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?
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.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
In her office, Carly looks at her divorce papers, and flashes back to her and Sonny in their better/younger days. They dance on the terrace. Ava comes to the door, and says, you rang? Carly asks Ava to have a seat, but Ava says she’ll stand. Unless the news is really that bad. Carly says, just the opposite. She’s about to make Ava’s day.
Sonny wakes up on the couch, and sees Nina sitting in a chair next to him. She says, they have to stop meeting like this.
At the gym, Marshall is out of breath, and Curtis asks if he’s good. Marshall says he is, but Curtis gives him some water. Marshall says he thinks he went at it a little too hard, when Drew walks in. Curtis says, the man of the hour.
Robert whips Mac’s wheelchair through the hospital, and Mac sarcastically tells him to take the curves a little faster. Robert asks, since when did Mac become a grandpa? and Mac says, since he became a grandpa. He reminds Robert that he’s one too, by the way. Robert says, and proud of it. They hear Stella laugh, and she says, attention everyone. Time to get loud in here. They all applaud, as Anna and Felicia walk in, and Stella shakes their hands, saying, they’re amazing. Mac gets up, and Felicia asks what he’s doing; sit back down. He asks who’s going to make him, and hugs her. Robert can tell Anna doesn’t seem too happy.
Brook picks up Mr. Snuggles and looks at Chase. Ned asks if there’s anything he can do, but she says, nothing. He asks if he can’t warm up a bottle or something, but she says she means it. She has everything under control, and he can go home. Ned says he think he’ll stay if they don’t mind, and Chase says he thinks it’s a great idea. Brook says she just doesn’t want him to get all… He says, what? and she says, emotional. She knows how he feels about Bailey. What if he falls apart? Ned says, then he falls apart. In due time, he’ll pull himself back together. The doorbell rings, and Chase asks if Brook is ready. She opens the door to Maxie, and they hug. Brook says, it’s good to see her. She was so worried. Ned says, they all were. Did she just land? Maxie says she did. She dropped her mom off at GH, so she could see Mac, and came straight there. Ned says, this might sound like a dumb question, but how is she doing? Maxie asks how much time he has, and Brook says she can’t even wrap her mind around it. First, Maxie saves the baby from Peter, then Peter kidnaps her and hauls her halfway around the world, and then she goes toe-to-toe with the psychopath and comes out on top. Maxie says, she could sleep for a week, but there really was no other option. She had to get home to her daughter, or die trying. Brook says they’re really glad it was option A, and Maxie says, her too. Chase says, and that this whole Peter nightmare is over, and Maxie says, Peter won’t be threatening Louise or anyone ever again. Her mom and Anna made sure of it.
Mac and Felicia kiss, and Stella tells everyone to get back to work. You never know what these two will get into. Robert tells Mac to get his butt back in the chair before he finishes up in ICU. Felicia says, Robert’s right, but Mac says he just wants one more look to make sure she’s in one piece. She says she’s fine, and Robert says he hopes the same can’t be said for Peter. Felicia tells Mac to get back to his room, and she’ll fill them in on everything. Mac says he wants every detail, and Felicia wheels him away. Robert tells Anna, he figures Mac is probably good for another hundred years at least. Hopefully, Maxie stays safe and Peter stays dead. By the way, he’s nominated her to get the keys to the city. She says, he didn’t, and he says, sure did. She says, then unnominate her.
Portia tells Stella, that was exciting. Now back to reality. What can she get Stella? Stella says her doctor is out of town, and his fill-in wants to change up her blood thinner. She’d ask TJ, but she can’t track him down. Portia says she’s more than happy to help Stella, and Stella says, not one, but two doctors in the family. Portia says, the family, and Stella says, so-to-speak, but she hears things might be moving in that direction. She hopes Portia has room enough in that house for Curtis and his oversized pride.
Drew tells Curtis not to go overboard. He was more a glorified bystander in that whole thing. Curtis says, glorified bystanders don’t get caught in a gunfight and save the day, and Marshall says, Drew better get used to those praises. He hears they’re calling for a national holiday. Curtis says, Drew remembers Marshall, and they shake hands. Drew says he and Marshall met about a month ago at The Savoy, but they never got a chance to talk. Marshall says, that’s because Drew’s been busy with those heroics he doesn’t want to talk about. It’s impressive that he was able to go adventuring at all. He’s one of the precious few who could cross Sonny Corinthos and live to tell about it.
Nina gives Sonny some water and aspirin, and he says she might want to leave the whole bottle. She says, that bad, and he says he’s had worse. When did she get here? She says, last night; he asked her to bring him home. He says, last night? and she says, he was at Charlie’s, and he was wasted, as the kids say – if they still say it like that – and he called her and left a message. Any of this ring a bell? He says, sometimes he overdoes it, and it gets a little hazy, and she asks if that worries him. He asks if she was here all night, and she says, yeah; it’s becoming a pattern. He says, did we… but she says, no. She just wanted to make sure he was okay, but now that he’s up, she has to get going. He grabs her hand and says, she doesn’t have to go.
Ava tells Carly, that’s some bait. Almost enough to get her to walk into a trap. Carly says, it’s not a trap. Would she have a seat so they can do this? Ava says, let’s do this, and sits. She asks what Carly could possibly say that would brighten her day, and Carly says, she and Sonny are getting a divorce. Ava says she wasn’t expecting news of that magnitude, and Carly says, she had no idea? Ava says she knew there were issues, and those issues weren’t so easily smoothed over, and Carly says, Ava’s little friend Nina has kept her in the loop. Ava says, the subject’s come up, and Carly asks if that’s because Nina won’t stop talking about it, or has Ava been coaching her all along?
Portia says, Stella heard correctly. Curtis is going to be living with her until they find a place of their own. Stella says, big step, and Portia says, one that they’re both excited to take. Stella says she can’t wait for the housewarming, and Portia says, really? Stella says, Curtis is ready. He acts all independent, but he’s a homebody at heart. Besides, he could use a break from looking after her, and get himself looked after for a change. Portia says, she’s got the wrong girl for that, but Stella says she’s not asking Portia to coddle him; just keep an eye out. Portia says, an eye out for what? and Stella says, trouble.
Drew says, things got a little dicey at The Savoy that night, but that was a one-off, and Curtis says, he thinks it was less about the club than the current state of Sonny’s marriage. Drew says, exactly. Despite what Marshall saw, he and Sonny go way back. That behavior’s not him. Marshall says he’ll take Drew’s word for that, and Drew says, Sonny is actually a pretty considerate guy, and generous to a fault. If Marshall got to know him, he’d probably agree. Marshall says, he thinks he’ll pass. It’s been his experience that guys like Sonny are generous because they have an awful lot to make up for. Curtis looks at Marshall.
Nina says she has a meeting, but Sonny tells her, postpone it; she’s the boss. She says, a boss with a reputation in dire need of rehab. He asks, for what? and she says, leaving her whole staff in the lurch, and general irresponsibility. He says, she’s not irresponsible. He wouldn’t be here otherwise. At least let him thank her for bringing him home, and make her breakfast. Come on. She says, on two conditions, and he says, name it. She says she really needs a side of hot sauce. He says, she’s got it, and she says, and a huge helping of honesty.
Ava says, leave it to Carly to somehow make her divorce Ava’s fault, but Carly says, no. It’s Nina and Sonny’s fault; they’re consenting adults. No one forced can force them to lie, much less hop into bed together. But she can’t help wondering if Ava gave Nina advice on how to make that happen. Ava says, so Carly called her over here to give her the news about the divorce, and interrogate her about her association with Nina? Carly says, that’s not why she called Ava here, and Ava says, then why? Carly says, Avery.
Anna says, Robert has no business making a spectacle of her life, and he says, Peter ran hell on this town, and the good citizens have a right to know that it’s over, and what better than the hero herself to tell them? She says she’s not a hero. She doesn’t know what he’s envisioning here; a blow-by-blow account of Peter’s last moments? She doesn’t know what anyone wants her to say. He says, what about the truth? and she says, the truth is, she never did right by him, ever, and now he’s dead. She just let him die. She tears up, and says, oh my God, it’s not something she’s proud of
Ned says, that was quite the adventure, and Maxie says, that’s one word for it. Ned says, he’s so relived they all made it back in one piece. Is there anything she needs; anything they ca do for her? She says, no. It’s finally her turn to do something for them. Take her daughter home.
After breakfast, Sonny tells Nina, sorry about the eggs; they’re not his best. She tells him that he’s already breaking the deal – straight talk. These eggs were perfection. Clearly, he hasn’t lost his touch. She looks around, and says, this place is truly striking, and he says, for years he barely used it. She says, he kept it anyway, and he says, it holds a lot of memories. She says, his connection with his friend Stone, and Sonny says, Stone was his best friend. He misses Stone. He used to come here, and spend time to himself. She says, a refuge of sorts, and he says, something like that. Now it’s just home. She asks what he means, and he shows her the divorce papers, and says, it’s over.
Carly says, Ava is going to hear it from Sonny, so she might as well hear it from Carly now. Sonny’s moving out. He’s going to take Avery with him to his penthouse at Harborview Towers. Ava says, and Carly will stay with Donna at the lake house, and Carly says, yes. She hates the idea of Avery being away from her home and her sister. Ava says, Avery adores Donna, and Carly says, they need to come up with a way Donna doesn’t suffer, but Ava says, Avery loves Carly. There’s no getting around it. She is going to suffer. Carly asks, how do they make her suffer less?
Felicia says she has the feeling Mac is going to pay a price for that smooth move of his, but he says, it was worth it. She agrees, and he says, when he realized she took off to go after Maxie… She says, he was jealous? and he says, he was terrified. Promise she’ll never do anything like that again, not without him. She says, that depends, and he says, on what? She says, whether he promises not to go to the OR or emergency surgery again. He says he’ll try, and she says, then she will too. They kiss, and he asks when he gets to see their girl. She says, not until their girl sees her girl. Maxie is picking up Louise as they speak. He says Felicia could have gone, and she says she knows, but this was something Maxie had to do alone.
Ned tells Maxie, the baby was napping, so it might take a minute to get her up and ready. Is this how she imagined this moment, getting her daughter back? She says, no, never. She never imagined it at all actually. She would imagine this whole thing being over. She imagined Peter dying lots of times. She got creative with it. He bit it in all kinds of ways. Hyenas, comets, dunked in a fryer – Ned laughs – sandblasted even. He says, she did get creative, and she says, she had three deaths for every letter of the alphabet, so she imagined Peter dying a lot. But when she got to the part where she’d bring Louise home, everything would go dark. He wonders why, and she says, the more time that went on, the less sure she felt Louise would want come home with her, and if that were the case, would she be strong enough to leave her here with Brook? Ned says, Louise is hers, and Maxie says, is she though? Brook is the only mother she’s known. Brook and Chase bring Louise in.
Portia tells Stella, sorry, it was a false alarm. Where were they? Stella says, trouble, and Portia says she assumes Stella is talking about Curtis’s father Marshall. Stella says, yeah. For all his bluster, Curtis is a sensitive soul, and he’s vulnerable too, especially to Marshall. She’s afraid Curtis wants his father so badly, he’ll ignore all the signs telling him not to get too close. Portia says, Stella is making it sound like Marshall is out to hurt Curtis. Is he?
Marshall suspects Curtis and Drew could use a minute to talk, and he sure as hell could use a minute to catch his breath. Drew says he hopes to see more of Marshall, and Marshall says, maybe Drew will catch a gig. He’s rehearsing with a band; they’re almost ready to go public. He’ll get Drew front row seats. Drew says, that would be awesome, and Marshall says, once he finds a venue, and coughs. Curtis says, subtle, and Marshall says, subtlety is his specialty, and heads for the showers. Drew says, so Curtis is making progress, and Curtis says, one day at a time, with zero expectations. Drew asks if Curtis caught the little scrap of information, and Curtis says, about having experience with men like Sonny? Drew says, yeah, and asks if Curtis is still digging into Marshall’s past. Curtis says, he had to let that go. Partly because he hit a wall, but the other part was, he was wondering if what he knows already is enough. Drew says, turning over more rocks could risk what Curtis has already built; he gets that. Curtis says, and he’s building a lot more. He and Portia are moving in together. Drew congratulates him, and says, Portia’s a lucky woman. Curtis says, not if what Marshall’s hiding comes back to bite him, and Portia by association. Drew says, his offer stands. Say the word, and he’ll put his plan into place.
Carly says, as far as she knows, Sonny has no plans to restrict Ava’s access to Avery when he moves out, and Ava says, she certainly hopes not. Carly says, but it’s Sonny, and he can change at a moment’s notice, so if Sonny tries to come between Ava and Avery, she can lobby on Ava’s behalf. Ava says, lobby to keep a child with her mother, how charitable, and Carly tells her, she’s just saying. Ava says, and in return? She ensures Avery’s presence in Ava’s life in exchange for what? Carly says, her presence in Avery’s. She doesn’t want to take any of Ava’s time away from Avery; she just want to see her. Ava says, Carly could certainly be a useful ally, but why should she bargain for Carly’s diminishing influence over Sonny, when her little friend Nina has much, much more?
Nina says, she’s so sorry, and Sonny says, they’re all sorry. She asks how he feels, and he says, his head feels better. He doesn’t think it’s hit him yet. She says, it certainly hit him last night. He doesn’t remember anything? He shrugs, and she takes out her phone, putting it on the table. She plays the message that he left for her, and he says he shouldn’t have done that. She says, what? Don’t call her? That’s not what bothers her. He says, something is bothering her, and she says, yes; his drinking.
Anna tells Robert, the sad truth is, Peter was her responsibility, and she failed him, and everyone he ever hurt. Go on, just say it. Get it off his chest. He says he would, if he knew what she was talking about, and she says, she’s done everyone a service, and shouldn’t spend another moment thinking about Peter. He’s gone; forget it. Move on with her life, blah-blah-blah, something like that, isn’t it? He says, she’s got one part wrong. The part about Peter being gone.
Chase says he loves Louise’s sleepy eyes after a nap, and Maxie smiles at Louise. Chase says he found a couple of things in the garage that he forgot to pack up for Felicia, so… Ned says, he’ll help load the car, and they leave. Maxie says, there’s nothing in garage, is there? and Brook says, not that she’s aware of. Maxie asks if Louise slept okay, and Brook says, she slept great. It took her a while to get used to the room here, but music always helps. Put on some Springsteen lullabies, and she conks right out. Maxie says she didn’t know that; Brook knows everything. Brook says, she’ll teach Maxie. Lesson number one. She loves to be held. She gives Louise to Maxie, and asks if Louise knows who that is. That’s her mommy.
Mac wonders what’s taking so long, and Felicia says, Maxie will take as much time as she needs. It’s been almost a year coming. Mac says, exactly. Sue him if he’s anxious about seeing his family intact again. He asks if Felicia thinks Brook is making this difficult for Maxie. He could send a couple of units over there to take care of it… Felicia snatches his phone out of his hand, and shoves it in a water-filled vase of flowers, and says, he was saying? He says, that was a bold move, and she says she’s capable of taking bold action when necessary. He says, just ask Peter August.
Chase looks in through the door glass, and tells Ned that he thinks they’re smiling. Is that a laugh or are they crying? Does Ned think they should go in there? Ned says, give them another minute, and Chase asks if he’s not worried about Brook. Ned says, of course (🍷) he is, but she can’t avoid what’s about to happen, nor can they make it better. Chase hopes Ned is wrong about that last part, and Ned says, all they can do is be there for her. He asks, what’s next? and Chase says, today or… Ned says, for Chase; for his future. The charade of him and Brook living together is now over. Maxie’s taking her daughter back home, so there’s no reason for them to live together, right? Chase flashes back to kissing Brook, and Ned says, so what is Chase going to do, now that they’re going their separate ways?
Brook says, she’s put together some notes on their girl’s likes and dislikes; everything Maxie needs to know about Bailey… Louise. She’s sorry. Maxie tells her, stop, and Brook promises she’s going to get it. Maxie says, Brook already has it. Her daughter has had one name her whole life. Maxie’s not going to take it away from her. Brook says, but she’s Louise; Maxie named her for Lulu, to honor her friend. Maxie says Brook is her friend too. She looks at her baby and says, so starting now, baby girl, your name is Bailey Louise. What does Brook think? Brook says she loves it.
Drew lifts free-weights, and tells Curtis, he really thinks it could work. It’s as simple as offering his dad a job, and then the clearance and the paperwork necessitate that he has to reveal something about his past. It’s not rocket science. Curtis says, but it has its advantages, and Drew says, he thinks it’s bad to go around asking questions because it could get back to Marshall. Curtis says, so Marshall has to answer the questions directly and honestly, and Drew says, that’s assuming Marshall doesn’t pick up on the plan. Curtis says, with Drew at the helm, all it takes is a soft touch, and Drew’s got that in spades. Drew says, so he’s in? and Curtis asks if Drew is sure he’s down for this. He has a lot on his plate without Curtis piling more. Drew says, he just went all the way to Europe to clean off that plate, and Curtis says, is it clean though? Peter’s gone, but is it done? Drew says, there may be one or two things left on his to-do list.
Sonny says, now he’s an alcoholic, and Nina tells him, she didn’t say that, and he says, good; don’t. She says, they had a deal, and he says he’s been honest with her the whole time. She says, he drinks too much… and he says, he turns down drinks all the time. She says, let her finish. He drinks too much for someone on mood stabilizing medication. He says, she’s a doctor now? and she says, no, she’s a patient. She’s had her own lapses. He says she can’t compare them, and she says she’s not; she’s remembering. Take as instructed, swallow pills whole, and do not mix with alcohol. He says, he’s been managing his medication, and she asks if he managed it last night, when he couldn’t stand straight and was slurring his words? Or when he stopped taking his medication altogether?
Ava says, for years, Carly has waged war on her. Carly has confronted, attacked her in public. She’s conspired to keep Ava’s child away from her, using the very same tactics she used to keep Nina away from her grandson. Carly says, my grandson, and Ava says, now Carly seeks her assistance to ensure she’s not the one shut out by Sonny and his new lady. Carly says, Nina is always one traffic jam away from a meltdown and a straightjacket. Carly has outlasted every one of Sonny’s affairs. Every. Single. One. So ask herself this, does Ava really want to test the flavor of the month against her?
Stella tells Portia, her concerns are what ifs. She doesn’t know anything for certain. Portia says, no offense, but it sounds like she does. How would Marshall hurt Curtis? Stella says, he wouldn’t; not intentionally. But this secret past he’s dragging around just might. Portia says, and Stella knows nothing about it. Stella says, no more than Portia does. Marshall was gone for 40 years. Now he’s back, with some vague story, hinting there’s trouble in his wake. Does Portia really need to know more than that to be worried? Portia says, no, not really, and Stella tells her, just keep your ears open. That’s all she asks. She thanks Portia for the consult, and Portia says, any time.
Curtis punches the heavy bag, when Marshall comes back. He asks if Curtis and Drew had a nice catch up, and Drew says they did, but unfortunately, he has to cut it short. He’s got stuff to do. Marshall says he’ll be looking for Drew at that gig, but Drew says, he’d love to see Marshall sooner than that. Give him a call; get his number from Curtis. He might have a proposition for Marshall. He and Curtis throw some fake punches, and Drew leaves.
Anna asks what Robert is talking about. Peter is gone. She saw him take his last breath. He’s dead. They sit, and Robert says, dead, definitely; gone, he doesn’t know about that. He sees Peter sitting on her shoulder, dripping doubts in her ear. All the while, he’s got this shadow he’s draped around her neck with regret. Anna asks him to answer something honestly, and he says, of course (🍷). She says, doesn’t he think she bears some responsibility for the way Peter turned out, and all the blood he spilled? Robert says, he doesn’t. Anna tried to save him, and nearly got herself killed. He takes her hand and says, next time around, do them all a big favor and give her heart to some guy who deserves her love. She cries, and he says, not Valentin Cassadine. She laughs, and says, he’s so weird.
Mac asks if Felicia is okay, and she says she’s great. He says, it wouldn’t surprise him if she felt some aftershocks after what went down. She says she did what she did for her family and friends, and doesn’t regret it for one second. If that makes her cold and unfeeling, so be it. He says, it makes her neither of those things, and he’ll prove it to her. They kiss.
Maxie says she guesses it’s time go, and asks if Chase and Brook want to say goodbye. Chase tells her, he’ll say see you later. They’ll have tons of playdates, right? Maxie says, as many as they can manage, and thanks all of them for everything they did, everything gave up. It means everything to her. Bailey is cracking me up, the way she’s looking from one of them to the next, and Brook thanks Maxie for trusting them with little Bailey Louise. Maxie says, one more thing about the names… and Brook says, don’t keep it on her account, but Maxie says she meant Brook’s name. If she’s going be mommy, Brook should be mama; Mama Brook Lynn. Through her tears, Brook says, really? She can live with that. She kisses Bailey’s head, and Maxie says, all right, Baby Lou, let’s get out of here. She leaves, Brook cries, and Ned holds her.
Ava says, when Sonny was gone, she and Carly worked together for Avery’s well-being. She sees no reason to change course now. She loves her daughter, and her daughter loves Carly. She says she’ll see to it that Carly remains a part of Avery’s life, and leaves.
Sonny tells Nina, what happened last night was on him, not his meds, but she says, they’re one in the same; he knows that. His meds keep him level, and make him responsible, but not if he overindulges. Case in point. Would he have called her last night if he hadn’t been drinking? He says he would have called her sober, and she says, really? That would have been a first. He’s looking down the barrel of a divorce because he played fast and free with his meds. He says, she doesn’t know that; he doesn’t know that. What he does know is, right now he’s going through a divorce, and Nina is here. She says, he’s changing the subject, and he asks what the subject was. She says she can’t remember right now, and he takes her hand. He hugs her, then they kiss.
Tomorrow, Sam tells Dante, she’s going to hold him to that; Elizabeth tells Finn, something big is going on; Harmony says she has something to tell Willow; and Carly asks, what happened?
🏥 Dead, But Not Gone…
I still don’t trust it. They’re never really dead. I still keep expecting Faison to show up again, even though Doc took his brain out of his body.
Calling it an early (for me) night, but coming back tomorrow for soap, freshly brewed tea, quotes, and the usual music offering. Until then, stay safe, stay protective of creatures that are small in the world, and stay always giving your heart to someone who deserves it.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
At Pozzulo’s Brick tells Jason, it’s bad news; really bad. Jason says, so it’s more than one lost shipment, and Brick says, it’s way more than that. Carly walks in, and hugs Brick, and tells him it’s great to see him, but not so great circumstances. Did he have to deal with much fallout for his part in Jason’s escape? He says, the lawyer ran interference, and the PCPD stopped calling. It would have gone a lot smoother if Jason had jumped into the car the first time, like they planned. Carly says, that’s what she told Jason, and Jason says he’s sorry he caused Brick extra trouble. Brick tells him not to worry about it. He gets it; Jason had to go back for Britt. He was just defending the original escape plan, which would have worked. Carly says, no question, but that’s not why Brick’s there. Any word on the missing shipment? He says, the shipment has been located, and she asks why it didn’t arrive on schedule. He says, one of her people sold her out.
Brook goes out on the terrace to talk on the phone, and asks Maxie, what’s going on? Has she heard from Peter? She says, no, thank God. Ellie and Spinelli just took Georgie and James to the pool, so she had a minute to call. How’s Louise? Brook says Maxie’s baby is doing great. She has a healthy appetite, and good lungs. Maxie doesn’t have to worry. Maxie says she’s coming over. She has to see her baby.
Sasha puts some flowers in the hospital chapel, when Willow walks in. Sasha says Willow looks beautiful, and Willow thanks her for decorating. It looks beautiful. Sasha says it’s the least she could do. How is Willow feeling? Willow says, nervous, but she knows she’s doing the right thing by marrying Chase. Sasha says, even though her heart belongs to Michael?
Michael brings Anna into the living room, and tells Valentin that he has a visitor. Anna tells Michael that he doesn’t have to stay. It looks like he’s going somewhere. He says, Willow and Chase’s wedding in the GH chapel, and Anna asks how Chase is. Michael says, he didn’t respond to treatment, and doesn’t have much time left. This might be his last day.
Jackie says she can’t believe her son is getting married, and Chase says, marrying Willow is a dream come true. Where it is, not so much. She says, he deserves a long and happy life, and he says he’s sorry. He hates that he’s causing so much pain for everyone. She tells him, stop that right now. Being his mother has been the greatest gift of her life. He brought her a joy she never even knew existed. She says she loves him, and he says he loves her too. She gave him a good life, and he’s sorry to leave it. He just wishes there was a way to beat this thing. Even Finn can’t figure it out.
Finn is running down the hall, and sees Elizabeth. He says he’s been looking for her. Tell him he’s not fooling himself. She says, about what? and he says, about why his cure for Chase didn’t work. Cyrus Renault.
At Austin’s cabin, Dante is looking at a map, when Austin walks in. Austin says, hi; he didn’t knock. He doesn’t know what to do. Please help him manage this. Should he knock on a door of a house he owns? Dante says he didn’t expect to see Austin today, and Austin says he can’t rent the place out when it’s an active crime scene. He thought he’d come by and see if there was any progress with the investigation. He sits down and looks at the map, and Dante says he spoke to the property management. They were unaware there was a hidden camera. Austin says thanks for letting him know. They’re probably worried about a potential lawsuit. Dante should see how they manage some of their other properties. Dante says he knows how to do his job, and Austin says, clearly. If they’re done with all the unfounded suspicions, he’d like to volunteer for the search for Maxie’s baby. He brought Louise into this world, and promised Miss Maxie that he’d do everything he could to help bring her home. Does that sound like something a kidnapper would say? Dante says, actually, it does.
Elizabeth asks if Finn thinks Cyrus had someone tamper with the paternity tests to get back at Jackie. Never mind. Of course (🍷) he would. Finn says he thinks the cure lies in the DNA of Chase’s biological parents. If he’s not Chase’s father, his DNA wouldn’t work. That’s why the treatment failed. She says if Finn prepares another dose with Jackie and Gregory’s DNA, Chase’s body won’t reject it. He says, yes. Is that a reasonable hypothesis, or is he just seeing what he wants to see because he wants to save Chase’s life? She says she thinks Cyrus is petty enough to change paternity test results, and spiteful enough to gloat in Finn’s face while he’s being dragged off to prison. She thinks he might have just given Finn the key to saving Chase. Gregory walks up, and asks if Finn has any news on the… tests. Finn says they can talk in front of Elizabeth. He trusts her, and she knows everything. He hasn’t heard yet. Gregory says they’re running out of time, and Finn says he has a new dose ready to go. He just needs confirmation from the lab. In the meantime, Chase has the wedding to focus on and keep him positive. Gregory says, Chase asked him to perform the ceremony. He said there was a simple way for Gregory to get certified online. Is there a computer he can use? Elizabeth says she’ll help him with that, and Finn says he’s going to check on Chase. Gregory prays the DNA results come back soon.
Brook says she understands Maxie wanting to see her baby, but they have to be strategic about Maxie’s visit. They’re not friends. Maxie says she told Nina that she and Brook bonded during Lamaze class, and thinks she bought it. Brook says, that’s great for Nina, but how are they going to explain it to the rest of the world? Maxie’s baby supposedly got kidnapped by a psycho nurse, and now she’s coming to see someone she can barely stand. Maxie says she doesn’t care. She’s literally aching for her child. She needs to see her. Brook asks if she isn’t worried about Peter. She doesn’t believe he’s given up for a second. What if he’s hiding, waiting for her to lead him to Louise, and Maxie comes there to visit someone she can’t stand, who coincidently just had a baby the same age? He will figure it out, and everything they did will be for nothing. Maxie says Brook is right. The priority is keeping Louise away from Peter. There’s a knock at Maxie’s door, and she says she has to go; she’ll call later. She opens the door to Sam, and asks what Sam is doing there. Sam says she came by because she has a few questions about Louise.
Brick says, the driver made a deal to deliver the shipment to the Novak family. Mr. Novak has offered to pay double for any Corinthos shipments. Carly asks who the driver is, and Jason says, Don Knotts Metz. She says she doesn’t know him, and Jason says he’s only been working for them about a year. Carly asks if he really thought he’d get away with it, and Brick says, that’s the problem. Mr. Novak has been telling people the Corinthos organization is weak now that Sonny’s gone.
Sasha asks Willow what the chair is for, and Willow says, Chase isn’t strong enough to stand during the wedding, so he’ll be in a wheelchair. She didn’t want him to feel self-conscious, so she’s going to sit across from him, and they’ll have the same eyeline. Sasha says, it’s really thoughtful. She’s sorry she brought up Michael. She’s there to support Willow. Willow says she doesn’t have to apologize. If Finn’s treatment had worked, and Chase was recovering, they wouldn’t be getting married, but she still loves Chase. It wasn’t that long ago, she thought she’d be spending her life with him. It’s the last gift she can give him in return for all he’s given her. Sasha says that’s all she needed to hear, and picks up a box, saying, it’s for Willow. Willow opens the box and sees a blue butterfly brooch. Sasha says she thought Willow wouldn’t have had time for the traditions. This covers old, new, borrowed, and blue wrapped up into one. Her grandmother gave it to her on her 16th birthday. She’s had it for years, but it’s new to Willow. She wants it back, and it’s blue. Willow can either wear it or pin it to her skirt.
Finn asks if Chase is sure he’s up for this, and Chase says, hell yeah. Just thinking about promising his life to Willow makes him stronger. If Finn wants to help, he can get Chase dressed. Finn says Chase is a good man. He definitely made Finn a better man. He’ll always regret how horrible he was to Chase when Chase first came to town. Chase says, it’s all part of Finn’s charm, and Finn says, that’s what Chase has always done; accept people for who they are. He makes them want to be better, and Chase deserves better. Do him a favor, hang in there. Keep fighting, and he may get his miracle. Chase says he’s marrying Willow. That is his miracle.
Anna says, it’s devastating that Chase can slip away so quickly, and Valentin says, it’s senseless. Brook comes in, and notes that Michael is all ready for the ceremony. Michael says he knows she wanted to be there, and Brook says, more room for the family and she has her hands full with Bailey. Just give Chase and Willow her congratulations and love. Michael leaves, and Brook says, excuse me, super spies. What are they going to do to find the guy who caused all this suffering? Anna says she thinks she has a lead on Peter.
Dante tells Austin, it’s not uncommon for criminals to insert themselves into investigations. They get a kick out of watching cops try to figure out what they’ve done. Austin says he’s grateful he doesn’t live in Dante’s world, when Dante’s phone rings. Dante crosses something off the map, and Austin says, this map is wrong.
Carly tells Brick, she doesn’t understand. Between her and Jason, they kept things going without a beat. She had a meeting with the Five Families cheese calzones, and they accepted her. Brick says, because there was no alternative; Jason seemed to be out of the picture. Carly says, of all he misogynistic, backward ways of thinking. She was handling things because Jason was unavailable. She’s weak because she’s a woman? Jason says, it’s not because she’s a woman; it’s because she’s an outsider. She says she’s not an outsider. She’s Sonny’s widow. Jason says she hasn’t been involved in the business until now, and Brick says, Jason’s right. They know she has no experience; Jason does. They’re just waiting for him to make his move. She asks, what kind of move? (I’ve never been in the mob, but I have the feeling this isn’t how it works.)
Michael goes to Chase’s room, where Chase sits in a wheelchair, wearing a suit and an oxygen tube. He asks what Michael thinks. It’s the latest in trendy wedding accessories. Michael says he looks great, and Chase says he hopes Willow thinks so too. She deserves so much better than a hospital chapel. (God help me, I almost wrote chat room.) Michael says Chase knows Willow doesn’t care about things like that, and Chase says he does, but he wishes he could give her the world. Michael says he doesn’t blame Chase, and Chase thanks him for coming. Michael says, of course (🍷). Brook sends her love. She’s at home with the baby. She said she wanted to make more room for the family, but Michael thinks she might be jealous. Chase says if he wasn’t so in love with Willow, he’d be flattered, and Michael says, the point is, this is Chase’s big day, and they’re all there for him and Willow. Chase says he’s just glad he didn’t completely throw their friendship away when he and Sasha lied to Michael about the affair. Michael says they’re way past that. Chase is a great man, and he’s honored to be his friend. Chase says Michael is a good man too. He’s happy Michael is going to be there for Willow after he’s gone. Gregory and Finn join them, and Gregory says they should get things started. Michael says he’ll make sure things are ready in the chapel, and Gregory says, shall we? Chase says he can’t get married yet. Someone’s missing.
Anna tells Valentin, there’s a heliport on the roof of GH. On the night Peter disappeared, a helicopter approached the hospital airspace, but didn’t identify itself. Valentin says, and the call sign? and Brook says, the call what? Valentin says, the registration number on the side of the helicopter, and Anna says, they were covered up. Valentin says, that sounds like Peter. Maybe if they can find the pilot, he can tell them where Peter was planning on taking Maxie and the baby. That might be where he is now. Anna’s phone rings, and she says it’s Finn. Finn says he needs her help, and she says of course (🍷). Anything.
Maxie tells Sam, the nurse knocked out Austin, and took her baby like she said she would. Sam says that matches what Maxie said the night Louise was taken, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) it does, but why is Sam making her relive this again? Sam says the police uncovered a hidden camera at the cabin where the nurse was holding her. She and Dante were able to watch it. She just has a few more questions.
Austin points to something on the map, and says it’s reasonably close to where he found Maxie. Dante says he was told the entire area was inaccessible because the drop to the water is too high. Austin says he doesn’t know who told Dante that. They had a winter storm, and lost a bunch of trees, roots and all. They lost the riverbed, and you can cross the creek now. Is Dante telling him no one has looked there yet? Dante says, let’s go.
In the chapel, Willow prays she’s making the right decision. She’ll do anything to make Chase’s final days happy, but God knows what’s in her heart. It belongs to someone else. Michael walks in, and they gaze at each other.
Violet runs in to see Chase, and says he’s supposed to be in bed because he’s sick. He says they’re letting him up for a special occasion. Anna says Violet’s Uncle Chase asked her to bring Violet there because he and Willow are getting married. Violet jumps up and down, saying, a wedding? and Chase says he couldn’t get married without his bestest favorite niece. She says she’s his only niece, and he says that’s all he needs. She says her daddy is going to make him all better now, and Finn thanks Anna for bringing her. She says, of course (🍷), and Chase says he appreciates it and hopes she stays for the wedding. He wouldn’t feel right if she wasn’t there. She says she’d be glad to stay, and Chase asks if Violet will do him a big favor. Would she be his flower girl? She says, yes, yes, yes. She knows what to do; she’s done it before. He wants her to know that he’s loved being her uncle, and Violet tells him not to be sad. He’s getting married; he’s so lucky. He tries not to cry, and says he’s very lucky. He breaks down, and Anna and Finn put their hands on his shoulders.
Michael says Willow looks beautiful, and she thanks him, saying, Sasha helped her get ready. Was he looking for her? He says he was making sure the chapel was ready. He doesn’t have much of a purpose today. She says he has a very important purpose; Chase wants him to be there. He says she’s right. The chapel looks good. She says, again, all Sasha’s doing. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she is. Him? He says he saw Chase earlier, and he’s really excited to marry her. She says, that’s what’s important, when Jackie and Sasha walk in. Jackie thanks Michael for being there. It means the world to Harry/Chase. He says, of course (🍷), and she says it looks like they’re ready. She going to get the groom. She hands Willow a bouquet, and Michael says he’ll join her. Sasha puts her arm around Willow.
Valentin finds Brook on the terrace, and says, if she wants to be alone, just say the word, but she doesn’t have to hide anything from him. He knows how much Chase has meant to her. She thanks him, and says, it’s funny how life changes things up on you without warning. She and Chase had a horrible start; he kept arresting her. He says, it was for assault, wasn’t it? and she says, that’s not the point. After a rocky start, her dad kicked her out of the house, and Chase took her in. He was supportive and accepting. He’s a bit of a neat freak, but nobody’s perfect. Chase became somebody she could trust, and now he’s dying. Valentin says, it’s difficult to lose a friend like that, and she asks when he became a friend expert. He says she’s right. He doesn’t have any friends. At least ones that aren’t on the payroll. She says, first of all, she took a cheap shot when he was just trying to be kind. She apologizes. And second, what is he talking about? He doesn’t consider Anna a friend?
Maxie asks if Sam isn’t on her side, and Sam says, of course (🍷) she is. When she watched the footage, and saw what that phony nurse did to Maxie, she’s sorry Maxie had to suffer through that ordeal. Maxie says she doesn’t know what else Sam wants her to say, but that psycho nurse wanted to force her into labor and steal her child. Sam says she watched the whole video, and it was very clear that nurse was working for Peter, and acting on his orders. How could Maxie be so sure the nurse wanted Louise for herself?
Austin and Dante walk through the woods, and Austin says he walks through these woods all the time. Dante will have to let him know if he wants him to slow down to a city slicker pace. Dante says, it’s cool. Austin’s family owns a lot of property around here? Austin says, it’s not top-of-the-line, but it’s home. It allows them to preserve the woods, and keep the developers out. Dante says, Austin doesn’t like people much, does he? and Austin says he likes people. Let him amend that. He loves some people, he likes most people, he tolerates a lot of people, but in his job as a doctor, he has to deal with a lot of people. He does have preferences, but it’s okay. The Buddhists say it’s okay to have some preferences, and he prefers to avoid people who are jaded and cynical. He gestures for Dante to go ahead, and Dante hopes Austin’s bedside manner is better than his social graces. They continue to walk, and suddenly, Austin shoves Dante to the ground.
Violet tosses rose petals, as she walks past a seated Chase and Willow. Gregory says, let’s begin. Chase takes Willow’s hand.
Brick says, the expectation is that Jason is going to return, and take over the Corinthos organization, and Carly says, that’s exactly what’s happening. Brick says, Mr. Novak doesn’t think so. He’s asking if Jason is in charge or she is. Carly says she was handling things while Jason was unavailable. She’s in the process of handing everything over. Brick tells her, listen to him. The people are used to one boss, not two. They’re expecting one of them, probably Jason, to push the other out. Carly says that’s never going to happen, and Brick says, forgive him for saying it, but it makes Jason look weak. Mr. Novak sees an opening, so others would. Jason says, the perception of weakness will lead to being challenged, which will escalate. Brick says they just ended a war with Renault. Is she ready for another one?
Gregory says he was honored when Chase asked him to perform the ceremony, but he has to admit, this is the first time he’s officiated at a wedding, so he’s out of his element. He thinks the best thing he can do is just speak from the heart. They’re here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. To witness the love between Chase and Willow, and to vow to support their love wholeheartedly. And do they, as witnesses to this day, support and encourage this union? They all say they do.
Maxie tells Sam, her baby is missing and that woman took her. That much she knows for sure. Sam tells her, she’s just saying, isn’t it possible that the nurse met up with Peter after all? Right now, everyone is looking for the nurse and the baby. Maybe they should be looking for Peter and Louise. Maxie says, no. Peter does not have her child.
Dante is like, what the hell? and Austin says, sometimes these boards, they rot, and Dante was about to step on one, so… Dante asks why Austin didn’t just tell him to stop, and Austin says because he didn’t think Dante would listen to him. He’s sorry. Is Dante hurt? Dante says he’s fine. Austin says, there used to be a lot of mining here, and there are abandoned shafts. He moves a tree branch off of the opening, and seeing missing boards, says, from the looks of these broken boards, it’s possible an animal, or even a person could have fallen through. Dante says it’s a long way down there, and Austin takes some rope out of his backpack.
Gregory asks if Chase takes this woman to be his wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold from this day forward, as long as they both shall live? Chase says he does, and Violet says, yay! Gregory asks the same of Willow, and she says she does. I just have to mention, Chase is the healthiest looking terminal patient I’ve ever seen. Other than the circles under his eyes, his coloring is better than mine on a good day. Gregory says, now for the exchanging of the rings. Chase drops the ring, and says he might need some help. His hands don’t work so good. He asks if Michael will put the ring on Willow, and Michael says he’d be glad to. Gregory asks Chase to repeat after him, with this ring, I thee wed, and Chase does. Michael puts the ring on Willow, and Chase thanks him. Gregory asks Willow to repeat after him, with this ring, I thee wed. She does, and Chase says he loves her. She says she loves him too. Gregory pronounces them husband and wife, and says Chase may kiss his bride. They kiss, and Michael looks at the floor. Violet says, yay! and throws petals up in the air. Chase isn’t looking so good, and Willow says she thinks he needs Finn. Chase says his wife worries too much, and Finn suggests they get Chase back to his room. Sasha congratulates them, and Violet asks if she can hug Chase before he goes. Finn gives the okay, and she hugs Chase. Chase says he loves her, and Violet tells him not to worry. Her daddy is going to make him all better. They all leave, except for Michael and Sasha. Sasha says she can stay if he wants, but he says he thinks he needs to be alone for a little while. Sasha leaves, and Michael sits in the chapel by himself.
Sam tells Maxie, she doesn’t understand. Obviously, the nurse was willing to break a lot of laws to get Peter what he wanted. What makes Maxie so sure she wouldn’t hand the baby off to him? Maxie says, the nurse didn’t say anything about taking the baby when they were in the house because she was still following Peter’s rules. Then Maxie hit her with the poker, and ran into the woods. She was angry, and said Maxie didn’t deserve Louise. She could take better care of Louise than Maxie could. Sam believes her, right?
On the phone, Dante says, that’s right. He sees Austin preparing to go into the shaft, and tells him, no. Austin says he’s a doctor. If there’s somebody down there, it’s probably someone who’s hurt. Dante says, it could be a crime scene, which means he has to go down there. One end of the rope is tied to a tree, and Dante tosses the other end down in the shaft.
Valentin supposes Brook is right, and he and Anna are friends of a fashion. She says, please. It’s clear to anyone with eyes, with their secret looks, and coded language that only the two of them can understand, they’re friends. At least. He says he and Anna are working together to bring Peter to justice, because they’re equally responsible for Peter building a home in Port Charles, and for convincing Maxie that she can trust him, when he was nowhere near worthy of that trust.
Jackie and Gregory look into Chase’s room through the window, while Willow paces. Jackie says, at least Harry/Chase got his final wish to marry Willow. Willow says she did make him happy, didn’t she? Finn jets out of Chase’s room, and tells Gregory, the test results just came in, and he dashes off. Gregory says he’s going with Finn, and starts to follow. Jackie says, but this is for Chase, and Gregory says, trust him, this is for Chase. He runs after Finn.
Jason says he appreciates Brick for the update, and looking into the theft. Brick says he has no doubt Jason and Carly will come up with a solution. Until then, if they need him for anything, don’t hesitate. Carly says they appreciate him, and he’s right. She and Jason will come up with a solution. Brick says he knows, and leaves. Carly asks, is Brick right? Does Jason look weak because he’s not pushing her out? Jason says, from Novak’s point of view, yeah. She says she went to the hospital to visit Cyrus before the Feds took him to prison. He said it would be a cakewalk for Jason to eliminate her and take over the Corinthos organization. When she told him that was never going to happen, he said Jason was either devoid of ambition or in her thrall. Neither of which are good for the Corinthos family, right? He says, no, it’s not good, and she says they’re going to have to get ahead of this. They’re going to have to show Novak, and anyone else, the Corinthos family is still the formidable organization it always has been. He says, it’s going to take a little time, but eventually, they’re going to see it. Carly asks, how much time?
Brook thanks Valentin for coming to her today. She knows she’s not the easiest person to get along with. He says she could just as easily be talking about him, and she says she knows he’s here for Bailey, not her. He says, they’re both raising a child. They’re both trying to provide a happy home for their daughter. It would be nice if they could be friends. She says she thinks maybe they already are.
Sam says, of course (🍷) she believes Maxie, and Maxie thanks her, and says she really would do anything to have Louise in her arms again, but she has to face reality. That nurse could be halfway around the world by now.
Austin asks Dante how it’s going. Did he find anything? Dante says, yeah. He’s at the bottom now, and thinks he found their kidnapper.
Anna thanks Sasha for taking Violet home; she feels like she should stay. Sasha says, no worries; it’s her pleasure. Violet says Roxie misses Anna, and she’ll tell her that Anna says hi. Anna says she misses Roxie too, and she misses Violet. She hugs Violet, and Sasha and Violet go down in the elevator.
Finn, Gregory, and Elizabeth gather around the computer, and Elizabeth asks what the DNA results say. Who is Chase’s biological father? Finn looks at Gregory, and says, you are. You’re Chase’s father. Everyone stands there smiling at each other, when they should really be moving to get that serum into Chase. I yell at the TV.
Jackie smooths Chase’s hair, while Willow holds his hand, and he says he’s not scared. He has his mom and his wife. It feels good. Jackie says she loves him so much, and Willow says she loves him too. Jackie kisses his cheek, and he says, lucky me. And flatlines. Once again, no one makes any quick move to do something.
Seriously, never let me check into GH. There’s no security, and they’re slow to react.
On Monday, Dante tells Maxie that he’s found something that could lead them to Louise, Ava prefers to err on the side of caution, Cameron wants to know the truth, and Finn finally gets to Chase.
💣 Gone But Not Forgotten…
Jeff Kober raised the bar on a show where the bar was already pretty high.
Don’t cry over someone who wouldn’t cry over you. – Lauren Conrad (I can’t say I ever thought I’d be using a quote from her.)
I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity, is daring to dare. – Dr. Maya Angelou
The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing. – John Powell
Sometimes you make the right decision, and sometimes you have to make the decision right. – Dr. Phil
To be inspired is great, but to inspire is an honor. – Stacey T. Hunt
You can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty inflames the heart and enchants the soul. – Lupita Nyong’o
No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. – Nelson Mandela
On this day, June 19, 1865, Black people’s complete personhood was acknowledged on a systemic level for the very first time. It dates the moment African-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, and Afro-immigrants alike could begin to, on some level, participate in and see themselves as part of a whole society. Since the passage of the 13th amendment, Black Americans like Shirley Chisolm have trail-blazed the socio-political world, creating a place for women like me to feel empowered in sharing my voice and stories with the world. As a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a member of the Divine 9, Juneteenth is also a time for me to acknowledge the ancestry of my founders and the experiences that led them to create our beloved sorority and to fight for the inclusion of black women in every space. I am humbled to share in the legacy of Juneteenth and understand that this becomes my fight to continue. – Brianna Taylor
🎈 Joy Comes In the Morning…
Another weekend is upon us, unless you’re just calling every day of the week day now. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. No Dead right now, so see you on Monday or whatever you’re calling it, for soap and a Sailing reunion. Until then, stay safe, stay inspiring and inspired, and stay not being jaded and cynical, or Austin will avoid you.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 