March 28, 2019 – Anna Advises Dante, Tracy Takes Dubai, Andy On Vacay, Project Nasty, a New Show, an Old Abbey, It Never Ends, No Paris & Friday Reality

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Anna tells Finn, it’s official. Alex is in Steinmaur. Finn asks if she’s having second thoughts. She is a little, but Alex wasn’t surprised, which leads her to believe Alex double-crossed her. Finn says she seemed genuinely affected. She’s also an expert at manipulation. Anna asks if Alex tried to seduce him. He says, no, but Alex did try to convince him that he’s not good enough for her.

Chase sees Willow, and says he saw her throw something away, and noticed she tore it up first. Tell him it was her letter of resignation. She says she never turned it in. She’s staying. They hug, and he kisses her. He says, sorry, but she tells him, don’t apologize; she liked it. He says he did too, and asks what made her change her mind.

Elizabeth is sitting in Kelly’s, when Nina comes in. Nina says she’s happy to hear Franco was exonerated. She knew he was innocent. Elizabeth says she’s not sure he realized that. She didn’t. Nina knows things are tense between them because of Charlotte and Aiden, but hopefully, that’s behind them, and they can create a new start. Especially now that Miss Tait is leaving.

Valentin brings Charlotte to Lulu’s house. He says they were power shopping, and Charlotte bought something for Dante. Is he there?

In the MetroCourt bar, Dante’s hand shakes as he brings a drink to his mouth. Carly tells him it’s on the house. He jumps, and she says she didn’t mean to startle him. He says it’s good to see her. She says it’s good to see him too. He’s been gone too long. He says, it feels that way.

At the hospital, Josslyn asks if, besides wanting out, Oscar wants to check things off their list. There’s Eckert’s and the ballroom at the MetroCourt. He says she put that in, but she shows him. He says they’re supposed to perform at the Nurses’ Ball, but it’s weeks away. She says the ballroom is free today. They can plan out their act, unless he’s not feeling up to it. He says he’s actually feeling pretty good. Josslyn makes him put on his alert bracelet. He thinks it looks stupid. She says it looks like a watch, but it doesn’t tell time. Oscar says, it doesn’t have to.

Kim and Drew meet with Monica. Monica says she’s read the lab results, and the tumor is becoming more aggressive. Drew says, he probably has a couple of weeks. Monica was hoping for more time, but at this point, they have to prepare Oscar for the end.

Willow tells Chase that she thought it over, and he was right. If she runs now, she’ll be running for the rest of her life. The only way to deal with Shiloh is to face him down; prove to him and herself that he has no power over her. He says he’ll do whatever he can to help her. She knows he means that in the best and most generous way, but she can’t rely on anyone else. She has to protect herself. He respects that, and her. He tells her do what she thinks is right, but know he has her back. She says, lucky her, and they kiss.

Lulu tells Valentin she’s sorry, but Dante’s not home. Charlotte says she’ll tell Lulu what it is, if she promises not to tell Dante. Their Monopoly game is missing pieces, so she got a new one. They can all play. Valentin says, she misses family game night since Dante’s been gone. Lulu says they all do. Charlotte can’t wait until Dante is there, and they can play together. She says she has a birthday party to get to, and goes to get her pink sweater. Lulu thanks Valentin, but he says, it was Charlotte’s idea. She cares about Dante, and she’s glad he’s home. She said, maybe mommy will smile a bit more now.

Carly is sorry she and Sonny couldn’t make Dante’s party. He knows they’re busy, and tells her, congratulations. She says the baby is an unexpected, amazing surprise. Dante says, a fresh start. They’re lucky to have that chance. Jason comes in, and tells Carly, everything is okay and there’s nothing to worry about. He tells Dante, welcome home. Carly says Sonny is proud that he rescued Dante, when the WSB couldn’t. Dante says, it was a complex operation. Carly says Sonny told her that he had to dress up like a guard, and as they were sneaking out, some kid showed up. He’d met the kid while he was picking someone’s pocket at the café. A server drops a tray, and Dante picks up a knife, and Jason grabs his arm.

Jason tells Dante, let go of the knife. Just let it go. Carly says, it’s okay. It’s just a service tray; it’s fine. Dante drops the knife, and says he’s sorry. He heard a crash. Jason asks if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine. Carly tells him not to worry. He’s been undercover for months. He’s allowed to be shaky. Dante says he hasn’t acclimated yet. He has to get out. Carly tells him, stay and eat something, but he says he has to call somebody. He’s sorry. He leaves, and Carly looks at Jason.

In the hallway, Dante makes a call. He leaves a message to call him back. He has a problem.

Valentin asks Lulu if she got the information he sent about the high achiever program. She says she did, but needs to go over it in depth. He says, it’s pretty straightforward, and Charlotte is more than qualified. Lulu agrees that Charlotte is intelligent, but thinks it’s too soon to be pushing her into the high achiever program. Valentin thinks she’s bored in school, and that’s why she’s getting into mischief. She says it’s the parent’s responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen, and he says that means all four of them. She tells him she doesn’t trust him, but believes he puts Charlotte first. He says that’s why he’s there. Charlotte comes back, and asks Lulu to tell Dante that she can’t wait to welcome him home in person.

Anna tells Finn, it’s completely unrelated, but she has to meet someone. Robert comes out of the elevator, and Anna says she needs to ask a favor. He tells her, Alex has a lovely room with a view. She knows that, but needs him to do research on an old case. He’ll have to go to London and dig through the files to unearth information about an operative involved, Boris Makala. He was a scientist who was defecting and got ambushed. Robert says she was the courier, but Anna says Alex claims she was, and the memory was transplanted. Robert thinks it’s unimportant, but she says, it matters. He died in front of her – or Alex – and she needs to know which of them it was. She wants to know the truth about her own life. She leaves, and Finn tells Robert that he’s right. This thing with Alex’s memories is real, and it’s getting to her.

Nina sits with Elizabeth. She knows Willow had her supporters, but believes it’s a blessing in disguise. Elizabeth asks, how? and Nina says whatever happened with Charlotte and Aiden is over, but a more experienced teacher would have nipped it in the bud on the first day. Elizabeth asks if Willow is leaving at the end of the school year, but Nina says she was handing in her resignation yesterday. Elizabeth says, it makes no sense. Willow is meeting with her there. Why would she do that if she was planning on leaving?

Willow has to get going, and Chase says this is him not infringing on her independence. She’s glad to know he means it. He says he never wants her to feel pressured. She can tell it’s not his style. He says, she knows his style? She says she’s learning it little by little. He’s glad she’s staying. She is too.

Cameron comes by Oscar’s room, and asks if they’re interested in a magazine. Oscar is surprised he’s pushing the library cart, and Cameron says, community service takes many forms. This might be the last time they see him as a free man. Oscar asks if he wants them to come to court with him, and explain what happened. Cameron says he’s learned Judge Carson isn’t interested in excuses. He’s going to tell her that he’s making up the hours, and throw himself on her mercy. Josslyn is sorry, but Cameron says he was the one who wanted to get out of Port Charles. Before he takes off, Oscar needs to tell him something.

Monica asks if they’ve discussed anything, and Kim says Terry brought it up a few months ago, but it was too soon. Drew says when he hears the term, palliative care, he thinks of an old person who needs help because they’ve used their life up. He doesn’t think of a kid. Monica says, it’s really unfair. She’s seen the tests. The tumor is already beginning to affect his cognitive awareness and emotional responses. Kim’s phone dings. She has a patient to attend to, and Drew tells her, it’s okay. She leaves, and Monica says she knows he’s being strong for Oscar and his mom, but how’s he doing? Drew says, okay, but she says, no, he’s not. He wouldn’t be human if he was okay.

Elizabeth tells Nina that Willow helped Aiden. it’s hard to believe she resigned with no notice. Nina says she and Valentin stopped by the classroom, and Willow told them herself. Willow comes in, apologizing for being late. Nina is sure they have a lot to talk about, and sits with Valentin. Willow tells Elizabeth that she’s just been handling some stuff. Elizabeth asks if it’s true she’s leaving Port Charles Elementary, but Willow says, no. She’s not going anywhere.

Chase visits Lulu, and she thanks him. He asks what he did, and she says, saved her from reading Valentin’s email about the high achiever program. Valentin wants to enroll Charlotte, and Lulu agrees she’s ready. She wanted Charlotte to be a normal child in a normal classroom, but doesn’t want to deprive her of a shot at an Ivy League school. Chase thinks she has a few years to worry about that. She doesn’t want another fight with Valentin, but Chase says she has backup, now that Dante is home.

Anna meets Dante. She’s glad to see him. They hug, and she asks, what’s going on? He tells her that he took his grandfather to breakfast at the MetroCourt. They talked, and he sees an interesting man slipping away, but felt that Mike could really hear him. Maybe his guard was down with him. He took Mike back to Turning Woods, and should have gone straight home, but stopped for a drink at the MetroCourt. He was talking to Carly and Jason, and heard a loud noise. The next thing he knew, he and Jason were wrestling over a knife. He doesn’t remember what he did, but Jason stopped him. Anna asks if he has PTSD, and he says PTSD is the least of his worries. He thinks he’s been brainwashed.

Jason tells Carly that he doesn’t think Dante realized what was going on. Sonny knew he was struggling. Maybe she should tell him to back off, and give Dante a chance to solve his own problem. Carly asks what Jason was thinking, taking a swing at Shiloh? He says he didn’t take a swing; he tried to strangle him. He wanted Shiloh to know how easy it would be for Jason to make him disappear.

Anna says, can you hear the waters whispering? and tells Dante it was her trigger phrase when she was brainwashed early in her career. It’s such a violation of who are as a person. You can’t rebel because you don’t remember. Dante says he remembers bits and pieces of Raj’s interrogation techniques. Raj wanted to break him down, and prove he was trustworthy. He has tasks he doesn’t know about. When they feed him the trigger phrase or image, he’s given the mission, and it’s over. He doesn’t remember a thing. He thinks he’s supposed to kill someone. She asks if he knows who, and he says, no, but he had a dream that he was loading a gun, and saying, he will complete the mission. Then Lulu walked in. She wasn’t supposed to see, so he shot her point blank. Then he was awake. He told himself it was just a dream, and to get himself under control, but he can’t. He’s not in control, and it’s getting worse.

Chase says he should have texted Lulu first, but she says he’s always welcome. He saved her from Valentin’s insight on their daughter’s future. He was wondering about Dante, and when he’s coming back to work. She says, he hasn’t had a chance to think about it, and Chase says, that doesn’t sound like Dante. The only thing he loves more than being a detective, is her and the kids. He tells her good luck planning her daughter’s academic career, and leaves.

Elizabeth tells Willow that Nina said she was leaving. Was it wishful thinking? Willow says she did tell them that she was dealing with a personal situation. Elizabeth asks if there’s anything she can do, but Willow says she’s handling it. She realized quitting a job she loves won’t solve anything.

Nina tells Valentin that Willow and Elizabeth look like two porcelain dolls. Women who act helpless and frail, are really passive/aggressive and manipulative. When someone like her calls them out, she’s being a mean and insensitive bully. She teases him, asking how he can be with her, and he says, some men have taste, and kisses her.

Elizabeth tells Willow about the party, saying, it’s not as overt, but every kid was invited except Aiden. Willow says, Bianca is his best friend. Elizabeth says, according to Bianca’s narrow-minded mom, ex best friend. It’s about what people perceive as his gender identity. If that’s not bullying, she doesn’t know what it is.

Carly says Sam left Danny alone with a cult leader who could have manipulated him, and Jason says that’s why he wanted to make sure Shiloh didn’t approach Danny again. He stopped Shiloh in front of Kelly’s, and told him to stay away from Danny. Shiloh got in his face, talking his cult crap, and baiting him. He let Shiloh get closer, and told Shiloh not to touch him. When he did, he took Shiloh down. Shiloh decided to forgive him – Sam was there watching, of course – but now Shiloh knows Jason can take him out any time. He’s far from beaten, but he knows to be afraid. It’s a good place to start.

Cameron says, assuming he’s not shipped off to juvie, does Oscar want him to get his car? They took the bus back, so it’s still in Niagara Falls. They can do a road trip; legit this time. They can take the bus, and really go see the Falls. Josslyn says, it would be great but… Cameron says Oscar doesn’t trust him behind the wheel. Oscar says he trusts Cameron, but it’s just that he can’t take any more road trips. Argh! I hate that they’re manipulating me into feeling terrible about this, and tearing up over something other than Mike.

Monica gives Drew her award for years of meritorious service. She wants him to throw it against the wall, or out window, but don’t hit anyone. He needs to break something before the pain bottled up inside him breaks him. He thanks her, but it won’t give Oscar more days or help him say goodbye. Monica wishes she had some advice, but she doesn’t. He just has to see it through when the time comes. Drew says, the time is here. Oscar is dying, and there’s nothing he can do about it. Monica says he can still talk to Oscar, and touch him. Treasure every moment, no matter how brief. Kim comes back, saying, false alarm. Monica would like to suggest something. She knows they want to have better care for Oscar when he can’t care for himself. Drew says Oscar made it clear that he didn’t want to spend his last days in a hospital bed. Monica says she wouldn’t want that either. He should be surrounded by the people who love and care about him, and will see him through every step. She’d like Oscar to stay at the Quartermaine house.

Robert wants to speak to Finn about Anna. She’s an incredible woman, but emotionally damaged. She can’t fall in love. She’ll never ask for a commitment. She won’t ask you to make promises. Finn appreciates the information, but none of it is Robert’s business. Robert says, it is, because of the family. The family wants her happy. Robert does too. Finn has the ability to make her happy, but just as it’s starting to happen, her past comes back to bite her, and she pushes him away. Beat her to the punch. Finn asks if Robert wants him to break up with Anna. Robert says, he is an idiot, isn’t he?

Anna says the good part is that Dante recognizes something was done to him. Dante says, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Anna says, the next step is more painful. You have to address it. Dante asks, how? He doesn’t know what he was programmed to do or what the triggers are. What happens if an innocent person gets hurt, or someone he loves is caught up in it? She says he needs to be treated by experts in a secure environment. There’s an estate in Wales; it’s nice, remote, and restricted. You’re not locked in a cell, but have to stay on the grounds. He says it sounds like she’s had personal experience, and she says she was there. It’s like rehab, but with an open-ended stay, and they practice Gestalt therapy. Dante is concerned that he’ll be reprogrammed for their objectives, but Anna says they’ll give him the tools to help set him free of Raj’s influences. He has to confront who he is, as opposed to who he thought he was. He thinks he should leave as soon as possible, and Anna says she’ll make the arrangements.

Elizabeth has to get going. Willow is glad Elizabeth told her about the party, and says she’ll monitor the situation in the classroom; Aiden has her support. Elizabeth says, it means everything to him. Willow says, it’s not enough. She wants to get more involved in the community, and if certain people don’t like it, too bad. Elizabeth is glad she’s Aiden’s teacher, and thinks she’s a good example for him.

Nina tells Valentin that she can see a judgmental smirk a mile away. Willow approaches their table. She wants them both to know she’s staying on. Nina asks, what happened to the emergency? and Willow says, it’s been addressed. She hopes everyone will consider this a restart. Nina says, everyone? Valentin says Willow has expressed a clear bias against his fiancé and daughter. Willow says things got heated, and she overstated. Nina says Willow told her Charlotte didn’t stan a chance with Nina in her life. She’s messed with the wrong stepmother. She’ll see to it that Willow’s days at the school are numbered.

Kim knows that the Quartermaines would offer care and comfort, but… Monica says they have plenty of room, and she wouldn’t dream of separating them. Kim and Drew are invited as well. Kim says it’s a lovely gesture, but she can’t be the one to accept. It has to be Oscar’s choice. Monica says she’s right. It’s Oscar’s journey, and he gets to decide what path to take.

Oscar explains to Cameron that he’s in the end stage. He’s going to die in a month; maybe sooner. Cameron asks if the doctors are sure, and Cameron says they were told last night, but honestly, he can feel it. He tires easily, and his coordination is shot. He got dizzy when Josslyn was tying his shoes. Cameron asks if they’re doing something or just going home. Oscar says they’re going to Eckert’s; does he want to come with? Josslyn says he has court, but Cameron says it’s in a half hour, and Eckert’s is near the courthouse. This might be his last sugar cookie for a long time. He asks if they’re walking or Ubering. Oscar says they’ll start walking, and Uber if they need to.

Finn tells Robert that he said Anna would push him away unless he beat her to the punch. Robert says he meant putting his heart on the line. Tell her that you love her, and her background doesn’t matter. Whatever goofy thing pops in his head. She’s not groveling; he has to do it. Anna returns, and Robert tells her that their granddaughter won some prize, and wants to tell her in person. He leaves, and Anna tells Finn that he’s a strange and lovely man. She adds, never tell him that she said that, and Finn says her secret is safe. He kisses her, and she asks, what was that for? He asks if there has to be a reason, and she says, no.

Dante comes home. He looks at the folded up welcome home sign. Lulu asks if something is wrong, and he says, it’s hard to explain. Lulu tells him to take his time. He says he’s out of time. He has to leave.

Tomorrow, Obrecht tells Valentin that he should have heeded her warning, Laura doesn’t want a divorce, and Ava is getting phone calls from beyond the grave.

💰 Tonight was the season finale of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, and I’m happy to say, Tracy was given the job as US Ambassador for Royal Atlantis in Dubai. She had an open house for brokers, who were impressed, thereby impressing the owner. I can’t imagine a more amazing, and lucrative, real estate opportunity. Josh Altman sold a one-bedroom house with a twenty-five car garage, for $7.3 million, making it the most expensive garage in LA. Josh Flagg had to learn the meaning of compromise when, after wanting a house based only on his own taste, husband Bobby wondered when he got to be happy. In his interview, JoshF admitted to knowing he was selfish because he feels entitled, but is dealing with it in therapy. Like Dante said above, admitting you have a problem is the first step, so my hat’s off to him for that. Next time and season, the Josh’s co-list a property to hedge their bets, and guarantee themselves a listing. That should be interesting.

👄 Watch What Happens Live is going on one of its many hiatuses, and will be back on Sunday, April 7^th.

👗 I’ve kind of been watching Project Runway. While I love fashion, I’ve never been that interested in this show, but it’s on when I’m waiting for the next program, and nothing else is competing. It’s made me glad I’m not in the business, since designers can be more temperamental than Housewives. Or at least give them a run for their money. Tonight, Nadine was asked to pack her sewing kit and go, and I said, good riddance. The only reason I’m even posting about this show is that, while emotions can run high, it’s mostly crying or pitching a hissy fit about a bolt of tulle. This woman was nasty. She tried to blame her bad design on the model – IMO the top of her pantsuit was great, but the pants part was a mess – saying the model disrupted the flow somehow because she was curvy. In case you didn’t know, that’s fashionspeak for fat and/or big. This wasn’t the first time a designer has been thrown off by their model’s stature, so you’d think they’d keep that in mind in the planning. She was mean to her model from the jump, getting impatient with how she walked. Even the judges were horrified at how she spoke regarding this unfortunate woman who had to work with her. As soon as she realized she was on the bottom, the attitude really came out. By the time she went to the back, to await her fate, Nadine got even worse. She said, and I quote, them bitches can send me home. After being told she was out, she didn’t even wait for Karlie Kloss to say her piece, and marched off the stage. To her credit, she did admit that it was a bit much for her, and she just wasn’t cut out for it. She got that one right.

🐮 New Bravo show, Texicanas, premieres Tuesday, May 7^th. You can read about it here:

https://www.bravotv.com/texicanas

🗽 I Love It Too…

Downton Abbey’s creator talks about my favorite city. On a side note, I didn’t know Cindy Adams was still alive.

https://pagesix.com/2019/03/26/why-downton-abbey-creator-julian-fellowes-loves-new-york/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190327&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7730516-711673032

🎤 This also gave me my favorite quote this week, right from the streets: April holidays are coming. You recognize old age when your wife gives up sex for Lent — and you don’t even notice it until Labor Day. – muttered by a senior

🎠 Someone Stop the Merry-Go-Round…

Suckerfish Hoppy needs to make like Elsa and let it go. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t been court ordered to seek help.

The suckerfish FaceTimes…

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/03/bethenny-frankel-sobs-ex-jason-hoppy-facetime-plays-court/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

The suckerfish makes girls cry…

https://www.eonline.com/news/1026573/bethenny-frankel-tears-up-during-custody-battle-with-jason-hoppy?source=email&medium=emn-content-3&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

But sometimes they put him back in the water, where he belongs.

https://pagesix.com/2019/03/25/bethenny-frankel-threw-water-on-ex-called-him-white-trash/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190326&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7728291-711673032

🚫 Andy Nixes the Rumor…

I’d rather see reruns of The Simple Life anyway. Or a video of her dogs in their two-story house.

https://pagesix.com/tv/andy-cohen-responds-to-the-paris-hilton-housewives-rumors/?utm_source=maropost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pagesixdaily&utm_content=20190327&tpcc=pagesix_daily&mpweb=755-7730516-711673032

😀 Friday Is Here…

What I anticipate…

Friday night’s reality…

September 7, 2018 – Nina Inherits a Half-Necklace, Purging, New from Bravo, Goodbye Jack, QuaterQuotes & Last Weekend

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Sonny tells someone to let him know what they find out. Mike approaches Sonny, and says he needs to know how much trouble he made, referring to the body in the basement at Charlie’s.

Kristina tells Julian it’s a shame she can’t hang out at Charlie’s. He asks, why not? and she says, the owner. She thinks it’s a clever mob front, and he says he’s out of that. She tells him that he’s said that before. He says it’s a legit business. Like it or not, he’s here stay. If not, there’s the door.

Jordan tells someone on the phone she appreciates their assistance. Let her know if the PCPD can help in the future. She tells Curtis that Carter is being remanded to his adult children, but he’s being brought to Port Charles as they speak. In the interim, he needs a place to stay, and she arranged for it to be there. Curtis thanks her, saying it means a lot, and more to Nina if it leads to the daughter she didn’t know she has.

Maxie wonders what the homeless lady was doing at the church, and tells Nina that she felt bad. The woman really smelled, and she wanted to take her for a spa day. There’s a delivery for Nina. Nina says it’s from her mother’s lawyers.

Sam tells Jason sorry she didn’t give him notice she was going to Oregon; her sister needed her support. Jason says Sonny told him that Kristina is moving back, and Sam says Kristina is staying with her. Their mother offered, but she doesn’t want friction. Jason asks if she’s playing peacemaker, and Sam says she’s giving Kristina space. It’s hard getting over a relationship, after giving up time and emotions. She needs to take a step back to rebuild her life, and figure out what she wants and needs without pressure. She was lucky to have support, so she’s giving Kristina the same. Jason says she’s a good sister. There’s a knock at the door. It’s Drew. He wants to see Scout, but thinks it might be a bad time. Jason says he was just leaving, and asks how Oscar is.

Josslyn tells Oscar to keep his eyes closed, and they approach her decorated bench. She says she’s shocked his mom let him come out after being released from the hospital. She notices the balloons are deflated and the crepe paper isn’t looking so great. She tells him it looked less depressing yesterday. He loves that she did it; it’s not her fault. He’ll try his best not pass out next anniversary. Josslyn says waking up in the ER must be scary, even though it turned out to not be serious.

Carter Buckley is brought to Curtis’s room. Curtis and Jordan introduce themselves. Carter says he’d shake hands, but… and shows them the cuffs. Curtis says before they start, condolences on his recent prognosis. Carter appreciates it, and wonders what the meeting is about. Curtis knows he was arrested for brokering illegal adoptions, and has a question about one of his clients. Carter was advised not to discuss that, and Curtis says he doesn’t want to make trouble. He just has a question about one client. What can Carter tell him about Madeline Reeves?

Maxie asks if Nina wants her to get rid of the box, but Nina rips it open. She looks inside, and says it’s a box of stuff from her childhood. She takes out some scarves, her first running gloves, and a framed picture of her and Nathan when he was a baby. Maxie looks at it.

Kristina tells Julian that she needs a job, and asks if he’s hiring. He says he needs a bartender, and she tells him she’s an expert, but not in an obnoxious mixologist way. He wonders how much it would piss her father off if he hired her, and says he’s not interested in making waves, especially with Sonny. Kristina says Julian sells Sonny’s coffee, so he obviously has a stake in the business; he should be on board.

Mike is concerned about what happens if Julian get the go-ahead for renovation. Sonny says they don’t know the extent of what he’s doing, and so far, he’s been able to block him getting a permit; it’s a non-issue. Mike says what if the next one isn’t rejected? What is he going to do? Mike says he thought he was watching Sonny’s back when he moved the body, but he created more problems. Sonny says he’ll take care of it. Mike says he created the mess; he’s cleaning it up for good this time.

Sam asks if something happened to Oscar, and Jason says he collapsed and ended up in the ER, but he seemed okay. He leaves, and Sam asks Drew, what’s going on? He says he just wanted to see his favorite girl.

Josslyn says she and Oscar still have a lot to learn about each other. He asks if she means the low blood sugar thing, and says it’s nothing to worry about. She says it sounds silly, and bringing it up is trivial in the grand scheme of things, but something is bothering her. She found out the riddle he texted to her wasn’t from him.

Sonny tells Mike there’s nothing to fix, and Mike says don’t treat him like that. Sonny understands Mike was trying to protect him, but he was eighteen, and he’s not that kid anymore; he has resources. Julian, he can handle. He tells Mike the less he knows, the better. If he really wants to help, then let it go. it’s not good for him to be stressed.

Julian tells Kristina, if Sonny has a problem, he’s the one who will hear about it. Why doesn’t she try somewhere else? He has some business to take care of, and Kristina says she’ll help with the garnishes, and gets behind the bar. Valerie comes in, and tells Julian that she has a message from the city council. They’ve reached a decision about his permit.

Sonny says it’s time to take Mike for his checkup. Jason comes in, and Sonny suggests he come along so they can talk. Mike says it’s ridiculous. Sonny has better things to do than babysit him. He has a nurse, and one of Sonny’s guys can drive. He tells Sonny to focus on his business, and he’ll feel like less of a burden. Sonny agrees.

Valerie tells Julian that his renovation plans were approved. Kristina tells him that he’s low on vermouth. Valerie is excited to see her, and Kristina apologizes for not texting. She tells Valerie that she’s moving back, and Valerie says she missed hanging out with her. Kristina says she just started working at Charlie’s, and Julian says he hasn’t offered her a job. Valerie says she can vouch for Kristina’s classic cocktails. Kristina starts rattling off cocktail recipes. Julian says he has to make some calls; they’ll talk later. Valerie says if she keeps reciting recipes, he’ll hire her just to shut her up. She wonders why Kristina is back when she’s living with Parker.

Drew holds Scout, and Sam says he has the magic touch. Usually when she needs a nap, she’s all kinds of fussy. He says, it’s crazy. Kids grow so quickly, and change so fast. It’s like a lifetime in a few months. He wishes he could slow it down. Sam suggest she put Scout down for her nap, so they can talk. Drew says he could use it.

Oscar says he should have told Josslyn that Cameron helped. He’s not best the at romantic gestures. She says, he is; he put the video together. He put a lot of thought into it. He says, the point is, there is a lot they don’t know, even after a year. She says the good news is, they’re young and have plenty of time to figure each other out. Geez. Not trying to tug at the audience’s heartstrings too hard or anything.

Carter says he never heard of Madeline. Curtis shows him her picture. He says Carter looks pale. Carter says he’s fine. He’s sorry, but he has an obligation to protect the identity of his clients. Jordan says, here’s the deal. They’re sorry he has a terminal illness, but compassionate release can be revoked as soon as he aids and abets another crime. Carter says, fine; he’ll talk.

Nina takes out a note from the executor. It’s what Madeline left her. She lifts a jewelry box out. Inside is a note from her mom. In the envelope is a necklace, and a note that says, this will mend a broken heart. Nina says, this means something.

Sonny tells Jason that Mike is on his way to the hospital. Mike feels good and focused today. Jason wonders what happens if Julian gets the permit to renovate; if they find the body and gun. Sonny says they can find a contractor they can control, and put a person on the crew. Jason says he can inspect after hours. If anything turns up, he’ll make sure they’re the only ones who know.

Julian calls Kim, and leaves a message asking about Oscar, and telling her that he’s there if she needs him. Kristina tells Valerie that she and Parker broke up. They’re lives were going in opposite directions, and if she stayed, she’d be fading further into the background. She needed to find her own path. Valerie is all for it, especially if it keeps her there. She’s missed Kristina. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Sam asks Drew, what’s going on with Oscar? Drew says Oscar stayed the night at the hospital, and Drew stayed there until he was discharged. Sam asks if something serious is going on, and Drew tells her. Oscar has a brain tumor. It’s malignant and inoperable. She’s so sorry; Drew is too. She says Oscar must be so scared, and Drew says, that’s the thing, Oscar has no clue. He was already so sick when Kim found out, she chose to keep it from him. She doesn’t want him worrying about dying, and wants him to enjoy living, and being a regular teenager. Sam asks if he agrees.

Josslyn tells Oscar it will be their goal for this year. He says they’re setting goals now. He says they don’t know a lot about each other, and should start finding out. What is something Josslyn has wanted to do, but hasn’t? She says make out with her boyfriend in the woods. He thinks he can help her with that, and takes her hand.

Nina can’t believe her mom remembered. She holds up the necklace, a jade half-heart. Nina says Annie was her first Broadway show when she was little. She loved it. Maxie did too, and gets all excited. Nina says she was obsessed. She used to run around singing every song, then go to her mom’s bedroom and take out the necklace, pretending it was a locket like Annie’s. Maxie asks, where’s the other half?

Carter tells Curtis that he’d recognize Madeline anywhere. She was one of his clients. He was hired to find parents for a baby. It was unusual. Her daughter was in a coma, and gave birth to a baby girl. Madeline thought her son-in-law had something to do with her daughter’s condition. She kept the pregnancy under wraps, so he wouldn’t find out. When the time came, he arranged for the baby to be sent somewhere he couldn’t find her. Curtis asks who he ended up giving baby to.

Maxie tells Nina, way of making peace. Nina says, it’s kind of late, but Maxie says maybe she found it hard to ask forgiveness. Nina wonders what the significance is of the missing half.

Carter couldn’t tell Curtis who it was. Curtis says he must have records. Carter says if he did, they’re long gone. Keeping records in his business is a giant liability. He’s sorry he’s not more help. Jordan thanks him, and say they’re done there. Carter says, for what it’s worth (the phrase of the week), he wishes he could do more. The officers take him away. Jordan tells Curtis that she’s sorry it didn’t pan out the way he wanted it to. At least they know the child survived. Curtis says they know more than that.

Kristina asks Valerie what’s new, and Valerie says she’s taking a detective exam. Kristina says they have to celebrate, but Valerie says not until she passes. Kristina says she’ll miss seeing Valerie in her uniform. She rocks it.

Sonny tells Jason if they could control how the body is found, it would be a weight off his shoulders, and his dad’s. Jason asks if Mike has said any more, but Sonny doesn’t want to ask. Mike gets agitated and confused, and needs to stay calm. On a day like today, he seems like his old self, and it’s tempting to ask, but he doesn’t want to take the risk.

Mike looks in the window at Charlie’s. Inside, Kristina makes Valerie promise they’ll hang out after she slays the exam. Valerie says, deal, and tells Kristina, welcome home. She leaves, and Mike hides around a corner.

Drew tells Sam that he thinks Oscar has the right to know what he’s facing, but up until a year ago, Kim was raising him alone. Who is he to contradict, if she thinks letting him live his best life in the time he’s got is the best thing? Sam sees the point. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Once you know the truth, it’s hard to unknow. Drew says they’re just starting to get to know and understand each other. Oscar is starting to trust him as a father, and now he’s keeping a secret. Unless a miracle happens, he’s going to lose his son. Sam says, miracles happen every day. She’s seen them for herself, and hopes for a miracle for Oscar. She tells Drew to love him as best he can, and spend as much time as possible with him now.

As the come out of the woods, Josslyn tells Oscar, it was a worthwhile experience. They almost kiss, and Oscar’s phone dings. He says his mom is picking him up, and asks if she wants a ride. She says she needs to clean up, and he says he’ll help. His phone dings again, and he figures he’d better go before she freaks. He has an idea. Between now and their next anniversary, they should keep this up. She says, making out? and he says, that too, but doing stuff they’ve always wanted to do, but together. She says, like a bucket list for people with lots of time. She likes it.

Nina tells Maxie, hypothetically, maybe her mother felt something other than greed; maybe affection or guilt. She knew Nina loved the necklace, but dividing it in half might have meaning. In the musical, Annie thinks finding her parents will mend her broken heart. Maybe her mom meant it literally. Maybe she’s sending a message from the grave that Nina didn’t miscarry; that her child is alive somewhere.

Jordan asks Curtis, how is this not a dead end? Curtis says, she heard him. Madeline hired a private nurse, not to mention a doctor. Where there’s money, there’s a trail.

Sonny tells Jason that his dad overheard when he was talking to Carly. He was upset, but not disoriented. He knew what happened, and that if the body was uncovered, Sonny could be implicated. Jason says Mike seemed okay when he got there. Sonny says he told Mike that he has resources to handle it. Jason says, that’s true, but Sonny says, a lot could still go wrong.

Kristina congratulates Julian. She bets the renovation is going to keep him busy. He might need help. He says he’ll be busy managing the contractor, and won’t have time to do interviews. She can have a job on one condition – that she start now.

Mike sneaks downstairs in Charlie’s, and looks around with a flashlight. He sees some pipes, and takes out a wrench.

On Monday, Valentin says Madeline was telling the truth, Michael gets a letter from Nelle, And Mike tells Kristina that she’s not supposed to be there.

💀 I saw the first episode of The Purge (USA), and thought it was pretty good. Part of it focused on a group that was working on purge night, and I thought, that would be my luck. Stuck at the office. I liked the second and third movie (haven’t seen the fourth), but I wasn’t crazy about the first one. I think it’s a very scary concept, but that blond guy talked so much, I thought I could have killed him ten times while he was going on and on. This is a good choice for a series, since there’s a wealth of stories that can be pried out of it.

🏈 On September 24^th, Bravo will premiere it’s new show, Bravo Play by Play hosted by Jerry O’Connell. Originally, it was supposed to be called Real Men Watch Bravo, which I thought was brilliant, but since we’re living in a super-sensitive society now, it was changed. Enough already. They showed a snippet on Wednesday’s Watch What Happens Live, and it looked great. It’s not The People’s Couch (what happened to that?), but I’ll take it. Jerry was a guest that night, along with LuAnn (The Real Housewives of NYC), who wore the outfit she would have worn had she attended the reunion. It was fabulous and sparkly. Andy took a poll on the best NYC reunion outfit, and I was pleased that everyone agreed with me that it was Bethenny. I wouldn’t mind a dress-up box with all of the reunion outfits in it.

😥 Sad News…

I only saw this guy smile once, when Dr. Phil made a funny, but he was still awesome.

https://www.drphil.com/videos/his-absence-will-be-felt-deeply-says-dr-phil-on-death-of-friend-former-fbi-special-agent-jack-trimarco/

🏁 Quotes of the Week

Do you have a horseshoe up your ass? You’re the luckiest bastard alive. – Ben (Charlie O’Connell), Obsessed

We see things not as they are, but as we are. – H. M. Tomlinson

For most of history, Anonymous was a woman. — Virginia Woolf

The nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly. – Truvy (Dolly Parton), Steel Magnolias.

🏇 And We’re Off…

While I wish you an entertaining weekend, I thought I’d also share my entertainment from last weekend.

https://www.downtonexhibition.com/

 

September 2, 2018 – Morgan Has a Reunion, Jenna Talks, Lala Gets a Ring On It, Going Downton & Long Weekend

What I Watched Today

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

 

Fear the Walking Dead

June watches a video of John talking about finding her. She gets out of the tank and surveys the damage the storm has wrought. She tries to get a radio signal. She says she never should have left John at the bus, and talks about seeing the video. She says he knew; he believed. But if Al had asked June that question today, she doesn’t think she could answer like he did. He knows her. When the going gets tough, she runs – or worse. She says things are pretty tough right now. She wants to know how he believed. Al comes back and asks if she’s trying to raise John. She can’t find diesel and tells June to conserve the battery. They can’t recharge.

The next day, Al whittles, while June pikes a zombie in the head. They sit and watch nothing. June says they can’t keep going out just far enough to make it back before sundown. They have to keep going. They’re almost out of water. The radio crackles. June asks if it’s John, but the voice isn’t clear.

A half zombie is attached to the front of Sarah’s truck. She stops, telling Wen it’s a clean hit. She takes a look, and pikes it in the head. She asks if Wen remembers when dad hit the seagull; it was a one in a million shot. She tells him that she still gets the point. He says, half. Morgan tries the radio, and gives their location. He says they’re headed west. He’s got help.

June thinks they should go to higher ground and find the signal. Al asks if she killed the camera. June says she killed the battery watching the tape. Al isn’t looking well, and says it’s low blood sugar. June tells her to stay. She feels Al’s forehead and says she’s warm. She wonders if whoever was on the radio has food. They should find them, then come back and fix the van.

Morgan says he’s leaving the channel open, and will be listening. Sarah asks if he really thinks he’ll find his people. He says he has to try. Someone did that for him for as long as they could. She asks if it worked. Morgan is silent, and she says it didn’t. He says, it will work, and repeats the location.

June hears static. Al walks behind her. June asks if Al’s vision is okay. Al says she’s fine; it’s just been a while since she’s eaten. We hear zombie noises. June says they might be done walking. Are they going to ride a zombie? They see a car, kill the zombie inside, and drive. June keeps trying the radio, but gets nothing. She says they need to find higher ground, and apologizes for using up the battery. Al understands. It’s the next best thing to talking to him. June asks if Al has ever found someone, but Al says, when you’re collecting other people’s stories, you stop having your own.

June asks if anyone can hear her. Crazy Lady is listening in, and tells her zombie, Purvis, that he made them weak.

Sarah calls Morgan Momo. He asks her to stop, but she says she can’t’ She likes it. Morgan hears June for a moment and responds. He tells Wen that he’s taking stroll. He’s going to try and get a stronger signal. Wen asks what they do, and he says, wait. Sarah says it looks like they’re tailgating. Morgan walks, and says he hears them; hold on.

June tells Al to keep driving, but Al throws up. She says maybe it’s not her blood sugar. June says it’s a bug. The van suddenly drives past, and Al takes off after it, saying she’s stopping that SOB. June tells her to slow down, but that’s a no. They speed along behind the van, crash into something, and go into a spin. June says Al is sick; screw the van. She needs antibiotics. Al says she has them – in the van. They have to get it back.

Morgan sees Crazy Lady at one of the boxes. He tells her, what’s written is the truth; you can take what you need. Things are tough out here. What’s in the box helped him, and could help her. She says she doesn’t need any help; she’s not weak. Morgan tells her that he didn’t say she was. He tells her again to take what she needs, and he keeps walking. She watches him. She says, he’s right. Things are tough out there. He should be careful.

Crazy lady fills a bottle with puddle water.

A zombie toddles toward the car. June tells al to stay with her; keep talking. She asks where Al got the van, but Al doesn’t want to get into it right now. June says she hasn’t seen many reporters with hardware like that, and Al asks how many did she know? They hear gunfire, and Al says those are hers; it’s close. She says June can go; she can do this. It’s the only way to get the meds she needs. June doesn’t want to leave, but gives Al the radio. She says if she doesn’t’ come back, to get in touch with the people they heard.

June sees an overturned bus, and hears zombie noises coming from it. She sneaks around the bus, and sees the van with the door open, and a pile of zombie bodies nearby. She slides around the other side, and peaks in the bus, where a trapped zombie is flailing around. A man tells her, drop the gun, while he has one pointed at her head. She does what he asks, and says she just needs some medicine. He tells her, hands behind her head; move.

On her knees in the road, June tells him that he doesn’t have to do this. He continues to hold the gun on her, and asks where her friend is; she must need medicine for someone. She says she doesn’t need the van, just the medicine, and he says, this isn’t a conversation. June says, what he’s doing, she’s been there, but someone showed her that she didn’t have to live like that. Neither does he. They can work together; help each other. He says, no, they can’t. We’re all the same, doing what they can to protect who they care about, know, and love. That’s where it stops. June says she can’t let her friend die. He says if he comes, he’ll be the first to go when things go south. June jumps up and knocks him down.

Al hears a gunshot. She gets out of the truck, and tries to remove the tire that’s blown.

June struggles with the man. She gets the better of him, and gets the gun. She makes him lie on the ground, and tries to start the van. He says, it’s out of gas. He thought there was diesel in the bus, but there wasn’t. She tells him, get up. Inside the van, she asks him where the cipro is. What did he do with it? He says he pulled over, and killed the dead who broke out of the bus. It’s not his fault if it’s not there. He says, you can’t help people, and June tells him to go. He says she knows what it’s like out there, and she says he didn’t believe her. He admits he didn’t. He jumps down, and she locks the van.

June goes through everything. She finds a radio, and calls Al. She asks where the medicine is. Al can’t even stand, and falls when she tries. A zombie struggles up from the mud, and its leg breaks at the ankle. It still manages to grab Al, who holds it back just barely. She has a knife strapped to her leg, and works to get it. On the radio, June says she can’t find it. Al finally get the knife, but she’s not strong enough to stab the zombie in the head. She kicks it under the car, and kick’s the jack down, crushing the zombie’s head. June asks if she copies. Al grabs the radio, and June asks, where’s the medicine? Al says, there isn’t any. She needed to get the van back. June sits in the middle of a mess, and throws the radio into it.

Al thanks June. June says she was lucky there were meds on the bus. She could have died. Al says June could have died too, but they didn’t. The van will keep them breathing; they just have to get diesel. June says she almost killed to get medicine that wasn’t there. Al says, someone who stole the van; June doesn’t get it. June says she does, but it almost got them killed. Al says, almost did. June says she’s trying not to be that person. She’s been running from who she was and what she did, and almost became that person again. Why is the van so important? Al says it will keep them alive. June tells Al that she says the truth matters; is she telling the whole truth? Al says the tapes are all that’s left of dreamers. June says, people she barely knew, and Al says, not all of them. June saw one of them. June says, you can’t help people if you’re dead. Al says it’s not just other people’s stories on the tapes; it’s her story. The people she knew; the people she loves, and she’s not leaving them behind. June ponders this, and nods. She sits down on the ground next to Al.

Morgan climbs a water tower. Ha-ha! That sounds like a children’s book. He radios, asking if she still hears him. He doesn’t think he can stick around. Al hears him talking.

June grabs the radio. Morgan says they’re packing up to leave, but wanted to give their location once more. June says, it’s her; she’s with Al, but the only reply is dead air. Al says, the battery is dead. June looks at a map, and says, he’s fifty miles away, and they have enough gas. Al says they need the van, but June says they’ll miss him if they don’t leave now. Al says they’ll catch up.

Al gets out of the car, and tells June to go. June says, Morgan is out there. That means John and the others might be too. They’re alive. It doesn’t have to be this way for her. Al closes the door, and starts heading to the van. That medicine worked fast. June starts the car. Al stops, and shoots in the air. She turns toward the car, as June backs up toward her. Al gets in, and they drive off.

Wen doesn’t think they’re coming. Morgan says, it don’t look that way. Wen suggests the keep on truckin’. Morgan gets in, and Jim hands him a beer, saying he looks like someone who needs a drink. Sarah sees a car in her rearview mirror. It’s June and Al. June says sorry they’re late, and Morgan says they’re here now; that’s what matters. She asks about John and everyone else. Morgan says he’s still looking, and introduces the others. He asks Sarah to get them some food, and she brings out one of the boxes. June asks if they’re the ones putting the boxes out, and Morgan says it’s the person who owns the truck. They’re returning it, and making drops along the way. June says they’re helping people, and Morgan says, that’s the idea. She asks to borrow his radio.

June gets on the radio and says, she doesn’t know their name or if they’re listening, but the last time she did this, they were. If they can hear her, she’s sorry about what she did, making him walk away. She wants to show him that he’s wrong about something. That we don’t just watch out for the people we know. She says they’re at the mile 27 marker. They have food, water, and supplies; whatever they need to get back on their feet. A man’s voice replies, is that you, cipro? June says, yes. He says he managed to find diesel. Her friend shouldn’t leave her ride sitting around. She says if he wants to come, he won’t be who he was; the guy who held a gun on her. He says, my name is Quinn. She says, June.

Morgan asks if Al is okay. And she says something hit her hard. She says it looks like he found new ride to Alexandria. He says she’s still welcome to join them. She says, just so he knows, she doesn’t plan on staying. She wonders what he knows about the guy who the truck belongs to, and he says, not much. She wishes she had her camera.

Quinn radios June. He says he’s at the mile 27 marker, but she’s not there. She tells him, check again. He says he’s looking right at it. He takes a closer look, and realizes it’s been changed. The Crazy Lady’s zombie-on-a-stick pops out, and attacks Quinn. June asks if he’s there.

Crazy Lady turns off the radio. She says she has to let Purvis go now. He did what he was supposed to. She’s going to set him free to keep on truckin’. She pokes him with a stick, and when he backs up, she closes the cab door. She writes on Quinn’s face – people you know. She tells him that he isn’t going to be weak anymore. He opens his eyes, and she smiles maternally at him.

Next time, Quinn returns; John, Victor, and Luci are still alive; and an alligator eats a zombie.

👂 On Talking Dead, Jenna Elfman gave a colorful account about June and Quinn’s tussle for the gun. She repeatedly, albeit accidentally, kneed him in the goods. And then there was the long ride home…

🙈 Sorry This URL is So Long…

But worth sharing that Lala Kent (Vanderpump Rules) is engaged to her man.

https://people.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-lala-kent-engaged/?xid=email-email-peopledaily-2018090217PM-tout1&utm_source=peopledotcom.wordpress.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=people-daily&utm_content=2018090217PM&eminfo=%7b%22EMAIL%22%3a%226La3OLHdehcLEz%2bPn4lIpQ%3d%3d%22%2c%22BRAND%22%3a%22PE%22%2c%22CONTENT%22%3a%22Newsletter%22%2c%22UID%22%3a%22PE_NDL_AABBEDFD-8ADC-4D8C-967D-8F44F4554FAF%22%2c%22SUBID%22%3a%2243080838%22%2c%22JOBID%22%3a%22869411%22%2c%22NEWSLETTER%22%3a%22PEOPLE_NEWS_DAILY%22%2c%22ZIP%22%3a%2207740%22%2c%22COUNTRY%22%3a%22%22%7d

📑 My Excuse…

I’m running late tonight because I had the pleasure of seeing the Downton Abbey exhibit, as well as catching up with an old friend, in NYC today. Tomorrow (9/3) is the last day, but it’s going to other cities. If you’re a Downton fan, it’s a must-see. Holograms, costumes, props, entire rooms from the show are on display. It’s a multi-media extravaganza. There’s even a virtual quiz to see which staff position you’d be suited for. If you must know, I would not have been hired at all. I think it was the question where I answered that I’d give a malicious laugh that took me out of the running.

https://www.downtonexhibition.com/

🛀 And If Your Weekend is a Long One…

 

 

 

 

 

January 27, 2017 – Franco is Found, You Can Always Go Downton, Slenderman Hits the Big Time, Thoughts & Quotes

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

I want Hayden’s necklace! I have a ring that almost matches it. Occasionally they sell replicas of the jewelry from the show on the ABC website – I vote for this one.

Finn and Hayden see Brad at the hospital. He says he needs to speak to them.

After dumping the wine outside, because the drain isn’t good enough, Alexis says she can do this, and starts to go back in the house. Dante pops out of nowhere, saying he needs to asks her questions about Tom Baker. She tells him that it’s not a good time, and he says they can do it here and now or at the station.

Nathan asks Elizabeth why she thinks Franco is innocent. She says despite his past, she believes that he’s changed, and the truth always comes out. Seth comes storming in, saying that Franco killed his brother.

Franco wakes up. Roger Howarth has the best hair, even under duress. He wonders where he’s seen one of the trophies before, and who did this to him.

Going back to the bar to find her phone, Sam finds Franco’s note on the floor – the yellow piece of paper on a dark clean and bare floor –  as well. She says this isn’t happening. Au contraire, it is. She calls Kiki, and says she needs to see her right away.

At the reception desk, Amy 2.0 wonders what’s going on with “those three,” referring to Brad, Finn, and Hayden. She says it’s definitely not a love triangle.

Brad tells Finn that the serum has a lot of potential applications. Hayden says they’ve recovered, but nothing else has happened, and maybe he’s getting ahead of himself. He thinks his name should be on the patent. Finn says the only thing he cares about is that the cure is available to people who need it, but Hayden thinks it might be good PR for the hospital. Griff interrupts, and Finn suggests he and Brad talk later.

Hayden has to get to work, but Griff replaces her, asking Finn if everything is okay, and telling him that his discovery is the talk of the hospital. He thinks science owes Finn a debt. Finn just happens to need a  favor.

Alexis tells Dante that she’s pressed for time, since she needs to prepare for the bar hearing. He asks if she knows Tom Baker. She asks why he’s asking. He says her name has come up during the course of the investigation, and she wants to know in what context. He asks her where she was on December 21^st.

Nathan tells Seth there’s a warrant out for Franco’s arrest, but he’s missing. Seth suggests checking Elizabeth’s place. Nathan says there’s an APB out, but they need more evidence. Seth brings up Franco’s past character defects, but Nathan says they can’t go by his past. He storms out and Elizabeth follows. She tells him she wants to help.

Franco doesn’t know how long he’s been in the storage unit. He talks to himself, saying his abductor probably isn’t coming back. He pounds on the door but there’s a padlock on the outside. He says no one can hear him scream. Everything hurts, and he’s cold. He starts to draw with the nub of a pencil.

Kiki joins Sam. Sam shows her the paper and asks where she found it, asking for the address. Kiki gives it to her and asks why. Sam opens it, and Kiki sees the note. I’m hoping she’s feeling really stupid right about now. Kiki wants to go with her, but Sam says no.

Amy II approaches Hayden. She says she couldn’t help but overhear that Hayden almost died. Hayden says both she and Finn were almost dead, explaining that they both had the same fatal disease, but Finn was able to come up with a cure. Amy thinks it’s all incredibly romantic, but Hayden thinks it’s none of her business. Amy tells her that she and Finn are now a hot item.

Finn tells Griff about an old hockey injury that’s flaring up. He says the sports medicine doctor is at a conference, and wonders if Griff can help until he can get together a pain management plan. Griff knows from Finn’s X-rays that he has issues, and gives him a prescription for 10 pills. I assume painkillers.

Alexis says she doesn’t remember; it was over a month ago. She says if he was questioning a client, she would advise them to have counsel present. He says that she’s a lawyer, but she says she knows better than to represent herself. She tells him that Diane will be there soon if he wants to wait. He says that she’s not being accused of anything, but she refuses to answer any questions.

Sam says that there are things going on that Kiki doesn’t know about, and she has to talk to Franco alone. Kiki says that Sam hates Franco and besides, she’s pregnant. Sam says she’ll call Jason to come along, and promises that she won’t let anything happen to Franco. Kiki gives her fifteen minutes, after which she’s going to the police.

Franco sketches Elizabeth. He says he doesn’t know if he’ll make it out of there. He tried to be better for her and the boys, but doesn’t know if they’ll be together again. He flashes back to when they talked about collaborating, and says he loves her. He lies down again and falls asleep.

Seth says Elizabeth seems confused, but nice, and he’s sorry for what Tom did to her – there’s no excuse – but it doesn’t give her boyfriend the right to murder him. Elizabeth suggests they work together (my bad or I need glasses – I’d thought she was talking to Jason in the preview), but he says Franco is capable of anything. He locked Tom in a cage like a dog, and he’s guilty as sin.

Hayden tells revamped Amy that they’re only co-workers. Amy says she’s not a very good liar, despite her having been a con-woman. Hayden tells her to buzz off, and Amy apologizes, saying there’s not much going on in her own life. When she sees someone else happy, she can’t help being a cheerleader. She suggests Hayden share with Tracy, and Hayden scares her by saying Tracy is behind her. Amy says she wants to be Hayden’s friend and wonders if it’s love between her and Finn.

Finn wonders why so few pills, but Griff says he doesn’t want to overprescribe. Finn says the doctor is going to be gone for week, and Griff doubles the prescription. I don’t have an opinion here, since we have no clue what they are. I have this vision of Griff just writing “10 pills” on the script.

Alexis says she knows Dante isn’t trying to insult her, but he is. She tells him for the sake of their friendship and mutual family, they’re done. He says she knows where to find him if she changes her mind, but she says she won’t. He leaves and she slides down to the floor.

Elizabeth goes to Seth’s house and tells him that they need to talk. He says what for, since Franco killed his brother, but lets her in anyway. She says if she thought for a second that Franco did it, she wouldn’t defend him, but she needs to find the truth. She says there’s something confusing her. Something he said.

Sam goes (sans Jason) to the storage place. She calls out Franco’s name. She hears him say, “In here.”

Hayden tells Amy that there is a little something going on. Amy gets all excited, and Hayden asks her to tone it down. Amy says she’ll be the soul of discretion. Ha-ha! I guess Hayden hasn’t been around her much.

Griff has to leave, and Brad comes back to replace him. He tells Finn that he’s playing a dangerous game with his heath and his career.

Dante gets back to the station, and Nathan tells him about Elizabeth and Seth. Dante wants a search warrant for Alexis’s house. He tells Nathan what happened, and says somehow Alexis is involved.

Diane arrives at Alexis’s house. She says she has news about the hearing, but then asks if Alexis is okay. Alexis says something just happened, and doesn’t think she handled it properly. Diane has news, but Alexis says she doesn’t think she can go through with the hearing.

Elizabeth tells Seth that she heard him talk about Franco locking Tom in the cage. She knows it was confidential information, and wonders how he knew.

Kiki tries to call Sam, but her phone is dead.

Sam tells Franco that she’ll get him out. She calls Jason to bring her kit, but the call goes to voicemail. She starts to bang on the lock with a fire extinguisher.

Amy Part Two says she has the feeling that she and Hayden will be great friends. Griff tells Hayden that she must have had some great gossip, since it looks like she made Amy’s day. He says he’s glad she and Finn are feeling better, and it’s good to have them back.

Brad tells Finn he saw Griff writing the script. He says they both know about the addictive drug he’s been taking. Brad says if he’s trying to kick it, it might be harder than he realizes. He’s seen this kind of behavior before, and feels it’s his duty to disclose his suspicions. Finn asks what he wants, and Brad says now they’re getting somewhere. Wow. I thought Brad had cleaned up his act before he married Lucas.

Seth says that Tom told him about the dog cage. Elizabeth asks if Seth saw him. He says no, but he talked to him on the phone after he escaped. Tom was freaking out, and it was the last time he heard his brother’s voice. Elizabeth asks if Tom said how he escaped, but Seth said he was afraid Franco was coming after him. Elizabeth asks if he said anything about putting Franco in the cage. Seth wonders if that’s what Franco told her. She asks if Tom ever mentioned Gene’s or anyone he met there. She thinks someone else is responsible for Tom’s murder.

Diane asks if Alexis can explain, but Alexis says it won’t do any good. Oh, please, Diane is the person most on her side and a brilliant lawyer – why? Diane thinks her guilt, doubts and fear are stopping Alexis from wanting to be a lawyer again. She says Alexis just needs to relax, and fake it until she makes it. She says the judge who was supposed to chair the ethics hearing has the flu. She takes no pleasure in his distress, but he’s been replaced by someone who takes extenuating circumstances – which she suggests be the title of Alexis’s memoirs – into consideration, and thinks what’s being done to Alexis is a travesty. If she wants to reschedule, by that time, the other guy will be over the flu. Diane says Alexis is a good attorney and an upright moral person, and the law needs her. She asks aside from the jitters, if there’s any other reason why Alexis can’t make it.

Sam gets the door open. She finds Franco on the floor.

Brad says Finn is addicted to a designer drug that he no longer needs for medical purposes. He says for all he knows Finn’s plan might work, but he wants his share when the serum is patented. If he doesn’t agree, Brad will tell his superiors what’s going on.

Rebooted Amy asks if Griff has ever kept a secret, and tells him that Finn and Hayden are a couple. She adds to remember doctor/priest/patient confidentiality, but he says that’s not a thing. Amy says just don’t tell.

Finn tells Hayden that everything is cool.

Alexis is glad to have Diane in her corner. She tells Diane to go ahead without her. There’s something she needs to do first.

Dante thinks Alexis knows something. Kiki runs in. She says she thinks they’ve found Franco and Sam went after him.

Franco wakes up thinking Sam is a vison. She says she has to save his worthless ass, and he agrees. Sam asks who did this to him, and he says someone who was once good at basketball. She asks who he thinks it was, and if it’s Julian.

Seth says the sooner Elizabeth accepts that Franco killed Tom, the better. She asks him to consider that he might be wrong, and asks if he doesn’t want the murderer brought to justice. The camera pans over to a shelf full of trophies. DUN-DUN-DUNNN!

On Monday, Seth tells Elizabeth that she’s never going to see Franco again, Nina wants to do what’s best for Charlotte, and Alexis wants to cooperate.

Downton Musings

Since even with 500+ channels, there is nothing to watch on the weekend – until everything is on at the same time Sunday night – I’ve been indulging in Downton Abbey. I’m no stranger to being late to the party. I didn’t “discover” Barry Manilow until 1979 (quit laughing and listen to his songs that weren’t top 40 hits), started watching Game of Thrones in season three, and got my first microwave in 1997. I was so excited, one of my neighbors asked if I realized they’d been around for a while. (Doomed eternally to a small kitchen, I hadn’t had the space before then.) While I’d caught an episode of Downton here and there, and had a general idea of what the show was about, I’d never actually followed the series.

Last New Year’s Day, not being much good for anything except goofing around on the computer, I parked the remote on channel 13 (PBS) and watched the final day of their Downton Abbey marathon. As it neared the end, my hungover self got FOMO every time they showed the over-priced gift set, containing 52 hours of the entire series plus bonus material. The clincher was the decorative bell plaque which you cannot get in their online store; they knew what they were doing. My husband was no help, encouraging me by saying it was really for charity. Hey, it came with a set of coasters too.

If, like myself, you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s reminiscent of The Thornbirds, but there are more characters who are wealthy, instead of just Barbara Stanwyck, and it’s a million times longer. It’s got that same roller coaster feel though, and when things are going well, you just know the rug is going to get pulled out from under the whole thing any minute. There are all the standard requirements of a soap opera: a core family, bitches, villains, super couples, and the longsuffering. It’s soap of the utmost magnitude, Masterpiece Theatre soap. It has more ups and downs than your favorite roller coaster – a character getting left at the altar one minute and the family estate being saved from foreclosure the next. And it has Maggie Smith, with Shirley MacLaine guest starring. It has Elizabeth McGovern too, but I’m not sure how she ended up in the mix. We need an American immediately! I know, we’ll get that girl whose last memorable film was in 1980! And we’ll throw in a microwave while we’re at it. Not that she isn’t lovely and a wonderful actress; it just surprised me.

Sometimes things are worth the hype and this is one of those things. The story is gripping, the characters are intriguing; the casting and acting are on point. The costumes are to die for, and that house, that phenomenal house. One of the bonus features includes some behind-the-scenes footage of the cast on location there, with Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) talking about how in awe they were of the place.

Since God forbid I should miss an episode of The Real Housewives of Anywhere, I’ve been watching it on the weekends, casting aside all Lifetime and Chiller movies, as well as my email. I’m in the middle of season three now, and I’m sure I’ll get the shakes when it starts getting close to the end. After that, I’ll watch the DVDs with the bonus material, and then maybe cry a little and eat some ice cream. At least the weekdays break things up. Before Mad Men’s final episode, AMC had a nearly week-long marathon of the entire series, and I saw most of it, getting very little sleep. Afterward, I felt lost, and longing for the 60s again, even though I barely remember them and was too young for any real fun. Since my obsessions often cost me money, I have a couple of props, bought at auction after the show ended.

The upside was a satisfying ending to the series, which Downton Abbey also has, although I think Six Feet Under wins Best. Ending. Ever. And even though I already do know the ending to this one, I won’t enjoy Downton any less.

Proof positive that I do watch more than trash on Bravo. Although no matter how you lather it, it’s still soap.

Randomness

Married to Medicine is now on Friday night? And Grimm is now on at 8 pm, opposite it? Thanks a lot.

So sad to hear about Mary Tyler Moore’s passing. Even with all the celebrities dropping like flies – no doubt to get away from the Internet and all its angry people – that was a real surprise. I’ll bet Dick Van Dyke never thought he was going to outlive her. He still seems to be in pretty good shape, but geez, I’d watch out if I were him.

If you haven’t seen HBO’s Beware the Slenderman, give it a look. In 2009, Eric Knudson created the online boogeyman for a forum called Something Awful. A tall, faceless ghoul in a suit who terrorizes children (as adults, we call him the mortgage holder), Slenderman subsequently took on a life of his own, most notably on the website Creepypasta, becoming an urban legend, with many contributors adding to his infamy. In 2014, Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, both 12-year-olds at the time, stabbed their classmate, Payton Leutnor, and left her for dead. Their idea was to sacrifice her, so that Slenderman would spare them and their families, and they would go live in his mansion in a forest 300 miles away. Fortunately, Payton survived, and after much deliberation, her two attackers will be tried as adults. Since the part of the brain that understands consequences for actions isn’t fully developed until age 25, and both girls have been diagnosed with mental disorders, I find this a little disconcerting. The film is fascinating though, giving us Slenderman’s history, as well as interviews with the two girls’ parents (Payton’s family chose not to participate) and videos of their questioning. I’ve always loved true crime, and truth being stranger than fiction, this one is about as strange as it gets.

Quotes of the Week

At my age, one must ration one’s excitement. – Dowager Countess of Grantham (Maggie Smith), Downton Abbey

It would be wrong to think that you’re always right and correct and perfect and brilliant. Self-doubt is the thing that drives you to try to improve yourself. — Helen Mirren, Esquire, August 2011

I’m woke, but I gotta live my life too. – Carlotta Brown (Queen Latifah), Star