Tag Archives: Walking Dead

September 30, 2022 – Victor Visits Spencer In Prison, Temp Brook, Arisen, He’s Dancin’, Reimagined, New Kitchen, NYC Horror, Dead Return, Explanation, Below Ten Quotes & September

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brook bangs on Chase’s door, and says, open up. She knows he’s in there. He’s got a big… He answers in his boxers, and says, a big what? She squeezes the to-go cup she’s holding, and her drink squirts out the straw and spills over top. And I can’t believe they just did that, even though I’m laughing.

Valentin wakes Anna up, and they speak in French. He kisses down her body.

Victor sits down to visit Spencer. Spencer comes in, looking scruffy and wearing a too big shirt. Victor says, my God, what happened? Excuse me if I think this is the best Spencer has ever looked.

Nikolas approaches Finn at the hospital, and Finn asks how he can help Nikolas. Nikolas says he can start by minding his own damn business. Finn says, which is what he was doing before Nikolas stopped him, and keeps walking, but Nikolas grabs his arm. Finn breaks away, and says, whoa. Nikolas says, Finn’s been talking to his wife about their private matters. That was a big mistake, and it will cost him.

Elizabeth comes to Ava’s room, as Ava is packing to leave. She says she hears Ava’s being discharged, and Ava says, not a moment too soon. She’s grateful for the care she received here of course (🍷), but she’s glad to leave. Elizabeth says she’ll put a rush on the paperwork, and they’ll get Ava out of here. Ava says, there’s something she and Elizabeth need to settle first.

Alexis sees Gregory in the waiting area, and asks if he’s slept at all. He asks, why? Does he look exhausted and bedraggled? She says, they were at The Invader until the wee hours, so she thought he’d slept in, and he says, he knew she’d be pulling a literal all-nighter with the op-ed, so he came back here. He wanted to keep an eye on her friend.

At the MetroCourt, Sonny looks at the headline on his phone: Port Charles’s Spirit Is Stronger Than A Hook. Nina comes along, and asks if he’s okay, hugging him. He says he’s fine; he’s just worried about everybody else. She asks if there’s any word on Diane, and he says, he’s going to check on her at GH later. He asks if she’s seen The Invader, and she says, Alexis took a brave stand, letting that psychopath know that Port Charles is not a community to be messed with. What does he think? He says he thinks she’s doing it because she thinks the attacker is targeting people connected to him, and she says, and he and Alexis have a daughter who happened to see the killer in action. She’s sure he has eyes on both Josslyn and Kristina. He asks, how’s her bodyguard? and she says she’s getting used to it, but she did feel safer having him there last night. She thanks him, and he says he hopes it doesn’t last too long. She asks if he knows who’s behind these attacks.

Glad to see they’ve changed some of the photos in the opening, in particular Ava.

Still in bed, Valentin and Anna kiss. He says he wants to remember all of this, and she says, name three things. He says, being in her bed… She says, that’s one, and he says, being in her bed with her. She says, that’s two, and they’re very general. He says, all he wants to remember is the two of them doing this… always. They begin to get busy, but his phone dings. He asks if she minds, and she takes it from the nightstand, giving it to him. He looks at it, and places it face down on his chest. She asks, what’s wrong?

Victor says he’s worried about Spencer. It looks like he hasn’t eaten since he got here. Spencer says, this is the work of his fellow inmates who go out of their way to make sure that he never has the right clothes. Victor says he was assured Spencer would be protected, and Spencer says he is… physically anyway. Victor says, go on, and Spencer tells him, on his second day here he had a run-in with a guy. He said he wanted to rearrange Spencer’s face. Fortunately, a guard arrived before the he could do that, and that was the end of that. Victor asks, what’s this business with the clothes? and Spencer says, the other inmates know he’s a rich kid who’s under protection from important people, and whose cop friend got him a cushy job, so they find other ways to mess with him, like not having a uniform that fits. Stealing food and supplies he buys from the commissary, and threatening him with all manner of horrible fates. Victor says he’ll speak with the warden, but Spencer says, please don’t. It will only make things worse.

Finn says, if Nikolas is referring to him being with Elizabeth when she told Ava that Nikolas lied about his alibi… Nikolas says, Finn had absolutely no right, and Finn says, Nikolas lying to his wife is none of his concern. By which he means he literally does not care. Nikolas says, why should Finn care? and Finn says he won’t let Nikolas take advantage of Elizabeth. So find someone else to give him a fake alibi. Finn walks away, but Nikolas follows, saying, he gave himself and Elizabeth an alibi, because Elizabeth can’t account for her whereabouts when Ava was attacked. He did what he did to protect her. Finn says, Nikolas was covering his own ass. Him giving Elizabeth an alibi was just working in his favor. Nikolas says he doesn’t care what Finn believes, but does he have any idea the amount of damage he could have caused by telling Ava the truth? It’s like he doesn’t care about Elizabeth at all.

Ava says she just wants to thank Elizabeth for telling the truth about Nikolas’s so-called alibi. She knows Nikolas is one of Elizabeth’s closest friends, and knows it couldn’t have been easy. Elizabeth says she should be grateful Nikolas gave her an alibi, and Ava asks if she thinks he would have if it hadn’t provided him with one as well. Elizabeth says, the Nikolas she grew up with would have done it in a heartbeat, and Ava says, what about the Nikolas as he is now? Elizabeth says, after Ava was attacked, and everything was so uncertain, she did have her doubts about his motives. Ava tells her not to beat herself up about that. None of them were sure about Nikolas. Elizabeth says, exactly. They are now.

Nina says, from what she read the police are hoping Diane makes it through surgery to see if she can identify her attacker, but if Sonny’ s learned something new… He tells her, let’s just say, he’s working on it, and she says she heard Michael went to Pozzulo’s last night. He says, what about it? and she says, did they come to some kind of truce? He says, they just talked about what happened with Brando, and… How’s Sasha? She says, fragile, and he says, and Gladys? She says, Gladys is Gladys. She’s in a lot of pain, but she’s enduring. He says he admires that, and she says, Gladys actually convinced Sasha to start making funeral arrangements for Brando, but Sasha’s credit card was declined. He asks how that’s possible, and she says, because Sasha’s not in control of her finances right now, and it’s still unclear who is. He says, if she’s having financial problems, he’ll do what he has to do to help, and she says, she knows he will, but he doesn’t have to worry about this. She already put her credit card down for the deposit. Sonny says, let Sasha know he’s going to help her, and Nina says, Sasha does know that. Right now, she’s more concerned with Sasha’s state of mind. She’s already carrying so much, and now with this guardianship, Nina doesn’t want this to be the straw that breaks her. He says, Sasha is going to be okay, and she asks how he knows that. He says, because Sasha has her.

Alexis asks how Gregory was able to get updates if he’s not family? and he says, he has a secret weapon. She says, Finn, and he says, Diane’s still in surgery, and she says, still? He tells her, Finn says, sometimes these things can take a while, and she says she hopes that’s all it is, because she needs Diane to be okay. She guesses now they just wait and see how their op ed page pans out, and if it brings the killer out into the light. He asks if she’s eaten, and she shakes her head. He says, let’s get her some sustenance, and while they’re at it, maybe they can track Finn down and finagle another update. She says, lead the way.

Chase cleans up the mess, and Brook says she really needed that caffeine. He says he’ll make them some coffee, and she says, he can definitely make her some coffee, and she’ll definitely thank him for it, but he can’t have any caffeine. He asks, why not? and she says, because it’s murder on your vocal cords. Didn’t his vocal coach ever teach him that? Tonight, he needs to be in peak form. He asks if she’s saying he’s not, and she says, vocally. They need to get him ready. Everything they’ve been working toward is all riding on tonight. He says, all right, peak form, and moves closer to her. She says, good, but it’s really important that they stay focused. He moves even closer, and says, he’s laser focused. Is she?

We see a picture of Charlotte on Valentin’s phone, with a text that says: Bonjour, papa. I miss you. Je t’aime. Anna takes it from him, and says, she looks happy. He says, Charlotte still has no idea she’s being used as leverage. She misses him. She can’t understand why they’ve been apart so long. Anna says, he will see Charlotte again; trust her. He says, more than anyone, and she says, damning her with faint praise. He says he trusts her implicitly, and she says, believe her when she says they’ll bring Charlotte home. He says, Victor’s playing the long game; so far, he’s winning, but she tells him that she didn’t say it would be easy. Victor is a formidable opponent, and Valentin has carried this alone far too long. He has her now, and they’re changing the game, together. Is he with her? He says, to the ends of the earth, and kisses her. He asks, what’s the move? and she says, unfortunately, the best way to get to Victor is through Lucy, but he says, she’s proven to be a wild card, in every sense of the word. Anna says, the sooner they find another way, the better. He says, any thoughts on what that might be? and she says, no, but that’s okay. They’ll figure it out together. They kiss some more.

Victor says, as head of this family, it’s his responsibility to make sure Spencer is taken care of, and Spencer says, he and Uncle Sonny have people who are taking care of him, but they can’t be around him 24/7. This place is like 15 times bigger than Spring Ridge, and it’s full of angry, violent people. The best thing he can do is keep his head down and stay out of everyone’s way. The best thing Victor can do… Victor says, assassinate anyone who looks at Spencer cross-eyed. He’s sure Spencer’s Uncle Sonny would agree. Protecting Spencer is probably the only thing they agree on. Spencer says, what part of don’t is unclear? but Victor says he can’t just sit back and watch Spencer suffer at the hands of… convicts. Spencer says, Victor owes him, and Victor says, all right, but if Spencer changes his mind… Spencer says he won’t, and asks, how’s life in Port Charles? How’s Ava’s recovery? Victor says, she gets discharged today. Spencer can ask about him. Spencer says, who? and Victor says, his father.

Finn tells Nikolas, let’s get one thing clear. Elizabeth is her own person, and she decided to tell Ava that Nikolas’s alibi was a lie. She thought Nikolas might pose a danger to his wife, and decided to err on the side of the truth, a concept Nikolas isn’t familiar with. Nikolas says, Finn is the only person who’s a danger to Elizabeth. This whole thing started with him. Alexis and Gregory come out of the elevator, and Nikolas says, Finn is the reason Elizabeth is so messed up. Finn tells Nikolas, say it again, and strides toward him, but Gregory holds him back. Alexis asks Nikolas, what is he doing?

Ava says, as long as there’s a lunatic running around with a hook, she doesn’t think she’ll be sure of much, and Elizabeth says, at the risk of overstepping, at the Quartermaine picnic, Nikolas told her that the two of them were having trouble. She’s under the assumption they worked things out, but in case she’s wrong, can she say something? Ava says, of course (🍷), and Elizabeth says she’s sure Ava knows that Nikolas went through some really dark times growing up. He’s not an easy person, but he is capable of love and devotion. And honestly, she’s only seen him in love one other time before he met Ava. Only Ava can decide what she’s willing to accept, but as for Nikolas, it’s not always pretty, but it is love, unwavering love.

Nina tells Sonny, she has to get to the hospital because Ava is getting discharged. She wants to make one last pitch for Ava to stay with her. Sonny asks why Ava’s not going to Windymere, and Nina says, Ava wants to go to Windymere, but she’s worried that living with Nikolas too soon will be stressful for her. He says he wishes Ava would kick Nikolas to the curb. Nikolas is not a good person. She says, it’s okay. Nikolas and Ava have a powerful connection. He says, she calls it powerful; he calls it toxic. She says, Ava and Nikolas’s marriage is more complicated than they know. Wish as much as he wants, but she wouldn’t assume they’re done. He says, she can’t tell him that they’re good for each other, and she says, a lot people think they’re not good for each other.

Brook says, stop it, and Chase says, stop what? She says, being all sexy. They need to stay focused on the plan. He says, sexy? and she says, he needs to perform flawlessly tonight. He says, right. The more successful he is, the more Linc will want to sign him. She says, and the angrier Linc will be with her, and it will make him want to sign Chase even more. Then when they’ve got Linc exactly where they want him… Chase says, he fires her, signs with Linc, retires, and leaves Linc high and dry. She says, looking like the loser that he is, and Chase says, hopefully, he can be a cop again someday. If they’ll have him. She says, they will. He’s the best guy that’s ever been on the force, and one day, they’ll wise up to that. He says, she thinks so? and she says she knows so. He says, how? and she says, she just does. They kiss, and head for the bedroom. I think, so much for being focused, but Brook breaks away, and says, as much as she wants this – he says, they want this – they need to take this energy and put it into the show. He says, huh? and she says, and all the leftover energy will fill other arenas. Go get dressed, and they’ll talk strategy. He holds up his hands, and leaves to get ready.

Elizabeth says she’ll go get Ava’s paperwork, and Ava asks if Elizabeth is all right. Nikolas mentioned to her that Elizabeth blacked out the night she was attacked, can’t remember where she was or what she was doing. Elizabeth says, sorry. She probably should have told the police all that. Ava says she doesn’t blame Elizabeth for anything; she’s just asking if Elizabeth is okay. Elizabeth flashes back to Reiko at the bottom of the stairs. She says, she just has way too much on her mind, and leaves.

Alexis says, this is a hospital, for Pete’s sake, and Nikolas says he knows. He’s on the board. She says, really? Because he’s acting like he’s on the playground. Come with her – now. I laugh at how she orders him around. Gregory asks if that isn’t Alexis’s nephew, Nikolas Cassadine, and Finn asks how Gregory can tell; the overwhelming smell of jerk in here? Gregory says, and he’s a friend of Elizabeth’s? and Finn says, the word friend might be a little subjective. Gregory remembers Finn said he didn’t think Nikolas had Elizabeth’s best interest at heart, and Finn says, he’s only got his own best interest at heart. Gregory asks why they were going at it about Elizabeth; did Nikolas do something to her? Finn says he doesn’t like Nikolas, and doesn’t trust him. Maybe in his own ultra-privileged narcissistic way, Nikolas does actually care for Elizabeth; he said he was looking out for her. Gregory asks if Finn is taking Nikolas at his word, and Finn says, for now.

Spencer says he’d rather discuss literally anyone else, and Victor says, like his stepmother? He didn’t know Spencer cared so deeply for Ava. Spencer says he doesn’t, and Victor says, she’s the first person he asked about. Spencer says, because she’s important to people he does care about. Victor says, like his father, who Spencer refuses to discuss? but Spencer says, like Trina. Victor says he sees, and Spencer says, speaking of Trina, how is she? Victor says, Spencer should probably as his friends, and Spencer says, he would if they’d visit. Victor says, they haven’t? and Spencer says, Victor’s his first. Victor says he’s sorry, and Spencer says, why? What did Victor do this time? Victor says he should have been here sooner. He got wrapped up in other time-sensitive matters. He’ll try to do better. Spencer says he brought this on himself. The only people who care about him are Victor, maybe Britt, and his grandmother. Of course (🍷) she’s in Italy still. (Um… He left out Sonny.) Victor says, nothing is more important to him than family. If he’d only known what Spencer was going through… Spencer says, it’s not Victor’s fault, but Victor says, let him make it up to Spencer. He can get a message to Trina if Spencer would like him to.

Nina says, granted, their history… Sonny says, is nothing like Nikolas and Ava, but she says, their cheering section is roughly the same size as theirs. Sonny says he doesn’t care what people think; they’re good for each other. She says, he doesn’t have to convince her of that, and they kiss. Selina comes in, and says she was so sorry to hear about Sonny’s cousin’s passing. He thanks her, and she says she understands Nina is close to his widow. Nina says she and Sasha are very close, and Selina says she can’t imagine what that poor woman is going through, especially when her husband’s killer still roams free. If she can be of further assistance in these trying times, please let her know. Sonny says he will, and Selina says, in the meantime, she was wondering if she’d see him at The Savoy tonight. The young talent Sonny mentioned to her is performing, Harrison Chase. He says he was thinking about it, and Nina says she’s got to go. She tells Selina, it was a pleasure to see her, and she’ll see Sonny later. She leaves, and Selina tells Sonny, she’s quite lovely. He smiles, and says, she is. Selina asks if he’s convinced he can keep her safe.  

Selina tells Sonny, Diane is a formidable woman. She’s confident this is not how Diane’s story ends. She sits at the bar, and she says she supposes he has a guard watching Nina, and he says he does. She says she hopes her supposition doesn’t offend him, but it would seem these attacks are related to him. He says, it’s crossed his mind, and she says, and the police? He says, it’s crossed theirs too, and she says, it could be bad for business. Since they share a bottom line, her resources remain at his disposal. He thanks her for her cooperation, and says, anything else? She says, just one more thing. In keeping him apprised per their arrangement, there’s a game scheduled for tonight. Sonny says, she knows the place is going to be crawling with friends of the PCPD; Chase was a cop. She says, it provides her players with a convenient cover, and as an added benefit, they can watch the entertainment. Word of the game has spread, attracting even more influential players and raising the cost of the buy-in. Would he like a seat at the table? He says, it’s an interesting offer, but he already gets a cut of the door. She says he stands to gain so much more. From what she hears, he’s quite a skilled player. Can she deal him in?

Spencer says, thanks, but no, and Victor says he doesn’t know if it’s pride or obstinance, but they both know Trina is important to him. Spencer tells Victor, he never said she wasn’t, and Victor says, if he didn’t want to reach out to her, why bring her up? Spencer says, because he read an article in The Invader that there was another attack by that psycho with a hook, and he wanted to make sure she was okay. Victor says, Spencer needn’t worry. The prevailing wisdom is that these attacks are related to Sonny. Spencer says, Uncle Sonny will take care of and protect his family. He just wishes he could help. Victor tells him to just focus on helping himself. As for these gruesome attacks, there is some good news. His father is no longer… Spencer says, for the last time, he doesn’t want to hear anything about his father. He told his father that he was done with him, and he meant it. If his father is capable of betraying him the way he did, Spencer doesn’t want anything to do with him. Victor says, come on, and Spencer says, where is he? He hasn’t even tried to visit. Victor says, he takes it Spencer wants Nikolas to visit, only so he can turn Nikolas away. Maybe Nikolas is doing Spencer a favor by skipping that part. Spencer says he told Nikolas to stay away, but the man he grew up with, the father that raised him, he wouldn’t have listened. Victor says he’ll talk to Nikolas, but Spencer says, don’t waste his breath. He thanks Victor for visiting him. He has to get to the library. He doesn’t want to be late for his work detail. Victor says, very well. He’ll be back soon. In the meantime, keep his chin up, and watch his back. Spencer hangs up the phone, and leaves.

Alexis reminds Nikolas that her best friend is in the OR fighting for her life, and he says he’s genuinely sorry to upset her, especially when she’s worried about Diane. Has there been any news? She says, Diane is still in surgery, and will be there a while, and he asks if there’s anything he can do to help. She says, he can not brawl in the hospital for starters, and he says, done. Anything else? She says, there’s nothing anybody can do, and he says, he saw The Invader, her op ed, a united front in Port Charles. She says, too much? but he says, it’s perfect. She’s showing this monster that they can’t be intimidated. She thanks him, and says she needed that. He asks if she thinks the attacker is going to answer the challenge, and she says, they’ll find out soon enough. She hopes her instincts are right, and his ego is his downfall, because if it doesn’t work, she’s poked the bear, and set the bear on this path of destruction that’s going to put everyone in danger.

Gregory asks how Elizabeth is doing, and Finn says, good. All things considered, he thinks she’s making progress. Gregory says he’s glad to hear it, when Finn’s phone dings. Finn says he’s sorry, but he has to check on a patient, and Gregory tells him, go save lives. He asks if Finn is going to be at Chase’s show tonight, and Finn says, of course (🍷). He’s coming with Elizabeth, and they’re bringing Terry. Chase is going to be great, but if he bombs, it’s okay to tease him, right? Gregory says, always the supportive brother, and Finn says, always.

Now dressed, Chase calls to Brook. She comes out with a garbage bag, and he says, what’s all this? She asks if he knows how much hidden sugar is in his food, and he says he knows how much he spent on it. She says, that’s beside the point, and he says, she’s throwing out his oranges? She says, does he want to pepper spray his vocal cords; citrus is too acidic. He assumes she got rid of his peppers, and she says, nothing spicy, come on. He looks in the bag, and says, yogurt? She says, a dairy, and he says, eggs? She tells him, she said no dairy, and he says, eggs aren’t dairy. She says, they’re in the dairy section (yeah, I don’t get it either), and he says, his soy milk? She says, don’t even get her started with soy milk and singers; the phlegm. He says, so this bag basically contains everything in his kitchen, and she says, he’s right. There’s nothing in this house for him to eat. She’s got to stop by Deception, and then she’ll treat him to breakfast. Is he coming or not? She pulls him out the door, and I wonder what he’s going to eat for breakfast, since pretty much everything is out. Dry toast?

Valentin and Anna sit down in the MetroCourt restaurant, and Valentin says, he considered bugging Victor’s room, but he takes extensive precautions and would have found it immediately. If he’s learned anything, it’s that Charlotte would have been put in greater danger. They need to get Victor to lower his guard. They need to get someone he won’t see coming. Nina walks over, and says she didn’t know they’d made it official. Valentin asks if it would kill Nina to act a little jealous, and Nina says, oh yeah, and tells Anna, get your hands off my man. Anna says, no, and Nina says she’s glad she ran into Valentin. She’s been thinking about Charlotte. He says, that’s funny. He just heard from her this morning. He shows Nina his phone, and Nina says, look how grown up she is. He says he can hardly believe it himself, and Nina says she knows Charlotte is busy with her fancy school and her friends, but she misses her. Valentin says he misses her too, and Nina says, tell Charlotte to give her a ring. He says he will, and Anna tells Nina, congratulations on being the new co-owner here. Nina thanks her, and says, it’s an adventure. Valentin says, it suits her. She looks happy. She says, he looks happy too; both of them. Anna thanks her, and she says she needs to go. It was good seeing them. Nina goes to the elevator, and Valentin says, he thinks she’s the answer

Sonny tells Selina, it’s an interesting offer, but with everything going on, he doesn’t think he can make that game. She says, the seat is always available to him, when Chase walks in. She says, Mr. Chase. She’s looking forward to hearing him sing tonight. She leaves, and Sonny says he heard about Chase’s gig; congratulations. Chase thanks him, and asks if Nina’s around. He was hoping to thank her. Sonny says, for what? and Chase says, for putting in a word with Curtis about getting him an audition at The Savoy.

By she, Anna hopes Valentin is referring to Lucy and not Nina. Valentin says, Lucy’s already got an assignment. Nina’s the one. She can help them get to Victor.

Alexis asks how things went with Ava. Did Nikolas figure out what to do for her? Nikolas flashes back to Ava reading his confession letter, and says he took Alexis’s advice. He gave Ava total and complete power over him. She says, that wasn’t her advice. How did take a risk and show you care turn into, I’m turning all my power over to you? He says, it was the right thing. It was the only thing he could do. She says, never mind. She doesn’t need to know. She hopes it works. He says, there’s only one way to find out, and they get up. Alexis tells him, good luck. He’s going to need it. He says, it never hurts with Ava, and they hug. Alexis sees Victor, and says, oh look, her cue, and jets. Victor comes over to Nikolas, and Nikolas asks, what brings him by? Victor says, Ava of course (🍷). She is family. He’s here to support the both of them, and Nikolas’s son. Nikolas says, his son’s not here, and Victor says he knows; he just came from visiting Spencer. Nikolas asks, how is he? and Victor says, a visit from his father would do him a world of good. Nikolas says, Spencer made it very clear he doesn’t want to see him, but Victor says, it’s time Nikolas stepped up as a father. His son needs him more than ever.

Elizabeth looks at folders as she walks through the hospital, and flashes back to Reiko again. She nearly walks into Gregory, and says, sorry. She was… He says, somewhere else? and she says, yeah. Between work and everything else, she has a lot going on in her mind. He says he understands. He knows she’s been going through a rough time lately. Finn hasn’t told him any details or betrayed Elizabeth’s confidence, but he wants her to know Finn cares about her a great deal. She says she cares about Finn too, and he starts to leave, but she stops him, and says she needs his help.

Nina says she’s here to spring Ava, and Ava says, thank God. She needs a long hot bath and a big strong drink. Nina says, both of which Ava can get at her place. Come on. Nina knows Ava can go wherever she wants to from here, and Ava believes she can co-exist with Nikolas at Windymere, but she’s worried it’s more challenging than Ava thinks. Ava says, things are definitely still less than ideal, but she hates the idea of being thrown out of her own house. She didn’t do anything wrong; she didn’t screw up. Nina says, that is right, and she’d be more than happy to put Ava up at her place for however long she needs. Nikolas and Victor are at the door, and Nikolas says, that won’t be necessary. He and Ava are going home together.

Spencer puts some books away in the library, and the guard walks out. An inmate comes in, rolls up his sleeves, and looks through a book on the table. As Spencer walks by, he slaps the book Spencer is holding out of his hands. Spencer says, what the hell? and the inmates says, it was long overdue.

Spencer tells Sonny, remember, at the pool, Nina said she was going to talk to Curtis about booking him at The Savoy? Then the two of them left, Chase thought to go talk to Curtis. Sonny says, they went to The Savoy, but he doesn’t think Nina had a chance to talk to Curtis. Chase says, maybe she spoke with him later? but Sonny says he doesn’t think so. He thinks Nina would have told him if she’d asked Curtis to book him. Chase says, if Nina didn’t talk to Curtis, how did his gig get arranged? Sonny flashes back to talking to Selina about Chase, and Selina smiles at him as she gets into the elevator.

Elizabeth says she was hoping Gregory could answer a question, and he says, absolutely; he’d be happy to. She says, how well did he know Finn’s wife Reiko?

Finn sees Alexis, and says he was looking for her. He has news about Diane.

Anna says she has no intention of including another civilian in this, but Valentin says he’s not going to put Nina in harm’s way. But she can help them without being put at risk. She asks what he’s thinking, and he says, to save Charlotte, they need access. Nina could be the key.

Nikolas says he’s made arrangements for every comfort and amenity to await Ava at Windymere. Shall we? Nina folds her arms, and stands next to Ava, and Ava says she’s not going with him. He says, Windymere is her home, and she shouldn’t be driven away because of something he did. She says she has no intention of giving up her claim to Windymere, but she’s not ready to live under the same roof as him… yet. He says he thought after everything they’d discussed… and she says, they’re not there yet. An orderly comes with a wheelchair, and Ava says, perfect timing. She’s ready to go home. Nikolas tells her, he just said… and she says, her old home. Her first home in Port Charles, where she felt safe before she got mixed up with him. If Nina’s offer still stands. Nina says, it certainly does, and Ava says, then let’s go. Nina struts out next to Ava, and Victor puts his hand on Nikolas’s shoulder.

The inmate says, pick it up, but Spencer says he’ll get it later. The inmate repeats, pick it up, and Spencer says, dude dropped it. Pick it up himself. The inmate whacks Spencer in the head with a book, and Spencer falls to the floor.

On Monday, Trina asks why Josslyn is so interested in Dex; Elizabeth tells Finn, the connection never really goes away; and Robert wishes he’d find this guy before he does it again.

📋 Interim Manager…

When someone uses the phrase scene partner, you know they went to acting school.

👻 Knew It…

Like any of us thought she was really dead.

🕺 Terry’s New Squeeze…

Who knew?

📽 New Perspective…

I love stuff like this.

https://ew.com/books/black-hollywood-reimagining-iconic-movie-moments-book-preview/

🍳 Preview Of Hell…

A new season of cooking and yelling.

https://ew.com/tv/gordon-ramsay-hells-kitchen-season-21-preview/

🗽 Start Spreading the News…

Premiering October 19th. The cast looks great. Zachary Quinto is one of the most underrated actors ever.

⚰️ While We’re At It…

Premiering October 2nd.

https://collider.com/the-walking-dead-season-11-part-3-trailer-norman-reedus-jeffrey-dean-morgan/

🦸🏻‍♂️ Leaving You Laughing…

These two are the best, and I love Deadpool.

https://ew.com/movies/ryan-reynolds-hugh-jackman-explain-how-wolverine-alive-in-deadpool-3-timeline-concerns/

🧙🏽‍♂️ Quotes of the Week

The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself. – C. JoyBell C.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.Walt Disney Company (Did you expect someone like Gandhi, the way I did?)

The healthy being craves an occasional wildness, a jolt from normality, a sharpening of the edge of appetite, his own little festival of Saturnalia, a brief excursion from his way of life. – Robert MacIver

The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him. – William Lyon Phelps

Love is never wasted, for its value does not rest upon reciprocity. – C. S. Lewis

Be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work. – Gustave Flaubert

In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself. – Jiddu Krishnamurti

The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers. – Carl Jung

Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul. – Mark Twain

🌫 Sensing Kenneth’s Frequency…

Meet me for a condensed recap of Dead people Walking on Sunday, really Monday morning, or two days from now if you’re counting. Until then, stay safe, stay willing to look at things from a different perspective, and stay remembering only you can decide what you’re willing to accept.

September 23, 2022 – Three Victims One Hook, Saying Goodbye, Inclusion, Smoltz (!), Meltdown Theories, Interview Review, Ruined Punchline, Pets (!), 2X4 = Quotes & Van’s Moon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

We see Brando’s empty garage. Sasha sits in the dark, and says, Brando? Can you hear me? Please tell me you didn’t leave. She hears the door open, and someone comes in.

Nina visits Ava, and says she looks a lot better. Ava thanks her, and Nina gives her some flowers, saying, she’s so glad Ava is out of the ICU. Ava says, if only she could get out of this hospital altogether. She can’t wait to get out of here. Nina says, all in due time, right? and sits down. She says, since Ava told her about Nikolas sleeping with Esme, it sounds like her marriage is over. So has she thought about where she’s going to go when they discharge her?

Gregory knocks at Finn’s office door, and Finn asks what brings him by. Gregory says, just checking to see how Finn is doing. He sees the photo on Finn’s phone, and asks if that’s Reiko, and Finn says, it was taken in the Mariana Islands a long time ago. (Okay, my bad on the wrong island, and also in thinking it was Hayden. I did think it must be Reiko at first, but I couldn’t figure out a connection to Elizabeth. Apparently, there is one.) Gregory asks what’s got Finn thinking about his late wife, when Nurse Andrea comes in, and tells Finn, Mr. Sanchez is prepped and ready for him. He tells Gregory that he’s sorry; this might take a while. Gregory says he’ll walk Finn out, and they leave.

Elizabeth studies the portrait she sketched, which we now know is of Reiko. She says, who are you?

At the MetroCourt bar, Diane and Alexis clink glasses, and Diane says, to Alexis. Alexis says, first of all, Diane doesn’t have to toast her, and Diane doesn’t have to drink an iced tea because she can’t drink. Diane says she wanted an iced tea, just like she wanted to celebrate her best friend, especially after, Two Victims, One Hook. Definite clickbait. Brava, Madame Editor-in-Chief. Alexis says she had her reservations at first, but there was a lot of traffic on the website, and Diane says, well deserved. She asks how Kristina is doing. What did she think of the article? Alexis says she doesn’t think Kristina even read it, and Diane asks what she means. Alexis said Kristina walked in on the attack. Is she having a hard time? Alexis says, just the opposite. She doesn’t think witnessing the attack put her in any danger at all. She did manage to keep Kristina’s name out of the article, but what if the attacker saw her, and didn’t realize Kristina didn’t see the attacker? Diane says she doesn’t like that Kristina is taking this so lightly, but she’s not surprised. She’s always been a very gutsy girl. Even witnessing an attack won’t bring her down. Alexis says, she has her mother to do that for her.

Victor says, alone at last, and Lucy says, he sent the waiter away. Does that mean the meal is over? He says, not at all, my dear. It just means now it’s time to serve themselves.

Anna and Valentin hide, and Johann comes out on deck, drinking a beer. Valentin has to sneeze, and Anna puts her hand over his nose and mouth, pushing him back against the wall. Johann hears them, and takes out his gun. He moves toward where they’re hiding.

Sasha says, Brando? but Sonny says, it’s him. Did she think he was Brando? She says she knows that’s impossible. She just can’t believe he’s gone. Sonny says, it is hard to believe. He was one of a kind. Sasha cries, and he holds her.

Ava says, she’s been thinking a lot about what happens when she’s well enough to leave GH, and Nina says, proud as she is of the MetroCourt – and she’s super proud of it – she hates the idea of Ava camping out in hotel rooms, so Ava will just have to stay with her. Ava thanks her, but says she doesn’t want charity, and definitely doesn’t want pity. Nina says, come on. They’re way past that. She thinks by now they’re fully ensconced in the girlfriend zone. And friends help each other. There’s no charity; there’s no pity. Ava says she knows, but… Nina says, Ava really doesn’t want to stay with her because she’d prefer to go back home to Windymere. But Nikolas is there.

Alexis tells Diane, she’s not sure how it happened, but somehow in warning Kristina about the potential danger, she sort of blurted out that Kristina wasn’t living up to her full potential. Diane says, music to her ears, no doubt, and Alexis says, then to add to that, she sort of blurted out that Kristina was risking her life for a dead end job. Diane says she’s sure that worked. Alexis didn’t bring up law school, did she? Alexis says, no. Kristina’s sharp; she knew what was happening. That’s her point. Kristina is too smart to be spending her life making schedules for the waitstaff. Diane says, she completely agrees, but it’s Kristina’s life. Alexis says, she’s painfully aware of that. She’ll try to do better in keeping her opinions to herself. Diane laughs like it’s the funniest thing ever, and Alexis says, yeah, good luck with that. Nikolas approaches, and says he’s glad he ran into Alexis. He needs her help.

Elizabeth looks at the sketch, and flashes back to her memory, but this time she moves the woman’s hair, and sees her face. Nurse Andrea walks up with Finn, and says, Elizabeth is off today. What’s she doing here?  

Dex walks into the garage, and Sonny says, call Gladys; they’re okay. Sasha asks how Sonny found her, and Sonny says, there are two places that Brando always wanted to be. One was with her, and the other was his garage. So he figured if she was looking for Brando, she would come here. She says, Brando really did love this place. She thinks Sonny giving it to him was the best thing that every happened to him. Sonny says, not at all – she was. Sasha starts to cry again.

Lucy says, so there’s more? and Victor says, whatever she desires. She deserves to be waited on hand and foot. He’s utterly at her service; her wish is his command. She says she can’t. This has all been so lovely, to ask for anything else would just be horrible. He says, please ask. She must promise to always be honest with him, no matter what.

Johann continues to move toward where Valentin and Anna are hiding. They go back toward the door to the deck, and Anna tells Valentin to give her his shoe. He says, no way; these things are Italian. He gives it to her anyway, and she throws it out the door so it hits something, and Johann turns around. He goes back to where he was, and as he reaches the opening in the railing, Valentin runs out the door, and kicks him into the water. They watch as he floats downstream.

Nikolas asks if they can talk, and Alexis says, about what? He says he’d rather speak in private, and Alexis looks at Diane, and they both say, Ava. Diane says, fear not. She has to be going anyway. She tells Alexis, it was lovely having half a drink with her. Go easy on Krissy, and herself. She nods to Nikolas, says, Prince, and leaves. Alexis says, there are therapy apps where he could find a marriage counselor, in person or virtually, but he says, that’s not what he wants to talk about. Alexis told him that Ava was too proud to forgive a stupid mistake. She understands the way Ava thinks – Alexis says, God help her – and clearly he and Ava have a volatile relationship. But when Ava was attacked, everything crystallized for him, and he wants Ava in his life. He doesn’t want to lose her. Alexis says she takes it Ava didn’t have the same epiphany, and he says, that’s why he needs some straight talk. Is it time to give up on his marriage?

Ava tells Nina, Windymere is huge, and she and Nikolas have lived there in the past when they’ve been estranged. Nina asks, is this like the strategy, keep your enemies close? and Ava says, something like that. Nina says, Ava told her before that she wanted to wait to pay for cheating on her. Now’s the time? She’s sure Scotty is just chomping at the bit to get Ava a generous divorce settlement. Ava says, she hasn’t spoken to Scotty about this yet, and Nina says, she’s stalling. Ava’s still in love with her husband.

Dex comes back, and Sonny says, he spoke to Gladys? Dex says, she told him to thank Sonny for finding Sasha, and Sasha says, she guesses she should go home. She just wants to stay here. Sonny tells her, stay, and tells Dex to go. Dex leaves, and Sasha says, it felt like Brando was here, working. Like any minute he would walk through that door with some part he forgot to order. He’d smile and kiss her, and say, thanks for waiting, like any other day. But Brando’s gone, no matter how many times she pretends, or wishes, or tries to convince herself this is just some horrible nightmare. She cries, and says, Brando isn’t here. He’s not anywhere. Sonny says, you know what? It’s like his son Morgan. With his dad it’s different; he got to say goodbye to his dad. But Morgan was like Brando; it was unexpected. It was sudden. One minute he’s here, and the next minute he’s gone. They didn’t even have a body to bury. He tears up, and says he has to confess something to her. A lot of times he goes into crowds, and wants to see Morgan. Sometimes the phone rings, and he thinks it’s Morgan. Sasha asks how long he felt that way, and he says, to tell her the truth, he still scans crowds for Morgan. He just wants to be able to see him one last time. His boy.

Victor asks, what does Lucy want from? Name it. She says, no, she can’t. He asked her not to ask him, so she can’t. She won’t ask him, but he also told her to wait, and she’s so bad at waiting. She was never good at it, and she’s just brimming with curiosity. She’s just always loved a man with a big plan. She’s so excited. Come on. Couldn’t he just give her a teensy weensy little hint? Please? The boat moves, and she says, what is that? Are they stopping? He says, they certainly shouldn’t be, and a man runs in. He tells Victor, there’s someone overboard, and Anna and Valentin hide near the inside exit to the room.

Diane comes into the garage, and Sonny asks what she wants. She tells him, Gladys said Sasha was here. She’d like to speak with her. Sonny says, she’s in Brando’s office, and doesn’t want to deal with anybody. Diane says she can wait. She needs to go over some legal issues that have arisen since Brando’s death. He says, it’s a hell of a time to be doing business, doesn’t she think? and she says she’s been asked to serve as interim counsel. Martin Grey is still out of town. He says, they’re dealing with Brando’s widow. Why should he trust her to represent Sasha when she grilled him on the stand? She says, believe her, she could have gone harder, and Sonny sees Dex lingering around, and yells at him to go. Dex goes outside, and Diane says, understand something; she liked Brando, a lot. She loved the fact that he came into town and rescued Carly. She loved the fact that he became a father figure to Dev Cerci, that boy Sonny was trying to keep in the country. He infiltrated Cyrus Renault’s organization, and saved Sasha. All he wanted was to make an honest living. Brando Corbin was a hero who deserved a much better hand than the one life dealt him. Sonny says, she’ll get no argument from him on that, and she says she’s not here to capitalize on tragedy. She’s just trying to do right by Brando by helping his widow at the request of her lawyer and Brando’s grieving mother. Sonny says, she expects him to ignore her grilling him on that stand at Nina’s hearing? How could she do that to him? She says she was fighting for Michael and Willow. She was doing her utmost to win the case for them, as she would for any client, no matter how ungrateful. She’s been through thick and thin with him; she’s been through good and bad. She’s protected him and his, and has done pretty much everything except dig a grave in the Pine Barrens. He says, she sided with Michael, and she says, Michael retained her to defend him in the petition by Nina for visitation. If Sonny recalls, he and Nina weren’t a couple formally at the time, so there was no conflict of interest. And it was Sonny who spontaneously volunteered to testify on Nina’s behalf. He asked Scotty to put him on the stand. She was only cross-examining him the way any halfway competent lawyer would. He says, she laid out his life for everyone to see. That’s personal to him. How can he forget that?

Ava tells Nina, in love with Nikolas? Hardly. She’s not the sort of woman who would let a man cheat on her and humiliate her and get away with it. Nina says, besides her, who knows Nikolas slept with Esme? and Ava says, just Spencer and Victor. Nina says she doubts they would throw it in Ava’s face if she decided to forgive Nikolas; she won’t. Ava asks why Nina is pushing her to get back with Nikolas, but Nina says she’s not. She just doesn’t want Ava’s pride to get in the way of her happiness. It’s Ava’s prerogative if she wants to expose Nikolas’s bad behavior or forgives him. She just wants Ava to be happy. Ava says she doesn’t know if she could live with herself if she gave Nikolas another chance. She’d be worried, wondering if it could happen again. She’s lived with that kind of betrayal in the past, and she lost her daughter because of it. Nina says, they’ve both made their share of mistakes, and they’ve both suffered, and paid terrible prices, but they’re still here. Ava says, just barely, and Nina says, she’s on the mend, and it’s pretty amazing how they both found love after everything they’ve been through. It’s kind of like a miracle. Whether or not Ava wants to forgive Nikolas is up to her. If she still loves him… Ava says, she blackmailed Nikolas into getting married in the first place, and that is hardly a foundation for everlasting commitment. She laugh/cries, and Nina says, Ava’s marriage may not have started as a love match, but it’s a love match now.

Alexis asks if Nikolas wants to give up on his marriage, and he says, no, but he’s at the end of his rope. Nothing he’s said has budged Ava, even a bit. She says, that’s because talk is cheap, and he asks if that’s the best she can do. She reminds him that he came to her. He’s more than welcome to vacate that barstool for a more nuanced commentary. He says he’s sorry. He’s just trying to figure out what to do. Does Alexis think he needs to take action? She says she doesn’t know what he should do. She doesn’t know what he did, and doesn’t want to. She’s just asking, whatever it is, will it cost Ava her pride to forgive him? He says, definitely, and she says, then he needs to give something back. He says, like what? but she says she doesn’t know. Something that shows Ava that he values his relationship with her; to put something on the line, to risk something for her. Just like he’s asking Ava to swallow her pride in order to take him back.

Elizabeth goes to Finn’s office, and tells him that she convinced Doc to hypnotize her again, since she was on the verge of remembering something. And then she did. She remembered the face of the woman at the bottom of the stairs. He says, that’s encouraging, and asks who she is, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t know. He says, she saw her face, but didn’t recognize her, and she says, she can’t place her. She has no memory of this person except for the moment on the stairs. Except she feels like the woman wasn’t a stranger. Finn’s phone dings, and Elizabeth picks it up to give it to him, and sees the photo. She stares at it, and he says, that’s Reiko, his late wife.

Anna and Valentin listen, and Victor asks if the man is sure somebody went overboard. The man says, he saw the body hit the water, and told the captain to stop. They’re circling back now. Victor says, what is he standing around here for? Help with the rescue operation. He hustles the man out, and Anna peeks in, gesturing to Lucy. Lucy runs to Victor, saying, oh my God. The man could drown. Victor has to help save him; he’s so strong. Victor says he should supervise. He won’t be long. She says she’ll be here when he gets back. Go… like the wind. He leaves, and she runs back, telling Anna and Valentin, he’s gone. They come out, and she says, wait a minute. Did they throw a man overboard? What happened to Valentin’s shoe? Valentin says, don’t worry about it, and Anna says, it’s just Johann; he never saw them. Valentin says, no one knows they’re here, but that could change at any moment. Lucy asks what they’re doing here, and Anna says, they’re rescuing her. Lucy says she doesn’t want to be rescued, and Anna says, they don’t have time for games. Victor could be back at any moment. They have to go now. Lucy says she’s not going right now, because then Victor will know she’s playing him, and probably know that Anna set her up to do this whole thing. He’s just starting to open up to her. Valentin says, obviously a scene of seduction; champagne petit fours… How does Lucy expect the scene is going to end? Lucy says, she can handle Victor. He is putty in her hand. She flashes the bracelet, and says she hasn’t felt this alive in years. She’s still got it.

Diane tells Sonny, there’s no need to keep discussing this. She would like to speak to Sasha, but if that’s not going to happen, please have Sasha give her a call. She starts to leave, but Sonny says, wait. Sasha needs a good lawyer. Diane says, good? when Sasha comes out. Diane says she’s so sorry about Brando. She was just telling Sonny how much she admired him. Sasha thanks her, and Diane says she doesn’t want to intrude on Sasha’s grief, but Martin Grey is still out of town, and he and her mother-in-law feel there might be some pressing legal issues that require Sasha’s immediate attention. So she’s been asked to serve as interim counsel, if that’s okay with Sasha. Sasha says she guesses, but what’s so important it can’t wait? Diane says, it’s a confidential matter, but Sasha says she can talk in front of Sonny. Diane says, it concerns her guardianship, and Sasha says, that’s settled. Brando… Diane says, Sasha’s agreement to avoid prison stipulates that she must have a legal guardian, and Sonny asks if Diane is saying it’s null and void. Sasha asks if she’s going to prison.

Gregory sees Alexis at the MetroCourt, and says, if it isn’t the women behind the headlines. How’s the response? She says, good and bad. She thinks the general public was glad they were alerted to the fact there’s a hook wielding maniac on the loose. The Police Commissioner is another matter. He says he’d like to hear more, and asks if she has time to join him for coffee. She says, sure. Why not?

Elizabeth says, this is Reiko? and Finn says, a long time ago. They were both with Doctors Without Borders; it was their first post. Elizabeth says, she looks so young. He doesn’t talk about her. Finn takes the phone, and says he knows. He was never able to make piece with how she died, infected with the same disease he was trying to cure. She says, Blackwoods Disease. What brings her up for Finn now? He says, a case he’s working on reminded him of something that he and Reiko went through when they were posted on the Mariana Islands. She says, near Guam, right? and he says, she amazes him. Most people don’t even know those islands exist. When they were there, they had a good friend, a good doctor; he died of a poisonous snake bite. She rubs her head, and he asks if she’s okay. Got a headache? She says, a little bit, and he says, from hypnotherapy? She says, probably. She’s so frustrated because she has these little pieces she can’t seem to put together to see the larger picture. He says, it’s okay. It’s coming. Every day she’s learning more. She says, none of it makes sense. She needs to go home and lie down for a little bit. He says he thinks she’s incredible, and kisses her. He says, she’s going to find the truth, and she leaves. In the hallway, she unfolds the sketch and looks at it.

Anna tells Lucy that she’s in way over her head. She can’t underestimate Victor. Lucy says, she knows, but listen to her. He actually told her that he has a plan. A big plan, and he wants to include her. Anna says, what plan? but Lucy says she doesn’t know because they interrupted. She’s getting thisclose to it. Valentin looks out the doorway to the deck and runs back, saying, someone’s coming. He keeps going out the other door, and Anna says, this is Lucy’s last chance. If she doesn’t come with them now, she’s on her own. Lucy says she’s fine. She’s got this, she promises. Anna leaves, and Lucy scrambles around, deciding to go behind the bar like she was making a drink. Victor brings in Johann, with a blanket around him, and Lucy asks, what happened? Victor says he’s not entirely sure. Johann went overboard, but he isn’t able to tell Victor how or why. He must have gotten a concussion when he hit the water. Lucy says, that’s awful. Drink this. She hands him a snifter of brandy, and Victor says, focus. Tell him what happened. Johann says he was on the deck. Maybe he lost his balance? Victor asks if he could have been pushed. Did he see anyone else? Johann says he doesn’t remember seeing anyone. He was… Victor says, what? and Johann says, having a drink. Lucy says, drinking on the job; that is really dangerous. She takes the brandy away from him, and Johann says, he wasn’t drunk. Victor tells him to go back to his stateroom and dry off. He’ll call the captain and see if they have a medic on board. Johann says he’s sorry for the trouble, and Victor says, they’ll deal with it later. Johann leaves, and Lucy says, poor Johann. Alcoholism is such a serious burden. She takes a sip of the brandy, and Victor says, something’s off.

Diane tells Sasha, the presiding judge needs to reevaluate the plea, and Sasha says she only agreed the first time because she trusted Brando. Now that he’s gone, it’s over for her. Diane says, legally it’s not, and Sonny says, Sasha shouldn’t have to go through this right now. Diane says she completely agrees. That’s why she’s prepared to file a continuance, pending Sasha’s approval. Sasha says, Diane has her approval, and Diane thanks her. She asks if Sasha knows where Brando kept his copy of the guardianship decree, and Sasha says, in his office. Or maybe their place; he didn’t say. Sonny asks if Sasha wants Diane to go in Brando’s office and check for the papers, and Diane says, the sooner they get this sorted, the better. Providing it’s okay with Sasha. Sasha says, it’s fine. She should go home. She’s tired. Sonny says, he’ll take her, and tells Diane, Brando’s office is in the back. Diane says, copy that; she’s on it. Sasha leaves, Sonny thanks Diane, and follows.  

Alexis says she has it on good authority that the Police Commissioner is unhappy with their article, and Gregory asks if she’s surprised. She says she’s not insensitive to Jordan’s concerns, she just considers warning the public to be for the greater good. Gregory says, it doesn’t hurt that the readership is up, does it? and she says, 30%. Most people were glad for the warning, but a small amount said The Invader was fearmongering. He says, the article he read didn’t sensationalize the crime; it just gave the facts. He was very impressed. She says, now she can sleep at night, and he laughs. He says he knows his opinion doesn’t matter, but she says, actually it does. It matters to her.

Sonny calls Nina, and says, he found Sasha. He could use her help. Nina says she’s confused. Sasha was missing? Why didn’t someone call her? Sonny says, they’re at Brando’s garage. He’s going to take Sasha home. Can she meet them there? She says, of course (🍷). She needs to be there. She’ll see him soon. Ava asks if Sasha’s okay, and Nina says, no. Sasha is definitely not okay. She should be with her. Nikolas comes in, and asks if he and Ava can talk. Ava tells Nina, go help Sasha. She’ll be okay. Nina leaves, and Ava tells Nikolas, say whatever it is he came here to say. But know that it’s going to take more than words to make things right between them. He says he knows. That’s why he brought this. He holds out an envelope.

Sasha hugs Brando’s coffee cup, and Sonny tells Dex to make sure he locks up when Diane is finished. He’s taking Sasha home. Dex asks if she’s going to be okay, and Sonny says, she has her family to take care of her. He asks if she’s ready to go, and she says, yeah; she’s done. She sets the cup down, which surprises me, and leaves with Sonny. Dex says, don’t worry. He’ll take care of things here.  

Finn looks at the photo of Reiko.

Elizabeth takes down a box from the shelf in her closet. She looks through it, and takes out a photo album. She turns the pages, and finds a loose photo of herself at a young age with another girl. On the back, it says, Sarah and Elizabeth, Mariana Islands, 1997.

Ava asks, what’s that? and Nikolas says he’s done talking. This is proof of how much he loves her.

Anna and Valentin walk out on Pier 54, and Anna says, the zodiac is docked. Are they coming after us? He says he doesn’t see any sign of a disturbance. He thinks they got away clean… except for his shoe. She says, he’ll live, and he says, she’s glowing. She calls him a smooth talker, and he says, she’s really in her element, isn’t she? She says, it’s fun working together. He says he’s sorry their rescue attempt fell flat, and she says she wanted Victor to be enamored with Lucy, but she’s still very concerned that putting her in his sight is such a risk. He says, it was her call. She didn’t want to leave. What can they do to keep an eye on the situation? If she needs them, they can help her. She says, her worry is that it’s not if, but when.

Lucy suggests she and Victor get back on track, and resume this date they’re having. He says he’s surprised she called it a date; she seemed determined to make it about business. She says she doesn’t know many business meetings she’s had where she’s been presented with diamonds. So she can safely assume this is a date. He says she doesn’t seem angry, and she says, she does feel compelled to tell him that she’s spoken for. She’s really very much in love with Marty. However, Victor is making it very difficult – she plays with his lapels, then his tie – to stay true. And she finds herself wondering what a future with Mr. Victor Cassadine looks like. He puts his hands on her shoulders, and says, well, let’s find out.

Alexis tells Gregory, this coffee is probably the last thing she needs right now. She’ll be up all night. Not that she needs an excuse. She’s still really worried about Kristina. She witnessed that attack, and that could make her a target. He asks if she’s given more thought to the idea of posting an open letter in The Invader to try and draw the killer out. Get them to give something away, some clue that could help the PCPD to catch them? Then Kristina will be safe. She says, she thinks if they engage the killer, keep them occupied, it could give the police more time to investigate. He says, start a dialogue; provide a distraction. She says, maintain balance though. She doesn’t want to give the attacker a platform, just enough rope to hang. She’s been a lawyer a long time, and she’s seen cases like this. And she doesn’t believe for one minute this killer is done.  

Diane comes out of Brando’s office, and looks through a folder, her back to the door. We see someone with a hook outside. A hooded figure comes in, and raises the hook.

On Monday, Gregory asks Alexis when they start; Ava says she’s going to need much more; Valentin tells Anna that he’s going to have to murder his own father; and Diane lies in a pool of blood.

🧰 Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye…

Still nothing that really says why he left. It didn’t sound like he wanted to though. Maybe he was just a sacrificial lamb for the hook storyline. I’m really hoping Diane isn’t.

✈️ Broadening Horizons…

The answer to my dialect question. I love these two. And whoever dresses Selina is spot-on. I love her wardrobe.

📸 Nice Of Her…

Well, I guess if Alexis likes him, he’ll grow on me.

💎 Surprise DEFCON 1…

A coupla things. Kathy was pretty pissed about the tequila. Maybe she was drunk. Then again, there are those estrangement periods with Kyle. Which I can totally understand, since I find her annoying, but Kathy is her sister. Also, weren’t there others who talked about her creating a commotion at the last bar they went to?

https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/kathy-hilton-rhobh-aspen-controversy-explained

🧛🏻‍♂️ Bloody Good…

I haven’t seen the first episode, but I watched a preview special on it, and it looked good.

https://collider.com/interview-with-the-vampire-review-anne-rice-amc/

⚰️ About That Spin-Off…

He’s got a point about revealing who lives.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-jeffrey-dean-morgan-dead-city-interview/

🐕 Wag That Tail…

I’d follow them. The pets, I mean.

🧙🏽 Quotes of the Week

Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. – Voltaire

For it’s not light that is needed, but fire; it’s not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind and the earthquake in our hearts. – Frederick Douglass

If I was the toe that broke the camel’s back, I apologize. – Kathy Hilton, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable – and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God. – Henry Emerson Fosdick

The Ukrainians don’t even want to be in the Ukraine right now. – Caesar Mack’s friend April, 90 Day: The Single Life, after finding out he was traveling there

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. – Robert H. Schuller

There is no sincerer love than the love of food. – George Bernard Shaw

🍂 Someone Turned Off the Heat…

Switching gears for the next two days, but put it in park on Monday for soap and a Deck birthday. Until then, stay safe, stay not getting distracted by the minutia, and stay remembering, talk is cheap.

September 16, 2022 – Sasha Gets News About Brando, Madame Mayor, Reese, a Goodbye, Jersey Talk, Won’t Be Missed, Boatmance Fail, Daryl’s Spin, But Wait, Game Of Weather, Quotes Tenfold & Dance

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lying on a chaise with her eyes closed, Britt hears someone walking near her, and says, prosecco not champagne; do you even have to ask? Selina – is she wearing Pucci??? – says she pegged Britt as more bitter than sweet.

Dante comes to the stable, and Cody says, howdy. How was the first night in the new pad? Dante says, cut short. His cousin Brando was attacked last night. Cody says, Brando; he’s married to the model, right? Is he going to be okay? Dante says he doesn’t know. Brando is in surgery. Cody says he’s sorry to hear that. Let him know if there’s anything he can do to help. Dante asks if Cody can tell him where he was last night.

Curtis sees Jordan at the hospital, and says he’s guessing she’s here because of Brando. That’s terrible news. She says, it is. She’s got to catch this person before she strikes again. Everybody’s already on edge. He says, good luck with that, and she says, him too. He says, luck? Does he need it? She shrugs, and says, you tell me.

Gladys wonders why it’s taking so long. Why haven’t they been told anything about Brando yet? Sonny says, these things take time. They’re just going to have to stay positive. She says she’d rather be informed, and asks if he can’t do something. He’s a big shot donor here; Brando is Sonny’s family. Sonny says he’ll go check, and see what he can find out. He leaves, and Gladys goes back to Sasha, who says she can’t believe they’re here again.

Dex approaches Sonny, and Sonny asks if Dex stayed out of sight like he told him to. Dex says, Josslyn never saw him. The door was pretty secure, but he kept watching her room all night. Sonny bangs the desk, and looks like he has a headache. He says he’ll be damned if he’ll let that maniac hurt anyone he cares about again. Nina joins them, and asks if there’s any word on Brando. Sonny says he was just going to ask the nurse. How is she doing? Nina says, not great. She’s worried about Sasha, and praying for Brando. She’s okay, but not great. He says he wants her to stay that way; understand him?

Kristina brings Gladys some coffee, and asks if there’s any news. Gladys says, not yet, and thanks her. Portia approaches, and Sasha and Gladys get up.

Britt tells Selina, let’s just get this over with. Selina doesn’t want Britt hanging out with Brad. Selina says, on the contrary. She’s come to realize that Britt’s association with her nephew has its advantages. Britt says, because she helped convinced Brad to work for Selina? Not her finest hour. Selina says, but look how Bradley is thriving. Britt has proved to be a good friend to him. Britt says, one who caved under pressure, and Selina says, because she mentioned the incident in 2016? Britt was free to ignore her wishes, and risk exposure of the incident in question. The fact that Britt chose the more prudent choice, makes Selina more supportive of Britt’s friendship with her nephew. Britt says, being Selina’s errand boy is only a temporary position for Brad. She may have her hooks in him now, but she assures Selina, Brad’s his own man. Brad comes back with drinks, and says he wasn’t expecting Selina. Can he get her a mimosa? Have his.

Cody says he’s sorry about what happened to Dante’s cousin, but he didn’t have anything to do with that. Dante knows that, right? Dante says, of course (🍷) he knows Cody didn’t have anything to do with that. He’s trying to see if Cody has an alibi. Cody says, probably not, unless he can take statements from the horses. He made sure they were ready for bed, did his walk-through, and went up to his room. Dante asks if anyone can verify that, but Cody says, nope. He doesn’t have an alibi for an attack on a total stranger he’s never even met. So what now? Is the Chief of Detectives going to interrogate him personally now?

As they walk to the stable, Leo asks if Brook remembered the lumps of sugar, and she says she’s got them, but maybe she should have worn different shoes. Leo says, like cowboy boots? but she says, never… Maybe if they had fringes or studs. Leo says he bets Chase would like that, and she says, you know, smarty pants… you’re right.

Curtis tells Jordan that he already feels lucky. He’d feel luckier if those divorce papers were already signed and filed. She says she couldn’t help but notice some tension between him and Sonny at Trina’s party the other night. Is everything okay? He says, it was nothing, but she says, it didn’t look like nothing. He wonders if she’s asking as the Commissioner or as his wife, and she says, neither. She’s asking as his friend. He says, he and Sonny just had a difference of opinion about favors. Why the interest? She says, just a renewed curiosity in Sonny Corinthos’s relationships, friends and enemies. Curtis isn’t the only one Sonny’s gotten on the wrong side of lately. Both Ava and Brando have close ties to Sonny, and both were attacked. It could be a coincidence, or it could be that a pattern is emerging. He says he can’t speak to that. He lifts the Styrofoam container he’s holding, and says, Portia’s breakfast is getting cold. Jordan asks if they’re good, and he says, if she’d asked him that a couple of days ago, he’d have said, absolutely. She says, and now? and he says he’s not sure anymore.

Portia says, Dr. Chang just got done operating, and wanted her to let Sasha know that her husband made it through the surgery. Gladys says, thank God, and Sasha asks how he’s doing. Portia says, the damage was extensive, but the doctor was able to repair it. The good news is, Mr. Corbin is strong, and he’s in good health. Sasha says, and the bad news? and Portia says, there are always concerns after major surgery such as Brando’s, but she wouldn’t categorize it as bad news. These are just cautions. Sasha says, like what? and Portia says, one of the common concerns after a surgery like this would be sepsis. When chemicals released in the bloodstream to fight infection, are actually triggering inflammation. But it’s highly unlikely. They’re keeping a very close eye on him. Gladys asks if they can see him, and Portia says, family only, and only one at a time. Gladys thanks her, and Portia leaves. Sonny tells Nina that he has something to take care of. He’ll be right back. He goes over to Portia by the elevator, and says he wanted to thank her for the way she handled Sasha and his cousin Gladys. They were terrified, and she was very calm. She says, there’s no need to thank her; it’s part of her job. He says he knows, but she has a good way about her. She’s very direct, so he’s going to be direct with her right now. He wants her to tell him what the chances are of his cousin pulling through.

Dante asks what Cody did here last night. Did he call anyone? Send any emails? Cody says he watched TV. What the hell is going on here? Dante says he’s helping Cody establish an alibi. He already told Cody, he doesn’t think Cody had anything to do with the attacks. Cody says, thanks, but tell his boss to back off. Dante says, his boss isn’t going to listen to him. Mac is going to run the investigation the way he sees fit. Cody says, turning it around on him? He doesn’t need this aggravation. He doesn’t need to be on the Chief of Detectives’ radar. He just wants to do his own thing. Keep it moving. Brook comes in with Leo, and says, yoohoo, buckaroos. Dante asks, what’s going on? and Leo asks, how’s Comet today? Cody says, he’s great. He’s missing his buddy. They do a fancy handshake, and Cody says, Comet is out back. He was just going to feed him. Does Leo want to help? Leo says he has the lumps of sugar, and Cody says, let’s get to it. They leave, and Brook says she hopes they didn’t interrupt. Dante says he’s always glad to see her, and she calls him a liar. What is this she hears about him and a change of address? He says, how… Chase, and she says she does live with his mom. She’s up on all things Dante. Congratulations. It’s great he and Sam are moving in together. He says, back atcha. Her and Chase. It took them long enough. She laughs, and he says he’s got to go. Tell Cody that he’ll catch him later, and don’t sweat it.

Selina says she keeps her mind sharp, and Brad asks if he can get her some coffee, something to eat, a chaise. She says, that’s not necessary. She’s just passing through. He says, right; the high roller from Easton. Speaking in Chinese, she says, do not speak of work in front of outsiders, and he responds in kind, apologizing. He asks if she needs his assistance right now, but she says, enjoy his time off. He’ll know when she needs him. Speaking in English again, Selina says, since Britt is a cocktail aficionado, Brad must introduce her to the Green Dragon sometime. Always a pleasure. She leaves, and Britt says, the Green Dragon? Brad says, it’s a green drink, popular in China. The green liqueur makes it an acquired taste. She says, like his aunt, and he says, on the bright side, he thinks she’s starting to warm up to Britt. Britt says, Selina doesn’t like her as much as she doesn’t like Brad. They’re just useful  to her. He asks how Britt is useful to his Aunt Selina.

Jordan says she thought she and Curtis were in a good place, and he says, so did he, until he found out they were still married. She says, so this is about the divorce papers? She apologized, and he seemed to understand. He says he accepted her apology; he never said he understood. How come he didn’t hear from her when she learned about those papers? She didn’t call him or send him a message; nothing. Instead, he had to come to her. She says, bottom line, they discovered the mistake before his wedding. So it’s all good, right? He says, is it? and she asks if she’s given him reason to think otherwise. He says, actually, yes. He knows her and he know how organized she is – to a fault. Yet one of the most important documents of their lives gets lost on her watch. She says, he knows good and well what kind of time she was going through. She was very ill. He says, that’s what he’s trying to tell himself, that’s all it was, and she says, what else would it be? He asks her to answer this honestly. How does she feel about him and Portia getting married? She says she wants him to be happy, but he says, that’s not what he asked. He needs her to level with him. She knows how important honesty is to him. She asks if Portia knows that, and he asks, what does that mean?

Britt asks what Brad and Selina were talking about, and he says, just business. She says, so life as a foot soldier for auntie dearest is working out for him? and he says, things are going surprisingly well. He’s no longer feeling aimless, and he’s definitely not bored. Britt says, Selina hasn’t asked him to do anything he’s uncomfortable with, right? and he says he’s adapting. So far, he doesn’t hate it. What more can he say? She asks if he regrets working for Selina, and he says he’s fine. Why? She says she’s just checking up on her bestie.

Cody asks if Dante left, and Brook says, yeah. He said to tell Cody goodbye and don’t sweat it. What exactly is he sweating? Leo says, yeah, what is he sweating? and Cody says he made a big mistake. He broke something that’s very important to him, but – he picks up a small trophy of a horse – he thinks he fixed it. Can Leo be careful? He gives it to Leo, and Leo says, he won this? Cody says he did, when he was about Leo’s age. Brook’s phone rings, and she says she needs to change her shoes. Cody says, if she’s got to take off, he’s got Leo, and she asks if Leo is good here. Leo says, with Cody? Yeah. She leaves as she answers the phone, and Leo says, Cody won this in a competition? and Cody says, someone once told him, you earn your trophies during practice; you just pick them up at competitions. It’s kind of like winning or losing. It all comes down to how well prepared you are ahead of time. He never forgot that, and never will. Leo says, neither will he.

Sonny tells Portia, give it to him straight. Should he be preparing Sasha and Gladys? Portia says, he knows she can’t tell him this, and he says he’s not asking her to give it up; he just wants to be ready. She says she gets it, and she’ll give him this. These type of wounds can have complications. It’s not unreasonable to be prepared. Is he a praying man? He says, yes he is, and she says, prayer helps. She has every reason for cautious optimism. Now if he’ll excuse her, she’s been here all night. She’s going to grab some breakfast. He gets in the elevator with her, and says, breakfast is on him

Jordan says, people getting married should be on the same page. She and Curtis weren’t, and it was their downfall. Curtis says, that’s why this time he wanted to do it differently. He and Portia have been completely transparent with each other. Jordan tells him, if you say so, and he says, that’s the second time she’s made a comment like that. Does she think because their marriage failed, he and Portia can’t succeed, or does she just not want them to? Portia and Sonny get off the elevator.

Sonny asks Jordan if there’s any word on who attacked Brando, but she says, nothing yet. Curtis asks what Portia is up to, and she says she was just going to grab a quick bite. He hands her the container (which no doubt is cold by now), and says, quick enough? She thanks him, and he and Portia get in the elevator. Curtis says he’s sorry to hear about Sonny’s cousin, and they all say their goodbyes. Sonny says he’s not used to seeing Jordan this way, and she says, what way is that? He says, rattled, and she says, it’s been a long night, when Dante comes by. He asks how Brando is, and Sonny says, the surgery went well. Jordan says, glad to hear that, and asks if Sasha and Gladys are around. Sonny says, they were on their way to ICU, and she says she’d like to ask them a few questions, but Sonny says, that’s not a good idea. They’ve had a rough night. She’ll have to make do with him.

Brad asks, what’s up with Cody? Is Britt going to give him a second date? She says, they’re in a holding pattern, since Cody is considering leaving Port Charles, and Brad asks, why? He’s got a good job, a cushy living situation – in the Quartermaine manse, no less – and he’s dating a bombshell. Why would he want to leave? She says, the PCPD has been asking too many questions about him.

Cody teaches Leo how to sit on a saddle, and tells him to pretend he has a string in the middle of his head, pulling him up, but relax his butt in the saddle. He’s a natural. Leo says, then what? and Cody says, then you take your horse to do some tests, like different gaits. The point of the competition is to show control, your mastery of the horse. Leo asks, who taught Cody all this stuff? and Cody says, there was a horse trainer on the estate where he grew up. The trainer taught him everything he knew about horses. He was the closest thing to a father Cody had. Leo says, dad isn’t his birth father either, but he’s kind too. Cody guesses they’re both lucky, and they fist bump.

In her office, Portia asks if Curtis is going to tell her what she and Sonny walked in on, and he says, just some housekeeping with Jordan. She says, the divorce papers? and he says, among other things. She says, he didn’t, and he tells her, he’s not saying Jordan intentionally misplaced the papers, but after talking to Portia and TJ, he’s thinking it’s a possibility. She asks what TJ said, and Curtis tells her, he didn’t say anything about the divorce specifically, but it’s clear Jordan is throwing herself into work and neglecting her personal life. Portia says, maybe she’s not ready to get out there just yet. With her work, she probably has no time to sleep, much less meet someone new for a coffee date.

Dex sees Kristina by herself in the waiting area, and asks if she’s okay. She says she guesses she’s more freaked out than she’s willing to admit. She can’t believe she saw that psycho stab Brando. He asks if she saw who did it, and she says, not clearly. The alley’s not lit, and it was pouring down rain. He saw she was also probably in shock, and she asks if that’s ever happened to him. He says, the first couple times he saw action. It takes a while to learn how to focus in stressful situations. She says, it’s a good thing he was there when Ava was stabbed. She heard he was calm and collected. He says, you know how they say a swan glides on the surface, but is paddling furiously underneath? She says, so he’s not as unruffled as he seems? and he says, half of keeping your cool is faking it. She says, she’ll keep that in mind, but she’s definitely had her fill of horrible situations. He says, that’s too bad. He hopes she never has to see anything like that again, but if she does, just keep paddling.

At Brando’s room, Gladys says she’ll go in after Sasha, but Sasha tells her to go in first. Gladys thanks her, and goes inside, where Brando is hooked up to machines. Nina asks Sash what she can do, and Sasha says, tell her it won’t happen again; that she won’t lose Brando too. Nina tells her, Dr. Robinson said he’s doing fine. And think about everything Brando has to live for, Sasha being at the top of that list.

Gladys sits next to the bed, and says, it’s like when she brought him home as a newborn. She was so afraid to hurt him. This time, he’s already hurt. Tell her who hurt him. Open his big blue eyes, and tell her who put him in this bed, so she can hunt them down, and give them an ounce of the hell she’s going through.

Leo asks if there are any competitions in Port Charles, and Cody says, he’ll find out if there’s a local chapter of the Stirrup Society. It’s an organization for kids that teaches riding and sportsmanship, and how to take care of horses. Leo says, Cody already taught him all that stuff, but Cody says, Leo could learn a lot more if he took lessons with the Stirrup Society. They do riding events and competitions. Maybe he’ll take Leo to one. Leo says he’s going to tell Comet, and runs off. Brook comes back, and says, Cody is so good with him. Cody says, Leo is good with him. Leo is one of the only people he doesn’t have to pretend with. She asks if he does a lot of pretending, and he says, being the new guy in town. It’s hard to make a good impression. She says he seems to have been successful. Olivia adores him, and Sam and Dante. Britt’s not complaining… much. He says he and Dante go way back. Not many people have given him multiple chances. Sometimes it seems easier to start over than fix something that’s broken. She says she’s been there. She’s run away, but wherever she arrived, there she was. He says, damn. She has layers. She laughs, and says, that’s an understatement. She doesn’t know what he’s facing, but everyone in the house is glad he’s here. She hopes he sticks around.

Britt says, then he threatened to punch Mac, and Maxie walked in, and Brad says, wasn’t Maxie on Team Cody? She says, not anymore, and he says, as the town pariah, he’s experiencing sympathy here. Cody’s reaction makes sense. Finding out your a person of interest in a brutal attack would put anyone on edge, especially when you don’t know the victim. She says, which was her point to Maxie, but Maxie wasn’t having it.  Now she thinks Cody’s not worth Britt’s time. He says, Maxie’s cool and all, but judging from her last fiancé, she might not be the best source of romantic advice. She says, and we are? and he says, speak for herself. He just exchanged numbers with a guy at the bar earlier. The mojo is back. She asks, who says mojo? and he says, whatever. Magnetism, charisma, swagger… You know who else has swagger? She tells him, don’t say it, and he says, face it. She’s drawn to that big, brash bull of a man. So why doesn’t she just cast aside all doubt, and take Cody Bell by the horns?

Curtis tells Portia, Jordan is a busy woman, but whether or not she’s dating isn’t an indicator if she’s over him or not. Portia says, but he seems to feel like she isn’t, and he says, Portia brought it up first; tell him. Portia wonders why it even matters at this point, and he says, it would explain why he gets the sense Jordan is holding back when it comes to those papers. She says she does believe Jordan still harbors feelings for him, but she doesn’t get the sense Jordan is angling to get him back. He says, then why didn’t she file those divorce papers? and Portia says, let’s say Jordan intentionally lost the papers, and wants him back. Would that change things for him?

Dante asks Sonny, where’s Kristina? How’s she doing? Jordan says, she’s on the 10th floor. Why doesn’t he go up, and she’ll meet him there? He leaves, and Jordan asks if Sonny can tell her anything about Brando that might help. Any disgruntled employees? How’s his relationship with Sasha? Sonny says, everybody loves Brando; he doesn’t have an enemy in the world. She says, what about Cyrus Renault? Brando used to work for him at some point. He asks if she’s looking at Cyrus, and she says, she’s looking at every possible scenario, including a possible link to Sonny. Has he had any business problems lately? He says, just the normal ones, but Brando and Ava don’t work for him. She says, if he wants to help her stop this maniac, stop stonewalling. The only possible connection she can find between Brando and Ava is him.

Dex tells Kristina that he usually goes to Perks, but this place is around the corner from where he lives, so he figured, why not? After waiting in line ten minutes to overpay for a pour over coffee this big – he separates his thumb and index finger about two inches – now he knows why not. She says she knows the place he’s talking about; on the corner of 8th and Van Nyes. He says, that’s it. The most pretentious, ridiculous… Dante joins them and hugs Kristina. She tells him, Brando made it through surgery, and he says he heard. How’s she holding up? She says, it’s been rough, but Dex is helping her keep her mind off of it. Dante says, Dex is a real great guy. He seems to be everywhere these days. Dex says, that’s what he gets paid for, and Dante asks if Kristina knows he works for Sonny. She says she does, and Dante asks if one of his jobs isn’t to protect the family. Dex says he does, when called upon. No one in Dante’s family is at risk from him. Dante says, they both know that’s not entirely true, right?

Gladys comes out of Brando’s room, nods to Sasha, and Sasha goes in. Nina asks how Brando is doing, and Gladys says, he’s not in any pain that she can tell. Nina says, that’s good, and Gladys says, they’re taking it for him. She would take it all if she could. She asks how Sasha is, and Nina says, desperate not to lose him. Gladys says, that makes two of them.

Sasha takes Brando’s hand, and says, he goes to bat for everyone around him; her, Gladys, Sonny and his family. She knows it must be exhausting for him. She must be exhausting. She’s asking him to rally one more time. Fight. She needs him to fight for her. She knows he’s tired, and knows he’s hurting, but he needs to push through. Fight for her. She promises he doesn’t have to worry about her anymore. She’ll do whatever she has to, to get better for him. He deserves the best because he is the best. She believes in him. She believes in him more than she’s ever believed in anyone or anything. She kisses his hand.

Britt asks Brad why she would agree to date a man who runs at the first sign of trouble. Brad says, Cody’s still in Port Charles, and she says, for the moment, but they all leave eventually. He says, maybe Cody is different, and she says, Maxie thinks Cody’s up to no good. He says, like that’s a deal breaker. No disrespect to Maxie or anyone else, but if she likes the guy, if she thinks they might be good together, take a shot. Don’t freeze him out. She asks if he’s advising her to give Cody the benefit of the doubt, and he says, a novel concept, he knows. She thanks him for saying she’s a bombshell, and he tells her, don’t be so modest. Get her swagger on. She knows she could melt dry ice. Besides she’s always looking out for him. It’s the least he can do to thank her for it.

Leo says he told Comet their joining the Stirrup Society, and Cody says, he told Leo they could go watch; there’s a big difference. Besides, he’ll need his parents’ permission to participate. Leo tells him, they’ll say yes, especially when he explains why they should. Brook laughs, and says, she thought she was the only one who could play her dad like a fiddle. She tells Leo, competition takes a lot of training and practice. Is he ready for that? Leo says, Cody will train him, and Brook wonders if he’s asked Cody. Leo asks if Cody will train him. He already knows where he’s going to put his trophy, but he can’t do it without Cody. Cody says he won’t have to, and they hug.

Curtis says, this wasn’t the conversation he expected to have this morning, and Portia says, neither did she, but they’re in it now. What if Jordan wants him back? He says, he and Jordan loved each other, and fought hard to be together, and Portia says, that type of love doesn’t just vanish when you move on. He says, no it does not. He’ll always care for Jordan. They built a history together, but that’s exactly what it is; it’s history, it’s in the past. Portia is his future; his beautiful exciting new future. She says, he once viewed a future with Jordan, but he says, that’s before he realized they had fundamental differences. Before he learned of all the secrets she kept. This isn’t about how Jordan feels about him, it’s about how he and Portia feel about each other. He couldn’t be with Jordan because he could never build a future with someone who had a problem being truthful with him. She says, but what if Jordan was truthful with him? What if she was honest about everything? Would they still be together?

Jordan says, both of the victims are related to Sonny in some way, and Sonny says, true; Brando’s his cousin, and Ava is the mother of his child. But that could just be a coincidence. She says she doesn’t believe in coincidences. Does he? She’s doing her best here, but he’s got to help her out. He says, how? and she says, tell her what’s going on. She’s heard things aren’t going right with his business, but he says, they’re regular ups and downs; nothing major. She says, is it possible his family could be under attack? and he tells her, listen to him. Does she have any evidence to suggest that? She says, no, but why else would the person who targeted Ava also attack Brando? What if this is just the beginning?

Dante tells Kristina, he and Brando caught Dex threatening Michael in the Quartermaine stables, and Kristina asks if it’s true. Dex says, he misinterpreted something her father said, and decided to follow up. He thought he was showing initiative, but he thought wrong. Dante says, so Dex got upset that they intervened, and got upset that Brando mentioned it to Sonny. Dex says, he and Sonny worked it out; so did he and Brando. Dante says, good, and Kristina says, if dad trusts Dex, that’s good enough for her. Dante says, it’s funny. This guy is literally everywhere something happens. The picnic right after Ava got stabbed… Dex says, that’s a good thing… Dante says, the alleyway right after Brando gets stabbed… Dex asks if Dante is implying something, and Kristina asks if that offer for coffee is still on the table. Dex says, that depends, and she says, they’ll go to Perks, not the place on Van Nyes. Dex asks if he and Dante are good, and Dante says, for now. Kristina says, let’s go, and Dex leaves with her.

Sasha says she’s sorry for pushing Brando away, and she’s sorry for wasting time she should have spent being with him. She’s sorry for every time she didn’t tell him how much she loves him. She can’t lose him too. Please come back to her. She cries, and he squeezes her hand. She says, Brando? and he opens his eyes.

On Monday, Sonny says he won’t be left in the dark; Elizabeth wonders why this memory is coming back to her now; Gregory has a proposition for Alexis; and Josslyn feels like someone is watching her.

✈️ Back In the States…

Boy, is she going to have a lot of catching up to do.

💣 Blast From the Past…

I must have slept through this time period. I’m surprised I don’t remember Kari Wuhrer being on GH. She’s in my favorite movie, Beastmaster 2. Stop laughing.

🥀 Before My Time…

Another GH alum departs this life.

https://www.soapoperanews.net/2022/09/ghdays-of-our-lives-alum-mark-miller.html

💋 What Happens In Jersey…

I wouldn’t mind seeing Caroline come back.

https://okmagazine.com/p/dolores-catania-caroline-manzo-think-about-returning-rhonj/

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

The old tomato.

💎 No Con For You…

They probably don’t want rotten fruit thrown at them.

Disruption On Deck…

Why are these chefs always such immature twits?

Clearly she likes toxic relationships. Case in point: Dave.

⚰️ If He Says So…

Daryl is going to be in France? Mon dieu!

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-norman-reedus-daryl-spinoff/

📝 Post Apocalyptic Credits…

It might be fun, but no doubt it will be a lead-in for one spin-off or another.

🐉 And In Weirder News…

I wonder if the forecast was, will be raining dragon poop. Seriously, how do they deal with that in Dragonstone? Is there a big litter box?

https://people.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-star-matt-smith-takes-over-today-weather-report/

🐬 Quotes of the Week

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home. – Confucius

If you’d have a drink, I’d make a lot more sense. – Nucky (Steve Buscemi), Boardwalk Empire

Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world. – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Never make someone your number one if you’re their number two. – Judge Star Jones, Divorce Court

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. – Mae West

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power. – Clint Eastwood (Before he started talking to empty chairs.)

If I can’t eat it, bang it, or bet on it, it’s not in my phone. – Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men

There are no regrets in life. Just lessons. – Jennifer Aniston

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

🖥 Buffering…

Take the next two days off from whatever you did for the last five, then join me on Monday for soap and Deck antics. Until then, stay safe, stay intrepid, and stay paddling in stressful situations. Half of keeping your cool is faking it.

Today’s musical interlude is dedicated to Jennifer Coolidge.

September 9, 2022 – Yesterday Once More, Real Band, Smoltz, Salty Talk, United, Another Deck, Future Carol, Final Dead, Regulate This, Mooning, New Stars, Exactly 10 Quotes & There She Was

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

GH was preempted yesterday, so yesterday’s was today’s. You can find it at:

And on Monday, Chase asks Brook if she thinks going after Linc is still worth it; Elizabeth wonders if Nikolas wants to protect her or himself; Curtis asks what Selina is doing at the club; and Cody has a proposition for someone.

🎸 Side Gig Within Main Gig…

Apparently, Cameron has a band IRL. It is really good of GH to let him perform his own material on the show. The ultimate in product placement.

📰 So Am I…

He’s annoying AF, but I think they should start an ongoing thing like Seinfeld had with Newman, and every time he shows up, someone goes, Smoltz!

🧂 Hence the Guilty Plea…

So she chose to say this in media outlets, but not in court. Okay. I believe it if you believe it. You can also catch the trailer for the new season.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-salt-like-city-season-3-trailer-jen-shah-played-by-stuart-smith-fraud-case/

🥤 They’re Still Here…

Former cast members united in thirst.

https://okmagazine.com/p/leeanne-locken-braunwyn-windham-burke-vulnerability-real-housewives-important-cause/

Because We Need Another One…

No crossover cast here. Check out the new crew and trailer.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1345245/heres-your-first-look-at-below-deck-adventure-bravos-thrilling-new-spin-off

💀 Life After Dead…

Carol gives you some flowers to look at.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-melissa-mcbride-carol-future-interview/

⚰️ Wrapping Up Dead…

The final season approaches.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-final-season-on-set-cover-story/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-exclusive-comic-con-images-daryl-carol/

📽 Another Notch In His Film Belt…

Originally written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, this is actually one of my favorite Stephen King books. I’m shocked they’re making it into a movie, since I haven’t met one other person who’s read it.

Stephen King Horror-Western The Regulators Being Adapted as a Film

https://www.fangoria.com/original/stephen-kings-the-regulators-is-becoming-a-movie/

🌖 A Moon Out Tonight…

I caught this the other night on IFC, and it’s not bad.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/amc-plus/moonhaven-review/

💃🏽 Latest Dancers…

Love Wayne Brady, but hoping Teresa gets the first boot.

https://ew.com/tv/dancing-with-the-stars-season-31-cast-reveal/

🏌🏽‍♀️ Quotes of the Week

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. – Plato

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. – Aristotle

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.Joshua J. Marine

We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing and inclusion. – Max de Pree

Popularity should be no scale for the election of politicians. If it would depend on popularity, Donald Duck and The Muppets would take seats in senate. – Orson Welles (Well…)

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.Charles Darwin

We don’t apologize for our mistakes; we erase them. – Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Jurassic World: Dominion

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now, with the power to shape your day and your future. – Steve Maraboli

A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. – John Stuart Mill

Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. – Rumi

🎶 If That’s All There Is, Then Let’s Keep Dancing…

See you on Monday, when I assume the soap will be readjusted, and we’ll see what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay always moving forward, and stay being wise, prudent, and sensible. Most of the time.

August 26, 2022 – Spencer Is Done With Nikolas, a Temp, Memories, Official, BH Clash, In the Book, Married, Renewed, Joining, Dead Spin, a Goodbye, Moonmen, 8 Great Quotes & Cruel

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn says, one blanket coming up, and walks in to find Elizabeth with his ringing phone in her hand.

Anna says she doesn’t remember the last time the Quartermaines hosted such a… Mac says, rabble? but she tells him, she was going to say event. He says, doesn’t she remember her wedding to Robert, with all the fancy hats that blocked out the sun? and she says, she remembers his girlfriend crashed the party. He says, Dominique always had a flair for the dramatic, when Lucy walks in with Felicia, and says, yes she did. Felicia hands Mac a drink, and says, he needs it more than she does. Anna asks, why? and Mac says, what’s wrong?

Britt asks Austin if she missed anything. Work was no picnic; pun intended. She wants to smack something around. Austin says, the next thing that gets smacked around is going to be her boy toy if he doesn’t stop flirting with his girlfriend. At the grill, Cody asks if Maxie wants some pork, and holds out a pork chop.

Inside, Victor wonders if Valentin brought a decent bottle of Bordeaux. Valentin pours a glass of wine, and says, if he brought a decent bottle of Bordeaux does Victor think he’d be drinking this plunk? The Quartermaines save the good stuff for themselves. He’s surprised to see Victor there. He looks a bit posh for a barbecue. Victor says he’s not there for the cuisine. Their family’s out of order, and Victor has to get them in line. He needs Valentin’s help.

Nikolas kisses Ava, but she breaks away, and says, it’s too late for words. It’s too late for kisses. It’s too late. He broke them the second he had sex with Esme. They see Spencer has walked in, and Nikolas says, Spencer… but Spencer says, don’t. What is Ava talking about? She says, he heard her. His father betrayed her with Spencer’s girlfriend.

Terry sits with her feet in the pool, and Yuri says, apologies. The bar is closed. Terry says, thanks for trying, and tells him, have a seat. He takes off his socks and shoes, and she says she hopes he didn’t mind leaving the party early. He says, the Quartermaines are busy, besides, she’s much better company. He sits next to her, and says, refreshing. She says, nice, huh?

Elizabeth says Finn will want to answer this, showing him the phone. Sarah’s on California time. It might be hard to connect if he doesn’t talk to her now. He takes the phone, and puts it down. He says he’d rather talk to her, and she says, enjoy the rest of his picnic. She starts to leave, and he says, please don’t walk away. Not now. Not like this. Don’t turn away from herself and whatever burden she’s carrying.

Maxie says she’s a vegetarian, and Cody asks if he has any takers. Austin steps up to the grill, and Britt says she didn’t know Cody was a grill master as well as a horse master. Cody says he’s really not, and Britt says she didn’t know he was capable of cooking something without burning it. Cody says he has to keep some secrets before date number two, and tells them that he needs to resupply. Maxie suggests Britt go with him, and Britt and Cody leave. Maxie asks if it’s burnt, and Austin says, it’s… this, indicating the pork chop She asks him to tell her the secret to a good pork chop, and he says, it’s the rub. Mason comes along, and says, nah. Any Gatlin worth his salt knows you can dress a barbecue up, but you won’t get what you want if you don’t turn up the heat.

Mac says, Dominique had a son, and he works for the Quartermaines? and Felicia says, so it would seem. Mac says, impossible. He would have known. Lucy says, what about Scotty? He should have known next. And what about her? She gave birth to Scotty and Dominique’s daughter after all. Anna says, she never gave any indication that she had a son? and Mac says, not once. Felicia says, it’s possible she kept the child a secret to protect him from her husband. Leopold Taub was a controlling monster; he even partnered with Faison. Anna says, a mother will go to any lengths to keep a child secret from an abuser, and Lucy says, you don’t realize who that child will turn out to be as an adult, which is precisely why she called Serena and told her not to come home anytime soon. She wants Serena to stay with her whales until they know more about this Cody person. Mac says, leave it to him, and Felicia follows him out. Lucy says she’s going to help, but Anna grabs her arm, and says she thinks they’ve got it. Besides, Lucy already has one man on her plate. Wait. Make that two.

Spencer says, Nikolas and Esme? but Nikolas says, it’s not the time or the place. Spencer says he’s not moving until Nikolas tells him everything, and Nikolas says, let’s talk about this later. Ava should have been more discreet. Ava says, don’t put this on her, and he says she knew Spencer was standing there. She says she doesn’t have eyes in the back of her head; do not make her the bad guy. They start screaming at each other, and Spencer yells, shut up! He needs to know. If this is just another one of Ava’s lies, that’s fine. Tell him. He knows what she is, and he knows who Nikolas is – his dad. Please… He starts to cry. Please say something. Nikolas says, it’s not a lie. He slept with Esme.

Cody says, it was right here, and Britt says, what? He says, the cooler, packed with burgers, hot dogs, ears of corn. Someone must have swiped it for one of the other grilling stations. She asks if this means his grilling duties are over, and he says, that’s up to Mama Q. She asks, he answers. She says she can’t see Olivia being okay with that nickname, but he says, she loves it. She knows it’s a term of affection. Does Britt have a nickname? She says she does. It’s definitely not a term of affection. He asks what her mother calls her, and she says, a disgrace, but Cody doesn’t believe it. He says, even when Obrecht was smacking him down, he could see her love for Britt. Britt says, mutter has gotten more sentimental these days, but she doesn’t want anyone to know. He says, all right. If she doesn’t want to share her mother’s nickname for her, what was her dad’s?

Maxie tells Mason, welcome. She didn’t think he was going to make it. Mason says he wouldn’t miss it. He needed to see how the other half grills. Besides, Cousin Austin insisted. He didn’t want Mason sitting around twiddling his thumbs. She asks if he’s an expert griller too, and he says, everyone in Pautuck is; some are better than others. He asks if Austin wants to flip over that chop, and Austin suggests Maxie take some food orders; see if her parents want something. Mason says, her parents are here? She should bring them over. He’d love to make their acquaintance.

Elizabeth says, Finn doesn’t know when to quit, does he? She told him… He says, if he brought up whatever’s troubling her again, they’d be over, and she says, so he brought it up with her sister instead? He tells her, he hasn’t said a word to Sarah, and she says, don’t argue semantics with her. He says he’d argue any point he could if he knew it meant helping her, and she says she never asked for his help. She never wanted it; she never needed it. She was just fine without it, but somehow he’s still meddling in her life.

Ava suggests Nikolas talk to his son in private. Here or at Windymere; she doesn’t care. She’s done. Nikolas says she should stay and watch the results of her ambush, but she says, he did this; no one else. He says, this is what she’s always wanted, to see his relationship with his son destroyed. It killed her to see them get close. She says, that’s absolutely not true, and he says, knowing she’d never get the chance to heal with Kiki the way he did with Spencer, but she’s the only one to blame for that. She smacks him across the face, and he says, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? She says, ask his son, and walks out.

Lucy says she agreed to make certain inquiries, so Marty wouldn’t ping on the government’s radar, and Anna says, or more important, his third ex-wife. Lucy says, this is going beyond the pale, but Anna says, not for Lucy. She could lead a master class extract secrets out of people. Lucy says, the old her, not now, and Anna says she’s not asking Lucy to do anything she wouldn’t do. She’s just asking Lucy to exploit the attention that Victor can’t wait to lavish on her. Just shake the tree until information about Valentin comes loose. Lucy asks, what makes Anna so sure she can get Victor to let his guard down? and Anna asks if Lucy has seen the way Victor looks at he. Lucy has the necessary assets to be her asset. Lucy says, nope. Flattery isn’t going to get her anywhere. Anna says, let’s hope for Marty’s sake she’s wrong.

Victor tells Valentin, he’s not asking for much; just another pair of eyes on a developing situation in Nikolas’s family. Valentin says, Nikolas, Ava, and Spencer all loathe him with varying degrees of justification, and Victor says he can’t do everything himself. It’s time his son stepped up and did his duty. If not for him, then for Valentin’s daughter. Valentin says, they agreed to leave his daughter out of this, and Victor says, her temporary stay in that boarding school could easily become permanent. Valentin says, you bastard, when Lucy walks in and asks if she’s interrupting.

Spencer asks Nikolas to please tell him this didn’t happen. He doesn’t understand. Nikolas says, of course (🍷) he doesn’t. Ava vomited that all up… Spencer says, she didn’t know he’d be here. She didn’t know he was standing right behind her. Nikolas says, Spencer doesn’t know that; he doesn’t know that. Never credit or defend Ava; she’s capable of anything. Spencer says, so is Nikolas. When did it start? How long have he and Esme been going at it? Nikolas says, just one time in May. They never repeated it. It was a mistake. Spencer says, Nikolas slept with his girlfriend, and Nikolas tells him, she said they’d broken up. Spencer asks if Nikolas is trying to justify this, but Nikolas says he’s just trying to explain. Spencer says he had his reasons. He had to keep Esme close because he was trying to help Trina. Nikolas says he knows that now; he didn’t know it then. All he knew is Spencer accepted Ava’s offer and took his inheritance over him. Spencer says, is that what this is about? Revenge? Nikolas says, no. He didn’t want to hurt Spencer. Spencer says, it may have actually meant something if Nikolas tried to hurt him, but they’re in the same place they’ve found themselves time and time again. Nikolas didn’t think. He didn’t think about Spencer at all.

Finn tells Elizabeth, he’s in the wrong. She asked him to honor her wishes, and obviously he didn’t. He’s sorry, but the truth is, she’s not the only one he’s concerned about. He’s worried about Violet. She says, how so? and he says, Violet loves Elizabeth and her cousins. When they’re all together, it’s all she talks about for days. Elizabeth makes her so happy. She brings light into Violet’s life, but less so lately. He knows the handling of her health is her decision alone, but he has a decision to make too, and he doesn’t know how to ignore the clear signs that she’s in some sort of distress. She says, it’s her distress, her burden, not his, and he sits. She says, what? and he says, at least they’re finally getting somewhere. She finally admitted she has a burden.

Terry says, Yuri worked for the Quartermaines as a bodyguard. Was it dangerous? He tells her, more, how you say… frustrateous? She says, frustrating, and he says, that. She says, from what she’s heard about the Quartermaines, she’s not surprised. Although she likes and respects Monica. He says, him too, and she says, it looks like they have something in common. She plays with her necklace, and he says, pretty. She thanks him, and says, it was a gift. He says, from a special someone? and she says, her mother. There’s no special someone in her life right now. He says, this is crime.

Austin tells Mason, Maxie’s dad is a cop. He’s Chief of Detectives at the PCPD. Mason says, if there’s any trouble, Austin only has himself to blame. He has obligations to fulfill. To whom much is given, much is required. Austin says, thanks for that, fortune cookie. His dept is repaid. Mason says, his creditors disagree. Ingratitude isn’t a good look on him. He doesn’t think Maxie would find it attractive. Austin says, leave Maxie out of this, and Mason says, he’s the one who brought her up. Or her father, or rather her Chief of Detectives father. He only wants what’s good for Austin. Austin says, the feeling’s mutual, and grabs Mason’s head with both hands, and says, that’s why he’s only going to say this one time. Leave Maxie and her family out of this, or the pain Mason is feeling right now will not be fleeting.

Anna says, she hates being lied to, but Valentin says he’s not lying. She tosses a cornhole sack, and we see his head popping out of the hole, like Whack-a-Mole. It hits him, and he says, ouch. She says, it didn’t look like it hurt quite enough. She’s trying again. Stay still. She hits him with another sack, and he says, ouch. She says, yes, and Maxie joins her. Maxie says, looks like fun, and Anna says, yeah. She gets a sack into the hole, and says, that’ll do.

Lucy says she’s so sorry. She certainly didn’t mean to interrupt a family moment. Victor says, it’s all sorted, and Valentin says, it isn’t, but Victor asks what he can do for her. She says she’s looking for… She sees a jar on the counter, and says, pickles. Outside, gherkins, gherkins everywhere, and not a dill to eat. He says, here you are, sliding the jar over, but slides it back when she reaches for it. She says, he’s playing with her, and he asks how he can resist. Valentin says, will he give the woman her pickles? He’ll see her for s’mores. Victor gives her the jar, but says, no need to rush away, and Valentin says, Martin Grey is probably looking for her. Victor remembers Martin, doesn’t he? Lucy’s boyfriend?

Britt says, back to her father. Surprise, surprise. Cody says, it was an innocent question, and she says he knows she doesn’t like talking about him. Cody says, he thought the boundaries were the Dr. Evil stuff. He didn’t realize, and wasn’t aware, her father was entirely off limits. She says, he’s aware now, and he says, okay, no dad talk. What about her brother? She says, Peter? and Cody says, is he out of bounds, or should they just avoid her whole family and stick with his? She says, good idea, when Felicia and Mac come alone. Felicia says, they’re sorry to interrupt. They’re looking for someone. Mac says he thinks they found him.

Maxie gets her toss in the hole, and Anna says, she’s a natural. Maxie is a natural leader as well. She never said congratulations yet about Deception’s IPO. Maxie thanks her, and says, it was a lot of work, but it helps to have a great team behind you. Anna says, including Valentin? and Maxie says, shockingly. He was a little more involved than she would have liked at the beginning, but he had some great ideas. He’s has been quiet lately. Anna says she noticed that too. She thinks he’s still convalescing from the injury he had a few months ago, and Maxie says, sometimes she thinks he still hasn’t recovered. It’s like his mind is someplace else. With Anna? Anna says, maybe, and Maxie says, what is she doing? She’s supposed to be taking orders. Has Anna seen her mom and dad? Anna says she hasn’t seen them in a while, but there here somewhere, and Maxie asks if she’d like something, but Anna says, she can’t eat when she’s thinking.

Lucy says, it’s the darndest thing. Martin is still out of town. Victor asks if he’s left Lucy unattended again. The man should be tarred and feathered. There is a solution though; allow him. Lucy says she was one leg short for the three-legged race, and he says, all his legs are at her service. Valentin says he’s been trying to reach Martin. Where is her one and only? She says, his mother. He’s so busy taking care of her, he’s had no time to answer her calls or texts. Victor says, a woman of advanced age does need a lot of attention. A dutiful son can be away for some time. Valentin says, he should be back soon, and Lucy tries to open the pickles, but she’s unsuccessful. She says she can’t get this lid unscrewed. Valentin snaps a picture on his phone, and says, if Martin can’t be reached, he’s sure this message will get his attention.

Cody asks if he knows Mac, and Mac says, not exactly. Felicia asks if he’s Cody Bell, and he says he is. She introduces herself and Mac, and Cody says, they’re Maxie’s parents. Nice to meet them. She’s great; he loves that girl. Did they hear about him through Maxie, or… Britt says, don’t be modest. Mac is Chief of Detectives. She’s sure his cops told him how they arrested Cody. Felicia says, to be honest, they only just heard about him, and came right over to meet him. Cody says, why is that? and Felicia looks at Mac. He doesn’t say anything, and she says, they knew Cody’s mother.

Austin keeps his grip on Mason’s head, and says, hurts, right? That’s the parotid nerve. It’s super sensitive nerve, and it hurts even more if you press on it like this. He presses Mason’s head down, and Mason says, let him go. Austin says, he’ll let Mason go as soon as he feels like they they’re understanding one another. Mason says, he can live with the pain – he grabs a knife from the cutting board – but can Austin live with a nicked artery? Austin lets go, and Mason says, blood or no blood, when he calls, Austin will answer, and it will be, yes, sir, and, thank you, sir, when he gives Austin instructions. Got it? Ava comes along, and says, loud and clear.

Nikolas says he knows sleeping with Esme was wrong, and Spencer says, Captain Obvious did it occur to him, not owning up to the truth was also wrong? Nikolas asks, what would be the point in telling Spencer? and Spencer says, not lying would have been the point, but Nikolas says he was more concerned with not hurting Spencer. And it didn’t matter to Esme. Spencer says he knows Nikolas didn’t do this on his own. Esme’s just as responsible. Nikolas says, that’s not what he’s saying. It shouldn’t have happened. Spencer says, he’d really like it if Nikolas would start calling it what it is. It is a betrayal, and there have been so many, including the years Nikolas let Spencer believe he was dead. He’s sick. Nikolas says he’ll never forgive himself for that, but how does sleeping with Esme compare to that? Spencer told Nikolas himself that he was just using her to get Trina out of prison. Spencer says, that is the worst part. Because he stopped loving Esme. She didn’t matter to him, but Nikolas did. He loved Nikolas. Nikolas was his dad and meant everything to him. No longer.

Finn tells Elizabeth, now is the time to get out in front of this thing before it digs in any deeper, before it harms her or someone else. She asks if he’s suggesting she’d hurt someone like she did Chase, and he says, not intentionally, but it’s clear to him that she has a problem. And despite all the denials, he thinks it’s clear to her too. Does she think maybe it’s clear to her boys? How does she think it is for them, seeing their mom struggling, and they can’t help her and don’t know how? And what’s going to happen if they reach out to somebody she doesn’t want them too, like her father? She says, don’t talk about her father. Why can’t he just leave her alone? He says, because he’s been there. He’s been in denial; he’s an addict. He’d probably be dead right now if certain people hadn’t fought through his lies and helped him. That’s why he can’t turn a blind eye when he sees someone in pain. What’s the point of being a doctor? She says, he’s not her doctor. He’s not her anything. She runs out, and he calls after her.  

Elizabeth comes out of the woods, and feels her head. She sees blood on her hands. She hears Finn’s words about her boys, and him asking, what if they reach out to her father? She flashes back to being at the top of the stairs with someone, and saying, don’t talk about my father. The woman asks what she’s doing; they probably don’t want her involved. Elizabeth says, don’t talk about her father. You’ll see what happens if you do. She keeps walking, then stops and looks back.

Cody asks how they knew his mother, and Felicia says, she didn’t know Dominique well, but Mac… Mac says, he and Dominique were friends. He met her when she was married to Cody’s father. Cody says, Mac has his deepest sympathies. From what he’s heard, Leopold Taub was a real piece of work. Mac says, no doubt about that, and Cody promises he’s nothing like that guy, at least as far as he knows, He’s definitely not in a criminal cartel, trying to hold Port Charles hostage. Mac says he doesn’t see a bit of Taub in Cody; plenty of Dominique though. She was a good person. Cody tells him, if you say so, and Mac says he does. Felicia says she’s starving, and suggests they rustle up some ribs. Cody says, the barbecue by the boathouse is out of supplies, so they’ll have to hit up another one. He asks if he can interest Britt in a beer inside, and she guesses it woudn’t hurt. He says, it never does, and tells Mac and Felicia, nice meeting them. Felicia says, him too, and Britt and Cody go into the stable. Cody says, weird guy. Outside, Felicia asks if Mac is okay, and Mac says, why wouldn’t he be? She says, he just lied to Cody.

As she plays with her necklace, Terry tells Yuri, a crystal’s a symbol of transformation. Her mother says, it’s a reminder that change is ongoing. We’re always creating or discovering new parts of ourselves. Sometimes change is big and visible, and sometimes you have to look closely to find it. He says, this crystal is helpful to her? and she says, yes. The clasp is loose, and she needs a new chain, because every time she plays with it – the chain opens and the necklace falls in the water – that happens. Yuri dives in.

Lucy says, Valentin doesn’t have to send Victor those pictures. In fact, she bets she could get ahold of him right now, and make sure he contacts Valentin immediately. As for Victor, she’s so sorry. She just remembered she has to meet Brook, but she sure hopes they can do this again sometime maybe. He holds a pickle spear out to her, and says, no maybe about it. She takes her pickle, thanks him, and leaves. Valentin says, Victor always wants what he can’t have, and Victor says he gets what he wants. It just takes a little patience. But rather than concerning himself with Victor’s personal affairs, perhaps Valentin should focus on his own. Or is Anna proving too hard to handle?

Ava says, good evening, as she walks closer, and Mason puts the knife back. She says, is everything okay here? Mason says, he and Austin were just arguing the merits of medium rare versus well done. She asks what they decided, and Austin says, well done. She says she came out to find a refill, but it looks like she’s out of luck. She looks at them weird, and says, so carry on, gentlemen. She leaves, and Mason starts to follow, but Austin says, don’t even worry about her. Mason says he doesn’t worry, and leaves. Austin follows. I actually get confused for a moment, thinking, aren’t Ava and Austin good friends? But that was Ava and Todd. I mean, Franco.

Nikolas says, Spencer doesn’t mean that. They’ve come too far to let their relationship go. Spencer says, everything he’s done since he came home was to bring them closer; every gamble, every stupid mistake, every act of contrition. All to get his dad back. And for every step he took closer to Nikolas, Nikolas took two steps backwards. There’s no closing that gap now. He thought he knew who Nikolas was, but he doesn’t. He’s done with Nikolas. He walks out.

Mac asks how he lied to Cody, and Felicia says she’s not sure the word friend accurately captures Mac’s relationship with Dominique. He says, ancient history. They guy obviously has mother issues he needs to work out. There’s no reason to add one more thing to his list.

Cody hands Britt a beer, and says, where were they? Oh yeah. She was about to tell him about her brother. She says, no. He was about to ask her if he was allowed to ask about Peter. He says, is he? and she says, stick to your favorite color crayon, worst remake, best Toto song. He says, burnt sienna, he never watches remakes and never will, and Rosanna. She says, Africa, and he says, too obvious. And how is it fair her brother is off-limits, just like when he brings up any of her other family members? She says she thinks about Peter and Faison nearly every day, and talking about them only makes it worse. He takes her beer, and puts it on the table with his, and says, fine. Enough talking. He moves closer to her.

Lucy finds Anna, and Anna asks how it went with Victor. Lucy says, Victor fell for her, hook, line, and pickles, but Valentin was there, so there wasn’t anything of interested revealed. But there’s a heck of a lot of tension between father and son. Anna asks, how so? and Lucy says, she would recognize a thwarted and disgruntled Valentin, but it wasn’t just that. Valentin was going for the jugular when she interrupted them. So her sense is, big daddy has Valentin on a very short leash, and that leash is beginning to chafe. She takes a bite of her pickle, and walks off.

Victor says, he’s noticed Valentin and Anna have become close since Valentin’s return from Tahiti. Has it clouded Valentin’s judgement? Valentin says, he told Victor, he has Anna well in hand, and Victor says, with a little cultivation, he’ll have the lovely Lucy in his hand soon. So a be chum, and delete that photo. Valentin says, yes, father, and does. Victor says, Charlotte would be proud, pats Valentin on the shoulder, and leaves.

Spencer chugs a beer, and goes into the cooler for another. Nikolas asks how much he’s had to drink, and Spencer gives him the standard answer, not nearly enough, but Nikolas says, he’s had plenty. He tries to take Spencer’s beer, and grabs him. Spencer says, let him go, and they struggle. Nikolas says, he’ll never let Spencer go, and Victor comes along, as Spencer breaks away. Spencer says, he’s let Nikolas go. He’s done his last good deed, and now Nikolas can go win Ava back, without even considering Spencer. Good luck. Spencer leaves, and Victor says, what the hell? What just happened? Nikolas says, Ava happened. Oh, I see. Nikolas has changed not-at-all, and is going to blame all his mistakes on Ava.

Mason walks through the boathouse, and says, he thought she came this way. Austin says, can’t he just let this go? but Mason says, she heard them. Austin says, she heard a family squabble, but Mason says, it was more than that. Austin says, Ava doesn’t know that, and Mason says, he can’t take the chance, and neither can Austin.

Yuri brings back Terry’s necklace, and sits next to her again. He says, it’s only water; it will dry. She laughs, and he says, wear it? She says, of course (🍷), and he puts it on her.

As Ava walks, we see someone take a pair gardening gloves, and  a hook is taken from a row of them. Ava says, to Windymere. Living there was nice while it lasted. Hook guy comes up behind her, and she says, if Scotty’s worth his fee, he’ll pry it from Nikolas before the divorce. To divorce. The hook comes down, Ava doubles over. She looks down to see it sticking out of her stomach.  

On Monday, Cody asks Britt, what’s so awful about them being into each other; Finn tells Elizabeth, don’t shut him out; Sonny tells Anna, he can neither confirm nor deny that; and Ava asks someone not to leave her.

😴 Ho-Hum…

Temp Michael is coming back. Again.

💖 Charming Remembrance…

She’s also celebrating her 45th GH Anniversary.

💑 She Likes Him…

I’m glad Sutton has found a man. He seems like a good match for her.

💎 A Feud In Them There Hills…

Diana needs to take a step back, and Garcelle needs her own show. Google me is one of the best things I’ve heard in a long time.

https://www.distractify.com/p/garcelle-beauvais-diana-jenkins-feud

I actually don’t believe this, but then again, who knows?

https://screenrant.com/why-rhobh-fans-diana-used-bots-attack-garcelle/

☎️ Another Number…

I’m not sure why this isn’t in the Who Cares? file. It’s not like they were all kinkballs. At least I hope not.

👰🏻 Knot Officially Tied…

She finally did it. I wish them the best.

https://people.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-stars-scheana-shay-brock-davies-get-married/

🐉 That Was Quick…

I’ll have to hurry up and watch this. The article also contains a recap video.

☠️ Oh Boys…

Another one I have yet to watch. Now there’s even more incentive.

⚰️ Spinning…

I see the both of them are also producers. Smart move.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/walking-dead-maggie-negan-spinoff-new-title-dead-city/

🥀 Goodbye To a Peachy Guy…

He was one of those actors who was in everything too.

https://people.com/tv/beverly-hills-90210-actor-joe-e-tata-dead-at-86/

🎶 On Sunday…

I don’t know if this is everything you need to know, but it’s a lot.

https://ew.com/awards/mtv-video-music-awards-2022-everything-to-know/

📣 Quotes of the Week

Look around you. Everything changes. Everything on this earth is in a continuous state of evolving, refining, improving, adapting, enhancing and changing. You were not put on this earth to remain stagnant. – Steve Maraboli

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. – Frederick Douglass

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.George Washington

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. – Søren Kierkegaard

I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature. – Paulo Coelho

The outer conditions of a person’s life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state… Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are. – James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

My responsibility to myself, my neighbors, my family and the human family is to try to tell the truth. – Toni Cade Bambara

We were good before things went bad. – Silas Clay (Michael Easton, 2013-1015), General Hospital

🏃🏽‍♀️ Never Gonna Break My Stride…

Time to kick back and fill your head with good things. Take in some nature. Or if you’re a rural dweller, take in some concrete. Inviting both city and country mice to join me on Monday for some soap and what’s on Deck in the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay not limiting your friendships to those who think like you, and stay not keeping all the good stuff for yourself.

August 5, 2022 – Deception Does Damage Control, Yesterday’s Charm, 2 Anniversaries, He’s Restless, Days Move, Kindness Please, Regrets, Sit Down, Med Captain, 50 Cent’s 2 Cents, Transformation, Who’s On, 5+5 = 10 Quotes & Here It Comes

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Chase lounges in a floatie donut in the pool. Dante comes by and says, this reminds him of a movie he saw once. Disillusioned guy spends the summer floating around in a pool so he can avoid his future. Chase says, The Graduate. It’s a good movie. The key difference is though, the main character had Simon and Garfunkel singing his confusion. Dante says, right, and Chase says, and didn’t have to pay for his pool chaise. Dante says, that’s true too. Don’t kid himself though. That guy was a lot younger than him. Chase says, thank you. Did Dante talk to his guy at the CCRB? Dante says, yeah, and Chase says, and? Is there a chance he’s getting back on the force? Dante says he’s sorry. He wishes he had better news to report.

Lucy comes into the Deception office, and tells Brook and Maxie that she’s sorry to keep them waiting. She was on the phone with Paris again and again, and she appreciates them coming to this meeting at such short notice. Maxie says she’s supposed to meet Britt for brunch, but if this is about what she thinks it’s about, Britt will forgive her. Lucy says, yeah, Sasha, and Brook says, it’s all over the news. It’s blowing up their social media. They need to release a statement. Lucy says, exactly, and Maxie says, one that protects Sasha’s privacy. Lucy says, that is a given, but they also have to consider Deception’s image and protect their company. Maxie says, more important, they help their friend, but Lucy says she’s not sure they can do both.

Martin gives Sasha some coffee, and says, it’s not Perks, but why doesn’t she try to drink it anyway; be as sharp as she can. She just stares ahead, and he says, Sasha? If she doesn’t have anything more to say, he guesses he’ll see what time transport is set for her arraignment. Outside in the squad room, Gladys arrives, and Brando hugs her. She says she brought Sasha fresh clothes. He looks like he hasn’t slept a wink. Where’s Sasha? He points to the interrogation room, and says, she’s int there conferring with her lawyer Martin Grey. She says, excellent. He’s Valentin Cassadine’s attorney; he’s high-powered. He’ll help their girl for sure. Martin comes out, and Brando asks, how’s Sasha? Martin says, she’s just great. Why shouldn’t she be? She’s only facing charges of reckless endangerment, disturbing the peace, willful destruction of property – both public and private – and oh yeah, attempted murder.

Gregory meets Alexis at some outside tables, and she says, he’s early. He says, only by a few minutes. He’s eager to hear the feedback on the op ed he wrote. She says, and so he shall. She promised to be honest. He tells her not to keep him in suspense. Who came out on top of their little wager? She says, you tell me, and hands him her tablet.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Sam thanks Spinelli for meeting her. He says, of course (🍷). He’s always at her service. Cody walks in, and Spinelli says, unlike others, she’s entirely worthy of his time and efforts.

Cody sees Britt, and says, hello again. He sits next to her, and she says, and goodbye again, getting up. He says, come on. Don’t be like that. She doesn’t have to take off. She says, sorry. She has to go. He says, what? She needs something plugged in again? She needs to wash her hair? He knows she doesn’t need to see a guy about a horse because he’s that guy. She says, he’s right. She doesn’t need to make excuses. The simple truth is, she just doesn’t like him.

Chase says, so the Review Board is going to rule against him? and Dante says he doesn’t know about that. All he knows is, his guy on the inside, when he asked if Chase would get his badge back, he said the chances were slim. Chase asks if there’s anything he can do to derail this, and Dante says, the new member appointed by the public advocate is making a point of throwing the book at cops who step out of line, regardless of their exemplary record. Chase says, so that’s it, he’s no longer a cop, but Dante says, take it from him, you’re still a cop until you actually hand your badge in for good. There’s always hope until that happens. Chase says, hope doesn’t pay his late rent, and Dante says he’ll spot Chase rent money. Chase says he appreciates that, but he got himself into this, and he’ll get himself out. Dante says, even if it means taking a job outside the force? when Linc appears, and says, then it’s a good thing Chase has other options.

Brook scrolls on her tablet, and says, the comments are so rude. Poor Sasha. Maxie says, she kept insisting she was okay, but in retrospect, it’s clear she wasn’t. Lucy says, these media hounds are baying for blood. They’ve got to simply reset the narrative. They need to engender empathy for Sasha that maintains her position here, and hopefully placates the Board of Directors. Maxie says, they need to come up with a strategy that shields Deception from liability, while not abandoning one of their partners. Brook says, right. Where do they start? Maxie says, let’s get the ball rolling, and asks if Brook would mind taking notes. Brook says, of course (🍷) not, and Maxie says, Deception’s press release subject: Deception’s commitment on supporting health and mental well-being.

Gladys brings a garment bag in to Sasha, and asks how she’s holding up.

Alexis tells Gregory, this one says, Professor Chase’s opinion piece seems like a complaint in search of a cause, and he says, but if you scroll up, you’ll see Cronkite’s Ghost – he laughs – says his op-ed piece eloquently illuminates the necessity of objectivity. She laughs, and says, Cronkite’s Ghost. They say a handle says a lot about a person. She’s getting pompous blowhard. He asks if she’s ascribing that characterization to him, but she says, no, of course (🍷) not. Here’s one. Newshound86 thinks his op-ed piece is a dumpster fire. He says, how constructive… and poetic, and she says, this one just wants her to put the horoscopes back in. He says, he’d argue that astrology is subjective, so he marks that one in his favor. She says, by a slim margin, it appears the readers approve of his point-of-view. Cue the gloating. He says, him gloat? No. It’s enough he’s feeling validated that his so-called antiquated notions have merit. Thanks for following up. She says, a deal’s a deal, and he says, speaking of which, their deal was, if he won, she’d take more of his input on board. She wonders why the hairs on the back of her neck on end. Cue the smirk. He smiles.

Cody says, Britt hasn’t been shy about her disapproval, and she says, and yet, here he is. Haven’t they played this scene before? He says, yes, we have, but we keep screwing up the finale, and she asks what he means by we. He says, he can admit that he doesn’t always say the right things, and she asks if he expects her to say something to the contrary, but he says, no. He was just giving her the chance to admit that she’s unforgiving when it comes to human frailty. He takes a sip of his drink, and says he’ll wait. She says, by all means, help yourself.

Sam tells Spinelli that she thinks she hit a brick wall, but he’s busy staring at Britt and Cody. She says, then Felicia made a great suggestion to her. She said, think analog. He says, interesting, and she says, the documentation she needs is abroad. Is he available for a quick trip? He asks, where? and she says she was thinking Mars. She hears the planet is notorious for sloppy record keeping. He says, that’s just common knowledge, and she says, he’s not even listening to a word she’s saying, but he says, he is. Analog records… messy… Mars? She tells him, she said Mars, and the word she used is sloppy. What’s messy is him eavesdropping on Britt and Cody’s conversation. She wants him to tell her why, and no lame excuse or denial, because she’s not buying it.

Sasha comes out, and Brando her. He says he’s not going anywhere, and Gladys leads her away. Martin says he’s glad Brando’s mother brought fresh clothes; she needs to be as presentable as possible. Brando says, clothes aren’t going to do anything. Her eyes are vacant and she doesn’t look good. They need to get her out of here. Tell him, how are they going to beat these charges? Martin says, they can’t.

Cody tells Britt to look at it from his point-of-view. She tore into him about falling into the pool at the mixer. He was hired to jump, and she was standing smackdab in the middle of it. She helped him in the alley when he got beat up, but then she assumed he deserved it. He did not. Then she drenched him on their date because he went a little overboard trying to impress her. And she woudn’t even accept his apology. Then when she finally did accept his apology, she found some trivial reason to get angry at him again. It’s like she wants him to fail. He guesses if people don’t live up to her ridiculously high expectations she’s set for them, she gets to feel justified punishing them. She says, he’s right. He’s got her number. He says, he does?

Sam says, Spinelli is on good terms with Britt, so his beef must be with Cody. Why? He says, Mr. Bell is a scoundrel of ill-repute, and she asks if he realizes Cody and Dante are best friends from childhood. Leo loves the guy, as do the horses. He seems like a nice guy. What’s Spinelli’s issue with him? Spinelli says, he’s a man of many faces, and she says, meaning? He says he can read people well. Remember, he never liked Peter August. She says, nobody liked Peter August. Why doesn’t he save his incredible reading skills for the documentation they’ll be hunting down on their trip? She’d like to leave by the end of the week. He says he’s completely at her disposal stateside, but he’s too occupied with work to cross the International Dateline. She says, work. She’s so glad he brought that up. What is it he does these days?

Dante says he wasn’t talking to Linc. What does he want? Linc says, nothing to do with Dante. He has business with Dante’s friend here. Dante says, Chase is still a cop, so Chase is his partner, and Chase asks Dante to give them a second. Dante asks if Chase is kidding. This guy might be the reason he gets kicked off the force. What business could Chase possibly have with him? Linc says, standing right here, and Dante says, go stand over there. Chase tells Dante, he knows what he’s doing, and Dante says, all right. Just don’t let this punk bait him. He leaves, and Linc says, Chase gave him 30 days to show him what he can do. It hasn’t even been a week, and he’s booked Chase a gig at The Savoy. What has Brook done for him lately?

Maxie asks Brook to read that last part back, and Brook reads, together we pledge to stand up for the Deception family by breaking the stigma of mental health challenges, ensuring their partners and their families receive all the help they need. Therefore, Deception will make a one million dollar donation to help families with mental illness. Maxie says, sounds good. Just change the Deception family to our Deception family, and she thinks that’s their press release. Brook agrees, and says, Sasha’s arrest was definitely a cry for help. Hopefully, framing it this way will inspire compassion. Haters be damned. She’s going to make this change, email it to herself, and take it to PR. Maxie asks her to have legal put their eyes on it first. Then tell them to work with PR. She wants it posted on all their social media platforms as soon as possible. Brook says, she’ll make it happen, and leaves. Maxie asks if Lucy didn’t have anything she wanted to add, but Lucy says, no. Actually, everything Maxie and Brook said is fine. Lucy scarfs gummi bears as they talk, and Maxie says, she’s glad Martin is representing Sasha; he’s one of the best. And she’s not just saying that because… you know. Lucy says, my guy knows his stuff, and it’s good for Sasha’s sake, and for ours. Maxie says, ours? and Lucy says, it’s just that Martin sees the big picture, and understands how important it is to protect all of Sasha’s interests, which includes Deception. Which means they have some tough decisions to make. Maxie says, how tough? and Lucy says, Maxie’s not going to like what she has to say.

Martin tells Brando, he had a call into the DA’s office, and his contact just got back to him. Martin wanted to run something by him. Brando says, something about Sasha? and Martin says, Brando’s got to understand some things. Brando says, sounds serious, and Martin says, in the first place, he’s sorry he rattled off those charges at Brando like that. He wasn’t trying to be flippant. He’s a little punchy in the morning when he hasn’t slept, but he swears he’s taking this case seriously. He wants Brando to know, he’s looking at every possibility to help his wife; all of them. Brando thanks him, and asks if Martin was being punchy when he said they couldn’t beat some of these charges. Martin says, some of the charges he believe can be thrown out, or restitution can be made, but on some of the others, no way. They have to contend with a very damning video; a video where Sasha isn’t just out of control, she looks outright violent. All those assault charges are going to be tough to beat. Brando says, but he’ll try, right? They’ll do whatever he wants them to do. Martin says he believes Brando will, but can the same thing be said of his wife?  

Gladys wipes Sasha’s face, and Sasha pulls away. Gladys says, Sasha is still a little smudged. She’s just trying help. Sasha says, thanks, but nobody can help, and Gladys says, that’s not true. Sasha has a whole army behind her. Maxie’s been blowing up Gladys’s phone; she just hasn’t had a chance to get back to her. She’s sure Maxie and Lucy want to visit Sasha, but Sasha says she’s not. Not after what she did. Gladys asks why she did it, and Sasha says, she was standing up for herself, and she would do it again.

Gregory says, he heard Sasha Gilmore recently attacked the vehicle of one of Alexis’s reporters, and she says, Smoltz (who apparently has no first name) is a freelancer. He says, whatever Smoltz’s role at The Invader, he’s surprised there’s been no mention of it in her paper. Why is that? She says, because the story is still evolving, and they’ll cover it when they know more. Unless of course (🍷) he’d like her to report the salacious account of a spokesmodel having a nervous breakdown. He says, that’s a narrow way of looking at it, and she says, and his way? He says, the facts. A reporter – one affiliated with her paper – was attacked while doing his job.

Lucy says, maybe they should consider finding a new Face of Deception, and Maxie asks if she’s talking about pushing Sasha out, but Lucy says, no, absolutely not. Sasha is their partner, and always will be. She’s just thinking maybe Sasha should step aside as spokesperson, just for a while. Take a sabbatical or something. Maxie says, after everything Sasha has lost, Lucy wants to strip her of more, and Lucy says, it’s hard to say and hard to hear, but look at everything they’ve built; look at all this company means. All the money, everything, is tied up in its stock value. And if it goes belly-up, it’s Brokesville again; they’ll have nothing. She knows Sasha wouldn’t want that. Does Maxie? Sasha is their friend, always; this is just business. Maxie says, okay. Then as the head of this business, Lucy can tell her, and she walks out.

Gladys says, can’t the court just ask Sasha to pay for the damage to that reporter’s car? She’s good for it. Sasha says, Smoltz deserved it; so did Sienna. Pretending to be Sasha’s friend, when all along, Sienna wanted to ply her with more drugs so she could stab her in the back. She’s so sick of them. She’s tired of being exploited. Gladys says, of course (🍷) she is, but isn’t she also tired of feeling out of control?

Martin tells Brando, he doesn’t know what the hell’s going on or why, but they simply don’t have time to figure it out. For some reason, Brando’s wife has completely shut down. Every answer she gave him was model celeb, if she answered him at all. Brando says, Sasha’s in shock. Spending the night in jail didn’t help at all. Martin says, he’ll definitely ask the court to take that into consideration, but that’s not the only issue at play here, is it? He was up most of the night going over the evidence in this case, trying to wrap his head recent events, and he doesn’t have to tell Brando, it doesn’t look good. Sasha has blown up her sobriety, she’s spun out on national television… She caused a fatal car accident... Brando says, she didn’t cause that; Harmony ran out in front of her. Martin says, so what? His point is, with Sasha these days, it’s one thing after another. This is just something else in a long line of bad looks. Now, worst of all, she’s either in denial or she’s intentionally avoiding the help she so desperately needs.

Britt tells Cody, she is too hard on people; she always has been. He asks if she thinks she misses out on getting to know folks, and she says, probably. He says, it’s kind of worse that they end up missing out on knowing her, and she says, okay, this is sliding into the sappy zone. What he doesn’t understand is, she doesn’t really like people all that much, so it’s no great loss. He says he’s see how she and her buddy Brad get on, when she’s not scolding him, and she says, that weirdo? He says, besides, what’s a little sap between friends? Nothing wrong with that. Not to be presumptuous, but he has a sappy present for her. He knows they’re not friends or anything like that, but consider him a weirdo. He takes an envelope out of his pocket, and puts it on the table. He says, it’s just a little token to prove he’s not some conniving grifter, and she says, he just happened to be carrying it in case he bumped into her? Not conniving, eh? How did he know where to find her?

Spinelli assures Sam, his work is of the greatest importance. Not as important as hers of course (🍷). He has contacts all over the world who can be at her disposal. In fact, he’ll connect her with someone who can help aid in her investigation. She says, nice try. She’s not done interrogating him yet. He says, she’s an astute sleuth. Can’t she detect a dead end when she sees one? Speaking of sleuths, how are things with Detective Falconari? She says, well, he asked her to move in with him. Spinelli says, congratulations. Glad tidings… are they not?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great about The Savoy, but he’s sure Brook has some irons in the fire. Linc says, while she’s flailing around, he’s crushing it. How does a gig at The Mercury Lounge sound? Chase says, in New York City? Out of his league. That place is for the big acts. Linc says, it is, and it will be for Chase before he knows it, with Linc managing his career. It’s hard to have a serious conversation with a floatie between them. Chase gets out of the pool, and Linc hands him a towel. He says, it’s good to see Chase’s unemployment paid off with more gym time. When he’s through marketing Chase, their key demo is either going to want to be him, or want to be with him. Brook walks in, and says, Chase isn’t just a piece of meat; he’s an artist – a talented, beautiful artist. Chase gets dressed, and Brook says, he’s got talent, and smarts, and heart. Linc says, sure. He’s the total package, but he assures her, Chase’s fans will be more interested in his eyes than his IQ. His development department has put together a promotional plan for Chase. He’s also booked studio time for them to start laying down tracks with top writers and producers. After the gig at The Savoy, then they’ll focus on The Mercury Lounge. At both gigs, the concert goers will be able to stream and share his EP. They’ll be able to sell a ton of merch at The Mercury Lounge. Either way, it’s instant revenue for Chase. Chase says he could actually use the money, and Brook asks, how much is this studio time? What are they talking here? Chase says, it does sound expensive, and Linc says, you bet it is, but not for Chase; it’s part of the package. Like his styling, his wardrobe, and his voice lessons. Can Brook offer him the same? Dante watches them, and Brook says, no, but she can offer him something even better.

Britt asks if Cody is having her followed; paying people to let him know if she shows up here? He says, Maxie told him… Well, she mentioned something about brunch plans, and he took a chance. She says, it’s still invasive, and he says he hears her, but it’s still better than showing up at her hotel room or her office. He didn’t have any other options. Is she going to open it or what? She holds the envelope to her ear, and says, it’s not ticking. He says, no need. He’s blown up enough chances with her. She opens the passport and starts to read, and he says, she’s a hard woman to make arts and crafts for. He’ll totally understand if she hates it. She says she doesn’t hate it, and he says, does she think maybe they could add another stamp? Any night she’s available. She asks if there’s any way he’ll take no for an answer, and he says, statistically? Probably the same chances as her refraining from sarcasm. She says she calls the meal this time, and he says, deal.

Sam tells Spinelli, there’s so much to consider. She’s not sure about moving. She doesn’t want to uproot Scout and Danny; the penthouse is their home. He says, home is wherever she is. Doesn’t she want to live with Dante? She says she thinks things are really good the way they are. Why change it? He asks if there’s any other reason she’s hesitant to do this, when Maxie walks in, and says, hey guys. She’s having a morning. Is she interrupting if she sits? Sam says, not at all, and Spinelli says, have a seat. Britt says she never would have figured Cody for being the arts and crafts type, and Maxie says, it looks like Britt and Cody are getting along. She guesses she doesn’t have to apologize to Britt for missing their brunch. Looks like she gave true love an assist. Spinelli asks why she’s so certain Cody is right for Britt, and she says, because she trusts Society Set-Ups. And she’s spent some time with him; he’s a sweet guy. Sam says she happens to agree, but Spinelli says, they both couldn’t be more wrong, and storms out.

Alexis says, not everyone sees things through the lens of a journalism professor, and Gregory says, he’s also a citizen. It concerns him whenever freedom of the press is constrained by threats or violence. She says, she agrees, but he doesn’t know Smoltz. His tactics are less than savory, and she wouldn’t put it past him if he goaded Sasha into a reaction, hoping to provoke just what he got. So if she were him, she wouldn’t hang out the shingle of the First Amendment rights on this one. He says he’d like to invite her to one of his PCU lectures, and she says, he’s lecturing? He says, PCU wooed him out of retirement; convinced him to teach a course. He thinks she’d get a lot out of it. She says, really? She’s argued First Amendment rights in a court of law a lot more than he’s ever lectured about it in a classroom. He says, then she undoubtedly knows, the character of the victim doesn’t preclude the reporting of the crime. Mr. Smoltz may not be the kind of reporter she respects, but he was the target of violence, which makes it at least worthy of her attention, and in his learned opinion, most definitely newsworthy.

Sasha says, Gladys thinks she’s out of control? and Gladys says, doesn’t she? Lately, she’s not the Sasha that Gladys has come to know and love. Sasha says, love. Gladys didn’t even want her to marry her son. Gladys says, she didn’t. Not then. Not at the time, for a few reasons. It seemed like they were rushing, for one thing, and she didn’t like being excluded. But once she saw how much Sasha really loved Brando, and how happy she makes him, and how kind and smart she is, she’s been proud to call Sasha her daughter-in-law. And she’s done what she could to protect Sasha. She thought Sasha knew that.

Brando asks if Martin thinks he gives a damn about optics. He cares about Sasha. He cares about what Martin can do for her. Martin says, Brando needs to care about all of it. Just like he does. Sasha’s drawn the attention of the internet; she’s gone viral. Given the recent nature of political events involving their mayor, the DA’s office is doing everything to avoid the appearance of favoritism. Sasha’s a celebrity. Optics. Translation: don’t expect any kind of preferential treatment, because they’re in no position to give her a break. Brando asks what they do, and Martin says, he motivates his wife to take a more active part in her own defense. He agrees she needs help. She needs a psyche consult, but he doesn’t know if she’d be receptive to the idea. Most of all, she needs to demonstrate her commitment to intensive therapy and restitution. Brando says he doesn’t know if Sasha is ready to confront this, and Martin says, and that severely limits their options. He can only think of one other way to keep Brando’s wife out of prison.

Britt tells Cody, it’s official; she’s been stood up. She’s going to the pool. He says, he’d ask to join her, but she’d just say he’s pushing it, and she says, maybe he is getting to know her. Maxie and Sam join them, and Maxie says, they are getting along. Britt asks for a word with her, and they step aside. Britt asks, what happened to brunch; did Maxie forget? Maxie says, she got hung up at Deception, damage control, and Britt says, right. Sorry. How’s Sasha doing? Any word? Maxie says, nothing from her side; not happy things from theirs. Britt says, when she sees Sasha, tell her she has friends, and Maxie says, she will. It seems like Britt is all about friends these days. Looking pretty cozy over there. She asks, what’s that? indicating the envelope in Britt’s hand, and Britt says, just a silly gift Cody made her. Maxie says, oh… really, and Britt says she’ll overlook whatever part Maxie played in securing him a second date. Maxie gets excited, and says, they’re going on a second date? Britt says, calm down. It’s just a date. Don’t go pricing wedding venues.

Alexis tells Gregory, what Sasha did to Smoltz is news, regardless of extenuating circumstances, but is it newsworthy? He says, that sounds like leftover lawyer speak, and she says, it’s human speak, because she’s a human being. You know who else is a human being? Sasha Gilmore. Gregory says, one that she knows personally. Could that be precluding her view? She says, she barely knows Sasha. She’s looking at the big picture, and given the impact of social media, and various platforms, in contemporary journalism, that’s something that has to be taken very seriously. He says, by all means, put the truth out there, and she says, Cronkite said, in seeking the truth, you need to be able to look at both sides of the story. If they just tell the facts of what happened to Sasha, it’s a disservice to her and their readers. He says, don’t tell him she has alternative facts, and she says, she has context. In the span of a year, Sasha has overdosed, she’s gotten clean, she’s fallen in love, she’s lost a child, she’s been in a fatal car crash, she’s relapsed, and she’s still struggling with her mental health. So if they omit all that, and just print she attacked a car with a valet sign, that’s not showing respect to the Fourth Estate. It’s character assassination disguised as journalism.

Martin says he knows he can cut a deal with the DA’s office, predicated on the promise that Sasha stays out of trouble moving forward, but Brando says he doesn’t know if they can guarantee that. Martin says, in her current state? Brando had better guarantee it, because if he makes a deal, and she breaks her promise, she will be remanded to prison. Like he said, there might be one other way, if Brando’s prepared for it. Brando asks if it’s something that would get the DA to accept this deal, and Martin asks if he knows what guardianship is. Brando says, it’s like a conservatorship, right? and Martin says, exactly. In New York state, the guardianship is utilized when an adult is considered legally incapacitated. Brando says, Martin wants them to claim Sasha is incapable of taking care of herself? and Martin asks, what happened during her last therapy appointment? Brando says, she didn’t make it, and Martin asks if Brando would say her condition makes her less able to manage things, like her health and financial affairs. Brando says he doesn’t know about this, and Martin says, take it easy. They’re not talking about tossing Sasha into some 19th century house of hysteria; this is simply a strategy. It’s a way to keep her at home, and out of prison. Appoint someone, a guardian to watch out for her well-being, make sure she gets to appointments on time, safeguard her finances. It doesn’t have to be forever. Brando says, it seems extreme, and Martin says, it’s Brando’s call, but given Sasha’s state of mind, is she ready for a trial? He doesn’t think it would go well for her. Does Brando?

Sasha says she’s tired, and Gladys says she knows, but they’re all doing their best to help her. She can’t read Sasha’s mind, but she’ll tell Sasha what’s on hers. Sasha is her family now, and that means Gladys will do whatever it takes to look out for her.

Brook says, what she can offer Chase is unique, and Linc says, what is  this, a double-standard? Brook tells him, get his head out of the gutter, if it’s at all possible. Linc is only looking at Chase as a performer. She’s a songwriter and they’ve collaborated before. If they share songwriting credit, he’ll get a larger share of all songs produced and streamed. The money won’t be instant, but the residuals mean a lot more in the long run. Chase says, it’s very tempting, and she tells him, think about it, and leaves. She walks over to Dante, and he says he’d clap for her, but he doesn’t want to blow her cover. That was a great show. Is there anything she can’t do? She says she can’t understand what he’s saying right now. Why is he smiling? He says, it’s him. They go way back. The whole wanting to be Chase’s manager is a good angle, but he knows a con when he sees one.

Gregory tells Alexis, beautifully expressed. Miss Gilmore is lucky that Alexis is Editor-in-Chief. She says, he’s agreeing with her? and he asks if that’s so hard to believe. She says, given their interaction thus far? and he says, fair enough. He agrees this story can’t be told without including Miss Gilmore’s state of mind as a mitigating factor. It’s wise to take a more nuanced approach. Alexis says, she’s concerned about violating medical confidentiality. How does she inject nuance without compromising privacy? He says, it’s tricky, but there are ways, and she says, okay, professor. He’s offered a lesson. Okeydoke. She takes out her notebook, and says, school’s in session. He says he’s honored, but she says, don’t be. She’s doing it for Sasha.

Brando says, Martin is sure no plea deal can be made? and Martin says, not if Sasha doesn’t demonstrate some kind of cooperation. Brando asks if she wouldn’t have to agree to a guardianship, but Martin says, not necessarily, especially if she was incapable of making that decision. Brando says, she’s already accused him of trying to control her life. He doesn’t know if he’s comfortable with this. Gladys and Sasha join them, and Gladys says, comfortable with what? Are they talking a game plan, a strategy? Martin says, they have a couple options to consider, but for now they’re taking it one step at a time. He tells Sasha, this officer is going to escort her to the courthouse where she’s going to be arraigned. They’ll meet her there. Does she have any questions? Sasha shakes her head, and Brando takes her hands, and says, everything’s going to be okay. She says, promise? and he says, better than that, a vow. For better or worse, in sickness and in health. He’s got her.   

Maxie goes back to Cody and Sam, and says, Cody’s gift was a hit. Congrats. They high-five, and Cody thanks her for encouraging him to give it to Britt personally. Sam says, smooth move, Maxie, and he says, too bad all of Britt’s friends aren’t as supportive as they are. Sam says, if he’s referring to Spinelli, don’t worry about him; he’s been all over the place lately. Maxie says, she’s noticed that. What’s with him? Sam says she doesn’t know, aside from the fact he gave Cody a dirty look the entire time she was talking to him, and Maxie wonders why he’d be doing that. Does Cody have any idea? He says, not a clue.

Britt lies on a chaise, her eyes closed, when Spinelli clears his throat, startling her. He says, she’s about to make a mistake, and she says, his mistake was looming over her like a vampire. He almost got a swift kick. She gets up, and he says he’s serious. She can’t go out with Cody again.

Britt says she knows Dante wants his partner back, but whether he wants to believe it or not, Chase real future in music. Dante says he knows Chase is a talented guy, but he also happens to know, Chase is thinking things are pretty bleak right now, and he doesn’t want Chase to make a mistake. So please level with him. What the hell do the two of them have cooking up?

Chase tells Linc, that’s great. Tell the development team to send over the promotional package, and he’ll have his lawyers look at it. Linc says, he’s convincing, but not good enough for Linc, or himself. Chase says he’s not sure what Linc is getting at, and Linc says, don’t play a player. He knows Brook, and he knows what she’s really up to.

On Monday, Cody says, might as well put their cards on the table; Willow has the feeling Ava want something from her; Obrecht says, Nina needs to walk away now; and Dex says he just gave Michael the perfect opportunity to nail his old man.

Southern Charm

Austen joins Kathryn for a pedicure at a nail place, unoriginally called The Nail Place. He says he’s excited for girls day, and in his interview, he says he’s always had a soft spot for Kathryn. He did win Drama King in high school, and Kathryn can be dramatic as well. She asks if he’s getting a color, and he says he’s not Craig. Working at home, Craig tells himself, work smarter, not harder. Naomie calls, and he tells her that he’s working on his spring collection. She says she had a strange reaction at Olivia’s, and needs to pick his brain. She asks if he wants to get coffee, and we flash back to Paige saying, it’s inappropriate to hang out with one’s ex. Craig asks why she’s calling him about it, and Naomie says, it’s about Kathryn. She thought he’d be the best person to advise her. We flash back to Craig asking Paige, what about having lunch with an ex? and Paige saying, no. He says, it must be serious enough if she wants to talk in person. He’s going to be over by her later, and there’s a coffee shop nearby. In Craig’s interview, he says, it’s just coffee. He’ll get in and get out. They’re not getting their nails done together. Meanwhile at the nail salon, Austen says he loves Kathryn’s blond look, and she asks how things are going with him and Olivia. He says, they haven’t spoken since the party. It bothered him that after he’d talked to her about Madison, Olivia invited her to the party. He doesn’t want to pursue someone who wants to be friends with his ex. In Kathryn’s interview, she says, sometimes Austen can be a petty bitch.

Olivia and mom Robin discuss the party, and agree it was fun. Robin asks about Austen, and Olivia says, they didn’t end on the best note at the party. We flash back to Olivia telling Austen that she’s waiting for the day he doesn’t care about Madison, and she tells Robin about it. Robin says, he does seem more tense around Madison. She thinks it’s sensitive and sweet, and says, you usually don’t hear about a woman being… whatever [Madison] is. Olivia says, everyone has ex stuff, but she wants Austen to be right in that department. In Olivia’s interview, she says, a relationship with Austen is too much work. She’s not enough drama for him. He seems to like it; it’s what he’s used to. While they get a paraffin foot treatment, Austen says he’s happy Kathryn and Chleb are back together. Kathryn says, they’re trying, but in her gut, she feels like something is off. At the party, he was talking to Naomie a lot. It was weird super and disrespectful, and she felt hurt. We see a clip of Chleb telling Kathryn that Naomie was calling her names, and Kathryn saying, he should have shut it down immediately, not listen because he’s being a good guy. In Kathryn’s interview, she says she wishes he would be more aware of what he’s doing. Loyalty, hello? Austen tells her, if she thinks something off, then something is off.

Leva sees her trainer, and he does some kind of massage/stretching exercises for her muscles. In Leva’s interview, she says she wants to be present. She’s reading books about essentialism, so she doesn’t cook as much, lets the house be messy, and picks her battles at work. She’s consciously practicing to be a calmer person. But it’s not working. She loves Little Lamar, but he’s two and chaotic. We see some clips of Little in action, and she says, he’s so high energy from 6 am until his bedtime at 9 pm, which is her fault. Venita’s mom Vi visits her, and says she loves Venita’s big hair. When she was young, she had big hair. In Venita’s interview, she says, her mother didn’t tell her be perfect. She told Venita that perfect was however she chose to be. Venita tells Vi that she had a bad week. She didn’t get invited to Olivia’s party because Olivia didn’t want the garden party again. She guesses it’s embarrassing, and her feelings are hurt. Vi says, Venita’s got to talk about things, but when she’s rational; not in the heat of anger. Venita says she doesn’t know how to go about it, since she’s never seen it. Vi didn’t show her how to handle things, and hid any disagreements with her dad. Vi says she’s not talking about Venita’s dad, and in her interview, Venita says she was an only child. She was in high school when she came home one day, and her dad was gone. Her parents could have worked for the Secret Service. She had no idea it wasn’t working out. She tells Vi, all she knew was that she had two parents, and then one of them was gone, and Vi says, Venita still has two parents. In Venita’s interview, she says, her dad was probably living a double life since she was about 14. It took until her aunt called and said he was marrying someone else for her to understand her parents were done. Vi says, Venita’s dad was thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy, and it wasn’t something to discuss with her daughter. She didn’t want Venita to see her pain. Venita says she doesn’t have the insight her friends do, because they saw their parents argue, then figure it out. Vi says, it’s probably because she grew up in a house where they did argue, and Venita asks what it taught Vi. Vi says, not to do it, and in her interview, Venita says, teaching you how to avoid fighting doesn’t teach you how to deal with fighting. She’ll get overly upset at a simple confrontation, because she’s never seen anyone do that on a personal level. Vi says she tried to protect Venita from the pitfalls of life, which was not necessarily a good thing. Venita didn’t learn how to handle adversity, and Vi apologizes for what she didn’t do. Going forward, she’ll do her best. Books on parenting don’t work. You have to go through it to learn. She asks if that satisfied Venita, and Venita says, it’s more than she had yesterday.

Little Craig! Shep visits Whitney and Patricia, who’s gotten Little Craig a champagne bottle toy, which she says is unshreddable. Whitney says, Little Craig is like a piranha meets the Tasmanian Devil, and Shep says, his dad calls the dog a French terrorist. New guy Randy is doing the butlering, and Patricia says, nobody can take Michael’s place, but he’s good. Whitney says, Randy alleviates his duties, like official dog walker. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Randy is a lovely man. He’s a good server and fixes drinks so much better than Whitney. We flash back to Whitney bumbling through things, and see that Little Craig is already well on his way to totally destroying his new toy. Patricia says, speaking of incurring damage, Little Craig was involved in Peaches’ violation. Shep asks if they had a roll in the hay, and Whitney says, Little Craig is a feral mess. Done with his toy destruction, Little Craig runs to find Peaches, and Patricia says, let him; the damage has been done. In her interview, Patricia says, mounted is too strong a word. He sullied Peaches’ reputation. She tells Shep that Little Craig has to do the honorable thing. She’d like to have a wedding. (I can’t wait!) Shep asks if she wants Little Craig to make an honest doggy of Peaches, and Patricia says, he thinks she’s kidding. She doesn’t see anybody here doing anything in the near future. Shep says, so they’ll give her the wedding she richly deserves. She asks if Little Craig has a tux. She’s getting Peaches a wedding gown. In Shep’s interview, he says, if Whitney had his way, he’d be a bachelor for life. Still living in hope, Patricia says she doesn’t want to preempt any wedding bells, and asks Shep about Taylor. Shep says, Taylor’s not a pressure type of gal.

Taylor visits Marcie, and checks out the nursery, saying, it’s so pink; she loves it. Marcie says she’s glad she’s done. She’s due in 5 weeks. In Taylor’s interview, she says, in her perfect world she’d get married around 30, and have kids by 33. How old is she now? (I looked it up. She’s 27.) Marcie shows Taylor the outfit she’s taking the baby home in, and they move on to an entire closet full of clothes. In her interview, Taylor says she gets giddy looking at clothes and strollers. Shep’s clock isn’t ticking, but hers is. Shep tells Patricia that he thinks he’s in the clear, but Patricia says, don’t kid yourself. Whitney asks how long they’ve been going out, and Shep says, two years. Patricia says, if there was no proposal after four months, that’s it. In Patricia’s interview, she says, Taylor is making a mistake be acquiescing. She needs to give him an ultimatum. Patricia says, she’s amazed that any woman could put up with the two of them, and Shep says, they’re on the George Clooney/Warren Beatty track.

Naomie calls Craig, saying she’s at the coffee place, and they’re out of chai. She places both their orders, and when he gets there, she asks why he’s grumpy. He insists he’s not, and she asks if he had fun at Olivia’s party. He asks it was about Kathryn she wanted to discuss, and she says, during the party, Chleb came up and started going in about Kathryn. We flash back to that, and Naomie says, Chleb was saying not nice things. Craig says, like what? and we flash back to Chleb saying he could only listen so much to Kathryn, then he’d put on ESPN and tune out. Like practically every man doesn’t do this. She tells Craig, Chleb doesn’t seem happy. The one lesson she learned after her and Craig was, never air your dirty laundry to other people. She has regrets about talking bad about Craig, and she’s pretty sure Metul did the same thing to her. Karma is very real. She wonders what’s making Craig uncomfortable. He’s jittery, making no eye contact, and keeps looking over his shoulder. Who’s coming? She says, he’s acting like she’s part of a sting operation or something. She doesn’t know what’s going on, and wishes he’d just be straight and not act like a weirdo. In Craig’s interview, he wonders why they needed to have coffee for Naomie to tell him that Chleb was talking sh*t about Kathryn. Naomie says she feels bad for Kathryn. They’ll never be good friends, but she feels it’s the right thing to hand Craig the information. Maybe he could just talk to her. He says, maybe, but he’s got to be going. He’s picking up Paige from the airport. Naomie suggests they do a fun night out, and Craig says, one day, maybe. Naomie says she just wants to have fun, but Craig says, unfortunately, there are boundaries. He’s glad they can catch up and be friends, but at the end of the day, Naomie is his ex-girlfriend, and Paige doesn’t appreciate it. They can’t hang out just yet. Naomie says, they can’t forget the past, and in his interview, Craig says he thinks Paige is being understanding, even though she doesn’t understand the situation, since she lives in NYC, where you don’t run into your ex all the time or hang out with them. He doesn’t want to push or disrespect her any further. In Naomie’s interview, she says, if  she hadn’t thought she and Craig were on the same page, she wouldn’t have asked him for coffee. She’s not trying to get with him. She’s not the type who tries to get with a guy who has a girlfriend. If it feels awkward, that’s on them, not her. I can see it both ways, but I’ve never really wanted to hang out with an ex. Oh wait. I do hang out with my boyfriend from high school once in a while, but those feelings are long gone. If they were even real at that age. Now he’s someone I grew up with.

Olivia calls Naomie from the car, and says she’s meeting Venita. Naomie says, awesome; heal it up. They meet at a juice bar, and in Venita’s interview, she says, with her parents, all she’s seen is avoidance of fighting, confrontation, and issues. She wants to step up and resolve this, rather than letting it sit. Venita asks how the party was, and Olivia says, fun. They toast to this thing (i.e. their meeting), and Olivia says she appreciates Venita reaching out. Venita says, they had a rocky start, and she wants to be able to lay everything on the table. Olivia says she thinks Venita has a false perception of who she is, and she was thrown by Venita’s misconceptions. Insinuating something is not cool. Venita says, when Olivia walked away, it felt dismissive, and Olivia gets how it could be perceived, but it’s her way to cool off when she knows nothing is going to get resolved in that moment. Venita apologizes for coming at Olivia so hot. It wasn’t necessary, and it’s not who she is as an individual. She suggests they make it a clean slate. Now they just have to worry about everyone else. She says, with all that smoke and heat between Austen and Madison, why invite Madison to the party? Olivia says, she and Madison are fine, but she got an earful about it. We flash back to Austen acting stupid, and Venita asks if Olivia and Austen are dating. Olivia says, they only went out one-on-one once, and they’re in in that weird limbo. Venita wonders if Madison knows, and Olivia asks why it would matter. Venita says, Madison and Austen were so deeply involved, part of Madison feels entitled to know what’s going on. It’s not worth it.

Chleb goes to mom Debbie’s house, and she asks if he’s working hard. He says, seven days; he’s pretty damn tired. Debbie wonders if he didn’t take the tag off his shoes, but he says, it’s the style. She says, it seems awkward, but he says, it’s the drip these days. She asks how Kathryn is, and he says, they went through some stuff. There was a girl named Naomie at the party who Kathryn dislikes, and she and Chleb got to talking. We see a clip of Kathryn telling Chleb, it’s embarrassing. In Chleb’s interview, he says he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with someone he’s thinking negatively about. Debbie says, it takes work, and suggests he make a list of what he likes and dislikes about the relationship. She says, if you have more dislikes than likes, you ain’t gonna make it, baby.

Paige is at Craig’s, and he offers her every coffee flavor known to man. She says, yuck to maple, which is one of my favorites, but she also hates mint, and we’re in agreement there. My only exception is Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. She asks if he can imagine when they actually have a kitchen, and in Craig’s interview, he says, it’s hard to play house with no kitchen, and living out of boxes. The fact that Paige feels comfortable with things as is, is an incredible sign. Paige suggests sitting outside, and Craig wonders if they make an iced coffee maker. Paige is like, nooo, and says, he loves tea anyway. In his interview, he says, Paige loves how he is, and he loves that feeling. She’s his biggest fan. Aww. They’re not engaged yet, but he thinks he’s found his person. They sit in rockers on the porch, and he tells her that he’d like a big family, and wants to renovate the house with that vision.  

Event planner Erica goes to Patricia’s, and Patricia says she thinks it would be fun to have a dog wedding, so she needed a wedding planner. Erica asks how big it will be, and Patricia says, around 25 people. It might be the only wedding she throws. In Patricia’s interview, she says she has Whitney’s wedding planned. A medieval cathedral, a florist from Paris, Valentino for the mother-of-the-bride dress, but she doesn’t get to make those decisions. Erica asks, who is going to officiate? and Patricia says, Little Craig and Peaches go to the same vet. She thinks Dr. Berger will agree to officiate. They decide on having it in the garden, and Erica asks if Patricia wants the guests welcomed with champagne. Patricia says she does, but she wants it in coups, not flutes. Erica asks about cakes, and Patricia wants the ones featured in Steel Magnolias. The groom’s cake is an armadillo cake in red velvet. She tells Erica, the invitations have already gone out.  

To be continued…

Next time, Whitney and Shep talk human marriage; the dog wedding happens; Olivia brings a date that’s not Austen; Whitney plays guitar; and Craig tells Naomie that she left a loving relationship to be with a controlling a-hole. She won’t affect his life anymore.

🎉 Happy Anniversary…

Scotty celebrates his 45th.

💐 Another Congrats…

Not as long, but still. She took a small villainous part and turned it into being a major player.

🧼 Jumping Soap…

I vaguely remember him being Todd on OLTL for five minutes. Even they realized it was a bad idea. No one can replace Roger Howarth.

🦚 Goodbye and Hello…

Yep. They’re going to nickel and dime us to death. Or in this case, $4.99 us.

https://ew.com/tv/days-of-our-lives-moving-to-peacock/

💝 Sharing Is Caring…

NuTrina has a message for all of us.

🎡 Yeah, Yeah…

LisaR needs to get off the merry-go-round that’s her feelings. Next week, she’ll be back to the shading game.

💎 She’s Rocking the Boat…

Sheree can be on my fantasy spin-off too.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1340467/why-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-sheree-zampino-says-kyle-richards-should-sit-down

Cruising the Med…

Captain Sandy’s voyage to reality star.

🍸 Backing His Home Girl…

50 Cent is back to dogging Randall.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72274/title.50-cent-randall-emmet-power-ex

⚰️ New Rick…

Daryl’s journey to leadership.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-daryl-rick-grimes-revolver/

🌜 On the Moon…

The VMA line-up.

📣 Quotes of the Week

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts. – Joshua Reynolds

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Magic exists. Who can doubt it, when there are rainbows and wildflowers, the music of the wind and the silence of the stars? Anyone who has loved has been touched by magic. It is such a simple and such an extraordinary part of the lives we live. – Nora Roberts

The greatest source of unhappiness in the world comes from having unreasonable expectations about the behavior of other people. – Don Fehr

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil

Security is mostly a superstition… Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. – Helen Keller

Life is like a novel. It’s filled with suspense. You have no idea what is going to happen until you turn the page. – Sidney Sheldon (Well, let’s hope it’s not like a Sidney Sheldon novel.)

If there’s a world here in a hundred years, it’s going to be saved by tens of millions of little things. The powers-that-be can break up any big thing they want… but what are they going to do about 10 million little things? They break up two of them, and three more like them spring up!Pete Seeger

The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off. – Gloria Steinem

🛣 On the Road Again…

It’s certainly been a week. If it’s been one for you too, or even if it hasn’t, you have my permission to take the next two days off. But be back on Monday for soap and a Mediterranean cruise. Until then, stay safe, stay away from overly processed foods, and stay never trying to play a player.

July 22, 2022 – Yesterday Once More, Real Hospital, Holiday Over, a Return, Midseason Hills, Shut Down, Eww, VanderNews, Dead Talk, Never Ending, Another Spin, Nope On the Best, XII Quotes & Finally

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

For today’s show, see yesterday:

👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 🍷 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼 👉🏼

🩺 Britt’s BFF…

This is a new medical one on me. Of course, now I’m worried I have the same condition.

🏝 Some Vacation…

At least it wasn’t at the beginning.

🧱 Hey La, Hey La, Brick Is Back…

Sadly, I guess he won’t be flirting with Carly anymore. Since I don’t watch sports, I had no idea his main gig was on ESPN.

💎 Cringeworthy Once Again…

In watching this, I understood what it is about Diana that I don’t like. She expects others to be empathetic of her without really knowing her, but she’s quick with judgements about people she doesn’t know. There was a poll on Twitter asking if she was soulless – which I think was just a dramatic word Sutton used, and not to be taken seriously – and I read she blocked people who said yes. Why? Is she afraid she might learn something about herself?

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-beverly-hills-midseason-trailer/

Kathy puts in her twelve million two cents.

https://extratv.com/2022/07/21/kathy-hilton-dishes-on-rhobh-drama-with-kyle-richards/

I don’t think anyone needs to be paid to spread negative stories about LisaR. She does well enough on her own.

📰 Exclusive…

Phaedra gives the skinny on landing back at Housewives.

https://www.etonline.com/phaedra-parks-shuts-down-rhoa-return-but-is-down-to-join-rhodubai-after-rhugt-experience-exclusive

☢️ Cross Reality Contamination…

Why? Not that he’s not good looking, but from Winter or Summer House? No, just no. <making cross with my index fingers>

🍸 The Queen Speaks…

https://extratv.com/2022/07/20/lisa-vanderpump-opens-up-about-tom-schwartz-and-katie-maloney-s-split/

And while we’re on the subject.

Oh and why not?

⚰️ Walking Closer…

The latest on TWD.

https://people.com/tv/the-walking-dead-final-episodes-trailer-san-diego-comic-con/

Buzz about the 47th spin-off. (Just kidding. I think it’s only the 10th.)

🎃 It Will Never End…

I’m sure somehow the cash cow that is Halloween will be milked well into the year 3000. Michael Meyers: Cryogenically Unfrozen.

https://ew.com/movies/halloween-ends-trailer-jamie-lee-curtis/

🐉 Spinning Off the Spin-Off…

House of the Dragon hasn’t even started yet, and already things are getting complicated.

https://ew.com/tv/steve-toussaint-game-of-thrones-sea-snake-prequel-series/

😱 But He’s Close…

I’m actually toying with the idea of going to the theater to see this. It looks so good.

https://ew.com/movies/jordan-peele-shuts-down-best-horror-director-praise-john-carpenter/

🦮 Quotes of the Week

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. – Dale Carnegie

Never try to outstubborn a cat. Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

But instead of spending our lives running towards our dreams, we are often running away from a fear of failure or a fear of criticism. – Erin Wright

Cry. Forgive. Learn. Move on. Let your tears water the seeds of your future happiness.Steve Maraboli

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. – Revelation 21:4 (NLT)

One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man. – Elbert Hubbard

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace. – Thomas Paine

If you don’t like my shade, get out of my shadow. – Shereé (yes, that one) Whitfield, Real Housewives of Atlanta

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. – Marie Curie

I have more in common with a three-toed sloth or a one-eyed pterodactyl or a Kalamata olive than I have with Winston Churchill. – Boris Johnson (What?)

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.  – Jimi Hendrix

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.- Annette Funicello

🦛 Taking My Hunky Dory and Going…

If all goes according to plan, we’ll all be filling the next two days with activities that are gratifying and/or productive. Or not, if that’s what you like. Then we’ll reconvene on Monday for soap and yachting on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay doing everything in moderation, but allowing for a splurge now and then, and stay trying to understand where others are coming from. You might not like them anyway, but you won’t hate them. Don’t be a Diana J.

June 15, 2022 – Carly Says Sonny Is a Stranger, Pioneer Wyatt, Lunch Leads, In Memory, Battling Blondes, Dead Release, New Squid, All About Tony & Kiki

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn, the kids, and Gregory get to the camping site, and Finn says, the hike was a little longer than anticipated, steeper. Gregory says, they all did great, and Violet says she wants to tell Rachel about the guinea pig they saw (in the woods?), and Finn tells her not to forget about the gopher; and they bite! She runs off, and Aiden joins them. Gregory says, if it isn’t Aiden, PC Pioneer, and Finn asks if he’s on a break. Aiden says, until dinner, and Jake says, look at him in his uniform. Aiden says, Jake used to wear one too, and Cameron says, but who wore it better? Jake says, him, definitely, but Aiden says, no way. Cameron walks past Finn, who asks where he’s going, and Cameron says, he just needs a break from all this pretending. He’s grabbing his phone; it should be fully charged by now. Finn tells Gregory, nothing like getting away from it all.

At The Savoy, Britt joins Nina, who says, there she is. She took the liberty of ordering Britt’s usual, but Britt says she’s sticking to water tonight. Nina says she thought Britt subscribed to the hair of the dog for a hangover, and Britt says, that’s before she became a GIF. Nina says, don’t worry, it’ll blow over, and Britt says, so she’s seen it? Nina says, has anyone not seen it? and Britt says, that’s great. Thank you. Nina suggests they switch topics, and Britt says, please. She hasn’t talked to Nina since their girls night out; what’s new? Nina says, what’s new… Well, here’s something. She almost left Port Charles.

Carly brings Sonny to her office and thanks him for meeting her. He says, she told him it was about the kids, and she says, it is. This is a difficult situation for them. In some ways, it’s easier for Donna and Avery because they’re too young to fully understand what’s going on, and they just want to know their family still loves them. They’re doing everything they can to reassure them of that. Josslyn’s been terrific; she’s spending lots of time with them, but she’s got a lot going on. He says he loves Josslyn; she’s like a daughter to him, despite what Michael said. She asks what Michael said, and he tells her, he said that after the divorce, and everything that happened with Nina, he basically threw away his relationship with his kids. Can she believe that? She says she can believe it, and she agrees. He says, she didn’t call him here to fight, did she? and she says she didn’t. She just wants to talk about what they still have in common, mainly their kids, and she wanted to talk about Michael and what this rift is doing to him. Sonny says he doesn’t like it either, but Michael’s made it clear he doesn’t want Sonny anywhere near his life. No matter what Sonny says or does, nothing is going to change that.

At the pool, Zelda asks Cody if there’s a problem, and he says he’s sure it’s just an accounting error, but his paycheck was off by $500. She says, there was no mistake, and he knows it, and he says, it wastes both of their time to argue over such a small amount. She says she agrees, and he says, just pay him what he’s owed, and that’ll be it. She says, she’s fulfilled Society Set-Ups’ part of the contract, and he asks if that contract included a drunk woman wandering into his landing zone. Someone could have been hurt. She says, but they weren’t, and he says, an act of gross negligence is bad for business. What’s $500 to protect her image? She asks if he’s threatening her, and he says, she’s a smart woman; you tell me. Sam and Dante walk in, and Dante asks, what’s going on?

As Trina and Josslyn are going into Kelly’s, Josslyn’s phone rings. She says, finally. Where have you been? Cameron says, sorry. His phone was dead; he had to wait for it to charge. PCU decided against Trina? He can’t believe it. She says, her neither, but it’s going to be okay. They have a plan.

In the woods, Austin sees Wyatt piling some wood, and Wyatt asks, how was the kayak? Austin says, great. Sorry he missed it. Kim’s sick and they’re down a counselor, so that leaves Wyatt. Wyatt says, not for long. It looks like reinforcements have arrived. Austin says, good. He wonders who they sent, when Maxie says, Maxie Jones, reporting for duty.

Zelda tells Dante, this man is trying to extort her, and Cody says, if extort means getting what he’s owed. He takes out an envelope, and says, the deal was for $2000. He holds the check out to Sam, and asks, what’s that say? She says, $1500, and Zelda says, two thousand, minus the charges to his room. Cody says, the hotel room was part of the deal, but Zelda says, not including incidentals. He says, he misunderstood, and Zelda says, and it cost him. Sam says, he charged $500 worth of stuff to his room? and Cody says, yes, but he didn’t know… Dante says, okay. If they get this guy out of Zelda’s hair, can they consider the matter closed? Zelda says she supposes so, and Dante says, let’s go. He, Sam, and Cody leave.

Cameron says, what plan? and Josslyn says, they’re at Kelly’s. She thought he was working today. He says he decided to go on that trip; he’s in Pautuck. She says, for real? He’s out of town? He says he thought he should be here, and she says she gets it. She’s sure Jake and Aiden are super psyched he’s there. Maybe this trip is what everyone needs. He says, that’s what Jake keeps saying, and she says, he doesn’t agree? He says he just hates pretending like everything’s fine when his mom is in Shadybrook.

Wyatt drops off Maxie’s luggage, and she thanks him for the assist. He says, no problem, and she tells Austin, he seems surprised. He says he is, and she says, and maybe a tad befuddled? He says he’s always befuddled. It’s nice to see her. What is she doing here? She says, Georgie is a Junior PC Pioneer, and as such, she’s on the Parents in a Pinch list. He says, it needs a better name, and she says, parents volunteer to help out when they’re understaffed, even if their child isn’t participating. So while Georgie is at a sleepover at her friend Lena’s house, here she is. He says, in beautiful Pautuck. She said she wasn’t ready to come back here quite yet, and she says she’s not, but let’s be real. When will she ever be? She thought there would be plenty of people and enough distractions, she’d be able to hack it. She’s also communing with nature. He says, sure she is, and points to her suitcases, asking, what’s she going to do with all of that? She asks if he’s never heard of glamping, and he says he’s heard of it, but that’s not what this is. She says, speak for yourself. Mac says, camping is good for the soul, but she believes an air mattress is key. So where can they set up her tent?

Josslyn says she’s not upset, and Trina asks who she’s talking to right now. Josslyn says, she’s actually glad Cam is spending time with his brothers, and Trina says, but? Josslyn says, but this is just another example that she and Cam are out of sync. But they don’t need Cam. They have all the help they need. Spinelli walks in, and waves.

Finn asks if Cameron came back yet, but Jake says, he’s still on the phone. Violet says, with his girlfriend? and Finn says he’s pretty sure she’s not dating until she’s 30. Violet tells Gregory, grandpa, talk some sense into him, but Gregory says he’s not touching this. Jake thanks Finn, and Finn says, for what? Jake says, coming here was a good idea, especially since Aiden won’t be around them most of the time. Aiden says, take that back, and Jake says, make me. He runs, and Aiden takes off after him. Cameron comes back, and Finn asks if everything is okay. Cameron says, coming here was a huge mistake.

Britt says, sorry about the hearing. She knows how much Nina wanted to be in Wiley’s life. Nina says she even begged Willow and Michael to reconsider, and Britt asks how that went. Nina says, about as poorly as you’d think, and Britt says she gets the impulse to get out of town. She’s just glad Nina didn’t act on it. She has family here. Nina thanks her, and Britt says she means it. If Nina were to jump ship, it would just be her, Maxie, and her mother. Nina rounds out their little motley crew. Nina says she would miss Britt too. Obviously, she wasn’t thinking clearly. Britt says, but she was on her way to the airport, and Nina says, her bags were packed and everything. Britt asks what convinced her to stay.

Carly tells Sonny, Michael is a grown man and makes his own decisions, but that doesn’t stop her from worrying about him. He asks if Michael is in danger, and she says, you tell me. If Sonny’s rivals know they’re on the outs, they could assume Michael is no longer under his protection. Sonny says, that would be wrong. He’s not going to let anybody hurt his son. She says, okay, sure, and he asks what that means. She says, he doesn’t think it hurt Michael when he testified against him? He says he didn’t testify against Michael, but she says, he testified for Nina; it’s the same thing. How does he not see that? She doesn’t get him. She gets that he and Michael are fighting, but Sonny has been Michael’s father since Michael was two years old. Sonny raised him. Sonny says he loves Michael, and Carly says, then how he could sit there when Michael was being attacked?

Sam, Dante, and Cody go to The Savoy, and Cody says, the woman owns a company, for God’s sake. What does she care about 500 bucks? Dante suggests Cody relax, and they’ll get a drink, but Cody says, no thanks. Dante says, he’s buying, and Cody says, in that case, he’ll have a bourbon. Dante says, that’s what he thought, and Sam goes to the bar while he and Cody grab a table.

Britt says, now she gets why Nina is here and not on a plane to Tahiti. Nina says she was actually headed to Europe, but she’s not here just because of Sonny. She has family here. Not just their motley crew… Britt says, Wiley, and Nina says, Sonny helped her remember that she can’t abandon that little boy. Even though she can’t spend time with him, she has to stay here to prove to Michael and Willow that she deserves a place in that little man’s life. Britt says she hopes it works out for Nina, and Nina says she doesn’t sound very optimistic. Britt says she just thinks if she has unrealistic expectations, Nina is going to set herself up. Nina says, for what? and Britt says, at best, to get hurt, at worst, to do something that reinforces Michael and Willow’s decision to keep Wiley away from her. Nina says, thank you for the encouragement, and Britt says she wants Nina to have Wiley in her life, but realistically, Nina was the one who chose to go to court, she lost, and now she has to give Michael and Willow time and distance to come around. On the bright side, she still has James. Nina says, yeah, she can watch James grow up. She knows she’s suffered a great loss, but she’s also realized she still has a lot left. Britt says, including Sonny? and Nina says, she doesn’t think she has Sonny. Britt asks what she calls it, but Nina says she doesn’t know. They just have something between them. Britt says, ya think? and sees Cody looking at her.

Cody says, great, and Dante says, what now? Cody says, that Britt woman is here. She acts like he ruined her life when it’s obvious her life is already a disaster. Dante says, she’s not lacking in the complication department, but they were talking about Cody. Cody says, can they not? and Dante asks, what’s going on with him? Why is he hard up for cash? Is he in trouble?

Finn says, he and Cameron talked about this. Jake and Aiden needed a break, and it seems like they’re having fun. Cameron says, it’s not that. Yes, it’s hard being away from his mom right now, but the reason he wishes he was home is that the school made their decision in Trina’s Title IX case. They ruled against her. Finn asks what that means, and Cameron says he doesn’t know, but it is not good. Finn asks if he wants to talk about it, but Cameron says, not unless Finn can tell him what’s about to happen with his friend.

Josslyn says, they still think the phone is their best bet, and Spinelli says, to prove Esme was the one who recorded her and Cam. Trina says, Scotty asked him to examine it right, as an expert for the defense? and Spinelli says, he did, and the PCPD examined it as well. Josslyn says, the PCPD’s got nothing on The Jackal, and Trina says, The Jackal? He says, one of his many pseudonyms, and Josslyn asks if he thinks he can work his magic, and find something the police missed. He says, as honored as he is by their faith in him, he’s looked at it from every angle, and there’s nothing to connect the phone to the evil doer, or anyone else for that matter. It only exists to Trina as its possessor. Trina asks if he can’t find out where the phone was purchased, and Josslyn says, or when. Trina says, maybe someone remembers Esme from the store, and Josslyn says, she’s hard to forget. He says, alas, the phone has very little data on it. It was only used twice; once on the night in question, and once to send the email blast. Neither of which offer much information. Trina says, what about the serial number? That’s unique to the phone, right? He says, it is, but according to the serial number, this phone doesn’t even exist.

While helping her with the tent, Austin asks if Maxie did a lot of camping as a kid. She says, not a lot a lot, but enough. One time, Mac, her, and Georgie… He says, her sister Georgie? The original Georgie?  Maxie says, yeah, she was an original, and he says, the OGG. She says, anyway, the trip was a disaster. It rained the entire time, and their tent had seen better days. Water was leaking in on the sides, and Georgie of course (🍷) insisted she sleep in the middle. He says, that’s love, and she says, or Georgie would rather get soaked than listen to her complain. She thinks Georgie was right. Austin says, he thinks you have to work at NASA to figure out these instructions, and Maxie puts up the tent in two seconds, saying, voila. Stick with her, and he’ll be fine. He says he’s starting to see that.

Carly says, Scotty said Michael was violent against women in open court, and Sonny just sat there, and Sonny says, they were in court. Did she want him to get up, grab Scotty, and throw him against the wall? She says, it’s what happened after. There was a recess, and he didn’t even check on Michael; he went to Nina. She watched him touch Nina’s face. He says, come on, but she says, his son weathered a vicious attack, and he consoled the woman who initiated it. She doesn’t know him anymore. The man she loved, that she fought for, that she married five times would have never done that. He’s gone. The man who came back from Nixon Falls is a stranger.

Trina tells Spinelli that she’s confused. So there’s no phone? He says, the phone exists physically, as she well knows. It’s just, according to the serial number, it never made it to the store. Josslyn says, so it was stolen, and he says, or lost in transit, but she says, let’s go with stolen. Trina says, they should have known Esme was too smart to leave a paper trail, and Spinelli says he’s sorry he couldn’t offer more help. Trina says she appreciates him trying, and Josslyn says, this is insane. They were there that night. There needs to be something they’re forgetting. Something Esme did that can now be seen as suspicious. Trina says she’s not giving up on the phone angle yet, and asks Spinelli, where would you go to buy a hot phone? He says, The Highsider, and Josslyn asks, what’s that? He says, it’s a bar… somewhere that two underage amateur sleuths should not be. So feel free to share their theories with Scotty, but please do nothing else. Understood?

Gregory says, Cameron is doing a great job, covering for the kids’ sake, but something is obviously up, and Finn says, he got some bad news about a friend. He asked if Cameron wanted to talk, but he wasn’t interested. Gregory says, Cameron strikes him as an open, personable guy; not the sullen teen type. Finn says, he’s not. If Elizabeth was here, he’d talk to her. Gregory says, Elizabeth’s not here, and Finn says, of that, he’s acutely aware. Gregory says, he means, Finn is the only option; try again. If at first you don’t succeed… Finn says he might have a better idea.

Cody tells Dante, there’s no trouble. It’s just how he lives his life; gig to gig, paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, there’s a fair amount of  time between each one. Dante asks why he doesn’t just get a steady job, and Cody says, the demand for a full-time skydiver isn’t as robust as one might think. He’s gotta go where the money is. Dante says, if Cody needs 500 bucks, he’ll loan him 500 bucks. Cody says, Dante can buy him a drink, and let him sleep on his couch. Dante can even bail him out of jail in a pinch. But Dante’s not going to pay his way. He doesn’t want to owe Dante like that. Never did; never will.

Maxie asks what gear Austin brought, and he says, he brought this, indicating his bag, and a bedroll. She says, he doesn’t even have a tent? but he says, the forecast was for clear weather, and he likes to sleep under the stars. She says, okay. What does he have in there anyway? Please tell her that he brought toothpaste. He says, all of the essential items, and he brought a change of clothes, and this. He hands her a small book, and she says, it’s a guidebook for the state park. She thought he knew every inch of these woods. He says, he does; it’s his dad’s. It has all his notes and his comments on every trail and every campsite. He knew every inch of this place. Maxie says, amazing, handing it back to him, and he says, when he’s here, it’s like his dad is with him. She says, it’s great he has a special reminder of Jimmy Lee, and he says, his father loved this place, and tried to teach him the same appreciation. She says, like father, like son, and he says, pretty much. She says she’s glad she’s here, and he says, to pitch in, in a pinch, for the win. She laughs, and he holds out his hand. She takes it, and he says he’s glad she’s here.

Carly says, that gesture of support Sonny showed Nina stripped away any illusion. He had a family that adored him, and he threw it away. He says, she gave up on them, but she says she didn’t. She walked away after she found him in bed with Nina. He says, he begged her for weeks, and she pushed him away; she said she wanted to move out. But let’s be honest, she was punishing him. The night she didn’t show up, he was a wreck. He slept with Nina – absolutely wrong – and he’s so, so sorry he hurt her, but she wanted a divorce. She wanted them to end, and she gave up on them. She says she never gave up. She asked for time and he wouldn’t give it to her. He was lying to her for months. He says, and she doesn’t know anything about lying?

Maxie paws through her stuff, and says, this is a disaster. Wyatt asks if he can be of assistance, and hands a small bag to her. She says, he’s an angel. Where did he find it? He says, near her car. He was only following PC Pioneer guidelines. When breaking camp, always recheck the area. She asks if that always includes parked cars, and he says, they moved her gear. He thought it was a little like breaking camp, and he should check to be safe. She says she’s glad he did. This is her toiletry bag; it has her toothbrush. He says, it’s important to maintain dental hygiene while camping, and she says, it says so on page 15 of the PC Pioneer’s Handbook. He says, she memorized the handbook? and she says, not yet, but she and her daughter Georgie are working on it. He says, it takes a while, but it’s worth it. She says, that lesson is true for most worthwhile things in life. If he’s learned that already, he’s way ahead of the game.

Sam brings the drinks to Cody and Dante, and asks if she interrupted something. Cody says, Dante kindly offered to help him out, but he let Dante know he’ll get the money on his own. She says she doesn’t mean to pry, but is everything okay? Is Cody in trouble? Cody says, obviously, Sam and Dante are made for each other. For the last time, there’s no trouble. He has plans. Dante says, what kind of plans? and Cody says, for the future. He’s not going to live like this for the rest of his life. He’s saving up for his dream. Sam says, which is?

Britt’s phone dings a few times, but she ignores it. Nina asks if she wants to answer that, but Britt says, no. It’s just Brad. He’s checking on her. He thinks she’s clinically depressed. Nina asks if Britt shouldn’t reassure him, but Britt says she wants to make him sweat a little. He’s the one who took the video of her at the MetroCourt pool. Nina says, Brad is the reason she’s a meme? and Britt says, a GIF. Nina says, yeah, let’s make him suffer, and they clink glasses.

Dante says, a working ranch of his own, that’s cool, and Cody says he’ll raise cattle, break horses; livin’ the dream. That’s why he’s trying to save every penny he can. Dante says, which is why he’s going to take a 4 hour bus ride to Watkin’s Glen instead of renting a car? Cody says, bingo, and Sam says, buying a ranch is quite a goal. Cody says he’ll make it happen, and she says she thought he couldn’t stay in the same place for too long, but he says, just needs to be the right place.

Gregory says he heard Cameron was worried about his friend, and Cameron asks if Finn told him. Gregory says, no specifics, and Cameron says, it’s not really a secret. One of his best friends is involved in a PCU Title IX investigation. They found her guilty. Gregory says, they found her responsible, and Cameron says, to be honest, the whole process is confusing. Gregory says, as a college professor, he’s pretty familiar with the Title IX guidelines. He can answer questions if Cameron wants. Cameron says, that would be great, and thanks him.

Spinelli says he has to depart; duty calls. Trina thanks him for meeting them, and Josslyn says, he’s the best. He says, now he’s also nervous that he’s said too much, and Trina says, they’ll tell Scotty their theory. He says, and not take matters into their own hands? and Josslyn says, they won’t do anything stupid. He says, Josslyn… She says, they won’t, and he says he’s trusting them to use their common sense here. Josslyn says she’s her mother’s daughter, and he says, that’s precisely what he’s worried about. He leaves, and Trina puts The Highsider in her phone. She says, 483 Water Street, and Josslyn asks what they’re waiting for.

Sonny tells Carly, let’s not forget when he came home, his wife was married to his best friend. She says, they thought he was dead, and he says, that’s one way to mourn. She says, it’s not like she and Jason fell into each other’s arms the next day. It took a year for those feelings to develop, and why is that? He says, let’s not bring Nina into this, but she says, that’s impossible when all roads lead to her every single time. She and Jason would have never gone there if they thought there was a chance he was still alive. He says he would have never been with Nina if he hadn’t lost his memory, and she says, why is that? His refusal to hold Nina accountable is astounding. He says, what Nina did was wrong. He hates the pain she caused Carly and the kids, but he was furious with her. Carly says, for maybe five minutes, and he says, the feelings he had for Nina in Nixon Falls happened when he didn’t know who he was. He came home and still had those feelings. He didn’t want to have those feelings, but he couldn’t shake them. The lie Nina told was wrong, but the connection they had was real. She says, and he chose that connection over his family, but he says he didn’t; she and Michael did when they shut him out. Michael’s trying to tear him down. Michael wants him forgotten; those were his words, and she’s cheerleading for him. She says, Michael’s a grown man. So if he wants to cut Sonny out of his life, that’s his decision. Just like it was her decision as an adult to file for divorce, but Donna’s a little girl. And as her mother, it’s on Carly to look out for her. He says, she’s not keeping Donna from him, is she?

Cody sees Britt at the bar, and says, last chance. She says, for what? and he says, to buy him a drink. She says, tempting… She’ll pass. Does this mean he’s leaving town? He says, tonight, and she says, it’s still a no. He says, she doesn’t give an inch. It makes it that much more unbelievable she’s letting Society Set-Ups off the hook. He thought she’d stand up for herself. He guesses he was wrong. She says, that was one weak attempt at reverse psychology, but he says he thought it was pretty good. She says, she grew up surrounded by master manipulators, and he says, sounds interesting. Her drink comes, and she says, it wasn’t. Good luck. She starts to leave, and he says he just hates to see someone leave the game with money on the table. She says, something he would obviously never do, and he says he’s not that dumb. She tells him that if he has a problem with Society Set-Ups, handle it himself, and walks away.

Wyatt says hi to Finn, who asks, what’s going on? Wyatt says he’s a junior counselor for the PC Pioneers now, and Finn says, moving up in the world. How’s school? Wyatt says, it’s great. He’s decided he wants to study music. Finn says, he plays the cello, right? and Wyatt says, sometimes, but he’s really into the guitar. He’s leading the singalong at the campfire tonight. Finn should come. Finn says, singing, huh?

Gregory tells Cameron that he knows it’s a lot of information, but Cameron says he thinks he understands it a bit better now. He thanks Gregory, but Gregory says, thank Finn. He’s the one who suggested they talk.  

Finn says, singing, huh? and Wyatt says, it’s going to be great. He walks off, and Finn looks at Cameron.

Nina suggests she and Britt go to the PC Grill for dinner, but Britt asks for a raincheck. All she wants is her sweet, sweet bed right now. She feels like she could sleep for a week. Nina says, maybe Brad’s not totally off base. Britt sounds a little down. Britt says she just needs to recover from last night… and this morning.

Cody tells Sam and Dante that he should get going. It was good to see Dante. Congratulations on the job, and the girl. Cody is really happy for him. Dante says, thanks, but he thought Cody’s bus didn’t leave for an hour. Cody says he has one loose end he needs to tie up before he leaves town, and tells Sam that it was good to meet her. She says, him too, and he and Dante shake hands. Dante says, see him around, and Cody leaves. Sam says, Dante has a really interesting friend there, and he says, she has no idea.

Austin says he thought Maxie was coming over to the Pioneer’s campground, and she says she was looking for something. He says, among her many bags? and she says, her many useful bags, with her many, many necessary items. Anyway, she found what she was looking for, and she’s ready for what’s next. Violet, Aiden, and Jake come by, and Violet says, goody! She’s not the only girl. She runs to Maxie, who says, I’ve got your back, sister. Violet says, boys are okay, but some things they just don’t understand, and Maxie says, totally. Violet is so wise. Austin suggests Aiden and Jake help Wyatt get firewood, and Aiden says, they’re on it. Violet says, let’s get this party started, and they follow.

Carly says she would never keep Donna from Sonny. For Donna’s sake, not his. He says, this is how she sees him now, and she says, yeah. He says he guesses they’ve just got nothing else to say, and she says, Donna is their only connection. He’ll live his life, and she’ll live hers. He says, all right, and leaves.

Zelda gets up, leaving the pool area, and Cody follows.

Britt asks if Dante’s little friend is gone, and he says, Cody is on his way out of town. Britt says, hallelujah. How did Mr. Law and Order end up being friends with a second-rate con artist anyway? She leaves, and Sam says she was actually wondering same thing.

Zelda knocks on a hotel room door as Cody watches from around the corner. The door opens, and he ducks back, but Zelda goes inside. Spinelli wheels a room service tray out, takes a bite of something, and dashes back in.

Carly’s phone rings, and Josslyn says she wanted to let Carly know that she and Trina are going out dancing with some friends tonight. Carly says, oh fun. She’ll be there… She’s just kidding, but it does sound like fun. (That sounds like something my father would do to me.) Josslyn says she hopes so. She might be out late, and didn’t want Carly to worry. Carly says she loves her considerate daughter. Have fun and no drinking. Josslyn says she promises. Love you. Carly says, love you, and Josslyn asks Trina, ready? Trina says, let’s do this, and they go into the bar.  

Sonny comes into The Savoy, and Britt tells Nina, goodnight. He says he took a chance that Nina might be here, and she says, he was looking for her? He asks what she’s doing tonight, and she says she was just headed home. He asks if there’s any way she’ll reconsider, and stay with him tonight.

Wyatt shows Violet a rock, and says, check this out; isn’t it cool? She asks where he found it, and he says, by the lake. She wonders if there’s more like it, and he says, they can check in the morning. Finn asks Gregory, what’s the verdict? Did he overstep, asking Gregory to talk to Cam? Gregory says, not at all. He thinks Cameron appreciated the gesture. Finn says, the kid’s got a weight on his shoulder, but Gregory says he thinks Cameron is strong enough to handle it. If he isn’t, he has Finn to help him. Finn says he doesn’t think Cam wants his help, but Gregory says, give him time. He bets Cam comes around.

Maxie runs up to Austin, and says she found sticks for roasting marshmallows. She shows him, and he laughs, saying, he doesn’t think her sticks are s’more sufficient. She asks if he’s saying her sticks are deficient, and he says he’s heard size doesn’t matter, but they do need to be sturdy enough – that’s right, he’s saying it – to stick them in the marshmallow. She says, okay. She didn’t know she’d taken up with the s’mores police. He says, stick with him, and she’ll be fine, and she says she’s starting to see that. They laugh, and we see that someone is watching.  

Tomorrow, Selena tells Curtis, their businesses are dependent on one another; Cody says he thinks he and Spinelli can help each other; Trina asks if the bartender remembers Esme; and Sonny asks, what if he makes it worth someone’s while?

🏕 Coming Up In the World…

I honestly didn’t recognize him. Five minutes from now, he’ll be in college.

🍽 Ladies Who Lunch…

The yearly tradition continues.

👨🏽‍🎓 Fitting Tribute…

It was good of them to think of doing this during what must be an overwhelmingly tragic time.

👩🏼‍🏫 Not Having It…

Dorinda does a Vicki takedown.

And Vicki says, back atcha. I don’t think she knows as many words as Dorinda does though.

⚰️ Releasing the Dead…

When Walking Dead will be coming to a close. Although there will be 47 spinoffs coming. The franchise is never going to lie down either.

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-walking-dead-season-11-release-schedule-amc-disney-plus/

🐙 Playing Games…

The latest on Season 2 of Squid Game. I can’t wait!

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/squid-game-season-2/

🎭 Tony, Tony, Tony…

Everything you need to know about the Tony Awards. First, and most important always, the fashions.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-red-carpet-arrivals-photos/

The best moments.

https://people.com/theater/2022-tony-awards-best-moments/

And oh yeah, the winners.

https://people.com/theater/tony-awards-2022-complete-winners-list/

🚪 Checkin’ the Gate…

Click in tomorrow for some soap and what’s going on in Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay ready to stand up for what you believe, and stay knowing most worthwhile things in life take a while, but it’s worth it.

June 5, 2022 – Madison Brings the Skinny On PADRE, Guesswork, Season 8 Knowledge, About PADRE, Madison Talk & Wild

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Someone breaths heavily, wheezes, then coughs. Over an intercom, a voice says, you made it, but you don’t sound like you’re doing so hot. We can help, but first you have to decide if you want to be a part of this; if you’re willing to do what needs be done to get what you want. There’s a bright red light.

Morgan wakes up, and we hear a zombie. We see he’s in a tent, suspended between two trees, a good twenty feet up. A zombie beneath reaches up, looking like my dogs do when they hope something will fall while I make dinner. Morgan gets on the radio, and asks if anybody can hear him, but just gets static. He asks, is anybody out there? Anybody? Mo cries, and he picks her up. He says, she’s hungry and they’re going shopping. They’ll take mama with them. He puts on the  tape of Grace singing, and puts headphones on Mo, who I have to say, is very cute. Mo sleeps, as Morgan carries her in a duffel bag on the beach. He looks down to see a hood moving in the sand. He removes the hood, and sees a zombie head stuck in the sand, a crab sticking to it.

Morgan goes to a town, and looks in a car, finding a can of formula, but it’s empty. He looks through the lockers in a pediatrician’s office, and them walks to some wrought iron gates that say Sanderson across the top. He opens them, and walks to a house. He goes inside the very creaky front door, and looks around. Mo talks to herself, and Morgan hears a woman saying, I’m here. Where are you? Morgan brandishes his weapon, and pushes open a door, seeing a woman holding a knife. She asks what he’s doing here, and he raises his hands, saying, he’s just looking for food. She says she doesn’t have any, and Morgan sees a bunch of pregnancy tests lined up on the vanity. He says, okay, and puts down his weapon. He ask how far along she is. This is his daughter Mo. He’s Morgan. She lowers the knife, and says her name is Ava. He says he thinks they can help each other, but she says she can help him with this advice. Take that girl as far away as he can. He says, not until he finds her mother and the rest of his family. It looks like she’s looking for hers too. Ava suggests he reconsider, saying, this is no place for kids.

Back in his tent, Morgan tries to radio Grace, asking if she’s out there. He says he can’t keep doing this without her. He did what she asked, and got Mo someplace safe, but Mo needs her. He needs her. He’s scared, so he needs his family. A man asks if somebody is up there. He could use some help down here. Morgan unzips the tent, and a man wearing a hood says, good evening. Everything goes black.

Morgan wakes up on the beach, and sees a bunch of guys in hoods digging a hole. He starts to get up, and head hood says, don’t be a hero. Morgan says he doesn’t know what they want, but whatever it is, they can work it out. Just give him his little girl back. Head hood says, she doesn’t belong to Morgan, like all the other kids he took. Morgan says he didn’t take any kids, and the guy says, where are they? Morgan says, give him back his daughter, and they’ll never see them again. The guy tells Morgan, get in that hole, and tells the others, bury him. Morgan asks why they’re doing this, and he says, so every other sh*thead sees what happens when they steal our kids. Cover him. He’s getting what he deserves. He puts a hood over Morgan’s head, and Morgan hears gunfire. He gets the hood off, and sees they’re all dead, and someone is holding Mo. He says, whoever you are, thank you for saving my life. A woman says she’s not here to save him, and he says, they thought he was her. His baby is everything to him. He can’t let them take her. We see it’s Madison, and she says, the baby is better off with her. He’ll get over it; she did. He starts to jump out of the hole, and she shoots near him. She takes a hit of oxygen from a tank, and he says, please, stop, but she says, she’ll kill him if he follows her. He starts to get out, and she shoots near him again, then trots off with Mo.

Madison runs past hooded heads on the beach. She gets on the radio, telling Oriole that she’s approaching the drop. She goes to a dock and inside the boathouse. There’s no boat, and she radios Oriole, saying, you’re late. A man says, they’re getting them processed, and she asks how long it’s going to take. He says, as long as it takes, and she puts Mo down, giving her something to eat. On the radio, she hears Ava saying, Jim, can you hear me? We need you. This baby needs you. Madison tells Oriole that she has the lead on a new egg. She’s going to leave this one in the birdhouse, and check it out. She tells Mo that she knows Mo misses her daddy, but she’s better off without him, and she leaves.

She passes the heads again, and hears, Jim, I need… She gets on, and says, hello? Ava says, who is this? and Madison says, someone who wants to help. She heard Ava’s message; where is she? Ava asks how she knows Madison’s not the one stealing kids, and Madison says she’s a mother herself, and knows how hard it is. Ava says she just wants this baby to be okay, and Madison says, Ava just has to tell Madison where she is. While she’s talking, zombies surround Madison. She takes out her battleax, and kills them all. She takes some oxygen, and sees the tank is low. As she walks, she asks if Ava is still there. Tell Madison where she is. Ava says, if Madison really wants to help… and Madison says she knows it’s hard to know who to trust. Morgan comes up behind her, and turns off the radio. He tells her, hand over the gun, and she gives it to him. She says, he’s making a mistake, and he says, not as big as the one she made taking his daughter. Drop her weapon, and turn around. She does, and he asks, where is she? Madison says, somewhere he’ll never find her. He says, wrong answer, and she asks where her oxygen tanks are. He says, someplace she’ll never find them, and she says, she’s the least of his problems. The people she’s with can kill him in ways he can’t imagine. He says, they should probably get moving if she wants to breathe, and she says, if they find out he’s interfered with the egg, he’ll be sorry. Parents think they give kids what they need, but if he saw where she’s from, he’d see why she’s taking kids. She can’t breathe, and he gives her some oxygen.

In what looks like an interrogation room, a voice over the intercom asks if Madison has considered their offer. She says she’ll do what they ask, but they have to hold up their end of the deal. They voice says, we will, and she asks how she knows. The voice says, the only reason she’s still breathing is because of them. What’s her name? She says, Madison, and the voice says, not anymore. They’ll tell her who she’s going to be from now on.

At the dock, Madison says, they’re too late, and Morgan asks what she means. She says, they’ve already rescued Mo. Her people came sooner than she expected. He looks at the log, and sees a notebook that says, PADRE on it. He asks if she’s with PADRE, and she asks what he knows about it. He says, let’s move, and they leave the dock. He asks which way they went, and she says, his baby is better off without him, but he says, she doesn’t get to decide what’s best for his family. She says she already did. A zombie straggles up, and she takes out her weapon. She says she used to be like him, and Morgan stabs the zombie with his own pokey tool. Madison whacks at Morgan, and they struggle. He sees Alicia and Nick tattooed on her wrists, and backs off, saying, oh, dear God. She’s Madison Clark. She asks how he knows her name.

Morgan says, Madison? and she asks how he knows her name. He says her kids told him, but she says he’s full of sh*t. She says, her kids are alive, and he says, he’ll tell her what he knows in exchange for his daughter. She says, there’s only one way to rescue his daughter; bring someone else’s kid to take her place. He says, there’s no other way without taking a child away from their family? and she says, no. She coughs, and he says, what if the kid isn’t born yet? The woman Madison was talking to on the radio is pregnant, and not doing so good. He knows where she is. She asks if he’s sure he’s ready to go down that road, and he says, he will if it gets his daughter back. She says she’ll take him to PADRE to look for Mo, and get her back. He asks if PADRE will look after the baby and mother; he’s not taking a child from their mother otherwise. She says, yeah, and he hands her back her weapon. She breathes into the oxygen mask.

They walk, and Morgan asks if Madison got smoke in her lungs when she escaped the stadium. Is that why she needs the oxygen? She says, something like that, and he says, the way he heard it, there’s no way anyone got out of the stadium alive. She says she’s full of surprise. What else did her kids tell him? He says, quite a bit, but she’s not what he imagined, stealing kids. She says, rescuing kids, and he asks if that’s her or PADRE talking. She asks what he knows about PADRE, and he says, he knows they’ve been putting out a radio message, nobody can find them, and Alicia had been looking for them, but he’s not going to tell her any more until he gets his kid back. She asks if Morgan thinks he’s doing the right thing when she’s in the right place. PADRE can give her the life people like him can’t. He asks what she means by people like him, and she says, parents. He couldn’t even feed her. It looks like he’s barely scraping by. He says, Mo is his daughter, and her mother is coming back. They survived the bombs in Galveston. She asks if Nick and Alicia were there, but he says he’s not telling her anything more. Their family have gotten through worse. She says, family isn’t the answer; it’s the problem. It’s what PADRE has figured out. What they’re building is different. He says, Madison put her life on the line for family; what the hell happened to her? They come to the gates, and she asks if this is the place. He says, what now? and she says, they go in, and tell her the truth; they’ll go a place where the baby will be taken care of. He asks, what happens to the mother after the baby is born? but she says, he doesn’t need to know. He says he does, but she insists, he doesn’t. He asks how she can do this to people, and she says, you get used to it, breathing in more oxygen.

In the interrogation room, Madison says she did what they asked. Now it’s their turn. The voice over the intercom tells her, More. One time isn’t enough. They’re going to need her to keep doing it. She looks at the tattoos on her wrists.

Morgan and Madison walk into Ava’s house, and Morgan asks if Ava is there. Ava comes out on the upstairs balcony, and asks what he’s doing here. He says he found somebody he thinks can help her, Madison says, they spoke on the walkie, and Morgan told her where Ava was. Ava says, she wants Jim, and Madison asks if Jim is the baby’s father. Ava says, this house belonged to her family. She was born here, and thought it was safe. Madison says she can help Ava and her baby, and Ava asks, how? Madison says, she can take them to a safe place with good people. It’s the kind of place a kid dreams about growing up in. Ava says, it sounds too good to be true, but Madison says, it’s for real, and it’s their best shot at their kids’ future. Morgan’s kid is in there. Morgan says he didn’t think it was possible for a place like this to exist, but it does. Ava asks, what’s it called? and he says, PADRE. She says she’ll get her things, and when she’s gone, Morgan asks Madison what’s going to happen to happen to the mother? Madison asks if he doesn’t think it’s a little late to be asking, but he says she didn’t answer him before. She says, he knows or he would have pressed. They split them up; that’s how PADRE works. They gave it their best shot, but they were looking at it the wrong way. The way they see each other, and what they do for each other. PADRE has rewritten the book on all of it, what it looks like; no attachments or connections. He says he’s not doing this. He’s seen a mother lose her baby before, and doesn’t want to see it again. She says, then he’ll never see his daughter again. Ava comes back, and asks if everything is all right. Madison says, it is for her, and Morgan says, him too. They should get her to PADRE. Madison looks outside, and sees a bunch of hooded figures headed their way. She says, they found her, and asks if there’s a back way. Ava asks why they’re after her, and Madison says, they’re pissed off about her saving some kids. Ava says, follow her, and they head out the back way.

They run across a field, and Madison asks Morgan for some oxygen. Ava says, the beach is this way, and trips over a zombie that’s stuck under a bush. Madison smashes it’s had in, and Morgan asks if Ava is okay; did she get bit? She says she just got cut from the vines, and Madison says they have to keep moving. If that group catches up with them, they’ll be killed. Morgan says, if something happens to Ava’s baby, it’s on her, and Madison wonders where they should go. Morgan suggests a conveniently located crypt nearby, although it wouldn’t be my first choice, given that there are zombies everywhere. They go inside, and close the door, pulling a cement bench in front of it. Morgan says, it’ll be okay, and Madison takes out a heart rate monitor to check on the baby. Ava says, the baby is fine, and asks, who’s after Madison? Madison uses the monitor, and Morgan says, what is it? Madison says, she can’t get a heartbeat, and Morgan asks if PADRE doesn’t have doctors, handing her the radio. She says, she can’t hear it, but he tells her, keep looking. She says, Ava isn’t pregnant; she never was. Morgan says he doesn’t understand, and Madison says, Ava was tricking them to get Madison to take her to PADRE. Morgan asks if it’s true. Is Ava not pregnant? Madison says, it doesn’t matter. Tie her up, and leave her food and water; she’ll just slow them down. Ava says, Madison doesn’t remember? Madison took her daughter a year ago. She told Ava that it was for the best. Madison really doesn’t remember. She was five. Her name was Odessa, and she cried when they pulled her from Ava on the beach. What Madison told her wasn’t true. Madison says, Morgan knew what was going on, and they still have to get out. Ava tells Madison to take her there, but Madison says, Ava’s plan could never work. The doctors at PADRE would have checked her as soon as she got in the door, and kept checking the entire time she was there. Ava says she needs to see her daughter, and Morgan says, since Ava isn’t pregnant, how is he getting Mo back? Madison says, even with a trade, there was no guarantee. Ava is stunned that she was to be used as a trade, and Morgan shoves Madison up against the wall. He tells Madison to find a way for him to get to his kid or she’ll never know where children are. His eyes look crazy, and he says he wants his kid. If she wants to know about hers… Madison says, she doesn’t want to find them. If she never sees them again, that’s okay. She got over it before. She wasn’t lying when she said that before. Morgan tells her, she was just saying that; they had a deal. She says, so she could get what she wanted, and Morgan says, why else would she be doing all of this? Madison takes a breath of oxygen

In the interrogation room, the intercom voice tells Madison that she needs to rescue more children.  

Ava says, Madison has kids? and Madison says, they’re all doing what they’re doing for their own reasons. Ava picks up Madison’s weapon, and hits the oxygen canister, so that the oxygen sprays everywhere, and busts open one of the graves. Another dicey move in a zombie apocalypse. She pulls out a shotgun, and says, her granddaddy wanted to be buried with his favorite hunting gun, so he could be prepared in care he didn’t end up at the Pearly Gates. She doesn’t think they will either. (Was he going to shoot Satan?) Zombies start to bang at the door, and Morgan says he knows Ava is angry, but they’ve got to go if they’re going to get out alive. Ava says, she has another way. Madison might not want to see her kids, but she doesn’t want them to die. Ava gets on the radio, and asks if they’re the ones looking for the collector. A man’s voice asks who she is, and she says, someone like them; a woman who got her child stolen, like them. She found a way to motivate the collector. Madison says she can’t help Ava, but Ava says she thinks Madison will find a way. She points the gun at Morgan, and says, tell Madison where she can find her kids, or she’ll shoot him, and his daughter will never see him again. Tell her where they are. Morgan says, it’s not going to work, and Ava says, why? He says, because they’re already dead. He’s sorry, but Madison’s kids are gone. Madison shoves him against the wall, saying, he told her they were alive, but he says he wouldn’t lie. She says he never did know about her kids, and he says, Nick was shot; Victor, Alicia, and Luci were all there. They buried  him themselves. She says, and Alicia, and he says, she got bit not long ago. She took her own arm off, but not before infection set in. She fought it off for months; longer than anybody ever has. Madison leans on him, and says, no. He says, the last time he and Alicia talked, she was close to the end, and Madison cries, saying, no. Morgan says he’s sorry.

Zombies are starting to get the door open, and Morgan says, there’s 30 of them out there, and more on the way. The man on the radio asks if Ava is there, and Morgan tells Madison, he’s still waiting on their deal. She says she can’t give what she promised, and he tells Ava that those people tried to kill him already, and they’re going to kill all of them. Ava says they can get out, and the man on the radio asks why she isn’t answering. Morgan turns the radio off, and asks how long before they’re found. Ava says, it’s a big property; it could be hours. Morgan says, they’ll have to fight their way through the zombies, and get out before the posse finds them. Ava doesn’t want to bring Madison, and Morgan says, he’s sorry about what they did, but they’re going to need Madison. He tells Madison that they’re going to need her. He’s sorry he didn’t tell her the truth from the beginning. He did what he thought he had to. She asks what they were doing when they died, and Morgan says, Nick was going through a bad patch when they met; Alicia too. They thought Madison was gone, but they’d been making steps to build something better when it happened. Madison asks how Alicia got bit, and Morgan says, the bombs they were talking about; she was trying to stop them from going off. She survived the explosion, and escaped the fallout. She fought the infection for as long as she could. Madison says, he didn’t see her die? and he says, he had to leave with Mo. Alicia could still be out there. She says, no one survives a bite, but he says, Alicia is different. Maybe she found a way. Madison says, even if she did, she doesn’t want to find her, and he asks, why?  

The voice over the intercom says, we think it’s time. She’s rescued more children than any other collector, so now they’ll help her find hers. She pulls her sleeves over her tattoos, and folds her hands on the table. She says, no; she doesn’t want to find them. She tells Morgan, she was willing to die in the stadium so her kids could see what she was building was worth fighting for. PADRE played her from the start. They made her do things she didn’t want to, so when she could finally get her kids back, she’d say no. Morgan asks why she’s still taking kids, and she says, because she knew what they’d do if she walked away. They’d find Nick and Alicia, and make them do what she wouldn’t. Now she doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. She wishes she knew that before she took Morgan’s daughter. They hear gunfire outside, and Morgan says, the posse is going to kill them both. He tells Ava that Madison saved him once before, but Ava wants to give her up. Morgan says, they need to get their kids back, but Ava says she doesn’t think this group will see it that way. From outside the door, the head hood says, if they’re hiding Madison, they’ll have a problem, and Madison says, let them in. Don’t do this for her. Morgan says he has to get his daughter back, and Madison says, she can’t undo things. Morgan says, they just need to find a way, but Madison says, there’s only one way to show them that he’s not with her. Morgan calls to them to wait. He’s going to open the door and hand her over to them. Morgan tells Madison, sorry, but she says, it’s the only way he’ll live to see his daughter one day. He and Ava move the bench away, and open the door. The head guy says, hands where he can see them. He removes his hood, and asks if Madison remembers him. She took his boy last winter. He puts a hood on Madison’s head, and tells the others, start digging. High tide is in less than two hours.

Outside, Morgan looks pretty bummed, and Ava says, Morgan made the right call. Morgan asks what they did with Madison, and the head hood says, left her to watch the tide; it’s worse when they see it coming. Morgan asks what Madison told them, and he says, not much, but she didn’t need to. He shows Morgan the PADRE notebook, and says, now they know when Madison was being picked up. He gives Morgan a hood, and says, they’re going to surprise her friends at the beach and bury them all. Someone will talk. He asks if Morgan has a problem with that, and Morgan says, it won’t get their kids back, and it will get everybody killed. Ava tells them to let Morgan go, and the head hood says, that’s not how any of this works. She says, the PADRE people took their kids; why are they fighting each other? Let him go. The head hood says, Morgan knows what happens if he gets in their way, and Morgan says, he knows and he won’t. He tells Ava, don’t go with them; she doesn’t have to. She says she has to get to her kid. She has to do something. She shows him a stuffed toy, and says, Odessa lost it the day before Madison took her. Ava promised to find it and give it back to her. She’s not breaking her promise. He says he knows, and she goes with them.

Madison’s head pokes out of the sand, and she coughs. Zombies begin coming out of the water, and she flashes back to the intercom. We see a toy dropped into a bin, and hear a baby crying. Madison drops toys and other baby stuff into a bin, and holds a stuffed tiger, hesitating before finally dropping it in with the others. She closes her eyes as the zombies come closer. One falls, and crawls toward her. She remembers the bin again, and the zombie’s face is chopped off by Morgan. He slices and dices the other two, and says, Madison doesn’t deserve to go out like this. She says she can’t help him, and he says, when he met her kids, he was in a place not too different from her; wanting to get away from everything and everybody. Meeting Alicia and Nick, and seeing what she gave them was a big part in turning him around. In a way, he owes her. The people who did this are wrong, and they have to fight for what they believe. No one is gone until they’re gone. Alicia told him Madison used to say that. Madison says, everything she’s done, she is gone, but Morgan says, hang on; he’s got her tanks. He runs off, and more zombies come out water. She says, they’re all… She realizes they’re wearing hoods, and says, she told them not to go to the dock.  She calls to Morgan, who begins to stab them until he sees the one with the stuffed toy hanging from its belt. He takes the hood off, and it’s Ava. He says, no, no, no, and Madison calls his name. He says he never should have done this, and because he’s so distracted, he falls backward, Ava on top of him. Madison gets an arm out of the sand, and manages to grab her battleax, chopping off the surrounding zombies at the knees. Morgan tells Ava that he’s sorry, and Madison bashes her head in. She grabs the oxygen mask, and inhales. She asks Morgan, what the hell was that? and he says, Ava is dead because of something he did. She won’t see her daughter because of him. Madison says, she’s dead because of PADRE, and Morgan says, Madison was just ready to give up; what changed? She says, she’s gone, but he’s not. She’ll help him get to his daughter, and they’ll show PADRE that they’re wrong. He says, then what? and she says she doesn’t know. She wasn’t lying when she said the only way to get to PADRE is to take another child. He says, there’s got to be another way there, but she says, there isn’t. He looks at the tape player, and says, there is. It just means they can’t fail.

They go to the dock, and the guard asks who Morgan is. Madison says, he’s a collector with something to offer. The guard says he doesn’t see anything, and Morgan says he has information. There are rafts with people on them. The guard asks, what kind of people? and Madison says, the ones they might want. Morgan says, there’s a pregnant woman on one of them. He can tell them more, but the guard’s got to let him go with them. The guard says, get in.

On the boat, Morgan asks Madison, where the hell are they going? Where’s PADRE? She says she’s been meaning to tell him – she doesn’t know. They’re blindfolded, and we see the boat speeding away toward an ocean liner.  

This was the finale, so no preview.

🔎 Since We Have Nothing Better To Do…

Speculation on when the next season will land.

🏃🏽 Rushing the Season…

The body’s not even cold yet.

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-season-8-news-updates-details/

🐣 Where Children Are Eggs…

The way Madison described it, it sounded like Christmasland in NOS4A2.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-where-is-padre-explained-madison-clark-season-7-episode-16-gone/

🕶 Who Gonna Check Victor…?

Madison’s Why.

Her best moments. At least according to TVInsider.

https://www.tvinsider.com/1047056/fear-the-walking-dead-madison-clark-best-moments/

🏂 Sliding Into Monday Like…

Come on by tomorrow for some soap and peek at what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay looking for the good in the challenge, and stay knowing, no one is gone until they’re gone.

May 29, 2022 – Alicia Saves a Friend, Bird Tale, Time To Go, Dissecting Rick & America

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Alicia is being carried on a stretcher. She’s in and out, and alternately sees zombies and the people carrying her. Alicia is parked on the beach, as everyone gets the rafts ready. Alicia says hi to a bird, and Jacob says, she’s waking up. He calls for June, and June tells him to get saline and epinephrine, and tells Alicia that she’s low on fluids. Alicia asks why the rafts are being prepped, and June says, she doesn’t remember? The tower is burning. When the walkers from the canyon burn, it’s going to be released into the air. Alicia asks where they’re going, but June says, they don’t know. Alicia wonders where Morgan ended up, but June says, he hasn’t landed yet. Alicia struggles to get up, but June tells her she can’t; the fever will kill her. Alicia asks, where the hell is Victor? but June says, he didn’t want to come. Alicia asks if they know where is he, but June says, as far as they know, he’s still in the tower. Alicia looks at the column smoke rising in the distance, and gets up, telling them to put everyone in the rafts, but June says, Alicia needs rest. Alicia looks around, and notices a girl in a mask. She says, someone heard the message, and calls, over here. The girl goes in the other direction, and Alicia says, come back, and follows. She tells the girl not to run away, and the girl says, she’s not running. She has to find her friend. Alicia says she wants to help, and the girl says, then help her find her friend in there, and gestures toward the tower. He knows how to get to Padre. She runs into the smoke, and the smoke gets heavier. Alicia walks into it after her.

A zombie struggles, caught under a shopping cart, and Alicia stabs it in the head. Luci radios, asking where Alicia is, and Alicia walks up to an armored truck. She tells Luci that she found the girl she told Luci about; she might know where Padre is, and they need a place to go. Luci asks why Alicia left on her own, and Alicia says she can’t put them in danger. Don’t come looking for her. She walks on, and has a flash of seeing zombies. The girl says, over here, and walks into the smoke. Alicia asks what she knows about Padre; is it real? The girl turns out to be a zombie, and Alicia slashes its head into a pile of mess. She looks at her artificial arm, and it morphs into a melting skeletal arm. She looks at her reflection in something, and sees a zombie. She opens her eyes, and she’s inside the truck. She sits up, and the girl says, it’s okay. Alicia passed out on a body; the girl heard her scream. Alicia asks how the girl got her in here, and the girl says she dragged Alicia. They almost didn’t make it. Alicia asks her name, and says, she’s Alicia. The girl says she knows; she heard Alicia’s message. That’s why she was at the beach. Alicia says the girl can take her mask off, but the girl says she doesn’t take it off. Alicia says, the girl helped her in the woods; why didn’t she stay? The girl says she was looking for her friend. She asks why Alicia is sick; is it her arm? Did one of them bite her? Alicia can tell her. She’s not scared of bites. Alicia says, it doesn’t matter; there’s nothing she can do about it. Alicia looks through the stuff in the truck, and asks if the girl’s friend can really help them find Padre. The girl says, yes, but they have to find him first. He’s all she’s got left; he’s like family. She asks what Alicia is looking for, and Alicia says, anything to bring down her fever. The girl asks if fevers don’t come from infections, and Alicia asks how she knows that. The girl says, her mother says she’s too smart for her own good, and Alicia says, her mom said the same thing about her. A huge lightbulb comes on over my head, and I know who the girl is. Alicia says, this infection is different. She’s been fighting it a long time. The girl asks if Alicia found Madison, and Alicia looks at a tape labeled Amina. She asks how far away the girl’s friend is, and how she’s going to contact them, and the girl says, the same way Alicia contacted her when she heard the message. Alicia says, that’s not going to work. The tower is on fire, and the irradiated dead are headed there. Alicia barely made it here. They’ve got to get to the rafts before the dead get to the flames. The girl says she’s not getting in a raft, and aims a gun at Alicia. Alicia takes it out of her hand, and says, it’s not loaded. Has she looked for bullets lately? There’s none. The girl asks why Alicia followed her, and Alicia says, to help save her friend, but also to do something that will outlast her. The girl asks if Alicia thinks she’s going to die, and Alicia says, look at her; she might not make it to the beach. This thing is going to beat her, and she won’t be able to help her friends. The girl says, Alicia is wrong. She can beat it and help her friends. Alicia insists that’s not true, but the girl says she was bit too, and she’s still here. She shows Alicia scars on her arm, and says she needs to get to the tower and make contact with her friend. He saved her, and he’ll save Alicia too, then get them to Padre.

Speculative Spoiler: I could be very wrong, but I wonder if Alicia is talking to herself. They’ve already been borrowing heavily from Z Nation. Why not again?

They walk, and Alicia asks when the girl got bit, and how. It must have been a while ago. The girl can trust her. She’s here, isn’t she? A zombie comes toward them, and the girl says she’ll deal with it, but Alicia says, she won’t even reach its head. The girl hands Alicia a bullet on a cord, and Alicia asks where she got it. The girl says she found it near the truck. Shoot him. Alicia has a zombie flash, and stabs it in the neck. She falls to the ground with it, and it grabs ahold of her. The girl whacks it with a hammer, and asks if Alicia is okay. She almost got herself killed. Alicia says, the walker is mulch, and the girl isn’t hurt. There’s nothing to be upset about. They start walking again, and the girl asks why Alicia didn’t use the bullet. Alicia says, it would have drawn more dead, and the girl asks why Alicia has a bullet if she’s not going to use it. Alicia says, so she doesn’t turn, and the girl asks if Alicia has dreams about turning; she had them too. Alicia asks if she still has them, but the girl says, no. It was only when the fever was really bad. Her friend will help Alicia. She’s not going to end up like one of them. Use the bullet next time.

They walk closer, as the tower burns. Alicia says, they need to go to the rafts, but the girl says, maybe other people got Alicia’s message. Alicia can go if she wants, but she’s staying. Alicia says, this is impossible, and the girl says, what about the other people who heard Alicia’s message? Is she going to let them walk into that? Alicia says, when they see it, they’ll turn around, but the girl says, they won’t know to go to the beach. They could end up someplace worse. They need to go. Alicia says she can’t push much further, but the girl says she’s not leaving. She walks toward the tower, but Alicia stops her. Alicia says, if they go in there, they’ll both die, but the girl says, they’ll die if they stay out here. Alicia asks what she means, and the girl says, Alicia knows what she means. Alicia faints, and the girl fights off some straggling zombies. She tells Alicia to stay with her, and gets on the radio, asking if there’s anyone there.

Alicia is on a rolling cart, and Sarah says, she’s waking up. They stop, and Luci says, they weren’t going to leave without her. Dwight takes off the straps holding her to the cart, and Alicia asks how they found her. He says, they heard her SOS. A new guy says, hello, and Sarah tells Alicia, his name is Josiah; he’s friendly. Alicia asks, where is she? and Dwight says, who? Alicia says, the girl who helped her. She can help them get to Padre. Luci says, they don’t even know if that place is real, and Alicia says, the girl helped her kill the walkers. Dwight says, it sure looks like Alicia killed them, and Alicia sees her arm weapon (weapon arem?) has blood all over it.  

Alicia says, the girl saved her twice; it’s blood from before. She wipes it off, and June says, Alicia is still burning up. Alicia wonders where the girl is; she was there. Josiah says, Alicia was alone when she went back to the tower, and Luci asks why she did that. Alicia says, to send a message; the girl wanted to find her friend, and she promised to help. She has to go back there. Sarah says, Alicia is going on the raft, by force if she wants to play it that way. Alicia says she’d be doing the same thing if she were in their position, but she’s not leaving. Luci asks why it’s so important, and Alicia says, the friend is going to tell her how to save them. June says, the raft is their best shot, and Alicia says, the girl was bit, but she’s alive, and her friend helped. She’s been dreaming of turning into one of them for months. She doesn’t want to die, and she doesn’t want to turn. The girl’s friend can help her live. June asks if Alicia is sure she’s not just saying that because she wants it, and Alicia says, she knows how it sounds, but she’s real. Daniel says, when people doubted him, it didn’t feel good, and Sarah says, but he didn’t have all his faculties. He says, maybe he still doesn’t, but Alicia helped him think more clearly. He can’t let he go on her own; he’s coming. Luci says she owes Daniel one, so she’s in, and June says, she’ll clear the tunnel faster with help. Dwight says, Sherry will kill him if he lets Alicia go by herself, and Sarah says, she doesn’t want be the only a-hole who says no. She tells Dwight, let’s get us some crispy critters.

Alicia keeps trying to radio the girl, when she finally answers. Alicia asks where she is, and the girl asks if Alicia thinks she can get to the roof, but Alicia says, it’s too dangerous to do on her own. She’s coming, and her friends are clearing the tunnel. The girl says she’s on the stairs, but the radio goes dead. Alicia takes out the bullet, and Luci tells her, if she talks to the girl, ask if they can get in there. Alicia says, she talked to her, and she’s going in. June says, not alone, and Sarah says, they’re not leaving. Josiah says, they opened it pretty good, but he can’t be sure it will stay stable. Alicia says, they need to get to the raft. If she learns where Padre is, she’ll radio them. Sherry needs Dwight, Sarah just found her brother, and Daniel’s got to be there for Charlie. She tells Luci that they’ll need someone to show them the way, but Luci says, they have Alicia. Alicia says she has to do this on her own, and Luci nods, saying, she’ll see Alicia and the girl at the shore. Alicia goes inside, and the door closes behind her.

Zombies toddle around the tower as it burns. Alicia goes upstairs wearing a mask, but then takes it off. She thinks about being a zombie, and radios the girl, asking, where are you? Are you in the stairwell? The girl says she’s on the roof and needs Alicia’s help, but Alicia says she’s not sure she can make it. The girl says, she has to; it’s the only way. Alicia stops, pants, and says to herself. you can do it. She sees a bird flying up through the stairwell.

She opens the roof door, and the girl says, over here. Alicia says, you’re alive, and the girl says, so are you. Alicia says she doesn’t want to die; she’s not ready. She suggests they find the girl’s friend, and gets the radio, but she sees it’s been burned by the fire. She yells, no! and the girl says, what? She tells the girl, it’s broken, but the girl says, it’s okay. Alicia says, they need to get in touch with her friend, and the girl says, they still can. Her friend isn’t out there; he’s in the tower. That’s why she wanted to come. Alicia says, her friend (and I say in my head, Victor), what’s his name? The girl says, Victor Strand, and I pat myself on the back for figuring everything out so early on. The girl says she’s sorry she didn’t tell Alicia sooner, and Alicia flashes back to Victor saying, those people were never part of his vision… She’s never going to forgive him, even if he saves everyone, because the damage has been done… He’s trying to save her life… Alicia says, no; it doesn’t make sense. She remembers Victor saying he knows she thinks he’s a monster, but he’s the same man he’s always been. She can’t stop what’s coming. Alicia says, right. She shouldn’t have come. The girl says, Victor needs her to help him, and Alicia asks why she should. The girl says, Victor is her family. He can save them; save us. Alicia knocks the girl down, and holds the pointy end of her arm to the girl’s throat. She asks if anything the girl told her is true, and the girl says, Victor can help her if she helps him. Alicia says, no, and the girl asks if she’d rather die than save him. Alicia says she would, and the girl asks, why? Alicia says, Victor took everything from her, and the girl says, don’t let him take her life too. If Alicia leaves him, she’ll die. Alicia keels over, and asks the girl why she cares what happens to Victor, but the girl says, it’s not about Victor. It’s about Alicia.

Alicia hears the door clank, and tells the girl, wait. Where is she going? No one’s there. She goes back inside, and sees the bird. She wonders why the girl would come in here, and keeps walking. She comes to Victor’s quarters, where the lights are flickering. Victor says, who’s there? Is there a visitor? Alicia says, Victor? and we see Victor, lying in bed with an empty booze bottle next to him. He asks if his mind is playing tricks on him, but Alicia says, it’s not a trick, and flops into a chair. She says she’s here, and he says, she’s got to get out. She says she can’t, not now. She’s not going to make it. He says he’s sorry. he wanted to give her everything. She says, he didn’t give her anything. He took everything. He asks if it’s because of what he did to Will, but she says, Will is just another person she outlived. So many people had to die so she could live. He says, this is about her mother? but she says, it’s about so much more. It’s about making what her mother gave them, mean something. What she didn’t get was to make a place that would last beyond herself. He says he’s so sorry for everything, and she puts the bullet in the gun. He tells her, don’t do that. If she turns, he deserves anything she does to him. She says, it’s not for you – she flashes on the zombie side – it’s for me. She puts the gun to her head, and says she’s sorry. She remembers Will and Charlie, and says again, she’s sorry. She remembers Luci, Daniel, Morgan, and Madison. She sees the bird on the windowsill, and tells it to go. Please leave, goddammit. She thinks about Madison telling the story of Amina, and how Alicia had decided that bird was going to live. Alicia walks over to the bird, and we hear Madison say, the bird lived because her kids didn’t give up on her. Alicia holds out her funky glove-covered hand, and the bird hops on. She says, maybe this is the last thing she was meant to do. She tries, unsuccessfully, to smash the glass, and the girl helps, smashing through the window. Alicia holds her hand out the opening, and the bird flies away. She thanks the girl, and asks why she came back. The girl takes her mask off, and says, because she can’t leave Alicia. Alicia says, no… I… I don’t understand. The girl says, she does, and Alicia says, you’re… me. (Another pat for me.) Alicia hears Madison say that Alicia gave them a chance when there aren’t a lot left in the world, and asks why the girl brought her hear. The girl aka Little Alicia, says, Alicia knows why. It’s on that tape. Alicia looks at the Amina tape, and the girl says she was wrong. Her mom didn’t die to build something like this. She died so that part of Alicia didn’t give up on the people who would live. She shows Alicia the scars on her arm, and says she wasn’t lying when she told Alicia hat she survived the bite. So will she. She’s the only one who can make sure this isn’t the end for her. Alicia says, she can’t; she’s going to die. The girl says, not if she makes sure people remember this part of her, and Alicia asks, how? The girl says, Alicia knows how. She has to save Victor.

On the beach, June tells everyone, don’t leave anything behind. They don’t know how long they’ll be out there. They get the rafts ready, and June says, they can’t miss the tide. Alicia will catch up. They can’t be there when the walkers catch fire. Try to stay clustered in case they get separated. Luci says, they’re shoving off, when Alicia radios that she needs help. Luci asks where she is, and Alicia says, the MRAP. She can’t make it much father. Luci asks if she found the girl, and Alicia says she did; she found someone else too. Victor says, they’ll never take him, but Alicia says, they will if she asks. He coughs and groans a little, and asks, why save him after everything he done. He laughs, and says he asked her mother the same question. She asks what her mother said, and he tells her, she said she did it because she knew who he was.  Alicia asks if he thinks she really did, but he says, not like Alicia. So he’s asking again, why save him? She says, it’s not about him; it’s about her. So he can do what she doesn’t when she’s gone; find a place where everyone is safe. He asks if she thinks he can, and she says, she’s not sure, but she think he’ll try. He tells her, stay with me, but she fades out.

June feels Alicia’s forehead, and says, she’s waking up. She tells Alicia, don’t move. She’s got to get fluids. They’ll make the raft as comfortable as they can. Grace says, the readings have spiked. They’ve got to go. Alicia asks Grace to tell Morgan something for her, but Grace says, Alicia can tell him herself, and hands her the radio, saying, Morgan wanted to talk with her too. Morgan asks, is that her? and Alicia says she’s sorry she didn’t do what she said she would. He says he got Mo in the raft, and that’s all that matters. He wanted to tell her that she might be right. He’s heard chatter on the radio. There might be a Padre. He thinks Padre is real, and thinks they might actually have someplace to go to. How about that? How is she feeling? She says she needs to tell him something. No matter what happens to her, he won’t be doing it alone. He says, no, because she’ll be all right, right? He hears only static, and asks if she’s there. Mo cries.

Grace tells Alicia, if he didn’t hear, she’ll make sure he knows. Charlie comes over to Alicia, and Alicia says she’s sorry she couldn’t stop it from happening to her. Charlie says she’s sorry she wasn’t there for Alicia, and Alicia tells Daniel, look after her. Charlie says she knows it’s going to be okay. She got to do something she never thought she would. They finally got to see the beach. Alicia says, they did, and Daniel says, it’s time. Alicia tells Daniel, it’s going to be oaky, and Daniel says, he wasn’t there for Ofelia at the end, but he can be there for Charlie. He will see Alicia again. Sherry says, they’ve got to go, and she thanks Alicia for taking them in. Luci says she’ll be in the raft with Alicia, but Alicia says she has to do this alone. Victor says, no she won’t. He gets in, and says, they’ll rough it out together. Alicia says, stop, and gets out of the raft. She doesn’t know how fast she’ll turn. He says he’s willing to take that risk, but she says she’s not. It’s up to him – she chokes up a little – to make sure everything they’ve been through means something. People may have heard her message, and are headed to the tower. He cries, and says, she did make it mean something. She saved all of them. She saved him. She did what he asked back in Lawson. She pushes his raft into the water, and says, she didn’t just save him so he could live to do what she couldn’t. She did it because she loves him too. He smiles, and she laughs.

The rafts go down the river. Victor waves, and Alicia waves back. Alicia falls to her knees, then all the way down.

Alicia opens her eyes and sees the bird. She looks good, like fully made up good. She sits up, and sees everyone is gone. She drinks some water, and feels her forehead. She takes a reading, and the girl appears. Alicia asks what she’s doing here, and the girl shows Alicia her arm. The scars are gone, and Alicia asks what it means. The girl says she thinks it means Alicia saved her. How does Alicia feel? Alicia says, she feels… like she hasn’t felt in a while. Like herself. They smile at each other, and Alicia picks up her mask and the gun. The girl asks where she’s going, and Alicia says, to find people who heard her message. She’s going to spend whatever time she has left making sure they have someplace safe to go. They smile again, and a zombie comes down the beach. Alicia walks toward it, shoots it, and continues to walk in the direction of the tower, as she puts her mask on.

Next time – the finale – weird people who wear hoods grab Morgan, accuse him of stealing their children, and try to bury him alive. Madison returns.

🐦 A Bird In Alicia’s Hand…

Madison’s Amina story.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-who-is-amina-explained-fear-twd-season-7-episode-15/

🚪 Exit Interview…

Well, it does seem kind of open-ended. And we all saw Madison go down, yet she’s coming back, so who knows?

You never know. That mortgage might need to be paid one day. Never say never.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/alycia-debnam-carey-exits-fear-the-walking-dead-season-7-goodbye-post-alicia-clark/

⚰️ Serious Nerd Talk…

Delving into the depths of Rick.

https://screenrant.com/walking-dead-rick-first-zombie-negan-ending-explained/

🌼 Spring Into Summer…

If you have tomorrow off, enjoy, or if tomorrow is just another day off, enjoy that too. There’s no soap tomorrow (GH is a rerun), but I’ll be on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay striving for honesty in all relationships, and stay knowing, if the walker is mulch and no one was hurt, there’s nothing to be upset about.