**The Week in Review: April 21 - April 25**

I. The Quartermaines

A. Emily

Ned:  "What drug are you on?"

We opened the week with the rescue on the roof.  Emily demanded that Ned let her fly, but Jax and Ned managed to get her up to safety.  Ned commented on the height of the drop; I believe him when he says she could have died.

When they got her inside and downstairs, they couldn't get anything out of her and she struggled against him.  Jason showed up, and Emily was appalled that everyone thought she was a junkie.  Then she collapsed in Jason's arms gasping for air.  He lowered her to the floor and her breathing and heartbeat stopped.  Jason performed CPR while Jax called the ambulance.  Note:  I was so glad that Reginald and Lila were involved in these scenes.

Ned:  "I want another doctor."
Amy:  "Ned, Dr. Dorman's the doctor on call..."
Jason:  "Right now."

When they got to the ER, Dorman was the doctor on call.  Don't you love irony?  There was no one else, and they were left with Dorman.  We had quick intercutting between Monica and Alan hearing the news and this scene.  Ned backed off when Dorman mentioned possible brain damage.

Dorman:  "She's coming out of it.  If she regains consciousness...."
Monica:  "I am a doctor.  I know what to expect."
Alan:  "You can go."

Emily:  "I didn't want you guys to know.  I didn't think you had to."

Emily woke up, looked at her parents, and started to cry.  Amber did such a good job with this scene.  Monica and Alan tried to be positive and smiled down at her.  She feels badly for scaring her parents and causing them more trouble, as she sees it.  But she didn't want to talk to them immediately, and I can't blame her, since Alan started asking questions right away.

Emily didn't/couldn't give any names when Alan questioned her.  She overreacted when they asked about Matt, however, and I'm glad Alan and Monica caught the clue and told Taggert.  Too bad it may be too late for Matt.

Emily:  "Were you wishing I never came to live with you?"
Monica:  "Oh no."

Monica:  "I was thinking about your mom."
Emily:  "I think I was dreaming about her.  She loved you."
Monica:  "And I loved her.  I was just...I was wondering if she would ever forgive me for not taking very good care of her little girl."
Emily:  "It's not your fault."

The most beautiful scene of the week was the one at the end of Wednesday.  I was moved by the flashback to Paige's bedside, but even more moved by Emily and Monica comforting and absolving each other.  I cried again then, and I applaud both of them for a wonderful performance.

B. Monica and Alan

Alan:  "It's not your fault."
Monica:  "You can't absolve me from the guilt, Alan."
Alan:  "No, I can see that.  You're gonna hang onto that forever, aren't you?"

While Emily was hanging off the roof, Alan and Monica were at GH looking after A.J.  Amy sent them home, but they didn't make it out the door before exhaustion and frustration caught up with them and they started fighting.  Alan claimed A.J. was probably out drinking and that they couldn't do anything about it.  Furthermore, he claimed that there was nothing any of them could have ever done about it.  Finally, he pointed out that this was A.J.'s pattern, and that A.J. always knew that he could count on Monica's guilt.  While that may be true to a certain degree, I also think the whole family is in part responsible for A.J.'s condition, and I was glad to see Monica willing to take her part of the responsibility.  I'm just sorry she thinks she has to take all (or most) of it.  And she's right.  No matter whether A.J.'s manipulating her or not, he's in danger.

Monica:  "You don't care whether he lives or dies.  Why don't you just admit it."

Alan:  "You always let him off the hook, Monica.  That kid has had every advantage any young man could ever wish for, and I am not gonna put on a hair shirt every time he falls off the wagon."

Monica immediately retracted this statement, but was adamant in her fears about A.J.  At first, Alan was willing to dismiss her statement, because he knew she was speaking out of frustration.  They tried to go home again, but they couldn't let it lie.  Monica insisted that they must have done something to drive him to alcoholism and Alan continued to refuse to deny A.J.'s own responsibility.

Alan spoke of the person A.J. might kill or maim next.  Monica said his anger went deeper than A.J.'s drinking, and asked him again to admit that he doesn't love A.J.  She suggested that Alan has always been dismissive of A.J.  Alan, of course, took offense, feeling like she was putting all the blame on him.  She dredged up the fact of A.J.'s questionable parentage when he was born and claimed that as a result Alan has never loved him.  Still, she only talked about his faults.  At the same time, I think Alan got so angry because she was hitting so close to home.

Amy interrupted, telling them that an accident was coming in with a victim that met A.J.'s description.  It wasn't A.J.  Monica tried to apologize, but Alan was simply too tired to continue the conversation.  He asked her what she would do if A.J. couldn't stop drinking, and she said she would stand by him no matter what.  The dialogue continued as follows:

Alan:  "Oh I see.  Now, not only is A.J. gonna waste his life, but you're gonna waste yours as well.  Is that the plan?"
Monica:  "No, I think he can win."
Alan:  "Well that's where we differ, Monica."

Alan believes that A.J. is determined to kill himself with drinking.  I wonder if this is one of the reasons that he distances himself from his son.  He all but admitted that he loved Jason more, but I think it's also a defense mechanism.  He believes A.J.'s going to wind up dead, so he tries not to love him or support him so that when it happens, he'll feel neither grief nor guilt.  It won't work, and it's causing problems with his family now.  I agree with his opinions on A.J. most of the time, but finally I think he can't separate himself from his son and not regret it.  And he does worry.  I saw it on his face when they wheeled that person by him.  That's the reason he pops those pills, to maintain the distance he thinks he needs from A.J.

Monica called off the conversation and they went home.  Reginald informed them about Emily as Brenda entered (for some unknown reason).  They were understandably agitated, and headed off to the hospital.  They were confronted with the fact that Dorman was Emily's doctor and that Emily was on heroin.  I wonder which was scarier.  Monica thanked Jax for his help, but Jax said that Jason was the one to thank.  After Jason stepped in and bullied Dorman into submission, Monica thanked him for helping Emily.  It was painful to watch her not be able to hug him.

Monica:  "I wonder, is this some sort of cosmic joke or just a final comment on my failure as a parent?  I drive Emily to overdose and I can't even get her a decent doctor."

Monica:  "All I wanna do is just pray to God.  'I want one more chance.  Please don't take her away.  Please don't take my daughter away.'"

Monica and Alan went to sit outside.  Monica may have been pointing out all of Alan's faults on Monday, but she beat herself up pretty badly on Tuesday.  She even found comfort in Jason's death threats.  Monica started recounting all the signs of trouble and all the times they didn't do anything to help.  She moved from sarcasm to simple grief.  She spoke of Paige.  She believes she has failed one of her best friends, and that may be the hardest thing of all for her to deal with right now, next to the fact that she has failed Emily.  Her prayer made me cry, as did the look on Alan's face, as he had to watch her go through this.

I didn't like that Alan started asking Emily questions immediately after she woke up, and was glad Monica reprimanded him for that.

Taggert (did we know his first name was Marcus?) asked Monica and Alan if he could question Emily, and told them not to kick themselves.  Tony wouldn't let him in, so Alan said he'd ask some questions and report back.  Of course, Dorman stepped in and said he didn't think Taggert should question her either.

C. Jason

A.J.:  "I'm sorry for everything.  Your friend, A.J."

While Alan and Monica looked for A.J. and Emily hung off the roof, Jason received A.J.'s note at the bar.  I think Jason felt something for A.J. at this point.  Not because they are brothers, but because he can see A.J.'s pain and frustration.  And while I hope that they don't return Jason to his old self through some weird soap maneuver, I do hope that he and A.J. can become friends again.

Monica:  "No, Emily needed you.  You saved her."
Jason:  "I won't leave her alone."

Ned:  "I don't want the first face she sees to be Dorman's."
Jason:  "No problem."

Jason immediately called the Quartermaine's house, and Lila told him to come right away because Emily was in trouble.  He stood watch outside her room--silently, except for when he stepped in and got Dorman off Monica's back.  Monica wouldn't let him deny the praise he deserved for saving Emily.  And I think he was glad to have been the one that helped her, even if he believes it was Jason Quartermaine's knowledge that allowed him to do it.

I'll bet he was glad to see Sonny on Wednesday after dealing with the Quartermaines.  Ned told Sonny that Jason did CPR on Emily, and Sonny told him he did a good job.  But of all the people there, Sonny would be the only person that Jason would trust enough to leave in his place.  And Sonny's the only one that would ask Jason to go home and take a break.

Jason found Carly and A.J. together when he went home.  After A.J. left, he asked if they knew each other and what they were talking about, and when she lied to him he called her on it.  I absolutely love the way he sees right through her.  I might actually like the two of them together.

Jason was irritated with A.J. and didn't spare his feelings in telling him about Emily.  He has good reason to be disgusted with A.J.'s behavior, and he didn't give him much credit for the letter, although I think it did move him.

Jason:  "I don't know how to do this."
Sonny:  "Nobody knows how to do it."

Sonny updated Jason when he returned to the hospital.  He was ready to go after Dorman, but Sonny cautioned him not to let it get too personal, because then he might make mistakes.  Jason told Sonny that he was supposed to ask, and blamed himself for not asking what was bothering Emily.  He does take this personally, and blames himself.  But Sonny reminded him that he was the one that saved Emily's life, and that he was the one that came through for her.  Jason told him about the moment that he thought Emily was dead.

D. A.J.

Carly:  "I need you to make love to me.  Please?  Make the hurt go away."

And while all of the above was going on, A.J. was upstairs at the bar convincing Carly to sleep with him.  Not that she needed much convincing.  I said last week, and on ratsa, that I thought their scenes were very convincing.  They were painful to watch, because these two characters are so desperate and self-defeating right now.  But Sean and Sarah put in good performances.  Anybody know that song?  "You make your plans so carefully.  You never really know."

A.J.:  "Do you think you could write my ex-girlfriend a letter telling her all this?"

A.J. awoke to an empty bed, not knowing that at home, Emily was collapsed in the floor and possibly dying.  On Tuesday, we saw him get up and go downstairs to the bar again.  He sat down to wait for them to open so he could have a glass of vodka.  When Carly told him her story about their night together on Wednesday, he was actually pleased to hear he had done something good for once.  How sad is that.

A.J.:  "Where was I?"
Jason:  "Maybe you were here."

A.J. told Jason that he didn't see any reason not to get drunk since Keesha left him.  Then Jason dropped the bomb that Emily had OD'd.  A.J. was floored, and couldn't understand why Emily would try that crap.  I was so glad that Jason subtly put the blame back on him for drinking.  He asked why A.J. drank and suggested Emily did drugs for the same reason.  But in doing so, he suggested that A.J. had set an example for her and had showed her a way to escape.  Then he also blamed A.J. for being too busy drinking to help Emily--and all in so few words.  Very effective.

A.J.:  "Jason told me.  I want to see Emily."
Ned:  "May I ask why?"

Monica:  "I don't think that you're someone Emily should see right now.

I was so glad they didn't let A.J. see Emily.  He wouldn't have done her any good; he only wanted to assuage his own guilt a bit by seeing she was alright.  Ned was angry with him, but Monica and Alan were simply quiet and resigned.  Monica didn't blame him; she just had to protect Emily.  Alan didn't even have energy to deal with him at that point.  And something in that moment turned A.J. around, I'd like to believe.  If he manages to get his life in order because of this, then some good will come from Emily's accident.  And I'd like to see that.

Alan:  "Let's not delude ourselves.  When times get rough, we always know where A.J. goes."

That might have been the best cut of the week.  Jason asked after A.J., and Alan replied with the above.  We cut immediately to A.J. entering an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

E. Ned

Ned:  "I mean, for the last three months I've been convincing her that it's better to lie about your problems than to deal with them."

Ned was so sweet not wanting to leave Emily, but Jason assured him he would kill Dorman if he made a wrong move.  He blamed himself for not seeing that there was something wrong, and questioned Jason about her, desperate to figure out what was going on.  He also blamed himself for convincing her that it was alright to lie.  He also asked Jason whether or not Sonny know who was dealing these drugs, and Jason promised that when Sonny knew, they wouldn't be dealing drugs anymore.

Ned:  "Alan, Emily was on drugs."

On Tuesday, Ned was anxious and angry.  Jax tried to reassure him that they were moving as fast as they could and that it wasn't his fault for not seeing what was going on.  Monica and Alan arrived and Ned updated them.  True to form, Ned fell into the calm and collected role and reassured them.  He called Lila and Edward and reassured them as well.

Ned:  "How do I fix this?"

Brenda showed up from the Quartermaine house (we're still not sure why she was there so early in the morning) and Ned reassured her too.   With Brenda, he could admit his fears again, as well as the guilt he was feeling.  And Brenda's exactly the person to reassure him.  He's good for her as well, and I'm so glad we're getting some more scenes with them together.  I miss them.

Ned:  "For some reason, I was afraid it was going to be like you, where she wouldn't recognize any of us.  Probably be better off."
Jason:  "No, she wouldn't.  It's hard, Ned, wakin' up and not knowing everyone.  It makes you hate the whole world, at least the people who want you to be someone you're not."
Ned:  "And when you left, I promised myself that I would never fail anyone like that again, and I turn around and I did the same thing to Emily.  For the same reason.  For the good of the family.  What is that, exactly?  I mean, what good is a family if it puts someone...if it puts a little girl in the emergency room?"

Ned depended on Jason to remain posted by Emily's door, and their exchanges were very interesting.  Jason didn't comfort him or tell him that he wasn't to blame.  He simply left him with his guilt.  Or maybe he just didn't have a good answer.

Ned:  "Otherwise, I think the only thing that can help Emily is for her to get the hell away from this family."

Ned:  "And right now I thank God for Lois' good judgement."

On Wednesday, we had more scenes with Brenda and Ned.  Ned blames the family as well as himself, and claimed that Lois had done the right thing in getting Brook Lynn out of there.  Finally, Monica and Alan thanked him for getting Emily off the roof.  He passed off the praise to Jason.  Then Monica and Alan started quarrelling about his questioning, and Ned pointed out how bad that would appear to Emily.

Brenda:  "Eat."

Brenda:  "I don't know how many mes are inside of myself, but I haven't met one that I like lately."
Ned:  "I have."

Ned:  "If you cave in you'll hate yourself in the morning.  Every morning."

That was cute.  Brenda and Ned comforted each other for a bit in the middle of Wednesday's show.  He bolstered her resolve, even though she doesn't feel brave--though people keep telling her she is.  Ned noted that Sonny hadn't said hello to her when she said she had told both Jax and Sonny that she needed safe.  Nice shot of Sonny in the background through a lot of this.

Ned:  "Sonny, is there a reason why you're still here?"
Sonny:  "I promised Jason."
Ned:  "You know, I have to hand it to you.  That took some forethought, never lying to him.  You beat his own family hands down."

Ned:  "Blackmail."
Sonny:  "That's not very nice."

Ned:  "My mother's latest marital excursion.  And she thought Lois was inappropriate."

Ned:  "All in the family, right?"
Sonny:  "Not my branch."

Such an interesting and fun exchange between Ned and Sonny.  First serious, with Ned regretting the distance between the family and Jason, then breaking down into some humor about Tracey's marriage.  What was odd was that Ned told Sonny about the blackmail straight out and admitted Jax had documents.  We didn't ever have a follow up to this scene, and I was left wondering if there was anything behind it--any ulterior motives on Ned's part.

I talk more about Ned in the section on Alexis.

II. Carly and Tony

A. Carly with A.J.

Almost immediately after she slept with A.J. on Monday, Carly regretted it.  While she was glad for the closeness and the affirmation, she soon realized that what she really had was guilt and a bad hangover.  She sneaked out of Jason's room and headed home (and I must say that I was amazed at her skill of getting dressed under the sheets).  She remembered A.J.'s offer to help her, and kissed his forehead before she left.

B. Carly and Tony

Tony came back to the apartment to apologize and found that Carly was out.  He remembered the fight (flashback alert) and wondered where she was, worrying himself to sleep on the sofa after putting on the shirt she had bought him for his birthday.

Carly:  "I didn't think that you were gonna come back."
Tony:  "Well I, uh, couldn't leave things the way we left them."

When Carly got back, she lied through her teeth about where she had been, saying she had gone to the movies and then met up with an old friend.  Those lies about friends from Florida may be the thing that trips her up in all of this.  As Luke says, she should stick to the truth as much as possible.

Tony apologized, and he didn't want her to apologize in return.  They smoothed things over, and I was struck by the fact that both of them professed to being scared that the other one wouldn't come back.  They are both insecure in this relationship, I think, not just Carly.  Tony sees Carly as being young, and while he criticizes her for it at times, mostly it scares him, because I think he can't understand why she loves him.

Carly:  "Will you make love to me?  Like you never have?"

In the most talked-about scene this week, Carly went to bed with Tony immediately following her romp with A.J.  I'm never as bothered with the details of these things as other people.  I don't worry that there's not a condom shown every time, etc.  Probably I should.  This time, however, I thought they should definitely have shown that Carly was having safe sex, because this was so blatantly dangerous.  I'm wondering if her unprotected sex is going to figure into the storyline, and I really hope this won't be a whose-baby-is-it storyline.  They have so much to explore with the Carly character and her relationships to the Spencer clan without throwing that melodrama in there.

Tony:  "So after a couple of hours we meet back here and then together we practice keeping the world away from our door."

The next morning, they repeated the same things they'd said the night before.  They comforted each other and Tony said that nothing had been done that couldn't be undone.  Of course we knew--and Carly knew--that wasn't the truth.  They made up with hot chocolate and maple-syrup kisses--everything from their past together at the cabin.  That struck me, because it seems like the only time they can make their relationship work is when they deny the things that are going on around them.  They have to consciously or subconsciously lie and pretend those problems and realities aren't there.  They planned a morning alone together, but they both had errands to do.  Oddly enough, both of their errands were all about denying the problems that surround them.

C. Tony

Tony:  "Because I'm not gonna run interference with Bobbie anymore.  From now on, it's up to you."

I understand what Tony's doing, and even applaud him on some level for putting Carly first for once.  At the same time, denying the problem is there isn't going to fix anything.  And that's what he's doing, I think.  Yes, he can set aside the Cassadine problem and leave that to Luke.  But the problem he can't set aside is the fact that he still feels strongly for Bobbie--still loves her, I believe.

Tony went from Luke's to the hospital, where he called Carly and received no answer.  He then took on Emily's case.  He called later, still no answer.

D. Carly

When A.J. didn't answer the phone Carly headed back to the bar to find him.  We were treated to even more flashbacks at this point, but the image Carly conjured up of A.J. and Jason comparing notes was quite a hoot.  She went to the bar on Wednesday and asked A.J. not to tell anyone that their night together had happened.  He didn't remember.  She covered by saying that he had rescued her from humiliation by taking her upstairs and that nothing else had happened.  She said her friends would freak if they knew she was drinking again.  But then she still felt bad because A.J. didn't remember, as if it were a comment on her...ability.  She certainly is determined to feel bad about herself.  Even when she remember Tony telling her how beautiful she was, the part of the scene she remembered was exactly like the part of the scene with A.J. she remembered, and though she tried to comfort herself, I think she was even having doubts that Tony meant what he said.  But she told Jason that she was optimistic; for some reason I can't be.

She showed up at the hospital at the end of Wednesday with a hug for Tony, and his rumpled flowers were so sweet.

III. Dorman

Dorman:  "Sometimes even the Quartermaines have to take what they can get."
Jax:  "Hey, happily I'm not a Quartermaine.  And if you can't act in a professional manner, I'll have your license pulled."

Dorman was cool as the proverbial cucumber when Emily came into the ER.  He calmly but firmly addressed all of Ned's rantings and played the good doctor.  Then, once Alan and Monica arrived, he ignored their anger and again played it smooth.

Jason:  "Do your job.  Ok?  And you better make sure Emily's alright.  And if anything happens to her I'll blow your head off."

He couldn't resist a jab at Monica, though.  I think she was right.  All this is to him is a chance to watch her squirm.  I still wonder why Monica was the target of all this spite from Dorman.  I hope we're told at some point.  I think, however, that at the same time Dorman's crack came out of nerves as well.  He's having to play this one pretty straight and calm, and he's now worried that the Qs will be on his tail too, when they go after the source of the drugs.  More importantly, Jason's a true threat to him, and he knows his life will be in danger if Jason finds out for sure that he's the one dealing the drugs.

He came into the examining room to hear Dorman asking Emily who would sell drugs to kids on Wednesday.  And he looked nervous.  He's now got any number of people up in arms, and he'll have to play it safe.  He checked on Emily and suggested (conveniently) that Alan ease up on the questions.  Tony came then and relieved him of duty.  I loved that he called Emily "sweetheart" on his way out.

Dorman stepped in and told Taggert he couldn't ask any questions of Emily right then.  He was anxious, and called Matt's house.  Matt wasn't there.  Dorman quizzed Taggert again later on Wednesday, to see if he had any leads.  Then he went off to call Matt again, and this time set up a meeting.  I think Matt's doomed.  Kind of like that person you've never seen before on the bridge of the Enterprise who goes behind the rock by himself.

I loved that Sonny stopped Dorman and asked him for the time.

IV. The Spencer Men

SOD names Tony Geary "performer of the week" this week.  The opening line of the review reads:  "It's not that we were happy to see Laura hop that flight to Switzerland, but ever since her departure, hubby Luke has gotten a much-needed case of the fiestys."  To that I say, "Amen."  :)

A. Luke and Sonny

Luke:  "Mornin', partner.  Dare I hope you're here to review the books?"

Sonny:  "You wanted to trust him."
Luke:  "Well, it was a mistake.  And I thought I'd free you up.  I don't understand why a man with your extensive business interests wants to play accountant."
Sonny:  "Well, you do everything.  You, uh, book the talent, you choose the staff, and, uh, you stock everything.  It's math.  I can do it with my eyes closed."
Luke:  "Well obviously Mike can't."

On Tuesday, Luke came to he club's office to find Sonny there.  I miss these two together so much, and I've loved having them back together these past few weeks.  Their opening exchange about Mike and the club business was fun.  But Jason was late again and Sonny was worried.

Luke:  "You think Dorman was Harry's partner."
Sonny:  "So do you."
Luke:  "How do you peg Dorman for a drug smuggler.  And if he is, why is he still breathing?"

Luke:  "So make sure Jason's having dinner with Robin and Mac Scorpio somewhere real public the night of the fatal accident."

Sonny:  "This is my territory.  I decide what moves here.  Who's ever bringing this stuff in is in violation of a major agreement.  You understand what I'm saying?  It's probably why they used Dorman in the first place.  I'd have stopped a regular trafficker months ago."
Luke:  "So why couldn't you stop Dorman?"
Sonny:  "That's a good question."

Luke and Sonny started putting their heads together about Dorman.  Sonny's figured out that Dorman's bringing the drugs into the country, but doesn't know who's behind him.  Sonny filled Luke in on Jason's encounters with Dorman.  He knows that if Dorman comes up dead or disappears, Jason will be the prime suspect.  And while Luke was ready enough to take care of Dorman, Sonny insisted that he had to figure out who the supplier was before he could.  Some people criticized this plot as unbelievable because Sonny wouldn't have this much control over his territory.  I think it's pretty realistic to assume he knows everything that's going on, even if he doesn't control it all, and that other operators would have to get his clearance before acting.

Luke:  "This guy is smooth."
Sonny:  "Ya.  Now all I gotta do is, uh, prove it."
Luke:  "Since when did you start working for the D.A.'s office."

Sonny's convinced Dorman's the one who tried to kill him because he remembers Dorman at the airport with the patient on the international flight.  Sonny also holds a grudge because of Dorman's refusal to do the biopsy on Stone, and he knows that Dorman knows who he is because of that incident.  They continued to put the pieces together, and got the chain of events down as well as the motives Dorman's acting on.  They've also got his MO down now.

Luke and Sonny repeatedly refer to Dorman as an amateur.  They assume that he acts, at times, out of desperation, and that he will make a mistake at some point so they can nail him.  At the same time, they aren't underestimating Dorman, I think.  And it's taken them this long to figure it out, after all.

Sonny:  "But see now, if Harry's not working with him, he can't put it out on the streets.  And if he can't sell it...."
Luke:  "He can't pay for it."
Sonny:  "Somebody in South America is gonna be very unhappy.  And once they move on Dorman, I'll know who's in violation of what business agreement.  And then I will send him to prison or send him to hell.  Don't make no difference to me."
Luke:  "Kill him now."
Sonny:  "Isn't that what I told you about Stefan Cassadine?"
Luke:  "Ya, and you were right.  I made a mistake by not dropping him before things got complicated."

These two are plotting, and Luke's itchy to take out Dorman.  This could be really fun.  Sonny's actually being the calm, methodical one at this point.  He's got to see who's behind this and make sure he keeps Jason safe--for Robin's sake as well as his own.

Luke:  "Didn't I ever tell you about Ditty?  Ditty's a friend of mine.  She's a big frowsy redhead with a wooden leg, man.  Definitely your type.  I'll introduce you next time she's clompin' through the clu....  Hey, Ditty, hi!  Hi.  Hey babe, it's Luke.  Spencer."

Luke, of course, knows someone at the airport.  This exchange was the best, and I'm betting a lot of the stuff about Ditty was improvised (as well as Luke's picking up the phone when Sonny's cell phone rang).  Conveniently, Sonny remembered the gate number.  The drugs are coming in from Caracas.  I hope that Benny doesn't do all the work.  I want to see Luke and Sonny on this case together.

Sonny:  "And get this for a coincidence.  Dorman's her doctor."
Luke:  "Kill the bastard now."
Sonny:  "Oh, man, I want to.  But uh, I, I gotta wait and see who his supplier is.  Jason says she's gonna make it."
Luke:  "Well, I guess that's the first thing I'll tell Lucky.  She's a good friend of his.  Have you ever met that little girl?"
Sonny:  "Ya, I mean, she's, I say hello to her, she's very sweet, I think she was scared of me."
Luke:  "Oh, man, she's sweet.  She came, uh, she came to visit Lucky when she thought Laura was dead.  You take care of this, Corinthos, or I will."

Sonny got a call from Jason about Emily, and he told Luke, who was outraged.  I'll talk about this more at the end, but the thing I really like about this Dorman storyline is that it's involving people from all different storylines.  Luke was worried about Lucky, of course, and more insistent than ever that Sonny gets to the bottom of this.

B. Luke and Tony

Luke:  "Is that why you came here, Doc-ex-bro-in-law, to preach peace and good fellowship."

Tony showed up next.  He told Luke that he wouldn't help him out with the crusade against Stefan anymore.  Luke questioned his decision, bringing up Lucas.  Tony wouldn't grant him anything, however, and left to take over Emily's case.  Luke wasn't convinced, of course.  He pushed Tony but Tony has convinced himself that Bobbie will get away from Stefan on her own.

C. Lucky

I love that Luke and Lucky came up with this scam, the ruse that Lesley's sending Nik's mail to Lucky so they'll have to see each other, because it's the same thing Robin does to get Jason and Mac together for completely positive reasons.  Ha!

Lucky:  "I don't have time for this.  Try not to stay in touch, alright?"
Nik:  "Wait a second.  Did she say that he helped her?  I wanna know."
Lucky:  "That's what he told you isn't it?"
Nik:  "Ya."
Lucky:  "Then why do you need to hear it from her."

While Nik was so desperate to hear that Lesley was better and remembering something about his Uncle, Lucky was loving rubbing her improvement in his face, since it seems to prove that Stefan was indeed doing something to Lesley all those years or she would have gotten better.  I loved that he called Nik on his suspicions in the above exchange.  He gave Nik nothing to go on and refused to answer his questions any further.

Luke:  "Well alright then.  It's your liver."
Lucky:  "What is this, water?"
Luke:  "That's right, and it ain't that sissy bottled stuff, man.  This crap came right from the tap."
Lucky:  "Oh man.  That's not funny."
Luke:  "It's funny."

This was so funny.  Lucky actually thought Luke was letting him have a drink, and the look on his face when he tasted it was great, as were Mike and Luke's reactions.  Luke first asked him how the thing with Nikolas went, and Lucky was very proud of himself.  He did well, from the Spencer standpoint.  The thing is they're not targeting Nik exactly; they want him to feed the information to Stefan, though I think they're both pleased they can yank Nik's chain in the meantime.

Luke then told him about Emily.  The worry on his face was so clear, and Lucky's reaction was so real.  Lucky was stunned, and could say very little.  I appreciated Luke laying it out plainly and quickly.  He asked Lucky if he knew where she had gotten it, and I think he was satisfied enough with Lucky's reaction not to have to ask the next question--was Lucky on drugs.  I think he trusts Lucky not to do that, but I think he was wondering all the same.  The contrast between the humor in the first part of the scene--Lucky asking to drink alcohol--and the second, where they faced Emily's substance abuse, was very striking.  Luke may not be anybody's model parent, but I think he was indeed feeling Lucky out to see if there was need to worry, and refraining from asking him the question directly because he knew it would upset him further.  I'd like to see them talk about this more, however, when the news isn't so fresh and painful.

Lucky wanted to see Sonny, and then he wanted to go to the hospital, but Luke made him call and see about her first.  They wouldn't let him see her, so he went for a walk.

D. Luke and Carly

Oh, I knew it was going to be a good week when, after three wonderful days of the Quartermaines, I not only had more of my Luke, but I had Luke with Lucky and then with Carly (and little did I know that Alexis was yet to come, at this point).  I must have done something good to deserve this.  ;)

Luke:  "That's very good.  You know, you just might be better at this than I thought."
Carly:  "Ya, well, spying on Katherine Bell's not something I want to excel at."

Luke:  "Look.  I don't work for free.  Why should you?"
Carly:  "I don't owe you anything for this."
Luke:  "I didn't say you did."
Carly:  "And I will never give it back."
Luke:  "I will never ask."

Carly showed up to give Luke the update from Katherine's apartment, and this time she actually had news to tell.  She told Luke what she had learned at Katherine's, and about the email from Stefan.  She went off when Luke told her that spying on Katherine was a good skill.  She insisted that it was nobody's business who slept with who; of course, she wasn't talking about Katherine at this point.  Luke asked after Virginia, then gave her an envelope of cash.  Carly rejected it at first, for two reasons, I think.  1) Accepting that money would mean she was working for Luke or indebted to him in some way and 2) I think it reminded her of another kind of work for money she's been accused of recently.  I also think Luke gave it to her for two reasons.  1) As a kind of test to see if she'd take it.  While I believe him when he says it's payment for services rendered and not a way to put her in debt to him, I think it's also 2) what Carly said--extra money in case she needs to see Virginia again.

E. Luke and Alexis

Luke:  "Ah.  Good evening counselor.  May I suggest a table right near the speakers of the jukebox?"
Alexis:  "I know what you're doing Luke, and it has to stop."

Alexis:  "Lucky isn't going to do any favors for Nikolas or anyone else named Cassadine.  You've made sure of that."

Luke:  "You and Stefan have made it very clear that that kid is a precious little delicate flower and that if a big bad Spencer comes within a five block radius his petals will wilt."

Luke:  "You know, Alexis, I'll give you a secret here.  This is not the way to get what you want from me."
Alexis:  "Forgive me, Sahib.  Why don't you tell me what I should do."

Alexis:  "Any questions?"
Luke:  "Uh, one thing doesn't fit here."
Alexis:  "What, that I care about my cousin?  Do you find that strange?"
Luke:  "No.  Defending and protecting Nikolas has always been Stefan's job.  So what's up?  Are you seizing the Cassadine reins?"

Of course I was in heaven by the time we got to this little exchange.  I was very proud of Alexis for seeing through Luke and Lucky's little ruse, and for going directly to him and letting him know the gig was up.  Sure, she probably knew better than to expect Luke to back down graciously, but I still liked her directness.  Of course, I was also proud that Luke saw through her appearance to the truth behind it that she is so desperately trying not to admit to anyone.  Stefan wasn't there to do it himself.  And both of them know the reason.  And I'd bet she's hacked that he knows.

Alexis:  "Am I wearing black?"
Luke:  "No."
Alexis:  "Do I have a goatee?"
Luke:  "No."
Alexis:  "Have you ever heard me use the words 'heretofore,' 'consequently,' and 'notwithstanding?"
Luke:  "I don't think so."
Alexis:  "Then what could possibly induce you to think that I would be Stefan's stand in for anything?"
Luke:  "'Induced,' that's a Stefan word."

You know, Ruby, I thought immediately of you at this point.  That Luke would let slip that I had told him about your FGC Stefan title.  Shame on him.  ;)

Luke:  "Where is notwithstanding hangin' out these days?"

Luke:  "Touchy, aren't we?  What's the matter, you afraid I might, uh, tell Stefan that you're out about town in his big black jackboots?  Because I mean, you're everywhere these days, and he's nowhere."

Luke:  "Maybe he's found another hospital to ruin and rescue."
Alexis:  "No, there's still a few GH nurses we haven't turned into Satan worshipers yet."

On Friday, she demonstrated how hacked she was with him, both for dismissing her request regarding Nikolas and with the fact that he had pegged the reason she had to come instead of Stefan.  She ignored his question about Stefan's whereabouts and went right into a speech about Bobbie as strong lady of the house and defender of her stepson.  Of course, Luke didn't let her change the topic, and went right back to Stefan.  They swapped one-liners for a while, and it was very fun.  But it's late, and I'm not up for a complete transcription.  ;)

Alexis:  "Poor baby.  You're just starved for attention, aren't you."
Luke:  "I seem to have gotten yours."
Alexis:  "It's Stefan's you want.  Bet you pictured Laura's time away as one big showdown.  Bullmooses lock horns, one doomed to limp away in defeat, one left to run the herd and nip at the females' hindquarters."
Luke:  "Turn around, I'll nip at your hindquarters."

Luke:  "Hey, I never said Katherine Bell was prettier than anything."
Alexis:  "Who?"
Luke:  "Oh, come on.  Come on, who you think we're talkin' about here?  We both know that the count has a major Jones for that partially paralyzed perfume princess."

Did anyone else expect him to say "prettier than a box of hair?"  He didn't fail us, TJ, he did mention the box of hair later...

Luke:  "Miss bell is beautiful, buxom, bright as a box of hair, and she can't run away.  I'd say that's the perfect woman for a perverted control freak, wouldn't you?"
Alexis:  "Have you slept at all since Laura left for Switzerland?  Or are you usually this overheated?  Because you know something, that was a really ugly accusation, even for you."
Luke:  "It's not ugly.  Guys sleep around on their wives all the time.  Unless the wife has ruined them for ordinary sex like mine did."

Alexis:  "I don't even know how we got onto this ridiculous non-topic."
Luke:  "You brought it up.  Pay attention."

Such alliteration today, Luke!

And again, Alexis sees through to the truth.  These two see each other quite clearly, and it frustrates them both.  Alexis knows that part of Luke's irritation with Stefan's affair with Katherine has nothing to do with his sister's safety and happiness, but with the fact that he can't engage Stefan in combat anymore.  Of course, he responded by naming names, and Alexis responded with assertions about Bobbie's place in Stefan's house.  They went back and forth about Luke's accusation, and Luke actually suggested that Alexis say something to Bobbie.  She changed the subject immediately.  I suspect it's because she is indeed worried about Bobbie, and frustrated that she simply has to sit by and watch her get hurt by Stefan.

Alexis went back to the reason Lucky brought Nik the letter.  She's got it right, all around.  She's right that Luke can't let this go, even if it means that this will drag on into the next generation.  Luke agreed that their clans were better off apart, but reminded her that Bobbie was his sister and she was in the "viper's nest".  He said if she would help him get her out, the he'd be all hers.

Alexis:  "You pride yourself on being offensive, don't you."
Luke:  "It's a gift.  I like to help other people feel superior."

Alexis gave up, but not without a parting shot about Nikolas--and about Luke.

Alexis:  "And he is just as much your wife's son as Lucky is.  Just as tough on the outside and just as easy to hurt.  You probably know what that's like.  Maybe the problem is you still do."

It's amazing how clearly these two see each other.  I hope she stays around for a long time so we can continue to have scenes with them speaking the truth to one another.

F. Luke

Luke:  "Can you watch things for a little while?"
Sonny:  "Somethin' up?"
Luke:  "Ya, I gotta poke a snake with a stick."

At the end of Friday, Luke got a call about someone.  I immediately assumed he was having Stefan tailed and had heard he was at Katherine's and was headed home.  That was indeed where he was headed, and the clips from Monday make it look like not only is Stefan going to get a wake-up call, but that I'm going to be in heaven.

I do find it interesting how right Alexis was about Luke.  Clearly he is irritated that he can't engage Stefan, and has set out to force the issue, not content to hide and watch and wait until Bobbie makes up her own mind to leave him.

V. The SIDAR

A. Jax

Jax was very good with the Quartermaines on Monday and Tuesday when they got to the hospital, and I was glad to see him in Dorman's face about his behavior.

B. Brenda

I've talked about Brenda and Ned in the Quartermaine section.

Ned:  "He's good.  Almost as good as me."

Brenda and Jax ran into each other at the hospital while Brenda was talking to Ned.  Jax told her about the blackmail.  Now, I don't know whether she was just too tired to be outraged or what, but I was very disappointed that she all but condoned this little stunt of Jax's.  Maybe she just got too big a kick out of Ned getting what was coming to him.  Brenda thanked him again for his honesty.  Even Brenda blamed herself for not paying attention to Emily.  And she understands why Emily would turn to drugs.  She let him hug her to comfort her.  But she didn't say she loved him too, and by this point Sonny had arrived and was in the background watching.

Brenda took her leave at the same time Joseph and Sonny got on the elevator, and I personally think she was waiting to see him alone, out of sight from Ned and the Qs.  Maybe not.  Maybe she was dodging him and thought he was leaving, not that she could catch him outside.

C.  Sonny

I talked about Sonny already in the Jason and Luke sections.  He was truly upset about the Emily thing, I think, because it's partly his fault (he believes) that Dorman's still selling this stuff.

Taggert:  "She ends up in the hospital because of drugs you're dealing, and you show up as a family friend?"

Sonny:  "And I betcha I'm going to find out before you do, brother."

Taggert showed up asking questions on Wednesday, and smarted off to Sonny about being the one that hooked Emily on drugs.  Sonny didn't get riled up he merely answered as he always does, saying that he doesn't deal drugs.  When Sonny later asked him if he had to push Alan and Monica, Taggert jumped to the conclusion that Sonny was nervous about the answers he might find--funny that Dorman was the other one who stepped in and told him that he shouldn't question Emily right now.

D. Sonny and Brenda

Brenda:  "You know I need to take care of myself right now."
Sonny:  "It's a tough job, Brenda.  You think you're up to it?"

Sonny and Brenda had a long talk outside the hospital on Thursday.  They started by repeating themselves; she said she needed some space to learn to be happy and he questioned her methods.  She said she understood why Jax lied to her and admitted she hadn't told Jax about their affair in the cave.  Sonny was surprised.  I wonder if he thought that was part of the reason she left.  He understood putting off telling the truth; he said he did the same thing with Lily.  He spoke of conscience and soul and listening to what the voice inside of him said.  She stopped him, and he said he knew she was confused.  He then told her about Taggert and Deke and his own confusion.

Brenda:  "Why do you always have to put yourself in dangerous situations?"
Sonny:  "What, are you afraid, uh...you're gonna lose me?"
Brenda:  "Maybe."
Sonny:  "Well, you should know by now...you can't."

Sonny:  "Well, I just don't see like, there's anything to get because you're trying to make this decision with your head.  And it's got nothing to do with thinkin'."

Sonny:  "The question is you love me, now what are you gonna do about it?"

Brenda wants to do right by everybody, and I applaud her for that.  But Sonny's right.  The real question is what is she going to do about her feelings for Sonny.  Is she going to deny them and stay with Jax, or is she going to act on them and be with Sonny.  Her feelings for Jax don't seem to be in question as much.  And I agree also that this isn't a choice she can make completely in her head.  There's not a right answer that will leave everyone happy.

Brenda:  "Do you know what we just did right now?  You and I just communicated on a whole new level."
Sonny:  "Don't push it."

Brenda told him again that she needed to be more than loving him.  She needs to learn to love herself.  She talked about being a two-dimensional image on the billboards and not feeling like much more than that.  But she feels like she's doing something right, and Sonny supported her in that.

Sonny:  "Maybe we should go bowling."

Brenda:  "Well, I'll see you later...my friend."

After all of this, Sonny "mothered" Brenda into putting her jacket on.  So cute.  And he did it also to be close to her, I think.  Brenda told him they should only meet in public--thus the bowling suggestion.  They were so cute and awkward trying to figure out how to say good-bye.  They settled for a wonderful hug--the hug patrol was proud.  The fact is, these two *are* friends.  They've seen each other through a lot of things and always come out on the other side together.  They may not have the prettiest relationship in the world, but it's real.

Sonny:  "Hey, I'm full of hidden talents.  Stick around, you know, I may even start speakin' Latin or somethin'."

We started Friday with Sonny and Brenda as well in a variation of the scene that closed Thursday.  Brenda left him with unspoken promises that they would be together, I thought.  What she still doesn't say is, "Sonny, after we go through all of this, I still might choose Jax."

E. Miranda

We closed Thursday's show with Miranda looking on as they hugged good-bye.  By this point, I just want to slap her all the time, but I will admit that from her point of view, this all looks pretty bad.  I can't fault her for jumping to conclusions.

Sonny:  "Hey, if it isn't the late Mrs. Jax."

Sonny:  "You don't work.  You have exactly two friends--Katherine Bell and Mac Scorpio.  And neither one of them is in the hospital.  Here."
Miranda:  "Has it ever occurred to you that there are things you don't know about me?"
Sonny:  "No."
Miranda:  "What is that for?"
Sonny:  "Well, don't you wanna call Jax and tell him you saw me and Brenda on the same city block?  I don't think he's gonna tear off your clothes in gratitude, but you'll upset him, and that's a start, right?"

Sonny stopped her as she left.  She was smug about the fact that she had seen the two of them together.  He called her on the fact that she was following one or the other of them.  I love that he didn't name Jax among her friends.  He handed her the phone to call Jax, taunting her with what he knew she would do next and claiming she would upset Jax.  He then threw the fact that Jax didn't want her anymore in her face, claiming she felt like she was the one that felt cheated on and ignoring her probes for confirmation of his affair with Brenda.

It interests me how he's responding to Miranda now, because he used to just let her do her thing because he was hoping it would help split up Brenda and Jax.  But now she's making things rougher for Brenda, and he's not so...shall we say supportive...of Miranda's actions.  He knows she's desperate, and it frustrates her that he can read her so clearly.

The shot of her ripping that flower to shreds was a hoot.  The weather warning cut in on them, and on the Stefan/Katherine scene following, though, so I was spared her whining.  ;)  I loved that Mac told her straight out he was disappointed in her, and that he wanted her to be more that a woman desperate for some guy she loved for two months five years ago.  She didn't like what she heard.  Probably because it hit too close to home.

At the end of this scene, Mac got the call about another kid.  Looks like Matt's a gonner.

F. Kevin and Brenda

Kevin:  "Of course I'll be 85 before I can spend this much on art supplies."

Kevin:  "Anything you'd like to share with a defrocked shrink who doesn't like frozen pot pie?"
Brenda:  "I thought you'd never ask."

I was glad we got another scene between the two of them.  It was so sweet that she brought him a gift certificate, and so sweet of him to offer to listen again.  He was very gracious.  She's frustrated that she's still psychologically dependent on the drugs, and I think it's because she's ready to be off the drugs because she thinks that then she'll feel strong enough to make a decision.  But she mentioned Sonny first and that the waiting was hurting him--no mention of Jax until several sentences later.  Kevin read her like a book.  She wants to tell Jax everything so he'll make the decision for her.  All the rest is true too, and I believe she feels guilty for lying to him.  But Kevin's so right about her.

G. Sonny and Taggert

Sonny:  "Is this gonna be my fate for the rest of my life, you tracking me down with your invisible [?] when I just want to sit in my chair and be quiet for five minutes?"
Taggert:  "Listen.  Can we start over?"

This was a weird way to leave us hanging.  I assumed it was a ploy on Taggert's part to get information out of Sonny or set him up for another battle of wits, but was left slightly confused.

VI. The Cassadines

A. Nikolas

Lucky:  "Tai Chi, right?"
Nik:  "No, it's basketball.  What do you want."
Lucky:  "To get away from you as soon as possible."

Thursday's show opened with Nikolas doing Tai Chi on the docks at Wyndemere.  Lucky showed up with a letter from his grandmother and taunted him into reading it.  Nik realizes that Lesley's better, and asked Lucky if she remembered anything about his Uncle.  He's so desperate for proof that his Uncle isn't all the things he has started to suspect him of being, and he can't shake his doubts.

When Lucky wouldn't answer his questions, Nik took a swim to cool off--and all of FGC Nik cheered.  That was a weird moment, because they played that weird funky music they usually play in quirky scenes.

Nik called Alexis at work to tell her about Lucky's visit and ask her where his Uncle was.  She was good with him, giving no indication of how much Lucky's visit bothered her.  She reassured him and made plans for dinner.  I found it interesting that he would call to ask where Stefan was, because it lets her know he's checking on Stefan.  Of course, that might have been exactly what he wanted--for her to bring up the subject so he could voice his suspicions.

Nikolas also went by Katherine's apartment to see if she was there.  By this time, it was clear that he suspected she was with his Uncle, since neither of them were anywhere to be found.  He also called the hospital--Dennis from her office indeed.

Nik met Alexis at the docks, hoping it was his Uncle.  Alexis tried to assure him nothing was wrong, but it's clear Nik thinks something's going on, and he's upset with Stefan if he's hurting Bobbie.

And at the end of that scene, we saw Bobbie making plans to come home early.  It was good to see her, actually.  I miss her when she's gone for so long.  Even though she frustrates the living tar out of me.  ;)

B. The PR Meeting

Alexis:  "The Quartermaines are in the press every day, and every story makes mention about the fact that Alan Quartermaine is the hospital's chief of staff, which makes the hospital look bad, which makes the Cassadines look bad, and who wants the Cassadines to look bad?  Luke Spencer.  He's behind this.  I know that he is.  I don't know how, but he is."

Stefan:  "Spencer's not involved."
Alexis:  "He's a dangerous man.  You know that better than anyone."
Stefan:  "Maybe.  But I think he might be finding it difficult concentrating with Laura out of town."
Alexis:  "He wouldn't be the first person to be distracted when his wife was out of town."

This opening line from Alexis on Thursday had me laughing very hard.  It was like a parody of Luke's own paranoia, and I'll be she knew it and was doing it just to see if Stefan was listening.  He wasn't, really; he was on the computer.  I loved Alexis pointing out the serious of Luke's potential threat to Stefan, and her chiding.  Stefan seems to be underestimating Luke, and that's not a wise thing to do.  Luke's managing to do a number on Nikolas right under his nose, and it's Alexis who notices.  But I get ahead of myself.

Ned joined the meeting, and he and Alexis got down to PR business.  Stefan insisted that they consult Katherine again; he's so obvious about his support of her he's going to start drawing attention to himself.  He also drew attention to himself by leaving so abruptly and praised Katherine again.  I'm beginning to think he keeps praising her in Alexis' presence just to flaunt his actions in her face.

Note:  After the Seinfeld episode on Thursday and the ensuing "yadda yadda" thread, I thought I should draw attention the fact that Ned actually says "yadda yadda" in this scene.  :)

Ned:  "Sometimes they behave, and sometimes you need a whip and a chair."

Ned commiserated with Alexis about Stefan's leaving again.  They were so cute sitting at that table together working.  They talked about Emily's accident and rescue.  I'm glad that Alexis and Ned have each other to give them credit for their successes.  No one else seems to notice them lately.

C. Stefan and Katherine

Stefan:  "It's twilight.  It's my favorite time."
Katherine:  "You never told me that."
Stefan:  "I love the way it sneaks up on everyone.  The light dimming imperceptibly, the sounds of the day slowly giving away to the softer sounds of night.  Most people don't even notice it."

Now, the scene at the pool left me with a lot of questions, as it did other people on ratsa.  Who dressed Katherine in her bathing suit?  Were there servants around?  How did she get into the pool?  Etc.  But I'm just being picky.  Stefan's description of the twilight was beautiful, and I can understand how Katherine could forget everything being there with him.  The slo-mo was a bit too much for me, though.

Katherine:  "You may call it physical therapy, but it sure looks and feels like an affair."

I can't decide what's really bothering Katherine.  She's never been the type to avoid affairs and she usually aims to win the guy away from the competition (look at her pursuit of Ned).  It can't be the affair part of it, even though that's what she keeps repeating.  She immediately mentioned Nikolas as well; he's probably a big part of the problem.  But I think--oddly enough--that she realizes the weirdness and pretend nature of this whole thing.

When they got back to her apartment, Katherine called it off.  She's scared about being caught, yes.  But she's also scared that Nik and/or Bobbie will find out.  But her biggest fear is Stefan himself.  She doesn't know him.  And some of the things she knows about him, she doesn't like or trust.  I was glad to hear her voice her doubts about their connection.  She has heard he is bad from so many people, and she knows he keeps secrets.  She can't quite believe Luke's completely negative read on Stefan's intentions towards her.  But she can't quite believe him either.

Katherine:  "Maybe he took away the only thing you truly loved.  It was Laura.  Wasn't it?"

Katherine:  "Because if you feel any of those things for Laura, you are far from over her."

Stefan:  "I am completely over Laura Spencer."
Katherine:  "You think that you can control everything.  You can make a whole town eat out of your hand.  You can bring Luke Spencer's sister to her knees.  You can make the woman you paralyzed believe that you're her salvation.  But you cannot make yourself feel the way that you want to.  Can you.  And you hate that."

Stefan:  "Given all the things you think I am, you're either very brave or very foolish."

She started putting two and two together, and saw through to the truth of why Stefan hates Luke so much.  It's not the death of his family; she's right, he didn't love his family members.  He was screaming by this point, but she pressed on.  She spoke the truth about his love for Laura.  I don't know how she got there, but she did.  And no matter how awkward that leap was in the writing, I'm glad it's out there.  I'm glad he's got to confront that truth, and I'm glad she has to as well.  I think that was very hard for her, but I'm glad someone's serving as the reality check.

I don't think he'll confront that truth immediately, though.  I suspect this will fuel his anger for the Spencers, rather than make him face his feelings.  Of course, given the scenes for next week, he's due for a wakeup call that will bring him back to business.  At this moment, though, he's denying that he feels anything.

VII. Katherine

A. With Miranda

Katherine:  "Aren't you smug."
Miranda:  "And aren't you transparent.  What, did Stefan cast a magic spell on you yesterday?"

Miranda was at Katherine's on Thursday, and gave her a hard time about going to the hospital (it's called an induced trance, Miranda).  Katherine told her about their little outing to the lake.  Miranda brought up the subject of Bobbie, and Katherine declared she wanted to walk.  She went to the bars just as Carly got there (I was glad to see Carly happy again, btw), and then demonstrated that she could take a step by herself.

Carly continued to encourage her, and Katherine let slip that she had taken a step before.  Carly quizzed her about things very subtly, I thought.  Luke's right; she's getting better at this.  Katherine admitted that her "boss" was with her, and that her boss was Stefan Cassadine.  Carly skipped right over the revelation and commended her on going back to work.  At that point the computer went off and Katherine smiled broadly as she took Stefan's message.  She needs to learn to be a little less obvious if she's going to carry off this affair.  She zoomed off to meet Stefan, and she said she was going to a meeting, but then asked Miranda to pick up the stuff at the hospital for her.  If she were going to a meeting, wouldn't she be going to the hospital?  Nobody else caught that, though, so maybe I missed something.  Miranda didn't do a very good job of covering either.

VIII. Other Things

A. Interconnectedness

I absolutely love the way the Dorman storyline is brining all manner of people together.  Everyone is up in arms over Emily's problem and accident, and the heat is going to be on.  And not just from Sonny and Taggert.  I like the way plotlines like this bring people into scenes together that might not have them otherwise; I'm hoping for some scenes of Luke and the Quartermaines, for example.  Or just more of Sonny and Monica.  :)

I also love the scenes like the ones on Wednesday in the hospital, where there are several characters in the room and we pan back and forth from one group to another, getting different combinations as we go.  It allows us to have people in the background, the threat of overhearing, and interactions between different people all in one smooth scene.  While I like days that are focused on a smaller group of characters and extended conversations, they only serve to put into relief days like this where so many people are involved so seamlessly.  GH manages to keep a good blend of these different kinds of days most of the time, and I appreciate that.

B. Port Charles advertisement

Oooo.  I really like the new ad for Port Charles.  I love that song--Doctor, Doctor--and the ad looks great.  There have been descriptions of it on ratsa, but for my record, here goes: It's a reddish screen with a 2 on it, and they start with a picture of Steve and Audrey, move through pictures of Laura and Scotty the Luke and Laura and end with pictures of Kevin and Lucy and other castmembers.  It says something about the show being a legend and now making history.  It doesn't show anything about the new show itself, and most of the characters it shows aren't going to be crossing over.  But it's capitalizing on the history of GH, and I think that's a smart move.  It looks great; at the end the "General Hospital" over the 2 becomes "Port Charles."