**The Week in Review: May 26 - May 30**

I. Kevin and Lucy

This was the last week for Kevin and Lucy on GH before they move off to PC.  They've set up the main conflicts that we know will be their storyline for the beginning of that show.  The balance in Lucy and Kevin's relationship was reestablished this week, I thought, for the first time in a long time.  With Scotty's refusal to allow Serena to visit, Lucy needed her Doc's support and understanding just as much as he has needed hers about his father. 

A. Kevin's Father

First, Kevin's father arrived at the lighthouse door at the end of last Friday's episode.  Despite their protests, his guardian said that Dr. Collins would be staying in Port Charles.  He had been agitated because Kevin had taken some files, and they had to bring him along now.  Lucy was completely understanding, and Mac and Felicia were supportive.  Mac even offered to take Kevin's father back to his place. 

Kevin:  "Father, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine.  This is my fiancé, Lucy Coe." 

But it was Kevin's introductions that caused the most reaction.  As he introduced his father around, he referred to Lucy as his fiancé.  We didn't get to see a proposal scene where Kevin accepted, so we're all hoping that we won't be gypped out of that one. 

I also liked seeing Lucy and Felicia and Mac and Kevin together.  One of the sad things about Lucy moving to PC is that this blossoming friendship may not get to continue. 

Kevin apologized, but Lucy wouldn't hear it.  But Kevin wouldn't let his father stay at the house.  He took his father to GH and asked that they admit him and run some tests.  Dr. Collins actually kissed Gail's hand--so cute. 

B. Lucy

Lucy:  "And I don't care if I am cohabiting with King Kong; I am gonna do everything it takes, everything in my power to see her face to face." 

Lucy called Scotty (actually his machine, I think) and told him off about canceling Serena's visit.  So much for staying in control.  ;)  I loved this phone call, though, and I'm glad Lucy's willing to fight to see Serena at this point. 

On Tuesday, TnT say that the following happened:

KEVIN AND LUCY
Lucy groveled to Scott on his answering machine, telling him 
Kevin was all right now.  Kevin walked in while she was explaining  
him to Scott.  Lucy thought he might be angry about that, but he
was angry that Scott is keeping Serena away from her.  Kevin 
offered to separate so that Scott will let his daughter see her.
Lucy refused.  She asked him how his father was.  He had been 
checked into GH and Gail had promised to look in on him.
Kevin apologized for his father's sudden visit.  And Lucy 
said that she "likes surprises". (And there are plenty coming up.)

I don't know if this was a second phone call or the same one, but I have to say I'm sorry to see Lucy back down from her anger, even if a more conciliatory tone might be the right way to go.  She has every right to be hacked off with Scott right now...even if she doesn't know everything that's going on. 

I am sorry, however, that I missed Kevin's offer to split up; I'm sure that was a good scene between the two of them.  As I said last week, I'm glad they're not writing this as a choice Lucy has to make between Kevin and her daughter.  And I'm so glad that she's making it clear to Kevin that she needs him as much as he needs her at this time and that she refused to let them lose that support of one another even for the smallest of times. 

B. Lighter Topics
C. 
Kevin:  "I think my behavior over the last year has contributed enough entertainment to the General Hospital family."
Lucy:  "Don't joke about that."
Kevin:  "If I couldn't I'd be in much worse shape than I am right now." 

On Thursday, Lucy was babbling about having all her nurses ball stuff on her laptop and we had a very sweet scene about Lucy and Kevin inspiring each other and what Kevin would be doing for the ball this year.  I hope so much that they indeed do the Sonny and Cher number.  :) 

Kevin:  "That's why I'm able to go and deal with my father.  Because you got me babe." 

Then Kevin went up to visit his father and we had more trusting and support.  Quite cute. 

On Friday, we had Lucy happily imagining the day when she could introduce her baby to Serena.  Kevin came home and told her that his father had a chemical imbalance, which could be cured.  They again expressed their dependence on and love of each other, then made love, and then while Kevin got ready for counseling Lucy called to have a pregnancy test done. 

She never got around to telling Kevin she might be pregnant; they're saving that for the prime time special.  She was very cute in her impatience. 

II. Brenda's Non-Choice

A. Brenda and Jax

Jax told Brenda he was playing along with the police to nail Dorman and apologized for his anger.  Brenda, however, wanted to talk about the letter Miranda sent to her.  She knew for sure that Jax knew about the cave and wanted to talk about it, even though Jax didn't. 

Brenda:  "Jax, Sonny was the only bit of life I had left to hold onto in that moment." 

Jax:  "But what you couldn't say and can't say now is that you love him." 

Brenda told Jax all about the cave and her desperation and her belief that she was going to die.  Jax listened to all of it, but called her on the fact that the real thing she couldn't tell him was that she was--and had been--in love with Sonny. 

Jax:  "I don't regret a minute that was us.  What we had we'll have forever."
Brenda:  "I really did love you.  I still do.  That's why this is so hard."
Jax:  "Remember all those times I tried to impress upon you how incredibly smart I am?  Well, I'm...I'm about to prove it by wishing you the best life has to offer and walking away."
Brenda:  "I know that's what we need to do.  Sorry about 'nobody leaves'."
Jax:  "Well, nobody did.  We just let go." 

This scene made me cry...even more so after Brenda left and Jax cried at losing her.  He gained major points with me through all of this, actually, and I hope they give him a woman who loves only him as a reward (Unfortunately, I didn't see much of that cop chick, so I don't have a vote there.  I won't buy it, however, if they rush him into a relationship too quickly.) 

And at the same time this was so hard, I think that both Jax and Brenda were relieved, in part.  They faced the truth that's been dogging their marriage all along--that Brenda loves Sonny.  That's the source of so many problems, and their denial of that fact was a source of problems as well. 

Everybody knows I'm not a huge Jax fan, although I've come to like him.  And yes, I'm a big Sonny fan, and a Sonny with Brenda fan.  But I think that this breakup was believable in the same way Lois and Ned's breakup was believable.  Each relationship was plagued by certain things from the very beginning, and no matter how much happiness and love there was, those things would not allow them to be together. 

B. Brenda and Sonny

Brenda:  "Hi Sonny." 

Sonny called Mac and found out Jax had agreed to play along, so he rested a bit easier.  Of course, at the end of Monday's episode, he was resting very easy, because Brenda showed up at the docks smiling. 

People accused her of being too happy too soon, but I still claim she was feeling this relief that she had faced the truth.  And if you've just realized who you want to spend the rest of your life with, wouldn't you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible (a paraphrase, but an appropriate one, I thought)? 

On Tuesday, TnT say the following happened:

SONNY AND BRENDA

Brenda told Sonny Jax was history. They tackled the trust issue.
They kissed and made up.  They then started to repeat themselves
and we had to fast forward.

Now, I actually would have liked to see them deal with the trust issue...or start to deal with it.  Sadly, I don't think we're going to get to see what kind of couple these two might become.  At least for now. 

Brenda:  "See, I know you always knew this was gonna happen, but I didn't."
Sonny:  "That's because you don't listen." 

Oddly enough, Sonny and Brenda didn't have sex on their first night back together.  Of course, they already did that, didn't they.  ;)  They sat on the bench until morning, when Jason came and found Sonny. 

C. The Non-Choice

People have criticized this storyline as Brenda's non-choice, but I think it's not that easy.  I'll grant you that we sure haven't seen her getting off drugs and getting her life back together enough.  And I would love to see her actually manage to get her life together without men.  At the same time, she can't choose not to love someone whom she has loved for so long.  This choice between men, as much as we complain that Brenda can't be on her own, has been very believable.  I believe that she loved both Jax and Sonny, but that she knew deep down in her heart that she loved Sonny more and had already chosen him in the cave.  But she had to be sure, and she didn't want to hurt Jax.  The reason she couldn't tell Jax about the cave wasn't because she had been unfaithful, but because she knew he would see the truth: that even though their act of love was born out of desperation, it was indeed an act of love.   

Finally, her choice, while it may be another relationship, is the brave one.  She knows she has safety with Jax, and that her relationship with Sonny will need a lot of work.  But if they are willing to do that work and get their relationship in order and let it grow, I say more power to them.  They bring out the best in each other and the worst.  But they bring things out in each other that no one else does--not even Jax.  And they need each other. 

So sue me.  I'm optimistic and giving people the benefit of the doubt (including the writers) when they probably don't deserve it.  Just so Roo doesn't kick me out of FGC Sonny, I'm willing to take all your best shots.  ;) 

III. Dorman

A. Dorman and Monica

Monica:  "Well look at it this way.  What have I got to lose?" 

Monica:  "Now court is in session.  Pierce Dorman v. the truth." 

Dorman started the week tied to a chair and drugged...by Monica.  These were some of the most fun scenes we've had in a while, and all the credit for their funness goes to Tuc Watkins and his Pierce Dorman.  Personally, I thought the scenes drug on for too long, but they were good, nonetheless (this may be because I didn't get the break when Monica went to the family meeting on Tuesday's episode).  Monica kidnapped Pierce to make him admit to all the wrong things he had done and to punish him for his trespasses against her family.  She was great as the rage-filled dominatrix, and I had fun with her part in the scenes as well.  Mostly, however, I felt for her; Lesley Charleson did a great job of making Monica's actions believable. 

Dorman:  "Now, I don't wanna step on your little psycho drama--emphasis on 'psycho'." 

Monica:  "To the charge of making a public spectacle of my son Jason as well as verbally abusing him every chance you got, how do you plead?"
Dorman:  "Self defense." 

Throughout the week, Dorman pleaded with her, appealing to logic most often.  I loved watching the different thoughts go across his face, from the first thought that she was going to rape him to the realization that this was no joke, to his rolling his eyes at Monica's fawning over Jason; he moved from rage to fear and back again; he threatened then begged. I loved watching Dorman reduced to such fear from his normal cocky self.  Most striking was his fear of exactly the same drug he has been pushing to children all this time. 

Monica:  "Don't you get it, Pierce?  I'm your worst nightmare.  I'm a woman who is in control of you." 

Monica had his number.  Dorman is most afraid of being out of control, and each of the punishments and tortures she described (or implied) was designed to take away his control, from a heroine overdose to leaving him a vegetable.  My favorite moment, though, was when he broke free and threatened her and she kneed him in the groin.  You go girl!  ;) 

Dorman:  "But Monica, the one thing that you could never be is stupid."
Monica:  "I slept with you, didn't I?" 

And Monica's desperation was believable through the very end.  She was willing to do anything in her rage to get back at Dorman, and in the end she couldn't do it.  But I still loved the fact she was able to convince Dorman she could. 

B. Jason

At the beginning of Wednesday's episode, Jason came to Sonny with the new that Dorman had gone missing.  Of course he reprimanded Sonny for being out all night first.  :)  Sonny asked Brenda if Jax would have gone to the press and she assured him he wouldn't.  Jason showed Sonny the diary.  Then they all headed off to look for Dorman.  Sonny even let Brenda go with, telling her she had to stay in the car.  Ha! 

But Jason started to put things together, remembering Monica's use of the word "slickster" out of Em's diary.  He knew she knew, and suspected she had gone after Dorman, so he went to the Quartermaine mansion to find her.  Alan paged Monica, who told Jason to stay there.  Jason hit recall, and lucky for him Monica had used the hotel phone and he knew where she was.  He headed out there and stopped her from killing Dorman (though I doubt she could have gone through with it). 

The look on Dorman's face when Jason showed up was a scream.  It was like out of the frying pan and into the fire.  But my favorite moment of all was Dorman's rolling his eyes in the midst of Jason and Monica's bonding. 

Jason:  "I'm sorry you're scared, but I really don't care."
Monica:  "I know that." 

Monica was scared at her son's acceptance and matter-of-factness about the whole thing, but he was honest as always and told her he didn't care.  At the same time, he allowed her to depend on him a little as she regained composure. 
Finally, I wonder if Monica will tell Alan about this. 

I'm not sure if Jason was going to kill Dorman or not.  I know he would get some more information out of him--namely who the supplier was--and then he very well might have killed him because he couldn't let him go to tell anyone about what Monica would have done. 

Nice fade to black on that hotel room after they left. 

C. Mac

Mac was on Jason's trail and followed him to the motel.  But instead of arresting Jason and/or Monica, he arrested Dorman.  Quite fun, but I'm afraid that now Dorman's been arrested without the full case against him set up, he'll slip through the cracks and get off.  I'm wondering if maybe this would be a way to get Mac out of the commissioner's job for that upcoming big storyline with Felicia or maybe a way to get Sonny out of town, on the run from Dorman. 
I loved Mac and Jason.  Jason actually admitting to searching Dorman's apartment and Mac telling him not to.  Then Mac holding Dorman while Jason punched him.  Ha! 

Dorman ended up in jail at the end of Friday, spewing all kind of threats.  You know, I actually hope he gets off of these charges and this storyline goes on to take some more twists. 

IV. The Quartermaines

A. Tony with A.J. 

On Monday, Tony met A.J. at GH and learned that he had been offered a job at the GH gym.  A.J. wasn't going to take it because he knew his name had won him the job, but Tony talked him into it.  I like Tony with A.J., and I'd like to think we could see more of them in the future.  And I'm glad to see A.J. moving away from his family, since they're the source of most of his problems.  I hope that by moving away from them he can get things right and come back to them.  I look forward to that reconciliation. 

B. Tony with Alan

Alan seemed actually optimistic about A.J., but told Tony he wanted him to move back.  Alan quizzed Tony about A.J.'s whereabouts, and Tony told him to back off and let him have his space.  But Alan called down for the files on the applicants so he would know where A.J. was living. 

C. The Family Meeting

On Tuesday's episode, the Quartermaines had a family meeting with Alice.  TnT write this:

QUARTERMAINES

The first Quartermaine Family therapy session did not go well.
Edward was gruff and uncooperative.  A.J. showed up.  Alan
was late since he was talking to Karen.  Monica was late, since
she was torturing Dorman.  Ned was nice, and limited his snide
remarks to one dig at A.J.  Alan came home just before Mac turned 
up.  Mac was looking for Monica.  Why?  We don't know.  Perhaps
Jason let him know that Monica suspected Dorman.  Monica 
appeared seconds after Mac left, and the question remains, how
did he miss her?  Though Alan thought she looked bad, Monica
was positively cheerful and glowing.  The therapy session went
on off-screen and ended badly.  Emily came running out the room
very upset and ran upstairs.  The therapist advised them to leave
Emily alone for awhile.  They took the advice.  Monica went back
to torture Dorman some more.  And Alan took it upon himself to
torture A.J. a bit.  He asked A.J. to move back in; tried to lay a 
guilt trip on him about being there for Emily and Monica.  A.J.
wasn't buying any and instead commented on Alan's poor 
relationship with Edward.
 
I'm going to comment on this one a little, even though I didn't see it.  First of all, I'm actually disappointed we didn't get to see the actual meeting (even though I wouldn't have seen it anyway), and would have liked to see that go on into Wednesday.  I think it would have balanced out the four days of torture a little better and made the contrast in Monica's activities that much more vivid. 
As I said above, I think A.J.'s right in that he needs some time away from his family, and I'm interested in the fact that Alan doesn't seem to want to let him have it.  Does he feel guilty about pushing him away before?  Is this partly a botched attempt at reconciliation?  Or is Alan simply treating A.J. with mistrust as he always does? 

And poor Emily.  Actually, I think *she* needs some space from her family right now, and I'd actually vote to send her up to visit Lois for a few weeks.  :) 

D. Emily

On Friday, we had a brief scene with Alan and Emily.  He's sweet in his concern for her, but I hope he doesn't drive her crazy with it. :)  Then Emily confronted Ned about his treatment of A.J.  While she's got to realize that Ned can never shake the bad blood between himself and A.J., he's got to realize (and I think he does) that their fighting affects her.  When A.J. showed up, he bit his tongue. 

I love these two together, and I hope they can continue to develop their relationship.  At the same time, I hope Ned and A.J. never make up.  They're too fun. 

I was struck, however, by the determination with which she insisted that she and A.J. were alike in their dependencies and reactions to the family and others.  She's smart about these things, and I hope we get to see more of her and A.J.  It was sad at the same time that she's been forced into such self-awareness in such a serious way. 

E. Ned and Alexis

Yay!  A Ned and Alexis scene.  Emily was cute, asking Alexis to say hi to Nikolas for her on her way out.  And I enjoyed, as always, the two of them warily depending on each other. 

V. Felicia and Mac

Mac:  "What am I gonna do without you.  At work, I mean." 

Felicia told Mac that she was leaving for the summer, and I have to say I enjoyed their scene together.  While neither of them are my favorite, I like them both, and would like to see them back together.  He teased her about what he told the mother superior, and she asked him to come out and visit her in Texas. 

VI. Karen

I'm not going to comment on Karen here, because she's going to become a PC character, but I'll leave the summary in the spirit of completion. 
At the end of Monday's episode, Karen Wexler Cates showed up at GH to see Alan.  

TnT write this about Tuesday's episode:

KAREN WEXLER CATES

Alan asks Karen, who has just flown out from San Francisco,
to join the GH staff as an intern.  She refuses, saying that she
has a life with Jagger out on the west coast and couldn't
possibly accept.  Alan presses her to consider it.  Karen runs
into Lee Baldwin as she's hovering around the phones.  Lee
gives her a hug.  Apparently off-screen in the past three years
Scotty has informed his parents that Karen is his daughter.
Lee invites Karen and her mother Rhonda to dinner.  Karen
then makes a phone call to Jagger's answering machine, and
complains about their marital problems, and asks him to give 
her a reason to come home.

On Friday, we had scenes with Karen and her mom Rhonda as Karen decided whether or not to accept the job at GH.  Finally, Alan showed up to convince her, and I enjoyed seeing him and Rhonda in the same room.  Karen accepted the job, and received an invitation to the Quartermaines party for the new interns on Sunday night.  Personally, I can't decide what on earth I'm going to wear.  ;)

VII. Jax 

At the end of Monday's episode, Jax got pulled over by a female cop who looked suspiciously like Miranda.  I decided that this was the Cassadine connection, and the truth was Miranda was running from the family that had cloned her.  ;) 
Then on Tuesday, TnT reported the following: 

JAX AND HIS POLICE OFFICER

Jax is arrested by a pretty deputy, on her third day of duty.  She
thinks that he was trying to jump bail by crossing into Canada.
She takes him back to Port Charles.  They flirt and spar all the
way back.  Jax demands to see Mac, who has just returned from
bothering the Quartermaines.  Mac just thinks it's funny, and
maintains the cover story, by praising Officer Ardanowski.
She says she's going to stay on the case, because Jax almost
made it out of the country the first time. (Not since the Vietnam
War has Canada been such a popular destination.)  An 
exasperated Jax stomps out of Mac's office, and is shadowed
by the determined Ardanowski. 

I would have liked to see this simply to make my own judgment on Jax's actions and state of mind.  If they write him as too easily falling into a new serious relationship, I won't be happy.  But if they write this as a Jax-on-the-rebound-with-a-chick-who-looks-suspiciously-like-Miranda, I think they could actually have him deal with his hang-ups about Miranda a bit more, and I might like to see that.  No promises.  I remain skeptical because I didn't get to see for myself, and ratsa didn't seem to care for this bit one way or another. 

VIII. The Spencers

A. Luke and Bobbie

Luke:  "I'm only here for one reason, Barbara.  Because I was a fatherless kid myself once.  And I raised a fatherless kid.  In case you've forgotten.  You." 

When Bobbie showed up at the law office on Wednesday's episode she was met by her big brother.  Now, granted, Luke's out to get Stefan, but he's also out to protect Bobbie, and this new set back has given him good reason to be worried.  I'm not sure why Luke was there; it was clear he invited himself, but I won't turn down a Luke scene anywhere I can get it. 

Bobbie:  "I just love the way you only remember we're related when it suits you.  It didn't make much difference when I became Mrs. Cassadine, did it?"
Luke:  "Are you crazy?  It made a helluva lot of difference to me.  But I thought we were gonna leave Mr. Faberge Egg-Head out of this." 

Bobbie accused Luke of taking Tony's side only because it was a way to take something away from Stefan and told him to leave her son out of things.  I couldn't believe she said the above though.  She's clearly delusional if she thinks that her brother doesn't live every day knowing they're related.  It's the reason he's so adamant about getting her away from Stefan.  But I didn't slap her...yet.  ;) 

Bobbie:  "Oh, that's right.  We're being pals this morning. So what is it that you wanna say, Luke?  That Stefan diabolically arranged to have those papers sent to me?  Well you know what?  What if he did.  I don't care.  If he did, he did me a favor."
Luke:  "He said he didn't, Barbara, I believe him.  He didn't." 

Luke tried to assure her that she wasn't going to lose Lucas no matter what happened.  But Bobbie wouldn't listen.  She was still too mad.  I thought for sure Luke's willingness to claim Stefan didn't do this would have got her attention, but no such luck.  And no matter what Luke's other motives are, I do believe that his primary motive in this is to keep Bobbie and her son safe. 

Luke:  "Now if you see a rosier picture at the end of this road, please paint it for me, because I don't." 

One problem.  Luke wasn't subtle, and he pointed out what we all know to be the truth.  That Bobbie has gone from man to man and may not hold on to Stefan this time, putting Lucas in another awkward situation later.  But this hit too close to home and he lost all his ground with her. 

B. Luke and Alexis

Luke:  "You know I'm right."
Alexis:  "Why is that every time I see you you're always telling someone you're right?  Hi Bobbie."
Luke:  "White.  I said white.  She asked why I'm a lousy dancer and I said, 'You know I'm white.'"

Ya.  Like we believe that after the All 4 One performance.  ;) 

I loved these two together, as always.  No other comment than that.  Except to say that I loved it most when she shut the door in his face. 

Now, when Luke filled Alexis in about the egg, does he really think she doesn't know everything that went on?  He's underestimating her connections if he does. 
More from them: 

Alexis:  "What, did anyone order a pizza...or a hitman?"
Luke:  "I'm a concerned party." 
Luke:  "Now, you don't strike me as much dimmer than those two."
Alexis:  "The fact that I don't strike you period is strictly a matter of manners."
Luke:  "Your manners ain't that good.  You already whacked me over the head, don't you remember?  'Course that was before you liked me."
Alexis:  "So is this."
Luke:  "Hmm.  Ok, this priest, this rabbi, and this Russian sword-swallower walk into a bar..."
Alexis:  "Heard it." 

C. Luke about the earring

Now, what intrigued me most about this scene was when Tony came back in after his fight with Bobbie and Luke encouraged him to hear the story about the girl who dropped the earring.  Luke knows Carly's behind this.  He can't tell Tony or Bobbie directly out of loyalty to her?  Because he knows that this secret coming out could lead to more?  But he wants Tony and Bobbie to know the truth so he's hoping that Tony will start putting clues together on his own?  That's my take on it, anyway.  Again, I will be anxious to see how Luke's loyalty to these two women plays itself out--his long-term loyalty to his sister and his newfound loyalty to his niece.  And I hope we get to see some of that before Tony Geary leaves for summer vacation. 

D. Luke and Bobbie again

Bobbie:  "Since when are you the unsung hero?" 

Luke:  "Maybe because Cassadines are programmed to protect other Cassadines.  You're proving that particular perversion right now." 

On Thursday, Bobbie showed up at the club demanding to know why Luke didn't tell them the whole truth about Nikolas in Switzerland.  Funny, all she succeeded in doing was tell Luke it was Stefan that pushed Nikolas.  Of course, I had to laugh at his ridiculing Cassadines for protecting their own, since that's one of his own strong suits. 

Bobbie:  "So this is just another case of protecting clueless Bobbie."
Luke:  "You're not clueless.  You've got plenty of clues.  And you were starting to put 'em together." 

Again, Bobbie read more into his words than he meant in her anger.  She thinks Luke believes she's clueless precisely because she's realizing how clueless she's been.  And Luke has her number.  He told her that she was polishing up her marriage to keep Lucas when she didn't have to.  But she refuses to believe that she can trust Tony enough to drop this whole issue. 

Luke:  "Barbara, why do you think I'm an ocean away from my wife and my daughter?  Why do you think I'm in this God-forsaken burg?"
Bobbie:  "Because you hate my husband."
Luke:  "I could do that from Switzerland.  From anywhere on the planet.  No.  Bobbie, I'm here because of you.  Because I love you.  And I don't want to lose you forever." 

Bobbie turned to leave at this point.  I can't believe she didn't believe him at this point.  I can believe she misunderstood his reason for staying, but when he made this declaration, did she still doubt him?  That made me want to smack her too, but at the same time I admire her stubbornness, and while she should trust in Luke's love for her, she's also facing a whole bunch of confusion right now. 

Luke:  "Give me two minutes.  Just two minutes.  You owe me that much."
Bobbie:  "Who says?"
Luke:  "We owe each other." 

Luke then laid out the business about the egg, without revealing too much.  But he succeeded in making her wonder about that egg, and he made good sense in his interpretation about Stefan's behavior.  He showed her that Stefan's obsession with that egg was the reason Nikolas went over the cliff, based on her own assertion that he wouldn't do it on purpose. 

Bobbie didn't respond, and left.  But while she couldn't admit he had gotten through to her, he did.  He was frustrated after he left, but I hope he knows her well enough to know that while she wouldn't admit she was wrong yet, she's stubborn enough to get to the bottom of this for herself. 

E. Laura

Laura:  "Oh God.  Oh, Nikolas, I wish that I could start all over again with you right from the very beginning."
Nik:  "I wish you could too.  Bye." 

Laura was good with Nikolas, not pushing or prying, but I thought her speech about love was a bit awkward.  Of course, it would be awkward.  And if she couldn't ask questions, she could only say a little bit of what she wanted to say to him, hoping it would comfort him.  Everything she said was the truth, but she came off as trying to get him to understand her love for him more than comforting him in his own problems.  Genie's performance was fantastic, as always. 

Luke:  "Is that you, angel?"
Laura:  "Luke?  The phone didn't even ring."
Luke:  "No?  Well.  I guess we're still in synch." 

Laura was worried about Nik, and, knowing it had something to do with Stefan and probably about Switzerland, she was worried for his safety.  She called Luke and told him of her worries, and the look on his face was quite choice.  It'll be interesting to see how he handles this one.  But I have no doubt he'll do something; he won't ignore his wife's requests. 

IX. The Cassadines

A. Stefan and Nikolas

On Wednesday, Stefan upbraided Nikolas for staying out all night, claiming he was worried.  And I'm sure he was.  Nikolas couldn't take his chastisement, though, and finally broke down and told Stefan the truth about Switzerland.  More like he confronted him with it. 

Stefan:  As if I would harm a dim-witted old woman and a child of three." 

Nik:  "I saw you for what you are." 

Stefan brought it up first, telling Nik that Luke had told him.  It was as if he was accusing Nik of giving Luke that pleasure.  Stefan was also offended that Nik would think he would harm either Lulu or Lesley.  Nik retaliated by telling Stefan the whole truth. 

Stefan:  "I didn't know anyone had fallen."
Nik:  "You wouldn't have done anything differently if you had." 

Stefan:  "Nikolas, whether you know it or not--whether you believe it or not--each day I live I live for you.  That I could have done such a thing is unthinkable to me.  Worse than unthinkable.  But I can make it up to you Nikolas.  Tell me.  You tell me what to do.  I'll do anything."
Nikolas:  "Your guilt has the life span of a mosquito." 

We've been waiting for this scene.  And most of ratsa and FGC Stefan were disappointed.  I was glad to see that Stefan didn't realize that he had shoved anyone over the edge, but I was distressed at the speed at which he moved from shock at the act to believing he could make it up to Nik.  He doesn't understand what this meant to Nik, and he came off looking even more unfeeling. 

For his part, Nikolas was finally able to express his outrage, and I was glad to see that.  Despite Katherine's pleadings not to confront his Uncle, Nikolas has to do this.  I'm sad to see him go through this, but I think he's realized something about his family that will make him a better man in the long run.  He told Stefan he was separating himself from his family, though, and I think the next thing he'll have to realize is that he can't do that either.  He has to learn to work for change inside his family, because he will always be a Cassadine. 

Stefan:  "You can renounce your family.  You can trade away your name.  But you can't change what you are.  Believe me, I know."
Nikolas:  "What I am is half Laura's too."
Stefan:  "That's not your fault."
Nikolas:  "My fault?  No, no, actually it's been my salvation.  You left me to die!  Do you even wonder why I survived?  I'll tell you.  Luke Spencer saved my life." 

Nikolas left his Uncle wondering what he had meant about Katherine.  Nikolas stumbled through a response, but Stefan knew, I think, that something was up.  I think Nikolas was hoping he'd admit his responsibility, but he didn't.  He simply condescended to Nikolas as usual (at least it's usual lately).  So Nikolas said he was leaving.  Stefan responded with the above.  And as I said above, I think he's right.  But Nikolas had one more bomb to drop.  And I couldn't believe Stefan's laugh after he dropped it.  As if he thought Nik was lying. 

Yet I'm still waiting for Alexis' response to this as my model.  I'm not as disgusted with Stefan as most of my fellow FGC Stefan-ers (boy, I seem to be consistently tolerant this week), but I'll be fed up with tptb if they let this incident go through Stefan's consciousness quickly.  He needs to dwell on it, to see what it means, and to deal with exactly the realizations Nik is dealing with.  He has to come to see himself clearly again. 

Last week, on the FGC Stefan mailing list, Tante Joan wrote the following: 

That said, does it really matter whether a real man, rushing down a real path, would know whether the object he bumped into was a young man or an upright goat?  Yes, in both worlds.  Whatever Stefan bumped into, humanity dictates that he should have investigated.  My tape shows clearly that he knew he hit something.  His headlong rush away without investigating is a black mark against him.  But, for me, it's a mark that will have an interesting ripple effect.  I don't really think it's a case of bad writing.  I think it's a watershed act.  Something which, when he knows who he knocked, will have an effect as devastating as when he realized he had shot flesh-and-blood in the form of Katherine Bell. 

I am hoping desperately that the realization will shock him back on course.  I hope the road back to control without carelessness will be lined with difficulties, but that ultimately, a better Stefan will emerge.  And, just to be clear, "better" does not mean "saintly" in my vocabulary.  A Stefan aware of his own hubris would be more than acceptable.  A man who does bad things and good things, but remains true to an inner code.  At the moment, Stefan wouldn't really know moral from Morse, even if Foster tapped it out on his forehead. 
All I can say is that I hope very much that tptb allow this even to be such a watershed as TJ describes.  I don't want Stefan to deal with this easily and move on to the job of re-pacifying Nik.  I want to see him having to deal with this in the same way Nikolas is having to.

Since this WIR is actually shorter than usual, I want to share another post from the mailing list.  TJ doesn't know I'm going to do this once, much less twice, but I don't think she'll mind.  [Note:  TJ has since given me express permission to quote her here.]  We were discussing this scene between Nik and Stefan, and what we didn't like about it.  Tante Joan wrote: 

And now, to Stefan Lite.  I don't think it's bad writing, and I'll tell you why (or at least Stefan is not about bad writing, because I don't mean to imply GH is anything but uneven).  I think we are seeing exactly what we are supposed to see, which happens not be what most of us want. 

We want the good old Machiavellian manipulator model of Stefan, the one who was well-prepared and able to turn on a dime.  You said it all in your post, Laura, but Articulate Stefan has apparently gone out the window with his friends, Knows It All Stefan and Up for Anything Stefan.  Stefan Lite is here, and he's apparently settling in for a long hot summer. 

It's easy to blame bad writing for the loss of Articulate Stefan, a particular favorite of mine.  I fear we've seen the last of "hie thee hence" and "forsooth."  In fact, I think we can mark his departure in linguistic stages, from the first use of a contraction to the shocking assimilation of Standard Soap Grammar (Bad).  This is the lingo that recognizes no difference between "Barbara and I" and "Barbara and me."  So far, thank E. B. White, he has not degenerated far enough to have assimilated Brenda's pet infraction, the "me and ____" syndrome. 

What else marks the loss of our FGC?  Well, becoming Bagel Boy didn't help, endearing as some of us found it.  Developing the Bob Villa, or "I Can Do it Myself," mania was a dead giveaway.  Plus he's stopped listening.  That's the biggie.  This Stefan is a far cry from the man who heard and remembered and used everything, the man who "knows things."  Now he's locking himself into his idea of how people will react, not observing actions and making those yummy mid-course corrections at Mach speed.  I miss them a bunch. 

Stefan Lite reacts, even when he things he's acting.  He is rude to family, a big no-no.  He doesn't know the extent to which Bobbie is on to him and in fact using him for her own purposes.  He ggets about half of the zinger she throws at him, and fatally underestimates her intelligence (well, that may be excusable; she's been in Stepford mode since the day he met her.). 

No, Laura, I don't think Nik and Stefan's scene was written badly, or at least written badly for the reasons you gave.  Nikolas has spent a lifetime looking up to Stefan.  He wants to give him a few last chances to the Old Original Stefan, the man who could read him like a book.  Now Nik is saddened to see that his uncle has lost his competitive edge, and was deliberately vague in order give Stefan Lite the opportunity to jump in and acknowledge his crimes against family. 

Nik wasn't obfuscating because he was written unclearly, he was dancing around the issue in the most blatant form of passive-aggressive behavior I've seen yet.  It's not a behavior I favor, but I know why he can't bring himself to confront Stefan head on: he wants his Uncle back.  This was a tragic scene.  Tragic for Nik, yes.  Oedipal, even.  But for Stefan, oh!  The tragedy is that he has become a Beautiful Somnambule, sleepwalking through  the really crucial phase of his life.  This isn't a dress rehearsal, Stefan. Wake up!!! 

I haven't said the K word once, have I?  Well, here it is, so I can get my frustration out of my system.  Stefan may have fired a bullet into
Katherine, but I am convinced that it was a magic bullet.  It entered her body, ricocheted off the tree behind her and went straight into his
personality.  We may never recover from that fatal shot. 

B. Bobbie

Bobbie was so angry at the law offices she couldn't see straight.  She wasn't listening to Luke, and she wasn't listening to Tony.  Instead, she was reading things into both of their words because she believes they're against her--and because they were hitting too close to home.  I don't think I blame her yet, but if she doesn't take Alexis' advice and cool down at some point in the very near future, I may start to blame her for not being level headed about deciding her son's future. 

But I think she actually listened to him at the club, even though she didn't want to admit it.  His methods may lose him battle after battle, but I think it may win him the war...or at least win his sister to safety. 

C. Stefan and Katherine

After Nikolas left, Stefan went to Katherine's, ostensibly to look for him.  But I think he needed to talk to her as well.  And, perhaps, he suspected what Nikolas wasn't saying about Katherine.  But he realized that she knew everything already, and she assured him that she knew he was telling the truth.  He asked for her help, and she told him the last of the truths Nikolas was carrying.  She told him Nikolas knew that he had shot her. 

D. Nikolas

When Nikolas left Wyndemere, he called Laura again.  This time he spoke to her.  Actually, she did more of the talking, but he listened.  When he couldn't stand it anymore he hung up.  But the tears in his eyes spoke more than he was willing to say, and the sound of his voice told Laura all of his pain even though he denied it.  Tyler Baker's performance was wonderful in this scene, and he made me cry.  And the scene of him throwing his phone in the river made me cry all over again. 

X. Carly and Tony

A. Carly with A.J. 

Carly:  "I've been known to run amok." 

A.J. and Carly had another little chat on Wednesday's episode.  Not about much, but he flattered her and they chatted about the usual things.  Then he started remembering a little bit more about that night at Jason's. 

B. Tony with Bobbie

Tony tried to be calm and rational.  And I believed he wanted the best for his son.  He wanted to talk to his son and reassure him, but Bobbie blew up in his face.  Finally, he resorted to some cheap shots himself, but in the face of her rage I couldn't blame him. 

C. Tony v. Carly

Tony did pick up on the clues Luke drew his attention to, and came home asking if Carly had seen A.J.  A.J. was there with a present for him.  Sweet. 

Tony:  "Oh my God.  Carly."
Carly:  "What?  Tony, what's wrong?"
Tony:  "Please tell me that you....  That it wasn't you." 

Tony:  "Love you?  I don't even know you." 
Carly:  "I can be whoever you want me to be!" 

But then Tony started asking questions and Carly cut him off.  Finally, his suspicions and her behavior combined and he asked her if she had sent the papers.  She wouldn't admit it, and put up a good act, playing as if she were offended he could think that of her.  All in all, she made it much worse for herself.  But finally, the truth came out and he packed and left despite her pleading and claims that she had done it for them and their love.  Her bitterness was pathetic, as was her begging and saying that she could be anything he wanted her to be. 

I was struck by the fact (as was someone else on ratsa) that they aired the scene where Tony threw Bobbie out of the Brownstone at about the same time they aired this scene of him leaving Carly.  Like mother like daughter and all that.  I think Tony needs some therapy to cure his taste in women, myself.  ;) 

I was also very impressed with *this* use of flashbacks.  Very nice, with quick cuts between Carly's behavior and Tony's thoughts as he put the pieces together. 
Finally, I'll be interested to see what Carly does next.  Will she turn to A.J. again (most likely)?  Will she actually depend on Luke a little?