Tag Archives: To Be Young Gifted and Black

Feb24

February 23, 2023 – Cyrus’s Mission Is Interrupted, Serenade, Mom’s Here, New Scribes, Now Leaving, Bad Joke, Awful TV, Dead Talk, Fun On 4 Legs, 10 Quotes On the Nose & To Be

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the hospital, Sam thanks Elizabeth for allowing Danny to volunteer at GH, and Elizabeth says, they can always use an extra hand. Sam says she thought it would be a good thing for him to do while he’s grounded, and Elizabeth asks how she’s doing with everything. Sam asks if she means her teenage son sneaking out and getting drunk in the park, and Elizabeth says, yeah, that. Sam says she can’t believe this is happening already, and Elizabeth says, if it makes Sam feel any better, we tend to grow out of it. Sam says, we? and Elizabeth says, former wild child at your service. Sam says, Elizabeth is right. She just… Elizabeth asks if she’s worried something deeper is going on, and Sam says, yeah. She just hopes she’s wrong.

Tracy absently stirs her drink at the MetroCourt bar and Gregory says, fancy meeting you here. She asks if he’s getting takeout, but he says he’s having dinner with his sons. She sees Finn and Chase at one of the tables, and says, how nice. He says, and her? and she says she just had a meeting with a Deception shareholder and she’s about to go home. He suggests she join them, but she says she doesn’t want to impose. He says, don’t be silly. They’ll be family soon enough.

Kristina is having a sonogram, and Dr. Navarro says, everything looks good. Molly wonders if she’s just saying that, but TJ tells her, doctors don’t just say that. The doctor says, growth measurements are right on target and all signs point to a healthy baby. Molly says, yay, and she and TJ kiss. Kristina says, they made it through the first trimester, a major milestone, and Dr. Navarro says, most miscarriages happen during the first four weeks of pregnancy, and they’re at week 14. And they know the sex. Do they want to find out? Kristina says, yes, but Molly and TJ look at each other.

Ava watches as Sonny comes into the penthouse. He goes to the bar, picks up a short glass, and slams it against the wall.

John says, Anna is going over his head? and she says she doesn’t want to, but she will. He keeps obstructing her investigation. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want O’Neill to tell them who’s been buying those guns. He says, and now she’s questioning his integrity, and other guy tells Anna that she’ll want to hear this. She tells him, put it on speaker, and they hear O’Neill say, even in protective custody he’s vulnerable. Cyrus asks, why so fearful? and O’Neill says, the Feds don’t know who they’re up against. Cyrus says, God will protect him if he has faith. At least let him share O’Neill’s burden. Who is this man whose threats are worth a lifetime in prison?

Elizabeth asks if Danny has been acting out in other ways, and Sam says, maybe, but she doesn’t know what’s acting out normally or what is normal teenage behavior. Danny joins them and Sam asks how it went. He says, fine, and Elizabeth says, he was great when she asked him to help the other volunteers. Sam says she’s proud of him, and he says he was mostly in the mailroom. Can they go home now? Sam says, sure. Where’s his coat? He says, it’s probably in the fourth-floor lounge. Whatever. He’ll just get it tomorrow. She says, not whatever, and he says, they’re just going to the car. She tells him to get his coat, and he reluctantly goes to the elevator. She says, thank you, and Elizabeth says, totally normal teenage behavior for sure.

Elizabeth sits with Gregory and sons and asks how it’s going living under the same roof. Chase says, it’s great, and Finn tells him, says the guy who doesn’t live there. Gregory says, hey, and Finn says, just kidding. It is great. Violet is over the moon having her grandpa there all the time. Gregory says, and the feeling is mutual. They built a pillow fort the other day. Tracy says, there better be evidence, and Gregory says, but of course (🍷). He shows her his phone, and she says, that is impressive. He says, they thought so, and she asks, how many pillows do they have? Finn says, more than he was aware of apparently, and Chase asks to see it. Finn asks if he has a little fort envy, and Chase says, maybe. When he was Violet’s age, his forts tended to disintegrate into a pile of pillows, but this actually has some structure. Violet could become an architect or an engineer one day – Gregory struggles with his fork and drops it, then Tracy slips him hers – after her singing and dancing, and does she still want to be a circus performer?

Kristina says, is it a girl? It’s a girl, right? Gender can affect the way you carry… Molly says she thinks that’s just an old wives’ tale. She and TJ discussed it, and they decided they don’t want to find out. TJ says, they want the baby’s sex to be a surprise, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Sorry. She was just caught up in the moment. That should 100% be their choice. TJ says, they might change their minds, and Molly says, yeah. For now. The doctor says, their secret is safe with her, and Molly thanks her and says, they would, however, like to hear the heartbeat. Dr. Navarro says, they’ve got it, and puts the sound on. Kristina says, whoa, and Molly says, it sounds like a horse galloping. The doctor says, nice and strong, the way they like it. TJ tells Molly, that’s their baby, and Kristina takes Molly’s hand.

Sonny picks up the pieces of glass, and Ava asks if he got anything out of Selina’s guy. He asks if she was listening, and she says, he and Selina left to talk to her guard, who she gathers has some kind of loyalty problem. Sonny says, he gave up Selina’s location in exchange for a quick payoff, and Ava says, so she was ambushed like they were. So what did this traitor have to say for himself? Sonny says, he didn’t say anything at first, and she says, let her guess. Sonny found a way to convince him. Sonny says, he claims the guy coming after him calls himself Stone.

Cyrus says, as a man of God, he can help. As a former inmate, and sinner, he can understand. O’Neill says, better than talking to law enforcement. Protective custody is going to be hell. They’ll be the only people he sees. Cyrus says, well, take advantage of this moment while he has it. Tell him his story. Dante says, this is it, and O’Neill says, almost a year ago, he was contacted by a guy… Heather suddenly appears and says, Renault, you charlatan. Who you scamming now? Dante says, dammit, and John asks, who’s that? Heather says, do not let this man fool you. Cyrus is not a man of God. He’s a good for nothing liar.

Finn says, Coney Island? and Chase says, yeah. Finn says, Tracy is flying everyone to Coney Island the night before? and she says, yes, because that’s typically when the rehearsal dinner happens, the night before the wedding. Finn says, Coney Island? and Gregory asks, what’s wrong with it? Finn says, ask him at the reception when Violet is in the throes of a sugar crash. Gregory says he thinks someone is projecting here, and Finn says he thinks that someone’s him. Gregory says, oh really? Because if memory serves, he took Finn to a state fair when he was 8 years old, and he discovered the magic of cotton candy. (I love that stuff!) He had it everywhere; on his fingers, in his hair, on his eyebrows even. Tracy says, that’s adorable, and Finn says, absolutely adorable. Chase tells Finn, that’s what people say about him, and Finn says, that’s enough. Coney Island?

Sam tells Elizabeth that Danny’s never been grounded before. She’s starting to think maybe that’s because he just hasn’t been caught. Elizabeth asks if she thinks he’s sneaking out, and she says she doesn’t know. Maybe it’s because he’s been so quiet lately. She knows that happens with teenagers his age, but she doesn’t know. What if something is actually wrong? Elizabeth says, Jason was a man of few words. Like father, like son? Sam says, Danny reminds her more and more of Jason every day. The way he frowns when he’s concentrating or something, and the way he considers himself Scout’s biggest protector. Elizabeth says, that’s very Jason-like, and Sam says, so yeah, when Danny says less than 10 words to her in a day, she has to remind herself that Jason wasn’t a big talker. But Danny being quiet is just different somehow. Elizabeth says, because he’s a kid, and Sam says she knew if it was important enough, Jason would eventually tell her. She just doesn’t think Danny knows better. And while she wants to hold him accountable for all his screw ups, she doesn’t want him to look at her like she’s the enemy. Elizabeth says, it’s quite the ride, isn’t it? What does Dante say? Sam says. Dante’s been wonderful, amazing, and supportive, but she knows how that goes in the end. Her kids, her life. She just wishes there were a rule book or just someone to tell her what to do. Elizabeth says, you and me both.

Dr. Navarro hands Molly an envelope and says, if they do decide they want to know the sex of the baby. Molly tells TJ that he’d better hang on to it, and gives the envelope to him. He says, she doesn’t trust herself? and she says, not even a little. TJ thanks the doctor for accommodating his schedule and seeing them tonight, and she says, no problem. Everything looks great with the pregnancy. Next appointment in four weeks? Molly says she’ll call Dr. Navarro’s office, and the doctor says, goodnight, and leaves. Kristina joins them, and TJ thanks her for coming to the hospital this late. Molly says, TJ really wanted to be here for the appointment, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Molly asks if everything is all right, and Kristina says, everything is fantastic. Their baby’s a rock star. Molly says, and so is their surrogate, and TJ says, they were going to dinner if she wants to join them, and Kristina says, no. She has plans, but thanks them. Molly says, plans with Blaze? and Kristina says she’ll call Molly tomorrow and jets to the elevator. TJ says, is it him or was that weird? and Molly says, it’s not him.

Cyrus says, a few cleansing breaths might help, and Heather says, cleanse this. She tells O’Neill that Cyrus says he leads a flock, right? Well, he led her little daughter to her death. Cyrus says, that’s not true, and she says, the hell it isn’t. By the way, what is Cyrus doing here anyway? She thought that his sister – she leans in toward O’Neill – the mayor got him out of here. Cyrus says, Laura had nothing to do with his release, and she says, yeah, right. O’Neill gets up and says, Laura Collins is his sister? (like people wouldn’t know this) and Heather says, he might as well be talking to the mayor herself. She and her big brother keep no secrets. He says, she doesn’t know anything about his relationship with Laura, and Heather says her little girl came to him for help, and he denied her, but he shared her every word with his sister, and now her little girl is dead. Her daughter died because of him. She launches herself at Cyrus and pushes him back. His microphone is muffled in the struggle, and Anna runs out of the room, followed by Dante and John, who tells other guy, find out what happened to that audio.

Elizabeth says, the teenage years are hard on everyone, us, them… Sam says, especially them. She just wishes she knew what to do. Elizabeth has raised boys. How? Elizabeth says she tries to meet each of them where they’re at. The way she parents Cameron is not how she operates with Jake. Hard lesson learned, by the way. It’s like they all have their own language, and she needs to find a way to translate. Sam says, that sounds simple, and Elizabeth says, she knows. Sometimes a shared experience is a good way in. Like doing something Sam loves, or they love, or if Sam can possibly find something they both love doing together, she finds it helps them open up. Sam thanks her and says, that’s really good advice. Elizabeth says, it took years of practice, when Danny comes out. Sam asks if he’s ready to go, and Elizabeth thanks him for his help today. Same time tomorrow? He says, yeah, tomorrow, and walks off with Sam. He says, time to go back to the old lock-up, and she says, it’s their home; it’s not a prison. He says, could have fooled him, and she asks if he wants to go somewhere else. She walks around the corner, comes back, and asks if he’s coming.

Ava says, Stone. As in Stone Cates Memorial AIDS Wing? Sonny says he thinks someone is trying to use Stone’s memory to rattle him, and she says, that is despicable. He says he never knew she cared so much, and she says, it happened to her or doesn’t he remember? Esme used Kiki’s memory to hurt her, to torture her, on Ryan’s orders. Sonny says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s glad that son of a bitch is dead, and Ava says, that makes two of us. You’d think it would give her just a little bit of closure, a little peace. He says, nothing can give you that, and she says, no.

Chase thanks Tracy and says, to have her involved in the wedding planning means a lot to Brook, and him. Gregory says, Tracy’s dedication is unparalleled. She’s been collecting RSVPs personally. Chase says, what? and she says she dropped by The Invader to… Lois wants a final headcount ASAP. He says, they just got the invitations back from the printer yesterday, and Tracy says she knows, but he knows Lois. Patience is not one of her virtues. Chase says, right. Don’t leave him in suspense. Is Gregory coming to the wedding? Gregory says, since he’s officiating, he thought it might be prudent to show up. And Alexis has agreed to be his plus one. Chase says, nice, and Finn says, that’s great. Tracy says, yes, it’s great, and Finn says, what about Tracy? Who is she bringing to the wedding?

TJ says, it felt strange, didn’t it, when Dr. Navarro asked them if they wanted to find out the sex, and Kristina answered, when she knows they’re the ones making all of the decisions about the baby. Molly says she thinks Kristina just blurted it out, Kristina being Kristina. She’s all in with everything she does, this pregnancy being no exception. He says he guesses, and she says, Kristina seemed totally cool when they said they didn’t want to find out, but he says, she doesn’t get to be cool. This has nothing to do with her. (Okay, he’s officially annoying me.) Molly says, and she knows, or she’ll get there. And it actually has a lot to do with her. Their baby is dependent on her sister for the next 8 months. Of course (🍷) she’s invested in the life inside her. Isn’t that what they want?

Kristina knocks at Blaze’s hotel room door, and Blaze lets her in. She says, Kristina had an OB appointment tonight, right? Did everything go okay? Kristina says, yeah. The baby is growing appropriately, strong heartbeat. It’s all good. Blaze says, thank God. The look on Kristina’s face made her think something had happened. Kristina says, all good, and Blaze says, then what is it? Obviously, something’s wrong. Kristina tells her that she wouldn’t say wrong, and Blaze asks if she wants to pick another word. Kristina says, more like strange.

John charges toward the room where Cyrus is, but Dante says, wait, and Anna says, if he goes in there, he’s going to blow Cyrus’s cover. We hear Heather yelling, and John says, what cover? This operation’s been cursed from the start. There’s no saving it now. They go in, and Heather tells Anna, that man is a false prophet. Off to the side, Cyrus has his arm around O’Neill’s shoulders and is talking to him. Heather continues to rant, and Anna tells her, calm down. Two guards hold Heather back, and she says her daughter died because he wouldn’t help her. Cyrus says, don’t hurt her. Heather is a lost soul with a troubled mind, and Heather says, he’ll pay for not helping Esme. Her daughter will not have died in vain. John says, enough, and tells a guard to take O’Neill back to his cell. Anna tells the guards, don’t hurt her, please. Just get her out of here. As O’Neill is led away, Cyrus says, go in peace, my friend, and John tells them to get Heather out of here. She wails that they’re hurting her as she’s taken away, and Dante asks Cyrus, what the hell was that?

Kristina says, when that heartbeat filled the room, it was like… Blaze says, magic, and Kristina says, yes, magic. And it was so real. It was more real than anything has felt so far. There’s a baby in there. Blaze says, that’s what happens when you become pregnant, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Obviously, the pregnancy test is proof and morning sickness is definitely proof, but seeing and hearing that little blob… Blaze says she gets it, and Kristina says she can’t wait to see who this little person becomes. Blaze says, so what’s the issue? and Kristina asks what she means. Blaze says, Kristina is making everything sound so positive, but she said things felt strange. Kristina says, at the appointment, Dr. Navarro asked if they wanted to know the sex and she immediately without hesitation said yes. She wasn’t even thinking about it; it just came out of her mouth. Blaze says, and Molly and TJ told the doctor, no, and Kristina says, being them, they had discussed it ahead of time. Of course (🍷), and as they should. They’re the parents. It’s just… Blaze says, strange, and Kristina tells her that she feels bad saying this, but in that moment, she felt like the baby was hers. And she knows that it’s not. She knows it’s 100% TJ and Molly’s. She gets that. Her voice breaks, and Blaze takes her hands and says, right now, today, that baby is a part of Kristina’s body. Of course (🍷) she would think of it as hers. They hug.

TJ says, of course (🍷) they want Krissy to care about their baby, and Molly says, and remember, that’s her little niece or nephew in there. If it were Molly who was pregnant, Kristina would still be at every appointment and demanding to know the sex. He says, good point, and she says, this is new, for all of them, and like they say, three can be a crowd. He asks if she doesn’t mean four, and Molly says, four. He kisses her and she says, they’ll find a way through this, together. TJ says, any second thoughts? and she says, second? Try third, fourth, fifth… She’s fighting the urge to know and planning everything around the sex, but they’re not really the pink or blue type of people anyway. He says, their son or daughter is going to be whoever they want to be anyway, and she says, the ours part is not negotiable.

Walking onto the footbridge, Danny tells Sam that he used to come here with dad, and she says, it was his favorite place to think. He says, it makes sense. Quiet, no traffic, no people. She says, that’s why he liked it. That’s why she likes it to. He says, it’s cool… Why did she bring him here? She says, because she feels closer to his dad here and she thought maybe he would feel closer to him too. His dad was going to teach him how to ride. 16 isn’t that far away, but it’s not the same as learning from his dad. He says, no, it’s not.

Ava says, you’d think after all these years, she’d have a better handle on her grief. And normally she does she guesses, but losing Spencer brought it all back up to the surface. He asks if she’s been thinking a lot about Kiki and she says, constantly. He says he understands. Spencer’s death blew everything up. For all of them. Now he has this faceless enemy who’s using Stone’s name. She says, Stone was very important to Sonny, wasn’t he? and Sonny says, Stone represents all the people he couldn’t save. She says, he can’t be responsible for everybody. That’s not possible. He says, that’s not how he feels. His mother, Lily, Courtney, Morgan. He couldn’t do anything for any of them. She says, he can’t blame himself, but he says, how could he not?

Cyrus says, what does Dante mean, what was that? Wasn’t he listening? Anna says, his mic went out after Heather showed up, and he pats himself and says, it must have gotten loose during their struggle. Dante says, Heather really doesn’t like him, does she? when John joins them. Cyrus says, he must be Agent Cates, and holds out his hand. John ignores him and tells Anna, this whole thing is a colossal waste of time. Cyrus says, on the contrary, and Anna asks what he means. He says his talk with Mr. O’Neill was very enlightening.

Tracy comes back to find only Gregory at the table and asks if it’s something he said. He says, Finn is checking in with Violet, and Chase is in the restroom. It wasn’t lost on him what she did there. She says, what she did where? and he says, getting up to powder her nose when Finn inquired as to her date for the wedding. She says she had to use the rest room, and he wonders if he can ask her something. She says, as long as it has nothing to do with her plus one, and he says, did she really stop by The Invader to confirm his RSVP? She says, Lois wasn’t really sure if he was bringing somebody to the wedding. He shouldn’t be surprised. He’s experienced her… enthusiasm firsthand. He says he just got the feeling she was there for something else, and she says, if she was, it slipped her mind. He says, okay. He guesses it wasn’t important then. She says she guesses not, and sips her drink.

Sam says, Danny can talk to her about his dad any time. He knows that, right? He says, it feels weird sometimes, and she says, why? Because of Dante? Yes, Dante loves him, but in no way would he ever try to replace Jason. Nor would he want Danny to avoid the subject of his dad. Danny says he’s been missing his dad a lot lately, more than usual, and she asks if he wants to tell her about it. He asks if she remembers Wyatt. His dad came home last month after serving two years overseas. She says, Wyatt must be really happy, and Danny says, he is and he’s happy for him. They used to talk about their dads all the time. She says, and how they missed them, and he says, and now Wyatt’s dad is back. Is it terrible if he kind of wishes he wasn’t? She says, no, not at all. She thinks it’s normal that he would have somebody to relate to, and that’s comforting. Not having that can be sad, but he can talk to her. He steps away from her and says he’s good.

Sonny says he wants to do everything he can to find out who’s threatening his family, and Ava says, and Selina Wu is going to work with him. He says, they’re going to use her guard to lay a trap for whoever’s gunning for him. She says, and Selina, and he says, right. He’s going to tell Stone’s guy that they’re setting up a secret meeting at some isolated location where it’s easy to ambush. She says, really though, it’s a trap for Stone’s gunman, and he says he’s going to find the leak in his organization and he’s going to destroy it. Then he’s going after Stone. She says, he’s suffered some betrayal lately, hasn’t he? and he says he has. Carly, Michael, Nina… She says she thought he and Michael reconciled, and he says he thought so too, but it was all a lie. She says, maybe in their own way, they thought they were helping him, and he says, going behind his back? He can’t trust them. He can’t trust anyone. She says, what he can’t do is go through life alone, so if he really thinks he doesn’t have anybody else, he has her. He says, her? and she says, yeah. Her. He says, who would have guessed? and they laugh.

Kristina thanks Blaze, and Blaze says, for what? Kristina says, for letting her process her feelings without judging her. It’s all really confusing. But one thing she knows with absolute certainty is, this baby is TJ and Molly’s and that’s what matters. Blaze says, she’s amazing, but Kristina says she really isn’t. Blaze says, yes, she is. Being a surrogate is an act of love. Kristina loves that little baby inside her, nurturing him, or her, for her sister and TJ. Kristina says, that is exactly it. That is exactly the thing. She loves this baby for them. Blaze says, no. For all of them. This baby is her family too. Kristina says, yeah. It’s her niece, or nephew… Blaze says, look at her. Everything Kristina is feeling is not only normal, but healthy. Kristina tells Blaze that she always knows what to say, and Blaze says, for some reason, it always comes easy with Kristina. She sees Kristina, and what she sees takes her breath away. They kiss.

John says, Cyrus got useful information from O’Neill. How? The woman busted in, and all hell broke loose. Cyrus says, true, but after the guards pulled her off, Heather kept them conveniently occupied, giving him and O’Neill a chance to continue their conversation. Dante says, why would O’Neill tell him anything, especially after he found out the mayor is Cyrus’s sister? and Cyrus says, that was a setback for sure, but ultimately, the man wants to unburden his soul. Anna says, Cyrus threatened him? and Cyrus says he appealed to O’Neill’s better self. John says, enough with the semantics. Did O’Neill tell him who’s behind the mob hits or not?

Blaze says, stay with me. Don’t go. She and Kristina kiss, and then they get busy. Afterwards, they spoon in bed. (Kudos, GH!)

TJ and Molly come out of the elevator and Molly says, first trimester’s over. Their baby is healthy. Does he know what this means? He says, they don’t have to keep it a secret anymore, and she says, they can tell the whole world they’re going to be parents. He asks if he should announce it over the PA system, and starts walking toward the desk, but she says, don’t you dare, and pulls him back. He says, fine, and she thanks him, hugging him. He says, thank you. She’s given him everything he’d ever want. She says she loves him so much, and he says, not even close to how much he loves her. They kiss.

Tracy thanks Gregory for dinner and says, he didn’t have to do that. He insists he did. He invited her as his guest. Finn asks if Yuri is driving her home, and she says, it’s Yuri’s night off. She’s taking a Ride Share. Chase says he’ll drop her on his way home, and she says she is not on his way home, but she thanks him. She’s capable of taking care of it herself. Gregory says, just because you are doesn’t mean you must, and Chase says, and Brook would kill him if he didn’t get home safe. She says, okay, and thanks him, and Finn says he thought they were going to arm wrestle. Chase says, next time, and Tracy thanks them. She says, this was fun, and Gregory says, yeah, it was.

Cyrus says, O’Neill was much too terrified to give up a name, and Dante says, that’s too bad. John says he told them, and Cyrus tells them, but he did say something quite provocative. O’Neill is terrified of – pardon the pun – the man who is gunning for the mobsters. He’s convinced this person can get to him in here despite the protective custody. John says, that’s typical snitch behavior, and Cyrus tells them, he said this man is untouchable because he’s a ghost. Literally. Anna says, care to explain that? and Cyrus says, according to O’Neill, the person they’re so desperate to find does not exist because he’s dead. Soap looks all around.

Sam says she knows she and Danny haven’t talked about his dad too much, so it might seem a little strange to start now. He says, it’s not that, and she says, then what is it? He says, she and Uncle Drew were close at that time, and he didn’t want to add to that. He wanted to be strong for her. She says, there is no burden too big that she will not help him carry. No matter how tall he gets. And he can talk to her about his father any time. What say they go? They pick up their bags, and Danny asks if she thinks he can get his phone back, but she laughs and says, no chance. She puts her arm through his as they walk, and says she knows. Tough life, kid.

Sonny looks at his wedding ring and makes a fist. Ava says, if you look up brooding in the dictionary, this is the picture you’d see. He says, everything changes, that’s a fact. Just when you think you’re getting close to someone, you’re not. The only person you can really trust is yourself. Ava says, not Avery. She has us. Always. Sonny says, she’s got him there, and she tells him, goodnight. He says, goodnight, and she leaves. He looks at his wedding ring and takes it off. He looks at it for a moment, puts it on the mantel, and walks away.

On Monday, Blaze tells Kristina, maybe it’s time she returns the favor; Carly tells John that he’s wasting his time; and Nina asks if Ava and Sonny have a relationship now.

❤️‍🔥 Melting Maximista’s Heart…

All about Spinelli’s flirtation with karaoke and Maxie.

Inside Spinelli’s Karaoke Serenade to Maxie on GH!

💃🏽 Mamá Comes To Town…

Great choice for this role.

Eva LaRue Previews Her GENERAL HOSPITAL Storyline!

✒️ Be Excited…

Loving some things – like Blaze and Kristina and Jagger John returning – not so much others – Carly unrealistically taking over at Crimson. Although she is getting a load of Drew’s madman persona.

Why GH Fans Should Be Excited About the New Headwriters

🍑 No More Peach For You…

I’ve liked Marlo ever since the argument she and Shereé had that was totally in gibberish. She didn’t hold the peach for nearly long enough, but I don’t blame her.

https://people.com/real-housewives-of-atlanta-marlo-hampton-departs-ahead-of-season-16-exclusive-8585035

🍿 On the Wrong End…

I know I’ve said Andy is cruising for a lawsuit, but I didn’t think it would be this one.

https://ew.com/brandi-glanville-lawyers-call-for-andy-cohen-firing-8599618

🧽 Take Your Pick Of Messes…

The recap from the trainwreck that is Summer House.

Summer House Season 8 Premiere Recap: Trouble in Paradise

I couldn’t even find a recap for this Reunion. Apparently, no one cares. This was the closest thing.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/southern-hospitality-cast-relationship-updates-after-season-2-finale

⚰️ Walking Again…

Basic info and a really cool picture.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/rick-and-michonne-return-this-weekend-in-the-walking-dead-spinoff-the-ones-who-live

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-time-takes-a-toll-on-rick-grimes

These people don’t seem to like the franchise too much. I get disenchantment with the original Walking Dead, but City of the Dead and Daryl Dixon were both stellar.

https://www.avclub.com/tv-review-the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-1851274240

A kinder, gentler review.

‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ Review – A Story Of Love Or Death

🦔 Not Your Average Pets…

Who wouldn’t want a goat for their anniversary?

https://people.com/kevin-bacon-explains-how-he-surprised-wife-kyra-with-goats-on-anniversary-8599569

This little guy is the cutest.

https://people.com/baby-rhino-gets-a-case-of-the-zoomies-at-toronto-zoo-8598864

🥠 Quotes Of the Week

They have a name for people who quit. They call them quitters. – Rose (Betty White), Golden Girls

What I did or said should never be more important than why I did it or said it. – Andrea Kelly

If exhausted from severe and long-continued thought, he had to touch the earth again to renew his strength. When this weariness set in, he would stop thought, and get down with a little dog or kitten to recover. – William Herndon, Abraham Lincoln‘s business partner

He does it in annoying ways, but he’s not wrong. – Olivia Flowers referring to JT, Southern Charm

Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness. – Earl of Derby (I don’t have time for illness either.)

Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion. – Michael Jordan

Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. – Baruch Spinoza

You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to. – Robin Williams

Genius begins with great works; labor alone finishes them. – Joseph Joubert

Have a drink. Become nice again. – Emile Calvet (Ronald Guttman), Mad Men

🛑 Stopping In the Name Of Love…

Enjoy your time off if you have it, your work if you don’t, and your happy place if neither is happening for you. Come back refreshed on Monday really Tuesday for soap and sketchy people on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay never giving your power over to anyone, and stay not being the picture in the dictionary if you look up brooding.

Feb22

February 21, 2023 – Ava Confronts Ryan, Teresa Doesn’t Invite More People To the Wedding & Gifted

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Spencer and Trina kiss. She tells him, don’t stop.

Curtis strides through an empty Savoy, and goes behind the bar. N’neka says, it’s his wedding night. Why isn’t he…? He says he’ll explain another time, and tells her to head home; he’ll close up. He sits down at a table with a fifth of whiskey, and starts drinking shots. N’neka slips out, and makes a call in the back hallway. She says she doesn’t know what’s happening, but they need to get down here, like, now.

Laura tells Alexis that Jordan’s on her way to Windymere, and Alexis asks, what’s at Windymere? (Johnny in Airplane: Well, there’s an island with a big house, and…) Laura says, off the record, a hostage situation, and Alexis asks if it has anything to do with the escapees from Spring Ridge. Doc wonders why she’s asking, and Alexis says, all the victims are linked to Trina Robinson and Esme Prince. That list was compiled to avenge Esme Prince. Laura says, they suspected something like that, but didn’t have any concrete proof, and Doc asks if Alexis knows why The Hook would avenge Esme. Alexis says she doesn’t know why, but she knows who. She knows who The Hook is. It’s Heather Webber.

Ava tells Felicia, it’s best if they leave the island, and send help back for Austin, and Heather says, now that she thinks about it, Ava might want to hang back. Ava asks why she’d want to do that, and Heather says, to finally end this unholy obsession between her and Ryan once and for all. Ava says, that obsession is one-sided, thank you very much. She’ll let the authorities deal with Ryan – again. Heather asks if Ava isn’t the least bit curious to hear what Ryan did to try and get her back, but Ava says, not particularly. Heather says, how he’s responsible for destroying Ava’s life in the process? When she does, she’s going to want to take care of Ryan herself. Felicia says, let’s go, but Ava says she’s listening. How exactly did a man in prison destroy her life? Heather says, isn’t it obvious? Ryan had help.

Ryan runs through the forest looking for Esme, and finds her on the ground, leaning up against a large rock. He tells her, daddy’s here. She can’t be on the ground. It can’t be good for her or the baby. She says, and he is? and he says, right now he’s the best chance for both of them, so let him help. She says her water broke; the baby’s coming. He says, they have to get her back to the house, but he can’t carry her; she’ll have to lean on him. She cries, and tells him to get away from her. The baby’s coming.

Curtis continues to drink, and flashes back to Trina saying, they’re making progress. Marshall says, put that glass down, son.

Spencer asks if Trina knows how long he’s wanted this, and she says she wanted it too, even though everyone told her to stay away. He says, when everything exploded, and she said they couldn’t be friends anymore, he tried to stay away. He stops kissing her, and says he won’t. She means too much to him. She asks, why not?

Laura asks how Heather can be The Hook killer when she was locked up, and Alexis says, she just broke out. What makes Laura think she hasn’t broken out on a regular basis? Laura admits Heather has broken out of other facilities before, and Alexis reminds them about the letter the killer wrote. Doc says he remembers it saying she was avenging someone she cares about, and Alexis says, it was written on an old school typewriter with a very specific keystroke. She called D’Archam, and guess who had access to the exact same machine? Laura says, that explains why they all broke out together, and Doc says, it was a family affair. Alexis says, they clearly know something she doesn’t, so what is she missing?

Ryan puts his coat over Esme, and says, they broke out of prison. It’s the stress that sent her into labor. The good news is, the contractions are just beginning. There’s plenty of time before the baby comes. She asks why she should believe him, and he says, because he’s a doctor, and he’s also her dad. Which is why he couldn’t let her stay in jail. They’re a team, and a damn good one. Just ask Nikolas. She groans in pain, and he tells her, no need to panic. Everything is proceeding normally. She shakes his hand off, and says, this isn’t normal. She tries to get up, but he tells her, right now, he’s the only person who can help her and that precious cargo she’s carrying. Trust him. Daddy knows best.

Felicia thinks they don’t want to stand around while Heather plays mind games with Ava, and Austin struggles to get up. Ava helps him, and Heather says she’s glad he’s awake. Sorry about the hook, but he shouldn’t have used his phone. Ava asks her what she means that Ryan had help, and Heather says, she and Ryan were in Spring Ridge together, and he confided in her. Felicia says, Heather knew he was faking, and didn’t say anything, and Heather says, if only Ava knew how badly he played her. How he insinuated himself into her family, her marriage. She has to admit it was brilliant, but it was sick. Ava gets up, and says, what did Ryan do, and who did he do it with?

Curtis says, Marshall just happened to be in the neighborhood, and Marshall says, don’t blame N’neka. She’s just looking out for her boss, especially when that boss is supposed to be on his honeymoon. Curtis says, Marshall may as well sit down and have a drink with him, and Marshall says he’s not having a drink, but he’d like Curtis to put the cap back on that bottle, so they can deal with whatever happened at the reception. Curtis says he’s sorry Marshall came all the way down here, but the very last thing he wants to do is talk about it. Marshall says, he told Drew that he was done being a no-show when his family needs him. So tough luck – he pulls up a chair – he’s not leaving until they talk this out.

Alexis says, so Ryan is Esme’s father, and Doc says, according to Dante and Sam, who spoke to Esme’s old nanny. Alexis says, so if Ryan is Esme’s father… Doc says, her mother could see herself as an avenging angel, believing she’s protecting her daughter, even if she has to kill for her. Alexis says, Heather Webber is Esme’s mother and Ryan is her father? What a coincidence they all escaped Spring Ridge together. Laura says, now they’re all on the island together. They all look out over the water.

Ryan says, they have to get Esme back to the house, where it’s warm and dry, and she can give birth to his grandchild safely. Esme says she’s not going anywhere with him, but he says, that’s just the pain talking. He wishes she could remember how close they were before she lost her memory. She practically worshipped the ground he walked on. She went to great lengths to get an internship at Spring Ridge. They used to spend hours, planning and dreaming for when he’d be free, and all of them would be together; her, him, and Ava. She says, he’s crazy and delusional. She saw for herself that Ava despises him. He asks when she’s going to learn hate is just the other side of love.

Heather says, it’s not her story to tell; Ryan started it, but Ava has a chance to end it. She hands Ava the gun, and Felicia says, shoot her, but Heather says, shooting her won’t solve Ava’s problem. But Ryan? That’s a totally different story. Felicia says, no one understands being tormented by Ryan better than she does, but don’t make a bad situation worse. Forget Ryan; forget Heather. Let’s just get the hell out of here, and call 9-1-1 for Austin. Ava says, Heather may be psychotic, but she’s right about one thing. Ryan Chamberlain started this, and she’s going to finish it. She stalks out.

Curtis asks how much Marshall knows, and he says, not much, but he’s guessing whatever kept Stella from the wedding wasn’t contagious. Curtis says, that is correct. Portia has been lying to Trina, she’s been lying to Taggert, and she’s been lying to him. She’s been lying since Trina was born, and when he asked her, she lied to his face. She’s been lying since they said I do. Marshall says, the lie being? and Curtis says, Trina may be his daughter.

Spencer asks if Trina is sure this is what she wants, and she says, it is; doesn’t he? He says, of course (🍷) he does, but not like this, and she says, if it’s because it would be her first time… but he says, she just means too much to him to make this anything other than perfect. Just not in an empty art gallery. And she’s hurting right now, and might think if they sleep together the pain will subside, and maybe it would, but it would come back. Then he’d just be the guy who took advantage of her, and for once, he needs her to see him; he needs her to see the good in him, not the bad. She laughs, and says, she’s just not sure she likes him when he’s trying to be noble. He says he’s not sure he does either, but that’s the path he’s choosing. So let him take her home. She says she can’t go back there, and he says, that’s fine, but where should he take her?

Alexis asks if Doc thinks Esme was faking her memory loss this whole time, but he says he doesn’t think so. She may have no idea Heather and Ryan are her parents. Laura says, they got to know Esme when she and Spencer moved in with them. She didn’t like Esme’s sense of entitlement, and she had the elitism of a young woman who studied at a boarding school in France, but she thinks underneath that, was a very wounded little girl. Doc says, it would be just like his brother to use her for his own purposes. Now that Esme’s lost her memory, there’s no telling what he might have told her. She could be an innocent accessory in all this. She is nine months pregnant, after all. Alexis says, unwilling she can buy, but Esme Prince innocent? That’s hard to swallow.

Mac walks into Windymere, and Heather says, it’s good to see him again. She’s glad he’s okay. He hugs Felicia, saying, he’s glad she’s okay, and she says, the same to him. Jordan and Detective Bennett come in, and Felicia says, Ryan is somewhere on the island. Esme ran out, and he went after Esme, and Ava went after him. Mac says, Ava’s asking to be taken hostage, but Felicia says, Ava is armed; Heather gave her a gun. Mac says, what the hell? and an officer calls him over, showing him the hook. Mac tells him, take photos and bag it. Bennett tells Heather that she’s being arrested, and reads her rights. She says she’s heard all this before, but he delivers the Miranda with great panache. He asks if she understands her rights. They wouldn’t want anything she said to be thrown out on a technicality.

Jordan asks Austin what happened to him, and he says she got stabbed… with a hook, so hooked would be more accurate. She asks, who did this? and he says, the nice lady in the handcuffs over there. Heather smiles.

Mac calls for paramedics, and says, there’s been another Hook attack. The victim appears stable, but will need immediate transport. Heather says, if it’s any help, there’s no rush. The hook she used on the good doctor didn’t have any venom in it. Jordan tells Bennett to have the men search the island. Ryan is to be considered very dangerous, and Esme Prince, while technically a fugitive, is nine months pregnant. He says, there’s also a civilian in the mix. Miss Jerome is armed, and she’s been severely traumatized. They don’t want her firing on one of their own. He hands Heather to an officer, and leaves. Mac asks, what happened? and Felicia says, after Heather stabbed Austin, Esme freaked out and ran off, and Ryan ran after her. She wonders what Ryan would want with Esme, and Heather says, didn’t she mention? He’s her daddy.

Ryan tells Esme, be practical. It’s night; it’s February. She can’t give birth out here. She screams for someone to help her, but he says he’s the only help she needs. He’s right here. Ava shows up, and says, get away from her. Now. Or she’ll blow his head off.

Curtis tells Marshall that Stella found out, and that’s why she stayed away from the wedding. She knew. Jordan knew. In fact, the only people who didn’t know this little secret were the people most affected by it. Trina, Taggert… Marshall says, and you, and Curtis says, and me. And if Trina wouldn’t have went and found Stella, he never would have known. That young lady knew something was off. Aunt Stella was just being Aunt Stella. Marshall says he doesn’t believe for a minute that Aunt Stella would deliberately break Curtis’s heart or betray a confidence. Curtis says, nope, but she did hint that there was a problem and it wasn’t her story to tell. And Trina should hear that story from her mama. Marshall asks if that’s why Trina and Portia disappeared from the reception, and Curtis says, damn! How do you keep a secret that’s that important for twenty years? Marshall says he did it too. He did it for forty years. You put the secret in a box, you shove it to the back of the closet, and you forget about it; or at least you try to. Curtis asks if that’s what Marshall did with them. Out of sight out of mind? Marshall says, no, of course (🍷) not. It’s always there. Always. Then sooner or later, that closet door opens, and it all spills out.

Trina says, what about where Spencer’s staying? but he says, no; don’t tempt him. What about her dorm room? but she says, that’s the first place her mom will come looking for her. Besides, Joss is going through her own stuff. He says, what if he gets her a room at the MetroCourt? but she says, her mom and Curtis could still be in their room. He says, they’re kind of running out of options, and she says she just needs a place where she can slam doors, and scream at the top of her lungs without neighbors calling the cops, and then be alone with her thoughts. He says, of course (🍷). He can’t believe he didn’t think of it before. He takes her hand, says he knows just the place where she’ll be safe, and pulls her out the door.

Laura tells Alexis, Jordan and Mac have secured the house, and they have Heather in custody. Alexis says, anyone hurt? and Laura says, there was one final Hook stabbing; Austin Gatlin-Holt. Doc asks, how bad? and Laura says, according to Mac, there was no poison on the hook, so the injuries are not life-threatening. He says, what about Ryan? and she says, still a fugitive. Alexis asks, what about Esme? and Laura promises to get back to her with an update, but right now, she has to get to Spoon Island. Doc says, you mean, we are, and they go to the launch. Alexis makes a call, and says, they have breaking news, and there’s a lot of it. Put on the recorder. The Hook killer has been apprehended. The killer, who after months and months of terrorizing Port Charles, is in police custody. And that’s just the beginning of the story.

Heather says, Ryan Chamberlain is Esme Prince’s biological father, and Felicia asks how she knows. Heather says she must have one of those faces. People trust her with their deepest secrets. Mac asks the paramedics if they can take Felicia to the mainland, but Felicia says she’s going to stay with him. He says he needs to know she’s safe. Ryan is still on the loose. She’s been his obsession for so many years. She says, what if he comes after you? and Mac says, it will save him hunting Ryan down. Tonight, he either goes to Pentenville or maybe hell for that matter. Austin asks if Felicia could come with him. He could use the company. Felicia nods, and hugs Mac, saying, she doesn’t want to make him worry more than he has to. On their way out the door, Austin tells Jordan, please find Ava, and she says, they’ll find her before Ryan does. Heather says, it’s Ryan who should be worried.

Ryan asks how Ava got the gun away from Heather, and she says she has her ways. He says, the first thing she did was look for him. She missed him that much. She says, he’s irresistible, and Esme says, please help her. Her water broke. Ava says, she’s in labor, and Ryan says, they have to get her back to the house where she can have his grandchild safely. Ava says, Esme is his daughter? and he says, yes. This has all worked out even better than he planned. She says, it was him all along, and he says, of course (🍷) it was. How does she think Esme met Spencer? He got her into that snooty French school, where Spencer was walking around with a nice big target on his back. How does she think Esme learned to manipulate Spencer… and his father? He taught her everything she knows. He created her. And this is his crowning moment. Doesn’t she see? Esme has brought them all together. He walks over to Ava, and she says, one more step, and she’ll kill him.

Curtis says, forty years ago, Marshall made a decision, however misguided, to protect the people he loves. That same love inspired him to reunite with his family. What Portia did was only to protect herself. Marshall says he’s not going to let Curtis make him out to be a hero, and Portia to be a villain. He was scared of what he might become without the medication, and truly believes Portia was scared too. What if the truth cost her Trina’s love and respect? What if Curtis refuses to understand? Isn’t the way Curtis walked out on his wedding night proof that Portia had a right to be afraid? Curtis says he can’t excuse this. Some things are really unforgiveable. Curtis drinks another shot.

On the pier, Felicia says she knows Alexis is just trying to get the whole story, but Austin has to get to General Hospital. If she wants to meet them there, do it, but not until after the doctors treat him. Alexis says she understands, and asks if anything is happening at Windymere. Felicia tells her, all she can say is Mac and Jordan have everything under control, and Alexis says, in other words, Ryan Chamberlain is still on the loose. The paramedics start moving the stretcher, and Felicia says she’s sorry, she’s riding with Austin, and they leave.

Alexis sees Spencer and Trina, and tells the officer that they’re with her. Spencer tells her that he was taking Trina over to Windymere, so she could spend the night with Ava. What the hell is happening? Trina asks, what’s with all the police? and Alexis says she assumes they heard about the breakout at Spring Ridge. Spencer says, three prisoners escaped, including Esme. Is Alexis saying Esme is on Spoon Island right now? Alexis says, sadly, she is, and she’s not alone.

On the radio, Mac says, keep him updated. And remember, Ryan Chamberlain is considered very dangerous. He is searching for Esme Prince, who is nine months pregnant. A civilian, Ava Jerome, is unaccounted for. She’s armed. So identify yourself as police, and proceed with extreme caution. Laura says, if Jordan needs any resources, she’ll get them, and Doc says if they need any intel into his brother’s mind or whatever, just ask. Jordan thanks them, and says, this is a very messy situation. She hopes they can end it quickly with as little bloodshed as possible. Doc says he’d think Heather would be keen to help, and Laura asks how he figures that. He says he doesn’t think Heather would want to see any harm come to her daughter or grandchild, and Laura says, Esme is Heather’s daughter, isn’t she? Hers and Ryan’s. Heather says, how could you miss it? She’s got my smile.

Ryan says, once Ava calms down and gets a little perspective, she’ll see that every step he took was worth it. She says, worth it for who? How? He says, so they could be together. Be the family they were always meant to be. Behind him, Esme struggles to get up, and Ava says, he sent his own daughter to seduce Spencer; to convince him to stalk and torture her, and drive her away from Nikolas. Esme limps away into the woods, and Ava says, all the while, making him feel like it was his idea. He says, she convinced herself that she was in love with Nikolas. It required strong measures. She says, so after he got Spencer to destroy her marriage, he sent Esme to seduce her husband, and he says, husbands come and go. The two of them are forever. She says, of course (🍷) he took Kiki. He took her daughter, and then he took Nikolas, and he’ll keep taking until somebody stops him. He says he knows things are complicated, but they have plenty of time to work that out. Right now, Esme’s water broke, and they need to get… He sees Esme is gone, and calls out to her. He runs to the rock, and picks up his coat. Ava asks if he lost something. He says, yes, his daughter, and she asks him to tell her how it feels. How does it feel to lose the one thing you truly love?

Ryan says he’s going to find Esme, and starts walking, but Ava shoots him in his handless arm, and he drops to the ground. He gets to his knees, and says, she shot him. She asks if it hurts. Is he in pain? She can tell him something about real pain, the kind of pain that comes from losing a child, her daughter, her first born. Now his daughter’s gone; she ran from him. Ave starts to cry, and says, she needed Kiki. She needed Nikolas. And they’re both gone because of him. He gets to his feet, clutching his arm, and says, maybe killing Kiki was a mistake, but he didn’t hurt a hair on Nikolas’s stupid thick head. She says she did that. Because of him and Esme. They destroyed her marriage; they poisoned it. There was nothing else she could do. He says, then it was all worth it. She killed him. Now they can be together. There’s nothing that stands between them.

Curtis pushes the bottle away, and Marshall says he knows Curtis is hurting. He has every right, but Marshall hurt him too, and Curtis found it in his heart to forgive him. And because Curtis did, he found the family he’d thought he’d lost forever. In the eyes of God and the State of New York, Curtis has a wife, and he also might have a daughter. Don’t shut himself off from the woman he loves because she committed the unpardonable sin of being human. He puts his hand on Curtis’s shoulder, and tells him, go on and let it hurt, but then he has to let it heal. He’s going to figure this out, and Marshall will be right here for him. He loves Curtis, and he’ll always support him. Tears in his eyes, Curtis thanks Marshall, and they hug.

Trina asks if Spencer is okay. She knows he’s thinking about Esme’s baby. He says he’ll feel a lot better once he knows his little brother or sister isn’t in danger. When Alexis said Esme wasn’t alone, she meant Esme is on the island with crazy Heather Webber and psychopath Ryan Chamberlain, right? Is she a hostage? Alexis says, actually, she’s there with her biological parents.

Laura says, still nothing? but Jordan assures her that they’re doing everything they can, and Mac says, they have the island surrounded. Ryan won’t get away. Doc says, if Esme is Ryan’s daughter, he sees her as a possession; something that belongs to him. It’s like an extension of himself, and they know he’s obsessed with Ava. He’ll do anything to hold her. Laura says she can’t just sit here while Ryan does his worst. They’ve got to do something. Esme stumbles through the door, and collapses in Laura’s arms, sobbing.

Ryan says, with Nikolas out of the way, he and Ava are bound together forever. His life is in her hands, and hers in his. She tells him that he’s crazy, and he says he knows the wounds have to heal – the physical and emotional – but he promises they’ll find Esme, and they’ll take her and  the baby, and vanish to someplace no one will ever find them. And he promises her, she’ll thank him. She says, he’s right about one thing. His life is in her hands. He says, til death do us part, and she repeats, til death do us part, taking steady aim. He reaches out, and she slowly… pulls… the trigger.

Tomorrow, Scotty tells Elizabeth that they have unfinished business; Taggert tells Portia that he is Trina’s dad; Esme has her baby; and Ryan says, Ava isn’t done with him yet.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Carrying over the somewhat civilized argument Teresa and Melissa were having at the mozzarella party last week, Teresa asked Melissa if she wanted to be a bridesmaid, but Melissa said, not at this point. It would be like going back to an ex-boyfriend.

There was more rehash about the Dolores dynamic having changed for Frank, since Paulie’s got her now. Melissa met with Marge and Jackie for lunch, and said Danielle had complained about Jackie looking her up and down at the mozzarella party. Jackie admitted she had, and said, Danielle looked like a trainwreck, and she couldn’t look away. Her shorts looked like she’d just taken them out of the hamper. She added that Danielle could have been an adult about it, and come to her if she had a gripe, rather than telling Melissa. Pot apparently doesn’t recognize kettle, as it’s not too adult to 1) look someone up and down, and 2) comment to someone else about said trainwreck’s appearance – at their own party, no less. Melissa asked if she wanted to talk to Danielle, but she said, Danielle’s wardrobe was punishment enough. Marge said Jennifer was in a downward spiral, and she was like a festering wound that doesn’t heal. Geez. This bunch is slowly encroaching on Most Awful People territory. However, no one will ever top Jax Taylor for top spot.

It was Rachel’s daughter’s 2nd birthday, and there was a photo session. In Rachel’s interview, she said, everyone thinks they have the cutest kid, but she actually does have the cutest kid. She asked husband John if he wanted another baby, but he wanted to wait a year. In her interview, she said, after they got married, she’d gotten pregnant right away, and had a miscarriage, and never got pregnant again. I guess she did eventually, since they have several kids. She said, it was emotionally and physically draining, and wouldn’t wish it on anybody. It was the most challenging thing in her life. They have five embryos in the freezer, and the time is now. She’s the one who will have to do all the work.

For Teresa, it was all wedding, wedding, wedding, but it wasn’t long before she talked smack about Melissa, bringing Gia and Gabriella (who claims to want nothing to do with the drama, but that’s doubtful) into the conversation. On her podcast, Melissa had claimed she’d been there for the girls when Teresa was in prison, but Gia said, the only time they saw Melissa and Joe #2 was when the cameras were rolling. Louie said Melissa didn’t put one left foot in front of the other, and I wondered if Teresa’s mangling of the English language was catching. Or was Louie born with it and the stars aligned? Louie got all involved in the discussion because he wants more camera time.

In Danielle’s interview, she talked about her kids clothing line, Bougie Kidz, and said, Melissa was living the dream. She met Melissa for I’m not sure what, but it seemed like Melissa was teaching her how to be a stylist. Then, since no one can keep anything to themselves for more than five seconds, Melissa told Danielle about what Jackie had said. In her interview, Danielle said Jackie was a judgy bitch. Danielle said she was concerned about the Teresa/Joe #2 situation because she and her brother had been close, and hadn’t spoken in two years When covid hit, Danielle began filming herself for Instagram, and reviewing products. Her brother constantly made fun of her, so she blocked him, saying, he didn’t have to look. He then cut her out of his wedding, and in her interview, she said she’d thought it was a joke. Obviously not. Melissa felt like she was missing part of the story, and Danielle said some things had happened prior to the wedding. She’d tried not to put in her two cents about the wedding preparations, but she didn’t have a sister, and it was so exciting. She wanted to do things for her future SIL, and was told it wasn’t all about her. She sent a text to her brother, saying, see who she’s dealing with? and he kicked all of them out of the wedding. She thinks it’s the wife behind it, but Melissa said, Danielle’s brother was the one making fun of her. Playing devil’s advocate, she’s tried getting Joe #2 and Teresa together, but unless Joe wants to, she can’t force him. In Melissa’s interview, she said, it’s not always the sister-in-law’s fault. Joe is a grown man, and she can only try so many times.

At Jennifer’s house, there was discussion about teaching the kids more chores, and paying them to do them. In Jennifer’s interview, she said, she and Bill had different approaches to parenting. She told Bill that Marge had said she was sometimes disingenuous, and not self-reflective. She insisted she was the most self-reflective person ever, and Bill rolled his eyes. She asked if he didn’t think so, and he started giving a flowery speech about how people have different personalities. In her interview, Jennifer said she didn’t want to hear it. STFU. Bill said she had to acknowledge her part in things, and in her interview, she said she didn’t need him to validate the other person’s point-of-view. We flashed back to the times Bill was less than supportive.

Danielle said daughter Valentina had been robbed of her school art show because of covid, so she invited her parents over, and there was a private showing. In Danielle’s interview, she said her parents had separated when she was eight, and couldn’t tolerate being in the same room, but they came together when her son Dominic was born. Dominic introduced Valentina, who came out in a rainbow tutu. I’m not sure how old she is, maybe five? As her pieces were brought out, she told her audience what artist inspired them. I took college art courses in high school, and this kid knows more than I do. In her interview, Danielle said, it would kill her if her kids were separated like she and her brother. If her son marries a megabitch, she’ll poison her. Her mother also didn’t talk to her brother, and Danielle mentioned that it was the first time her brother wasn’t there for something with the kids. Her dad started crying, and in her interview, she said, all her dad wants it for the family to be together. This destroyed her whole family. We saw a clip from a home movie when they were kids, and Danielle’s father said, this too shall pass.

Melissa and Joe #2 went to what they call their shore house, but I beg to differ since it’s in Tom’s River. Melissa’s mother and sister came over, and Joe asked if they’d been invited to Teresa’s wedding. They said, no, and in Joe’s interview, he said Juicy Joe’s family had been at his wedding. Melissa’s family had been in their lives for 20 years. Teresa was making a statement that they mean nothing to her. Melissa’s family sat with their parents for 18 years – we see clips of that – and his dad’s last words were, love each other. After New York, he’d called Louie, and said he wanted things to be better. Teresa just had to admit she was wrong. Louie said, she was never going to do that. Louie has done nothing to help the situation, and only made it worse. Joe said, they were going to be having guys night soon, and Melissa’s sister said she could see his Gorga-ness coming out.

The guys met at a bar, and Frank started busting Joe #2’s balls immediately, saying the tables were too high for him. New (Danielle’s) husband Nate was joining the fold, and Frank said, Paulie had to work, then whined about the Dolores dynamic changing. He missed his relationship with Dolores. Joe said, they’d taken Louie in with open arms, and Melissa had treated him like royalty, yet Melissa’s family wasn’t invited to the wedding. Louie walked in just as Joe was saying, he’s garbage.

There was a toast to Louie – for what reason, I don’t know – and Joe #2 asked Louie, how many wedding guests? Louie said, 200, and Joe said he’d met Melissa’s family. Were they were good people? Louie said, they were great people, and Joe asked why they weren’t invited to the wedding. Everyone on his side was f***ed up. Frank asked if there was a reason, and Louie said, past bullsh*t. Joe said, Melissa’s family should be respected because they were close to his and Teresa’s parents. It was like a f*** you. There was some discussion about the hierarchy in Italian families, and Louie said, Joe’s wife was on social media saying Teresa’s kids wouldn’t have eaten if it wasn’t for them. Joe claimed that’s not what she said, and Louie said he was there. Joe said, Louie didn’t know sh*t, and should be embarrassed. Louie said, Joe was on the podcast talking about his sister, and Joe told him, f*** you, saying he wasn’t a man; he was a p*ssy. Louie said, Joe’s talk didn’t affect him, and to stop the theatrics. Joe said he was tired of the bullsh*t, and Louie always backpedals. Louie said, Teresa was his fiancé, and she was 50 years old. What did Joe think he could do? Joe suggested he tell Teresa that she’s out of line, and Louie said he did, but she stood her ground. Joe said he was hurt, and didn’t want to be hurt anymore, and Louie said, Teresa didn’t deserve to be hurt either. She and Joe should talk, and Joe should be vulnerable. What he’s feeling is justified, but they should hear what each other feels. In Joe’s interview, he says, Teresa will just bring up that he didn’t defend Louie. She doesn’t move forward. Louie said that Teresa loved Joe so much, but in his interview, Joe said in his heart, he knows how she feels, and he doesn’t want to waste his time. He told Louie that he’d think about it.

Next time, Bill’s feelings are hurt; Frank Jr. asks Dolores, what’s up with Paulie and his dad; Teresa calls Joe wanting to make peace, but he says he doesn’t know; and Jennifer says she can do what she f***ing wants.

🌊 Slouching Towards the Jersey Shore…

Have your late-night snack here tomorrow, along with some soap and VanderDoings. Until then, stay safe, stay going the extra mile in all you do, and stay not cutting yourself off from loved ones because they committed the unpardonable sin of being human.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze0C08bkPJY
Feb11

February 10, 2022 – Maxie Convinces Peter To Leave Louise, Lindsay’s Message, Good Stuff, Celebration, Suspended, Salty Talk, Jurassic Trailer & Gifted

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Maxie approaches Louise, and says, it’s gonna be okay, sweetie, but Peter backs up. He says, Maxie is going to see Louise on his terms now. She asks, what are those? and he says he’s leaving the country with Louise. He wants Maxie to say goodbye to her, here and now, knowing it’s the last time Maxie is going to see her… or she can come with them. They’ll be a family, forever. Maxie suggests she take Louise someplace warm, but he says, their daughter will be warm and comfortable on the journey to their new home. The question is, will Maxie be joining them?

On the phone, Chase says, keep him posted. Brook says, no news on Peter’s whereabouts? and Chase says, it’s like the guy disappeared into thin air. Brook wonders how you can do that with a baby. Isn’t it supposed to make him easier to spot? She can’t believe she let her guard down. She can’t believe Peter just waltzed in, and took Bailey from upstairs. He says, this isn’t her fault. This is on Peter, and Peter alone. The PCPD isn’t going to stop searching until they find Maxie’s baby and bring her home. The bell rings, and Chase opens the door to Finn and Elizabeth, who says, they got there as soon as they could. Finn asks if there’s any news, but Chase says he’s afraid not. Elizabeth tells Brook, she’s so sorry. She knows this is every parent’s nightmare. Finn says he knows Peter is nuts, but what would he get out of taking Bailey? Is he looking for ransom? Is he hoping the Quartermaines will pay him so much, he can just disappear forever? Brook looks at Chase, and Elizabeth asks, what’s going on? Finn asks if they know something, and Brook nods. Chase says, Bailey isn’t Bailey.

Charlotte asks what happened to Valentin, and he says he’ll tell her everything, but first, she has to tell him who took her. She says, Peter August. She thought he was the pizza delivery man. She opened the door, and he grabbed her before she could run away. Then he blindfolded her. Valentin hugs her, and Anna asks if she can ask Charlotte something. Did he hurt her? Charlotte says, he wouldn’t let her take the blindfold off. He took her someplace in his car, then locked her in. As soon as he was gone, she took the blindfold off. It was a warehouse. She was trying to find a way out when Grandpa Victor found her. Victor says, quite the introduction, wouldn’t she say? and Laura says she has a million questions, but she has to get in touch with the PCPD and let them know they found Charlotte. She thanks Victor as she walks past, and Valentin says, thank you, father, for being a hero; being in exactly the right place at the right time. Anna says, it’s almost as if he knew where to find Charlotte.

In the hallway on the phone, Laura tells Dante, she said it was Peter August who grabbed her… She’s been checked out. She’s absolutely fine, thank goodness. She has no idea what Peter’s motivation could possibly be. Maybe to get them panicked, and distract them from finding him and Bailey… him and Louise. Austin comes out of the elevator, and Laura tells Dante that she talked to Mac’s doctor. He’s expected to make a full recovery. So that’s something they have to be grateful for. Please keep her posted on the search for Peter and Louise. Austin says he didn’t mean to overhear, but Laura knew Louise was masquerading as Bailey? Laura says, Robert Scorpio filled her in, and Austin takes it Louise hasn’t been found. She says, no, but every available officer on the force is looking for her and Peter August. She knows he has a personal interest in the baby being found; he delivered her, right? He says, he did, but it’s not just that. He might be responsible for Louise being taken.

Peter tells Maxie, there’s not much time. Don’t think she can stall until the cavalry arrives; it’s not happening. But he’s going to give her the choice she never gave him. He’s taking the baby regardless, but if she comes with them, she’ll never have to suffer the heartache that still haunts him, all the questions. Where is his daughter? Is she safe? Will she grow up never knowing who he is? She looks out to the water, and asks if that ship is taking them somewhere; where is it going? He says, there’s no time for questions. She has to make a choice now. Is she coming with him and Louise or not? She says, it was hard enough saying goodbye to Louise when she gave birth to her. She’s not sure she can do that again. He says, even if it means saying goodbye to her family and friends forever? Maxie says, Louise is her whole world. Everything she’s done, she did to protect her. He says, from him, and she says, yeah, but he found her, because he loves Louise as much as she does. He says he loves Maxie. That’s why he called her. Otherwise, he would have just left with Louise. She asks why he didn’t, and he says, because he wants them to be a family, the way they were supposed to be, but only if she wants to. She says, Louise is her family. She made Louise with him, so there’s no choice, is there? He says, sounds good on paper, but what’s the catch?

Finn says, what does Chase mean, Bailey isn’t Bailey? Chase says, it started over a year ago, and Brook says she should explain. Chase only got involved because he wanted to help. She was in on it from the beginning. Elizabeth asks, in on what? and Brook says, protecting an innocent baby from her psycho father. Finn says, Chase is a lot of things, he’ll admit, but psycho’s a little harsh, but Brook says, not Chase; Peter August. Maxie wanted to make sure Peter never got his hands on their daughter. Elizabeth asks what that has to do with Brook’s baby, and Brook says, she never had a baby. She was never even pregnant. She faked the pregnancy, and when Maxie gave birth, she told everyone that the nurse Peter hired handed the baby off to some mystery accomplice, and she disappeared. Elizabeth says, that was a lie? Brook took Maxie’s baby and passed her off as her own? Brook says, that’s right, and Finn says, Bailey was really Louise, and Brook said the baby was hers to help Maxie keep her daughter away from Peter. Brook says, yeah, and asks how much they hate her. Elizabeth says, nobody hates her. She thinks Brook’s amazing. Finn says, she certainly went above and beyond to help a friend, and Brook says, she and Maxie weren’t friends; at least, not at first. She only helped Maxie for selfish reasons. She wanted to get one over on Valentin Cassadine.

Victor suggests they discuss the details about how he found the lovely Charlotte later, and Valentin tells Charlotte, all that matters is, she’s safe and unharmed. Charlotte says, thanks to Grandpa Victor, and hugs him. Victor promises they’re going to keep her safe. Peter August is going to be very sorry for what he did to her. Very sorry.

Austin tells Laura that he took on the Quartermaines, and made an enemy out of Brook. It cost him is place in the Quartermaine family, and almost cost him his place at General Hospital. Laura gathers he was looking for payback, and he says, he was, so he approached Valentin. He thought maybe they could join forces and plot some kind of revenge against Brook, and Valentin’s father Victor managed to insert himself. She laughs, and says, no surprise there. Victor never met a revenge plot he didn’t like. He says, so Victor came to him with a sonogram that he said he found on the street, and all of the personal information was missing. He told Victor how he could find out who the sonogram belonged to. She says, and somehow the sonogram led Victor to believing Brook’s baby was really Louise? and he says, he assumes so. Who else would have passed along that kind of information to Peter August? What he doesn’t understand, is why it mattered to Victor. She says, Victor and Peter formed an alliance in Greece, so whatever matters to Peter – he says, like finding his daughter – would also matter to Victor. And if Victor could find Louise’s whereabouts, he could also use that information against Peter to get him to do whatever he wanted. Austin says, like what? and she says, she doesn’t know, but she’s going to find out.

Maxie says, she’ll go with Peter. There is no catch, she promises. He says, all the while plotting to run off with their child the first chance that arrives? and she says, she can’t just jump into his arms and say, all is forgiven, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. He says, he didn’t think so, and she says, but she thinks if they get away from Port Charles, the place that brought out the worst in him, he’ll start to become the man she fell in love with again. The one who was kind, considerate, talked her off the ledge when she was spinning, or made her laugh when she wanted to pull her hair out. The one she trusted and believed in. He sets the carrier down, and says, yes. He swears to her, on their daughter’s life, that will happen. He’ll be the best man and husband for her and Louise that a man could possibly be. She looks at Louise, who’s sleeping peacefully, and says, not Louise. He says, excuse me? and she says she’ll go with him, but if he loves their daughter as much as he says he does, he’ll understand why they have to leave her behind. He says, leave Louise? After he spent a year trying to find her; risking his life to find her and be with her? She says she understands the sacrifices he’s made. She’s asking him to make one more; one that they’ll make together. He asks why she’s doing this, and she says, the world knows him as Peter August, wanted by every law enforcement agency. It doesn’t matter where he takes them. They will constantly be on guard, waiting for someone to tap him on the shoulder, and take him away in handcuffs. He says, it hasn’t happened so far, and she says, he’s done a good job, up until this point. Robert and Anna found him. They arrested him and brought him back to Port Charles. It’s only a matter of time before the WSB or Interpol is on his trail. The longer he stays in one place, the better the chance someone will recognize him. They’ll constantly be changing their names and identities. They’ll always be on the run, never able to build a stable home for their daughter. Is that something he wants for the child he claims to love?

Brook tells Finn and Elizabeth, thanks to Austin’s vendetta, and Gladys Corbin’s big mouth, Valentin grew suspicious. When he finally cornered her, she was about to tell him the truth. That’s when Chase came in, and claimed Bailey was his. Finn asks if Chase knew Bailey was Louise all along, and Chase says he didn’t find out until the day he claimed to be Bailey’s father, but once he put the pieces together, he couldn’t let Peter find out the baby was his. Brook says, that’s when Finn’s brother came to rescue. She got into this for selfish reasons. She went to Maxie, and offered a mutually beneficial arrangement, one in which Maxie would have a safe place to hide her baby, and she would get some leverage over Valentin. She starts to cry, and says, but when Bailey… Louise actually got here, she was this living, breathing little baby that was solely dependent on her. She never knew how much she’d grow to care. Chase puts his hands on her shoulders, and Finn asks if Valentin knows Bailey is Maxie’s daughter. Brook says, she doesn’t know; why? Finn says, somebody found him, passed out drunk behind a dumpster and called the paramedics. Brook says, what? How did that happen? Valentin doesn’t go on benders. Elizabeth says, the tests showed there was no alcohol in his system, and Chase says, alcohol was poured on him to make him appear drunk? To what end? And if he didn’t pass out from alcohol… Elizabeth says, they’re waiting to hear back from toxicology to find out if he was drugged, but right now, they have more questions than answers. Brook jumps up, and says she has to see him. Chase says, he doesn’t think that’s a good… but she says she’s sorry, grabs her coat, and runs out.

Anna tells Charlotte to say goodbye to her dad, and Charlotte hugs Valentin. He tells her, je t’aime (I love you), and she says, feel better. He says he always does, and Anna takes her out. Victor says, an impressive young lady that Charlotte. She does the Cassadines proud. Valentin thanks Victor for finding her, and bringing her safely back to him. He knows that Peter kidnapped his daughter; he just wants to know why

Austin says, he knows his father had a beef with the Quartermaines, and pretty much everyone else in Port Charles, but whenever Laura’s name came up, Jimmy Lee always said, there’s a woman to reckon with. She says, and Jimmy Lee would be right, but Austin must also be someone to be reckoned with for Maxie to have entrusted him with the truth about her baby. He says he just wishes he’d known the truth before Peter snatched Louise. As for Maxie, after he told her that he was probably the reason Peter found out about Louise, she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Laura asks if he can blame her.

Maxie tells Peter to think about his life with his father. Faison dragged Peter from place to place, so he could be one step ahead of the law or a vengeful enemy. Think of how much he resented that life. (Um… wasn’t Peter sent to boarding school? We’ll let that pass.) How it gave him scars that still haven’t healed. Does he want that for Louise? If they leave her here in Port Charles, she can grow up in a safe and stable family. He says, a family that despises him; a family that will plant lies in her head about him. He picks up the carrier, and says he can’t do it. He can’t be abandoned again. She says she’s leaving Georgie with her father, and she’s hoping her parents will take care of James. She’s even hoping one day she and Peter can have another baby, one that won’t be taken from them. He says, she is? and she says, doesn’t he get it? Their love can live again. They just have to start over. Just the two of them. He says, she upended her entire life just to ensure he’d never see Louise. She made him believe Louise was stolen, and gave her to Brook to raise as her own. Not to mention all the accusations she made to his face, the anger and hurt that still haunts his dreams, and now he’s supposed to believe she can simply forget all that, and start all over with him? She says, maybe not forget, but weigh the past and the things they regret against what really matters. They made Louise; she connects them. And by giving her up, they can be connected again. A second chance. She’s willing to take it. Is he? He says, of course (🍷) he is. She knows he is. He hugs her, and she looks at Louise.

Finn says, he knows all Chase cares about right now is the safe return of that little girl, but has he given any thought at all to what this is going to mean to his life, to his career in law enforcement, when this comes out? Chase says, it’s already out. Ned came by earlier and gave him an earful. Bailey was safe as long as she was under Ned’s roof, but he came along and came up with the brilliant idea to bring Brook and Bailey here, just so they could keep up the lie. Then Peter comes, and takes Bailey. He’s a cop. This is his job. Finn tells him, shut up, and hugs him. Chase cries, and Finn says he’s got this. He did good.

Victor asks, what makes Valentin so sure he knows what’s going on inside Peter’s twisted mind? He doesn’t know. Perhaps Peter took Charlotte hoping the PCPD would focus on looking for her, rather than looking for him and Brook’s baby. Valentin says, Brook’s baby? and Victor asks if he’s saying she’s not. Valentin says, Victor found Charlotte minutes after the police issued a missing child alert. How did he know where to look? Victor says Valentin shouldn’t be taxing himself with all kinds of questions right now. As Anna said, he needs his strength. Get some rest. Valentin says he wants some answers, about Charlotte’s kidnapping, and what happened to him. He was just headed to his car, walking through the GH parking garage. He’d just left Victor, and the next thing he knows, he’s flat on his back by a dumpster, smelling like a distillery. Did Peter do that, or did somebody else? Victor asks if Valentin is suggesting he knocked out his own son to help Peter, and Valentin says, he’s known since Crete that Peter has something Victor wants, or he’d never have put up with him. Victor saw him at the hospital, collecting Bailey’s medical records. Did he figure out Bailey was Peter’s long-lost daughter Louise? Victor asks if Valentin thinks he made some kind of devil’s bargain with Peter; help Peter get what he wants, and Peter helps him get allegedly what he wants? What does Valentin think that would be? Valentin says, if he knew the answer, he wouldn’t be asking the question. He does know Peter kidnapped Charlotte, and Victor knew where to look because Victor made a deal with Peter. Victor says Valentin has a vivid imagination, and Brook runs in. She says, thank God Valentin is okay, and Victor says, no thanks to her.

Austin says he doesn’t know how to make up for his mistake if Maxie won’t return his calls or texts, and Laura says, maybe she can’t. He says, she doesn’t think… and she says, she doesn’t want to think the worst, but just in case… Anna brings Charlotte out, and Charlotte tells Laura that she can go. Anna says, the doctors checked Charlotte out, and she’s fine. Laura says, good, and Anna asks, everything all right?

Maxie says, if she and Peter are going to leave Louise, they should do it now. She asks for his phone since she left hers behind. She’s going to call someone she trusts. Peter asks, who is this person she trusts; Brook? Maxie says she promises Brook will take Louise and look the other way when they get on the ship. She won’t ask any questions. Peter says, absolutely not, but Maxie says, Brook couldn’t love this baby more if she was her own. They can’t leave her here for some random person to find her. He says he has no intention of putting their daughter at risk. He hands her the carrier, and says, this is how much he loves her. He’s giving up the child he searched for so long for. He knows where they need to go and what they need to do. Maxie says, lead the way, and follows him.

Maxie and Peter arrive at a firehouse safe place, and Maxie says, they can’t leave her here, but he says, the firehouse has a special drop-off for parents who can’t care for their infants. No surveillance cameras; no questions asked. She says, it’s so anonymous, and he says, that’s the point. They open a special door, and put her inside. When they close it, it triggers a silent alarm and notifies the firefighters that she’s here. He promises that she’ll be well taken care of, and opens the door. Maxie cries, and says, she can’t.

Chase says, he did good? How can Finn say when he lied to him and everyone else? Finn says, but his heart is good, and he lied for the right reasons; to protect Maxie’s baby when Peter was one step closer to finding out Bailey was his. Chase says, given Peter still found out, he feels he only made things worse. Finn says, that’s what this guy does. He takes you to the dark side where he lives, and makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do. Chase says, like try to kill him?

Valentin asks Victor to leave him and Brook alone for a minute so they can talk, and Victor says, he’ll be right outside if Valentin needs him. He leaves, and Valentin says, forgive his father. Brook says, forget his father. What happened to him? He says, he doesn’t know, but it begins and ends with Peter August. She says, it’s all her fault. He woudn’t have even been on Peter’s radar if she hadn’t lied about Bailey. He says, come on, her name’s Louise, and she says, he knows. She says she’s so sorry she lied to him about being pregnant, and he says, it was creative. She got her ELQ shares back, and protected the life of an innocent child. It was a smart move. She says, even if it made him suffer? and he says, better him than Bailey.  He guesses it makes him grateful.

Laura tells Anna, she and Austin were just talking about Maxie. It seems she’s not answering her phone. Anna says, for Maxie to leave Mac’s side, it had to have been extremely important. Austin thanks Laura for what she shared, and tells Charlotte that he’s glad she’s doing well. He leaves, and Charlotte yawns. Laura says she’s a very brave young woman who needs some rest. She needs one second with Anna, and then they’ll go home. Charlotte says, take as long as she needs; she’s good at waiting. Charlotte parks herself on a bench, and Laura tells Anna, she knows it’s a big ask, but the PCPD is stretched so thin… Anna  says, it’s fine; she’s on it. She asks what Austin was doing. What was Laura showing him on her phone? Laura says, somebody who might be able to help him locate Maxie. She’s grasping at straws, but it was all she had.

Austin calls Spinelli, introducing himself, and saying, they met at Jason and Carly’s wedding. He got Spinelli’s number from Mayor Collins. He needs Spinelli’s help. Maxie Jones is AWOL and radio silent, and Mayor Collins said Spinelli is his best hope of finding her.

Peter says, Maxie is the one who convinced him they can’t take Louise. Or was everything she said about leaving town together and starting a new life just one more lie?

Chase says he’s sorry for bringing up bad memories, and Finn says, it’s all he can think about. Peter throwing the antidote off the roof at GH, the antidote that was keeping Chase alive. Chase says, Finn would have done the world a service if Peter had died when Finn shoved him down the stairwell. Finn says, it would have cost him everything he believes in. That’s the evil Peter brings to the table, right? He turns people like us into people like him, that’s why he has to be locked up forever. Do him a favor; no more blaming himself. Chase says he can’t help it. He and Brook were outside on the patio when Peter broke in and took Bailey. He should have been more aware. He should have known Peter figured it out.

Peter says Maxie can do this, but she says she can’t. He says, she has to, and opens the safe space door. She puts Bailey’s carrier inside, and Bailey is still snoozing away. She says, my little one. She knows it probably seems like she’s always saying goodbye, but she knows Louise is going to be safe and cared for by people who love her. Maybe one day Louise will forgive her, and understand that nobody loved her more than her mommy did when she gave her up. He says, they have to hurry, and Maxie says, Louise, my little angel. Peter says, this isn’t goodbye. One day the three of them will be together again. He closes the door.

Finn says, the first thing they’re taught in medical school is, you’re not God. Not even close. You can’t control all the circumstances all the time. All you can do is your best, and Chase did that. Chase thanks him, and Finn tells him, that being said, it’s a good thing he didn’t tell dad and Jackie about his sudden fatherhood. Chase said then he’d have to break their hearts and tell them Violet is their only granddaughter. Finn says, speaking of broken hearts, he has to figure out a way to tell Violet she’s minus one cousin.

Brook says, Valentin is grateful she lied? and he says, he’s grateful she protected Bailey. She’ll always be Bailey to him. He’s grateful she protected Bailey from that sick son of a bitch who gets to be her biological father. She says, there were times when they were together with Bailey and Charlotte. She knew it was make believe, but… Valentin says, it felt like a family? and she says, yeah. She’s really sorry she took that away from him and Charlotte. He says, him too.

Anna talks to Laura, while Charlotte is stretched out on the bench, asleep, and Victor puts his coat over her. He says he thought Laura was taking her home, and Laura says, she is, but she also has a job to do. Evil people are at work in her city. She guesses he hasn’t noticed. Her phone dings, and she tells Anna, take a look. Anna does, and says, got it. She leaves, and Victor asks if there’s anything he can do, but Laura says, she thinks he’s done enough, hasn’t he?

Austin strides through the hospital on the phone with Spinelli. He thanks Spinelli for giving him the location of Maxie’s car, and tells him to call the cops.  

Chase tells Finn, obviously Valentin was drugged and left in an alley, but why? It couldn’t have been Peter; he was locked up at the time. Finn says, he doesn’t know, when Chase’s phone rings. Chase says, it’s Anna, and asks, what’s up? She asks if he’s up for some freelancing tonight, and he says, Peter? She says, yeah. It’s unofficial. He says, he’s already in hot water with the department. Why not kick it up a notch? She tells him that she was hoping he’d say that. She just sent him directions. He looks at his phone, and says he got them. She says, good, and Chase… He says, don’t worry. He’ll come prepared. Finn asks what Anna wanted, and Chase says, he’ll tell Finn on his way out. He goes to get his coat, and Elizabeth comes out. She tells Finn, Cameron said Aiden baked an Austrian pastry, Violet picked movies – Disney princesses, of course (🍷) – and Jake is asleep on the couch. Chase comes back, putting his gun in his waistband, and putting on his coat. He says, he’s so sorry, but Anna needs a favor. Finn says, don’t forget he’s suspended, and Chase says, lock up, and jets. Finn says he’s going after Chase, but Elizabeth says, don’t worry; Anna’s with him. She’s going to make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. Finn says, he’s not thinking straight right now; he’s taking risks he shouldn’t be taking. He’s on suspension. She says, that’s his choice to make, not Finn’s. She knows he want to be the big brother and protect Chase, but as long as Peter is still out there with Bailey… she means, Louise, then this nightmare’s never going to end. Somebody has to stop him. He says, she’s right as usual, and she says, she knows he’s worried about his brother, but if he goes after Chase, she’s going to worry about him. And what about Violet? He says, she plays dirty, and she says, all’s fair when it comes to their kids. He says, okay. He’ll take her home and grab Violet. Hopefully, she didn’t eat too much Australian cake. Elizabeth says, Austrian, and she has a better idea. Why doesn’t he put Violet to bed in her guest room, and they can both spend the night? He says, safety in numbers, right? and she says, you can never be too careful or safe. He says, no, you can’t be, and helps her on with her coat. He says, he’s sleeping on the sofa, isn’t he? and she says, the pull-out bed is surprisingly comfortable, and they leave.

Laura tells Charlotte, it’s time to go home, and Victor asks if he can give them a lift. Laura says, no thank you. She has a police escort; she’s not taking any chances. He says, in that case, he’ll settle for a goodnight kiss from his granddaughter. Charlotte hugs him, and he tells her, goodnight, and sweet dreams. She says, him too, and Laura says, what about her? He says, of course (🍷), and hugs her. She quietly tells says in his ear, if she can prove he aided and abetted Peter August, he’ll share Peter’s fate. She steps away smiling, and says, goodnight, and leaves with Charlotte.

Chase meets Anna at the firehouse, and she says, they got an emergency call that a baby was dropped off here tonight who fits Louise’s description, so she texted ahead that they might have an ID. A fireman comes out, and Anna introduces herself and shows him her WSB badge. Chase introduces himself, and says, they worked a few arson cases together. The fireman says he’s glad to help out. He’ll be right back. He goes inside, and Chase says, he wants to believe they have Bailey, but it can’t be that easy, right? She says, that’s why she turned to him. She didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. The fireman brings Louise out, and Chase says, that’s her. He tells Louise that she’s not alone anymore, and takes the carrier, thanking the fireman. Anna tells the fireman, this child was kidnapped by Peter August. Did they see who left the child? The fireman says, all drop-offs are anonymous. A silent alarm is triggered by the door, and they found her in the safe place. She thanks him, and he goes back inside. Chase says, he doesn’t get it. Why would Peter just give up the baby? She says, Maxie. Maxie convinced him to. That’s the only explanation that makes sense. Maxie met up with Peter. She thought Maxie was brave before, but she just made the ultimate sacrifice; she convinced Peter to give the baby up. Anna takes an earring out of the carrier, and says, it’s Maxie’s. She was wearing it tonight. He asks if she thinks Maxie left it on purpose, as a clue, and Anna says, she did. Where did Maxie and Peter go? That’s what they have to find out.

Austin arrives at Pier 55, and calls to Maxie. He sees a boat pulling out, and yells her name as it leaves. He makes a call, and says, there’s been a kidnapping. Send the PCPD and the Coast Guard. They’re in a boat. If the boat gets to international waters, it could be too late.

Maxie and Peter are in a car, and Maxie asks why they’re not heading back to the pier and the ship. He says, the authorities will be checking all the ships, and she says, he has it all figured out, doesn’t he? He says, soon they’ll be away from Port Charles and their past will be behind them. She looks at the other earring in her hand, and stares straight ahead.

Tomorrow, Elizabeth says, it sounds like Finn wants to crash on her couch again; Portia says she knows so; Carly says, seeing them together gave her the clarity she needed; and Sonny tells Phyllis that Carly’s (I think) calling the shots, and he ain’t having it.

📝 That Was Fast…

Regular Sam was back before the ink dried on the recast.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/lindsay-hartley-has-a-special-message-for-gh-fans

🏥 Coming To a Soap Near You…

What else would they say? It’s going to stink?

GH Stars Promise “So Much Good Stuff” Coming Up!

🎉 Happy Anniversary…

It wouldn’t be GH without her.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Celebrates Genie Francis’ 45th Anniversary – See the Pics!

🎣 Can’t Win…

Off one hook, and on another.

RHOBH Star Erika Jayne’s Company EJ Global Suspended by Tax Board as Attorney Claims It Was Used for “Improper Tax Deductions”

🧂 A Little Salt…

The meltdown was epic.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City Recap: World War Zion

🦖 We Gather Together…

The gang’s all here for the latest in dinosaur adventure. Looks good.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/jurassic-world-dominion-trailer-has-jurassic-park-fans-losing-it-over-franchise-reunion/

🌞 Going To My Happy Place…

Swing by tomorrow for soap, tea, and quotable words. Until then, stay safe, stay composed, and stay being someone to be reckoned with.