What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina opens the door to Smoltz, who says she hasn’t been taking his calls. She says, there’s a reason for that, and wonders how he got past the doorman. He says he has a gift for improv, and she says, that’s fantastic. Goodbye. He clichély puts his foot in the door, and says, this is her last chance to comment on Michael and Willow’s assertions that she’s unstable, and how she’d be an undesirable influence on her grandson Wiley. If he was her, he’d want to get his two cents on the record. She says, fortunately, she’s not him, and she’s going to call security. She goes to get her phone, and he follows her in. He says, he’s bending over backward, trying to get her side of the argument on the record. She asks what he’s doing in her apartment, and he says, look, they both know her case is a longshot to start. Her late daughter Nelle Benson is a murderer. Now she’s capitalizing on Nelle’s death to give her access to Wiley. She says she’s actually almost speechless at how he’s grossly distorting the situation. Sasha comes in behind him, grabs his arm, and says, get out.

Brando thanks Lucy for helping them out, although he’s seriously surprised she’s still working as a realtor, considering Deception’s IPO took off the way it did. She says she knows it’s kind of weird, but she loves real estate and doesn’t know whether she’ll ever give it up. He’s right, the IPO’s done very well, but she learned a long time ago, never get cocky. So she thinks she’s going to hire extra staff, and have them do the grunt work. It makes her happy to help folks find their forever home, not to mention she loves going through those beautiful homes. She’s a little nosy. He laughs, and says he doesn’t blame her. She says, he and Sasha are her very good friends, and asks if Sasha is going to join them. He says, he and Sasha have discussed in great detail all the things that are important to her, and what’s important to him, in their dream home. He’s going to be doing the early searches. Sasha is doing so much right now, he’s doing what he can to make things easier for her.

Willow asks how Michael is, and he says he’s fine. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, that argument was a long time coming; ever since his father got back from Nixon Falls. He’s been acting like a stranger. She says she blames Nina. All those months Sonny thought he was a man with no family; he was alone in the world. Clearly, that changed him. Michael says he agrees, and doesn’t like the man Sonny’s become. She asks if he meant what he said. Is he really prepared to cut his father out of his life?

Sonny hits the heavy bag, and flashes back to his argument with Michael, and Michael saying, it will be like Sonny never existed. Dante comes in, and says he got Sonny’s message and decided to join him. Sonny tells him, put his gloves on; he wants to let off some steam. Dante says, Sonny looks like he has steam to let off. He sits to wrap his hands, and says, he hears the guys who tried to rob Charlie’s got some fancy lawyer and made bail. Sonny doesn’t know anything about that, does he? Sonny asks if this is an official interrogation. It would just be nice if he could talk to his son instead of a cop.

Elizabeth tells Finn that Laura and Doc have been great about looking after the boys. She knows it’s the best situation for their safety, but she misses them. She thought being away from this house and everything that’s going on will be good for Aiden. Finn agrees, and says, it will get him away from the idea that Franco’s ghost is behind all of it. He wishes they had a clue as to who it was. A fingerprint, or an image from the security camera. That would go a long way in convincing Aiden that a person is harassing her and not a ghost. She says, they haven’t left a trace, but he says, they’re going to slip up. They’re going to make a mistake, but she can’t be there when they do that. He’d really like her to reconsider staying with him until it’s resolved, but she says she’s sorry. She can’t do that.

At Whatever-It’s-Called Bluff, Harmony opens the hatchback, and Carly is inside, out cold. She says she has to make this look like a tragic accident. She picks up a large rock, and says, she never meant for it to go this far. After everything she’s done to protect Willow, she can’t stop now.

Finn says, Chase was attacked in Elizabeth’s house, and he gets it. She doesn’t want to be forced from her own home, but desperate times call for desperate measures. She says he’s right. She didn’t want to leave, but that was before Chase was knocked out. Jake and Aiden are safe with Laura, Cameron is with friends at the dorm, and now it’s time for her to find someplace to go. He says, but not at his place, and she says she doesn’t want to bring the danger to his home. She won’t put Violet at risk, but she won’t be staying with Jake and Aiden either. She’s getting a room at the MetroCourt. He asks if she’s sure it’s the best option, and she says, it’s a hotel, full of people and security. She’ll be safe there.

Lucy tells Brando, she’s so excited. She’s going to set up a bunch of viewings, and fit them into his schedule. She just knows their perfect dream house is out there waiting for them to find it. He says he hopes so. He thinks it’s important for him and Sasha to focus on the future, and how they move forward together. She says she really hopes, as time passes, that maybe it will ease some of the grief he and Sasha feel. He says, most days, he’s okay, but them something occurs to him, and his first thought is, he’d like to have done that for Liam. He chokes up a little, and she takes his hand. He says, but then it’s gone. He’s focusing on his love for Liam, rather than the pain of losing him. She says, that is beautiful, and asks if Sasha is able to do the same. He says, he and Sasha grieve differently, but that’s why he’s hoping focusing on their future together is comforting to her.

Sasha says, she’s glad Smoltz is gone, and Nina says, she can’t blame him. He’s only following Michael and Willow’s orders. Sasha says, so they’re trying to use the press against her, and Nina says, Michael blames her for the end of his parents’ marriage, and that sleazy reporter is her punishment. Sasha says she’s sorry there’s so much discord, but she can’t get in the middle; Michael and Willow are her friends. Nina says she’d never ask Sasha to take sides, and Sasha thanks her. She says, from Michael’s perspective, it’s probably easier to blame Nina for what happened, but she’s seen enough to know, nobody tells Sonny what to do. Nina asks if something is going on. Is something bothering Sasha? Sasha asks if Nina ever feels unsafe with Sonny, and Nina asks if she means Sonny’s business. Sasha says, she means more what Sonny has to do to stay in business, and Nina asks if she means the attempted robbery at Charlie’s. Sonny was there and he was protecting her, and Brando was right next to him. Sasha says, that’s part of the problem; Brando didn’t hesitate. He just ran right into the fight. Nina says she knows how much the idea of losing Brando terrifies Sasha, but he doesn’t work for Sonny anymore. He just happened to be there. Sasha says, still, she heard the robbers made bail. What if they come after Brando as some kind of revenge? Nina says, Sonny’s aware of the bail, and he’s taken care of it. Sasha asks if that means he killed them.

Dante says, he’s listening as Sonny’s son, and Sonny says, he went to see Michael. They got into it, and Michael turned his back on him. Dante says, he knows things have been strained… but Sonny says, there’s no more strain; they’re done. Michael doesn’t want anything to do with him. He starts punching the bag again, when Dante tells him, hold on. Tell him what happened. Maybe it’s not as bad as Sonny thinks it is. Sonny says, he went to the gatehouse to talk to Willow, because maybe she could get them together, and Michael walks in. He accused Sonny of using Willow to get to him. Dante says he sees how Michael could think that, and Sonny says, now two of his sons see him in the worst possible… He can’t talk about it.

Harmony puts the rock on the brake pedal, and says, she has to put Carly in the driver’s seat. Then she has to get the rock from the brake pedal to the gas. Then the car will roll right off the cliff. She hears something, and closes the hatchback. TempAlexis comes out of the woods. Harmony shuts off the car, and Alexis asks what she’s doing here.

At one of the private lounges in the MetroCourt, Elizabeth tells Finn that she’s glad they have decaffeinated tea here. She’s wound up enough as it is. Her phone dings, and she says, Cameron. Oh good, he’s staying with a friend in the dorms tonight. Finn says, her room should be ready soon, and she says, this actually feels pretty good. It feels normal, seeing people out about, meeting for dinner. He was right. It was good for her to get out of the house. Lucy comes by, and says she hopes they don’t mind her asking; how did Aiden’s school project go? Elizabeth says, Chase told them Aiden was questioning her about the spirit world, but she should know, there was never a school project. Aiden was using that as a cover story. Lucy says she can empathize. You do tend to get ridiculed if you have any belief in the supernatural. Finn says, there’s a reason for that; the supernatural isn’t real. Lucy says, they’ll have to agree to disagree. She believes when loved ones die, they don’t just disappear, and Finn asks if she’s the reason Aiden believes Franco is haunting their family. She says, they didn’t talk about Franco. Aiden just asked her questions; he seemed curious. Finn says, what Lucy did was incredibly irresponsible.

Michael apologizes for having the argument in front of Willow, but she tells him, don’t apologize. As painful as it was to witness the argument, it helped to clarify things. Michael says, his father always planned to put his family first; it was his justification for everything he did. He was a dangerous man, but he was loyal to his family. An alleged crime lord, but he was devoted to his family. Now he looks like a hypocrite. He went after what he wanted, and he wanted Nina. She says, Nina wanted him too, and Michael says, his parents have broken up before. His dad has cheated on his mom before, and he was too young to understand, but now that he’s a father, he understands how destructive and selfish his father’s ways are. He doesn’t want Wiley having that as a role model. She says she understands that, and he says he wants better for Wiley. He wants Wiley to be proud of the name Corinthos. She tells him, he didn’t just say that to hurt his father, and he tells her, he said it because it’s true. He doesn’t want to take back the name Quartermaine. That would be the easy way out, but Morgan was a Corinthos, and he wants to share that name with Morgan forever. He wants to remove the stain from the family name, and tear down the corrupt empire Sonny built on greed and violence.

Dante says, he’s not taking sides, and Sonny says, that’s not what it sounded like. Dante says, why? Because he said he understood Michael’s perspective? Sonny says, he understands Michael wants to protect his mother, but there’s more going on here, and this should be between him and Michael’s mother. What goes on between him and Nina is no one’s business. Dante says, Sonny doesn’t understand how having Nina in his life is a tough pill for Michael to swallow? Forget that Nina kept him in Nixon Falls all that time; she’s going around town trying to erase all the bad stuff Nelle did too. Sonny says, they shouldn’t hold Nelle’s sins against Nina. Nina didn’t even know Nelle was her daughter until Nelle was dead. Dante says, put Nelle to the side. Nina’s done enough things on her own, questionable things, maybe even illegal things. Sonny says, they’ve all done things in their past that they regret, even Dante, and Dante says, damn right he has. He didn’t say he was perfect. Sonny says, he didn’t, but we shouldn’t judge unless we walk in somebody else’s shoes. So if that’s what Dante came here to do, tell Sonny how he really feels.

Harmony asks how Alexis knew she was here, and Alexis says, something she said last night; that it was peaceful. What’s going on? Who’s car is this? Carly’s? Harmony says, Alexis shouldn’t be here, and Alexis says she wants to help, but first she needs to understand what’s going on. When she got home, her living room was torn apart. Harmony says, that doesn’t matter; she’s handling it. Alexis says, Harmony burned some papers in the fireplace, but one of the sheets didn’t burn completely. She recognized Neil Byrne’s handwriting. Those were Neil’s papers. How did Harmony get them? Harmony says, Alexis shouldn’t have come looking for her, and Alexis says, all the times she mentioned Neil, Harmony never said she knew him. How did his papers end up in her possession? Harmony says, she wishes Neil’s brother had never come to Port Charles, and Alexis says, Brendon? She doesn’t understand. Is Harmony saying Brendon had some of Neil’s papers? Harmony says, she was hoping he’d just go away and disappear. Alexis asks what she’s saying, and Harmony says, he was threatening her. She had to stop him. Alexis asks if she killed Brendon.

Dante says, if Sonny wants the truth, here it is. He can be a real prickly son of a bitch. He has a mean temper; they all do. The problem is, once the anger gets a hold of them, they can’t be reached. Sonny just bit his head off because he said he understood where Michael was coming from. Brando walks in, and Dante says, doesn’t Sonny think Michael should be angry that Sonny picked Nina over his mom? Sonny says, all he wants is for Michael to act like an adult, and respect his father. Is that a lot to ask? Dante’s phone rings, and he says he has to take this. Maybe after, they’ll cool down a little bit. He leaves, and Brando says, he’s not sure what he walked in on. Is Sonny okay? Sonny says, after everything he’s done for his family, Michael has the audacity to say he’s ashamed of the Corinthos name. All he’s done his whole life is try to give his kids a better life than he had. Brando says, he understands, but if you ask him, that’s part of the problem.

Lucy says, when Aiden was asking all those questions about the spirit world, he wasn’t frightened; he seemed interested. She wasn’t telling him ghost stories. She just told him that she believed in other planes of existence. Like she said, Franco’s name never came up. Elizabeth thanks Lucy for clarifying, and says she knows Lucy’s intentions were good. Finn says he was out of line, and sincerely apologizes. Lucy says, apology accepted. She gets it. This situation has to be nerve-wracking for all of them. Finn’s phone dings, and he tells Elizabeth that her room is ready. He’ll take her stuff up while Elizabeth stays to finish her tea. He leaves, and Lucy tells Elizabeth not to take it the wrong way, but she’s worried; Elizabeth looks exhausted. Elizabeth says, she is so tired. She’s been hearing things… Lucy says, at her house, but Elizabeth says, no, at work. She picked up the phone, and she could have sworn she  heard a man say, don’t forget me, the same message painted on the artwork at her house. Lucy says, it’s really scary, huh? and Elizabeth says, it turns out, it was just a patient reminding her to bring him an extra blanket. For a moment… Lucy asks if she’s had other moments like this, and Elizabeth says, wait. Does Lucy think she was talking to a ghost?

Harmony tells Alexis, Brendon found Neil’s files, and found out the truth about Willow. Alexis says, Neil was Harmony’s therapist? and Harmony says, court appointed. She never should have trusted him. Inside the car, Carly opens her eyes, and Alexis says, Harmony told Neil in a session that Willow wasn’t her biological daughter. Harmony says she  told him everything, because he told her it was a safe space. Then he lost his license, and guilt got the better of him. That’s why she did it, to protect Willow. She didn’t want to do it. She begged him not to tell. Alexis asks, who was going tell? Brendon? Harmony says, no. Neil.  

Alexis says, Neil is dead; so is his brother. Explain it to her. What was Neil going to tell? Harmony says, he told her that he was going to do the right thing; that Willow deserved to know who she really was. He was going to tell, and she had to stop him. Alexis says, Neil died of a drug overdose, which never made sense to her. She’d never seen him use drugs, let alone abuse them. And she was right. It was Harmony who injected Neil with those drugs. Oh my God. You killed Neil.

Elizabeth asks if Lucy thinks Franco is trying to contact her, and Lucy says, there are many documented cases about loved ones reaching out from the grave. Elizabeth says, documented how? and Lucy says, in a lot of cultures – most cultures really – there are tales of supernatural beings, so why if the acceptance of ghosts is universally out there, why isn’t there more to that?  This whole thing is really scaring Elizabeth, right? Elizabeth says, yes, and Lucy says, what if she could look at it in a different way? What if she could take comfort in the fact that maybe somehow Franco is still with her?

Nina tells Sasha, Sonny said he was handling the men who tried to rob them, and also told her, the men got the message. Sasha says, and she didn’t ask what that meant? and Nina says, no. Sasha says, because she didn’t want know what Sonny did? but Nina says, she just didn’t think it through. Sasha says, if Nina is going to be a part of Sonny’s life, doesn’t she think she needs to decide how much she wants to know about what Sonny does in the name of business? Nina says, Sonny’s not part of her life; not in the way Sasha means. Sasha says, but Nina would like to be involved with Sonny, right? and Nina says she would.

Sonny says, he’s had it out with his two sons, and can’t do it with Brando. Brando says, to be clear, he’s not agreeing with Michael; just the opposite really. He happens to find Michael’s black and white perspective rather naïve, and that attitude comes directly from the privileged life Sonny provided. Unlike him. He didn’t have a dad around, and Sonny grew up with Deke, who he knows was violent. Michael never had to make it on his own. He always had Sonny or the Quartermaines backing him up. Sonny’s always put Michael first. Always. And now that Sonny is thinking about his own happiness, he feels betrayed. Personally, Brando doesn’t think Michael should treat him this way. Michael owes him more respect than that.

Willow says, Michael is furious with Sonny, and deservedly so, but saying he wants nothing to do with Sonny is a big decision. Michael says, his decision is made. She heard his father. If Michael wants his forgiveness, he’ll have to beg. He doesn’t want Sonny’s forgiveness. He called Sonny out on his failure to live up to his own code. He’s done. She says she totally understands, but can’t help thinking about her own situation. She shut Harmony out of her life, also for good reasons, but now they have an honest mother/daughter relationship. She has her mom in her life, and doesn’t want him to face the same pain with his dad.

Harmony says, when Alexis came to Spring Ridge, she went out of her way to avoid her. Then she saw how much Alexis needed a friend, and thought she could help. Maybe she could make up… Alexis says, she thought she could make up for killing Neil? and Harmony says, she thought it was over; that no one would find out the truth about Willow. She thought she could be Alexis’s friend, and try to make her happy. Then Brendon came to town, and found Neil’s file. Then he found out the truth about Willow. He blackmailed her. They met right there, and she tried to give him money, but it wasn’t enough. He was going to tell Michael, and Michael would tell Willow that she’s not Harmony’s biological child. Then they struggled. She cries, and says, then he fell over the cliff. Alexis says, oh my God. You’re out of her mind. You’ve killed two people. There’s a sound from the car, and Alexis asks, what is that? Is someone in the car? Carly bangs weakly against the inside.

Elizabeth tells Lucy, she has thought about the possibility of Franco’s presence being behind these strange happenings, and in a way, it’s comforting that it’s his spirit wanting to be remembered. But it’s a stretch for her, especially after Chase got hurt. Lucy says she’s not trying to convert Elizabeth, or make her a believer, she’s just offering an alternate explanation. If it was her going through this, she would want to do everything possible to figure out what was going on. For her, peace of mind is everything. Elizabeth asks what Lucy means by everything possible, and Lucy says, if Elizabeth is up for it, she suggests getting a well-respected, trusted medium to go to Elizabeth’s house, and see if she senses a presence. Finn comes back, and says, Elizabeth’s room is all set, and Lucy says, she has to go; she has another appointment. Ta! She leaves, and Finn says he hopes he didn’t scare her away, but Elizabeth says, she’s tougher than that. She’s used to people discounting her beliefs. Finn says, she’d have to be tough, considering what she believes in is total nonsense.  

Michael tells Willow, his father’s business is organized crime and racketeering. Do they really want Wiley to idolize his grandfather? She says she’s never heard him say it so bluntly before, and he says, he’s not going to sugarcoat or defend who Sonny is, or what he does, anymore. She says she’s not defending Sonny in any way; she’s thinking of Michael. She knows how much he loves his dad. He says, he loves the man Sonny used to be. He doesn’t even recognize this man. The father he grew up with had a code of honor. He valued loyalty, and now he’s broke the very code he instilled in Michael. He’s not saying he’s blameless. He’s made mistakes, but nothing compared to what his father had done to their family. He can’t forgive that. She hugs him, and says she’s so sorry this rift is tearing his family apart. She promises she’s got his back.

Sasha asks if this is the first time Nina admitted to herself that she wanted to be in a relationship with Sonny. Nina says, at least out loud, and Sasha says, all she wants is for Nina to be happy, but being in a relationship with Sonny comes with a lot of strings. She’s just going to say, be careful. She doesn’t want to lose Nina. Nina thanks her for her honesty, and says she feels the same way. She wouldn’t want to lose Sasha. Have they talked enough about her? How’s Sasha doing? Sasha says, it’s definitely difficult at times, but she’s trying to focus on the future. God knows there are plenty of things in her past, things she’d love to forget, including what she put Nina through. Nina tells her that she never has to apologize about that ever again. They’re way beyond that. Sasha says she definitely paid a steep price for her mistakes, and Nina asks what she means; paid how? Sasha says, you can’t lie to people and get them to love you under false pretenses. Do things you know are wrong, and take drugs to dull the pain, and think it won’t cost you. There’s always a price; the scales get balanced. Nina asks if Sasha thinks Liam’s death is a punishment of some sort for her past mistakes.

Harmony tells Alexis, no one is in the car. Just go. She’s going to disappear. Alexis says, she’s leaving town? and Harmony says, she promises. Alexis says, all right. She won’t stop her. Harmony gets in the car, starting it, and Alexis runs around it, and opens the hatchback. Carly is unconscious again, and Harmony gets back out of the car, saying, Alexis, no. Alexis says, oh my God. Carly. She asks what Harmony has done to her.  

Elizabeth tells Finn, ease up. Aiden went to Lucy to ask questions; she didn’t seek him out. He asks if Lucy had any other words of wisdom. Commune with the spirits… no. Cleanse the house with sage. She says, Her heart is in the right place, and he says he doesn’t disagree with that for a moment. He just believes science and common sense will lead them to the answers they’re looking for, not a Ouija board.

Nina says she’s begging Sasha to listen. Liam’s death is not her fault. She’s not responsible. Sasha says she knows that, and Nina says, does she, or is she just saying that to get Nina to change the subject? Sasha says, no, she understands, and Nina says she’s so sorry Sasha has to go through this, and hugs her. She says she wants Sasha to remember there are so many people who love her; so many. Brando just happens to be first in line.

Brando says, he hopes when Michael calms down, he’ll come to his senses, and Sonny thanks him, saying, he appreciates Brando’s feedback. Dante comes back, and tells Sonny, that he wants to say one more thing. He’s not picking sides. He loves Sonny and Michael both. And just because he understands Michael’s perspective, doesn’t mean he’s judging Sonny for keeping Nina in his life. Sonny says he sees that, and apologizes. He just gets frustrated, and takes it out on Dante, and… Dante says, it’s okay. He appreciates it, but maybe Sonny and Michael can fix this thing before it goes too far, and they can’t come back from it. Sonny thinks Dante may be a few hours too late for that warning. They’ve already gone beyond that point.

Michael and Willow cuddle on the couch, and he says he appreciates her support. She says she loves him, and she’ll always be on his side, but does have to say one thing. He says, of course (🍷). He always wants her to be honest. She says, as Michael works to distance himself from his father, he needs to guard against adopting the very ruthlessness he hates seeing in Sonny. Michael is a good man, but she imagines Sonny was too, at one time. Don’t become the very thing he wants to protect Wiley from.

Alexis asks if Carly can hear her, and checks her pulse. She says, thank God Carly is still alive, and asks Harmony what Carly has to do with this. Harmony says, she came to the house, and she saw Neil’s notes about her. She knew too much. Now Alexis does too. Harmony can’t let her leave.

Tomorrow, Drew tells Portia, the less she knows the better; Nina tells Brando and Sasha, it’s the kind of emptiness that never goes away; Maxie asks why Brook would say such a thing; and Harmony won’t let Alexis take Willow away from her.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The New Jersians are still inflicting themselves on Nashville, and Dolores has called in Chef Hunter to cook for the group. She tells Frank she doesn’t think it’s going to be a good day. Marge was on fire, and she doesn’t think that’s going away. Melissa and Joe #2 discuss Teresa’s pseudo apology; Melissa thinking Teresa did nothing but justify her bad behavior, and Joe thinking it meant something coming from Teresa. Melissa doesn’t want to get involved. Jackie tells Evan that the therapist gave her strategies, but she’s not there yet. In Jackie’s interview, she says, she has an angel telling her that her health is at risk, and a devil saying, she’s not going to be thin anymore. She tells Evan that she needs to change her mindset, and he says he’s there for her. Everyone is loving the chef’s breakfast, especially since they didn’t have to cook it.

Joe #2 calls Teresa, who says she is has a headache. He tells her that he liked her apology, and she says, her apologies come from the heart. In the meantime, Joe #3 tells Marge, that apology was not from the heart, and Marge says, everyone wants to give Teresa a participation trophy. In Marge’s interview, she says, Teresa gets the gold star for biggest jerk. Teresa whines that Marge said she wasn’t sincere, and Melissa wishes they’d just get to a point where they’re civil. Teresa is like, your friend, your problem, and Melissa begs Teresa not to come in hot. It’s their last day. We find out Frank used to own massage parlors; according to him, good ones. Marge says, the trip wasn’t stellar, and Joe #2 insists Teresa’s apology was a start. Jennifer says, Jackie didn’t like Teresa’s apology, and took it anyway, but Jackie says, at the time, she was worried about what else Teresa might do. In her interview, Jackie says she accepted it because she didn’t want to let it infect her life. She tells Jennifer that she considers Teresa dangerous, and doesn’t need a fake friendship. Marge says, Teresa fat-shamed her last night, and no one said anything. (Um… didn’t Jackie?) She tells them that they’re allowing this behavior by not stopping her, and Dolores says, they’re not her parents. In Jennifer’s interview, she says, Marge won’t take accountability for her part. If she just admits her part in it, she’ll make it go away. You can tell she hasn’t been on this show long. Nothing ever goes away. Marge says she didn’t do anything to deserve what happened, and Jennifer tries to compare it with the Evan rumor again, but Jackie says, Teresa tried to destroy her life with something she fabricated. Marge brought up stuff that was really out there. Marge says, it was out of concern, and it’s of no benefit to her in taking Luis and Teresa’s relationship down. In Melissa’s interview, she says she knows Marge’s heart is in the right place, but it’s her delivery. She’s coming off angry instead of concerned.

They talk about taking some weird bike ride with a bar that I don’t understand, and get ready. They take the limo to town, where there are these trolley-looking things that say The Pedal Tavern on them. There are bike seats and pedals all around a bar, with a few regular seats in the back, which Marge and Joe #3 appropriate. In Marge’s interview, she says, after what Teresa put her through, she deserves to relax. I wonder how you can pedal and drink, when Teresa and Luis join the group. In Teresa’s interview, she says, the trip has been horrible for her, but she’s not letting Marge get to her. She’s going to enjoy the day . The director, or whatever he is, tells them, when the vehicle stops at a red light, they’re to yell, red light! and drink. At one of the red lights, they decide to fist pump, and I wonder if we can merge this somehow with Squid Game. In Jennifer’s interview, she says she’s glad they all took the sticks out of their asses, and managed to have a good time.

After the ride, they go to Hattie B’s for hot chicken. On the way, Melissa dances in traffic, jumps around, and nearly falls, but Jennifer catches her. How many red lights were there? Joe #2 suggests a contest with the guys, seeing who can eat the most of the spiciest chicken they have. Jen challenges any of them to eat more than Bill, and in her interview, she says, nothing is ever spicy enough for him. He uses wasabi like butter on sushi. Jackie gets barbecued chicken rather than grilled, and in her interview, she says, it’s a step for her. Teresa gets it in her head that she wants to talk to Marge right now, and Melissa asks if they can’t have one fun lunch. She doesn’t trust Teresa’s crazy ass. Teresa says she just wants to know why Marge is hurting her and Luis.

Teresa wanders over to where Marge is sitting, but Marge doesn’t want to ruin another meal. Teresa says she thought they were friends, and asks why Marge is talking about Luis. Marge tells her, it’s not just about Luis, and it’s a large, emotional conversation. She doesn’t think it’s a good idea right now. They should just enjoy lunch. Some of the others agree, and surprisingly convince Teresa, who goes back to her seat. Melissa says, there’s a lot of people here, and in her interview, she says, there’s a time and place for everything, and this isn’t it. They’re drinking, and crazy, and don’t need a scene in a hot chicken place. Jennifer praises Teresa for taking the initiative, but Marge says, it’s always on Teresa’s terms. In Teresa’s interview, she says, Marge shouldn’t come after the love of her life. Marge tells Jennifer that she’s forgiven Teresa quickly in the past, and we flash back to Teresa orchestrating Marge getting her hair pulled by Danielle. In Marge’s interview, she says, it’s hard for her. She’s always had a soft spot for Teresa. When they first met, Teresa’s mom had died, and she was heartbroken. We flash back to Marge getting a wreath for Teresa to send out to sea, and Marge says, that Teresa thinks she wants to hurt her is upsetting. The food comes out, along with the special contest food. Joe #2, Bill, Frank, and Luis decide to participate. In Frank’s interview, he says, his eyes, mouth, and nose are burning. He’s out, and Joe #2 is seriously sweating. Melissa gets him some milk, and Jennifer talks smack, saying, the baby boy needs his milk. She tells Bill, keep eating, but Bill allows a tie.

Back at the house, Joe #2 tells Tiki (who had to work) about the contest, and everyone takes naps. Refreshed, they get ready for dinner. Joe #2 says he’s dying, and Melissa thinks it’s a stupid contest, since there’s no reward. Agreed. Frank’s stomach hurts, and Dolores says hers does too, from all the drama. Teresa tells Luis that she wants to make it clear that they’re in a love bubble – a phrase that is slowly eclipsing analogy in annoyance – and no one is popping it. Joe #2 ends up making himself throw up using… never mind. In Marge’s interview, she says, the fight put a strain on the trip for everyone, and she hopes they end with a bang in a good way.

They go to a rooftop place that has barbecue and live music. The women toast to Dolores, thanking her for the trip, and they guys clink glasses to feeling better. Jennifer gives more accolades to Teresa for her fake not-really-an-apology, and Traci wonders if she’s celebrating Teresa for acting like a human being. Jennifer says, it’s like you reward children for good behavior, and Marge points out that Teresa isn’t a child. After the hair pulling, Teresa said she’d show Marge how much she loved her. We flashed back to them having a moment at the Reunion, and Jennifer says she did hear Teresa body-shame Marge. Marge says Jennifer should have said something, but Jennifer says she was worried it would trigger Teresa. Marge says, that’s got to change, when Teresa and Luis show up.  

Luis asks to talk to Joe #2 in private, and tons of appetizers come. Luis thanks Joe for being genuine, and giving him a fair shake with the guys. He’s gotten a lot of judgment from the women about his past, but the only person he wants judging him is Joe’s sister. He’s taking her to Europe where he’s going to propose, but he wants respect Joe like a dad, and ask his blessing. Joe says, being honest, he loved Luis when they met, but then negative stuff came out. In Joe’s interview, he says, Teresa doesn’t like questions, so up until now, he’s just sat back. But now Luis is asking to marry Teresa, and he wants to know the truth. He tells Luis that Teresa has been to hell and back, and wants to know what’s up with Luis’s past. Luis says he got divorced at 35. Then he got involved in several toxic relationships, and has desperate, thirsty, lowlife exes. Joe says, but there’s obviously some truth to what they’re saying. Back at the table, Melissa says, when Luis gets questioned, he gets anxious, and doesn’t always say the right thing. We flash back to Luis trashing his exes, and Marge says, discrediting the women wasn’t the best move. Jackie says she doesn’t like the narrative of nasty bitches, and Marge says, there’s his side, her side, and the truth. Luis tells Joe that he takes ownership of not always doing the right thing, but he wasn’t abusive. When he met Joe’s sister, his life changed. He wants to assure Joe that he’ll always be there for Teresa, and won’t let her down. Joe says he appreciates that, and absolutely gives his blessing. In his interview, Joe says, Luis admits he’s not perfect, but what he’s doing in the present is what’s important. He’s showing Joe respect, and understands what family is about, so he’s going to support them. They hug, and Frank thinks Luis is asking to marry Teresa. Luis comes back, and says, he and Joe were having a moment. Teresa asks Luis what they were talking about, and he says, they talked about his past, and Teresa says she feels bad that people from Luis’s past are trying to hurt him, and Marge is bringing life to it. Melissa tells her that Marge is just skeptical, and throwing things and name calling is wrong. Teresa says, the bad energy makes her turn into that, and in Melissa’s interview, she says, no one can make you that; it’s you. Teresa needs to take accountability. Teresa says, if Marge isn’t a supportive friend, she doesn’t want Marge in her life. Melissa urges her to talk to Marge, and Teresa goes over to Marge, and asks if she’ll talk now.

They go to a private spot, and Teresa says she’s not happy that Marge is talking about Luis. If she’s concerned, come to her. Marge says she did. She told Teresa that she’s got to get ahead of this. That’s why Marge immediately put her own sh*t out there. Teresa should have let Luis talk. Teresa says she didn’t want him to address it, but Marge says, it’s already out there. Pretending it didn’t happen gives it life, and all Luis did was discredit the women. Teresa says, they’ve been dealing with it since they met. She gets teary, and says she finally found somebody she likes, and this has to happen. Marge says, Teresa has never been transparent about it before, and in her interview, Marge says, all she’s heard is that Teresa didn’t hear it or didn’t care. Teresa is so afraid of losing the relationship, she’s willing to lie to protect it. Teresa says she loved Marge when they were crying over her mom. That’s the Marge she knows; not the one talking behind her back. At the table, Jackie tells the women that Marge never said anything bad about Luis. All she did was voiced what they’d all been concerned about. Jennifer thinks Marge should apologize, but Traci doesn’t think you should have to apologize for being a concerned friend. Teresa tells Marge that Dolores and Jennifer are supportive, and Marge says, they admit they treat Teresa differently. Marge lists all the nasty stuff Teresa has done to her and said about her this season, and Teresa says, yeah, she was mad. Marge says, all she did was be a good friend; she always stood up for Teresa. Teresa says, ditto; vice versa. Marge gets up, and says she championed for Teresa, and Teresa broke her heart. She’s f***ing done. Luis says, have a good night, as Marge leaves. Melissa asks, what’s going on? and Marge says, it was an emotional conversation, and she’s tired of Teresa treating her like sh*t. Luis tells Teresa that Marge is making her work too hard for an apology. Marge is starving to sit in her seat. Jennifer goes over to Teresa and Luis, and Luis jumps up and says he wants to get a jet and go home. He doesn’t need this. Then he starts literally strutting around, squawking about how much money he has, and how lucky Teresa is that she’ll never have to work. He says they should move to their 50,000 square foot mansion. In Jackie’s interview, she says, Luis worked hard to convince them he’s a good guy. Maybe now they’re seeing his true colors. Joe #2 says, the pressure is getting to Luis, and in his interview, he says, you’ve got be strong to handle being with Teresa. They’ll see if Luis can handle it. Marge says, she was right about Siggy, she was right about Danielle, and she’s right about Luis. Dolores says, dirty laundry always comes out in the wash, which doesn’t sound quite right. Teresa says, she just wants to be happy, and if she has to walk away from certain people to protect them, she has no problem doing it. They leave, and she says, she’ll do what it takes to protect their love bubble. Since it’s the finale, the text tells us that Teresa and Luis vacationed in Greece. She was finally asked a question she didn’t mind answering, and the answer was yes.

Marge is starting an alcohol free beverage line, and will be popping bottles instead of bubbles. Melissa hasn’t missed a game since Antonia  returned to varsity cheering. She’s now shouting from the sidelines instead of shouting over her friends. Dolores moved back with Frank and the kids. Renovations are complete, so she’s moved on to her next project – a new boyfriend. Jennifer and Bill are working on strengthening their marriage. Bill is working on more communication, and Jennifer on less retaliation. Jackie is making progress with her eating disorder, and Evan is being supportive. Jackie is now healthier and happier. The women toast to their last night, and Marge says, it’s another trip to add to the books.

Since this was the season finale, no preview, and the Reunion comes next. I hear it’s a doozie.

🗯 This season was disturbing on a couple of levels. It’s wonderful that Teresa is in a so-called love bubble, but then why is she so hateful? And would she really rather turn a blind eye to red flags, and risk another unhappy marriage? I’m not saying it would be – if he’s working on himself, great – but he’s not exactly stellar in the accountability department either. And the money rant was a little weird. I don’t even know what to say about Teresa’s insane behavior. I’ve certainly let anger fly in my day, but I have never once cleared an entire table of stuff, including glassware, into someone’s face. Both Jackie and Marge said she was dangerous, and they’re right. As amusing as Teresa can be, for being so in love, she was not amusing this season, and I think at the very least, Bravo should suspend her. Come on. She’s been working up to this since she threw that Solo cup at the camera. She needs a li’l break. On the upside, the highlight for me was Jackie dealing with her eating disorder. It was honest and engaging, and I really felt for her. When she ate ice cream with her kids for the first time, I thought of all the social occasions that revolve around food, and how much she missed out on. I’m betting she conquers her demons, especially with such a supportive partner in her corner.

🎭 She Wasn’t Bad…

I actually thought she did pretty well, but she has a very deep voice, and it startled me every time she talked.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/5208152/general-hospital-alexis-davis-odd-recasting-nancy-lee-grahn/

👢 Marching Along…

Pull up a chair tomorrow for some soap and more OC Reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay not fixing it if it ain’t broke, and stay remembering, no one can make you that; it’s you.