right? A criminal in police custody? He couldn’t be more wrong. He doesn’t know a damn thing about Jason. Jason has saved her more times than she can count. He would do anything for the people he loves. Jason is the best person she knows. If John knew anything about him… John says, she thinks she’s the expert on everything, but she couldn’t be more wrong. The name Jason Morgan means nothing to him, but Jason Quartermaine is whole other story.

Jason tells Anna, they brought him to Quantico and put him in a room with no windows, and John Cates came in. He played a recording for him. It was proof of RICO violations and criminal conspiracy. They offered him a deal. The FBI wouldn’t file charges if he agreed to act as an informant. She says, on Sonny? but he says, no. That would never happen. It’s a company called Pikeman. She says, Pikeman Security Group, and he says, yeah. Cates thinks Pikeman has been selling illegal arms to rogue states and anybody flagged by the NSA. But Pikeman has really close ties to the WSB. She says she’s aware, and he says, that’s why the FBI investigation couldn’t be on the books. She says, right. Because if the WSB learned of it, they risk them running interference with Pikeman. He says, so they couldn’t use a federal agent. They needed a civilian. She says, him, and he says, yeah. Another reason they couldn’t use an agent was, Pikeman promotes from within. So for him to get to whoever’s in charge, he had to start by signing on as a military contractor. She says, so he’s been working as a mercenary soldier, and he nods. She says, for how long? and he says, the whole time. He was at the warehouse. He was part of the team that was sent to eliminate Sonny.

Chase asks if Finn knows how hard it would be to change the wedding date, how much work it would take, and Finn says he knows it’s not ideal, but maybe they want to give it some thought. Chase says, Brook has worked so hard on this. Everything has already been chosen, from the menus to the color of Violet’s rose petals, and who’s to say all this will be available on another day? Finn says, the last thing he wants to do is disappoint them or Violet, but despite what dad just said, he’s not okay. He’s having respiratory issues too often, and they just don’t know where things are going from here or how fast. Brook says she thinks they should listen to Finn and move up the date, and Chase says, she does? She says, what’s important about their wedding isn’t about what entrée they’ll serve or any of the other choices they picked. It’s about having their family and friends celebrating with them. And the sooner that day comes, the more likely his dad will be okay and really be able to enjoy himself. Chase says, she’s right, and she tells him that he’ll have to get used to saying that more often when they’re married. He says, and she’s positive she’s okay about moving the wedding date? She says, absolutely. Any problems that come up can be solved. His father is most important. He says he’s never been more sure he’s marrying the right person, and Finn says, he picked a good one. Brook says, family comes first. There’s another problem though. They can’t have this big, beautiful, elaborate wedding when Dante is unconscious and fighting for his life. Chase asks if she’s saying they should call off the wedding.

Anna says, Jason can confirm Pikeman is targeting Sonny? and he says, yeah. They’ve tried three times that he knows of. The MetroCourt, Puerto Rico, and the other night at the warehouse. She asks if he was involved with the other shootings, but he says, no. Pikeman sent a different team each time. They were tracking him and the sniper due to the two other failed attempts. That’s how he knows about them. She asks if he knows why they’re targeting Sonny, but he tells her, Pikeman doesn’t say anything. There’s no information. The decisions come down from executive and it’s guys like him who carry out the orders. She asks if John knew he was assigned to eliminate Sonny, and he says he told John as soon as he got the assignment. He gave John all the information he had; the time, the place, and how to access the roof. She says, so when she and Cates went into that warehouse to confront Sonny and Miss Wu, he knew Jason was on the roof with the sniper waiting to target Sonny. He says, yes, and Anna looks pretty pissed off.

Carly says, Jason Quartermaine. He hasn’t been called that in a long time. John says, maybe not, but that doesn’t mean that person never existed, and she says, you’re right, Jagger. So he used to live here in Port Charles and Stone was his brother. She never realized he knew Jason. Were they friends? John says, for a while. Then they both fell for the same girl, and it all changed. She says, they both fell for Karen Wexler, and he says, yes. She says, so he and Jason competed over the same girl. So what? That was a million years ago. He says, that’s true, but even when they were rivals, he always thought Jason was a good person. He finds it hard to believe the Jason he knew became Sonny Corinthos’s gun for hire. She says, at least he didn’t grow up to be a liar.

Sonny says, it funny Michael brings up forgiveness. Did Michael know he used to be an altar boy? Michael says, no, and Sonny says, hard for him to believe, isn’t it? Michael says, dad… but Sonny says, let him talk. Michael says he’s listening, and Sonny says, Father Joe used to say, forgiveness belongs to God. Anybody else can put up or shut up. Michael says, exactly. That’s why he came here today knowing the reception he’d get. That’s him putting up. He’s willing to take whatever Sonny has for him because it’s important Sonny hear about Jason from him. Sonny asks if that’s his best. Go ahead and go. Michael says, okay, fine. If Sonny needs anything or Sonny needs someone to sit at Dante’s bedside with him, he’s here. Sonny says he won’t, and Michael leaves. Sonny walks over to the bar and pours a drink, while Ava watches him. He brings it to his lips.

Curtis says he just wants to know why he’s stuck in this wheelchair, and Laura says she knows. She gets it. And she’s not saying he should ignore the possibility that he might be the actual target. She’s just saying he should be careful. There are people out there who might profit from him turning against Sonny and Jason. So before he passes judgement on them, consider the source.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t want to call off the wedding. Chase isn’t getting out of marrying her that easily. They just have to come up with the simplest solution that works best for everyone. Finn says he feels like he kicked the hornet’s nest a little here and he’s sorry. Maybe he should have just kept his mouth shut. Chase says, Finn was right to bring it up. Dad was already worried about being a distraction, so the more comfortable they can make him, the happier he’ll be. That’s what matters most to them. Brook says, they want to do right by Gregory and Dante. She doesn’t know exactly what that looks like just yet, but they’ll figure it out. Finn says he has to check on some patients. If there’s anything he can do, just let him know. Chase says, even if that means putting together new flower arrangements himself? and Finn says, especially if it involves that. He leaves and Brook says she’s going to make some calls, get the ball rolling, but Chase says, wait. He has to say something to her first. It means the world to him that she’s being so understanding about this, but it’s also important to him that she has the wedding of her dreams. She says, her dream has already come true. She gets to spend the rest of her life with him. As for the wedding, all of their problems can be fixed with one word. Downsizing.

Sonny asks why Ava doesn’t join him, and she says, why not? She takes a drink from him, and he says he always thought he could trust Michael, but it didn’t even seem to bother Michael that he betrayed him. Lesson learned. She says, hard lesson, and he says, now what he’s going through with Jason, he doesn’t even know who Jason is anymore. How could Jason not tell him that he wasn’t dead for two and a half years? Maybe she’s right. Maybe he shot Dante by accident, but it doesn’t really matter at this point. She says, not if Dante doesn’t wake up, and he says, no matter what happens, Jason isn’t the man that he knew. She says she thinks Jason stopped being that man the minute Sonny got back from Nixon Falls and found him with Carly. Jason might have thought Sonny was dead, but he certainly got together with Carly pretty quickly. A different kind of betrayal, sure, but it proves Jason isn’t a man he can depend on anymore. She touches his face and says, there is someone else he can depend on.

John tells Carly that he might not have been fully transparent, but he was up front about being an FBI agent. He told her that he was in town because he had a job to do. And that’s more than he owed her, so don’t go crying foul now. She says she’s not crying. She saves her tears for people who are worth it. And he – John, Jagger, or whatever the hell his name is – is not. Does the FBI know he used to be friends with Jason, and he’s always hated Sonny? Because those are clear conflicts of interest. So if he had any integrity at all, he would recuse himself from both their cases. And since he doesn’t, she wants him to get the hell out of her restaurant. Go find his food someplace else. She walks out, but he looks like he kind of likes it.

Jason tells Anna that he made sure the sniper missed, but he told him to leave his rifle. Cates said they could use it as evidence that they’re tied to some other aspect of this case. She says, the cache of weapons that went missing from the WSB turned up at multiple crime scenes. One was found at the shooting at the MetroCourt. He says, they left the rooftop and were headed toward the waterfront. They were supposed to meet the extraction team at Pier 50. Somehow Dante must have seen them and caught up to them on the pier. He told them to stop and he did. The sniper didn’t. He put his hands up, turned around, and he knew if Dante recognized him, all the work he’d done for the past two and a half years was gone. And he did. And that’s when the sniper shot him. She asks, where’s the sniper now? and he says, he’s dead. She says, there on the pier? and he says, mm-hmm. She says, they didn’t find a trace, and he says, Pikeman’s people are very thorough. She says she guesses that all tracks, except for one thing. Once the sniper was dead and Jason had called 911, Dante was in pretty bad shape. Why didn’t Jason stay with him until the first responders arrived? (Why does everyone keep asking this when the answer is obvious that he didn’t want to get caught?)

Chase says, it also means Brook can’t get everything she wants, everything that they planned. She’s been so excited about all this, he couldn’t ask that of her. She says, the thing she’s most excited for is getting to call him her husband. And she gets that whether or not her grandmother hires a string quartet to play her down the aisle. He says, there’s going to be a string quartet at their wedding? and she says, surprise. The most important thing is that his father is there and that he’s well enough to enjoy himself. If that means they have to have a smaller, more lowkey wedding, even at the house, it’s fine by her. He asks if she’s really okay with downsizing that much, and she says, absolutely. It actually saves her the headache of needing to deconstruct Aunt Lila’s dress and sew it back together. (She was going to do that herself? Why?) She was kind of worried about that. She’s just going to get a new dress. Don’t worry. She’s still going to knock his socks off. He says he knows she will because she looks absolutely stunning in everything, and they kiss. He says, okay. This is her last chance. Does she want to back out? She says, nope. She’s happy with her decision. He says he thinks he’s the luckiest man in the world, and she tells him, don’t you forget it.

Laura says she thinks she’s going to let Curtis get back to his physical therapy. She’s interrupted him long enough. He says, she was no interruption. He knows she’s only looking out for him and he’s grateful for her friendship. She says, he’ll always have it. She knows he wants justice, but she thinks the best way to go about it isn’t chasing after these shadows, but to maybe throw himself even further into what he’s doing right here right now. Just a thought. She leaves and Curtis ponders this.

Ava and Sonny look like they might kiss (again), but he says, it’s getting late. She says, they should call it a night and he says, they should. He takes her glass from her and suggests she get some sleep. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow. She says she and Avery have to get up early to go over her book report before school. He tells her, sleep well, and she says, him too. She starts to leave, and he tells her that he’s glad she’s here. She says she is too, and leaves.

Carly tells the desk sergeant that she heard Jason Morgan turned himself in. She needs to see him. He says he’s sorry, but that’s impossible. He’s in with the Commissioner.

Jason says he was trying to honor his deal with the FBI. If he would have stayed with Dante, he would have been arrested. He doesn’t think Cates would have wanted that. And he’d been shot and needed a place to hide and a place to heal. He called 911 for Dante. He knew the police recorded his voice, but he had no idea there was a shot of him on the roof with the sniper. He thought maybe he could go back to the FBI and if they couldn’t use him for Pikeman, they could use him for something else. She asks if that’s what he was discussing with John, and he says, if Dante dies, he gets charged with capital murder. Then he’s of no use to the FBI if he’s in prison for the rest of his life. She says, don’t give up on Dante. He’s a very determined man. By saving him, Jason might well have saved himself. Carly watches from the window.

Tomorrow, Kristina tells Molly to check her feelings at the door; Diane asks someone to give her something she can use; Danny punches Jake; and Sam says, Jason knows she’s right.

Vanderpump Rules

In Ally’s interview, she says, James picks out her clothes and steams her dresses. He doesn’t curl her hair yet, but she’s working up to that. Yay James. James says he’s doing a gig at Hotel Ziggy, and he invited Jo, and Ally says, she’s not trying to be besties, but she wants Jo to be comfortable coming to things. In his interview, James says he always invites everyone to his parties. He shows up and the venue has the best business they’ve seen in a long time or their money back. Ally says, the last time they were at Hotel Ziggy, it was awkward. It was the first time she met Raquel. We flash back to that, and James says, a lot has changed. Literally everything.

At Sandoval and Ariana’s house, Billie tells Sandoval that every time she comes over, she’s nervous about Ariana. She asks if he’s coming to Hotel Ziggy. She invited Tii, and wonders if Sandoval shouldn’t get back in the dating game. Not that he needs to jump into another relationship. Living with an ex-girlfriend is worse than living with his mother. He says he doesn’t know what’s going on with Ariana, but he loves this house. The ball’s in her court. This is the second time he’s said this. I blame pickleball. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, two months ago his lawyers drafted a letter of intent to buy her out at top market value. He tells Billie that he needs her to respond, and in his interview, he says, he wanted to make it clear that he’ll give her a check for the entire amount, and she can walk away free and clear. But he hasn’t heard back.  

On FaceTime, Ariana talks with Ann, who’s getting ready to see Taylor Swift. Ariana says she’s getting ready and leaving in 45 minutes and asks if Sandoval is bogarting the downstairs. She feels like she’s on the verge of full burnout and needs an assistant. She asks if Ann knows anybody, and Ann asks if she can please be in running. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Ann is so sweet. She deserves more than putting up with Ariana’s ex-boyfriend.  #SaveAnn. She says she doesn’t want Sandoval pissed off, but Ann says she wants to work for Ariana so bad. Okay, so Ariana wishes Sandoval death by a thousand paper cuts, but won’t hire Ann away from him when she wants to go? Por qué?

Lala meets Schwartz at a health food restaurant and they order syringes with smoothies in them. WTF? They sit outside, and Lala asks if Schwartz has had sober sex. Scwartz says, when he’s in a relationship, he loves it. Moderation is king, but he likes the occasional bender, sometimes with drugs and alcohol, sometimes with sobriety. He likes to fall apart once in a while in a good way and a bad way. Another WTF? They discuss Hotel Ziggy, and Schwartz says, they saw Jax at TomTom. Sandoval hasn’t seen Jax in years. We flash back to a million years ago, and then forward to Sandoval and Jax hugging it out at the steakhouse. Schwartz says he has post-Sandoval brain fog. They’ve all cheated. He was a make out slut. He even made out with Scheana 12 years ago in Vegas. Lala keeps saying, what? and he says he thinks he and Katie were dating, but it was at a rocky moment. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he just wants to let the record show that they’re all human and do dumb sh*t sometimes. It’s the summer of forgiveness. He tells Lala that they joked about it at the last holiday party, and Lala says she’s straight up over people lying to her face. In her interview, she says, she and Scheana have gotten close. It seems strange that Scheana never told her. She asks if Katie knows, and Schwartz says he doesn’t know if he told her. Maybe Schwartz needs some ginkgo biloba. Or needs to drink less.

Katie visits Lala, who’s putting away toys. She says she enjoys clean time when she doesn’t have Ocean, and Katie says she knows how Lala feels. It’s the same with the dogs, who gut their stuffed animals. Lala says she’s got to tell Katie something, but she might want to make a drink first. Katie makes a drink, and Lala says, Katie may or may not care, but she had smoothies with Schwartz, and he dropped on her that years ago, he made out with Scheana in Vegas. In Katie’s interview, she says, what the actual f***? She has so many questions. When was this and where? Was this the time he said he made out with a friend of Scheana’s? Was it really Scheana? We flash back to 2013, and Katie says, there are so many lies in the group, it’s hard to keep track. Lala says she doesn’t think she was there. She wants to ask Scheana about it, but wanted to talk to Katie first. In Lala’s interview, she says she went back and forth about who to talk to first and decided to talk to Katie first. She doesn’t want to give Scheana time to figure out a way to make it a pretty picture.

Sandoval shows up at Hotel Ziggy with Kyle and tells him that Ariana looks great. He wants to say something to her about the house, but he’s afraid to. Brock says he needs to try and figure out how to start a conversation. They’d all like to see them figure out how to talk. Schwartz and Jo come in together, and Scheana wonders if they’re dating. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Jo literally drove with Raquel to meet the Toms in Big Bear and left Raquel with Sandoval there. Come on, bitch. You knew. The girls try to get Jo to ditch her baseball cap, but in Jo’s interview, she says, it’s comfortable and looks good on her. Chill. She’s gotten a lot of hate from the girls. It’s 100% bullying and it’s horrible. Scheana says she’s going to drink, which she doesn’t do very often, and in Katie’s interview, she says, because maybe when she does, Scheana makes out with people like her boyfriend. Billie tells Sandoval that the girls are mugging behind him, and in her interview, Jo says, in the past year, the things they’ve said don’t go away. Insinuating she’s a crackhead is hurtful, and harmful to anyone who has ADD. It’s one thing to hear it on social media and it’s another feeling to see five girls talking sh*t about you. Jo plugs her ears. Ally tells the girls that Jo didn’t like questions about Schwartz. She said she feels emotional about him the same way she feels about her dad. She’s trying to come in peace… Katie says, she’s a psychopath, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, before anyone boohoos about how Jo is treated, she’s a full-blown mean girl bully. Jo didn’t give a flying that she spent Thanksgiving in Ariana’s home, while knowing Raquel was with her boyfriend in her home. Jo walks past with Billie, and Katie says, if Jo is uncomfortable, she’s thrilled. In the hallway, Jo starts crying.

Jo whines that she doesn’t like being attacked and wants to go home. She leaves and James does his thing. Scheana says she’s drinking for the first time, so they’ll see where this goes. Lala tells Ariana about Schwartz and Scheana making out in Vegas. He said they were joking about it, but it doesn’t like a joke; it feels gross. Sandoval approaches Ariana and says he doesn’t want to bother her, but he wants to make sure she got the email. She says, her lawyer has it, and Sandoval says, if she could have him respond, they can start working on stuff. Lala asks what it’s about, and Sandoval says, the house. Let him know since it’s been a while. He wanders off, and in Lala’s interview, she says, it’s taking Ariana a long time to rid herself of this house. The brand deals are endless. Trust her. Ariana can afford an apartment. Lala says, this is so awkward, and Sandoval talks to Tii, but who cares what he’s saying? In Sandoval’s interview, he says, Tii seems super chill and laid back. He always thinks dating people he just met is awkward. Maybe because he hasn’t experienced them in a long time. Maybe it’s time to rip the Band-Aid off. Katie tells Scheana that she doesn’t know how to bring it up, since it was brought up to her in an abrupt way. Lala was having juice with Schwartz, and Schwartz said when he was all f***ed up, he made out with Scheana in Vegas. Scheana says she and Ariana were there with her mom and sister for her sister’s cheer competition. Schwartz pulled her in to a corner and kissed her. She thinks she and Shay were just engaged. We flash back to Shay’s proposal for no good reason, and Katie asks why they made out, but Scheana says, it wasn’t a make out. She did make out with Ariana though. In Scheana’s interview, she says she wanted to pretend it never happened. She never told anybody and would have never told Katie, especially back then. It was the peak Tequila Katie hates Scheana days. We flash back to Katie hating on Scheana, and Scheana says, no, never. Scheana says, why blow up both relationships? and Katie says, now Scheana thinks it’s funny. Schwartz said they were joking about it over the holidays. Scheana says she may have made a comment that he was a make out whore and even tried with her, and Katie says she was looking over the course of their friendship. Scheana was even her bridesmaid, and it never come up at all. She was a broken person, a shell of herself and not confident about her self-worth. Scheana says she knew Schwartz had already done a number on their relationship. Why hurt her more? She wanted them to work it out and wanted Katie to have her happily ever after. Katie says, someone was part of that narrative, and in her interview, Katie says she’d expect it from Schwartz. Scheana had years to tell her. She hates lying by omission and wonders if she can fully trust Scheana.

Lala, James, and Ally meet Schwartz at a restaurant, and Schwartz says, Sandoval said he might pop in, but he’s on Sandoval time, so who knows? Sandoval does pop in, and Lala says, he looks happy. She’s used to him looking low. He says he is happy, but he had A/C issues and left the main bedroom door open. Mya got in there and ate weird stuff. Schwartz says, Mya once ate 500 laxative pills, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, she’s eaten pillows and hair color. He tells them, Mya shat on the top of the couch, and no one can believe he just used the word shat. In his interview, he says, Ariana is going to be upset with him no matter what, but it was an accident. Lala says she’s doing a water sommelier thing in a couple of days, and everyone is welcome to come. James says he’s down for it and asks how Sandoval feels about last night. Lala says she gets why Ariana gave him the cold shoulder, but she was wondering if it was weird for her to feel bad for him. Sandoval says he’s trying to move forward, and Lala says she knows how it feels to be held hostage to your past, or someone else’s version of it. Sandoval says he’s doing guided meditation and exploring other ways to handle his anxiety and anger. James says, meditation, therapy, and working out are good alternatives, and Sandoval says he’s working with a guy who does breath work and self-improvement. He asks if Lala wants to come, and in his interview, he says he doesn’t know if he and Lala were ever close, but it’s less about reconnecting and more about building something new. Lala says she doesn’t want to hold his past against him, but doesn’t know if she can participate. She appreciates him inviting her, but does he mind if she sleeps on it? Like he’s going to say he minds.

At Sandoval and Ariana’s house, Dr. Vuu gives Sandoval some breathing exercises. Lala walks in while he’s hyperventilating and the whole thing looks stupid, like this bioenergetics class I was forced to take in acting school. Dr. Vuu says, the universe prioritizes growth over comfort, and tells Sandoval to exhale with a big ass scream. He laugh/cry/ screams, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, it felt like an emotional orgasm. That sh*t was cool. They go outside, and Sandoval says he appreciates her coming. She says she thinks it’s amazing that he did it solo, and in her interview, she says, they reserve the right to evolve and f*** what anyone says. Sandoval has to sleep with himself at night. He doesn’t affect her life. Lala says, what happened last year was just the cherry on top. She feels like she tried for a long time. She texted him about how proud she was about the bar, but got no response. When her life went south, he never asked how she was doing. Not once. Sandoval apologizes and says he felt there was a disconnect with them. She says she wants him to know it’s not just last year for her. She doesn’t approve or understand the decisions he made, but sees the parallel to what happened in her life. It f***ed her up and she knows it’s not fair, but she’s working on it. She’s trying to heal and trust. She doesn’t want him paying for her experience with someone else. He says he wants positivity and wants to be positive with other people. He feels the way things worked was supposed to happen, and maybe for her too. She says she’s been held prisoner to her experience for too long. What he did isn’t her fight. She has to go into what she wants and feels good about, and she feels good about this. He says he appreciates her vulnerability and would like to be better friends. He’s invested in seeing where it goes.

Consultant Penny goes over the sandwiches with Ariana and Katie, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, the last time we saw Something About Her, it was just a blank slate… In Katie’s interview, she says, now it’s a beautiful, feminine, elegant sandwich shop. It’s like something out of a rom-com movie. Their progress was halted because of permit issues… Ariana says, but they have a lovely sandwich menu. TomTom’s manager Logan arrives, along with Lala, Ally, James, Brock, Scheana, and Schwartz, who brings orchids. They do a tasting, and in Lala’s interview, she wonders why they’re doing this again when they did this last summer. We flash back to that, and Lala says, they can they fast forward. We do, and she says, wait. This part is funny. Schwartz suggests something super savory, kill a hangover, and James says, Schwartz likes Sloppy Jo. In James’s interview, he says he had high hopes for the sandwich shop, but weeks turned into months that turned into more months, and it’s not much different that Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Little D*ck’s Schwartz & Sandy’s. Lala says she, James, and Ally went to do mocktails with Schwartz and Sandoval popped in. He said he was doing breath work and wanted her to do it with him. She doesn’t think they’re there, but there’s been some growth. They had the most productive conversation they’ve had in all her years of knowing him. In Ariana’s interview, she says, very cool. She doesn’t know if she buys it, but cool. Ariana says she had to go to the emergency vet with Mya because of Sandoval being insanely irresponsible with her dog. Mya needed an endoscopy. Ariana had takeout in her room, and not only did Sandoval let Mya in there, he shut her in for hours. She ate everything, including the wooden skewers. The bill was $6000. Sadly, I relate, having had a few large vet bills in my day. In her interview, Ariana says, the vet was able to get everything out and Mya is okay, but it’s added to the laundry list of why her ex can’t be trusted with decent judgement when it comes to anything. Lala recommends they have a conversation, but Ariana says she can’t have one right now without slitting his throat and being arrested. It’s not the first time Sandoval gave zero sh*ts about who she considers her children.

Lisa goes TomTom along with Ken and Puffy (!). She wants to taste the sandwiches, and Katie brings over a three-tiered dish of them. In Lisa’s interview, she says she can’t believe they’re still not open. They’ve been paying on the lease for over a year and it’s costing them a fortune for an empty space. Lisa approves of the sandwiches, and in her interview, she says, they’ve got a sh*tload of sandwiches and need to start. Katie talks to Schwartz in the kitchen and asks about him kissing Scheana. She says she’s glad they’re done for this same reason. It’s another thing she was kept in the dark about. He had it so good for so many years, but he blew it. He fumbled hard, but now he’s got Sloppy Jo. Schwartz says he’s got to go. Abort. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, didn’t we just work through this? She’s like Gordo with a bone. He won’t let it go. Katie tells Lisa that Schwartz orbits in her universe and fails. Ariana says, it’s arrested development. Schwartz tells Brock that he was just grilled about kissing Scheana back in the day, and they do a shot. In Brock’s interview, he says, Katie is overreacting about a kiss 10 years ago. She needs to get off her high horse. A double standard is happening. He tells Schwartz that they were partying, and Katie left with left someone in the friend group. Schwartz asks, who is it? and Brock says, his boy.

Schwartz says, Max? She f***ed him? In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Max is a former manager for TomTom. It’s a telltale sign of revenge. Brock says, after the party, Katie invited Max back to her house. It was bound to happen, In Scheana’s interview, she says, Katie invited Max to the party, and they left together. She tracked his location and didn’t think he lived in the same building as Katie. The next morning, she tracked him again and he was still there. Brock tells Schwartz that he calls Scheana the location collector, and in her interview, Scheana says she has 56 people whose locations she tracks, but it’s not weird or creepy. Sandoval comes in with Tii, and says, they went bowling. Schwartz tells Sandoval about Max and Katie, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, it’s a double standard when it comes to Katie. It’s so obvious how ridiculous it is. The Toms go to the garden to confer with Lisa about something, and Brock introduces Tii to Ariana and Scheana. Brock says, Tii and Sandoval went bowling, and Ariana asks how old Tii is. Tii says, 25, and Ariana says, that makes sense. She’s sure Tii has been given a different version of events, but don’t waste her time on a 41-year-old narcissist. Scheana tells Brock that she’s upset with him about spilling the Schwartz kiss tea, and he says he thought she was going to say something. In Scheana’s interview, she says she and Katie are in a good place. What the f*** is he doing? Brock says, she’s annoying the sh*t out of him. Ariana tells Tii that when she was at her grandma’s funeral, Sandoval was at her house f***ing her friend. You’re a prize. He’s not. Lala asks Scheana, what’s wrong? and Brock says, Scheana is upset that he told Schwartz about Katie and Max. Ariana asks, what happened? and Katie asks, what is he talking about? Lala asks if they have a thing, and Katie says, Max came over. What’s the big deal? Brock says, she put restrictions on Schwartz, but Katie says she just asked him not to f*** anyone in their friend group. Lala asks if Katie and Max slept together, and Scheana says she’s staying out of it. In Lala’s interview, she says she knows Katie talks revenge, but she doesn’t seek it. Scheana decides to get back into it and explains that she thought Max dropped Katie off, but she checked the next day, and he was still there. Brock saw her phone. In Lala’s interview, she says she feels like everyone is full of sh*t. Ariana is lying about her financial situation and the house; Scheana is following everyone’s location; Schwartz made out with Scheana; and Katie hooked up with Max. The way everyone in the group is moving is eech. She tells everyone, this group is chaotic. She’s leaving. She’s annoyed. She loves them all. Goodbye. Scheana says she wants to strangle Brock.

Next time, Brock thinks Ariana needs to figure out forgiveness is more powerful than being bitter and angry; and Ariana says, the group keeps shoving Sandoval down her throat.

🧰 In Lieu Of a Recap…

Nothing was online yet, but there is this.

🪱 Full Worm Moon Rising…

Join me tomorrow for soap and mid-week tidbits. Until then, stay safe, stay filling the tank after borrowing someone’s car, and stay considering the source before passing judgement.

December 18, 2023 – Dante Tells Anna About Finding the Report, Temporary Visit, Rainbow Pancakes On Deck & Spicey Wrapping

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Gregory knocks on Alexis’s office door and says, rumor has it she’s looking for him. She says, yes. A freelancer dropped the ball on the rezoning article, and she needs this done. Can he do it? It’s supposed to be in tomorrow’s edition. He says he’ll do what he can and takes the folder from her. Just so she knows, he has some plans in his near future. She says, does he now? What do these plans involve? He says, the defenestration of Tracy Quartermaine.

Chase and Brook walk through Rice Plaza with Leo and Violet, and Leo wonders if Ned will still perform at the Gingerbread Jam. Brook says, he’s very busy catching up on everything he’s missed, but she’s sure he’ll pull out his guitar just for Leo. Violet says, maybe Chase can perform again. Last year, he and Blaze were epic. Chase says he appreciates it, but now that he’s back to fighting crime, he’s put his singing career behind him. Brook says, there’s one thing she and Violet agree on, and Violet says, just one? Brook says, everything her handsome, charming fiancé does is epic, and kisses him.

Blaze tells Kristina, then after midnight mass, her abuela invites everyone over for food I don’t catch the name of, and Kristina asks what something or other is. Blaze says, basically Puerto Rican eggnog. She can make Kristina some when she comes over. Kristina says she’d like that.

Dr. Navarro (I think, different actress) says she was sorry to hear about the miscarriage. Is their surrogate open to trying again? TJ says he’s afraid not. She took it really hard. The doctor says she’s sure. Setbacks like this are devastating for everyone, but they’re here, so she takes it they want to discuss options. TJ says, actually… Molly says, they already have a new surrogate.

At Laura’s apartment, temp Josslyn (see below) holds a gift to her ear, and Trina asks what she’s doing. Josslyn says, making sure it’s not ticking, and Spencer says, digital clocks don’t tick, but if she doesn’t want it… Trina says, it won’t kill her, she promises, and Josslyn says, Spencer shouldn’t have. He says, when she opens it, she’ll wonder how she ever lived without it. Josslyn says she’s sure. Besides, he’s already given her the greatest present ever – there’s a knock at the door – her best friend’s happiness. Spencer says, the gift that keeps on giving, and opens the door. Esme is there.

Brennan walks into Kelly’s, where he lives now, and says he was going to see if Carly needed help, but she seems to have everything under control.

Anna meets Dante at the morgue and asks if there’s a reason they keep meeting here. He says, yeah. He likes it here. There’s no security cameras and the people who are here are bad witnesses. She asks, why the secrecy? and he says he didn’t want to risk tipping anybody off. She asks what he’s been up to, and he shows her a manila envelope and says, investigating Jameson Forsythe.

Violet says she’s going to get a hot chocolate that’s all marshmallow, and Leo says, if it’s all marshmallow, why not call it a marshmallow? (He’s not wrong.) She tells him that the hot chocolate will be poured on top, and Chase tells them to get whatever hot chocolate marshmallow drink they want, and Brook says, they want to take them back to their parents as hopped up on sugar as possible. Chase says, here’s twenty bucks, handing it to Violet. Consider it her Christmas present. She says, not a chance, and tells Leo, let’s go. Brook tells them to stay where she and Chase can see them, and asks Chase, who’s next on his gift list? He says, besides his beautiful fiancé? and she says, Santa already brought her what she wants, looking at her ring. He asks if she’s sure she likes it, and she says, she loves it, but more importantly… He says, Maxie approves, and she says, yes indeed. Now who’s next on his gift list? He says, his dad. No pressure, but this has to be the most special Christmas his family has ever had.

Alexis says, no one understands the desire to send Tracy careening out of a window more than she does. In fact, typically, she’d help Gregory push her, but she didn’t enjoy prison the first time. He says, defenestration isn’t strictly accurate. There will be a fall from a great height, but he intends for Tracy to be flung at her own choosing and attached to a parachute. She says, Tracy is going to go skydiving with him? and he says, that’s the hope. Alexis says, he hasn’t asked her yet, and he says he heard she just got back from Amsterdam. He thought he’d go by her place and pitch it to her. Think she’d go for it? She says, he has a better chance of pitching a strikeout against Mickey Mantle, and he says, Micky Mantle’s been dead for 30 years. She says, exactly. It’ll never happen.

Esme tells Spencer, sorry. She was having a package delivered here and got a notification it was here. He gives her a box and asks, where’s Ace? She says, he’s fine, and he says, that’s not what he asked. She says she met this really nice biker couple who said they’d watch Ace. She didn’t catch their names, but they swore they wouldn’t sell the baby. He says, that’s funny, and she says, he’s in daycare. Relax. He says, she wouldn’t have to rely on daycare so much if she wouldn’t… Trina asks how the new place is, and Esme says, it’s cozy. Peaceful. She thanks Trina for asking, and Josslyn says, then again, anything’s cozier than a jail cell, right? Esme asks if she can talk to Trina for a second… alone, and Trina says, sure. They go into the hallway, and Spencer listens at the door, but Josslyn tells him, leave it.

In the hall, Trina asks, what’s up? and Esme says, Trina may not want to hear this, but thank you.

Anna asks if that’s what she thinks it is, and Dante says, it is. She’s welcome. He holds out the envelope, and she says she told him to stay out of it. He says he knows she did, but she’s not his boss anymore. He doesn’t have to listen to her. She says she told him not to get involved, because if he did, it could be dangerous, and he says he knows. The thing is, she’s his friend and she never turned her back on him, so he’s not turning his back on her. So does she want to see what’s in here or not? She takes the envelope and asks how he got it. He says, the storage locker at the train station, and she asks how he found out about it. He says, the M.E. found a key on Forsythe’s body and handed it over to him. Instead of logging it in as evidence, he kept it. She takes out the report and says, this is it. So she guesses Forsythe must have broken into her apartment that night. He says, that’s not all, and takes out the photos, setting them on the table. He says, here’s her, here’s Forsythe. Who’s that guy? Does she have any idea who that is?

Carly thanks Brennan, but says she doesn’t put her customers to work. He says he’s not just any customer, and she says, but then she’d have to hire him. Deal with the whole hour/wage thing, the insurance, stuff like that. Then she would lose him as her regular. He says, she noticed, but she tells him not to let it go to his head. She always notices when people keep coming around. It’s good business. He says, it looks like she’ll have his business for a while. She asks if he’s sticking around, and he says, it’s taken longer than expected to take care of the security issue in Port Charles. It’s the kind of thing that requires his personal attention. She says she’s sure he’ll figure out the situation soon enough, and he says he hopes not. He’s glad for an excuse to stay. She says, he likes the burgers here that much? and he says, the burgers, The Chuck, the hotel. Opportunities abound in Port Charles, and he intends to jump on every single one of them.   

Brook tells Chase not to worry about a thing, and he says he’ll try. She says, leave it to her and she’ll help him make this the best holiday for his dad. He says, if anyone can do it… She says, thank you. They’re at this beautiful holiday extravaganza, and if they don’t find anything to their liking here, they have the entire city of Port Charles and the internet. So they’ll start here and work their way outward. He says, all right. He and his dad are pretty similar, so if she could just give him a hint of what she’s getting him… and she tells him, like Violet said, not a chance. He says, she can’t blame a guy for trying, and she says, while they’re shopping for his dad, they can find something for Maxie and her kids. It’s so terrible that she’s struggling financially this Christmas, especially since it’s all her fault. He says, once she gives Maxie control of Deception, she’s not even going to remember how tough it is right now. She says, that’s not going to help Maxie through the next billing cycle. She needs to help Maxie right now.

Kristina tells Blaze that Molly and TJ are giving each other presents like the perfect pair of socks or an antique paperweight. Blaze says, they’re so cute, and Kristina says, then she and Sam exchange gifts. Sam got her a pepper spray holster, and she got Sam a pair of brass knuckles. Then her mom launches into this 30 minute, totally inspired speech, free legal advice on concealed weapons. And that was before the Cassadine contingent showed up. Blaze says, so the Davis branch of her family… Kristina says, they’re the sane ones, completely. The Cassadines? Everything Blaze has heard about them… the truth is so much worse. Blaze says, her family is insane, and Kristina says, tell her about it. Blaze says she loves it, and they surreptitiously touch hands. Brook approaches with Leo and Violet, and their hands move apart. Brook says she didn’t know Blaze was going to be here, and they hug.

Molly tells Dr. Navarro that her sister Kristina volunteered to be her surrogate. With Andrea unavailable, they talked it over and would like to get started as soon as possible. TJ says, they haven’t forgotten how much preparation went into this. Kristina knows she’ll be screened and undergo a mock cycle, ultrasounds, bloodwork… Molly says, they’re ready to screen egg donors, and they’re hoping Kristina will be successfully pregnant in the next couple of months. (How come they’re not using Kristina’s egg? Is that too weird?) The doctor says she’s afraid their timetable might be overly optimistic.

Anna tells Dante that she knows him all right. They didn’t have much contact during the operation, but he was involved. Did Dante read the report? Dante says he did. The botched op was trying to get a defector to the WSB, and their job was to escort him to safety. There were other names mentioned in the report besides Anna’s. Who is this guy? How does he tie in? She says, if she tells him… he knows, and he says, she’ll have to kill him. She says she won’t, but someone else might want to. Dante tells her, the way he sees it, knowledge is power, and the more they know, the better shot they have at staying alive and the better shot they have at taking these guys down. She says, don’t say she didn’t warn him. His name is John Brennan, and he was in field ops around the same time as her and Forsythe. Dante asks what he’s doing now. Is he still around? She says, oh yeah. He’s the current director of the WSB.

Carly tells Brennan, as luck would have it, Port Charles is pretty security conscious. They’re a major center for commercial shipping, medicine… He says, crime, and she says, that too. He’ll have plenty of business to jump on. He says, how about her? and she says, what about her? He asks if she feels safe here, and she says, security-wise? Yeah, sure, but she doesn’t live what one would call a typical life. He says he’s not surprised. There’s nothing typical about her. She says, that obvious, huh? and he says, despite the single mother, business owner exterior, she gives off a distinctly unconventional vibe. And he’s very much like to get to know her better.

Gregory says he doesn’t think Alexis is giving Tracy enough credit. He thinks she has an adventurous streak. Alexis says, she definitely has an adventurous streak. Anyone who flees the country as much as she did to avoid prosecution has a sense of adventure. Not to mention, she was married to Luke Spencer. He says he read about Luke in Lucy Coe’s book. He’s like the adventurer in us all. She says, exactly her point. Would Tracy jump out of a plane to avoid capture by either the authorities or the underworld? Easily. But would she jump out of a plane for amusement? He says he supposes only one way to find out, and she says she’s not trying to be a party pooper. Go ahead and ask her, but she doesn’t want him to get his hopes up. This is a big ask for Tracy. He says, it appears to be too big of an ask for everyone, but she says, that’s not true. What about Chase? he says, Chase would do it, but Brook would age thirty years waiting for him to land. She says, how about Finn? but he says, single parent. Violet has to come first. Oh well. Maybe this has to be the one item he won’t be able to check off his bucket list.

Brook says, look at Kristina and Blaze, thick as thieves. She’s glad they hit it off. Blaze says, you can never have too many friends. She loves all the little pop-up shops. Did they get anything good? Violet says, the grown-ups are here to shop. She and Leo are here to see Santa. Leo says, Violet’s here to see Santa, and Brook asks if he doesn’t want anything for Christmas. He says he wants a 3-D puzzle, and Violet says, then tell Santa, but Leo says, there is no Santa.

Josslyn tells Spencer, get away from the door, but he says he doesn’t think so. She asks if he isn’t always praising Trina for being smart and capable, and he says, yes, but… She says, if anyone can handle Esme without back-up, it’s Trina. Now how about if they open her present?

Trina asks, what exactly is Esme thanking her for? and Esme says she knows Trina encouraged Spencer to accept she was moving out. He was so opposed at first, it made it harder for her to do what they all knew was right, but Trina talked him down and made it possible for her to start over and stand on her own. So thank you. Trina says she needed Spencer to know her feelings. To be clear, she didn’t do it for Esme. Esme says she never assumed Trina did. She just… Trina says she asked Spencer to let it go for his own good. She loves Spencer and she intends to have a future with him, but he was trying to be a father to Ace, not a brother, and it was getting in her way. Esme says she figured it was something like that. Even so, Trina has been patient and even polite to her, which can’t be easy with everything she did to Trina. Trina asks if she doesn’t mean the old Esme, and Esme says she’s come to realize that even if she never remembers what happened, all the things she did to Trina, Josslyn, and Cameron… She has to take responsibility for her actions, past and present, so she wanted to thank Trina. But she also wants to apologize for everything she put Trina through. She knows it’s too little too late, but she really hopes it’s not nothing, and maybe someday Trina might even manage to forgive her. Who knows? They might even end up as friends. Trina says, that will never happen.

Carly says she’s happy to get to know Brennan as a customer, and he says, ouch. She says, maybe even as a friend, but she thinks she told him… He says, she’s seeing someone. He remembers. She says, keep remembering, and laughs, and he says, whoever this guy is, he doesn’t seem to know how good he’s got it. She says, he does and so does she, and Brennan asks if the someone she’s seeing is Donna’s father. She says, a different someone. She and Donna’s father are divorced. He says, his loss, and she says, since he’s going to be a regular, what can she get him to eat? He says, sorry. He was being intrusive, wasn’t he? Occupational hazard. She says, that’s okay. She’s an open book. But she doesn’t know a lot about him. He says, ask him anything, and she says, what she knows about him is, he likes to run, he likes burgers, he works in security. What else? He says, there’s one more thing she knows about him, and she says, what? He says, that he enjoys her company, and she laughs. His phone rings, and he says, sorry. He has to take this. He’ll see her again soon. He grabs his coat, and leaves.

Anna tells Dante that Brennan took over as head of the WSB when Frisco was ousted, but when they were part of that failed operation, he was stationed in London and provided remote support and logistics for them. Forsythe was a field agent; she was basically a courier. It was her job to pose as the defector’s girlfriend and get him across the border, which didn’t happen because he got caught and killed. Then the other part is, the money that was allocated to buy the defector’s cooperation was just never recovered. Dante says, so what does the Bureau think happened to all that money? and she says she thinks they chalked it up to intelligence failure. It’s all here – she picks up the report – the dates, the locations, the agents involved. That’s why she kept a copy. Just in case somewhere down the line, they decided to pin this screw-up on her. He says, so Brennan’s now in charge, and Forsythe is dead after going to great lengths to get his hands on that report. There’s got to be something in it worth hiding. She says she guesses Brennan just rose up through the ranks and that would have given him more and more clearance. Eventually, he would have had access to his own records and would have seen a copy of this report. Dante says, but now in his new position, he can’t be implicated for the death of a defector and ten million dollars missing. She says, that’s a lot of money. If they’re right about this, then Brennan wants to eliminate any and all traces of this report. He says, and anyone who knows about it.

On the phone, Dante says, his name is John Brennan, head of the WSB. They want to find out any information about him, news releases, that kind of thing. Anything that will tell them who he is or who he’s connected to… He thanks Sam and tells her, you be careful too. He tells Anna, it’s safe to assume this guy is in good standing with the other Bureaus, the FBI, the CIA… Anna says, yeah. He was always super slick. Dante says, Brennan wasn’t incriminated, but they know he was involved somehow. Forsythe was incriminated, and now he’s dead. She says, what they need is something that ties Brennan to the defector’s assassination. Possibly if they could find out anything on that missing money it would help. He says he might have something. He found this in the locker with the report. He hands her the wallet and asks what she thinks those numbers are. She says, it’s twenty-one digits. That’s the exact number needed for a Swiss bank account. He says, maybe that’s where the missing money is, and she says she doesn’t know that’s where it is, but that could be where it went, and that might lead them to the person who’s responsible for the botched operation. He says, they’ve got to stash this evidence somewhere where Brennan can’t get to it, and she says she knows someone they can call.

Violet says, there is too a Santa, and Chase says, of course (🍷) there is. Brook asks why Leo would say such a thing, and he says, it’s scientifically impossible for one man to visit every single house in the world in one single night. (Again, he’s not wrong.) Violet says, when daddy orders food on his phone, it comes in three minutes or less, and Kristina says, with technology, anything is possible. Leo says, but Santa didn’t have the internet hundreds of years ago. And even if Santa visited every house in the world for one second, that would still be between one and two billion seconds. He’d have to bend the speed continuum to do so. So it’s impossible for there to be a Santa Claus. Violet asks Chase, is it true? Is Santa impossible? Blaze suggests Brook and Chase take Leo shopping, and Brook asks if she’s sure. Blaze says, Brook asked her to trust her as a manager. Does Brook trust her? Brook says, sure, and Chase says, just don’t entice her into a rock and roll lifestyle. Chase and Brook leave with Leo, and Blaze squats down to Violet’s level. She says, here’s the skinny on Santa. The truth is, Leo’s right.

Dr. Navarro says, essentially, Molly and TJ are starting from scratch. Realistically, the soonest they can expect successful implantation is six months, and that’s if the surrogate gets pregnant on the first implantation. TJ asks if there’s anything they can do to expedite things, but she says she’s sorry. As they already know, it’s a painstaking process and there are strict procedures that have to be followed every step of the way. Molly says, they understand. They just let themselves get carried away. She tears up, and TJ puts his hand on her back.

Alexis says, hold it, and Greogry stops on his way out the door. She says, he doesn’t have to defenestrate her diving ambitions just yet. He says he sees what she did there, and she says, does this dangerous and insane thing that insane people do… Does he really want to do it? He says, very much so, and she says, and his condition doesn’t prevent it? He says, not yet, but who knows how long that’s going to last. She says, then she has an idea. Is he ready? He shrugs, and she says, then just do it. Jump. Finn, her, Chase, whoever he wants will be standing there cheerleading. Hopefully, he’ll land safely. Just jump. Does he have to jump out of a plane with somebody else? He says, no, he doesn’t, and she says, there you go. He says, in fact, there’s not a single item on his bucket list that requires a partner, but he wants one anyway. The time is coming when he’s going to be trapped in his own body, unable to put thoughts into words with his mouth or his hands. Essentially, he’s going to be alone with his thoughts and memories until the end of a very short, difficult life. If that’s the way he’s going to go, then he wants his still active, still alert brain to be overflowing with memories and experiences that he shared with people he loves. Experiences that they can tell their kids and grandkids about when he can’t, because he’s unable to or because he’s gone.

Blaze tells Violet, a lot of things are scientifically impossible until someone comes along and proves they’re very possible. I’m thinking, bumblebees, but Violet says, like Santa? and Blaze says, exactly. And here’s how she knows. When she was young and learning how to sing, her voice teacher told her it was too hard for her to hit a high C, that she didn’t have the pipes. But with a little belief in herself and a lot of practice – she sings – now I can sing as high as birds can fly. That’s not impossible after all, huh? Violet says she wants to sing like Blaze. Maybe she can ask Santa for singing lessons. Blaze says, why ask Santa when she’s right here? Kristina watches, smiling.

Alone in the doctor’s office, Molly says she feels bad, but TJ says, she’s hardly the first person to become emotional in the doctor’s office. She says, but she’s not those people. She’s her. She doesn’t do this. He says, why not forgive herself just this once. He teases her, saying, he won’t. He’s so embarrassed. She laughs and he says, that’s better. How does she feel about starting over? She says, her first impulse is full speed ahead, and he says, now that she’s had a second? She says, it’s a long and arduous process. Not just for them. Kristina’s ready to go now. She’s going to have to wait too, and if what happened to Andrea happens with Kristina… He says, she’s right. They need to both be ready to go through all of this again. She says, not to mention the expense, which is another emotional toll. He says he appreciates her mom offering to help them the first time, but he’s not comfortable asking her again. She says, her neither. So she guesses they’re on their own. Can they even do this? He says, they’re going to figure this out. Even if it means they have to do some budgeting, they’ll figure it out. She says, what just kills her is, a month ago, their dream was on its way to happening, and now… He says, they’re back at square one. It feels so… She says, out of reach. Again. He holds her.

Josslyn says, oh my God. It’s perfect. She takes out a dartboard with Spencer’s picture in the middle, and he says he figured the next time he does something that warrants getting a smack, she can save him the bruise. She says, he means he can save him the bruise. She just doesn’t know where she’s going to put it. She can’t put it up in their dorm room. Trina would flip out. He says, Trina knows about it. Josslyn says, Trina’s probably going to use it more than she will.

In the hall, Trina says she’s glad Esme’s changed. And she believes Esme is sincerely sorry. Esme says she really is… Trina says, maybe it’s a good thing that Esme doesn’t remember all the incredibly cruel things she’s done to her. But she does remember. There will never be a day where she or Joss or Cam will look at her and not remember. So they can be cordial, even friendly, but that, this right here, is as good as it’s going to get. Esme thanks Trina for hearing her out, and leaves. Trina goes back inside, and Josslyn asks what Esme wanted. Spencer asks what she said, and Trina tells him, it doesn’t matter what Esme said. It only matters what she said.

Sam comes into Kelly’s and orders a cup of coffee. She tells Carly, it’s going to be a long night. She and Dante are working on something. Carly leaves to get the coffee, and Sam looks up Brennan on Spyder-Finder. She sees an article: WSB NAMES NEW DIRECTOR: JOHN BRENNAN WILL HEAD THE WSB AFTER FISCO JONES OUSTER.

In a very clean alleyway, Brennan asks Hume if he has a location. Hume says, he put their hackers on it. They tapped the GPS system on Anna’s phone and traced her to General Hospital. From there, it’s pretty easy to access… Brennan says he’s not interested in Hume’s processes. Does he know where she is? Hume says, the General Hospital morgue, meeting Detective Dante Falconari. As soon as he connected Anna to Detective Falconari, his people backtracked Dante’s movements. Yesterday he visited a bank where he rented out a safe deposit box. Hours earlier, he was at a train station locker. Security footage shows him retrieving a small package. Brennan says, that must be where Forsythe stashed the report. Now that Falconari has it, Anna does too.

Walking out to the pier with Dante, Anna says, their contact should be here shortly. He’ll make sure the Bureau doesn’t get the evidence, and certainly not Brennan. Dante says, they make sure they secure that report, then go after Brennan himself, and Anna says, yeah. Wherever he is.

Hume asks what Brennan wants him to do, and Brennan says, find that cop and retrieve the report, if he has it with him. And make sure there are no physical or digital copies. Hume asks what Brennan wants him to do about Anna Devane.

Carly pours Sam’s coffee and sees the headline. She asks if that’s the guy Sam is investigating, and Sam says, yeah. He’s head of the WSB. Carly says, really. Because he told her that he was a security consultant. Sam asks if she knows him.

Gregory says he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to unload in Alexis’s office. He’ll get to that report. He starts to leave, but she stops him, snatching the folder from his hand. She says, don’t worry about the article. They’ll run a horoscope. He asks if they don’t have one already, and she says, even astrologers need opposing viewpoints. Just ask a Gemini. He says, no. He wants to work. They can still make tomorrow’s deadline. She says, do whatever he wants, but she’s going to be spending the next three hours calling every single skydiving service in the country, specifically to this area, to check the safety reports, because she’s certainly not putting her life in the hands of some random cloud jockey. He says, she’s going with him? and she says, looks that way. He says, no. He didn’t mean to sway her. She made it clear… She says she changed her mind. Besides, it’ll be a good story. He says, for the paper? but she says, for his grandchildren, and hers.

TJ and Molly walk down the hall hand in hand, and he asks if she’s okay. She says she’ll be fine. It’s just, the last thing she wants to do is take more time. They’ve lost enough already. He says he feels exactly the same, but he thinks they should sleep on it. She says she knows he’s right, and he says, it’s just one more day. What’s one more day? Having a baby is the dream. Isn’t that worth waiting for? She says, of course (🍷), but she thinks they should be taking into account their surrogate too. Kristina has offered them this incredible gift, but that’s doesn’t mean there isn’t an expiration date. He asks if she thinks Kristina will change her mind, and Molly says, no, but she has a life of her own. Her center is scheduled to open in June. Are they going to ask her to push back the opening so she can get pregnant? Maybe they’re being selfish using her sister as their surrogate. TJ tells her that Kristina said she wanted to do this, but she asks if they should really ask Kristina to put her life on hold for them. She does know that pregnant women do stuff, right?

Kristina, Blaze, and Violet walk through Rice Plaza singing Deck the Halls, and meet Chase, Brook, and Leo. Brook asks if everything is good here, and Blaze says she thinks so, but someone’s going to have to tell Violet’s dad she’s taking singing lessons, every Wednesday from 4 to 5. Brook says, with Blaze? That’s amazing. Chase tells Blaze, what did he say about dragging her into a rock and roll lifestyle? and Blaze says she’s giving Violet singing lessons, not lifestyle instructions. Leo asks if they can go home now, and tells Violet that he’s sorry he challenged her belief in something that made her happy. Violet says, that’s okay, and Leo says, even if there’s no scientific explanation for it. Violet says, that’s okay too. Right, Blaze? Blaze says, absolutely, and Brook says, Leo is right. They have to get going. She and Chase leave with the kids, and Kristina says, good save. Does she have any more tricks up her sleeve? Blaze says, stick around and maybe she’ll find out. She can’t give away all her secrets. You have to work for them. She tells Kristina that she’s going to get them some hot chocolate and goes over to the vendor. Kristina flashes back to them touching hands, then being interrupted by Brook.

Josslyn says she’s late for a study session with Adam, and Trina says she thought Josslyn told him that he had to find someone else to study with. He’s nice enough – don’t get her wrong – but he’s not Josslyn’s responsibility. Josslyn says she feels bad for the guy. Darts later? Trina says she can’t wait, and Josslyn leaves. Spencer says, it’s just them now. How did things go with Esme? She says, surprisingly well. Esme thanked her for encouraging him to take a step back. He says he bets, and she says, then Esme apologized for everything she did before. He asks if Trina thinks she meant it, and Trina says she does, but that doesn’t mean she trusts Esme.

Holding Ace near the tree, an ornament in her other hand, Esme says, isn’t it beautiful? Their first ornament for their first Christmas tree. Now watch mommy. She flashes back to being locked in the tower at Windymere and decorating the tree with toilet paper. She remembers saying, what a way to end a year. Ironic, isn’t it Ace? The ornament in her hand falls to the floor and smashes.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Ned that nothing is going to stop her from making this right; Laura asks if Cyrus will do this for her; Nina says she needs Ava’s help before her world comes crashing down; and Sonny tells someone that they’ve already been replaced.

🏥 Dropping In To Port Charles…

About the temp Josslyn.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/courtney-fulk-is-the-temporary-josslyn-recast-on-general-hospital

Below Deck Mediterranean

Backtracking a little, Captain Sandy asks if Lily can do turndowns on her own. She needs Lily to be more aware and have initiative. Lily has to be able to do it on her own, and she’s giving Lily one more chance. She knows Lily is exhausted, but how a crew member maintains is how she decides to keep a crew member. She needs to rely on Lily, and so does Tumi. Check in and stay on top with the radio. Lily says she feels she’s got a method now, and in Lily’s interview, she says she has to change people’s perception of her. They haven’t seen what’s underneath these curtains. The captain calls Tumi to the bridge, and says she talked to Lily. Sometimes you need to take time with someone. They could know what they’re doing, but have the wrong attitude. She always hires based on character, not skills. Skills can be taught; character is more difficult. In Tumi’s interview, she says she was hoping the captain let Lily go, but clearly not. She’s tired of picking up the slack, and so are Kyle and Jessika. She needs Lily to step it up. In Jessika’s interview, she says, Lily’s mistakes are her mistakes, and Lily’s successes are her successes. It’s her problem if Lily isn’t successful, and she’s not willing to take the fall if Tumi notices Lily’s mistakes. On deck, Max hums opera and exercises his abs.

It’s time for the preference sheet meeting, and Captain Sandy says, it’s a repeat customer. Luka asks how their first charter went, and the captain says, not good. Primary Billy is the co-founder of an ad agency. We flash back to that cruise, and the captain reads that he’s happy to be back, and hoping they have a boat with working stabilizers and a slide. He’s bringing his fiancé Chris and six close friends. Jack says, they want a Brazilian steakhouse meal and local Brazilian dancers. Tumi ponders local Brazilian dancers in Italy, and Tumi says, they want to have a sparkles and glitter dance party on the sun deck after dinner. Jack says, they want a big gay breakfast, and Luka says, there will be lots of sausage. Tumi says, they’re also asking Captain Sandy to join them for breakfast. Jack says, they love caviar so he’s getting the most expensive, beluga. Captain Sandy looks like she’s all-in with this. Provisions come, and Kyle is still wrestling with a migraine. He asks Tumi if he can lie down, and in his interview, he says, he was struck at 10 pm and had zero sleep. If this is because it’s been an emotional charter season and the stress has built, he doesn’t know. Haleigh calls the captain and says she’s been throwing up all day; she has a stomach bug. The captain tells her to get rest and hydrate. When she feels better, they’ll pick her up. Jessika shows Lily how to smooth out pillows, and Luka tells Max that he’s on at 3 am. Max says, it’s f***ing him up, and in Luka’s interview, he says, there’s extra pressure because of the last charter. We flash to Captain Sandy griping about Luka getting the schedule together, and Luka says, he’s concerned about Max. When you’re down a crew member, there’s an unspoken rule that you pick up the slack. He would never tell his boss that he can’t do it. Tumi wonders what to do for Kyle, and in her interview, she says, Kyle being down is her worst nightmare. He has he most experience. She still needs to supervise Jessika, and that means she’d need Lily to be alone with housekeeping. No. She just tried to get Lily fired less than 12 hours ago. Imagine if she did. Tumi tells Lily that she needs to be as quick as she can; Kyle is down with a headache. Lily wonders what’s happening to everyone, and the captain says, holy cannoli. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, she’s giving Lily the opportunity to redeem herself, and now Haleigh is gone, and Kyle is down, and Kyle knows the guests. The worst pressure is on her. She wants to pull this off. Please let the weather be good. Jessika asks Tumi if Kyle is going to be down for the entire trip, but Tumi says she can’t think that far.

The guests arrive, and immediately ask about the slide. We flash back to the captain telling them it’s stuck in customs, and she assures them it will be out. The usual happens, and Tumi tells them that Kyle is ill, but not to worry; he’s coming. Primary Billy and fiancé Chris talk to Jack about the cuts of meat and the temperature of this evening’s steaks, and in Jack’s interview, he says he prides himself on his steaks. He worked in an American steakhouse. He explains how he cooks his steak, and says he’ll put his steak against anyone’s. Jack promises the guests there will be steaks of all temperatures. In Lily’s interview, she says, she thinks it will get easier. She can do whatever she puts her mind to. She has a Masters; cleaning is easy. In Max’s interview, he says, Haleigh is gone, and they have less crew. If you don’t sleep, you go loco. The four things needed are sleep, eating, rest, and loving. Lobster spaghetti, Dover sole, and asparagus are served for lunch. Chris wants a potato for the caviar, and Tumi tells Jack. She comes back, and then is sent for crushed ice. Chris says he’s not a huge fan of mint in his asparagus and he has my agreement on that one. He and Chris tell Tumi that they need another plate and another potato, and in Tumi’s interview, she says, with Haleigh sick and Kyle down, the last thing she needs is dealing with difficult guests. Her aim is to keep afloat. She tells Jack that the guests want two potatoes, and he tells her, 20 minutes. She relays the message and asks Billy if that’s okay, but he says, no. They don’t want them anymore. She brings that info back to Jack, who says he hates them already. He wonders if this is going to be the charter that breaks them.

They anchor, and in Jessika’s interview, she says she needs to fully trust Lily. She needs to be on service, which she wanted to do more, but Lily has to be on housekeeping alone. Good luck, Lily. Tumi checks on Jessika in the laundry, and in Tumi’s interview, she says she’s pleasantly surprised. Everything is pressed and in order. With housekeeping, it’s a different story, but she believes in miracles, and she’s hoping their Lilybet is a miracle. Max meets the guests and amuses them, and the guests do water sports. The guests get ready for the Brazilian dinner, and Jack goes over the menu with Tumi. Tumi asks Luka to pick up the dancers, and in Luka’s interview, he says, in yachting, communication is everything. Tumi gets an A for communication, and it’s about time. Tumi asks Jessika what the guests are drinking, and Jessika says, literally everything. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says she has an awesome deck team. Luka is focused and can implement change. Tumi tells Lily to take all the glitz and glamour out of the cupboard, and Max does The Worm down the hallway, which Lara finds disturbing, as do I. The captain checks on Kyle and asks if he’s sick sick. Maybe he should go to the doctor. He should be better be now; this is not normal. She calls the marina nurse Terry and says she’s concerned about a crew member with a headache. She asks for Terry’s help to facilitate a doctor visit, then calls Luka to the bridge. In Lily’s interview, she says she’s a visual learner. She likes when Tumi shows her stuff, but she’ll never fold a towel the same way twice though. The captain tells Luka that Kyle is going to the doctor, and Luka asks Lara to drive him to shore. In Lara’s interview, she says, everyone is breaking. Who are they losing next? The guests see Kyle leave in the tender, and Kyle tells Lara that he has no idea what’s going on. In Tumi’s interview, she says, great. She needs Kyle’s energy this charter. The guests have a relationship with him, and it adds to their experience. She could never reach their level of craziness.

Tumi tells Jessika, it’s going to be a long night. Kyle left for the doctor. Jessika says she’s shook, and Tumi asks where Lily is. Jessika says, doing cabins, and Tumi checks on her. Lily says she’s made the same bed four or five times, and in Tumi’s interview, she says she’s shocked that Lily is managing. She’s actually proud of her. Kyle gets to shore, and Lara tells him, get better. Luka steals a kiss from Jessika, and in Jessika’s interview, she says she’s starting to like Luka a lot. Him showing her so much affection makes her think he likes her more. In Luka’s interview, he says, Jessika is funny and fun, and a producer asks if he’s worried about getting attached, but he says, no. Lara picks up the Brazilian dancers, and in her interview, she says, mamacita! They look good. They should give her dance lessons and she can teach them other lessons later. Chris says, he and Billy had a fantastic time in Rio, so they wanted to bring Rio to the Med. The dancers change into Vegas showgirl type costumes and do their thing, some of the guests dancing with them. The guests are seated for dinner and the rare steak is served first. Billy wants a couple of slices, and Tumi explains that it’s not the medium well he requested, but he doesn’t care. He takes a few bites, and tells Tumi that he wants it more done, as though his order came out wrong. He says, they went over what medium is, and there isn’t a range of temperatures. Instead of wasting her time explaining to him that medium takes longer to cook than rare, in Tumi’s interview, she says, he’s just looking for something to complain about. He took the rare steak even though she warned him.

Jack gives Tumi the well-done steaks, and suddenly everything is perfect with Billy. Tumi asks Jessika to help with the cabins, and Jessika finds Lily almost finished. In Jessika’s interview, she says, is this real? Lily is learning. Guest Matthew, who reminds me of entitled brat Spencer on GH, says, the boat is amazing, but they’re not getting much flavor. Dessert is served, and Matthew says, the dinner was super mediocre, but the dessert is really good. Somebody says, it’s glam party time, and Billy says he loved dinner. Tumi tells Lily that she’s proud of her, and in Tumi’s interview, she says, some people need time. She thrived when she was put on laundry and housekeeping. She figured out the navigation, and Lily needed the space to do that. Katie Flood texts Luka that she’s in Portofino, and in Luka’s interview, he says, they used to date, but now she’s a friend. She worked for Sandy in the past. We flash back, but for the life of me, I don’t remember this girl. A producer asks what their history is, but Luka says, they don’t have any. They hung out a few times. What are you getting at? Lily and Max play roughhouse in the galley, and in Lily’s interview, she says, she and Max have fun together. Lily puts glitter on guests’ faces, and Jack asks Max to help wash dishes. In Max’s interview, he says he can’t close his eyes or someone will find him a new mission. He has to be a British spy. Mission Impossible. Kyle texts Tumi, saying he’s spaying the night on land, but should be back tomorrow. In Jack’s interview, he says he was trained in classical cuisine. He’s not sure what a gay breakfast even means, but he’s making it rainbowy. Wearing a rainbow tutu, Tumi hauls a blow-up penis on deck, unsure of where to put it. She finally plops it near the table. The guests sit and Captain Sandy joins them. Tumi tells the guests that the breakfast special is rainbow pancakes, and Matthew snarks that the chef’s specialty is in food coloring. He could make those pancakes. In Tumi’s interview, she says, oh my God. Here we go. She likes chaotic guests, but the ones who have notes on everything are the ones she doesn’t want. She doesn’t need them nitpicking everything.

Captain Sandy says she knows the guests aren’t overjoyed and the missing link is Kyle. Billy asks about Leah, and the captain says, they’re living together now. She tells them about meeting on Facebook. After breakfast, the guests play with the water toys, and Kyle calls. He says he can come back if someone will come get him, and the captain says she’s sending the tender. She tells the guests that Kyle is returning and tells Luka that someone has to pick him up. Max volunteers, and in Max’s interview, he says he feels like an octopus. The tender will be a sweet escape. No one watching. He can do it twice if he wants. Tumi puts a blue wig on. Max picks up Kyle, and in Kyle’s interview, he says, they did a bunch of tests. He was exhausted and dehydrated with a migraine. He feels guilty and asks if this isn’t normally what celebrities are hospitalized for. Is he a celebrity? Captain Sandy says she’s so happy, and Kyle says, guess who’s back? In Max’s interview, he says he’s hungry and tired and has a right to be a bitch to everyone. Tumi tells Kyle that he should wait before going on deck. The energy is draining. Natalya texts Jack that she heard things were busy. Kyle goes out to see the guests, and Billy says, it’s about time. They hug. Max pokes around the galley for food, and Lara points out that there’s pasta, but Max doesn’t want pasta. He tells Jack, there’s no food, just meat. He whines to Captain Sandy that there’s no food and when he leaves, Lara says, Max just doesn’t want what’s there. The captain calls Max to the bridge and says she doesn’t like to be lied to. Don’t lie again. He said there was no food and pitched a fit when there was pasta. Max says he didn’t know there was pasta, and Lara is like, oh no. He asked her if it was from last night, and she said it was vegetarian pasta. He said he didn’t want it. Captain Sandy tells him not to say there’s no food when clearly, there’s food. What he did was wrong. He didn’t want that food. In the captain’s interview, she says she knows they’re down two crew members and knows it’s extra work and tiring, but she doesn’t like liars. Say he’s sorry. Max says – wait for it – no, and walks off. Captain Sandy says she understands he’s tired and hungry, and Lara says she didn’t want to make a scene, but the captain says, she didn’t.

Next time, Jessika says, things are getting exciting with Luka; Captain Sandy says, Luka is smitten with Katie, and Jess hears; Billy tells Jack, more gay fun, less hotel; Lara has to go to the doctor; and the captain is concerned she won’t be able to leave the dock.

❄️ Dashing, But No Snow…

Set a spell tomorrow for soap and the excavation of internet gems. Until then, stay safe, stay being patient and kind if something goes wrong, and stay not challenging a child’s belief in something that makes them happy, even if there’s no scientific explanation for it.

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

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alexis and Kristina hug, and TJ and Molly kiss

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

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

👼🏾 Singing With the Angels…

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

🧓🏻 In Happier News…

I’ll bet he’s an amazing grandpa.

👠 They’re Coming…

I wonder who Teresa will throw something at this season.

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

🛥 Deck Disasters…

Captain Lee will turn this boat around.

🍰 Bakers At Battle…

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

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

🐕 All About That Bowl…

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

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

Westward Leading, Still Proceeding…

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