(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
There was no GH today because maybe, kinda, sorta we might have breaking news. I thought I was losing my mind when I put it on, and Carly and Josslyn were talking about Trina getting back into PCU. I thought, wasn’t she just making a big deal about a paper for class? Then the lightbulb came on…
People laugh at me, but I loved their music and they put on a great show. Back in the day, their concert was one of the few things I ever watched using pay-per-view.
That whole thing with Dorit still annoys me. Knowing how rescue works, Dorit was in the wrong. Period. And the constant chatter about it wasn’t coming from Her Majesty. If anyone could single-handedly end the dog meat trade, it would be LVP.
Take a break tomorrow for some soap (I think) and what I hope is the end of OC season. Until then, stay safe, stay not raining on anyone’s Halloween parade, and stay not hanging out with Vicki and Tamra if you want to curb your drinking.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Elizabeth gives a nurse some instructions, and the nurse says, thanks, boss. Finn says, boss has kind of a nice ring to it, and she says, if you’re a Springsteen fan. He says, that’s him; born to run. Is she clocking out for the night? She says she is, and he says, good. Remember when they were talking about being more direct with one another? In the spirit of being more direct… He’s going to stop talking and just ask this. Would she like to have dinner with him tonight?
At Windymere, Ava’s phone rings, but she says she can’t talk right now. She’s about to meet the nanny Mason has forced on her. Austin says, everything is going to be just fine. Have a martini. She says, done, looking at her nearly empty glass. This nanny is just here to spy on Sonny. Avery won’t be in any danger, right? He says, no. The only way Avery’s in danger is if they don’t do what Mason says. If they play along, everything will be okay. He should go though. Call him later with the details. His phone buzzes, and he sees a text from Mason: We’ve got trouble. Your office. Now! Dex watches him from down the hall, then follows.
Outside the gatehouse, Michael and Wiley have a play sword fight with… I don’t know what that is, but it lights up and looks like a thin, wobbly pool noodle. Willow comes to the door, and Wiley asks if they can stay out longer. Michael says, sure, but he needs to talk to Wiley’s mom for a second. He asks if Willow has heard from Nina, but she says, not a word. This isn’t like her. Wouldn’t Nina reach out and let her know if she couldn’t come? She hopes nothing’s wrong. Michael says he wasn’t looking forward to Nina seeing the kids, but went along with it for support. They kept Wiley out of camp for two days, so it would be safe for her to visit in the bubble. They went out of their way, and she doesn’t even show up. Willow is sure there must be a reasonable explanation; something came up at the last minute. He asks, what’s more important than Nina seeing her child and grandchild?
At the hospital, Sonny tells Nina not to worry about it. He has a lot of contacts at Ferncliff, and he’ll have someone look out for Sasha while they sort this out. She says she’s so worried about Sasha, but thanks him so much for helping. He’s always there for her and the people she cares about, and she appreciates that. She hugs him, and says, she’s supposed to be at the gatehouse. She’s supposed to visit with Willow and the kids, and Willow is going to think she doesn’t care. He tells her that she needs to relax. They’ll understand when she tells them what’s going on with Sasha. She says, all right. Willow will understand and not hold it against her, but she knows someone else who might. He says, like who? and I wonder if he has short term memory loss.
Carly goes inside Kelly’s, talks to a woman, then flips the sign to Closed.
Cyrus is putting books away in the prison library, when Drew walks in. He says, they got interrupted at the visiting center, but he wasn’t done with Cyrus, and Cyrus says, clearly Drew has anger toward him for some reason. The Good Book has taught him peace and patience, so it’s better not to let things escalate. Drew says, they wouldn’t escalate if Cyrus would answer the question. Is he responsible for Curtis getting shot or not?
Elizabeth wonders if Finn is asking her out on a date, and he says, yes, he is. She says, well, this is awkward, and he asks if it’s awkward because she’s turning him down, or is it awkward because she can’t say no. She says, it’s awkward because she was planning on asking him out tonight, and he beat her to it. In fact, she already made reservations… and they both say, at the Port Charles Grill. He says he did too. One of them is going to have to change their reservation. She says she’ll cancel. She doesn’t think his reputation can take the hit as well as hers. He says, she’s right; he’s a mess. A mess that’s looking forward to seeing her tonight.
Yuri comes out of the elevator, and Terry hugs him, saying, what a great surprise. For me too. It’s been so long, I forgot they’d gone out. She says she thought he was still helping Mayor Collins and Valentin in Russia, and he says, he had a very difficult journey to make sure they had safe passage north. He had local people he knows to help them travel as far as they can, but it’s still a dangerous trip. She says, he’s incredible to risk his safety for them. It’s just another reason she’s crazy about him. He says, crazy? and she says, it means she really likes him and she’s glad he’s back. She can’t stop thinking about him. He says he thinks about her all the time, which is why he’s here. There’s something important he needs to discuss with her.
Cyrus shows Drew a book, and says, Thoreau wrote this work in a place like this. Unlike Drew, he made good use of his incarceration. He didn’t antagonize others. Drew says, answer the question, and Cyrus asks, what is this incident he’s referring to? Drew says, there was a shooting at the MetroCourt pool. His friend Curtis Ashford was hit. Cyrus remembers him, right? Cyrus says, Curtis was of little interest to him until Jordan and Taggert dragged him into their affairs. So why would he care what happens to him? Drew says, maybe he doesn’t, but Curtis wasn’t the only one there; Sonny Corinthos was also there. They both know Cyrus would love nothing more than to take him out.
Carly walks around an empty Kelly’s, when Josslyn knocks at the door. Carly asks what she’s doing here, and Josslyn says she wanted to talk to Carly. She came in late last night, left early this morning, and Josslyn had to track her down on the family app. Carly asks if everything is okay, and Josslyn says she got a call from a classmate’s mother. She asked Josslyn to put in a good word for her, and let Carly know she was interested. Carly says, interested in what? and Josslyn says, their house. Apparently, Carly is selling it.
Sonny says, if Nina thinks Carly and Michael will hold it against her, she’s got that wrong. They would understand she’s late visiting Willow because of the Sasha situation. They’re not going to blame her. She says, he’s right. She’s so sorry. She thinks because she’s worried about Sasha, her frustration is misplaced. If she blames Carly and Michael, it takes away a little bit of that fear, and she’s sorry. He says, they’re all thinking about Sasha, especially her, since Nina thought Sasha was her daughter. She needs to go to Willow, tell her about Sasha. He has to meet with Ava tonight, so he’ll give her an update. She kisses him, and says, he always knows what to say to her to make her feel better. Wish her luck – she crosses her fingers – and she’ll check in later. She leaves, and he takes out his phone.
Austin says, this better be good, and goes into his office. Mason is there with Gordon.
Butler Giles tells Ava that her appointment, Miss Rutherford, has arrived, and a woman walks in. Ava says she’s so happy to meet her, and Betty says she’s so happy Ava chose her resume. She’s never met anyone who has their own butler. Ava says she tried managing things on her own, but things were falling through the cracks. Betty says she bets; this place is huge. Ava takes out Betty’s resume, and thanks Giles, telling him, that will be all. He leaves, and Ava says she sees Betty majored in Early Child Development. Betty says, let’s stop, shall we? That relic Ava calls a butler is gone, so drop the formality. Her resume could say she studied under Mother Teresa, and it still wouldn’t matter. They both know this job is hers, and there’s nothing Ava can do about it.
Terry asks if everything is okay, and Yuri says, da, but while he was away, he realized it’s been one year since they started seeing each other. She says she can’t believe it’s been a year since the Quartermaine picnic, and he says, and the Sicilian Thunderbolt🌩. She says she’s never been happier than this past year, and it’s because of him. He says he feels much the same, which is why he feels the time is right to give her something. He reaches into his jacket pocket, and hands her a small box. She takes out a key on a lightning bolt keychain, and he says, it’s the key to his apartment. He’d like her to come and go as she pleases, even if she has a late hospital shift. She sees Finn and Elizabeth, and Yuri says he knows it’s a big step… She says she hates to cut him off, but there’s something important she has to take care of first. Please don’t go. She runs off.
Elizabeth says, there are a few things she has to take care of first, then she has to change. Keep in mind, she’s getting ready in the locker room, and he says he’s sure she’ll look amazing. See her at 8? She says, okay, and by the way, she’s buying; no argument. He says, that’s ridiculous, but she’s gone. Terry says she takes it that’s a good sign for both of them, but Finn says his lips are sealed. She says, fair enough, but if he has a moment, she’d like to speak with him. It’s been weeks, and he hasn’t followed up. He says, about…? and she says, her offer? About becoming Co-Chief.
Yuri’s phone rings, and sees it’s a call from Valentin.
Cyrus says he has no idea what Drew is talking about. His only interest now is in knowing God and doing His work. Drew says, Cyrus doesn’t expect him to believe that, does he? and Cyrus says, Drew shouldn’t, given his reputation and past misdeeds. Drew has to take his word for it, but that would require Drew having faith in him. He and Curtis risked their lives bringing his nephew home after he fell into Victor’s clutches. So he would never bring harm upon Drew or Mr. Ashford. Quite the contrary; he’s forever in Drew’s debt. Book (remember him?) and a cohort walk in.
Josslyn asks why Carly wouldn’t tell her that she put the house on the market, and Carly says, she told Josslyn they had to downsize. She assumed Josslyn knew that meant selling the house. Josslyn says she didn’t know that. Carly never made that official. Carly says she just wanted to have an open house to see what kind of offers she’d get. Selling the house is the last thing she wants to do. She watched her kids grow up there. It’s special to her. Josslyn says, please let her help. She doesn’t care about dipping into her trust fund. Carly says she can’t accept any financial help from Drew, Sonny, or Michael because of legal implications. There’s no way in hell she’s dragging Josslyn into it. And besides, she has a back-up plan. Josslyn says, and what would that be? and Carly says, she’s looking at it.
There’s a knock at the gatehouse door, and Michael opens it, telling Nina that she’s late. Amelia is asleep and Wiley is about to go to bed. Willow says, it’s late, and Nina says she’s so sorry. She sees Wiley, who hugs her, and says he hasn’t seen her in a long time. Nina says she knows. She heard he was a very brave boy when mommy was sick. He nods, and Michael asks if he can talk to Grandma Nina for a second. They go over to the sofa, and Michael says, they don’t need Nina bringing up the fact that Wiley’s mommy was sick. He has to live with every single day. Also, she’s supposed to be here to visit Willow. She can’t have the decency to show up on time? Nina says she understands they’re upset, but can she explain why she was late? She was at the hospital. Willow asks if everything is okay, but Nina says, no. It’s Sasha, and she’s far from okay.
Sonny asks what Dex found out, and Dex says, he did exactly as Sonny told him. He kept eyes on Dr. Gatlin-Holt since yesterday at the Grill. Nothing really to report. Then he seemed a little agitated after he got a text message, and he bolted and went to his office. Sonny says he wants Dex to stay with him; see what he can find out. Dex leaves.
Ava tosses the resume on the table, and says, it didn’t take Betty long to drop the Fräulein Maria act. She wasn’t sure how this was going to play out. Was she an unwitting accomplice or an eager associate to Mason? Betty says she’ll spell it out for Ava. When her kid’s father arrives, Ava is going to gush over how impressed she is by Betty, and she’s perfect for the job. Ava asks, what makes her think Sonny Corinthos is going to be fooled by her? He’s come across a lot of con artists in his day. Betty says, in case she wasn’t clear, selling her to Corinthos is Ava’s job, not hers. And Ava’s pitch better be convincing, because there will be consequences if she fails. Ava says, Mason’s made it very clear he has her life in his hands. She’s very well aware of the consequences. Betty says, but it’s not just Ava’s life. How long has it been since she called her mother?
Ava says, this isn’t the first time her mother’s been mentioned, and Betty suggests she give Delia a ring, and ask for herself. She hands Ava her phone, and says she bets the sunsets are gorgeous from up here. Betty goes out on the terrace, and Ava makes the call.
Dex skulks around Austin’s office, and Elizabeth asks if there’s something she can help him with.
Mason says, it seems Gordon here wants to extract some additional funds from them, and Austin says, that’s what he hears. Mason tells Gordon, that was never part of the plan, and he knows it, and Gordon says, plans change. They never told him that he’d be in Sonny Corinthos’s crosshairs. That wasn’t part of the deal. He guesses Austin’s cousin didn’t tell him. Corinthos seems awfully protective of Austin here. Makes him think he’s going to need some more coin to stay quiet. A hundred grand should do it. Show him the money before he tells Corinthos what they’ve been doing behind his back.
Ava asks what took Delia so long to pick up… She’s sorry. She knows it’s been a long time since she’s called. Things have been pretty hectic, but she misses Delia, and just wanted to say hi and make sure she’s okay… She has a date, does she?… Wait. What does she mean, he’s the dangerous type?
Michael says he doesn’t believe this. He thought Sasha was doing so much better. Nina says she did too. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. Michael says he’ll make some calls and see what he can find out. he leaves, and Nina says she feels like all she’s been doing since she walked in is apologizing. She didn’t mean to upset Willow, but thought she deserved to know what’s going on. Willow says she appreciates it, and it’s better to hear it from Nina than see it on the news. Nina looks at Wiley, and says, he seems so happy and carefree. Nice reminder to them as adults to look at the positive things when things are really challenging. Willow says she knows. She was so afraid her illness was going to affect Wiley’s spirit, and she looks at that sweet smile on his face… Kids are so resilient. Nina says, if anyone asked her, she’d say he gets it from Willow. If she ever comes on too strong, Willow will let her know, right? And she’ll do better. Willow says, she’s already been better. Willow’s noticed Nina’s been trying harder, especially when it comes to Carly, and she appreciates that.
Carly tells Josslyn to sit down, and they do. She says, Josslyn knows grandma went to Amsterdam to get Luke’s affairs in order, right? and Josslyn says, that’s why the hours in Kelly’s were cut back this summer. She’s not following. Carly says she was debating on whether to sell the house or not, when Diane found a loophole that could help her get back on her feet financially. The State of New York and the federal government recognizes that a parent can give their child a property or a business. Josslyn asks if she’s saying she owns Kelly’s now, and Carly says she sure does. She’s been entrusted with their family institution.
Book asks, who’s the librarian? He was telling his friend about Pet Sematary. Why doesn’t Cyrus go fetch that book for them? Cyrus starts to go, but Drew says, he doesn’t have to do that. They may not realize, but these shelves are cataloged. They could probably find it themselves. Book says he guesses Drew is right. It must have taken a long time to organize these shelves. He starts pulling books off the shelves and onto the floor, but when he reaches for the cart, Drew grabs him. Book asks if they have a problem here, and Drew says, yeah. They do.
Book says he knows who Drew is. He’s that pencil pushing CEO. How did he get tossed in with them? Drew says he’s also an ex-Navy SEAL. Is Book sure he wants to test him? Cyrus says he thinks this is the book they were looking for, and Drew lets Book go. Book takes the book 9ha-ha!), and says, they’re done here. He tells Cyrus, thanks, old times, and leaves with his buddy.
Yuri says he can barely hear Valentin. Did they make it to the north safely?… He can’t understand; bad connection. Are he and Mayor Collins safe?… The connection is lost.
Finn says, Terry was serious about that? and she says, absolutely. The Board’s been hounding her for weeks to name a deputy, and she can’t think of anyone she trusts more to be her number two than him. He asks if Portia didn’t turn her down, and she says, okay, so he’s her second choice, but she still thinks he’d be a great fit for the position. He says he doesn’t think he’s the right guy for the job. He just hates all that administrative stuff. She says, but he’s a department head, which already involves all that administrative stuff, but he says, it’s not the same thing. She says she gets it. Oncology was always her passion. She didn’t think she’d like giving up the day to day contact with patients, but she knew she could do more good as Chief of Staff, and she knows he can too. He says he doesn’t know, but she says, look at it as the ultimate in holistic treatment. He wouldn’t just be diagnosing patients; he’d be diagnosing the entire hospital. And helping match the right healer with the right patient. There’s no denying his hands won’t get as dirty, but he’ll play a role in saving every single life under this roof. He doesn’t have to answer now. Just promise her that he’ll think about it. He says he promises, she thanks him and leaves.
Michael calls Sonny, and says, Nina’s here. She told them about Sasha. How bad is it? Sonny says he wishes he had some good news, but he doesn’t. Sasha assaulted somebody at the MetroCourt pool. They arrested her, and they took her to Ferncliff. Michael says, for the criminally insane? That was the only option? They couldn’t have held her at GH? There’s got to be something they can do. Sonny says he’s on it. He talked to her doctors, and he’s a big donor at Ferncliff and Shadybrook, so she’s going to be looked after. Michael says, thanks, dad, and Sonny says he’ll get back to him.
Mason says, Sonny’s suspicious of their operation, and Austin didn’t think it was wise to tell him that? Austin says, calm down. Gordon is exaggerating about what happened at the restaurant, and Sonny is only interested in him because of his relationship with Ava. They share a child together. So now that he and Ava are somewhat involved, Sonny is just paying extra attention to him. Gordon says he doesn’t care about some scene out of Fraternity Row. He just wants his money now. Is he going to get it or not? Mason says his associate will meet Gordon at the main entrance. Don’t worry. He’ll get everything he’s owed. But let him be clear. After this, Gordon doesn’t set foot in this state again. Is he clear?
Dex tells Elizabeth that he’s here to see a sick friend and must have gotten turned around. She says, you need an appointment to access the physicians offices, but he didn’t really seem like he just got turned around. It kind of seemed like he was – Gordon leaves and the sliding doors are so loud, I have no idea what she says, but I think it was, Dex seemed like he was listening. She introduces herself as Nurse Baldwin, but says he probably knows her better as Cameron Webber’s mother. She knows exactly what happened between him, Josslyn, and her son. She also knows he works for Sonny, and Sonny has taken him under his wing. Nothing good will come of that. So whatever he’s up to, there’s no place for it on her watch. Understood, or does she need to call security? He says, no, all good here, and leaves.
Ava says, Delia just met this man, and he’s taking her away to a cabin in Pautuk?… She barely knows him. Is she sure that’s a good idea?… Please don’t rush off the phone… Delia has hung up, and Ava goes out to the terrace. She sees Betty leaning against the wall, looking out over the parapet.
As Ava approaches, Betty says she could get used to living in a place like this. It’s a thousand times bigger than her place. She looks at Ava, and says, that’s close enough. She hopes Ava wasn’t getting any ideas. She’d hate for Ava’s mother to have to pay for the results of Ava’s hot temper. She goes inside, and Ava screams.
On the phone, Dex tells Sonny that he couldn’t get into Austin’s office, but there’s another player he’s meeting with. He matched the description of the guy Sonny said was harassing Austin at the restaurant. He’s going to tail him and see where it leads. He goes out the door.
Willow tells Nina that she doesn’t want to get ahead of themselves, but Nina has made a real effort to respect her boundaries. Nina’s clearly done as she asked and let go of her vendetta against Carly before anyone got hurt. Nina flashes back to telling Martin that she wants him to expose Drew and Carly for engaging in insider trading. She tells Willow, believe her. She wishes she would have handled things differently. Willow says she gets it, and she knows how important it is for Nina to be a part of her family, and she sees how Nina dropped everything to be there for Sasha when Sasha needed her. They sit, and Willow says, it’s been a while since she saw that side of Nina. She’s not saying they can start with a clean slate, but maybe there’s a way just to see if they can fit into each other’s lives now, rather than just accepting they don’t.
Carly says, Ruby, Luke, Josslyn’s’ grandmother, and now her. Bobbie sold her this place for one dollar. She’s going to pay Bobbie back the real price eventually, and she knows business has been slow, but she’s going to fix the rooms upstairs… Josslyn says, she’s not going to live upstairs, is she? but Carly says, God no. She’s not there yet. She does want to rent it to PCU students or interns at GH. This place used to be the heart of Port Charles. She’s going to restore it to its original glory. No. She’s going to make it bigger and better. She knows it’s not going to be the MetroCourt… Josslyn says, listen. That all sounds amazing, but she could get the MetroCourt back. Carly just has to let her or dad help her. Carly says she’s benefitted by the financial safety net provided by Josslyn’s father and Sonny for a very long time. But she’s always been able to stand on her own two feet, and she’s not going to stop now. She knows this isn’t as big as the MetroCourt, but having raised Josslyn, she knows firsthand, small things can turn into something big.
Cyrus thanks Drew, but Drew says, this doesn’t make them friends. He doesn’t like bullies, and that’s the only reason he stood up for Cyrus. Cyrus says, before he found God, one word that would have described him was a bully, and Drew says he still thinks Cyrus is, which is the reason he wonders why Cyrus gave in to that guy. He thought Cyrus was tougher than that. Cyrus says, the Good Book tells us to turn the other cheek, but Drew says he thinks it’s more than that. Because Cyrus was scared. If these guys are targeting him, he has to tell the warden. Cyrus says he can handle himself, and Drew says, if Cyrus is worried about them retaliating for reporting them, he’s already got a target on his back and nothing to lose. He can just tell the warden himself. Cyrus says, the warden is the last person who would help him. Especially if it means crossing them. Drew asks, what’s that supposed to mean?
Finn goes into the Grill, and tells the host that he has a reservation for two at 8 under the name Finn. The host says he has Finn right here. Just give him a moment. He steps away, and Elizabeth walks in, wearing a slinky black dress with a slit up the side. They smile at each other.
Terry says she’s glad Yuri hasn’t left yet, and Yuri says he knows she wanted him to wait, but she doesn’t like his gift. She ran off. He’s sorry it upset her. It was meant to make her happy. She says she is happy. She was just surprised, that’s all. She’s been flying solo for so long, it threw her for a second. She takes his hands, and says, giving her his key means so much. She actually has something to give to him. She takes a key attached to a paper clip out of her pocket, and says, it’s the spare key she keeps in her desk. It’s in better hands with him. Obviously, she didn’t have time to get a meaningful keychain, but it’ll do. He takes it and thanks her. She kisses him, and asks if he’s okay. He seems distracted. She didn’t mean to worry him when she ran off earlier. He says, it’s not her. He got a phone call from Valentin. He could barely hear Valentin, then the line went dead. When he tried to call back, he couldn’t get through. She says, it was an international call; it was probably just a bad connection. He says he hopes so, but he has the feeling that Valentin and Mayor Collins are in trouble.
Cyrus says he may have spoken out of turn. Drew needs to keep his head down and don’t ask questions about Book and his associates. Drew asks, why? Are they going to come after him? Cyrus says, it’s not just them. There are other factors at play here, and he would hate to see Drew become a victim. Drew says, listening to him talk, he would almost believe Cyrus is a changed man, but he knows better. Cyrus laughs and says, faith can change people. If Drew comes to their service, he’ll see. Drew says he’ll pass, and Cyrus says, then may he offer Drew a word of advice? Drew needs some kind of family to survive behind these walls. If Drew won’t join his flock, then he strongly suggests Drew find another.
Josslyn says, Carly inspires her. She’s very proud of how Carly is handling all this. Josslyn just worries about her. Carly says she gets how this can be a little scary, and it’ll be tough if they have to sell the house, but it’s just a bump in the road. She already told Josslyn; she’s going to get everything back that she lost. And not just for herself, but for Josslyn, for Donna, and for Avery. This is just the first step of an amazing journey.
Nina says, Willow has no idea how long she’s waited to hear her say that, and Willow says, no promises, just baby steps? Nina says, yeah, baby steps, when Wiley comes downstairs, and tells Nina, look what he brought. Nina takes a toy soldier from him, and says, hey, I’m soldier guy… Michael comes in, and eager to rain on this parade, he says, it’s time for this little cowboy to get to bed. Nina says she guesses this is her cue, and thanks Willow for this. This is very special. She tells Wiley, think fast, and tosses the toy to him. She says, nice catch, and gets her bag. Wiley asks if she’ll come visit again soon, and Nina looks at Willow, who says, we’ll see. Ugh. The eternal parental euphemism for either no or I don’t know. Nina tells Wiley, until then, goodnight, like we’re in a Shakespeare play, and leaves. Outside, she takes a breath and sort of smiles.
Betty asks if Ava feels better now that she got that out of her system, and Ava says she wants to know who this man is who’s trying to seduce her mother. Betty says, relax, lady. He’s just a friend who’s keeping an eye on Delia for them. That’s all. Ava takes the drink out of Betty’s hand and says, call him off. She’s not going to play ball with her or Mason as long as her mother’s involved. Is Betty listening to her at all? Betty smacks Ava across the face, and says she thinks Ava is forgetting who calls the shots here. Sonny walks in and says he’s sorry. Is he interrupting? Yeah. Betty’s kind of stupid, since anyone could walk in.
Austin thanks Mason for handling this. Sonny’s got eyes on him now, so the last thing they need is Gordon bringing extra attention to them. Hopefully the guy will just take the money and run. Mason says, if Austin has learned anything from him, he makes his own luck. He sticks a lollipop in his mouth.
Dex walks outside near a dumpster and sees something. He says, hey, are you okay? He takes out his gun, and walks to the other side of the dumpster, where he sees Gordon, either unconscious or dead. I’m guessing the latter.
Tomorrow, Curtis tells Portia that he thinks he might be on to something; Brook asks Chase to break the rules with her, just this once; Betty says, the one Ava loves dearly will pay the price; and Sonny yells, why is he just hearing about this now?
⌨️ Work Arounds…
How the soaps are getting through the strike. While I’m totally on board with the writers, people still have to eat, and God knows we can’t lose another soap.
Slide into my blog tomorrow for soap and throwing some tea in the air to see what sticks. Until then, stay safe, stay not commenting on other people’s physical characteristics unless you’re being complimentary, and stay looking at the positive things when things are really challenging.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Drew hears something, and tells Jason, heads up. A guard comes in, and undoes Drew’s shackles. Drew asks where he’s going, and the guard says he’ll know soon enough. Drew flashes back to telling Jason that he can’t stop himself; Jason has to stop him. He remembers Jason saying, it won’t come to that, and him telling Jason, if it does, he’d rather die at Jason’s hands, than carry out another one of Peter’s orders. In the present, he says, Jason knows what he wants, and said he would do it. Jason says, it’s not going to come to that, and Drew is hustled out.
Valentin says he hates that Robert struck a deal with the WSB, and Anna asks why Robert didn’t give them a heads up that this deal was imminent. Robert says, it was the Bureau’s call; Victor didn’t give them much choice. He knows all manner of damning information. Besides, his attorney threatened a press conference. Anna asks who his attorney is, and Robert says, Scott Baldwin. Valentin says, Scott Baldwin is an ambulance chaser, and Robert says, the ambulance chaser is smarter than he looks.He didn’t give them any room to negotiate. Anna says, the Bureau would have negotiated if Robert had told them sooner, and Valentin says, he and Anna know where Peter is, and it’s a place he knows like the back of his hand – Cassadine Island.
Peter tells Britt that he still hasn’t heard from Victor. It’s possible he’s alluding the WSB now too. She treats his hand, and he tells her that it’s not safe there anymore. They need to leave. She says, leave the island? And go where? There’s a knock at the door, and Peter says, come in. A guard comes in with Obrecht, and Britt asks if she’s allowed to greet her mother. Peter says, go ahead, and Britt and Obrecht hug. He says, you’re welcome.
Cameron asks Trina how many books she wants on the display table, and she says, as many as they can carry. They’re selling like crazy. He says he’s so sorry for dropping postcards on the floor, but she says, it’s fine. She nearly dropped a pitcher of water on herself before she came in. He says, nerves? and she asks if he can tell. He says she looks calm, cool, and composed, and she says, liar, but she appreciates the support. Cameron says, if Josslyn was here, she’d say the same. They’re both extremely excited for her. She says, thanks for the love, and hugs him. He says, anytime, and Esme lurks in the doorway.
Nikolas tells Joel Sartore, theses photos are amazing, and Joel thanks him, saying, if he likes these, look at the frog over here. Nikolas says he loves frogs, and follows Joel.
Ned tells Ava, he can’t decide which of these photographs he admires more, and she says, there wouldn’t be any photos at all if he hadn’t underwritten the exhibit. She thanks him for making this more than just a dream for Trina, and he thanks her for thinking the photo exhibit was worthy of her gallery. ELQ always welcomes the chance to champion a worthy cause. She says, and if it helps him score points with Olivia, all the better, right? Olivia comes in with Leo.
Sasha says she did a bad thing, and Brando says he knows. When she left his apartment last night, he noticed some butter pecan was missing from his freezer. She says, okay, two bad things. She knows they didn’t want to know the sex of their baby until he or she was born… He says, she found out, and she says, she didn’t ask, but she knows.
Gladys says Kip isn’t fooling her. He’s no more Bailey’s father than Valentin is. He says, he is the father. He’s just posing as a cater waiter and amateur actor to keep an eye on Gladys. If she slips up, there will be consequences. She laughs, and says, like what? He’s going to spill his tray on her? Don’t bother staying in character. That gun he threatened her with was fake, wasn’t it? Brook sees them talking, and says, Pauly. She didn’t expect to see him there tonight. Gladys tells her, next time, don’t pick out somebody who has to pass out canapes to pay his electricity bill, and Brook says, Pauly has two jobs. It’s called a side-hustle. She’s sure Gladys is familiar with the term, considering she’s been hustling her entire life. Gladys says, and the fact that his fellow cater waiters call him Kip? That’s only question number one. She has so many more about Brook’s baby daddy. Kip says, these kabobs aren’t going to serve themselves, and jets. Brook tries to hand Gladys her credit card, but Gladys says, this little charade she tried to pull, just upped the stakes.
Anna says, she’ll establish a team to raid the island, and Valentin says, the place is a fortress. The WSB is going to need help; he’s going with her. Robert tells him, says the man who was shot, and can’t get to the bathroom without help, and Valentin tells him to go file a brief. Anna says, she doesn’t think there’s room enough on the plane for both their egos. She’ll be going to Cassadine Island, and she’s not taking either one of them.
Ned says he’s glad they came, and Olivia says, Leo wanted to see the animals. Ned says he can’t wait to show Leo the photographs; he’s going to love them. Olivia says, hopefully, Leo’s favorite animal is here, and Ned says, what about her? What is she hoping for tonight?
Trina and Cameron come out, and Esme asks what they were up to. Trina says, what does it look like? Cam’s helping her. Esme says, it looks like he was holding a lot more than her books, and Trina asks what she’s talking about. Esme says she just thinks it’s so sweet that Cameron supports her, and Cameron says he’s right here. Trina says, that’s what friends do. Not that Esme would understand.
Nikolas says he’s surprised to see Spencer, and Spencer says he’s there to support Trina. No other reason. Nikolas says, Ava’s fine with that, and Spencer says, and him? Nikolas says he went by Kelly’s the other night, but Spencer wasn’t there. Spencer says, now is not a good time. He’s not going to ruin the night with their family dysfunction. It’s nice to have a night off serving tables. He’d like to enjoy the peace. He leaves, and Ava tells Nikolas, baby steps, my love.
Britt tells Obrecht that she’s okay, and says she wants to check Obrecht’s bandages. Peter says her mother was very well taken care of, and Britt says, there’s no sign of infection. She thanks Peter for giving her and her mother this time together, and Peter says, see? He’s not really the monster people think he is. Now that he’s done this little favor for Britt, she can repay him. He takes a paper out of his pocket, and says, Britt and Jason will be recorded reading this statement, verbatim. She looks at it, and says, please tell her this is a joke. Obrecht asks what it says, and Peter says he doesn’t trust Jason. He was much to docile during his demonstration. Britt remembers that, right? The part where Drew almost killed Jason, but decided to hurt himself instead? Britt says she has to give it to their late and unlamented father, he was the best at mind control. He really messed up Drew, and now Peter gets to reap the benefits. Kind of like finding a sportscar waiting in your garage that you did nothing to earn, and probably don’t know how to drive, but you take it anyway. He says, just make sure Jason says what’s on the paper, or this next time, Drew will kill Jason, and he’ll make her watch. The guard comes in and takes Britt. Obrecht tries to follow, but Peter grabs her arm, and she tells him not to touch her. If he harms her daughter, she will kill him. He tells her, calm down. He’s now secured the lab, so no more throwing any dangerous substances at him. Which now brings him to the part where he tells her, there’s not anything she or anyone else can do to stop him.
Britt is brought in to join Jason, and the guard gives her the paper, saying, stick to the script. She tells Jason that Peter wrote it, and the guard takes out his phone to film. Britt reads, today in Port Charles is Tuesday, November 16th. She’s Britt Westbourne, and she’s being held with Jason Morgan and her mother Liesl Obrecht.
Obrecht says, Peter craves power and control, just like his father, but Peter says, the only thing he craves is his family. She laughs, and asks if he really thinks Maxie would take him back after everything he’s done. How many people has he killed? How many lives has he destroyed? He says she’s not here for her opinion; he needs her medical expertise. Drew is brought in, and Peter says he needs another check-up. He wants Drew in tip-top shape. Drew asks, why? and Peter says, because Drew has another job to do, where failure is not an option.
Looking at a bird photo, Olivia says, it’s so striking the way he’s captured the gold in the feathers, and Ned tells her, it says dancing is part of their mating ritual. She says, it’s breathtaking. She doesn’t know how Joel Sartore does it. Ned wonders if she’d like to ask him herself, and she asks if he can make that happen. He says, doesn’t she know by now, he’d do anything for her.
Brook asks what Gladys wants. A raise? A spectacular vacation package? Shares in Deception? Gladys says, how about a controlling interest? and Brook says, not only is that outrageous, she doesn’t have the power to do that. Gladys says, then make it within her power, or Valentin learns he’s not the biological father of his beloved Bailey. Olivia approaches with Ned and Leo, and tells Brook that Ned is going to introduce them to Joel. Would she like to join them? Leo says he wants to show Brook his favorite picture, and Olivia asks if he doesn’t want to meet the photographer. Leo shakes his head, and says he wants to look at the picture, and Ned says, sounds like Leo has his priorities straight. Brook tells them to go ahead; she’ll show Leo his picture. Olivia tells Leo to stick with Brook, and leaves with Ned. Brook tells Leo to give her a second, and tells Gladys, they’ll talk terms later. Gladys says she doesn’t think so. She doesn’t like Brook’s attitude, and her friend Valentin deserves the truth. She’s sure he’ll be appropriately grateful. Gladys walks off, and Leo pulls at Brook.
Esme says, Trina is right. She doesn’t always understand friendship, especially since she hasn’t had any close friends in her life. Cameron says, not even at boarding school? and Esme says, it was just Spence and her. She thinks the other girls were jealous. Cameron says he’s going to put the books on the display table, and Trina says she’ll be right behind him. Esme tells Trina, congratulations again on the exhibit, and getting ELQ to underwrite it. Very impressive. Trina thanks her, and Esme says, Spence could bankroll future exhibits, if only he had his trust fund. Trina says, Spence will make his own money by not relying on his dad, and working hard, but Esme says, Spence isn’t going to generate much of revenue stream working at a diner. Trina says, he’s making an honest living. Something Esme knows nothing about.
Brando asks how Sasha knows the sex of their baby, and she says, by accident. She fully intended to stick to their agreement, but a nurse accidentally revealed the baby’s sex when she scheduled an appointment by email. He asks if she’s disappointed it won’t be a surprise, but she says, actually, now that she knows, she’s even more excited. The baby seems more real to her. He puts his hand on her bump, and says, this isn’t real enough? What about the constant trips to the bathroom and butter pecan cravings? She says, true, but now she can really picture their baby. Does he want to wait until the baby is born, or should she tell him what they’re having?
Nikolas tells Trina, congratulations on the exhibit; it’s fantastic. Trina says she couldn’t have done it without Ava’s support, and Ava says, it’s her pleasure. She saw Trina’s mother, and she loves the photos. She’s so proud of Trina, as is Ava. Nikolas asks if Trina is at least going to enjoy her moment in the sun, but Trina says she can’t relax until after the presentation. Does Ava still want her to give it; it’s her gallery. Ava says, it’s Trina’s exhibition; Trina takes the credit. Nikolas’s phone rings, and he excuses himself to take the call. Trina tells Ava, her art professor came by earlier, and said she aced the class, and Ava says, her hard work and dedication have already paid off. Please do herself a favor and enjoy this moment. Trina says she’ll try, but can’t make any promises. How about Ava? This is as much her night as Trina’s. Is it going well? Ava looks over at Nikolas on the phone, and says, it seems her night might be taking a turn for the worse.
Britt reads that she, Jason, and Obrecht haven’t been harmed. They’ve been treated fairly, and have been assured by Peter August that they’ll remain safe as long as his instructions are followed. Peter has no interest in hurting them. He just wants justice for himself. While Peter works to attain that justice, these are his requirements to all of them. She shows Jason the paper. I always think these statements are so useless, since it’s always obvious the hostage is just reciting what they’ve been told.
Olivia tells Joel, the photographs are spectacular… fantastic. She asks Ned to help her out; she’s running out of adjectives. Ned says, he thinks she’s trying to say she loves Joel’s work. Olivia asks if those are his books on display, and Joel says, indeed. That’s Photo Ark Wonders; it’s celebrating diversity in the animal kingdom. She says she’ll have to pick one up for her son Leo; he’s fascinated with animals. Joel says, he might also like the children’s book they do, Photo Ark ABC. It’s never too early to get kids involved in conservation. Ned says he couldn’t agree more, which is why he already purchased both of the books. Joel says, outstanding, and excuses himself to sign some books. Olivia says, just incredible, and Ned says he couldn’t agree more. Mr. Sartore’s mission is truly incredible. She says she was talking about him. She knows he was thinking about her and Leo when he underwrote the exhibit. Then he bought the books. She’s running out of adjectives to describe him too. He says, that counts for something, and she says, that counts for a lot.
Brando tells Sasha, he’s torn. He wants to know the sex of their baby, but was looking forward to the surprise. She says, he doesn’t have to make up his mind right now. They have a little time before her due date. He says, so she’s going to be planning for the baby in secrecy? She says, like buying baby clothes, thinking about names… He says he thought they were coming up with names together, and she says, they will. What about Charlie? Or Parker? He says, those names can be used for boys and girls.
Spencer looks at a tiger photo, and Esme says, isn’t he beautiful? Spencer says, so proud; arrogant even. She says, like the Cassadines, and he says, he thinks they’re both on the verge of extinction. She says, he’s in a mood. Let her cheer him up. Guess who she saw snuggled up in the back room of the gallery? He says, he should care why? and she says, because it was Cam and Trina. Poor Joss. Her best friend and her boyfriend? He says, whatever she thinks she saw, it couldn’t have been that deep. Cameron and Josslyn are happy, and Trina would never betray a friend. She says, Trina’s not as perfect as he thinks, and he says, but she is honest. She doesn’t deal in dirty tricks. Esme says, unlike her.
Ava asks if everything is okay, and Nikolas says, apparently, Scotty convinced the WSB to cut Victor a deal. She says, what kind of deal? and he says, the kind that grants him full immunity. It’s possible Victor gave up Peter or something else of value, but whatever it was, Victor is walking the streets of Port Charles a free man.
Anna asks where Victor is now, and Robert says, the Bureau has him under surveillance. She says, he’s the former director; he created the surveillance protocol. He knows how to evade them. Valentin says, they can’t risk Victor warning Peter, and Anna says she’s leaving now. Her phone beeps, and she looks at it. She says, they have to see this, and they all look at the screen. Jason says, do not attempt to find Peter August and apprehend him. Do not attempt to find Britt Westbourne, Liesl Obrecht, or himself. Peter has the ability to monitor the activities of the WSB, as well as rogue individuals who attempt to find them. Any attempt to catch Peter or free his hostages will result in their deaths.
Britt hugs Jason, and says she hates leaving him. He says he’s got this, and she says she knows he does. She walks out, and the guard follows.
Drew says he refuses to feel like a trained lap dog anymore, and Peter says, refuse all he wants; it won’t make any difference. He’ll still do what Peter says; he literally holds all the cards. Drew says, go to hell, and Peter shoves Obrecht’s medical bag at her, causing her to double over. She says, he’s incapable of earning loyalty. He believes the stick is better than the carrot. How alone he must be, surrounded by minions instead of friends. Drew says he heard Maxie can’t even bear to be around Peter, and Peter says he and Maxie will be reunited. Drew will be the one to make it happen, or he’ll die trying.
Ava says, so much for Nikolas’s assurances that Victor won’t be a problem, but Nikolas doesn’t think Victor threw him under the bus, or he’d be in custody already. She says, what about mercenary being treated at GH? Does he know anything that could implicate Nikolas in any way? Nikolas says he’s fine. He just wishes he knew how Victor managed his immunity deal. What’s that look on her face mean? She says, it’s not the best time right now, and he asks if she’d feel better if he found out what Victor offered for his immunity. It means he’ll have to leave now. Ava tells him, go. She can’t be looking over her shoulder. If it’s not Spencer stalking her, it’s some other Cassadine crawling out of the woodwork ready to wreak havoc in their lives. He promises that’s not going to happen, and kisses her. He tells her, congratulations again on the exhibition, and leaves.
Spencer says, when he said Trina didn’t deal in dirty tricks, he wasn’t implying Esme did. She asks what he did mean, and he says, that Trina isn’t wired the way most people are; she’s not petty. She tells him, he should have heard what Trina said to her about not knowing what it’s like to work a real job. It sounded kind of petty to her. He says, Esme doesn’t know what it’s like to work a real job. He says he has no interest in fighting with her, especially when they have the opportunity for a rare night out. She looks incredible, not to mention there’s free food and the champagne is flowing, and they don’t have to pay for any of it. She says, the exhibit’s not so bad either, and he says, it doesn’t get any better than this. She says, and Trina arranged all of it, and he says, she probably had help from Ava. He can give credit where credit is due. Why can’t she? She says, he’s right. She hopes Trina has a night she never forgets.
Brook asks what Leo likes about the photo of the octopus, and Kip comes out. She goes over to him, and he says he’s really sorry about what happened. She says she told him to lie low. Working as a cater waiter at an exhibition isn’t lying low. He says he knows, but you never know who you’ll meet at these things. Chris Pratt was discovered working at a shrimp restaurant. She says, Chris Pratt has talent. He asks if she smoothed things over with Gladys, and she says, don’t worry about it. It’s not his fault. Who’d have thought Gladys would show up here? Her idea of good art is kitten videos. He says, so she’ll recommend him to her friends? She says, don’t push it, and goes back to the picture, but Leo is gone.
Sasha asks if Gladys is enjoying the exhibit, and Gladys says, you betcha. Sasha wouldn’t believe what she’s learning. She leaves, and Brando wonders why he gets the feeling his mother is up to something. Sasha says, maybe because she always is up to something. They look at the panda photo, and Sasha suggests buying a print for baby Riley or Billie’s nursery. He says, why not? The truth is, he doesn’t need to know who or what their baby will be, to be prepared for the baby’s arrival. All he cares about is that little Reese or Jamie or Blake turns out just as magnificent as their mother.
Trina asks if Ava is okay, and Ava says she’s fine. Isn’t it about time for Trina to make her presentation to Mr. Sartore? Trina says she just needs to grab the flowers and check from ELQ in the back room. Ava tells her, do that while she makes the introductions.
Esme starts to follow Trina, but Cameron intercepts her. She says she can’t talk right now, but he asks if she has a minute. There’s something he needs to clear up.
Joel tells Ned, the Arabian cobra was the 12,000th species in the Photo Ark Project. He didn’t like Joel too much. It was photographed two weeks ago in the Arab Emirates at the Arabian Wildlife Center. Only 8000 more to go. Ned says, Joel’s going to be busy, and Joel says, he is.
Trina gets the flowers, and opens the door to find Gladys. She tells Gladys the ladies room is in the other direction, but Gladys says she was hoping to make a call in private, but Trina says, the back room is off limits to visitors. Gladys says, it’s a matter of life and death, and paternity. She promises not to steal any of the artwork. It’s not her taste anyway. Trina says, all right, but please be quick. Gladys thanks her, and goes inside, but her phone says, no service. She frets that she needs to reach Valentin.
Valentin says, apparently, it’s a rescue mission now, and Robert says they have to make sure they’re not walking into a trap. Anna says, of course (🍷) they are. She wonders how Peter got Obrecht, Britt, and Jason, and Robert says he has to make a call. He leaves, and Valentin says the WSB will have ground plans and schematics, but he knows the island better than they do. Anna says he just got out of surgery, but he says he thought she knew him better than that. She says she does, and knows he’d risk his life for the hostages, but she prefers him alive, if it’s all right with him. He says he hates to say it, but if she’s not going to take him, take Robert. He can make a contribution though. He knows how to get on the island undetected.
Brando asks if Sasha is all right, and she says, it was just a twinge; she gets then once in a while. He says, they can leave, but she says, this is probably one of their last nights out before the baby comes. She’s not ready to cut it short. However, she does need the ladies room. She hands him her phone, and says, the email from the nurse is in her inbox, should he want know what their future looks like.
Cameron thanks Esme for all the planning she’s done for the weekend trip, and she says, they can talk arrangements later, but he says, there’s something he wanted to get clear. He doesn’t want her opinion or advice on whether he and Josslyn should share a room. She says, whatever, and jets.
Ava asks for everyone’s attention. She thanks them for being there. The Jerome Gallery is honored to present the National Geographic Photo Ark, led by National Geographic explorer and photographer Joel Sartore. Everyone applauds, and she says, the National Geographic Photo Ark is an extraordinary multi-year effort to document all species living in zoos, and aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries. And these awe inspiring images around them are just a fraction of the Photo Ark. In fact, Joel announced today that he’s taken portraits of 12,000 species of animals on this planet. There’s more applause.
Gladys keeps trying to get service, but it’s not working. She opens the door, and Sasha is there. Sasha asks what Gladys is doing there, and Gladys says she’s trying to get a phone signal. Her? Sasha says she told Brando that she was going to the ladies room, but she really needed a place to sit quietly for a minute. Does she mind? Gladys says, be her guest, and Sasha sits. Gladys asks if she’s okay, and Sasha says, she just can’t seem to get comfortable anywhere. Gladys says she remembers those days. Brando was a very active baby. She couldn’t wait for him to be born. Brook opens the door, and Gladys says, she’s off the clock. Brook jets, and Gladys says, for the life of her, she doesn’t know how Sasha, Lucy, and Maxie put up with Brook. The three of them actually make a contribution to Deception. BLQ just swans around, giving everyone orders, and wasting everyone’s time. In the hallway, Esme kicks something under the door to keep it from opening, and smiles. Wow, girl. You stupid.
Joel thanks everyone for being there, and says, unfortunately, about a million species are threatened with extinction. He and National Geographic partnered about fifteen years ago to start documenting all 20,000 they think are in the world’s zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, and aquariums. They turned a big corner with their 12,000th species recently, the Arabian cobra that they can see around the corner. The goal is to engage the public, and to also fund long-term conservation efforts. He wants to take this opportunity to thank Trina Robinson for reaching out to their staff, which led to all this, and also Ava Jerome of Jerome Galleries, also all of them for being there today and caring. Everyone applauds, and he thanks them. Spencer asks Esme where she was, and she says, long line at the ladies room. Ava is sure everyone is eager to buy a print or two for this worthy cause, but first, she knows Trina has something she’d like to present to Mr. Sartore. As many of them know, Trina was the first to make her aware of the Photo Ark Project, and it’s thanks to her efforts that this exhibit is happening at all. She calls for Trina to come out, and they all applaud again.
Drew asks how he’s going to reunite Peter with Maxie, and Peter says he’s going back to Port Charles, and bringing her to him. Obrecht asks if he’s out of his mind. He’s going to kidnap Maxie and bring her back to this godforsaken island against her will? Then what? He says, then Obrecht will use his father’s methods to influence Maxie on his behalf, but Obrecht says, Faison never told her how he did it. Peter tells her, don’t be modest. He knows she’s up to the task, and when she’s finished, Maxie will know she belongs to him.
Ava calls Trina again, and Trina says, she’s here. She comes out with the flowers, and thanks Joel for allowing the gallery to display his fabulous photos. He thanks her, and also wants to thank ELQ for underwriting this. Trina says, ELQ Industries would like to acknowledge the great work he and National Geographic are doing by making a donation to the Photo Ark. Joel thanks them, and says he’s sure it’s generous. Donations are critical to their work. Trina says, all species deserve to be protected. No matter how big or small, they are all beautiful. Brook pulls Ned and Olivia away, and says, she thought Leo might be with them. Olivia says she thought he was with Brook, and Brook says, he was, until he wasn’t. He was looking at a photo, and she only looked away for one second. Olivia says, one second is all it takes for a little boy to disappear, and Ned says, let’s not panic. He has to be somewhere in the gallery. Brook says, she already looked, top to bottom. Elsewhere, Brando looks at Sasha’s phone, and smiles.
Gladys asks how Sasha is feeling, and Sasha says, better, thanks. The quiet helped. She’s ready to get back to the exhibit. Is Gladys coming? Gladys says she is; maybe she’ll get better service outside. She tries to open the door, but it’s locked. She says, the door is stuck. Don’t sweat it. She’ll get them out in a jiff. She tries again, with no luck, and bangs on the door, asking, is anyone out there? The door is stuck. Let them out.
Anna tells Robert, all set. The Bureau is sending a rescue team to Cassadine Island under her command. Her flight is arranged, and Valentin is working on the intel for how they breach the island undercover. He says he’s secured time off work, unless she thinks his ego is too big for the mission. She looks at him, and he says, come on. She knows he has certain skills and expertise useful on this adventure. She says, then it’s just as well she saved him a seat next to her on the plane, isn’t it? Let’s end this. Let’s really end this once and for all.
Obrecht says, there’s no way Maxie is coming back to Peter, when the guard comes in with Britt. He asks Peter for a word, and Peter tells them, feel free to search the room for lethal weapons to use for their escape. They won’t find any. He leaves with the guard, and Drew asks Obrecht if Peter is right. Can she condition Maxie? She says, she can, and Peter knows it. He threatened Britt to force her to cooperate. Britt says, he’s not going to get that far. Jason is going to stop Peter.
The guard says, preparations are underway for relocation, and Peter says, excellent. Begin the countdown for leaving Cassadine Island. They won’t be coming back. Is that all? The guard says, they’re not sure about the restraints on Jason, but Peter says, Jason won’t be a problem. He’s not coming with them. Jason puts The Chariot tarot card in his pocket.
Tomorrow, Carly thinks she and Phyllis should get to know one another, Ned thinks he knows where Leo is, and Sasha’s water breaks. Like we didn’t figure that was going to happen.
Vanderpump Rules
Lala told Ocean that she was going to meet James today, and James came bearing gifts; a super soft bunny and Ocean’s very first pair of Uggs. I’m sure they were way more than you should ever pay for shoes that will never see the ground, and will be grown out of in three weeks, but they were really cute. Lala asked about the party at Charli’s that was really at Tom and Ariana’s, and he said, Raquel ended up falling asleep on the floor. She was really wasted. Lala asked if that was tough for him, and he said it didn’t affect him, but couldn’t play drinking games. In his interview, he asked if he was that annoying when he drank. How embarrassing. Ariana told Raquel that James’s fuse seemed short, and he was being a bit of a brat. At Lala’s, James said, if Raquel’s nose job didn’t go right, what was going to happen to the relationship? Raquel admitted to Ariana that James often thought about himself before he thought of other people. Ariana asked if Raquel could bring it up to James, and in Raquel’s interview, she said all she wanted was for James to recognize his mistakes. He couldn’t act like that and be impatient when they had kids. James told Lala that he didn’t want a fiancé with a botched nose. Which, if that happened, would be really ironic, since Paul Nassif (Botched) was the surgeon being considered. In James’s interview, he said when he met Raquel, all he knew was that she was a super model from California. Lala said he couldn’t weigh in; it was Raquel’s face. He told her that he’d gotten his face by not doing a single thing, and she said, not all of them were that blessed.
The Toms met with Lisa at Villa Rosa. Puffy! Schwartz said they felt great about the concept for the new bar, but wanted her take on it. They were having trouble selling Greg on it. We flashed back to Greg saying, if they couldn’t tell him what her vision was, how could they move forward? In Schwartz’s interview, he said, Lisa was the only one who could help them nail it. Greg was going to wash his hands, and walk away if they didn’t have something. They showed her a fabric swatch they wanted for the bar stools, and Lisa asked how much it was. Sandoval said, thirty, but was unsure if that was a square foot or yard. In Lisa’s interview, she said, if you’re ordering 100 yards, you can’t afford to be off by 900%. Tom went on a tangent, telling her that it was a funkadelic dive lounge, where you could check your worries at the door. An escape from reality, where they bridge the reality of your best night out with the déjà vu of your future fantasies. He talked about archways on the way to the bathrooms, and conflicting colors with lights that highlighted the hard edges. Then he went on to vines and hanging plants. Lisa said they had to trust her. She knew they had great intention and vision. It wasn’t that she didn’t like what they were telling her, but there was nothing definitive. Greg wasn’t going to put his money and confidence behind something unless he knew it would be a success. When they wanted to deviate, think of her foot firmly up their ass.
Brock explained how to make a baby dress from an old shirt to Scheana’s mom Erika, and in his interview, he said his mom had sewn clothes for him and his siblings. He wanted to teach his family that something old could be turned into something new. Ariana came by, and asked if Scheana wanted to have another baby. Scheana said she’d like Summer to have a sibling, but was concerned about putting her body through pregnancy again because of the issues she’d had. She was thinking of freezing her eggs like Ariana had. In Ariana’s interview, she said, yes, she’d frozen her eggs. She and Scheana were going together, but then Scheana became pregnant. It didn’t mean she was jumping on the baby train, but it was about agency over her own body. And also a f*** you to those who questioned her values or choices. Scheana asked if Ariana was going to use a surrogate, and thought it would be fun if she and Ariana did that at the same time. Ariana was like, no. Katie sent Scheana a text, saying she was throwing a soiree, and the theme was Man of Mystery and Femme Fatale. Ariana thought it was a ruse to get Scheana and Lala in the same room, and Scheana wished Lala was still the cool chick from five years ago. In her interview, she said, Lala had ruined every friendship, but she continued to come around because she had no other friends. Ariana googled Man of Mystery and got Austin Powers.
Raquel told James it wasn’t cool to call her and Charli dumb at the party, and he said it had been the peak of his tantrum. She told him that he thought about himself before he thought about others. The comment that had most disturbed her was when he said he was the one who had to look at her effing face for the rest of his life. In his interview, James said he saw how the Beverly Hills moms got work done, and didn’t want Raquel to turn into that. James told Raquel that if his nose got botched, she’d leave him, and she said, would he leave her? He said no, and she suggested he not vocalize whatever was in his head. His number one job as her fiancé should be to support her, not add to her stress. He admitted he was wrong, and said it was a learning curve for him. The Toms were meeting with Greg and designer Lucinda at the new bar, and Schwartz brought Katie. In Schwartz’s interview, he said he wanted her to be impressed. In Sandoval’s interview, he said, Katie invited herself. She thinks it’s a seat in the boardroom, but she’s just there for bring your wife to work day. Greg asked if everything was ready, and Sandoval went on a mini tangent, saying it was going to be a vibrant, funky dive lounge; featuring Americana food, and simple, fresh, and playfully unique mixology. Greg said he liked the concept, and they showed Greg some expensive décor choices. Sandoval said it was all about the details, but Greg said, give him the same wow for less. He wanted a mission statement, and Sandoval said it was a funkadelic dive lounge, where you could check your worries at the door. An escape from reality, where they bridge the reality of your best night out with the déjà vu of your future fantasies. They clearly didn’t understand the concept of a mission statement, and Greg said it was a word salad; he got lost. Katie asked what did they want to accomplish, and how were they going to accomplish it. Greg thought Katie should take their place, which pissed Sandoval off royally. In Katie’s interview, she said she knew what she was doing, saying, and talking about. To piss Sandoval off even more, Greg said Katie was going to help them.
Everyone got ready for Katie’s soiree. James figured his London accent was half the costume, and he didn’t need to wear a shirt. In Katie’s interview, she said they’d all been wearing sweatpants for the last year and a half. She wanted to class this bitch up. Katie mentioned Scheana having been in a show called Femme Fatales, and said it was very racy. There’s a word I haven’t heard in a long time. In her interview, Katie said they’d all come there to get into entertainment. While the rest of them were pulling double shifts at SUR, Scheana was doing what she could to make her dream come true. In Scheana’s interview, she wondered why it had to be brought up. Now everyone would google it, and see her boobs. Which was really her way of saying, google it so you can see her boobs. Everyone looked fabulous, and in Schwartz’s interview, he said it was like being in his own spy fantasy. He wished Lisa was there. Ariana asked about the meeting, and Sandoval said it went well. Katie told them about her part in it, and in James’s interview, he said Katie knew what buttons to push when it came to Sandoval, and it was spectacular to watch. Carry on. Lala asked to borrow Scheana to talk in private. She said she know Scheana had pent up issues that she’d thought they squashed, and Scheana said she needed to know where Lala was coming from. They were good, and she’d moved on, but at Lisa’s, Lala decided to be a mean girl effing bitch. Lala said Scheana was villainizing her and then playing the victim. Scheana had brought around a lot of sh*tty guys, and Lala had been concerned about her and the baby. Scheana said she thought Lala hadn’t been genuine, and in her interview, she said it was hard to trust Lala after being the butt of Lala’s jokes for years. They had a pattern of Lala hurting her, then Scheana forgiving her. She said she needed to know that Lala genuinely cared about her, and it wasn’t an act. Lala said she was trying to make changes. She was realizing how her words affected people. Scheana was willing to move past it, and they hugged it out. In Scheana’s interview, she said she thought Lala was coming from a good place, but her delivery was f***ed up. Lala told Brock that she’d talked to Scheana, and they were good. Since he was Scheana’s SO, she wanted to make sure they were straight. She didn’t mean to come for him, but thought her concerns were valid. Brock said he hadn’t liked how she said she was sorry, but that’s just the way she was. He thought she was condescending. She said she was like a fine wine; some people liked it, and others wanted wine from a box. He said he preferred scotch.
Hanky and Panky! Schwarz visited Villa Rosa – Schnookie! – on a mission to pick up a serving platter. It took him ten minutes to explain what he wanted, and in Lisa’s interview, she said it was going to be hard to be a restaurant owner if he didn’t know what a serving platter was. She took him to the basement to look around, and in his interview, he said he was disappointed there wasn’t a sexy pink dungeon down there. He told Lisa that he was developing guilt about putting work before his family. He wanted to help them financially. In Schwartz’s interview, he said his family was having a rough go. His parents had separated, and his brother hadn’t been working since the pandemic. He’d been sending them a few hundred dollars a month to help keep their heads above water, but he was strapped. Lisa said it wasn’t his responsibility, and should wait until the business was up and running. He said he was also stressed about the loan; it hadn’t come through yet. In his interview, he said he and Sandoval were in different places. Sandoval’s parents were investing in the bar, while he was pinching pennies. It was like a cash register in his head, adding up the accumulating debt.
Brock told Charli about Lala and Scheana making up, and Scheana said Lala had seemed genuine. Brock said he’d put Lala in her place, but was still wary. In his interview, he said he wanted to give Scheana the opportunity to be friends with Lala, if that’s what she wanted. In Charli’s interview, she said she couldn’t imagine talking sh*t about someone, and being friends with them the next day. And if she knew someone who did that, she’d think they were going to do it to her too. Everyone met for drinks, and Schwartz told Katie about his finance anxiety. She said he’d just won $900, and in her interview, she said Schwartz’s gambling had been problematic. He’d gambled away the naming rights of their first born. We saw a clip of Randall saying the baby’s name would be Pickle. Katie said he needed to get it under control immediately. She thought he was putting too much pressure on himself about the family, and had to let her in to his thoughts and feelings. Charli said all the girls had WikiFeet profiles, which is new to me, but apparently it’s a feet rating. Or as Charli put it, a beauty pageant for your feet. I’d score a minus something. I wondered if Jax invented it, and Charli said they should submit Raquel’s nose, which is a terrible idea, considering Raquel’s insecurities. In Lala’s interview, she said that she didn’t want Brock to have to defend himself anymore, and she was sick of defending herself. He was the dude that her friend chose, and she’d have to trust Scheana’s judgement. Brock apologized for not moving past the situation, and Lala said she’d had some bad timing. Charli talked to Sandoval about Brock confronting Lala, and Lala wanted to make sure she and Charli were good. I guess it was some sort of mini apology tour. Charli said her problem was with not knowing what she would get. Tom said all the fights were ones Lala picked. She’d talked sh*t about Ariana, and then Brock. Lala said she’d dealt with it, but Tom said he wanted her to grow, and stop picking fights. She was being immature. In Tom’s interview, he said Lala was the one lighting the fuse, then played the victim. It was getting really effing old. In Lala’s interview, she said, the only thing growing on Tom was the heinous mustache that prepubescent boys got. (See more on that below.) She said she was going insane, and was going to have to shut him down.
Next time, swimming, shots, James goes to therapy, and Lala talks to Schwartz about Sandoval.
🐶 Vanderpump Dogs was back on at 11:30 pm for a marathon. This is the best show in the world. Lisa in her element, and dogs, dogs, and more dogs. The highlight of one episode was a pregnant pup who’d been found in a parking lot, giving birth to 13 (!) babies. The nicest bee farmer ever gave her a forever home. I wanted to go with them.
Stop by tomorrow, for soap, that godawful House I can’t stop watching, and who knows what? Until then, stay safe, stay separating the wheat from the chaff, and stay not being a cater waiter if you’re trying to lie low.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny and Phyllis walk through a 4th of July celebration, and Phyllis hands Sonny a flag. She tells him that Lenny is going to join them at the parade. He loves the high school band, and the majorettes in the unforms that are always a little too snug. He says he misses Lenny, but he’s glad Phyllis talked him into taking it easy tonight. She says, what about him? He seems to be working like crazy. Why doesn’t he take it easy, and enjoy some rare time off?
Dante asks if Sam and Elizabeth really started the fire, and Elizabeth says, it was just some harmless fun. Finn says they might not want to say anymore, and Sam says, please. Everything was under control… until she had a little bit of tequila. Maybe a lot. Dante says, that’s funny. All these buildings are full of flammable materials. One spark, the whole thing goes up. Sam says, boom, and Elizabeth says, but it didn’t. He says that’s not the point, and Sam says, seriously, take off the badge; it’s a holiday. Elizabeth gets up and says she’s taking Sam home, but Dante says, no one’s going anywhere. Not until he gets some answers. Sam says, or what? and he says, or he takes them down to the station.
Cameron says, if Dev hadn’t made him think Josslyn wasn’t into him, what would have happened? Would they have gotten together after they kissed at the dance? Would they be together now? She says she doesn’t know. They never got the chance to find out.
Maxie rocks Louise/Bailey, and says she’s so happy to see her. She’s missed her so much. With all her heart and soul. Monica comes in, and Maxie says, isn’t she beautiful? Monica says, yes, she is. She’s gorgeous. Can she hold Bailey? Maxie seems hesitant.
Anna and Valentin kiss, and Anna asks what he’s doing. None of that. He says he kissed her, and if you ask him, it’s long overdue. Ditto if you ask me.
Obrecht meets Nina at Charlie’s and they hug. Obrecht says their paths have barely crossed since Nina has been back in town. Nina says she knows, but now they have time to catch up. Tell her everything. How is she? Obrecht says, so much has happened, she wouldn’t know where to start, and Nina says, all good, I hope. Obrecht says, some wonderful, some heart-wrenching, but they can talk about her later. Nina is the one who’s been off on an adventure. Nina says, that’s one way of putting it, and Obrecht asks, what exactly is out there that’s kept her away from Port Charles for so long?
Sonny says, if the heat continues, he may take Phyllis up on her offer, and she asks what the weather has to do with it. She takes out her keys, and says, take her car. Go visit Nina in Port Charles. She holds the keys out to him.
Carly says sorry Jason has to stick around for Vincent Novak’s sake. She knows he’d rather be at the bridge. He says, wouldn’t she? and she says, hell yeah. The view of the fireworks is much better from there. He says he’ll survive, and she tells him, she used to resent that bridge. She hated it because it was a Jason and Robin thing. It felt very off-limits to her. (Have I mentioned that I hate Carly?) He says he took her there himself, and she says, it’s a girl thing. They should go back to the bridge one day. He says, whenever she wants. Deal? She says, deal. Britt and Jax come out of the elevator, laughing, and walk over to the bar. Carly asks if they’re together, and Britt says, sure are. Small world, isn’t it?
Elizabeth says, the station? and Dante says, yeah. Sam gets up, and says so he wants to detain them? Arrest them? She holds out her wrists, and he says he wasn’t going to take it that far, but he could have them for drunk and disorderly, public disturbance… She pushes him, and asks why he doesn’t add assaulting a cop while he’s at it. He says, right here, pointing to his cheek, and she takes a swing at him, but fails miserably, nearly falling. He tries to grab her, but they both fall in the water.
Josslyn asks if Cameron and Dev ever talked about… He says, they talked around it, kind of. The more he thinks about that last night, the more he thinks Dev wanted to come clean about that journal. She says, he just ran out of time. It’s so stupid. He says, what? and she says, why didn’t they all just talk to each other, and say how they were really feeling? He says, that would have made things a little easier, but she says, it would have made them real. Instead, they were just pretending. He says she has no idea. Does she remember when he helped her make Oscar jealous? She says, yeah. He brought it up a couple months ago, and let it drop. He says, if he’d had the courage to finish what he was saying, it was that when he was pretending to be into her, he wasn’t pretending at all.
Monica suggests they put Bailey back in the carriage, but Maxie says, it’s okay. Monica says Maxie’s arms must be getting tired, but Maxie says she could hold this little peanut all day long. Monica asks if she doesn’t want to spend some time with James and Georgie, and Maxie says, they’re with her mom and Mac, which allowed her to spend some time with this little one. Brook walks in, and Monica says she’s sure Bailey wants to see her mommy.
Anna backs away from Valentin, and says, this is inappropriate. He moves forward until her back is to the railing, and says, is it? She says, it’s not their relationship; it’s never been their relationship. He says maybe he’s crazy, but it felt like she kissed him back. She says, okay, fine. She kissed him back, but it can’t happen again.
Sonny thanks Phyllis for the offer, but says, it’s no time to take a vacation. She asks what he’s afraid of. That Nina’s happy where she is without him, or if he goes and tells her how he feels, she might just say she feels the same way?
Obrecht says, what’s waiting for Nina back in that Pennsylvania town? Or is it a who? Nina says, Obrecht just assumes there’s a man? and Obrecht says, is there?… There is. Nina says, yes, there is. She met someone and it’s really good for her. She believes it’s really good for him. Obrecht says, that’s wonderful. Does this mystery man have a name, and does she have any pictures? Nina says, Mike, and Obrecht says, Mike, how industrial. Mike…? Nina says, Mike, and Obrecht says, no last name, no photos… Ach nein. Tell her he’s not married.
Britt says it’s not really a surprise they’d all run into each other. Carly owns the hotel, Britt’s room is downstairs. It’s so nice, by the way. Doesn’t Jax think her room is nice? I laugh, and Jax says, very. Britt says, speaking of surprises, Carly and Jason. Wow. Carly says, kind of like Britt and Jax, and Jax says he and Britt actually discovered they have a lot in common. Vincent Novak watches, and Jason suggests he and Carly get a table. Carly tells Britt and Jax to enjoy their evening, and Britt says, them too. Carly and Jason go to sit down, and Jax asks if Britt is okay. She says she could use some air, and they go out on the terrace. Carly tells Jason, Britt and Jax came there because they knew Jason would be there. And they’re sleeping together. Does he realize they’re sleeping together? Jason says, thanks, Captain Obvious. Not really, but he should.
Sam and Dante are out of the water, and Sam says, it was just an accident. She’s thankful for it, because it’s like, 90 degrees out there, and now she’s cooled off. Dante tells her that she’s skating on really, really thin ice right now, and Sam yells, melted ice! Cuz it’s hot! Elizabeth says, obviously, they acted impulsively, arguably stupidly… Dante says, arguably? and Elizabeth says, there were mitigating circumstances. He says he’s listening. What was it? Sam was declaring her independence. From what? Sam says, not what; who. Elizabeth says, obviously they haven’t heard about the big engagement, and Sam says, Carly and Jason are getting married.
Cameron says he’s liked Josslyn for as long as he can remember. That doesn’t take away from their friendship; he thinks it actually strengthens it. She says, because the trust is already there, and he says, right. She’s someone he can talk about anything with. She says they should try that sometime, and he says, she’s someone who’s been there with him since he was a kid. Someone who’ll give him a kick in the butt if he needs one. She says, and then some, and he says, it’s really special. She says she knows, because that’s exactly how she feels about him.
Brook thanks Maxie for watching the baby, and Maxie says, any time. Monica says they were just going to put her down for a nap. Maxie says, good idea, and Brook moves to take her, and Maxie says, watch her head. Brook asks Maxie if she’d go to the nursery and grab the fuzzy blanket with the ducks; it’s Bailey’s favorite. Maxie says they can’t have Bailey getting cold, and Brook thanks her. Maxie says, no problem, and goes upstairs. Monica tells Brook that she’s got to disagree with Maxie. They have a big problem.
Anna tells Valentin, things have been stressful for her lately, and obviously, she’s not thinking clearly. He says, obviously, and she says she doesn’t know what happened. He says, it’s called a kiss, and she says, it’s called proximity. He says, so if the mailman had been there, she would have kissed him instead? and she tells him, don’t try to be cute. He says he doesn’t have to try, and she says they’re all entitled to errors in judgement, and this is not irrevocable by any means. He says he thought it was a good kiss. She says, it was, but that’s not the point. The point is, the two of them, and everything they’ve been to each other over the years. That’s why this is wrong on so many levels. He says, it won’t happen again, and she says, no. He says, why not? and she asks if he’s not listening to everything she’s saying. He says she’s so beautiful and enchanting – he pulls her to him – and he’s wanted her for years. She says, that’s the other problem. He just doesn’t see her clearly; he never did. That’s why none of this is real. He says it felt pretty real to him.
Nina asks if she and Obrecht can talk about something else. Her phone rings, and she sees it’s Mike/Sonny. She decides to ignore it. Sonny gets voicemail. He says he was wondering how her 4th of July was going, and hopes she’s having fun. Obrecht asks if it was him, and why didn’t Nina answer? Nina asks if she’s always been this nosey, and Obrecht says, yah. Nina says she has actual news she needs to tell Obrecht, but the only reason she’s telling her is because it directly affects Britt. Obrecht asks, what is it? and Nina says, Britt and Jason have gotten really close. Obrecht says, finally, the man who’s a match for her Britta, and vice versa. Nina says she’s sorry. She hates to be the one to tell Obrecht, but Jason and Carly are getting married. Obrecht looks crestfallen.
Carly tells says she’s so sorry. She knows this must be hard for Jason. He says, Britt can do whatever she wants, and Carly says, she’s rebounding so hard, she might as well be on a trampoline. And so is Jax. He’s supposed to be so in love with Nina, why the hell is he jumping into bed with Britt? Jason says it’s none of their business, and Carly looks miffed. Good. I hope he starts telling her to shut up. Vincent approaches their table, and says he tried to pay his tab, but was told it’s on the house. He thanks them for their hospitality. Carly says, of course (🍷), and he says, congratulations again. Expect a wedding gift from the Novak family. Carly says they love gifts, and Vincent leaves with his crew. She tells Jason, that went well, and he says, as well as it could. She says, now that Novak is gone, she’s going to talk to Jax. Jason tells her, don’t, but she says she didn’t listen to him before, and she’s not listening now that they’re getting married. She walks out to the terrace.
Dante says, if he’s shocked, he can only imagine how Sam is feeling right now. She says she’s fine, but he says she doesn’t seem fine. No offense. Finn goes over to Elizabeth, and asks if she’s okay. She says she and Jason were over a long time ago. It’s Sam she’s worried about. She just didn’t want Sam to be by herself. He says, that’s nice to hear, and when Sam suggested pyrotechnics, Elizabeth couldn’t talk her out of it? She says, well… and he says, it was her idea? She says it may have been her idea, but it was for a good cause, and nobody got hurt. He looks at Dante, and says, almost no one. Dante tells Sam, come on, and she asks where they’re going. He says she’ll see, and she asks if he’s taking her to the station. He says, no. Does she trust him? She says she doesn’t know. Does she? He takes her hand, and tells Finn that he’ll make sure Sam gets home. Finn says he’ll do the same there, indicating Elizabeth. Dante leaves with Sam.
Josslyn says, for the longest time, she thought she was betraying Oscar by having feelings for Cameron, so she never acted on it. He says he felt that too. Like somehow he’d be taking advantage of the fact Oscar was gone. She says, imagine if they’d just talked about this like normal people, and he suggests they talk about it now.
Brook puts Bailey in her carriage, and Monica says, if Brook heard what she heard, and she did, she’d know the situation is very serious. Brook says she doesn’t know if she’d call it a situation, and Monica says, if Maxie is using Bailey as a substitute for her pain, that’s very unhealthy.
Anna says she knows Valentin has a dark past, and all these demons and things, and she’s always been unattainable to him or whatever, but go see a shrink. He can’t go around kissing her to work it out. He asks what her therapist would say about her kissing him, and Anna tells him, she would say that he’s the avatar for all her mistakes, and she feels he has empathy for those mistakes. That’s the reason she’s drawn to him, and blah-blah-blah psychobabble. He says she gets him like nobody gets him, and she says, don’t do that. Don’t do the whole shorthand thing. He says so she admits there’s a shorthand with them, and she says, yes, but… He says, but nothing. They understand one another. He’s fascinated by her, and he’s intensely attracted to her. He doesn’t want to apologize for that.
Sonny tells Phyllis that he tried calling Nina, but she didn’t pick up. He guesses she’s busy with her grandson. She says, probably, but she bets Nina is wondering what he’s up to. She’d be jealous as all hell to find out they’re feasting on barbecues and beers before watching the fireworks. He says, it’s pretty nice, huh? and she says, like heaven. Just missing one sweet blonde angel. He laughs.
Britt tells Jax, she’s sorry he had to see that. It was childish and snarky. She’d say it’s way beneath her, but thinks they both know that would be a lie. He says he doesn’t mind that she’s picking a fight with Carly, but he wants to warn her that it’s an unpleasant experience. She says, please. She grew up with Liesl Obrecht. Carly doesn’t scare her. The devil herself walks out, and asks if she can have a moment with Jax. Britt asks Jax if he’d like to have a moment with Carly, and he says, sure. Britt says she’ll be at the bar, and leaves. Carly whacks Jax with her hand, and tells him, stop being fake. She gets that they’re consenting adults, but what’s wrong with him? He knows Britt fell hard for Jason. Don’t take advantage of that. He says he’s tempted to say, if she knew about Britt’s feelings, why didn’t she restrain herself? and she says, but he’s not going to say that at all. He says he thinks it’s kinder this way, saving Britt from what Carly put the others through. She says, what others? and he says, Robin, Courtney, Elizabeth, Sam. They all thought they had something special with Jason, right? But the truth is, they didn’t, because she has this stranglehold on Jason, and refuses to let go.
Jason sits by Britt at the bar, and heaves a sigh. I want to smack him. He says, Carly doesn’t know about the Huntington’s, and she says, okay, refusing to look at him. He says, nobody does. He hasn’t told anyone, and he’s not going to. He knows they’ve been over this, but he wants to make something absolutely clear. Just because he’s marrying Carly, doesn’t mean he’s bailing on her. He’s there for her, whatever she needs. She guesses it’s her turn to be clear, since it obviously didn’t sink in the first time. Go to hell.
Finn tells Elizabeth, it’s just him there; she doesn’t have to worry about Sam’s feelings. It’s okay if she’s feeling upset about Carly and Jason. She says Sam was feeling upset about Carly and Jason. She’s not upset, and she’s not surprised. Carly and Jason always came first with each other, everyone else be damned. He says he’s heard that before about a certain person and the WSB. No matter who you are, you always come in second. She says, look at them. Misery loves company. He tells her, that’s what they say, but he’s not miserable. Is she? She says, no. Not right now anyway.
Josslyn asks where they start, and Cameron says, the dance might be a good place, where they kissed. She says, for the record, it was an awesome kiss; she really loved it. He says he thought so, the way she kissed back. Then the Dev stuff happened. She says she kept hoping he’d bring it up, but he never did, so she assumed the kiss didn’t mean anything. He says, she thought it didn’t mean anything? and she asks how she was supposed to know. He says, it meant everything, but she says, it was so long ago. So much life has passed. They can’t go back. He says, maybe not, but maybe they can move forward.
Valentin says, if Anna is telling him it’s more than she can do right now, that’s fine; no harm, no foul. She says don’t make it about her being weak and not being able to handle it. It’s that she can’t be interested in him that way, and she never will. He asks if she’s sure, and she tells him, don’t stand there thinking he’s all irresistible. He says he is irresistible, and she laughs, saying, oh my God.
Dante and Sam go into Charlie’s, and Sam says she’ll buy the coffee. It’s the least she can do. He says he’s buying; she had a rough night. She says, that’s no excuse. Obrecht approaches them, and says, so it’s true. Jason and Carly are getting married. Sam says, word does get around. It’s true. Jason and Carly are getting married. Obrecht sits back down, and Nina says she’s so sorry. The news seems to be hitting Obrecht hard. Is she going to be okay? Obrecht says she just thought her Britta had a chance at happiness. What if it’s the last one she gets?
Britt says, Jason made his choice – Carly. Let’s move on. Jason doesn’t get to marry Carly, then make himself feel better by swooping in and protecting her. She doesn’t need help. She’s strong enough to deal with her diagnosis on her own. He says he knows, but he gave her his word, and his word means something. She says, really?Then something more important came up? She gets it. They’ve known each other three months, and he and Carly have been friends for decades. Of course (🍷) Carly is the one he’s committing to, and she gets kicked to the curb. He says, that’s not… She says, what happened? and he says, that’s not how he felt. Britt meant something to him; she still does. She says, there is no choice where everyone gets everything. It’s impossible. Even Superman had to pick a lane. (Ha-ha! Nerd joke.) Does he want to do something for her? He says, anything, and she says, be honest, and admit he’s been in love with Carly all along.
Jax says, it was inevitable, and Carly asks, what was? He says she just had to come first in Jason’s life. As soon as Sonny died, it was inevitable that she and Jason… She says, watch it, and he tells her, he’s not saying she didn’t love Sonny; he knows she did. But it was convenient that Jason was Sonny’s best friend. She could be Sonny’s wife, but keep a grip on her fallback. She says, Jason’s not a fallback, and Jax says, he’s much more than that, isn’t he? He was an idiot to think this might be a way out of this life for her. The irony is, Jason would have let her go. Sonny, probably not, but Jason would have. But it’s not what she wanted. She wanted Jason, and he comes with the mob. So here she is, as cemented in this life as ever.
Finn says, it’s nice sometimes, just letting everything go, and Elizabeth says, for a little while. She might be hungover in the morning. He says, that might be a distinct possibility. She tells him, it’s worth it. The fireworks start, and she says, they’re starting. She watches the fireworks, and Finn watches her.
Josslyn says, Cameron asked what would have happened if Dev hadn’t forged her journal, but she said she didn’t know. She says she knows what she wanted to happen, and he says, him too. He kisses her, and fireworks go off. Literally.
Monica tells Brook that Maxie is talking as if Bailey is her own baby. She thinks Maxie needs counseling. She’s going to talk to Mac and Felicia. Brook says, Maxie is a grown woman. Monica doesn’t need to go to her parents. Monica says, then who else? and Brook says she’ll talk to Maxie. She’ll voice Monica’s concerns, gently of course (🍷), and try to make her understand. Monica says, and if she can’t? Brook says, then they’ll revisit the parent option. She promises she’ll be careful. Maxie walks in, and says, careful about what?
Anna says, Valentin is endlessly resistible to her, and he says, but he’s charming. She says, charming, yes. He’s somewhat amoral, but he’s a good father; she’ll give him that. But then he solves his problems with blackmail and murder. He’ll just encourage her to give in to her worst impulses. That’s just it. He’s a terrible influence on her. He says, her worst impulses are the sexiest he’s ever seen, and he couldn’t influence her if he wanted to. She says she’s going to keep it that way.
Sam and Dante look at the fireworks, and Dante says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he thinks Jason messed up. He had the chance of a lifetime, and didn’t take it. If it had been him, he’d have chosen her. Sam moves toward him, and they kiss.
Jason says, he’ll always love Carly. She always took him as she found him. Britt says, so did she, and he says, he and Carly have been to hell and back; name it, and it happened to them. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t love the other women he’s been with, because he did. With Carly, it’s not more or less; she’s just a part of him. Britt says, who wouldn’t want to be loved like that? She’ll give Carly this much; she knows it, and knows the good thing she has in him. She loves him as much as he loves her, so congratulations. She hopes they’ll be happy together. She walks away from the bar.
Carly says, nothing Jax is laying out is as simple as he makes it. She’ll tell him this, and he can believe it or not. Marrying Jason is the best choice she could make for her family. He says he knows she believes that. That’s what makes it so damn sad. Britt comes out, and says Carly’s fiancé is waiting, and Carly goes back inside.
Elizabeth says Finn isn’t the only one who needs a break from everything. He doesn’t want to start a fire, but he thinks he knows where she’s coming from. Elizabeth puts her head on his shoulder, and he says, the last few weeks, spending time with her, he doesn’t think she realizes how much it meant to him. How important she is to him. He looks at her, but she’s asleep, and he smiles.
Josslyn tells Cameron, that was awful. She laughs, and says she’s kidding. He says she’s the worst, and she says she knows. He says she’s his best friend, and she says she knows. She tells him that she has to get going. She has to get Donna and Avery. He says he should probably get Jake and Aiden at the pool, and they say goodnight. Josslyn starts to walk away, but he calls her back. He asks if she wants to hang out some time, and she says, when? He says, tomorrow? but she says she can’t tomorrow; she’s already made plans… But she thinks she can cancel them. He says, cool, and she says, cool. She leaves, and he looks up at the fireworks.
Brook tells Maxie that she was talking about being careful with the temperature. The AC can get aggressive, and they don’t want Bailey to freeze. Maxie picks up a blanket, and Brook says, got it, taking it out of her hand. Brook puts it on the baby, and Maxie says she was checking out the nursery. Monica says, it’s so sweet, and Maxie says, the sweetest nursery for the sweetest girl in the whole world.
Valentin says he can’t force Anna to see things the way he did, and she says, he can’t. He says, if it’s just a kiss, he’ll take it, but if she wants more, she knows where to find him. She asks why he keeps doing that. Act like he’s backing off, then do the opposite. He says because she denies it, when she knows there’s more pulling them together than pushing them apart. She says she’s not going to stand there, dissecting kiss didn’t mean anything. He knows who she has to find. If he hears anything from his contacts, let her know. He says, absolutely, darling, and she leaves.
Dante says, sorry, and Sam says she can’t do this. She walks away, and he sits outside Charlie’s.
Nina says she knows Obrecht is worried about her daughter. She’s sorry Obrecht has to go through this heartache, but she thinks the situation is something Britt will figure out on her own. Obrecht asks how that’s working out for Nina. Any idea what comes next?
Phyllis tells Mike/Sonny that she’s sure Nina will call back after her time with her family. He says, God knows he’s enjoying spending time with his family. Everyone watches the fireworks.
Carly tells Jason, Jax knows how to stick the knife in and twist it. Not like Sonny, where it was just cheap shots. The problem is, a big part of her is afraid Jax might be right. Jason says, come on, and she asks, where? He says, if they go to the bridge, they’ll miss the fireworks, and they walk outside. He says, they’re doing what they have to do. Whatever happens, he’s glad he’s there with her. She says, her too; happy 4th. She hugs him, and Britt watches.
Tomorrow, Nikolas talks to Martin about the divorce, Curtis asks if Jordan is going to fight their divorce, and Stella tells TJ, it ain’t over til it’s over.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The show started at a party, with Sutton asking Crystal why she’s so defensive, and Crystal saying Sutton is upset because she’s jealous. Sutton says, jealous of what? Crystal’s ugly leather pants? Sutton left the party, trailed by LisaR asking, what happened?
3 days earlier. In LisaR’s interview, she explained that Harry’s three specialties were Harry’s meat, which was Kobe beef, blueberry pie, and bolognaise. He was the domestic one, and no one wanted her cooking. She was a great cheerleader though, and could make you feel fabulous while you’re doing all the work. Sounds like a position I’d like. Erika, Crystal, and a couple of Crystal’s friends went to Kathy’s place to use her tennis court. In Erika’s interview, she said, Kathy told them, just let yourself in, and that’s what was great about friends like Kathy. Erika was trying to motivate herself to go out and do things, and not wallow. So she was there… and she was terrible. Erika spoke the truth. I probably play better, and I stink. In Crystal’s interview, she said she was a total tomboy, and seriously into sports. A lot of people said she was competitive, but whoever said that was probably a loser. I think Crystal’s problem is, she wants to be a cool girl, and ends up just sounding mean. More like a cool girl who rules by fear, and ends up on the losing end, like Regina George. I will give her this, she’s a good tennis player, and she and Erika ended up winning the match even though Erika was the worst. In her interview, Crystal said that Erika’s willingness was a 10, but her skill level was a 2. They had lunch with Kathy, and Erika said her new place was in shambles, Kathy said, but it was hers, and Erika agreed. She said she was trying to be social, and Kathy asked if she’d been social when she was married, Erika said, all the time, but it was all business. It was all of what Tom wanted. In her interview, Erika said, it was all set up already; she just inserted herself. Just because you have a lot of money doesn’t mean you’re independent. She had no housekeeper or gardener now, but she valued her privacy. Plus, she could throw her sh*t all over because it was her place. Kathy said Erika’s smile seemed genuine and not forced. I have to note, Kathy has several dogs, but one is either a Pekingese or a Peke mix. Information you need to know…
Kyle and family took their Christmas card photo, all wearing matching red PJs. Kathy came by, and pulled an amazing amount of items out of her bag. In her interview, she said you could find everything in her bag; socks, extra shoes, a sweater, a pair of sandals for a pedicure… In Kyle’s interview, she added carpet samples, drapery samples, and wallpaper samples. I carry a lot of stuff too, but never home goods samples. Kathy said she’d talked to Kim for three hours, and Kyle said she was worried about Kim being in quarantine. Kathy said she’d asked if Kim wanted to come along, but Kim said she was too nervous. She also gave Kyle the news that Kim had changed her phone number. We saw a clip of Kyle telling Mauricio that she and Kim weren’t talking, and the relationship was strained. At times, they were okay, but it seemed hard to get all three of them on the same page at the same time. Kyle said she had a husband, children, and dogs, but Kim was by herself. Kathy said Kim claimed all this was supposed to have happened, so they could have quiet time, and figure out where they wanted to be in life.
LisaR visited Erika in her new home, which we found out costs $9500 a month to rent. LisaR said it had a good vibe, and in her interview, she said it gave her a hopeful feeling seeing Erika in her own space that she created. It wasn’t easy to go from a life where you had help and everything was done for you, to doing everything yourself. In Erika’s interview, a producer asked if she had money concerns, and she said she did, but she’d also had a bunch of lucrative projects in a row, like her book, being on Broadway, and several collaborations. She had enough for her little house. Sutton joined them, and brought Erika a housewarming gift of Dolce & Gabbana’s book, Queens. In Sutton’s interview, she said, what better housewarming present? When Erika was sad and lonely, she could see Sutton’s picture – twice. She told Erika that she hated to say it, but she seemed happier, and Erika said there was only so much time you could have with someone before you wanted to talk about real things. In her interview, Erika said she’d mentioned to Tom that she was seeing a shrink, and all he said was, okay. Because what does she have to be depressed about? Sutton said Crystal wasn’t willing to back up, and say maybe she used the wrong word. LisaR asked if Crystal was still talking about it, and Sutton said the peeping Tom thing needed to be dropped. In her interview, she said she didn’t think peeping Toms knocked on the door. They peeped.
Garcelle’s son Jax was learning Japanese, and got frustrated when Garcelle made to much noise in the background while he was taking his online class. In Garcelle’s interview, she said, being trapped inside with two teenage boys was maddening. They were home schooling, and everyone was on top of each other. She found herself going to the pantry for a quick shot of tequila. She was on the teenage hormone train, and didn’t know what was coming next. Last week, Jaid wanted her all to himself, but this week, he wanted nothing to do with her. When she was growing up, she wasn’t allowed to have those emotions.
LisaR had Harry prepare an Italian meal for the women, and in her interview, she said that Harry had lived in Italy for three years; it was in his blood. He had LisaR taste-test sauces, and LisaR discovered she liked the one with the tomatoes from their garden the best, which made sense, since they’d be freshest. In LisaR’s interview, she said Garcelle had wanted a birthday party, but couldn’t have one due to covid. They were still in the process of repairing their relationship, but knew she couldn’t force it. At the end of the day, they might not end up being great friends. Kyle visited Dorit, who had a fabulous Christmas village set up. Kyle said Dorit made her feel like an underachiever, and Dorit said Kyle had three trees. Kyle said, but she didn’t have a Santa village. In Dorit’s interview, she said she’d mostly designed swimwear and leisurewear, but was moving into bridal. Designer Nektoria had reached out to her to collaborate on a wedding dress line, and she couldn’t wait to see the first bride walk down the aisle in her design. She’d wanted something comfortable, but special, for her own wedding, and wished she’d designed her own dress.
Harry welcomed the women to Napolitano, where they sat at an amazing outside table under an arbor. In Dorit’s interview, she said Harry was a gourmet chef, while PK specialized in, babe, can you get me a sandwich? Harry pointed out that their pool wasn’t for them. It was so their kids would come back with their kids. Kyle said she’d been Amelia’s age when she had her first child, nearly giving Harry apoplexy. When Sutton arrived, someone – I think Kathy – said, hi, Thomasina, which did not go over well. Sutton said she was ready for that to end. Garcelle reminisced about being there for a party where she and LisaR had been on the dance floor all night. In her interview, she said her assistant had been her date, and she hadn’t remembered stumbling out. Harry joined them for the meal, and LisaR said that the girls were going to Cabo for Thanksgiving. They’d originally planned on meeting them, but were concerned about the borders closing because of covid. It was the first time she wouldn’t be spending Thanksgiving with the girls or Lois. She wasn’t asking a lot of questions about Amelia and Scott, and Crystal chimed in that Rob was older, but they were the exception. Of course they are. Crystal is also a can-you-top-this person. LisaR said she was trying to be easy with it, but the tabloids had them engaged. In her interview, she said her mom saw one at the market, and called her asking if it was true. That’s what she was dealing with. Harry said the age difference between him and Ursula Andress was 14 years. He’d been 29 and she was 44 when they had their son. In her interview, LisaR said, you never think it will come back to haunt you when you have kids. Harry ate, then dashed to the kitchen, bringing out a cake. Garcelle’s birthday wish was, she wanted him hung like a horse, and Harry told her to be careful what she wished for. Garcelle said she probably wouldn’t know where to put it. She said she appreciated the party, especially LisaR throwing it. In Garcelle’s interview, she said last year, it was a rocky road with her and LisaR. They needed to figure out if they had a friendship and what it looked like. That LisaR was making an effort, definitely meant something.
It was present time, and Crystal, Kathy, and Kyle kicked in to get Garcelle a duplicate of a ring she’d admired on Crystal. Erika gave Garcelle a fluffy jacket that was no doubt cashmere, and Dorit gave her a designer cap. Kyle asked Sutton what was wrong, and Sutton said she didn’t like being where she didn’t like people. Kyle asked who she didn’t like, and Sutton shifted her eyes to Crystal. Kyle told Sutton to come with her, and they went to a bar out in the yard. Sutton said she wanted to go home, and Kyle asked what she’d missed. Nothing had happened. Sutton said to tell the truth, she had a difficult time being fake, and in her interview, she said it was hard to sit across the table from someone who obviously didn’t like her. She told Kyle that Crystal had been talking bad behind her back, and was looking smug at her. I have to agree here. Crystal smirks a lot. Sutton said it was wearing at her, and she still felt weird. Crystal had talked behind Sutton’s back, Sutton had tried to say her piece, and Crystal never apologized. In Kyle’s interview, she said this wasn’t the Sutton she knew. Sutton was being extremely emotional and irrational. Yeah, let’s not even get into what a very poor judge of character Kyle is. If someone was smirking like that at me all the time, I’d be hard pressed not to wipe it off their face, but Sutton doesn’t know what to do because she’s polite. She told Kyle that she wasn’t over being told she violated someone. Kyle said Crystal had told them she didn’t mean sexually, and we flashed back to that.
At the table, LisaR screeched that they should do shots, and everyone chanted, shots, shots, shots! Sutton told Kyle, she was so not okay, and she couldn’t get it together. Garcelle turned into that person, and came over, asking, are you crying? very loudly. Sutton gave the standard reply that she had bad allergies. In Garcelle’s interview, she said she thought Sutton was more hormonal than her kids. Sutton said she was upset about the insinuations. It was hard to pretend things were great, and hunky dory when they weren’t. In Kathy’s interview, she wondered if Hunky Dory was someone’s nickname. Sutton told them that she just had moment. By this time, the whole miserable gang was there, and Sutton said Crystal had said a lot of things about her, and she couldn’t sit across the table from her . Garcelle asked what Sutton needed from Crystal; tell Crystal what she needed, so they could move on. Sutton said she thought it was sh*tty that Crystal had used so many words about her. No surprise, Crystal kept interrupting, and Sutton finally told Crystal to let her say her piece. The word violated was crazy to her. She asked what planet Crystal lived on, and Crystal said, not Sutton’s, as she once again looked smug. Garcelle said they weren’t going to get anywhere, and Crystal said she wasn’t changing the word, since she’d used it correctly. Garcelle again asked what Sutton needed, and Kyle said she thought Sutton wanted an apology. Crystal said she was sorry Sutton was upset, and Sutton said that wasn’t an apology, which we all know. It’s like a murderer saying they’re sorry the victim died, leaving out the fact they killed them. Crystal told Sutton to look up the word. It meant abuse of privacy. Is this woman loopy? First of all, I don’t know what dictionary she’s using, but the standard ones don’t exactly put it that way. Secondly, there are plenty of words that have several definitions, but are known by a certain one, gay being a prime example. Garcelle said that Sutton hadn’t known Crystal was naked, and Sutton asked why Crystal was so defensive. Crystal said Sutton was upset because she was jealous – period – and Sutton said, of what? Crystal’s ugly leather pants? I wondered jealous of what too. Sutton said she was out, and Kathy told LisaR, it was her house, so she should get a handle on this. Sutton headed out, asking again what she was jealous of. The rest of the women followed her, except for Crystal, who stood there with her hands in her ugly leather pockets, and smiled.
To be continued…
Next time, Crystal says she won’t apologize, and calls Sutton an inappropriate, awkward person; Erika deals with the headlines saying her divorce was a sham to hide assets; and Erika says she could have never predicted this effing sh*t.
The Real Housewives of New York City
Leah video chatted with everyone, and said the election was driving everyone nuts. To keep their sanity, she thought they should get out of town. With covid restrictions, they couldn’t really travel, but a place she’d always been fascinated by was Salem, Massachusetts. In Leah’s interview, she said she could be kind of witchy, and was into manifesting. And these women were a bunch of witches. It would be like visiting the motherland. She wanted to do a latex and leather themed dinner party the first night, and told Ramona that she wanted to invite Bershan. In her interview, she said she pretty much wanted to do anything the women wouldn’t normally do.
Ramona met Bershan for lunch, and Bershan wondered if Ramona really had vertigo, or just didn’t like Eboni’s Night in Harlem event. Ramona asked what Bershan thought of it, and Bershan diplomatically said, it was educational. Ramona said, it was a hard sell. In Bershan’s interview, she said she thought it was long winded, but appreciated that Eboni wanted to teach the girls. Bershan told Ramona that she liked the women, and Ramona warned her about them fighting on the trip. She added that they made up, and these women were her core. Bershan said she was in.
In Sonja’s interview, she said she was glad Eboni was trying to set her up with someone. If it had been Ramona or LuAnn… She just shook her head. Sonja told Eboni that she had a hard time getting her words out around the other women because they cut her off, and they didn’t listen. Eboni said, they shut down conversations, and we flashed back to Eboni refusing to let Ramona do that. In her interview, Eboni said she was going to be patient with Ramona, because she’d actually pushed through the panic and was talking to her. She and Ramona were going to be an experiment. She was looking at the trip, not as a do-over, but a do-more.
Sonja and Eboni flew privately to Philadelphia to meet Devyn, Eboni’s matchmaker. In Eboni’s interview, she said Sonja needed to give love a chance again, so she was excited about this introduction. Sonja was afraid her reputation preceded her, but trusted Eboni. Devyn asked what causes Sonja was passionate about, and Sonja said, the vulnerable. No broke-ass men either. In her interview, Eboni said, Sonja married the bank. Where do you go from there? She told Devyn that she thought Sonja was ready for a new chapter. Sonja said she trusted that Eboni had described the real her, not the straw that stirs the drink.
Everyone packed for the trip. LuAnn said since they were going to a haunted house, she needed a good chapeau, and freaked when her assistant put her hats on the bed, which is bad luck. Leah FaceTimed with Sonja and Eboni, telling them to get their asses home and pack. In her interview, Leah said, let’s get out of our comfort zone. Let’s get spooky, bitches. She told them, no sh*t in Salem. They got on the most gigantic bus ever, and Leah said it was rock star style. Sonja thought it was so LuAnn, and they were the groupies. She thought it was getting weird because she’d packed grey and black, and Ramona was wearing those colors. Along with pink, so that was a stretch. LuAnn asked about Sonja’s matchmaking trip, and Sonja said she was ready for commitment. Ramona and Leah took naps, while the others talked about marriage and divorce. Bershan said she found out she had stage 4 breast cancer two weeks before getting married to a British banker. In her interview, she said, she was told she had three months to live, and prayed, telling God she’d be a warrior for everyone on the planet if she survived. When someone tells you, you’re going to die, you wake up. She’d been cancer free for 14 years. Leah said there would be fortune tellers at the leather and latex dinner, as well as tattoo artists, and she’d be getting one. Dinner was going to be at the tattoo shop. In Ramona’s interview, she said she didn’t want to deface her body.
They arrived at the Hawthorne Hotel, named after Nathaniel, which Leah described as spooky, but beautiful. On the way to dinner, Eboni considered the tattoo thing. This was some tattoo parlor. It looked like an upscale antique store, with a restaurant in the back. It was really gorgeous. In her interview, Leah said the women were impressed, and although they had a few days, she felt like she’d already gotten an A+ on the trip. There were a pair of spooky twins that Sonja found cute, and the fortune teller passed out fortunes. The women sat down in a large booth, and Sonja babbled on about how Eboni was new to the group, and had wanted them to understand her life’s work. In LuAnn’s interview, she said Sonja was stirring the cauldron. Eboni said, they couldn’t get to the kiki if she had an outstanding question on whether they’re aligned with white supremacy. Everyone was a little startled, and in Eboni’s interview, she said white supremacy wasn’t the Jim Crow south. In today’s United States, you were either anti-racist or a racist. In Ramona’s interview, she said she didn’t know where Eboni was coming from, since none of them had given any indication of being racist. LuAnn said all of them heard her, but Eboni said LuAnn could only speak for herself. Ramona hadn’t wanted to hear her.
Leah said she thought it was more about Eboni’s personality. When the new woman came in, they got sh*t on. She got sh*t on by Ramona. We flashed back to that. She said, Eboni wasn’t allowing that, and in 14 years, they’d never had a Black woman in their group. Could they imagine the pressure? Every news outlet was talking about it. Ramona said, ignore the press, and Leah told her, STFU. Leah said Ramona lived in a tiny bubble, and Ramona said Leah didn’t know who she was. Leah said Ramona was what’s wrong with the world. Ramona tried to jet, saying, she wasn’t enjoying the conversation. Everyone urged her to stay, and Eboni said she’d come a long way. Ramona sat back down, and Bershan told Eboni her delivery could be harsh. Eboni said she received and heard Bershan, and knew it might feel exhausting. Every MF’ing day, it was something else. Ramona got all animated, and said Eboni had a great life. Eboni told everyone that Ramona was saying something a lot of people say when they see her. In Leah’s interview, she said, no one saw Ramona struggling, but she probably had to deal with some stuff. Triple that, and that’s Eboni. Eboni said that some people aligned with Trump were white supremacists, and in her interview, said, if you support him for economic reasons, say so. You’d get pushback, but she could have a dialog. Ramona woudn’t even go there. Everyone started saying, not me, and Ramona tried to make herself really small, hoping to blend into her seat. Eboni said her mother voted for Trump in 2016, and had her reasons, but she was vocal about it. Ramona slid out, and in her interview, she said she just came for some fun. She didn’t need this. Leah asked if Eboni thought anyone who voted for Trump was a supremist, and Eboni said, no. She just wanted to know where Ramona stood on the issue. That was it. Eboni said she could respect supporting him for tax cut reasons or economics. Leah said Ramona couldn’t have this conversation; she barely knew the English language.
Surprisingly, Ramona came back, but she acted all weird, saying she wanted to play a game, and then making a cheer out of, I want a game. She was also wearing a black latex catsuit, by the way. In Leah’s interview, she said she was cringing. Ramona should have stayed wherever she was. She would probably never live down coming back and doing the I’m white dance. Leah told Ramona that they had to go through this, and Eboni said she was still Black. Ramona said she was sorry she was white. Did Eboni want an apology? Her mother came there with nothing. Leah said, it didn’t matter; this was different. Several of the women scattered, leaving Leah, Eboni, and Bershan. Leah said, and then there were three.
To be continued…
Next time, Ramona does a table dance, the women reenact pioneer days, Eboni gets a tattoo, Bershan says they’re being grandmas, and – big surprise – Sonja overdoes it.
🐶 Bravo had a Vanderpump Dogs marathon, and I love this show so much. They also train service dogs, and match them with owners, so we saw some of that. The dogs are adorable, and the stories, both pup and human, are both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Some people have negative things to say about LVP, but I have great admiration for her work ethic and her love for dogs, which is more than apparent in this show. I’m also still wondering if she’d consider adopting an older child. My dogs and I wouldn’t take up much space. She’d barely know we were there.
📋 Past Quitting Time…
Wives as promised, and now to bed. Until we meet on the morrow, stay safe, stay engaged, and stay not rebounding so hard, you might as well be on a trampoline.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Stella thinks it’s ridiculous. The hospital is discharging Curtis two days after he was shot, when he saved the entire town from that horrible man. Curtis says he thinks Jordan had something to do with that, and she says he already told her. Cyrus threatened Laura, and got Curtis to drop his gun. Then he shot Curtis, and Jordan shot him… in the leg. Too bad she didn’t aim higher. He says that’s not very Christian of her to say, and she says, the Lord may forgive Cyrus, but she doesn’t. He wanted to kill Curtis, and almost succeeded, which is why Curtis should stay there and work on getting himself better. He says the doctors gave him another option. Go back to the MetroCourt, and don’t leave for a few days, so it was really a no brainer. She says he can say that again, and he says if there was any danger in him leaving, he’s sure Portia would have spoken up. It’s funny. He hasn’t seen Portia around all day. In fact, Stella has been his only visitor. Nina comes in, and says maybe she can help with that.
Jordan walks into Cyrus’s hospital room, and he says it’s about time she showed up. She says, for the first time ever, she couldn’t agree more.
Jason walks into the hallowed halls of the moss bowl, otherwise known as Sonny’s kitchen. Carly says, perfect timing, and hands him a cup of coffee. She says after him being in prison and on the run, it’s nice having him just down the hall, and he says he thinks it’s a good idea for him to stay close while they deal with this transition of power. She agrees, and says, it’s much appreciated, but she knows he has other people to see, like Sam and the kids. He says he already set it up, and she says, what about Britt?
Britt asks Elizabeth, who signed off on Curtis Ashford’s release? but Elizabeth is lost in a flashback of finding Peter on the stair landing, and Finn subsequently being attracted to her. She says she’s sorry; what? and Britt says she seems distracted. Is she okay?
Gregory sits with Jackie in the hospital cafeteria, and she says she’s there for the long haul, lifting her coffee cup, and he says him too. She says she realized she needed a moment to just let loose and cry. She couldn’t do that in front of Chase. Make sense? He says it does; he had the same idea. She says, the sobbing or the caffeine? and he says, a little of both.
Chase tells Sasha, he’s sorry it’s not much of a greeting, but she says she’s the one who should be apologizing… to both of them. She should have visited sooner. He says he doesn’t know about that, with her pregnancy and that Cyrus Renault insanity, and she says she sees Willow’s been keeping him up to date. Willow says she’s been trying to keep his spirits up, and he wanted to know how Sasha was doing. Sorry. She should have asked first. Sasha says, don’t be silly; it’s fine. Chase says he should warn Sasha, he and Willow won’t have any more secrets once they’re married.
Anna says she heard Chase isn’t doing so great, and Finn says he thought he had a breakthrough, but the cure he formulated didn’t work. She says she’s sorry, and he says, so is he. She wants him to know she’s going to find Peter, and force him to give up his source of the antidote. Finn says she’s never going to find him.
Nina hugs Curtis, and says it looks like she made it back just in time. He says he assumes she means for the opening of his nightclub, and she says, yeah. No. She mostly wanted to make sure he was okay. She hasn’t been a good friend to him in these past few months. He says, that’s okay; she’s been going through her own stuff. She says he’s always been there for her, and when his marriage with Jordan was ending, where was she? He shouldn’t have had to go through that alone. He says, as it turns out, he wasn’t alone.
Laura asks Portia how she and Trina are doing after that whole ordeal with Cyrus, and she says they’re okay. Laura asks how Curtis is doing, and Portia says, they’re discharging him today. Laura says that’s great news. How are she and Curtis doing? She apologizes if she’s overstepping. She knew Portia had left something unsaid with him right before everything went to hell with Cyrus.
Cyrus says he assumes Portia is there to gloat about his fall from grace, and she says she is. He says, so much for the high road, and she says she can always get back to the high road. He, on the other hand, isn’t going anywhere except prison. He asks if she isn’t putting the cart before the horse. There’s still the small matter of his trial. The Corinthos family and Gladys are hardly the most reliable witnesses. Why should any juror believe any part of their testimony? She says, maybe they will; maybe they won’t. But the jury will sure as hell listen to her testimony.
Jason wonders why Carly is asking about Britt, and she says she saw the way he held Britt’s hand at the MetroCourt. What’s that about? Brando comes in, and asks if it’s a bad time, but Carly says, no, come in. How’s Gladys? Brando says, they’re going to discharge her in a few days, and Carly says, great. So she’ll be going right to Bridgeport. Brando says she’s going to be staying with him for a while. At least until she gets better. Carly says, at least Brando will be able to keep an eye on her, and he says, wish him luck. He tells Jason that he can’t apologize enough for all the trouble his mother caused, but Jason says, it’s on her, not him. Brando says, even so… and Carly says she hates that Gladys lied to the cops and framed Jason, but Gladys did step up and tell the truth. She had to be threatened of course (🍷), but she still did it. Brando thanks her, and says he appreciates that, but it’s not the reason he came by to see her. Jason asks what’s on his mind, and Brando says, now that Cyrus’s organization is falling apart, he thinks it’s time they had a conversation about his future. Hey. I just thought. Who’s been fixing the cars in the garage?
Elizabeth tells Britt, she’s not okay. She’s mourning her husband, and trying to help save Chase’s life. That’s what’s on her mind. Any more questions? Britt says, no, but she is curious as to why Finn requested Elizabeth be put back on his rotation permanently. She leaves.
Anna asks if there’s a particular reason Finn thinks she won’t find Peter, and he says they know Peter is good at covering his tracks. If he doesn’t want to be found, he won’t be found. She promises she won’t stop until she finds out what’s happened with Peter, and he says he knows. Good luck with that. If she’ll excuse him… He leaves.
Chase tells Sasha, he wants to spend what’s left of his life with Willow. Willow says she’s going to get Chase some water. She’ll be right back.
Jackie tells Gregory that she really thought Chase would be okay. Now she’s discussing hospice care for her son. He says, it’s not supposed to be this way. They’re arranging for Chase’s wedding, when he’s on his… No parent should outlive their child. She says she’s sorry. She’s sure she’s the last person he wants sharing his grief, but he says, no matter what happened between them, they raised Chase together. She says, they did a remarkable job, didn’t they? and he says he hates that she lied, but he’s also grateful for it. If she had told the truth, he wouldn’t have spent all those years being Chase’s father. He wouldn’t trade a second of that. Whatever happens next, he wants her to know that they’ll always be a family.
Elizabeth and Finn literally run into each other, and they both apologize. He says, about last night. He’s an idiot and he’s sorry. She says, nothing happened. It’s fine. He thanks her, and she says, besides, they have more important things to deal with. He says he still can’t believe he killed Peter. She pulls him aside, and says, she’s speaking as Franco’s widow; he had it coming. He says, Peter was the only one who could keep Chase alive, but she says, that’s not true. He can save Chase. He says he tried; he only made Chase worse. She says, did he cure Blackwood’s on the first try? No. So keep trying. I say, good point. He says, it should have worked. His DNA combined with Jackie’s should have made Chase’s body accept the cure. He was so sure this was the answer, and now everything seems so hopeless. She says, it’s not. He’s Chase’s father and a good doctor. As long as there’s a breath left in Chase’s body, there’s still hope.
Anna asks if Britt has a minute, and Britt asks if there’s any news about Peter. Anna says, no, but she could use Britt’s help. She requested security footage from the night Maxie was brought in, but security is refusing to hand it over. Britt says she thinks she knows what’s going on. Rumor has it, when Cyrus was appointed Chairman of the Board, he arranged to have the cameras in the stairwells turned off. The security team is probably covering their butts now that Cyrus is out. Anna says, since this happened before Cyrus was arrested, the cameras were still off. It would explain why there’s no record of Peter leaving that night.
Nina says she’s super glad that someone was there to give Curtis support. Who was this person, so she can thank them? He says his Aunt Stella for one, and Stella says, she was all the way in Europe. He says, there was Laura, and his nephew TJ. He’s not short on people who care about him. Stella says he isn’t, and since she can’t convince him to stay in the hospital like a sensible person, she might as well get his paperwork started. She says it’s good to see Nina, and leaves. Nina says, still a tough customer, and Curtis says, the toughest. Nina says she’s sure he wasn’t talking about Stella when he said he didn’t have to go through his divorce alone. He says he and Portia have gotten a lot closer, and she says, how close? He says Portia kissed him, and he pushed her away. Nina says, there’s no shame in not being ready to move on, and he says he thought he was. Now he thinks he missed his chance.
Laura apologizes, telling Portia that it’s none of her business, but Portia says, she and Curtis had a really good talk. Laura says she’s glad they had a chance to clear things up, and Portia flashes back to Stella telling her, the last thing Curtis needs is a rebound relationship, and if she wants what’s best for Curtis, she’ll back off. Portia tells Laura, they did, and she and Curtis agreed that their friendship is too important to risk.
Jordan tells Cyrus that she and Taggert have already been in touch with the DA’s office, and he says, she’s going to perjure herself a second time? She says, not only are they going to drop all the charges against Taggert, they granted her full immunity. All they have to do is testify about everything Cyrus did to them in the last year. She hates to break it to him, but he’s done.
Sasha follows Willow, and Willow asks if Chase needs her. Sasha says, Chase is resting. She’s there about Willow. Why is she getting married? Willow says, if Chase is dying, she wants to make sure he’s happy when he leaves this world. There’s nothing wrong with that. Sasha says, except for one thing. Willow is in love with Michael.
Britt tells Anna, she doesn’t think Peter could have made it out of the building. Once he exited the stairwell, he would have been caught on camera. Anna asks, what about the roof? and Britt says, they do have two stairwells with roof access. Anna says, which ones? and Britt says, C and G. Anna says, so if Cyrus was moving drugs out of here, he could have easily transported them in a Medivac, and no one would have been the wiser. Britt asks if she thinks Peter made it to the roof, and left by helicopter. Anna says she doesn’t know, but it’s worth finding out.
Cyrus says if Jordan were to testify about everything that’s gone down between them this year, she’d have to include her own cover-ups. She says she knows; that’s what the immunity deal is for. He says, immunity or not, all of it will be a matter of public record. Her reputation would be a shambles. She says, so be it. Her secrets may have cost her marriage, but they will never come at the expense of justice. Never again. He just played his last hand against her, and he lost.
Brando says he’s been inside Cyrus’s organization for nearly a year. He knows the ins and outs. Then the moss bowl swallows him whole. Not really. Carly says, now that Jason’s back, she doesn’t plan on having an active role in the business. Brando says he thought that might be the case, but he didn’t want to assume. So what does Jason say? Jason tells him, he would say Brando has a baby on the way, and he’s all set up at the garage. If Brando thinks that’s going away because Sonny’s gone, it won’t. Carly says, he is family, and Brando says he hears what they’re saying, but the last few days, as dangerous as they’ve been, are the first time he felt he’s been making a difference since his last tour. He wants to keep making a difference… with his family. Jason says he gets it, but Brando’s family isn’t just them. If he were Brando, he’d take a long, hard look at what’s not only best for him, but for Sasha and the baby.
Curtis tells Nina that Portia explained she wasn’t thinking clearly, and she wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship. Nina asks if he bought that, and he says, that’s what she told him, and he has to respect that. She says he has to respect that, but did he talk to her? He says their 30 seconds was up about 30 seconds ago, so besides her touching concern for yours truly, why doesn’t she – he sits on the bed and pats the spot next to him – tell him what brought her back? She sits, and says, as it turns out, Michael and Willow reconsidered letting her have a relationship with Wiley. She had a visit with him and it was wonderful. He says he’s happy for her. Does this mean she’s going to stay? She guesses for a little while, but she’s been away from Nixon Falls for just a day, and she misses it. He says he thinks getting away was good for her; a chance to clear her head. She remembers kissing Sonny, and says she’s not so sure about that.
Willow tells Sasha that she loves Chase, and Sasha says she knows Willow does, but she’s in love with Michael. Willow tells her, Brook said the same thing, but they’re both wrong. Sasha says, okay, but tell her, if Chase hadn’t gotten sick, would they be getting married? Would they even still be together? Willow says, Chase is sick, so none of that really matters. She can put what she wants on hold, so Chase can have some semblance of happiness when he dies. All she truly needs from Sasha right now, is her support. Sasha says Willow has it, and hugs her.
Finn goes to Chase’s room, where he sees Jackie and Gregory. Chase says, just in time. The whole family is here. Finn asks how he’s feeling, and Chase says, trying to stay strong. He begins to cough, and Jackie grabs some tissues so he isn’t coughing all over the place. Sasha and Willow show up, and Finn puts an oxygen mask on Chase, telling him, breathe. Just breathe.
Cyrus says, Jordan, of all people, should know better than to underestimate him. He has ways of influencing things, even when he’s not a free man. She says she’s sure his attorneys have informed him that he won’t be going back to Pentenville, and he asks if she really thinks that’s going to keep her safe, sending him to another prison. She says, after speaking with the FBI, they agreed the best place for him was a Federal penitentiary in the Midwest. Far away from his contacts in the Pacific Northeast, and in Port Charles. Two uniformed men come in, and Cyrus says, what’s this? Jordan says, it’s for his own safety. These agents are going to be transferring him to the infirmary in his new home. He has a long recovery ahead of him, but think of it this way, these days, he has nothing but time on his hands.
Carly tells Jason, she needed a show of force to send a message to the Five Families polenta, so they would honor their agreement with Sonny’s organization, and not try anything against them. Was she wrong? He says, no. It’s exactly the move he would have made. She says, great. This whole year has been turned upside down. It’s been crazy. She’s doing things she never thought she’d do, and making decisions she never thought she’d make. He says that makes two of them, and she says, sometimes, it feels like Sonny’s been gone a lifetime, and other times, it’s like he’s right here.
Nina says Portia kissed Curtis, and he didn’t respond the way she wanted him to respond. Does he think Portia is reacting because of the way he reacted when she kissed him? He says, what if she is? What is he supposed to do? She says, tell her how he feels. There’s nothing disrespectful for expressing himself. Stella comes to the door, and listens through the opening. He says, Portia was right there by his side when he woke up. He doesn’t know if it was the anesthesia or the blood loss, but there was something there. Then just like that, the vibe was gone.
Portia wants to start Chase on dialysis, and increase his dopamine, along with some <insert big medical word> hydrations. Elizabeth says she’ll get his chart, and Portia tells Chase, it will make him more comfortable. She asks to speak with Finn outside, but Chase wants to know, how bad? Finn nods to Portia, who says she’d have to do more testing to confirm, but it looks like they’re quickly approaching Stage 3 something-or-other. Gregory asks what that means, and I say, thank you. Finn says, complete organ failure, and Chase asks, how much time? Portia says, there are statistics, but no definitive answer, and Chase tells Finn, ballpark. How long? Finn says Chase needs to fight, or he may not make it through the night. I’m just going to say it. Maybe Finn isn’t his father after all, and that’s why the cure didn’t work. I’ve been thinking that through the whole episode.
While being wheeled through the hall, Cyrus sees Laura. He says, if they don’t mind, this is his sister. Could they have a moment? Laura says, it’s fine, and Cyrus says, in private? Jordan says they’re not going anywhere, and he says, it didn’t hurt to ask. He says he’s glad he and Laura ran into each other. He was afraid they wouldn’t cross paths before he left. She says, it probably goes without saying, but the hospital Board is in the process of stripping him of his position at the hospital. He says he’s sure it fills her with great joy, but she says, no. It doesn’t actually. She thinks it’s incredibly sad. He could have used this place to help so many people. To undo some of the damage he caused, but no. He squandered it, just like he’s squandered so many other opportunities to change his life, even with his own family. He says he sees she and his brother are talking again. How nice to have family. She says, the one good thing to come out of this was finding Martin. They’ll have their hurdles, but they’ll get over them. But the two of them, they’ll never be family. He says, it’s too late. He’s already gotten in her head. The darkness that already exists inside her has been reignited. He, for one, can’t wait to see what kind of changes are in store for her. The next time their paths cross, perhaps she’ll finally embrace some of the many fine qualities they have in common. Let’s go. As he’s wheeled away, Laura worries over his words.
Stella goes into Curtis’s room, and says his discharge papers are there. If he still wants to put his health and safety at risk to order room service. Nina says she’s going to let them get to this, and she’s penciled Curtis in. She’s going to be his room service tomorrow, and she’s going to bring him dinner. No excuses. He asks if it’s a metaphorical pencil, or has she full embraced the homespun, folksy lifestyle of rural Pennsylvania? She says, to think she missed all this, and they laugh. She tells Stella that it was nice to see her, and Stella says, her too. She tells Curtis that she’ll see him tomorrow night, and leaves. Stella says she had hoped he moved out of the MetroCourt by now. For a hotel, there’s nothing better, but a hotel is not a home. He says he’d planned on finding his own place soon, but he was so busy with the launch of the club, he didn’t have time. She says, allow her to save him that time.
Portia says, Dr. Finn is correct. That’s the accurate timetable, but she can’t stress this enough. He’s not a statistic. This isn’t over till it’s over. Finn says he’s sorry, and Chase says, for what? Finn says, for not being able to save him. Chase says Finn did what he could, and he’ll always be grateful that Finn tried. Finn says, don’t ever give up. Hear me? Don’t ever give up. Finn jets, and Sasha stands in the hallway looking worried.
Britt goes to the reception desk, and says she wants to apologize to Elizabeth for earlier. Elizabeth is surprised, and Britt laughs, saying, and she wants to make things right. Now that Cyrus is gone, she’s bringing Elizabeth back full time. Elizabeth thanks her, and Britt says, it’s long overdue. For what it’s worth (🍷), she’s going to make sure the hospital cooperates fully in Anna’s search for Peter. Elizabeth asks if Anna thinks he’s still in the hospital, and Britt says, Anna thinks if she can figure out how he got out of the hospital, she can find him. In fact, she’s on the roof right now.
Anna goes out onto the roof, and looks around. She notices a garbage can up against a wall.
Jason says Carly took Sonny’s seat at the meeting, and Carly says, it went really well. She did great. He says he doesn’t doubt that, but he’s back, and it’s not clear who’s in charge. They don’t know; is it her, or is it him? She says, maybe they’re both in charge, and he says the other families are going to be watching how this plays out. If they play it wrong, they look weak. She asks how they handle it right, when his phone rings. It’s Britt, who tells him, at this very moment, Cyrus is being transferred out of the hospital by the Feds. His reign of terror there, and apparently everywhere, is finally over. Jason says, that’s good, and she says, from anyone else, that reaction would be disappointing. From him, she knows that’s his version of a shout of triumph. She guesses her time as his mole is over, and he says he guesses so. She says, so if they’re going to see each other, it will have to be because they want to. He guesses it is. He hangs up, and Carly says, Britt again? What’s going on?
Stella tells Curtis, as luck would have it, her place on Charles Street has been empty for over a year. Stay there; she insists. He says he would love that, and she says she has to fly back to London tomorrow morning. He says, already? and she says just to make some arrangements before she moves back to Port Charles. He says she doesn’t have to do all that; he can take care of himself. She tells him, who says it’s all about him? Did it ever occur to him that she might have business in Port Charles of her own?
Jordan says Laura can’t listen to Cyrus. Believe her, she learned it the hard way. Blood or no blood, Laura is not like that man. Laura thanks her, and says she knows Jordan’s right. Jordan says she knows how hard it is to shake it off, and Laura says she’ll find a way, but she’s so grateful this nightmare is behind them. Jordan says, actually, there is one more thing that needs to be done before she, Laura, and the city can put Cyrus behind them. Laura says, what’s that? and Jordan says she needs to tender her resignation.
Jackie goes into the hallway, closing Chase’s door, and goes over to Finn by the elevator. He says he can’t talk right now, but she tells him not to spend another moment blaming himself. Finn says he should have saved Chase. The elevator doors open, and no surprise, Cyrus is there. He says, Ms. Templeton. Dr. Finn? He’s so sorry to hear about Finn’s son. It must be a great relief though, that the truth about his paternity came out in time for Finn to bond with him before he passes. (How would Cyrus know Chase was dying? Just asking.) Jackie says hell is too good a place for him. Enjoy it anyway. He waves as the doors close, and Jackie says, when you think that man couldn’t sink any lower. Finn is staring into space, thinking, why didn’t it work? Where did I go wrong? Jackie gets his attention, and asks, what is it? and he dashes off.
Gregory tells Chase, they’re not giving up hope, no matter what. Chase asks to see Willow, and Gregory says, of course (🍷). He’ll be right outside. He leaves, and Willow sits on the bed. Chase says he’s glad they got their marriage license yesterday. He wants her to marry him, right here, right now.
Elizabeth flashes back to sitting with Finn after finding Peter’s body. Finn says Peter told him it would be Anna’s fault if Chase dies. It turns out it’s going to be his. She tells him, it’s Peter’s fault. This is on him. Finn was always Chase’s best chance at survival, but can’t cure him from behind bars. Elizabeth asks if Finn sees the camera, and he says he hadn’t until now, but she says, it’s turned off. Rumor has it, Renault had the cameras turned off so he could get drugs out of the hospital. You know what this means? They can move Peter without anyone finding out. He says, to where? Even if they could get him down the stairs, they’d be caught on camera trying to get him out of the hospital. She says, that’s why they’re not taking him out of the hospital. Does Finn remember years ago, when Ava and Julian’s crazy sister abducted Griffin Monroe? He says, she kept him in some abandoned section of the hospital, and she says, the subbasement lab. He asks if that wasn’t sealed off, and she says the only access is an elevator on the roof, and that’s been out of commission for years. We see them packing up Peter’s body into a large cooler, and she says they can keep him in the lab until everyone believes he’s out of the country. When the eyes are off the hospital, they can move him. Finn says, that could be a long time from now, and she says, no one has even thought about the subbasement elevator for years. They close the cooler.
Anna goes over to the garbage can, and moves it. She slides a piece of accordion metal over, and sees the service elevator door, with a sign that says, danger. She tries the door handle, but it’s locked.
Tomorrow, Jordan tenders her resignation, Finn says he thinks he knows why his treatment didn’t work, Obrecht asks what Jason’s intentions are in regard to Britt, and Carly says something is going to be a problem for Britt.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
In a voiceover, Erika said there were so many layers to the divorce. It was very complicated. She was sure everyone was shocked, and would have a lot of questions. Everyone said they didn’t see it coming, and we flashed forward to Erika saying she’d intended to hold that man’s hand until he died.
We moved to three days earlier. Kyle and Mauricio got ready for their election party, and in Kyle’s interview, she said she made it a rule not to discuss politics, but was the most important election ever. This time, a woman was on the ticket for VP, and Kyle had four daughters. She told Mauricio that Garcelle wasn’t coming, since she was with her boys, and Erika also wasn’t coming. Both Kyle and Dorit whined to their respective husbands about how Dorit had been talking with Crystal on the plane back from Tahoe, and Kyle butted into the conversation. Dorit, who had been mid-sentence, firmly told Kyle to let her finish, and Kyle started crying like a big baby. Kyle thought if it had been anyone else who chimed in, Dorit wouldn’t have said anything. She might be right, since Dorit has taken issue with Kyle about this in the past, but the answer is, don’t do it then.
Rob asked how Crystal was feeling about her issues with Sutton, and Crystal said she hadn’t spent a bunch of time analyzing it, but she’d never experienced someone being so rude to her. Apparently, she’s been very lucky in life. There was so much stress about the election, it was hard for her to believe people were being so petty. Is it me? Sutton hadn’t been aware it was a big deal in the first place, and then apologized. Who’s being petty here? When they got to the party, Rob seemed anxious to start drinking, and I didn’t blame him. In honor of the occasion, Dorit wore her rhinestone VOTE barrettes, as well as a plaid suit that could have been out of Clueless. In Kyle’s interview, she said Dorit had missed the memo on red, white, and blue attire. Sutton wore another crazy dress that looked like something from Danceteria in the 80s. In her interview, she said she was being polite, since she was walking on crystal thin ice. LisaR looked great, in a wig named Barbie, but I can’t stand her, so that was a wash.
Of course it was an amazing spread. One hors d’oeuvres tray had little succulents mixed in for decoration, which I thought was a very cool idea. Erika’s pending divorce was discussed, and in LisaR’s interview, she talked about how much fun they had the night they went to dinner at Erika and Tom’s place. We flashed back to that, and LisaR said there had been no sign of anything leading to divorce. Everyone seemed equally surprised, and in Kyle’s interview, she said she wasn’t judging <choke>, but she thought she and Erika were closer than that. The husbands wisely gathered together, having a separate party on the back deck. As usual, they seemed to be having a lot more fun. Kyle asked if Sutton and Crystal were okay after Tahoe, and they both said they were fine, but then Crystal mentioned that she’d lost five pounds during the trip. Kathy was like, upside! but Crystal said she had an eating disorder. She told the women it was under control, and I wasn’t sure if she was attributing her backslide or whatever to Sutton, but she said it was Indicative of how she felt about the trip. In her interview, she said it wasn’t a relapse, but happened because she was stressed. She said she’d been bulimic at 11 years old, but she wasn’t suffering on the daily about it. LisaR yapped in her interview about how brave Crystal was.
Kyle asked to speak with Dorit, or maybe it was the other way around. It really doesn’t matter. In Kyle’s interview, she said it wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. On top of it, it had been in the exact same room, and we flashed back to that. She said she couldn’t keep doing it every couple of months. I have a suggestion then. Quit interrupting Dorit. Kyle told Dorit that she just wanted to say one thing. Dorit had screamed at her, and she thought Dorit wouldn’t have the same reaction if it had been someone else. Dorit said Kyle interrupted her a lot, and it was as if Kyle didn’t feel that what Dorit had to say had as much value. She’d been mid-sentence. Kyle asked if Dorit wanted a friendship with her, and if she did, don’t talk to her like that again. Dorit said Kyle had told her, f*** you, last year when she’d asked her not to interrupt. Kyle made the excuse that it was a heated moment and didn’t count. They’d been on the plane, and Kyle had been waiting for an in to the conversation, trying to be respectful, since she’d heard Dorit the last time. Dorit said then they were good, and got up. Kyle said if they were good, why was Dorit leaving, and Dorit said because she was done.
Dorit told PK that she wanted to leave immediately, if not sooner, saying she wanted to see her parents who were in town. In her interview, she said she’d come because Kyle was her friend, but she’d wanted to see her parents. If she was going to be treated like this, she was ready to go. On way back, PK said he thought they’d be considered rude, but Dorit said friends didn’t treat each other like Kyle was treating her. Back at Kyle’s house, they all agreed the election was too early to call, and LisaR said it had been an anticlimactic evening. Probably because there was no real drama.
Sutton took Garcelle to go Bentley shopping, and had the dealership closed for them. Garcelle asked what the vibe was, and Sutton said she was looking for a convertible. Garcelle inquired as to the price, which was $380K. Since Garcelle hadn’t been at Kyle’s party, Sutton told her that Erika hadn’t come either. In Garcelle’s interview, she said when her life unraveled, she didn’t want talk about, so she understood why Erika didn’t show up. They went on a test drive, and Garcelle said Sutton was making a lot of changes. Sutton wondered if she was having a mid-life crisis. In her interview, Sutton said it was the first car she’d ever bought without asking permission. At Crystal’s house, Rob said he’d talked to Sutton, and she’d been nothing but nice. We saw a clip when they found out they had Jennifer Tilly in common as a friend. In Crystal’s interview, she said Rob was nicer than she was. I have no doubt about that. The kids wanted to play mahjong, and in her interview, Crystal said she and Rob had totally different styles of parenting. She was the hard ass, and he was the coddler. Again, no surprise. Every week Rob also showed the kids a movie from the 40s, and it was something special for them. She wasn’t invited, but made the popcorn. Sure, she’s probably a wet blanket. Rob said LisaR had called Crystal brave for discussing her eating disorder, and Crystal said she’d always felt chubby growing up. She’d wanted to be blonde, blue-eyed, and skinny.
Kathy and Kyle visited Sutton’s store, aptly, but unoriginally named Sutton. In her interview, Kyle said they’d gotten made fun of for wearing mom jeans, and now they were cool. She couldn’t keep up. She thought they were ugly, but had to wear them since they were in fashion. In Sutton’s interview, she said she was desperate to give a party in her house. In Kyle’s interview, she said, it was technically her house, but Sutton was leasing it. Sutton told them she’d decided on a Parisian theme, and Erika’s pending divorce was discussed. Sutton wondered if she should find out if Erika was coming, and Kyle suggested she send a text. Erika replied that she’d be there, and in her interview, Sutton said when she was going through her divorce, she took every invitation as an opportunity to get out of the house and into the world.
#WhatDidHarryDo. This time, it was gardening. In LisaR’s interview, she said they’d decided they needed a garden, since it could be pandemonium at any moment with lockdown going on. Harry googled, how to make a garden, and their house had become sustainable. Harry tried to explain to LisaR that the composter made fertilizer, but no, he didn’t put poop in it. In her interview, she said anything Harry did turned to gold. Harry decided it was time for a fire drill, and made LisaR run around with a gigantic hose that would be hooked to the pool had there been a real fire. In her interview, LisaR said there was a fine line between quirky and paranoid, but let him have his garden and tacky-ass pool. If it meant saving the house, he was usually right. She told Harry that she’d talked to Erika, who seemed to be doing all right. Harry said, the first time, his divorce was acrimonious, but the next time, he said, take whatever you want. In LisaR’s interview, she said they’d met at the tail end of Harry’s second divorce, and she did get emotional baggage from it.
In Sutton’s interview, she said she was missing Paris Fashion Week, so she wanted to take everyone on a trip to Paris in her house. Kyle visited Crystal for a tea kiki beforehand, and couldn’t stop focusing on Crystal’s $95K Hermes bag. She suggested sending it in a separate car, and in her interview, Kyle said all she could see was the bag. When they got to Sutton’s house, Kyle said she was used to opening the door from the other side herself, and we flashed back to a party where LVP brought a llama. Kyle said she’d never gone to a party there where she wasn’t he hostess, and I wondered if she’s going to carp on this until Sutton moves out. Kyle told Sutton that it was beautiful and cozy, and it was making her want to move back in. As expected, in Kyle’s interview she said it was interesting seeing someone else’s take. Sutton had her own unique style and flavor, and Kyle loved it, but hers was lovelier. I thought this was a whole bunch of words to say Kyle thinks Sutton has sh*t taste compared to her own.
In the most amusing moment, LisaR showed up in the same dress Kyle was wearing. At least she didn’t screech like that time with Garcelle and Erika, when they were all wearing the same pink blazer/dress. In Kyle’s interview, she said LisaR had done that too many times with too many people, and we flashed back to a few times when LisaR was a twinsey. In Garcelle’s interview, she was excited about the election, saying the country had been divided, and needed some sanity. Little girls would see themselves in a candidate that was half-Black/half-Asian. Erika’s pending divorce was discussed, and Garcelle said she didn’t see that coming. She’d felt the love. In her interview, she said she felt Erika admired and was proud of Tom, and they had a good life. She thought Erika was in it for the long haul. Dorit said Erika would share when she was comfortable, and Garcelle said she was shocked no one knew. The last time she and Erika had spoken, she and Tom seemed on solid ground, and she wondered if Erika shouldn’t just wait. LisaR said, for what? and Garcelle said, well, they’d been married this long… In Sutton’s interview, she said that could backfire, since people were living to 100 now.
The episode ended with Erika coming to the door, and walking in.
To be continued…
🐕 Vanderpump Dogs is just precious. LVP told us, if loving a dog makes you crazy, she guessed there was no hope for her. We learned about the rescue, which was created in 2016. She said there was no other like it, with its velvet couches, pink chandeliers, and living rooms for dogs. The goal was to get them healthy and trained, and teach them to play well with others. She wanted to make them feel like VIPs – LVP’s VIPs. The groomer explained that his job consisted of high-priced shampoo, marshmallow fluff, and going places no one else goes. Main vet on-call, Dr. Andrew, also had experience as a reptile physician. After introducing us to all things Vanderpump Dogs, it was time for matchmaking dogs with owners, which included potential owners spending some play time with potential adoptees. LVP said it was like the dating process. You had to have foreplay before going all the way. There was a dog trainer who took a senior pup with Cushing’s Disease, and also couple Matt and Shannon, who were looking for another pup for their cuddle puddle. They were introduced to Mary, three-legged Hermie, and Larry, who once again proved that dogs are the great leveler. They don’t care who you are, and will always embarrass you. Mary made poopie during playtime, and Hermie refused to go up the stairs, after LVP had bragged about this accomplishment. The couple chose Larry (not because of the other’s faux pas, or paws as it were), and Matt told LVP that he wanted to throw in a proposal to Shannon when Larry was brought to his forever home. After a home check and approval, LVP accompanied Larry, who had an engagement ring attached to his collar.
Shannon said yes, and LVP said it was a storybook ending. Vanderpump Dogs was Giggy’s legacy, and they’d found homes for over 2000 dogs so far. If they could accomplish something like that, it was why they were here. We saw the adoptees in their forever homes, where they were both adored and happy. Not a big shock that I loved this show.
💰 Hot Topic…
Erika’s pending divorce is discussed. Surprisingly, by Erika.
I’m sure Heather thinks she’s sincere, but it wasn’t a good look. She did say on Watch What Happens Live that, as far as the race baiter issue goes, she’d liked the wrong comment.
It’s that time again, so see you tomorrow for soap and some really high-priced real estate. Until Ryan renovates, stay safe, stay good-hearted, and stay never believing you’re a statistic.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Carly leaves a message for Jax, saying he has to call her. They have to discuss how far they’re going to cover for his houseguest. What affects him, affects Josslyn. They have to be on the same page with this. Sonny walks in, and says, sounds important. More secrets she’s keeping from him?
Stella goes to visit Mike at Turning Woods, and says, it’s good to see him. She just got back in town. It’s been a while, and she thought she’d come by to see him. He says he’s great, and thanks her for asking. He tells her that he’ll have a scotch/rocks. She says, he wants to order a drink? He says that’s why he came to the track. Have a couple of drinks, and play the ponies. She’s going to be in for a big tip. She says she’ll get his scotch. He says, make it a double. He’s feeling lucky.
Finn calls Anna from the hospital, and says he got called in on an emergency. He’s going to be a little late. She’s at the MetroCourt, and asks if he wants to just meet at the house. He says, no; he’ll be there. Jason is with her, and Anna tells him, Finn got held up at the hospital, so she has more time than anticipated. He says, to do what? and she says she needs his help solving a mystery.
Jax says, Nina wants to destroy Valentin? She says, yes. At least that’s what she thought she wanted. Their big reconciliation was just an act. When Sasha confessed, she knew Valentin was behind it. It was too thorough; too perfectly executed. He lied to her about finding her daughter so she would forgive him. So the plan was, to give him a taste of his own medicine. See how he feels; to deceive him like he deceived her. Jax says he knew she was too smart to fall for Valentin’s lies.
Nikolas skulks around behind Valentin with a fireplace poker. The doorbell rings, and Nikolas is like, drat! and I laugh. Valentin answers the door to Hayden, and thanks her for coming on such short notice. He invites her in, but she says she doesn’t know why she came out there. She owes him nothing. She doesn’t work for him. He says, maybe they can find a way to change that.
Carly tells Sonny that she was leaving Jax a message. Sonny says he figured that. When she said they have to be a team, it was a giveaway. She says Jax called, but Jason was there. Did he hear about Sam? Sonny says, two years, but she could end up with community service. He’s been trying to call in favors. Carly says, Sam doesn’t belong in Pentenville. That’s why Jason was there. He doesn’t know what to tell the kids. Sonny isn’t surprised Jason was there, since he and Carly confide in each other. Did she tell Jason what she’s been keeping from him?
Anna tells Jason, there are still questions about Cassandra’s escape and probable death. And how he managed to turn up at the pier at the perfect time. He tells her that Cassandra and Sam were cellmates, and ended up on work detail with one another. Cassandra escaped, and he didn’t want Sam to be blamed. Cassandra is Valentin’s only known associate, and he thought Valentin would know where she’d run. Anna asks if Valentin seemed guilty, but he says, no. Nina was the one who got upset. Anna says, Charlotte had been abducted, and Jason says he assumes that was it. The only change in Valentin was when he got a phone call. He didn’t answer it, but it seemed like he wanted to. After that, Nina kicked him out. Anna wonders if it was Cassandra calling, and Jason says that’s what he was thinking. So he went to the pier to check, since it’s isolated. That’s where he ran into Charlotte, and Anna knows the rest. Anna says it’s no secret Cassandra was using Charlotte as leverage to negotiate with Valentin. Who else could supply a boat? And who else could wire the boat to explode?
Hayden asks if Valentin is offering her a job, but he says he’s offering to pay for information. She says, about what? and he says he’s caught her snooping around twice. Once when she was there with Jax for cocktails, and the nanny caught her. She says she got lost, and he says then Obrecht caught her going into the trophy room, where Helena’s portrait was. Hayden stammers, and Valentin says, tell the truth. Although he knows it’s a tough concept for her, she’ll earn a great deal of money if she does. What’s so important about the portrait?
Jax says Nina almost had him convinced she believed Valentin. She says, almost? He says when they sat together that night, when she ran out of the wedding, he saw how much pain she was in, and she was pretty convinced Valentin was behind it. Nina tells him that she doesn’t remember half the things she said; she was so upset. He was very sympathetic while listening to her; he deserves a medal. He says he was trying to be a friend. What troubled him was her falling for Valentin’s lies. He knew she wasn’t that gullible. She says, no, she’s not, but he’s the only one who shares that opinion. No one else had trouble believing Valentin snowed her again. He says, that was the idea, wasn’t it? She says, it was part of the set up. To pull the rug out from under Valentin, and watch him fall apart. Jax says, it’s a great plan, but completely wrong for the situation.
Valentin tells Hayden that Ava had a nervous breakdown, and submitter herself to Shadybrook. He just came from a visit. They had an enlightening conversation about the portrait, and how it came into her hands, despite the fact that he threw it away. Hayden asks if she still has it, and he says, not in Shadybrook. It’s difficult to say where, but she said Jax and Hayden were searching for it. That would explain why she was searching his home. She says, he puts a lot of faith in a nervous breakdown. Valentin says he’ll make it easy. He’ll pay her a quarter of a million dollars to tell him what’s so important about the painting. Nikolas listens in.
Nina says, it’s a good plan, but the wrong plan? and Jax says he knows it’s tempting to take revenge; make Valentin feel the heartbreak she felt. But it’s a lose-lose situation. She asks how? and he tells her take his word for it. Revenge doesn’t always give you the satisfaction you’d expect, and it can hurt more than the person you’re targeting. She tells him to offer her a different solution. He says, it might sound cliché, but living well is the best revenge. End things, cut your losses. Don’t press charges for fraud, and drag Valentin into court; it’s a waste of time. All those weeks won’t matter once she’s free. He tells her, don’t get tangled in revenge. Focus on the good things in your life that are in front of you. Nina says Valentin won’t let her go. He’ll come after her. He says she has to make Valentin think she’s moved on; found someone else. She could fake date him if she wanted. Nina says that’s because he wouldn’t date her in real life. He says he didn’t say that.
Jason tells Anna that Cassandra held Valentin’s daughter hostage. Why not retaliate? Anna says, that’s not how the law works, but he asks, what good is the law, when it puts the wrong person behind bars? Sam was convicted of manslaughter, and sent to Pentenville for two years. Anna says she’s sorry, and wouldn’t have asked him to meet her if she’d known. He says he needed something else to focus on. Something he understands. She asks if the children know. He says, not yet. He’s figuring out how tell them. He can’t wrap his head around it, and nothing is working. She asks if she can offer some advice. Be honest with them. Tell them as much as he thinks they’re old enough to process. The most important thing is to reassure them that he’ll be there for them. Jason thanks her, and she says he’s a bit unconventional for a father, but she thinks he’ll be brilliant. He hopes so.
Stella gives Mike a glass of water, and tells him, sorry, but they’re out of scotch at the bar. He says, it’s probably just as well. He has to work tonight. His boss is a jerk, and if he smells booze on Mike’s breath, he’ll make a big case of it. Stella says he doesn’t want that, and asks where he works. Mike says he won’t be there much longer. Just long enough to show his girl’s father that he can hold a steady job. She says he’s got a girl? He says, the most beautiful one in the world. Stella asks her name, and he says, Adela. She’s an angel. The only thing wrong is, her father doesn’t approve. She asks, how come? but Mike says he hasn’t asked him. He couldn’t care less, but being with her is world anything her old man puts him through. He just needs one good score, and he’ll have enough to make his own business. He’ll use what’s left over for a down payment on a house. It will make Adela happy; she wants to have kids, just like he does. Stella is sure he’ll be a wonderful father, and Mike says, his own childhood was hit or miss, but he’ll be different for his kids. He’s going to do it right. He’ll be home for dinner at six, Saturdays in the park, and mass on Sunday morning. Stella says, it sounds lovely, and he says as soon get he gets married, they won’t see him around there.
Carly tells Sonny that Jason was focused on Sam going to prison, and how he was going to break the news to the kids. She didn’t think it was the time to bring up a conversation about Jax. Sonny says Jax is lying about why he doesn’t want Josslyn to move in. He’d never chose a girlfriend over Josslyn. Carly says they have to get along, and Sonny says he’s trying. She tells him, try harder. He says he has no doubt Jax loves Josslyn, but also no doubt he’s using the situation to his advantage.
Jason goes to the Quartermaine mansion, and Monica says it’s good to see him. Scout was out by seven, but Danny is probably awake. She tells him, Robert called about the verdict. She’s so sorry. Jason says the lawyer is pushing for parole, but the kids need know Sam could be gone for a while. Scout is too young to understand, but he doesn’t want to risk Danny finding out some other way. Monica says what’s important is stability, consistency, and reassurance. He’s going to need help while Sam is away, and she wonders why they couldn’t live there.
Sonny tells Carly that Jax is going to push himself into their lives and family, judging everything Sonny does. Jax would love nothing more than to catch him doing something illegal. Carly says Jax already has. He knows Sonny is breaking all kinds of laws having Dev there, and said he’d keep the secret. Sonny says Jax wants to be Josslyn’s hero, but what if he finds something to use against Sonny that Josslyn isn’t involved in? Don’t think Jax won’t turn him over to the cops.
Jax tells Nina, what he’s saying is, she runs a successful magazine. Her boss thinks she’s wonderful. Nina says, does he? and Jax says, he does. Doesn’t she think it best she focus Crimson instead of destroying Valentin? Millions of people get heartbroken every day, but not many have her choices. She can wallow in hate and revenge, or choose to chase what makes her happy. She says he makes it sound easy. He says, ditch the revenge, detach herself from Valentin, start living her life. and the world is her oyster. She says, what if she doesn’t want that particular oyster? What if she wants to forgive Valentin? He asks why she’d want to do that.
Finn meets Anna at the MetroCourt, apologizing for being late. She says she met with Jason to go over the Cassandra incident. Did he know Sam was convicted of manslaughter? She’s been sentenced to two years in Pentenville. Finn says, it’s horrible, and she says, it’s terrible. Jason is grappling with how to tell the children. It made her think about how complicated life is, and how their circumstances impact their children. She tells him that she met with Hayden, and he asks how it went. She says, pleasant enough, and Finn says, but… She says she doesn’t think she trusts Hayden all that much. He says, sadly, that’s not a surprise.
Valentin says Hayden has experience in high finance. She can aggressively invest the money, and Make a princely sum. It would be all hers. She says she’d love to take his money, but she doesn’t know anything about the portrait. He says he’d prefer to pay her for the information, but he can exert influence in other ways. Once the money is off the table, it’s going to get unpleasant. He’s going to ask one more time. Do they have a deal? She says they do, and tells him to wire the money to an offshore account. He says he’ll need something up front, a gesture of good faith. She says, the reason Helena gave the portrait to Nikolas… Charlotte comes in, interrupting the conversation.
Nina tells Jax, she’s been planning her revenge since the day of the wedding. When she went back to work, she ran into Sasha, and she lied again, saying the scam was all her fault. She went to Windymere, hoping Valentin would tell the truth, but he didn’t. He lied again. It’s who he is, and who he’ll always be.Why let the truth stand between him and what he wants? So she decided to play his game, and she’s been playing him ever since, until Charlotte was abducted. Then, revenge seemed pointless. All she could think about was how much she loves Charlotte. She’d give anything for Charlotte to have a safe at home with the father she loves. She loves the three of them; they’re a family. It’s hard to give up, no matter what Valentin does or the crimes he’s committed. Jax says, please don’t say Valentin is a good father.
Sonny tells Carly that he just wants honesty from his wife. Admit Jax is out to get him. She says Sonny would already be feeling it if he was. He could be a threat to Sonny’s coffee business, which would leave his real business in serious trouble. Sonny should be grateful that Jax isn’t as vindictive as he is. What would he do if someone had him deported and kept away from his child? If all Jax does is annoy Sonny, he’s getting off easy. Sonny asks why it’s his fault. Carly put it in motion when she slept with Jax.
Jason tells Monica, he appreciates the offer, but he just doesn’t know. It’s hard enough the kids will be separated from Sam. He doesn’t know if he should take them out of their home. Monica says they spend a lot of time there anyway. It’s comfortable and familiar; they have their own rooms, and adore the nanny. They’ll have consistency and security, and won’t be confused about Sam’s absence when they come home from school. Jason says he’ll talk to Sam, and see if it’s okay. Monica says he doesn’t have to say anything, but Scout and Danny’s mother is in prison. Scout’s dad is dead, and Jason is the only parent they have. Please think before taking any chances that might get him killed or put in prison.
Charlotte says Valentin promised they’d read her book. She knows they were going to wait for Nina, but she wants to start tonight. Valentin suggests she go upstairs for a bit, but Hayden says she doesn’t want to intrude. She asks what the book is, and Charlotte says, Little Women. Hayden says it’s one of her favorites. She’ll see herself out. Valentin says he and Charlotte will show her out. He doesn’t want her wandering off somewhere she doesn’t want to be. Nikolas puts the poker back, and slips out the secret door. Valentin thanks Hayden for coming, and tells her to get the account number for him. She says, no problem about everything they discussed. When she’s gone, Charlotte wonders why Valentin didn’t introduce her, but he says, there was no need. He doubts they’ll see her again.
Jax tells Nina, Sonny is a good father too. That’s how Carly rationalized going back to him time and again. Now one of her kids is dead, and her life is in a mess. He doesn’t want that to happen to her. Nina says it’s not his decision to make. Jax says she’s right. He should know better. He can’t live someone else’s life. She has every right to choose Valentin. All he can do is give her a better alternative, and hope she’s smart enough to take it. She hands him the invitation, tells him, don’t forget to RSVP, and leaves. Geez, think he likes her?
Carly says she slept with Jax when she had reason to believe Sonny had sex with Nelle, and was covering it up. Does he think she forgot that he slept with her lawyer Martina, or flirted with Margaux right in front of her face? If he wants to compare lists, his is way longer. The house phone rings, and Sonny says, send her up. Carly asks, who’s there? and he says, Stella. He knows it’s not a good time, but Carly says, of course (🍷) Stella should come in. They need to finish this though. Sonny opens the door, and Stella says, hey, stranger. He asks how she is, and Carly says she’s here from across the pond. Stella says, just for a quick visit. She was just visiting Sonny’s father. Unfortunately, he had no idea who she was.
Finn tells Anna that Hayden is Violet’s mother, but he’s under no illusion that motherhood transformed her. As happy as he is to have Violet in his life, he’s not sure he can forgive Hayden for the time she’s taken from him. Anna says she’s sorry, and Finn says, this is where science does him a favor. He looks at the facts, and wonders if he and Hayden can find a way to co-parent that’s best for Violet. Anna says, for Hayden, the best way might mean the two of them getting back together.
Jax looks at the invitation, and Nikolas walks in. Jax asks where he was (déjà vu!), and Nikolas says, out. Jax asks if he was breaking more drug traffickers out of custody. Nikolas asks what Nina wanted, and Jax says to invite him to the wedding. She’s marrying Valentin at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Nikolas says, she’s a fool, but Jax says, she knows what she’s doing. She’s a good person, and too many people lied to her, including him. He’s done.
Nina walks into Windymere, and hears Valentin reading to Charlotte. She sees them on the couch, Charlotte’s head on Valentin’s shoulder. She watches them.
Jason tells Danny that he wants to talk about something that happened. He had to testify in court. Danny asks if it was for his mom’s trial, and Jason says it was. Danny ask if she’s okay, and Jason says what he’s about to tell Danny is complicated. He’s sure Danny will have a lot of questions, but he’ll explain everything. Danny’s mom was found guilty of something called manslaughter.
Stella tells Sonny, she’s not surprised. She and Mike met after he developed Alzheimer’s. He was so fully immersed in another time and place, with no sense of disorientation or uncertainty. It’s clear Mike’s Alzheimer’s is progressing. Carly asks, how long before he won’t remember them? but Stella says, it’s impossible to say. Sonny says, based on her experience, what’s her guess? Stella says, the day when Sonny’s father won’t remember him at all, is coming a lot sooner than they think.
Jason says Danny’s mom was protecting him, and as a result, Shiloh died. The judge found his mom partly responsible; that’s what manslaughter means. He asks if it makes sense, and Danny asks if Sam is going to prison. Jason says, yeah. The judge wants her to go for two years. Danny says, no, and Jason says the lawyers are trying to get her home sooner. Danny wonders what will happen with him and Scout, and Jason says he was talking to Grandma Monica. She thought they could stay there, and he doesn’t think it’s a bad idea. But if Danny wants to be home, they can do that. Whatever he wants. Danny thinks he wants to stay. If they’re at home, they’ll just miss their mom more. Jason says, it’s okay. Jason will need his help. If Scout sees Danny is okay, she’ll be okay. Danny says he can do that, and Jason says he knows Danny can. Jason promises to do everything to get their mom home, but whatever happens, Danny has him. He’s not going anywhere. They hug.
Hayden goes back to the MetroCourt, and sees Anna and Finn at the bar. Anna says now that Finn has had time to think, does he have any insights to share? He says, just one. He loves her. He would have never asked her to marry him if he’d had any doubts. She says she doesn’t have any either. He says, whatever happens, they’ll deal with it together, and she says, of course (🍷). Whatever it takes. She loves him. He says he loves her too, and kisses her. Hayden watches.
Nikolas asks what Jax means by done. Jax says if he can’t find the codicil by New Year’s Eve, he’s going to tell Nina everything; that Nikolas is alive, and about his involvement. Valentin will be focused on Nikolas, and he’ll rape Cassadine Industries, bankrupting Valentin. Nikolas says Jax will render the estate worthless, and Jax says that’s Nikolas’s problem. Nikolas asks, what about Spencer? and Jax says he can take care of Spencer, without further involvement in his family’s politics. Nikolas asks, what happened? and Jax says, his priorities have changed, and he wants to make sure Nina comes out unharmed.
Nina says she can’t believe they started without her. She would have rushed home. Charlotte says she loves it so far, and Nina says she knew Charlotte would. Charlotte says she can’t believe papa didn’t know the book, and Nina says it’s on them to keep him educated. She takes the book, and says, her turn. She reads, and Charlotte says, thosepoor girls. She doesn’t know what she‘d do without her papa. Valentin says she doesn’t have to worry about that.
Nikolas calls Hayden. He says he needs to see her tomorrow. Don’t say a word to Jax. This is between them. It’s urgent. Everything has changed.
On Monday, TJ tells Stella that he’s going to propose to Molly. Neil asks Alexis what she and Kendra work on, and Trina asks if Dev is Sonny’s cousin or not.
Because it’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood, some quotes from Fred Rogers – Mr. Rogers to you.
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
Knowing that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people.
How sad it is that we give up on people who are just like us.
I think of discipline as the continual everyday process of helping a child learn self-discipline.
Parents are like shuttles on a loom. They join the threads of the past with threads of the future and leave their own bright patterns as they go.
And because it can’t all be sunshine and rainbows.
Honey, her wig is desperate. – NeNe Leakes, Real Housewives of Atlanta
Nothing ruins a beach picnic like a fatality. – Kate Chastain, Below Deck
🌠 I Wish…
I’ll spare you the songs from Oliver! that are somehow stuck in my head. See you when Alexandria and Oceanside meet.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Alexis calls Sonny from Charlie’s. She asks where Kristina is, and when can she see her? Sonny says, she’s safe. When Jason got her, she was still knocked out by whatever they gave her. Alexis says, so much for DOD being the only people she can trust. Sonny hopes Kristina sees it that way. Alexis tells him to keep her posted. Julian comes by, and asks if she’s okay. She says she’s had better days. There’s a lot at stake. He asks if she’s referring to Kristina. She just bailed on work.
Jason looks at the text he just sent from Kristina’s phone. She wakes up, and he tells her, everything is okay. She’s fine. She asks, what happened? He says she was in a bad place, and he took her out.
Still in bed, Chase sees Willow’s tattoo. She says it doesn’t bother her anymore, but he says it bothers him. It’s like Shiloh branded her. She used to look at it that way, but now it’s just a tattoo. She’s free. They kiss. He asks if she knows what he wishes, and she says, that he could kiss it and make it better? He says, something like that, and she says he’s welcome to try.
Harmony asks Shiloh if he’s heard from Kristina. He says she hasn’t called, and his calls are going to voicemail. He has Daisy out looking for her. Harmony says maybe Kristina isn’t as devoted as he thought, but he insists, she is. He made sure of that. Sam walks in, and says she’s kind of embarrassed about last night. Shiloh says she had a moment, and moved through it. Instead of calling Jason, she reached out to him. Harmony asks if she’s spoken to Kristina this morning.
At the hospital, Sonny asks Josslyn how Oscar is doing. She says she and Carly are waiting for him to wake up. Sonny asks her to get something to eat for Carly at the cafeteria, and for herself. She needs to gain strength. When she’s gone, he asks Carly if there’s been an update in Oscar’s prognosis. Carly says he’s been taken off the ventilator. He can breathe on his own, but they don’t know if he’ll ever wake up.
Terry tells Drew and Kim, all they can do is keep Oscar comfortable and wait. The machine dings, and Kim asks if Oscar can hear her. He says, hi, and Terry tells him that they took the tube out, and it will be a while before his voice comes back. Don’t worry. Drew says Josslyn is outside, and asks if he should get her. Terry says she’d like a minute alone with Oscar. She wants to examine him, and run some simple tests without any distractions, happy though they may be. Kim tells Oscar that she loves him, and kisses his forehead.
Josslyn gives Carly a smoothie, and asks if there’s any chance she can see Oscar. Drew says, a pretty big one; he’s awake. Kim adds that he’s breathing on his own. Drew tells her about the tube, and says he can’t speak, but the good news is, he can’t cut her off. Josslyn says she’ll take full advantage of that. Drew tells her that she can’t go in just yet. Terry is running some tests. Kim leaves to call Julian, and Sonny says he’s going; they’re in his prayers. Carly says she’ll keep him posted. Josslyn tells Carly, it’s notover yet. She gets to see and talk to him again, and he can talk to her. Carly hugs her.
Willow asks Chase if it’s okay that she spent the night. She’s not sure about the etiquette. This is her first relationship. She asks if it’s too soon to call it that, but Chase says he definitely considers it a relationship. He’s happy she spent the night, and hopes there are many more. She says her too, and they kiss.
Julian tells Alexis that Oscar is finally awake, and he’s going to head over there. Molly comes in, and says she’s glad Alexis is there. Alexis is surprised, considering the location. Molly says it’s Kristina’s shift, and she was hoping for a truce. At least maybe they can agree to disagree about DOD. Alexis says Julian told her that Kristina isn’t coming in. She didn’t say why. Molly asks if Alexis has seen her, but Alexis says, nope. Kristina has ghosted her too. She’d love stay and chat, but she has a meeting. She tells Molly not to worry. Her sister will show up.
Sam tells Harmony that she hasn’t heard from Kristina, but she wasn’t expecting to. She asks if something is wrong, but Shiloh thinks they just got their wires crossed; it happens sometimes. Harmony asks Sam how Kristina seemed yesterday, and Sam says, great; the best she’s seen Kristina in a long time. She seemed happy and at peace. Why? Shiloh says he does a check-in every morning, and she missed it. It’s a first. Sam laughs, and says Kristina isn’t known for following rules. Shiloh says she’s been reliable, and Sam says, everyone has an off day. She wouldn’t worry. She’s sure Kristina will turn up.
Jason gives Kristina some water. She asks, what is this place? and he says, it’s a property. She says, a safehouse? Why is she there? She says, omg. She was at DOD for her ceremony. He says, it never happened, and she asks what he did. He says he let himself in. She was in the attic, and he carried her out. She says he had no right. This is her choice. Shiloh honored her. Did Shiloh know he was there? He says, no, and she says Shiloh just thinks she ran off after he chose her. How could Jason do that to her?
Terry tells Drew and Kim that Oscar is sleeping; it’s normal. Josslyn wants to sit with him, but Drew says she needs to prepare herself. This last seizure took its toll. She tells him not to worry. She can handle anything. She leaves, and Terry says she believes her. Carly steps away to give them privacy, and Terry tells Drew and Kim that Monica asked to be included. They all leave to go somewhere more private.
Jason tells Kristina that she can’t leave. She asks if she’s a prisoner. He says Max and Milo are outside, and tells her to be mad at him, not them. He can’t let her go. She says he violated her rights, agency, and free will. He’s acting superior, and kidnapped her because he’s jealous of Shiloh. Sam sees the truth. Shiloh is enlightened, and he’s on a path to nowhere. He asks if she wants breakfast, and she says the only thing she wants is her freedom. He’s known her for her entire life. She thought he was the only person who would be fair to her. He says if it had been up to him, he would have taken her out weeks ago. She says he can’t do this; he has to let her go. He says she’s right about one thing. He’s known her for her entire life, and whenever possible, he’s kept her safe. Does she think he’d stop now? She scowls at him.
Michael comes by Chase’s apartment. Does no one call ahead? He was thinking about Willow told them regarding DOD. There has to be a way to close Shiloh down. Chase says he has to be careful. He can’t consider anything illegal. Michael wonders if they can’t come up with another sting. Willow comes out, wearing one of Chase’s T-Shirts. Michael says they can discuss it later, but Chase says he’s already there. They’ll think of an out-of-the-box way to trap Shiloh.
Sonny calls Jason, and asks if there were any problems. Jason says, no. Sam got Shiloh away, allowing him time to get Kristina’s phone. He found her in the attic, and carried her out. Sonny asks how he unlocked the phone, and Jason says Kristina gave him the password. She was pretty doped up. She didn’t realize what was happening. He texted Julian from her phone, and said she wasn’t coming in. Sonny says, so as far as Shiloh is concerned, she ran off on her own. He asks how she is now, and Jason says, understandably furious. Sonny walks into the safe house, and Kristina runs to him, crying. He says, it will be all right. She says she knows he thinks he’s trying help her, but he’s doing more harm than good. She thinks she’s better off at DOD. He has to take her back. She cries, and he holds her.
Terry tells Drew and Kim, the growth of the tumor has severely compromised Oscar’s mobility. His right side has been significantly weakened, and she’s concerned he’ll have trouble walking. Josslyn goes in to see Oscar. She takes his hand, and kisses it. Terry wants to make it clear; Oscar will not regain the ground he lost. In her experience, when this stage is reached, it progresses quickly. Oscar smiles, and thanks Josslyn. He says, sorry, and she says she forgives him – this time. Terry says, other than keeping Oscar comfortable, there’s nothing further they can do, medically speaking. Monica guesses it’s time to figure out what they’re going to do.
Monica says she’s made arrangements for Kim and Oscar to stay as long as they need to. They can come today. Kim thanks her, saying it’s generous. Monica says, it’s not generosity; it’s family. Drew says they’ll have to ask Oscar first, and Monica says, ofcourse (🍷); no pressure. He may want to stay in his own room, or go to Mount Kilimanjaro. Drew says, he told her? Monica says, Oscar’s wishes are paramount. Kim guesses the first thing they need to do is talk to Oscar about the end of his life, and ask where he wants to live the rest of his days.
A now-dressed Willow hates to say it again, What Shiloh is doing is wrong, but he doesn’t break any laws. Michael says they need a new angle. What about the money? Willow says, the people who give him money consider it an honor. The more they give, the deeper they move into his Trust. Michael says, it implies coercion. If Kristina stops paying, she’ll be expelled. It’s extortion. Chase says, good luck proving it in court. Michael says they might have no way in, but they have something – Willow.
Sam apologizes to Shiloh again. Last night, she was kind of a mess, but she thinks she made a tiny breakthrough. Shiloh says, it was a significant breakthrough. Molly comes in. She sees Sam, and asks if she’s there to check on Kristina. Shiloh says she must be Molly, and she says, he’s Shiloh. The guy who’s not running a cult. Her sister called in sick. Molly asks if Shiloh can send one of his minions to get her. He says she’s not there, and Molly says she lives there, doesn’t she? If she’s not at work, and not home, where is she? Sam says, she could be anywhere. There are a lot of other options. Molly asks if she’s not worried, and Sam says, not yet. Shiloh explains that Sam is one of his students, and Molly asks if she’s completely lost her mind.
Sonny tells Kristina that she knows he loves her, and because he loves her, he’s keeping her there. He’s keeping her safe, and she’s not going back. Kristina starts yelling, saying, he can’t do this; he has no right. He says he has every right to protect his daughter from a predator. Kristina says Shiloh understands her in a way he never could. Sonny says Shiloh is using her. She wants to talk to her mother. She knows about the law, and he’s breaking it. He says he’s broken worse. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Alexis. Sonny tells Kristina, go ahead. Talk.
Josslyn reads The Wind in the Willows out loud to Oscar, while Drew and Kim watch. Kim tells Josslyn that she’s an entertaining reader. Josslyn says, it helps having a captive audience. Drew asks for parent/son time, and Josslyn says she’ll be outside. Kim says Oscar must be tired. He is, but he doesn’t know why. All he’s been doing is sleeping. Kim tells him that they talked to Terry. The tumor is growing rapidly, which is why he’s not as strong on his right side after the last seizure. As time goes on, he’ll probably have more seizures like this. Oscar, says, okay. He guesses this means he’s finally in the home stretch. This is it. He’s really dying. Kim calls him beautiful boy, and cries, as she touches his face.
Kristina asks if Alexis went along with this. Alexis says it wasn’t her first choice. Kristina says she’s an adult. She’ll press charges, and get Alexis disbarred. Alexis says when she gets out, do that. It will be worth it. Kristina asks why they’re afraid of people who are kind, generous, and loving. Alexis says they behave falsely to lure in impressionable young people. Kristina suggests Alexis just call her stupid, but Alexis says she’s not stupid. There’s a knock at the door, and Kristina asks if everyone was invited to this kidnapping. Someone help her. Sonny opens the door, and Alexis says, Neil. Sonny says they know each other? Alexis says, you could say that. He’s her therapist.
Molly says Sam has fallen for this guy’s act. Sam says she’s investigated Shiloh, and while he has questionable things in his past, everything if legit. Molly tells Shiloh, he is good to get Sam to fall for his act. What it is, is a front. She read his book. It’s derivative, some of it is plagiarized, and the author is a textbook narcissist. Sam tells Shiloh, sorry, but Molly says don’t apologize for her. Good luck with her enlightenment. She walks out, and Sam follows her. She tells Molly to listen to her. Molly says, this place is a cult. They’re getting people to open up about their lives, and she wonders what they’re doing with the information. In the meantime, they’re taking money, and getting in between the followers and their families. Sam says nothing is going to get between her and Kristina. Molly says she’s not losing both sisters to Shiloh. She leaves, and Sam smiles.
Michael says Willow can meet Shiloh in public; she knows his tricks. She asks, then what? Record it? Shiloh is too smart to say anything incriminating. Chase says he’s seen the games Shiloh plays. He finds Shiloh manipulative, creepy, and unsettling – and he carries a weapon. He’ll help if they can come up with a decent plan that won’t put Willow near that guy. Michael says, what if she didn’t have to go near Shiloh?
Josslyn tells Carly that she can’t believe Oscar never read The Wind in the Willows when he was a kid. Carly says she didn’t either. Jax got it for Josslyn because his mom read it to him. Josslyn knows Oscar will love it; it’s an awesome book. Carly missed out. Monica approaches, saying Drew and Kim wanted them to have an update. The tumor is progressing. They’re going to keep Oscar as comfortable as possible, and hopefully he’ll have a few more alert days. Josslyn says, days. Monica says, the time is very short, and Josslyn asks if he’ll have to die there. Oscar probably won’t say anything, but it’s not what he wants. Monica says she doesn’t think so either. His parents are talking options as they speak. Carly thanks her. She leaves, and Josslyn says maybe they’ll have time to finish the book. She cries in Carly’s arms.
Michael thinks Kristina might listen if Willow talks to her alone. Willow says, members are taught that doubters are weak and less evolved. Michael says he’s done everything he can. Kristina needs to know the truth, and Willow might be the one person she’ll accept it from.
Kristina says, priceless. Her father accidentally hired her mother’s therapist to deprogram her from an imaginary cult. Nice to meet their accomplice in a federal crime. Alexis says Kristina doesn’t know everything. Neil tells Kristina that she can call him Neil, but she says she’s not doing that. He should cure her parents. They need his services more than she does. They’re keeping her here against her will. Neil says they think she’s in danger, but Kristina says they don’t want her to find peace. Neil says, all goodparents want that for their kids. Kristina doesn’t care what they want. DOD is her new family. Neil asks, how so? and Kristina says she’s not doing this. It’s wasting time. She walks out of the room. Alexis says, please tell her that Kristina isn’t going out the back door, and Sonny says, Max and Milo are outside. There’s no way to get out. Alexis says, so Neil is here, and Neil says, it looks that way. He thought she said it was a bad idea, and she says she did, but Sonny ignored her advice. What a surprise. Sonny asks, what happens next? Neil says this makes his work harder, but Sonny says if Kristina had left on her own, they wouldn’t need him. Neil says he usually works with people who have left on their own, and want to get better. If she returns to DOD, full of rage and betrayal, they’re not likely to see her again.
Carly wishes she could do something to make it easier. Josslyn says, it’s not supposed to be like this. But if loving Oscar means it’s going to hurt, bring it. It’s better than not loving him. Carly says she knows.
Drew tells Josslyn that Kim and Oscar are moving in with the Quartermaines to live as a family. Josslyn is welcome any time, all the time. She thanks him, and goes back in to see Oscar. Julian holds Kim. Drew sits with Monica, and she cries. Josslyn is glad Oscar is awake, and they can still talk. She was afraid she wouldn’t even get that. Oscar says, no way. She takes his hand, and says, one more question. What does he want to do with the rest of his life? She gets in the bed with him, and they cuddle.
Willow says she’d like to help. She can tell Kristina what she knows, but when Shiloh finds out – and he will… Michael says she’s afraid Shiloh will come after her. He understands, but there are two things he’d like her to consider; him and his father. He’s the CEO of ELQ, and has more connections and resources than Shiloh. He can protect her. His father is allegedly the most powerful crime boss, and controls the city. He has a long reach, and would do anything to protect the person who helps his daughter. He thanks her for considering it, and leaves. Chase tells her if she’s worried about provoking Shiloh, or that he might figure out she had his child, don’t do it. Michael is resourceful. He’ll find another way.
Shiloh throws his book across the room. Harmony runs in, and tells him, the cup is gone. She took it. If she shows it to the wrong people… Shiloh says, she’s loyal. Harmony hopes he’s right. If she didn’t take it, someone else did. It could be bad for them. He tells her, go find it. Just find it. And look for Kristina too. She’s too valuable for them to lose.
Jason looks at the cup with the tattoo symbol on it. Sam calls, and asks how Kristina is. He says, she’s pissed. Sonny and her mom are with her. She tells him Molly stopped by DOD, and she told her that she was taking classes there. She was looking for Kristina. Jason asks about Shiloh, and she says he asked about Kristina, but she acted casual. She thinks he believes Kristina left on her own. She told him that Kristina gets like this; she’s a flake. He seemed to buy it. Jason thinks it’s going to take a while to get Kristina to believe Shiloh is not a good guy.
Alexis can’t believe Neil is helping Sonny. Sonny says Kristina was already drugged, and was about to be tattooed and literally screwed. Neil tells them they can’t be arguing. If they need to, they should go outside and get it out of their systems. Kristina is going to work hard to manipulate them, and pit them against each other. They have to show a united front, no matter what throws at them.
Tomorrow, Valentin tells Spencer that the truth always comes out, Ava asks if Jordan thinks Ryan is dead, and Laura asks Finn if he thinks Ryan is dead.
🔎 I Spy…
GH alumni Brytni Sarpy (Valerie Spencer ) in a chip commercial.
✂ Tonight, on Project Runway, the challenge was the future of streetwear. What is that anyway? The same thing as the used vintage stuff I wore when I was in acting school? Kovid was out for a lack of cohesiveness, although I loved his vest with Steampunkish accents. He had also been in the bottom three about fifteen times, even though they were only on episode five. Oddly enough, the guy who’s cried his way through every episode, didn’t shed a tear.
🍵 Let Me Pour You Some Tea…
Despite a rougher year than most of us, Bethenny is looking good. And like Billy Crystal said as RicardoMontalbán (SNL), it is better to look good than to feel good.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 