What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina wakes up on Sonny’s couch, but Sonny’s not around. She calls for him.

Sitting on a yoga mat, Carly tries to be zen in an empty classroom. Ava comes in, and says, namaste.

Valentin and Martin walk into Kelly’s, and see Chase there with Bailey in her stroller.

Austen leads Anna, Felicia, and Maxie to a clearing, and says, this is where he found Maxie in labor. But there wasn’t snow on the ground, and it wasn’t bitterly cold. Felicia says she’s sorry Maxie has to endure all this. How is she holding up? Maxie says, it was quite a shock seeing that cabin again. She has memories of running for her life, trying to get away from that fake nurse. Anna says, always a survivor, then and now. She knows this is going to be hard, but she promises if Maxie will stick with it a bit longer, they’ll get to the point where they know what happened to Louise the night she was taken.

Britt walks into Peter’s room, and he says, what have we here? A morning visit from the Co-Chief of Staff? She thanks him for finally dropping the dear sister routine. It’s been stale since forever. He says she’s obviously lost her edge. She’s given in to propriety rather than embracing their father’s propensity for taking what he wanted. She says, following in his footsteps has really worked out well for Peter. He’s facing a myriad of charges in various jurisdictions, and now he’s going back to the place where he was poisoned. He’s king of the world.

Josslyn lets Cameron, Esme, Spencer, and Trina into the cabin, and says, here it is. Spencer says, wow, and Trina says, the mountain is so close, and runs to the window. Cameron says he can’t wait to hit the slopes. They got some nice dry powder last night. Josslyn says they can head out as soon as they unload the car.

Sonny says, hey, surprised Nina is there, and she says she was just going to the guardhouse to tell them he was missing. He says he shoveled the way to the treehouse. That way Donna and Avery can have a picnic. She says, it’s a little cold for a picnic, but he says, no, it’s fun. They can drink hot chocolate. He was thinking of running an electrical cord all the way to the treehouse. They could have heat and electricity, and maybe insulation all year round. Can she imagine? Has she ever seen those tiny houses? He goes to his laptop, and she says, he hasn’t slept, has he? He says, no. He doesn’t need to because he feels great.

Trina and Josslyn lug their suitcases into the cabin, and Trina calls to Esme for a hand. Esme says she couldn’t wait to see the rest of the cabin. It’s fantastic. Josslyn and Cam must take the master bedroom; it has the biggest bed. Josslyn says that’s so thoughtful of her, but shouldn’t Esme be getting her two bags out of the car? Esme says, Spence will take care of that, and asks if anyone can build a fire; it’s chilly in here. Spencer comes in with Esme’s bags, and Cameron says he thinks it’s best they don’t leave a fire going while they’re out skiing. Esme says, Spence doesn’t ski since his accident. They can stay in the cabin. She’s sure they’ll manage to find something to do. Spencer says, actually, he was planning on skiing too, and Esme says, since when? He says, since he and Trina talked about it, and he realized how much he missed it. She says, they didn’t bring their skis, but he says, they can rent. Josslyn says, good for him, getting back out there, and he says, Trina’s enthusiasm was contagious. Esme mumbles, like the plague, and Trina says, what was that? Esme says she thinks it’s great. Shall they get changed?

At the hospital, the reception nurse asks if she can help Victor, and he says he hopes so. He found this sonogram on the ground, and he’s sure the parents must be missing it. Unfortunately, the name’s been torn off. She says she can use the patient ID on the back and see who it belongs to, and he says, how fortunate. She says she’ll take care of it right away, and he thinks her.

Peter asks why Britt is here, and she says, to personally inform him that she signed off on his discharge. He’s being released from GH tomorrow, and once again becomes Pentenville’s problem. So… bye-bye. She starts to leave, and he says he can’t be released. He still needs treatment here. She asks if he means for his fabricated back pain. She’s sure his remaining tests will prove that he’s faking. He asks if Maxie knows he’s being transferred, and Britt says, why would she? Maxie’s been very clear that she wants nothing to do with him; that he means nothing to her. He says, he’s Louise’s father. As long as he and Maxie share a child, they’re bound together. Forever. Britt smiles, and leaves.

Anna asks how Maxie is holding up. Has it sparked anything for her? Maxie flashes back to telling Austin, thank God he’s not Peter, and Austin saying, thank God she’s not a bear. Maxie tells Anna, no, nothing. She asks Austin if he’s sure they’re in the right place. The woods look very different in the winter. Austin says, this is the spot. He grew up in these woods. He knows them in every season. He passed that boulder before he ever laid eyes on her. Felicia says, good. Let’s recreate it. Where was Maxie? He points, and says, right there. Anna spreads a blanket, and tells Maxie, have a seat. Try to recreate it as best she can. Maxie kneels on the blanket, and Anna asks how she’s feeling. Maxie says, hurt, scared, helpless… very vulnerable. She was in pain, and she tried to keep running, but she couldn’t because of the contractions. Felicia says she’s sorry to make Maxie relive it, but keep going. Maxie says, there was this light. She thought it was Peter; she thought he’d found her somehow. Austin says, but it wasn’t Peter; it was him. He gets in the position he was in that night, and says, he introduced himself. Remember? He holds out his hand, and Maxie flashes back to them introducing themselves. She says she does. She was so happy to see him. She thought she was going to have to give birth all alone. Felicia says she thanks God Austin was there for Maxie, and Austin says, so does he.

Valentin says, may I? and Chase says, of course (🍷). Valentin peeks in at Bailey, and says she’s grown since he last saw her. Chase says he imagines so, and Valentin asks if she’s on solid food. Chase says, she just started. She loves bananas. Valentin says, Charlotte did too. Excuse him. He goes back to his table, and Chase tells Bailey, that went well, considering.

Sonny says, he told Nina last night she could stay or she could go, and she can go now if she needs to. She says he needs to sleep, but he says he’s not tired. She asks when was the last time he ate something, and he says he doesn’t know. When was the last time she ate something? She suggests she make them something to eat, but he says he has to get these tiny houses. What about a contractor? What does she think? She says he can do that after they eat something, but he says he’s not hungry. Stop telling him what to do. He put up with her last night because she stayed out of his way. Just go. He doesn’t even want to look at this now. He sets the laptop aside, and leaves the room.

Ava asks if Carly took the morning off, and Carly says, yes. Ava says, her too, and Carly tells Ava that her mom said this was a great class. She’s just trying to clear her mind. Ava says, mind if I join you? and sits down. She asks, how are things? She knows Carly’s been staying at the MetroCourt, and Carly tells Ava that she doesn’t have to say it in a hushed voice; it’s not a secret. She’s okay. She’s just trying to practice some self-care. Ava says, that’s good. She imagines it’s Sonny, of course (🍷), but she’s ready, willing, and able to take Avery at any time. Carly says, Ava can discuss that with Sonny, but she doesn’t want Ava to worry. She’s there every morning and every night. She doesn’t want the girls to notice an interruption in their routine. Ava thanks her, and says maybe Carly won’t have to do this much longer. How was Avery this morning? Carly says, great, so happy after her sleepover with Carly’s mom. Ava says, Avery was with Bobbie? when Brook comes in. Brook says, look at us. All three of us here, early, together. Yoga can feel so peaceful. Ava says, if Avery needs a change, Avery can stay with her. Or doesn’t that even occur to Carly? Brook says, or not.

On the phone, Britt asks, what’s going on? and Nina says, she spent the night at Sonny’s. Britt says, okay… Good for you? Nina says, it’s not like that. Sonny has been acting really strange, and she didn’t want him to be alone last night. She called Phyllis, but Phyllis hasn’t called back. She thinks Sonny is off his bipolar meds. Britt asks if he’s having a manic episode, and Nina says, he won’t eat, he doesn’t want to sleep, and he almost gave himself frostbite shoveling his backyard without gloves. She needs Britt’s help. She needs medical advice. What should she do? She’s out of her depth here, but she knows this is bad. Britt says, Nina needs to convince Sonny to go see his doctor and get back on his meds, and Nina says, okay, but he’s not going to be open to that. Britt says she has to at least try, and it’s very important not to argue with him. Nina says, it’s a little too late for that. They argued about him eating, and he stormed out. Britt says, okay, but moving forward, Nina needs to try and keep Sonny as calm as possible, and do not engage in any grandiose ideas or proclamations. Nina says, it’s like Britt is checking all the boxes, and it’s exactly where they’re at. If she tries her best to keep him calm, what does she do if that doesn’t work? Britt says, in all honesty, it might not. People experiencing mania feel good. They feel energized like they could take on the world. Sonny probably doesn’t feel like there is anything wrong. That’s why the first step is getting him to acknowledge he’s having an episode. Nina says she’ll try to do that, and Britt says, what about family? She’s sure they know how to deal with him in this state. Nina says, he doesn’t want his kids to see him like this, and he flat out forbade her to call Carly last night. Britt says, Nina does not want to handle Sonny alone. She has to be careful. People in the grips of mania can lash out and become violent. She needs to call one of Sonny’s minions, and get the hell out of there.

Carly asks if Ava is going to start a fight with her because Avery had a sleepover with her grandmother, and Ava says, Bobbie is not Avery’s grandmother because Carly isn’t Avery’s mother. Carly asks what the hell is wrong with Ava? Ava brought Avery to her when she thought she was leaving Port Charles. Does Ava remember that? Sonny was gone, and Ava trusted her. She’s not trying to take Ava’s place, but she does love Avery as her own, and her mother loves Avery like a grandchild, so what is wrong with Avery having as much love as possible? Brook suggests they all take some cleansing deep breaths, and Ava says, if Sonny is so distracted by Carly moving out that he can’t take care of their daughter, then Avery should be with her, and not pawned off on Bobbie. Carly says, the sleepover had nothing to do with Sonny. Her mom wanted the girls over because she wanted a distraction after Luke’s memorial. Maybe that would have dawned on Ava if she could think of someone else besides herself. Ava says, oh. Well, she probably overreacted. Brook says, ya think? and Ava says she just admitted she was wrong. She just doesn’t want Avery mixed up in Sonny and Carly’s drama. Carly says, Ava is going to talk about drama with her on again, off again relationship with Nikolas? Ava holds up the hand wearing her wedding ring, and says her relationship with Nikolas is solid. From what she hears, Carly is the one on thin ice, so she might want to tread carefully. Because if things don’t work out for her this time, Sonny has somebody else to turn to.

Josslyn asks if Cameron is all set, and he says, this place is awesome. She says, it is, although she kind of wishes they were here alone, or at least without Esme. He says, a weekend alone with her would be nice, and she says, next time. They kiss, and he says, he has everything for tonight. If they decide that they’re ready. She asks if they didn’t decide that already, but he says, if she changes her mind, it’s all good; whatever feels right. She says, whatever feels right for us. And she trusts him. She wants her first time to be with him, and he says he feels the same way. She says, then tonight’s the night, and they kiss some more.

A man comes out, and asks the reception nurse for a blanket for his aunt. She’s been asking for one for some time, and he thinks the request got lost in the shift change. She says, she’s sorry; she’ll get him one. She tells Victor that she’ll be right back, and leaves. Because GH has the worst security in the world, Victor goes behind the desk to look at the computer screen. Britt asks what he thinks he’s doing.

Martin tells Valentin that he’s sorry. It must be difficult seeing Chase with Bailey. Valentin says, it is, but he seems to love her, so that’s good. Martin says, that reminds him. There’s something he’s been meaning to bring up regarding Bailey, but Valentin says, don’t. Brook’s ELQ shares are signed over to him, and Bailey’s with her rightful parents. There’s nothing further to discuss on the matter. Martin says, except for the fact, Valentin is still legally her father.

Anna says, when Austin was on his hike, did he see or hear any cars or vehicles? He says, no, and she says, as he delivered Louise, did he get the feeling there was someone else nearby? Or did he hear any footsteps? He says, no. Maxie was very upset because the baby didn’t make any noise, but then Louise was okay. Maxie says, right. She was relieved when she heard Louise cry, just like when James was born on the side of the road. Then she thought, this is crazy. Why can’t she just do this in a hospital? Austin says, from what he remembers, Maxie didn’t want to go to the hospital. He flashes back to Maxie saying he can’t do that; Peter will find them. He asks if he shouldn’t call the police, but she says, no. She just has to get to Beecher’s Corners. In the present, Maxie says, she was concerned Peter was going to find her and Louise after he hired that nurse to kidnap them. Anna asks, how and when did she show up? and Maxie flashes back to Austin saying she can do whatever she wants after they swing by the hospital. He’s going to call an ambulance. She tells Anna, Austin was right next to her when fake Chloe came up behind him and attacked him. Austin says he doesn’t remember being attacked, and Felicia says, it’s common with head injuries. Austin says, it is, but it’s frustrating. It’s like he can almost remember, then he hits a wall. Anna asks what the nurse did next, and Maxie says, it all happened so fast. She got up, and fake Chloe grabbed Louise. We see Maxie running through the woods, and she tells Anna, she tried to hold on; she tried to fight her. But she was weak, and fake Chloe took Louise from her. We see her stopping to look behind her, and Maxie says, she tried to run after her, but passed out. When she came to, fake Chloe was gone with Louise. They must have met her in the woods, and she handed Louise off. Anna asks if Maxie heard anybody nearby. Did she hear anyone in the woods? Did this woman talk about meeting someone? Maxie says, no. She just said she wanted to keep Louise for herself. She flashes back to telling Louise that she’s going with her Auntie Brook now, and handing Louise to Brook. She tells Anna, she just remembers she grabbed Austin’s cell phone and called 9-1-1. That’s when Austin woke up. Anna asks if Austin remembers anything, and he says, someone else was here. Someone else was here with them.

Victor says, Britt caught him. He was just looking for information on Peter August. She says, he knows they can’t give out patient information, and he says the nurse told him. He must say, she runs a tight ship. How are you feeling, Britt? She says, she’s fine, and it’s Dr. Westbourne to him. He says he does apologize. Liesl spoke so highly of her, he feels like he knows her. She says, stay away from her mother. He should be in prison for her kidnapping. The WSB should have never given him the deal he finagled. He says, it’s a slight misunderstanding that’s been cleared up since. He’s so glad she’s not experiencing symptoms yet. She says she has no idea what he means, and he says, Huntington’s. It’s such a horrible disease.

Trina asks Josslyn, where is everyone? and Josslyn says, Cam is grabbing snacks before they head out, and Esme and Spencer are probably coordinating their ski wear. Trina wonders how they get anywhere when it takes them so long to get ready, and Spencer comes out, saying, it takes time to look this good. Josslyn says, wow. Maybe focus more on the incline, and less on his fashion statement. Esme says, Joss is right. He needs to take it slow. He says, the bright side, if he does break both his legs again, maybe he can postpone going to Spring Ridge a while longer. The three girls say, that’s not funny, and Cameron comes out. He says, all right; let’s go outside. Josslyn tells them to lock the door, and Spencer tells Esme that he’s really glad they get a chance to ski together, and not just sit by the fire. She says she’s so happy Trina convinced him to ski again. She’ll have to pay Trina back.

Valentin says, Brook hasn’t amended Bailey’s birth certificate? and Martin says, nope. He hasn’t received notification that Valentin’s name’s been removed, so as far as the court is concerned, legally, Valentin is still responsible for Bailey as her father. Valentin says, excuse him, goes to Chase’s table, and sits down. He asks why Chase and Brook haven’t changed Bailey’s birth certificate.   

Maxie says, Austin must be remembering fake Chloe, but he says he doesn’t think so. He doesn’t know why he feels that way, but he doesn’t think so. Anna suggests closing his eyes, and trying to remember, but Maxie says, he was knocked unconscious. He’s not going to remember anything. Felicia says, this could be a breakthrough, and Austin remembers hearing Maxie say, just take her. If she says goodbye to her, she won’t be able to let her go. Austin says, there were two voices, and Maxie says, her and fake Chloe. She was yelling at her to leave Louise alone. Austin says he doesn’t think so. The tone was more conversational. Felicia says, the person who took Louise was in this clearing.

Brook says, that’s enough. Ava crossed the line. Ava says, it doesn’t concern Brook, but Brook says perhaps Ava is unfamiliar with the traditions and social mores of Bensonhurst. Family sticks up for family. She’s not going to sit around while Ava insults her Uncle Sonny and his wife. Carly thanks her, but says she’s been dealing with Ava’s BS for years. The custody agreement is between Ava and Sonny, just like it always was. If Ava has a problem with the current agreement, have her lawyer call Diane. Meanwhile, she can assure Ava that she and Sonny aren’t going to let their issues affect the girls, a concept that’s seemingly foreign to Ava. Ava says, this is what she gets for expressing concern for Carly, and Brook asks if Ava means sticking her nose in other people’s business. Ava says she thinks she’ll take the next class, and leaves. Brook asks Carly if everything is okay, and Carly says, she’s used to Ava’s shenanigans. They don’t get to her. Brook says she means the big picture. Are things really that bad with Carly and Sonny?  

Nina finds Sonny in the foyer, and asks where he’s going, and he says he found some plans for the treehouse; the tiny house is too big. So he’s just going to get a heater and some electricity, so the girls can have fun. Nina says, how nice. Can he just wait a minute? She’d love to talk to him. He says, about what? and she says she’d love to know more about bipolar disorder. He tells her, stop it with this bipolar. What does she want? She says, she doesn’t want anything. If she’s making mistakes here, she’s so sorry, but she woudn’t make them if she understood a little more. He says he has to go, but she says, it will just take a minute. He says, she wants him to tell her what it’s like? and she says, yeah. He says, okay. It’s like, you have thoughts just zipping around in your head. Like you’re in a nightmare and can’t wake up. You see people are there, but they’re not there. Then you’re exhausted, but you can’t go to sleep. But that’s not happening now. She asks if he’s sure, and tries to stop him, but he grabs her wrists, and says, don’t push him. She says, he’s hurting her, and he lets go, saying, he’s sorry.

Brook says, Carly moved out? and Carly says, she moved to the MetroCourt, but it’s convenient, since she owns the place. Brook asks if  things are that bad, and Carly says she just needed a little time and space; don’t worry about it. Brook says she is worried. Carly and Sonny have always been so good together. They’ve always each other’s backs. Carly says, they did, and Brook says, but not anymore?

Sonny says he didn’t mean to grab Nina that hard. He doesn’t hurt women. She says, of course (🍷) he doesn’t, which proves he’s not himself right now. He asks if she’s okay, and says he can get her some ice. She says she’s fine, and he says he didn’t mean to hurt her. He just wanted her to leave him alone. She says she can’t do that when he needs help, and he says she’s not afraid of him, is she? She says she’s afraid for him. He says, you know what? Maybe she’s right, because he’s feeling – he wipes some tears away – a little tired, but… She says, his meds help him with that, right? Where is it? He says he’s out, and sits down. She sits next to him and says, okay, then why don’t they go to GH? He can talk to his doctor, and get him to refill the prescription. He says, Dr. Sullivan? and she says, yes, Dr. Sullivan. She asks him to please call his doctor, and he nods, still crying. He puts his head on her shoulder.

Britt asks why Victor mentioned Huntington’s, and he says he quite understands why she wants to keep the diagnosis quiet. It could undermine her position if it got out she had a degenerative disease. She says she has no such thing, and he says, playing it cool. He likes that. Just like her mother. If it weren’t the case, why would Liesl rush off to a conference on that very subject? She says, the conference wasn’t even real. It was bait to get her on a plane, so Victor could kidnap her. He says, Liesl thought it was legitimate. Perhaps she went not so much as a doctor, but more as a concerned mother. Britt says she doesn’t have time for his fantasies, so she repeats; stay away from her mother. And while he’s at it, stay away from her.

Chase says Valentin’s got him at a loss, He didn’t realize Brook hadn’t changed the birth certificate yet. He’ll be sure to mention it to her. Valentin says, Chase’s cavalier attitude is disconcerting. Legally, he’s still Bailey’s father, with all the privileges and responsibilities attached. Chase says he’s sure Brook started the process, but it just hasn’t gone through yet. He thanks Valentin for bringing it to his attention, and Valentin goes back to his table. Martin says, no bloodshed. Kudos to him. Valentin asks if it’s a complicated process to change the father’s name on a baby’s birth certificate. Martin says, all Brook has to do is notarized and file the proper form, along  with proof of paternity, and Valentin says, unless of course (🍷), there is no proof Chase is Bailey’s father.

Britt opens an examining room for Sonny, and Nina brings him in. Britt says, Dr. Sullivan won’t be long, and Sonny says, that’s what the doctor told him. He takes off his jacket, and says he wishes Nina hadn’t involved Britt in this, but Nina says, Britt is a brilliant doctor, and will protect his privacy. Britt says, everything that happens here is confidential, and Sonny asks if Nina wants to go, but she says she’s happy to stay until Dr. Sullivan gets here. He says he doesn’t need a babysitter, and Britt says she’ll give them a minute. She leaves, and Nina says she understands, but just wants to make sure Sonny is okay. He says, he’s fine, and she says, okay. She starts to leave, but he calls her back. He asks how her wrist is, and she says, it’s fine; he didn’t injure her. He says he grabbed it hard, and felt bad. He thanks her for caring, she nods, and leaves.

On the phone, Ava says she heard Aver had a sleepover last night. Was it fun?… Good… Yum. She knows how much Avery loves waffles… Yes, tomorrow is the day. Nothing is going to stop her from seeing Avery… She wants Avery to know that she can call whenever, any time she feels like it… Okay. She loves Avery very much.  

The kids come back from skiing, and Cameron says he’s bummed that the ice cut their time. He would have loved one more run. Josslyn says, it was getting pretty slick, and Spencer says, Trina had no problem; she shredded that slope. Trina says, it’s just that she was going so fast, and he was going, sooo slooow. Spencer says, it was his first time on skis in years, and Esme says she’s proud of him, and kisses him. He says, and might he remind them, it was icy out there, and that’s why Trina was going fast. He had controlled velocity. Trina says, emphasis on controlled, and Esme says, that’s one reasons it’s good for them to stay overnight – she looks at Spencer – one of them anyway. Josslyn says she wants to get out of her wet clothes, and Esme says, her too. Cameron says, he’ll start a fire. Don’t worry; he knows how. Esme asks if Spencer is coming, and he says, in a minute. The girls leave, and Spencer tells Cameron, tonight’s the night, but Cameron says, he’s not doing this; change the subject. Spencer says, that’s cool. The only reason he’s inquiring is that he wants to make sure Cameron is prepared. He has extra condoms if Cameron needs them. Cameron says he doesn’t, but thanks Spencer. Spencer says, nobody wants any last minute surprises.

Victor walks down a hospital corridor on the phone. He says, yes?… He stops walking. It’s confirmed?… None of them… Good. Well done.  

Austin says he knows there’s something. It’s right there, but then he can’t remember it. Anna tells him to take a deep breath. Were the voices male, female, both? He says, they were both female, and Maxie wonders if it’s a true memory. He never mentioned another person. Felicia says, that’s precisely why they came back here, to see if it would spark anything. Anna says she has no service, and Austin says, it’s spotty here, and tells her to keep climbing. Anna walks off, and Maxie says she’s freezing; can they just go? Felicia wants to touch base with Anna first, and suggests Maxie go back to the cabin and get warm. Maxie says, good idea, and Austin remembers hearing Maxie say, it was your idea to begin with. Maxie asks if he’s coming, and he says, it was her. Maxie says, she’s cold, and he says he remembers. She was one of the women he heard talking, not yelling, talking. Who was she talking to?

Victor walks into Peter’s room, and Peter asks, where’s the guard? Victor says, taking a well-timed coffee break. Peter says, Victor should know, he’s being transferred back to Pentenville tomorrow. Victor says, then it’s fortunate he stopped by, and Peter says, what Victor should be doing is trying to find Peter’s daughter. He’d better act fast if he wants Peter to tell him what he wants to know. Victor says, no need. He just received a very interesting phone call. He’s here to hold up his end of the bargain.

Chase tells Bailey, it looks like he and mommy need to have a little conversation, but don’t worry. They’ll get it figured out. He promises to look out for her, no matter what. He jets, and Valentin tells Martin, they certainly left in a hurry. Martin asks what Valentin meant earlier. Why would there be no proof Chase is Bailey’s father? Valentin says, for the same reason there was no proof he was. He took Brook at her word. Chase said he took a DNA test, and he took Chase at his word. Shame on him. Martin says, after everything that’s happened, he doesn’t believe Chase is Bailey’s father? Valentin says, some men might not care that another man is the legal father on their child’s birth certificate, but by the book, upstanding Detective Harrison Chase would care. Unless it’s a fabrication, and Chase knows about it. Martin says, so Brook lied about her child’s paternity a second time. Why? Valentin says, why not? She’s a proven liar. The real question is, why would Chase go along with the lie?

Spencer sits next to Trina on the couch, and asks, when did a skateboard without wheels become a legitimate winter sport? Snowboarding has eleven Winter Olympic events; Skiing only has five. That is outrageous. Trina says, snowboarding requires balance, whereas in skiing, you use two poles to hold you upright. Esme comes in, and says she made hot toddies for everyone. Spencer says he’ll help her, but she says she’s got it; keep talking amongst themselves. Cameron says he was thinking of trying some snowboarding tomorrow. What does Josslyn think? She says, cool. She and Trina snowboarded a couple of times. It’s actually safer than skiing. Esme stands around the hot toddies, a plastic baggie in her hand. Spencer says, maybe he’ll give it a try, and Trina asks if he’s crossing over into the dark side. No one notices Esme lurking around the cups. Or her looking over her shoulder to see if they’re looking.

Britt says she’s glad Sonny decided to refill his meds, and he says, make sure to keep her mouth quiet. She laughs, and says, don’t worry. He doesn’t want his family to know he went off his meds, they won’t hear it from her.

Nina walks into yoga class, and says she had no idea Carly would be here. Carly asks if this is the part where she says she doesn’t want any trouble, and turns around and runs the other way? Nina says she’s not doing that anymore, but since they’re both here, she has something to say. Carly gets up, and says, great. So does she.

Tomorrow, Maxie says she’ll tell what really happened, Valentin tells Martin that the debt will be paid, Nina says Carly needs to hear her out, and Brando tells Sonny that he needs help.

Vanderpump Rules – The Reunion – Part Two

Andy asked Sandoval, what about Katie’s involvement in the new bar upset him, and Sandoval said they’d were trying to open a business, and were so stressed. Katie started talking, but Schwartz tried to stop her. She said she had a vested interest in Schwartz’s business venture. God forbid something should happen to Schwartz; she’d inherit his debt. She said she genuinely cared, and was excited for them, and Raquel apologized for what she’d said about Katie on Watch What Happens Live. We saw the clip, and Raquel had said Katie should butt out. She thought Katie was bored with her life, and that’s why she was interested in the new bar. Raquel said her mom called to explain that when you married someone, you were in a business relationship. Whatever business your partner was in technically, it was a 50/50 partnership, and Katie was entitled to her say in Schwartz’s 50%. Lisa said, that’s why you were entitled to half in a divorce, and Ariana thought it was bullsh*t. Lala said, Ariana wasn’t married, and Scheana said Ariana and Tom saw it as a piece of paper, and were just as married. Andy asked what the status of Katie’s involvement was now, because he apparently wasn’t paying attention this season. Schwartz said Katie and Sandoval never had good work energy, but he’d seen Katie was fired up about the new place. He got caught off-guard, and in the end, it didn’t work. Andy said, moving on to Raquel’s nose.

We flashed back to Raquel’s nose job woes, and Raquel said she’d felt the tip was bulbous and too big for her petite face. She wanted her features to match her face. Andy asked if she was happy with it now, and she said it wasn’t the way she’d imagined, but she’d come to terms with it. Andy asked James about his comment that, if something went wrong, he’d be the one who had to look at it. James claimed he was only trying to say, don’t make a beautiful thing less beautiful, and Andy told him, saying she was beautiful as is might have been a better way to say it, like James didn’t know that, and James said, if he could, he’d take it back. Andy asked Charli what gave her the idea for Toes for Nose, to raise money for Raquel’s nose job, and Charli said she always loves a fundraiser. Andy asked why Lisa bought the feet pics, and Lisa said she didn’t want to see them fail. Andy doubled back, and brought up James saying that Raquel would leave him if he lost his looks, and there was a big unnecessary discussion about that.

During the break, Charli told Raquel that she was strong, and doing a good job. Andy came back with the topic of Scheana’s love life. He said she and Brock had met at a music festival, and she was wooed by his accent and his dirty dancing move. (Just one?) He asked if Brock had seen the show before he met Scheana, but Brock said he hadn’t; he just thought she was hot. Andy said Scheana had admitted a green card would be a bonus if Brock married her, and asked how much time he had left on his visa. Brock said he had two years on his business visa, and Lisa said she’d had to invest $700K for hers. He said he’d put up his gym as collateral, and a green card meant freedom. Andy said Brock claimed he’d come to the states so he could support his family, but then didn’t pay support. Brock said, when he left, he and his ex had an agreement about him sending her money, but not a required child support . When they began to argue about his access to the children, communication stopped, and she got government support. As soon as he was contacted, he began to make payments; he’d been paying since 2018. Charli suggested he take a bartending job at SUR, and Andy asked about him not seeing the children. He said he had to prove he was a changed man, and he hadn’t done it to his ex’s satisfaction yet. Scheana said he hadn’t totally caught up, and until he was, he woudn’t have access. We saw Lala pretending to snooze, and Andy asked about the restraining order. Brock said, he and his ex had an argument, he slapped her, and six months later, she dropped the order on him. Lala said he misrepresented himself, and Brock said he’d been vulnerable with Lala, telling her about it, and she’d used it against him. She said him minimizing domestic violence was triggering for her. Andy asked Raquel about being adopted, and Raquel said her biological mom was her adoptive mom’s sister. They weren’t that close, but she’d never thought of her adoptive mom as anything other than her real mom. Her dad was coming tonight to help her pack, and she’d be staying with her sister Kate until she found her own place. James said he never felt that Raquel’s family accepted, loved, or wanted him to marry Raquel. We saw a clip of Raquel’s dad talking to Lisa, saying, he didn’t want his daughter to marry an alcoholic, and he had a shallow grave he could put James in. Andy asked Raquel what her family was concerned about, and we flashed back to the insane side of James. Raquel said the way he reacted and his temper. James said, even last Thanksgiving, Raquel’s dad sat next to him, drank a bottle wine, then had a go at him. He was offended James hadn’t worn the hiking boots he’d gotten for James. After all the work James had put in, he was upset about the boots. James said he tried his best to make it work. Lisa asked, what about Grandma Buttons? and Raquel said, Grandma Buttons loves James. And it was obvious everyone loved Grandma Buttons. Seriously though, how could you not love someone called Grandma Buttons?

During the break, Scheana told Brock that she just needed him to be supportive, not ask if she was upset. Andy said Lala hadn’t thought Scheana paid attention to red flags about Brock, but Lala said, clearly, she was no expert, and Andy presented a montage of what was not playing so great in Lala’s rearview mirror, mostly Lala saying what a stand-up guy Randall is and how he’d never play her. Lala said she cared for Scheana; Scheana had the most amazing heart, and she felt terrible. Brock had been nothing but a kind and loving partner to Scheana, and she should have focused on her own thing, Brock said it was hard to be angry considering where they are now. In the moment, it did damage and it hurt. Scheana said that Lala hadn’t seemed concerned when she was first dating Brock, and it came up a year and a half and a child later. Lala said she hadn’t known Brock couldn’t see his kids, and Scheana said everyone else did. Brock said Lala was too busy flying around in private jets and hanging out with Machine Gun Kelly. This struck Charli as hysterically funny. Andy said Sandoval had brought up possible rumors about Randall, and we flashed back to that. Lala asked why he wouldn’t come to her, but Sandoval said it didn’t seem like something she wanted to know, and she didn’t want them talking about her personal life. Andy asked what the rumor was, and Sandoval answered vaguely. It sounded like Randall had hit on someone who worked with the boyfriend of a sibling of someone Sandoval knows. Andy asked James about any rumors, no doubt hoping he’d answer more simply, and James said, hotel room stuff; meeting girls. He saw Randall buying drinks for the hottest girls in SUR, and that was after the baby was born. Lala said, not one time did anyone say, this is what your dude is doing. Randall creeping around on her wasn’t brought to her attention. We flashed back to James trying to tell her early on, and Lisa said, everyone had been loyal to Lala by not discussing it on camera behind her back. Agreed. Andy said it was now public that they’d officially split, and asked when Lala noticed signs of trouble. She said, he was never home, telling her it was work related, and on his phone non-f***ing-stop. Katie called her on October 15^th about some pictures that had come out of Randall and two girls. That’s when she knew he wasn’t who she thought he was. They kept cutting to Charli smiling, and I wanted to smack her. Lala started to cry, and said he knew what he was out doing, yet Randall had made her feel safe enough to bring a child into the world, and she felt disgusted. Andy asked what lengths Randall went to, to get Lala to stay, but Lala said there wasn’t much for him to do. She closed off for a week, and stayed in her bedroom with the door locked. Then he decided he needed to go to Miami. We flashed back to Miami Girl, and Ariana said, never let your man go to Miami. Lala said she packed five years of things, and got TF out. Scheana said, on Sandoval’s birthday, Lala had confided to her that she didn’t have a partner like Scheana had in Brock. It was the first time Scheana realized there were any issues. Lala and Randall always put on a front that everything was great. She was queen of that club, so she got it, but her heart broke for Lala. She couldn’t imagine having a child with someone who wasn’t a 50/50 partner. Andy said Lala had called Raquel dumb, and asked how Raquel felt now. Like Raquel is going to be mean. Raquel said she’d never heard any rumors, but wasn’t surprised about the break-up. She knew when Lala started seeing Randall, it was as a mistress (another thing Charli found incredibly amusing) and it seemed like history was repeating itself. Lisa said, sometimes the way you get them is the way you lose them.

Lala said when she and Randall met, he told her that he was separated. They were on the road two months straight. They didn’t come back once, and she wondered what wife would allow her husband to leave for two months, and not come back one time. Brock said, her, and we flashed back to five minutes ago when Lala said Randall was never home. Lala said she didn’t know people rolled that way, and Lisa wondered how she could not know Randall was still living with his wife. Lala said she never even heard him call home, and they were always traveling. Brock said she had a Range Rover and an amazing lifestyle, and was on the outside looking in. Lala got annoyed about his interruption, and asked if she could keep going, She said she believed Randall had led a double life for a long time, and would stop at nothing to make sure his life wasn’t exposed. Brock said when she was in the moment though, it was fun. Lala said when she found out Randall wasn’t what he seemed – and she was still finding out – in her mind, life wasn’t cookie cutter. They were soulmates, and had fallen in love. She didn’t think he’d do that to her. Lisa said a leopard didn’t change its spots, and Lala said, 100%. Her years with Randall were now a lie. Andy said, life changes could be triggering for someone in recovery, and asked how she was doing. Lala told him, she was proud to say she’d never been stronger in her sobriety, and everyone applauded. Andy asked James what he was thinking, and James said he was disgusted with Randall. Randall was f***ing 50, and too old to learn. He had the money, clothes, cars, and house, and Lala at home with the baby. James had put on a smile, but he’d never liked Randall. Ariana asked if this meant they didn’t have to play pickleball, and Schwartz told her not to bring pickleball into it. James said Randall had reached out to him, asking for relationship tips. Lisa said, from him? and James said, from him, equally surprised. Andy thanked Lala for her openness, and said he was sorry for what she was going through.

Andy asked about the sandwich shop, and how Katie felt when Schwartz had partnered with Sandoval. She said they’d talked about it as a future venture, and Schwarz said he’d thought of it as a golden years thing. Ariana said they were looking at other investors, and had some visuals and a logo that should be done today. Lisa said she was tempted to get involved, and Ariana said the door was open. The Randall investment wasn’t going to be happening. Lisa said she didn’t think anyone was taking his phone calls, let alone his money. That would be pretty funny if Randall turned out to be a pariah because of this. Lala said people thought Randall was offering to put in $150K, but he’d approached a friend of Katie’s for half, and was going to split the difference with a partner, so he was really only investing $25K. Ariana said he was borrowing from other people, and Andy said he was selling the investment. Not that it makes him any less of a sleazeball, but I got that Randall wasn’t personally investing all that cash. He did say he had to talk to his partners, so I don’t think this was anything shady.

Andy asked about Brock and Scheana’s impending nuptials, and said most people didn’t get a prenup before they got engaged. Scheana said they knew they were getting married, and already had a baby. They were just getting their ducks in a row. If a surprise wedding happened, they’d be ready. Andy asked Lala about Brock asking for her and Randall’s help with the proposal, and then disappearing when it was time to pay. Lala said she’d loved the idea, but when her assistant asked about the budget, Brock went ghost on them. Brock said, at that point, he’d found out they wanted $20K to rent the movie theater, so he pulled the plug. Lala was stirring the pot with how she was making it come across. Lisa suggested maybe he pay his child support arrears first, and Brock said, 100%, but he wasn’t paying the government in a hurry. Lisa pointed out that it would open the door to his relationship with the kids, and should have been a priority. They  talked some more about how Brock spent his money, but at that point, I no longer cared.

Andy asked why Sandoval initially agreed to marry Brock and Scheana during James and Raquel’s engagement weekend. Figuring it was the last time he could use the joke, Sandoval said he was between a Brock and a hard place. He felt the pain of having things postponed and cancelled, and Ariana said she saw how defeated they were. Andy said if Scheana didn’t want to take away from the party, why did she announce her engagement there. Scheana got all emo, and wondered why she didn’t get to be happy about what happened in her life. She hadn’t wanted to take away from the party, but she did want to tell the people closest to her about something big that happened in her life. Andy asked Katie’s impression of what happened, and she said she was a little toasted. We flashed back to that, and Katie said, after there’d been so much planning and money spent, it was upsetting to have someone hijack the weekend. Scheana said she’d had to tell Lisa, but Lisa disagreed, saying, it wasn’t Scheana’s moment. Scheana whined, didn’t she get to have a happy moment? and Lisa said, it was Raquel and James’s party. Scheana said, but all of them were together, but Lisa wasn’t having it. She said she saw what Scheana did, and Scheana would have been horrified if it had been done to her. Andy thought maybe they should hear from the one person whose opinion mattered – Raquel. No surprise, she was gracious, and said she understood, and heard where Scheana was coming from; she was just surprised. Ariana said Scheana deserved her moment, and Katie said Ariana didn’t understand because engagements and weddings weren’t important to her. Ariana said just because she made a decision in her own life, didn’t mean what her friends went through wasn’t important to her. James said it was a tacky move, and he’d never do that to a friend. He wasn’t that tacky or cheap. Scheana said, nothing happened; they didn’t go thought with it. Lala told James to calm down, and Andy asked where James and Brock’s relationship was. James said he wasn’t holding a grudge, but he stuck by saying how cheap and tacky it was. He was just trying to get through today.  

Andy said, it was the end of the Reunion, and another season. They were going to toast to strong performances with strong cocktails, and a mocktail for James. Sandoval said the cocktail was named for Summer, and was called The Summer’s Eve. Andy asked what was next for Lisa, and she said TomTom was finally in the black, they were opening Paris in Las Vegas, and she was a bloody grandma. Andy said James was at a crossroads. Tomorrow, Raquel was moving out. James said he loved Raquel so much, and was sorry things didn’t work out. He wanted the best for her forever. It was the end of a chapter, but the beginning of the best rest of her life. Andy said it had been Raquel’s lifelong dream to help kids with disabilities. They’d already known Raquel was a wonderful person with a huge heart, and that said everything they needed to know about her. He wished her good luck on her journey. Andy asked about Schwartz and Katie’s plans, and Katie said, open the sandwich shop, be super successful, and have a baby. Andy said, Lala needed to regroup, and asked what was getting her through. No surprise, she said, her baby. She felt grateful, and Andy said she had a lot of support. Andy congratulated Scheana and Brock on their engagement, and asked if they’d set a date. Scheana said, next November. They were hoping the Australian borders would be open by then, and wanted to have the wedding in Bali. Brock said he was stoked. Andy said Ariana and Sandoval had eggs in the freezer, and Ariana said maybe they’d have embryos. Andy asked who got custody of Raquel and James’s dog, and Raquel said it was heartbreaking, but her parents had gotten Graham as a graduation gift for her, and she was taking him. (See below – you decide.)

Once again, Andy said it was the end of a season and Reunion. Cheers. They clinked glasses. Everyone dispersed pretty quickly, Andy stopping James for a hug. James and Raquel talked for a moment, and it sounded like he was going home to say goodbye to the dog before she came with her dad to get her stuff. He told her that if she needed anything, call him. They gave each other a side-hug, and we saw James leave alone. Scheana saw Raquel outside, and told her, whatever she needed from them; they were friends always and forever. Raquel met dad Carey, and told him that she thought it went well. He told her it would all be behind her, and they drove away. It was kind of sad.  

👩🏼‍🎓 Grad Gift Or…

In this article, it says she and James adopted Graham together. It’s possible the parents paid the adoption fee, but I’m wondering why she said the dog was a gift from them. Not that I don’t think she’s the best choice. I’m not so sure James could be responsible enough to take care of a dog.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/raquel-leviss-shares-an-update-on-her-and-james-kennedys-dog-photo

☕️ Slipping Them an Esme…

So it’s tramadol? They give that to dogs for pain after surgery, albeit in smaller doses. I really thought it would be something more formidable.

💎 For the Youngers and Forgetful Oldsters…

All about the Ice Princess.

🚉 Last Train Home…

Come take a break tomorrow for some soap and brands on the Runway. Until then, stay safe, stay calling out injustice, and stay keeping mind, sometimes the way you get them is the way you lose them.