**The Week in Review: May 19 - May 23**

In general, this week seemed to move slowly to me.  We had good scenes with various people, but I thought episodes felt longer than usual (not that that's always a bad thing) and the week seemed long as well.  Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's the things that have been left hanging that I want to get back to, Nik and Stefan being the main one.

Performances of the week came, for me, from Lynn Herring and Sarah Brown.  Lynn's reaction to what she knew Lee was going to say was superb and made me cry, while Sarah Brown--on the day she won the Emmy, no less--made me cry as well with her reaction to seeing Luke and Bobbie together (and I think she brought it on herself!).

Speaking of Emmys, I know there has been a lot of grumpiness this week, myself included, so I want to counteract that by saying again how glad I was to see all of the nominations we received, how happy I was that Sarah won, and how thankful I am to be watching the best daytime drama on television.  Congratulations to everyone at GH.

I. Felicia and Mac

Felicia:  "It won't let go!  It's not as bad as it looks.  This is as bad as it looks."

Mac:  "The sisters were all kneeling and chanting.  I couldn't very well get on my hands and knees, crawl around, lift up their hems, and look for Lucy's shoes.  I'd be struck down by lightning."

Mac:  "Compared to you and Lucy, he's sanity itself."

We started the week with Felicia still hanging in the air on the bell pull.  This was such a hoot, especially when the nuns came in to see Mac holding her around her waist.  I enjoyed seeing them flirt, and wouldn't mind at all seeing them back together.  Felicia was still a bit worried about whether Kevin was back to normal, and I think that's to be expected.  After all, Kevin's still wondering the same thing.  :)

They continued to flirt when they got back to the hotel, but then the fun stopped for a bit when Kevin and Lucy returned.  I thought they were marvelous about Kevin's revelation, and I was especially proud of Felicia for taking this all in stride.  They both were very supportive, and I'm glad they've all proven Kevin's worst fears wrong and shown him that his friends can and will and do understand.

II. Lucy and Kevin

A.  Kevin

Kevin:  "Lucy, he's my father."

Kevin:  "The man who raised me doesn't exist anymore."

Lucy looked in at Kevin's father and knew he was the man she saw in her vision; but she didn't realize who he was exactly--but she was worried.  Kevin told Lucy everything, including the fact that he had come home to tell her the truth and found her gone.  He told her all about his father and their separation and the letters.  And you could almost see the relief spread over his face as he did.

Lucy:  "It's another closed door.  Just like Jasmine Island.  And nothing good came out of walking away from it."

Kevin:  "But am I not entitled to spare myself anything anymore?"

Kevin:  "I don't need your understanding or approval.  I just need you to accept it and come with me.  Please."

Lucy:  "But if there is anything that you need...really need from me?  All you have to do is ask.  I hope you know that."
Kevin:  "I know people say that to each other, but I've never known anyone who really meant it except you.  And I wasn't trusting it enough.  I'm sorry.  But this is the last thing, Lucy."

Lucy wanted Kevin to see his father and to make some kind of peace with him, even if it was simply going in and telling him all the reasons he was angry.  But she let it drop for the moment because she knew that's what he needed.  I'm glad that neither of them is blaming the other for anything in all of this and that they're just glad to be through it together.  It's not over, though, and I hoped that Lucy wouldn't think so--or Kevin either.

Kevin:  "Well, in case anyone's counting, that makes two out of two parents that were unhinged."

Kevin told Mac and Felicia the truth as well, and admitted that he was afraid of what people would think of him when they found out he had two whacked out parents as well as the whacked out brother.  It was so sad to hear him say that he had never been friends with anyone long enough for it to matter before.  I think that was the saddest moment, actually, of this whole thing.  I was glad that he told them, and I was very happy to see Lucy there by his side, so concerned.  But he's faced that fear now, and he knows he's got friends on his side.  I think that's what gave him the courage to see his father.

Kevin:  "Ryan was cut off of me like a bad limb and that man in there performed the surgery."

Lucy told him again that he had to face his father, and this time, he gave in as Mac and Felicia added their support.  They went back to the convent and Kevin did see his father.  His father spoke to him as if he were a little boy still, using the cruel nickname he used to call Kevin.  Kevin was angry, and didn't make much of an effort, but I couldn't blame him.  He did, however, face his father, and upon coming back out, he really was thinking the same thing as Lucy.  He was angry, and frustrated that his father couldn't feel his anger, that his father got to retreat while that retreat was now denied to him.

But they agreed that Kevin could help his father if he had time; while Kevin didn't want to admit it at first, he finally suggested that they have his father sent to Port Charles.  Lucy's logic on this one was weird to me, a little.  She seemed to tell Kevin that he should set things aside and help his father so that he would have to face all of Kevin's anger.

B. Lucy

On Friday, Mac and Felicia were helping Lucy move things into the newly redecorated lighthouse.  I was glad to see the globes still there, but I have to say I liked the last design better.  Mac got a call to go see Jax in the middle of things, but Felicia agreed to stay and even split a pizza with Kevin.  Lucy got queasy for a minute, but Felicia passed it off as dehydration from the plane...we suspect better.  Lucy was still so happy about Serena--and nervous--and babbled on the way only Lucy can.  Felicia said she was going out to Texas for the summer, and Lucy was sad she was going to miss Serena.  She suggested that maybe Scotty would move to Port Charles or at least let Serena visit again.  Somehow, I don't think it'll be that easy.  ;)

In the meantime, Kevin was visiting Gail to fill her in about his father.  (Nice new house set for the Baldwins!)  Of all the dialogues we didn't get to see, we got to see all of this one, which was a repeat of Kevin's telling Mac and Felicia.  You know I adore Kevin, but how many times can he retell the same story?  Gail wasn't saying everything, though, and for a while I thought that she was the one that was nervous about Serena visiting Kevin and Lucy.  Again, one of those scenes we didn't get to see, but Kevin learned that Scotty wasn't going to let Serena visit because of him.

Lucy, in the meantime, heard the news from Lee.  She caught on that there was bad news before I did; she knew from the minute she opened the door and Lee was there.  This scene was played so well by Lynn Herring, and she had me crying with her.  She didn't let Lee speak.  At first she babbled on, and then she simply broke down and told him she couldn't bear to hear what she knew he was going to say.

Lucy:  "No.  Don't you dare do that, ok?  Don't apologize.  It's not your fault that Scott's a paranoid self-centered fool."

Lucy:  "You know, you are turning out to be the very bestest of very best friends."
Felicia:  "You're welcome.  Both of you."

Kevin came back and said Gail had told him.  She hugged him hard, and didn't blame him--or let him blame himself.  I'm glad they didn't write this scenario as a choice Lucy would have to make between her daughter and her love.  And I was very pleased to see Mac and Felicia supporting Lucy and offering to call Scotty in Kevin's defense.  Mac suggested they delay Kevin's father's arrival, but then the man himself showed up at the door.

III. The Cassadines

A. Nikolas

i. With Katherine

Nikolas:  "And if you lie to me now, that's all gone.  It was my Uncle, not Luke Spencer, who put you in a wheel chair, wasn't it."

Nikolas also had a big revelation on Monday.  Katherine still couldn't bear to say the words, but she confirmed Nikolas' question.  She told him that he was the one she never wanted to know, and I don't know how that would make him feel better.  It's just one more person lying to him.

Nik:  "Does it strike you that your logic is a little tortured?  My Uncle shot you.  But yet it's alright because he's been nice about it and he hasn't done it again since."

Nik:  "Alright, then for some incomprehensible reason you're in love with the man who shot you."

Katherine tried to explain her relationships with Stefan past and present to Nikolas, and I was pleased to see him call her on her logic.  She told Nik that Stefan confessed and tried to prove that he wasn't manipulating her into keeping the secret.  Again, Nik didn't buy it.  And I was glad he saw the truth.

Katherine:  "Am I in love with Stefan?  I think I love him the way you do.  I don't understand it; I don't always like it, but I don't seem to have a choice."
Nik:  "But you do have a choice.  And so do I."

Katherine:  "You are starting to sound like one of those other nameless Cassadines that you feel so superior to."

I don't know how this will affect Nik's relationship with Katherine.  Certainly he'll be angry with her for lying.  I just don't know if he'll be able to forgive her for loving his Uncle and not him.  And I know that Katherine can't and won't hate Stefan for this, and I don't think she should.  I hope Nikolas understand that.  But I hope she understands him as well.

Nik:  "How can I love and respect somebody that I don't even know, Katherine?"

Katherine was right.  If he told Stefan what he knew, it would change their relationship forever.  But she doesn't realize that their relationship has already been changed forever.  It simply remains to be seen how they will handle that change; will they adapt and move on, or will it break their family apart irrevocably?  Nikolas said he wouldn't say anything for now, but that he reserved the right to change his mind.  When he left her on Monday, I had no idea where he was going or what he would do.

ii. At Wyndemere

Nik:  "Oh, um.  Uncle, there's been something I've been meaning to say to you.  Welcome home."

The above was certainly not what I expected.  I didn't know if he was simply keeping his promise to Katherine or truly trying to smooth things over with his Uncle.  Facing a changed relationship with the one person he's always had is going to be rough, and I'm glad he's not moving forward in a rage but seemingly weighing the consequences of possible actions.

Stefan:  "Nikolas, I hope you realize that no matter how things appear on the surface, I always have your best interests at heart."
Nik:  "I guess I just don't know that.  In fact, I'm not sure what I know any more."

After Alexis was brusquely sent away by Stefan (Nik protested this, and I was glad to see it), Stefan gave him another Faberge egg.  I don't know if he truly thought that this would smooth things over or not; he does still think that the main problem between Nik and himself is that egg.  But he should know that things aren't the issue between him and Nik.  Nik finally took it, but didn't take Stefan's words of comfort.

When all were gone, Nikolas dialed Laura's number, but he hung up before saying anything.  She acted as if she suspected it had been him.

B. Bobbie

i. Versus Tony

Bobbie:  "Here you are, feeling up your post-pubescent girlfriend in *my* house with *my* son upstairs, and you have the gall to sue me for custody on moral grounds?!"

Bobbie let Tony have it on Monday.  She took in screaming at him right from the first, and quite frankly, I thought she was completely justified.  Perhaps she could come to forgive Tony's thinking about trying to take Lucas; perhaps she could come to see this as a truly unfortunate clerical error.  But the fact remains that Tony was using things that she confided in him--things that she doubts about herself--against her.

Bobbie:  "I get it.  You're shacked up with a tantrum throwing brat who has to show a picture I.D. when she shops for groceries--if she ever does--and I'm an unfit mother because of who I married?!"

I also thought she was justified in her reaction to Carly (though maybe not in every single snarky comment--she was, after all, angry at Tony and taking part of it out on Carly), because she was indeed sticking her nose in on their business when she had little right to.

And I think she got an extra kick out of appearing to be back on Stefan's side of the line in the sand in front of Tony.  She certainly wouldn't hear a word against her husband, nor would she admit anything about the things she told Tony earlier.  And at the end of the scenes, she reminded Tony in great detail that Stefan was the one Lucas comes home to.

Bobbie:  "But the lowest, the lowest of all, was the way you arranged for those papers to arrive at my door at the anniversary of B.J.'s death.  Or are you gonna try to say that was an accident too, huh?"

The only thing Bobbie said that made me know she wasn't thinking completely clearly was when she accused Tony of arranging the papers to be delivered on the anniversary of B.J.'s death.  If she would calm down and think about it she would know that that fact in and of itself would prove Tony didn't intend the papers to be delivered; he would never do that, and she knows it.  But I still think she was right on the money about everything else. 

Bobbie:  "You told her everything you told Justus, didn't you."
Tony:  "Yes."
Bobbie:  "Do you have any idea, at this moment, how much I despise you?"

The fact that Tony told these things to anyone at all burned her.  But when she found out Carly knew, it only made it worse (even though I think Carly had a right to know parts of it because of her relationship with Tony).  The thing is, I wonder if she's angry about that because Tony told the girl Bobbie hates (and hates not only for splitting up her marriage), or if she's just angry to be reminded that Tony picked someone else over her and they are sharing things with each other.  Perhaps she has to make that ugly in order to deal with it.

ii. At Wyndemere

Stefan:  "Barbara, listen to me.  No one in any court anywhere in this world will ever call the woman I married a whore.  You are Barbara Cassadine.  A model wife and mother.  An excellent nurse.  An asset to your community.  Your husband is responsible for the employment of hundreds in this town alone and thousands around the globe.  We're above reproach."
Barbara:  "So this is what it feels like to be above reproach.  I've always wondered.  I really need you now, don't I."

When they got back to Wyndemere, Bobbie told Stefan he didn't have to stay with her (nice touch), but he did.  She then asked what Stefan intended with the attorneys, and told him she didn't want Lucas in a custody case.  And she believed she would lose, until Stefan laid out her station in life to her.  And I really don't think she realized it until this moment.

At the same time, I think (or maybe that should be hope) that part of her doesn't buy the above reproach stuff.  Even if she's temporarily forgotten it, she's seen the numerous reproaches Stefan's faced in the recent past, both from outside the family and within.

But at the end of Monday, she was back with Stefan on the sofa playing nice.

Stefan:  "Well now, there's no reason to berate yourself, Barbara.  You've been deceived by a master."
Bobbie:  "It isn't the first time.  I'll get over it."

On Tuesday, Alexis looked over the papers and tried to run interference, but Bobbie would have none of it.  She insisted that she would never trust him and that she would do whatever it took to keep Lucas.  Of course Stefan egged her on, but I was glad to see the above response to him; it let us know that she hasn't put her blinders back on.  And I think he caught it too.

Bobbie:  "You've grown up privileged and sheltered.  Your perspective hardly applies."

Nik:  "But I do know about having someone you love taken away from you.  That I know very well."

But while she handled Stefan well and managed to get herself back under control, I slapped her for her remark to Nikolas.  His perspective is exactly the one she should want to hear because it's that of a kid and son who's faced warring parents.  And I'm not sure why she rejected it.  Because she's feeling everything but privileged, despite Stefan's assurances?  Instead, she talked down to him again, even as she tried to apologize.  Nikolas handled it by retreating from her, and I hope she recognized that.

I had hoped that Nikolas would be able to retain a relationship with Bobbie after the canasta hits the fan, but I think that may not be such a smooth and easy thing.  He's realized that she sees him as a kid like Lucas (she always has), and that's exactly what he doesn't need right now.  It makes him feel powerless and out of control.

iii. At the Hospital

Bobbie:  "We don't need privacy.  You may have tried to take my son behind my back, but I'm willing to do it right here in the open.  Consider yourself served."

On Wednesday, Bobbie confronted Tony again at the hospital, serving him with papers in the middle of the hallway.  Stefan was there at her side, and I loved the look that Tony gave from Stefan back to Katherine upon his saying he could give Lucas a secure environment, as well as the fact Bobbie didn't miss the staring they were doing at each other.

C. Stefan

Stefan:  "We are all very impressed with your selflessness, Miss Roberts.  But it's uncalled for.  This matter is between my wife and Dr. Jones."

The look that passed between Stefan and Carly in the midst of all the squabbling at the Brownstone was quite telling.  He suspects that she was the one behind it.  But I don't think he's going to say anything.  It's served him too well.  It made me wonder if Luke was going to blame her for driving Bobbie back into Stefan's arms.

Upon their departure, Stefan told Tony that he would be hearing from the Cassadine attorneys.  I'm sure he intends to pursue this one to the bitter end, taking up where Carly left off.

Back at home, Stefan was as floored as I was at Nikolas' "welcome home."  The look on his face made me smile--so confused.  But I hope he doesn't make the mistake of assuming all has passed.

Katherine:  "He doesn't look like a boy, but he's not a man either.  Take care of him, Stefan.  He needs more than you know."

At the hospital, Stefan made an effort to encourage Katherine, asking after her.  She rebuffed him, though.  And he didn't notice that Bobbie was looking in at the window.  He still has a blind spot when it comes to Katherine, I think.  Or maybe that blind spot happens when he looks at himself; he believes that he can see her without betraying his emotions.  Katherine sent him to attend to his family, and asked him to watch out for Nikolas.  Bobbie came in and was overly gracious.  It was so funny to watch her smile at Katherine even as she didn't even bother to explain how she knew exactly where her husband would be.

Stefan:  "Barbara, I have to tell you how much I admire the way you've been standing up for yourself.  All the strength and courage that was there has come forth."
Barbara:  "Thanks to you."
Stefan:  "Really?"
Barbara:  "You are more responsible than you know.  Believe me, Stefan, no one is ever going to blindside me again."

I hope that Stefan is catching even half of Bobbie's implications in these lines.  He tried to smooth talk her immediately after they left Katherine, and was met with the above.  But the best part of the whole thing was the irony of Luke's walking off that elevator.  He's indeed the only one who could blindside her at this point.  It'll be interesting to see if anybody else gains that power.  For all we know, Stefan already has it.  And if he doesn't, I'll be this latest thing will cause him to look a bit closer into Carly's past.

D. Alexis

Even our Alexis got a flashback on Thursday.  Sigh.  But I'm glad to see her worried about Nikolas.  She's the only one I would willingly entrust him to right now.

She repeatedly suggested that they not retaliate, but Stefan would have none of it.  Bobbie's rage kept her from seeing Alexis' point, and Stefan refused as well.  I hope Alexis knows that his reason for refusing has everything to do with keeping Bobbie as his wife.  And I hope she calls him on it.

IV. Tony and Carly

A. Tony in the face of Bobbie

Tony:  "You calling me a liar?"
Bobbie:  "No, I am."

Tony:  "Because you were...you suddenly had my son living on some God-forsaken island populated by a bunch of eccentrics and that's a kind statement."

Tony:  "You know, if you don't know me any better than that, I don't know what else to do."
Bobbie:  "I thought I knew you."

Tony tried to convince Bobbie he didn't intend to go through with the custody case, and that it was a mistake that the papers were delivered.  He explained the fear that he felt when Lucas moved to Spoon Island.  But I don't think he understands why she's really upset.  He's looking everywhere for something that will convince her this isn't as bad as it seems, but the bottom line is that he told someone else what he knew about her, and in so doing, betrayed her trust in him.

Tony:  "Bobbie, I am so sorry."
Bobbie:  "You haven't begun to be sorry."

But he couldn't convince Bobbie to see this in any other light.  He was left with the knowledge that Bobbie would be out for retribution and that she had Stefan Cassadine on her side.  No wonder he was miserable.

B. Carly in the face of Bobbie

When Bobbie claimed that Tony had arranged for the papers to arrive on the anniversary, the look on Carly's face told us all how much she was going to regret--already regretted--what she had done.  She certainly didn't think this through before she (re)acted, and I think she deserves most of the consequences of her actions.  At the same time, this is just Carly's kind of luck, and she doesn't deserve, I think, the extra bonus guilt from an unhappy coincidence.

Bobbie:  "Oh, you stop it.  That's enough.  I already know all the words to 'Stand by Your Man'."

Carly stepped in to try and explain to Bobbie what had gone on.  She didn't tell the truth, but I give her credit for somehow trying to lessen the effect of her actions on Tony.  She didn't snipe back at Bobbie; she simply restated Tony's case and filled in some gaps.  At the same time, she should have realized that she was only going to make things worse.

C. Carly and Tony

Tony:  "They're gonna take my son....  They're gonna take his name.  And they're gonna make it Cassadine."

After Bobbie left, Tony did see things from Bobbie's point of view a bit, and he was sure that Stefan would capitalize on this mistake and convince Bobbie to sue for custody.  Carly tried to sympathize with him and comfort him, but the guilt on her face was quite clear to us.  But Tony didn't see it.  He saw only a girl who stood up for him in the face of a woman she hated.  And that made her feel more guilty than ever--and pleased with herself all at the same time, I think.

Tony:  "Because I don't want to believe that someone could hate me enough to hurt me like this."

Carly was a bit relieved when Tony told her of Luke's suspicions.  It was short lived.

When Tony came back to find Luke there, he didn't even bat an eye, even though Carly looked as guilty as ever.  I guess he passed it off as worry.  I was glad to see him tell her to go on to work so that Bobbie and Stefan wouldn't be running their lives.  He buckled, and now he's braced himself to face whatever's going to happen.

Once Luke left, Carly tried to comfort Tony.  He said that he wished he could prove that Stefan was behind this.  I had this moment of worry that Carly would actually try to make it look like Stefan had done this.  It's something she would think of trying--and she would be asking for more trouble than I think she can imagine.

D. Tony

It was interesting to see Tony so defensive against Luke's questions.  He does blame himself for this and didn't like Luke pushing.  But I was glad to see he wasn't angry with Justus.

E. Carly

While Tony was at his meeting, Carly was bagging up the evidence and taking out the trash.  She met up with A.J. in the hall--he was moving in--and they had this weird little exchange over his cut finger.  She spoke of Tony again, while he told her again of his resolve not to live off his parents.

Carly:  "It's not the first time I screwed up.  If it all comes crashing in on me, what if I can't stop it?"

Later, at the hospital, Carly overheard Luke and Bobbie and was convinced that he was going to tell Bobbie about the papers (big bad flashback to the day before included--not that I minded seeing it again, but still).  She went down to the gym, where she met A.J. (who's gonna get a job in the GH gym, it looks like).  She was inconsolable, and I thought very believable.  But when she went back upstairs and faced Bobbie, nothing happened.  Again she had Luke wrong, but the scene we were rewarded with in the meantime was so good.

V. The Spencers

A. Luke

i. With Justus and Tony

Luke:  "Well sure, see, now he gets to serve this up to Bobbie every morning with her waffles."

Tony and Luke talked about Bobbie, and Tony told Luke that Bobbie would have none of it and had gone back to Stefan.  But he's right about the way Stefan's going to spin this.  Luke also told Tony that he should have gone through with it.  I'm not sure about this logic.  Of course, maybe he figures that since it all blew up anyway they should have at least gotten first jump on the lawsuit out of it.  Probably, though, he just figures that it's worth causing Bobbie some pain if it gets her away from Cassadine.  But at least tried to assuage Tony's guilt and reminded him of the good he was trying to do.

Justus:  "Straight up, I do not know how this happened.  I'm very very sorry."
Luke:  "Well, Justus, that and a buck will put him on the mid-town bus."
Tony:  "Do you mind?"
Luke:  "Sorry."
Justus:  "Good morning to you too."

Justus:  "Luke, I know that you really want this to be Cassadine.  But just do me a favor and keep your mind open to the possibility that it's someone else."
Luke:  "I'm open.  Definitely, I'm open.  (knock)  Come in, it's open."

As Justus and Tony talked about what had happened and mentioned the girl at the office, we all saw a light bulb go on over Luke's head.  He said he knew who had done it, claiming it was Cassadine.  But something in his voice said he was looking for a response that they'd believe even while he was hiding his true suspicions.  When Keesha showed up looking for her lost bracelet (plot device, but oh well), his suspicions were confirmed when she said that Carly had asked Justus for a business card at the concert.

ii. With Carly

Carly:  "Tony's not here."
Luke:  "That's alright, honeybunch.  Uncle Luke's here to see you."

Luke:  "You're a dedicated daughter and a damn good friend."

Luke made Carly squirm a bit until he finally got an admission of guilt from her.  He truly caught her off guard with the above.

Carly:  "I'm really sick of your games, Luke."
Luke:  "You're sick of 'em?  Imagine how sick I am of playing 'em.  This is not about my lifetime of gaming.  It's about the games you're playing, Caroline.  Your games have brought us all together in this magic moment, not mine."

Carly:  "Tony even went so far as to think we could all be friendly with each other, but Bobbie wasn't having any."
Luke:  "Friendly?  Wh...what do you people expect, that you can sit down on alternate Thursdays and play canasta?"

Luke:  "Well, this may work.  In fact, I'm sure it will.  You're gonna get a few more nights with Tony before the canasta hits the fan."

She realized he knew, but tried to convince him she knew nothing.  And she made some good points.  But when he confronted her with B.J.'s death, she caved and admitted what she had done.

Carly:  "So you tell me something, Uncle Luke.  How am I any different from you?  I did it to hold on to what I want, the same way you pull out every stop, use every dirty trick in the book, to keep what you love.  Now can you tell me that?"

Luke:  "I feel sorry for you.  I do.  Not because you had to endure the certain hell of a normal middle class upbringing, not because you were adopted, but because you have no sense of blood, Caroline.  You have no blood loyalty.  And that means you're gonna be lonely all your life.  And right now you're so dishonest with yourself.  What you're doing here has nothing to do with this great love for Tony.  I'm sure you're fond of him, baby.  He's a very easy guy to care about.  But this is not about love for Tony.  This is all about screw mama."

Luke:  "My God, you got her fire, you got her eyes, you are so like her."
Carly:  "You shut up!  I am nothing like her!"
Luke:  "Don't kid yourself.  Bein' a Spencer is the only thing you got goin' for yourself that you can't mess up."

Luke:  "But some guys have a fetish for self-destructive babes."

I find it interesting how Carly can continue to think that she understands Luke and gets him wrong most every time.  She believed he would tell everyone, that he would get Tony and Bobbie back together, and that the only thing he cares about is squashing Stefan Cassadine.  And she truly doesn't understand why what she does is different than Luke.  On the other hand, Luke has truly got her number on every count.  I'm not sure I think he believed she timed this attack on Bobbie, but instead knew this would get her to admit what she had done.

Tony came back, and we had one of these weird moments that we had several times this week where we came back from commercial and a character (this time Tony) had told most of the story while we weren't watching.  He had told Luke and Carly about Bobbie at the hospital.  Now, I don't mind missing some exposition here and there, but a few of these times we missed bits of scenes I would have rather seen than another flashback.

Luke:  "But you know, I uh, I think I'd better collect on that favor pretty quick.  Seems to me your personal paradise is about to go poop, princess.  But Caroline, Uncle Luke is here for ya."

Luke didn't miss his chance to assure Carly that Tony could indeed lose his son.  She's trying to find any out she can in this situation short of admitting her guilt, and it's dawning on her that there isn't an out to take.  And she thought he was going to tell Tony?  I'm glad Luke set her straight on that one.  His exit, however, she misunderstood as sarcasm.  What she doesn't yet get is that she's a Spencer, and with that comes a lot of hell, but also the knowledge that you have someone on your side.  That knowledge hasn't hit her yet, and I'm waiting anxiously for the day Luke stands up on her side of this mess.  Not that I think he'll side with her against Bobbie--that would be a nice scenario to watch, though, and I can't wait for the secret(s) to come out so I can see how Luke maneuvers the loyalties he has to both of these women.

iii. With Bobbie

I loved the fade out on Luke after he came up to Bobbie in the hospital at the end of Wednesday's episode.  He gave that cute little smile just as the screen went black.

Luke:  "Who did you lean on while Stefan and Nikolas were in Switzerland on the great Cassadine egg cook off?"
Stefan:  "What are you talking about?  Nikolas had nothing to do with that."
Luke:  "Oh, was that his clone that showed up after you were there?  He didn't tell ya?  A close knit family like yours, Stefan?"

Stefan:  "Well if he did, I assume he went to see...the child."
Luke:  "My child."

On Thursday, Bobbie and Stefan walked away from him, but when Stefan claimed Bobbie had the Cassadine family to lean on and didn't need him, Luke asked the above question.  Stefan was floored, and I loved that Luke didn't fill him in any more than that.  Bobbie kept trying to figure out if Nikolas was really there or not, and I thought Luke showed great restraint in not making rude comments about her thinking he was lying.  :)

Stefan was called away by Lee Baldwin, and Luke and Bobbie were left.  He asked after her and tried to comfort her.  Bobbie instead insisted on knowing whether he knew about the custody suit.  She wasn't happy to hear his opinion on that one, but somehow he managed to get her to sit down and talk about things anyway.  Maybe because he's the one person--though she won't admit it--that she feels she can trust right now since she can't trust Tony and Stefan, even despite her anger with him.

Luke:  "Will you just try to listen and think about what I've said?"
Bobbie:  "It won't change anything."
Luke:  "Well, hate Tony if you have to.  Hate me if it makes you feel better.  I'm sorry.  Lucky and I are still waitin' for an invitation to dinner."

Luke put up every excuse that Tony had tried to use, but she wouldn't listen to him.  Then they sat down, and we had one of those annoying cuts I was talking about elsewhere.  When we came back to them, Bobbie was calmer, but we didn't get to see what Luke said to her.  When he left, though, she let him kiss her on the forehead and even smiled, and I was happy to see my two favorite siblings not screaming at each other.  :)

B. The Women Folk

Laura:  "Not as long as the Spencers and the Cassadines are at war.  That's what has to change for my eldest son to have a place in this family.  I honestly don't see how it ever can."

We got a scene of Lesley, Lulu, and Laura on Tuesday.  They talked about Lulu's birth...and Nikolas'.  Lesley comforted her about Nikolas.  But Laura was realistic about the whole thing.  I'm sorry she has to be, but I'm glad that she's come to the point where she has no illusions about the situation her family is in.

Lesley:  "Are you worried about him?"
Laura:  "I'm worried about all of us."

Laura called Luke and he filled her in on the Bobbie fiasco.  He didn't tell her his suspicions about Carly either.  Maybe he didn't think of Carly right off the bat, but either way he couldn't tell Laura because he hasn't told her about Carly.

C. Lucky

Emily:  "Oh God, sno-cones.  Do you remember..."
Lucky:  "Oh yes, ya.  Grape sno-cones in the desert.  That's not something you forget."

On Thursday Lucky came to visit Emily.  The Quartermaines were happy to see him, and I think Emily was too.  He looked nervous, and was still feeling guilty, I think, about the lies and about not seeing her often.  At first I thought he was being selfish, just wanting to be forgiven.  Then I decided that might be the best thing for their friendship.  Because it would remind her that she wasn't the only one at fault.

VI. Brenda and her Men

A. Brenda and Sonny

Brenda:  "I hate this."
Sonny:  "I know you do.  That's why I didn't want to tell you."
Brenda:  "So you've been helping Jax this whole time."
Sonny:  "No, no, no.  It's not about Jax.  It's not....  It's about you."

On Wednesday, Brenda came to find Sonny and asked him why he wasn't helping Jax.  As always, I don't understand why if you know someone is in the mob and he tells you that knowing something could put you in danger you don't believe him, but hey, that's me.  She told Sonny that this wasn't about her safety, but about his trusting her.  So he told her all about Dorman (didn't she already know about Dorman?) and using Jax as a decoy.

Quite frankly, I think the fact is that Brenda doesn't trust Sonny.  She was checking up on him after he gave his word he would help Jax as if she didn't believe that he would.  I wanted him to call her on that, personally.

Sonny:  "You don't think that I knew deep down inside that if I gave you the information on Dorman, you'd wanna tell Jax?  Well, that's what's gonna happen.  The only surprise is that I stood up and told you anyway.  I played by your rules."

She promptly wanted to go tell Jax, as he knew she would.  I loved this moment, because once he agreed and insisted that he go with her, he was all but ensuring that Jax wouldn't agree to go along with it.  Why would he, with Sonny and his wife there in front of him side by side?  Ha!

B. Brenda and Sonny v. Jax

On Thursday, we saw Jax angry over losing a deal because of the negative publicity.  Once Sonny and Brenda showed up, he was in no mood to grant any favors, so Sonny did indeed get to watch while Brenda saw for herself that Jax was going to do the wrong thing.  Again, he assured that himself when he insisted on going; Jax would never agree to anything Sonny was a part of.  Or so it seemed at this point.

Sonny:  "Never defend me to him."
Brenda:  "Hey, don't raise your voice to her, ok?"
Mac:  "Stand back, will ya?  Just stick to the subject.  Finish this measuring contest another time."

I was surprised, actually (although I had read the spoilers), that Jax was being so selfish.  I knew it was because he was angry about Brenda and Sonny and business and the arrest, but I still expected him to see that the police needed his help.  And once this is over, he could use positive publicity and show he had helped the police.  I was disappointed in him, until Brenda and Sonny left and Mac talked him into it by pointing out that Dorman was the one who got the drugs to Emily Quartermaine.  He agreed to keep quiet for a bit.  They handled this well, letting Brenda think the worst of Jax while letting us see that he's not behaving as badly as she thinks he is.

We got the new Taggert for one scene at this point.  He looks a lot like Real Andrews, and I think he's copying Real.  I don't think we'll know if we like him for sure or not until we get some longer scenes and until he has a chance to make the role his own.

C. Sonny and Brenda again

Brenda:  "Sonny, wait."
Sonny:  "No."

Brenda:  "I'm trying to do what's best for everyone."
Sonny:  "Well see that, that, that doesn't exist.  You gotta do what's best for you.  And until you got the guts to claim it you're gonna keep on hurting people."

Sonny:  "Next time we kiss, it's gonna be because you came to me."

Sonny left and Brenda followed.  By the elevator, he kissed her (and a very nice kiss it was) and told her that he was tired of playing by her rules.

D. Sonny and Jason

Sonny:  "If she can't handle my life, we shouldn't be together."

Jason:  "Now how come, uh, every, every time you have a fight with Brenda you start telling me how to treat Robin."
Sonny:  "I don't know, maybe I ju...I don't wanna suffer alone."

Sonny came to the hospital to fill Jason in on Brenda's truth telling.  Jason couldn't believe it, but Sonny actually defended her a bit.  I love these two together, and the above line was one of my favorites this week.

VII. The Quartermaines

A. Emily

Alan:  "God, I hate Dorman."

Thursday opened on the Quartermaines debating whether or not Jax could be the drug dealer.  Emily came in on them talking about her and was upset by the fact they always talked about her when the subject turned to drugs.  Monica went up to talk to her, and Alan planned to skip a board meeting to join them.  We got the first instance of a Quartermaine declaring their hatred for Dorman at this point, with Alan's line above.

Monica:  "Let's just you and I try to trust each other, OK?

Alan did have to go to the hospital, and Monica went up to talk to Emily on her own.  Emily was still defensive, as well she should be, but I thought Monica did very well with her.  Emily even told her about the call to Matt's mom when Monica told her she respected her friendship with Matt no matter what else she thought of him.  At this point, however, Monica started doing things that angered people on ratsa.  She first called Matt's mom herself, and the woman let it slip that Dorman was a family friend.  Then she started going through Emily's diary.  Emily found out about the first but not the second, and while I can understand why Monica did these things, they're just going to cause more trouble when Emily finds out.

Emily:  "Bet you didn't know I could fly."
Lucky:  "Aw, I always knew you could."

Emily was surprised to see Lucky, and I think pleased.  It was nice to see her a little bit happy on their walk together.  She tried to make light of her drug use, and was surprised when he was the one apologizing to her.

On Friday, Emily went to the hospital to meet Alice, her counselor.  She saw Jason, who offered to come to the family meeting that night for her, but she told him it would just make things weird.

B. Monica and Ned

Ned:  "It's called adolescence."
Monica:  "It feels more like war to me."

Monica and Ned had a sweet scene towards the end of Thursday.  The second Quartermaine threat came in this scene, when Monica said she could murder whomever was bringing the drugs into town.  I loved Ned's look at her in response.

C. At the Hospital

Monica:  "Not a communicating day?"
Alan:  "No, he's too busy driving Dorman crazy."
Monica:  "Maybe he knows something else about Dorman."

Alan thanked Jason for watching Dorman, for saving Emily, and for defending Monica, but Jason told him he didn't know what was going on.  Monica arrived and Jason left. Then Monica went to the hospital and confronted Dorman again.  Jason stepped in and Dorman made crude remarks regarding their relationship.  Afterwards, she asked Jason what he knew about Dorman.  Jason didn't tell her much, but assured her that Dorman would pay.

I love watching Jason threaten Dorman.  I don't know if he'd be allowed to do this in real life, but it's sure fun on the soap.

VIII. Dorman

Amy:  "Dr. Weenie."

Alan:  "I'm gonna have to go and talk to the family before this whole thing explodes."
Edward:  "Well why don't you let it explode, Alan.  That way you'd have enough ammunition on this Dorman to throw him out of the hospital and back into the gutter where he belongs."

Dorman was on the phone on Thursday with his suppliers (who would do this in the middle of the hub?), having sent Amy away.  We saw, however, that he does believe the heat is off of him.  He skipped out on surgery, though, leaving himself open to all kinds of ridicule when he got back.  This is where Dorman's sloppy, I think.  He leaves himself open to reprimand on professional counts and he draws attention to himself at the same time.  What I still can't figure out is why he would want the publicity of that sexual harassment case when he was trying to deal drugs at the same time.  Why would he want the attention?  I hope they explain that one.

Alan:  "You're afraid of him, aren't ya?  You should be."

Anyway, Dorman even appealed to Stefan to keep Alan in line.  Stefan refused, so Dorman resorted to threatening to put Jason in an institution.  Alan wasn't phased.  On Friday, he intervened when Dorman tried to speak to Emily, and threatened Dorman in return.

I loved the scene of Dorman calling security on Jason and then hanging up when Jason didn't fall for the bluff.  This kind of thing only makes Jason more assured of himself, so I don't know why Dorman doesn't just try to ignore him.  He can pull off something so smooth in getting Jason out of town, and then he slips up with a bad bluff like this.

At the end of Friday, Dorman got a note from Rebecca to meet her at a motel.  When Dorman got there, someone came up behind him and stuck a needle in his neck.  Some ratsa-ers think Dorman is dead meat, but I disagree.  I think someone's trying to force a confession out of him, or maybe it's the suppliers putting on the pressure.  Others think it's Sonny getting back at him, but Sonny was at the hospital when Dorman got the note.  It looked like a woman in that trench coat for some reason, so I'm betting it's either Rebecca Chase (how fun would that be) or Monica.

IX. Mike and Mary

In the midst of it all, we had Mike bringing flowers to Mary.  He told her that he had been betting her phone number since they met and had won $10,000.  They're very fun together, and I look forward to seeing this romantic side of Mike.  He asked her out to dinner, but she turned him down.