**The Week in Review: June 16 - June 20**

I. The Quartermaines

A. Stonewalling Taggert

On Monday, Taggert agreed to take hair samples from everyone, as per Lila's request.  Ned jumped in and insisted that he take samples from all ELQ employees.  Lila accused him of harassing Emily.  The thing is, if they all believed Emily was innocent, they would let him ask his questions and be done with it.  But I think that more people in that family than Ned and Monica suspect that Emily's involved in this somehow.

Alan:  "Detective Taggert, if you keep bothering my daughter, you're gonna find out what the word 'hard' means."

Ned:  "Via con dios, Detective."
Taggert:  "You know, this may come as a shock to you, but even the Quartermaines aren't above the law."
Alan:  "Thank you so much, sir.  Those are words we can truly live by."

Taggert:  "You know, for a family that insists upon their innocence, you people sure act like you've got a lot to hide."

Out in the hall, Emily asked why Taggert was still there.  She was appalled that Taggert would think she had something to do with Dorman's death, and was angrier still to hear that Stefan (his secretary was on the phone with Monica) or the police would think that any of the Quartermaines were involved.  Lila ran interference, bringing Emily into the room with her while the rest of the Qs showed Taggert the door.

B. Alan

Alan demanded to know what was going on, having seen the looks that passed between Ned and Monica about Emily's locket.  I love that Alan isn't stupid about these things, and I wish that Monica would simply tell him.  I'm beginning to be suspicious about the logic behind keeping Alan in the dark.  After all, the Qs always inform the family and then circle the wagons when it comes to hiding a murder, don't they?  I suppose Ned and Monica think that if anyone else knows it'll slip out to Emily at some point.  But I don't like it, and I hope that Monica tells him soon.

Ned:  "It was really unsettling."
Alan:  "Why don't you go and see a doctor then."

Monica:  "I am sorry for not telling you sooner."
Alan:  "I forgive you.  But it's not the end of the discussion."

After Taggert left, Alan demanded the truth from Ned and Monica again.  Monica had to find something to tell him, and told him about the shock Emily was in when they found her at the hospital.  She let nothing slide about their suspicions about the murder.  Alan seemed satisfied with that answer, and was angry that she wouldn't inform him about his daughter's condition or at least inform her psychiatrist.  Her explanation that she thought it was the best for Emily to give her some time didn't make him any happier, as well it shouldn't.

Alan called Emily's psychiatrist, unbeknownst to Monica, and told him they thought hypnosis might be a good thing for Emily.  In the meantime Ned and Monica were happily assured that Emily wasn't remembering anything.

C. Emily

Emily:  "Should we celebrate?"
Monica:  "Nice try.  But you still have to go to bed."

Monica was relieved by the call from Stefan telling her she would be reinstated on the board.  Emily was relieved by it too, and her face lit up when she heard the good news.

At the beginning of Tuesday's show, Emily and Edward interrupted Ned on the phone with Monica.  Edward said he had been coerced by the Ward House kids to be in the nurses' ball and that he wouldn't say no because Mary Mae would like him to do it.  He grumbled and complained and finally Ned and Emily talked him into letting her help him.  I can't wait to see them.

Emily:  "Hey, I'm gonna go have some breakfast.  You wanna walk with me, or five feet behind as usual?"

Ned asked her if she as up to this once Edward left, and she said she was ready to stop hiding out in her room.  Personally, I think Edward just may be the best thing for Emily right now.  She's certainly found her sense of humor again, and I loved the above line to Ned.  He assured her that it wasn't distrust, that it was caring and that they didn't want her to feel neglected any more.  Emily went to breakfast and Ned answered the door.

D. Ned and Alexis

i. at the Q Mansion

Alexis:  "Every time someone in your family hears the name 'Dorman' their faces go blank."

Ned:  "Satisfied?"
Alexis:  "Not even close."
Ned:  "Ok.  How can I say this clearer.  Would you like me to say it again?"
Alexis:  "No, I would like you to stop playing verbal dodge ball with me and hear some shred of the truth."
Ned:  "I can see hiding from you is never going to be easy."
Alexis:  "I doubt that."

Ned turned on the charm immediately upon opening the door, but Alexis dove right into business.  She insisted again that he was hiding something.  He gave every excuse for their reactions, but she wasn't satisfied.  Ned finally admitted that he was hiding something from her, but told her he would tell her what it was over dinner.  He wouldn't take no for an answer, even though she tried to dodge the invitation.

Alexis:  "You really need to update your files, Ned.  Dragging a woman off by the hair to dinner is a little passe."
Ned:  "French?  Or are you in the mood for seafood?"

Ned:  "Alexis.  I thought we were having dinner."
Alexis:  "I didn't agree."
Ned:  "It was an oversight.  I forgive you."
Alexis:  "If I were to agree to have dinner with you, would this be business, or...a date?"
Ned:  "A date."
Alexis:  "What does that mean?"
Ned:  "I open the doors; I pull out the chairs; occasionally, I reach over and touch you meaningfully on the arm.  And at the end of the evening, I kiss you chastely on the cheek and then return home, frustrated, but eagerly anticipating the next time."
Alexis:  "Are you flirting with me, or are you being honest?"
Ned:  "Let's just call it an intense desire to see you in something other than a designer business suit."
Alexis:  "I like simple décor, discrete service, and sorbet for desert, and you can call my office and let me know where we'll be eating.  And this does not change the fact that I know you're hiding something."

Finally, she agreed to go out with him.  I absolutely adored their above exchange.  I don't have much to say about it; I just wanted to repeat it all.  I will say, however, that I find it interesting to watch Alexis deal with this.  She knows that Ned's trying to handle her, so to speak, and keep her from asking so many questions.  On the other hand, she realizes that he is attracted to her, and is attracted to him.  I can't wait to see them continue to maneuver around each other and around their families.  Actually, I'm waiting to see what she does when and if Stefan tells her to call this off for the sake of the plan.

ii. the Date

Aside:  A pal o' mine tells me a cosmopolitan was the hot drink of last year.  ;)  Does anyone know for sure what's in it?  I'd like to stump the local bartenders--not hard to do in this beer-drinkin' town.

Alexis:  "Where did you learn to perform like that?"
Ned:  "School.  St. Bartholomew's offered a complete curriculum for the well-rounded child."
Alexis:  "St. Bartholomew's in..."
Ned:  "Switzerland."
Alexis:  "Naturally.  Did they teach you to yodel?"
Ned:  "That was an elective."

Ned:  "In fact, if I didn't know you were a Cassadine, I never woulda guessed it."
Alexis:  "What do you mean?"
Ned:  "You don't act as if you're separate from the rest of humanity.  Your cousin, on the other hand, is a revelation.  It's not everyone who can condescend to the Quartermaines.  Maybe you're just hiding it better."
Alexis:  "You're missing the point.  I am part of the rest of humanity.  Even Stefan's just a younger son.  Nikolas is the heir."
Ned:  "Which means..."
Alexis:  "Which means he's a teenage boy who will one day be very rich.  Anything more is superstition, I suppose, but Russians are very superstitious people.  We believe in fate."
Ned:  "So, Nikolas will lead and you will serve him?"
Alexis:  "You make it sound so Gothic."
Ned:  "Isn't it?  Here you are, a high-powered attorney, who abandons her thriving practice to rusticate in upstate New York to be hospital co-council?  Why?"
Alexis:  "The same reason a brilliant CEO will take responsibility for an accident that left his cousin brain damaged and try to cover up a murder."
Ned:  "Are we back to that?"
Alexis:  "We never left it."
Ned:  "I propose a truce.  For the sake of what could be a very interesting evening.  You accept that I'm not hiding anything, and I'll pretend that you don't have an agenda."
Alexis:  "What's in it for me?"
Ned:  "A favor in kind, redeemable at some later date, when you may or may not have secrets to keep."
Alexis:  "I always have secrets to keep."
Ned:  "See?  A perfect arrangement."
Alexis:  "Why am I even here with you?"
Ned:  "You like the challenge."
Alexis:  "Yes I do."

Aside:  I loved that Alexis mentioned yodeling, Luke's favorite Swiss pastime.  ;)

Ned arrived at The Outback before Alexis, so he had a drink and sat down to play at the piano.  He played a wonderful and appropriate song: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."  I was irritated they didn't let him finish before cutting to the next scene.  :)  When Alexis did arrive, her reactions to his performance were a fabulous mix of surprise, embarrassment, and pleasure.  Great fun.

Ratsa discussed this exchange and Ned's performance extensively.  Obviously he knew there was a chance she'd walk in on him playing, and he also knew he'd win big points with his music.  But people were hesitant; music was something Ned and Lois shared, and some of us weren't sure we liked him sharing that side of himself with Alexis.  I was sure I liked it, and I posted this in response to some of the concerns:

Agreed in spirit, but I would say that Ned *is* musical, with or without Lois.  And I liked the way they handled this.  He sang at a piano and did old standard.  No mention of rock and roll; he claimed he learned at boarding school.  I was struck not by a fear of their crossing the line, but by the way Ned was obviously thinking of Lois throughout the whole date but not bringing her up.  Music--no mention of Eddie Maine.  Rides--no mention of roller coasters.  She was all around him, but he didn't broach the subject or trespass on what was theirs.

I think that if this relationship goes anywhere Ned will have to deal with Lois for a long time.  He'll have to walk that fine line when deciding what is going to remain with Lois and what he wants to take with him into the future.

I'm glad it looks like he's going to take the music with him.

Their date continued after dinner with a talk about county fairs, as you see mentioned above.  I thought the conversation was very telling.  Ned spoke of all the rides but we noticed he never mentioned roller coasters or carousels.  Alexis, on the other hand, has never been to a fair and never ridden the rides.  I hope they get to do so together.  Someone posted that while Alexis sees the sides of Ned that bothered Lois very clearly and is comfortable with them, they didn't think that she would like the side of Ned that Lois loved the best.  Personally, I hope that Ned is able to crack Alexis' shell a bit wider and let us see sides of her that maybe we can't imagine are there yet.  About their possible relationship, I wrote this:

I agree with all of that.  I hope that this developing situation will give us great scenes of Ned away from Alexis dealing with the fact that Lois isn't coming back, dealing with the feeling like he's being disloyal, etc.  I think he did indeed intend that night as a date, but he also, in part, intended it as a way to charm Alexis from asking the right questions.  He's in prime gatekeeper mode. But I think soon enough the gatekeeping will be done and he'll be left to deal with his extremely real feelings about Alexis.

And I think, to be fair, that Alexis has enough of a past to have to deal with that too.  Somehow I get the feeling Ned wouldn't be her first love either.  And I think it would be wonderful to watch these two figuring out how to come together in the full light of their pasts and presents and find a positive, open relationship, rather than a haunted one.

I hope it's not easy, and I hope it's not quick.  And I hope it's very very good.

Alexis:  "Alright, something frivolous you've never done."
Ned:  "Frivolous is my specialty.  Just ask my grandfather."
Alexis:  "Your honor, please instruct the witness to answer the question."

Finally, I loved seeing them quiz each other on favorite things, hobbies, etc.  I loved the above.  If she asked, she might hear about Eddie Maine.  Instead, she heard about the "gyrotron."  Cracked me up.  She said it sounded like torture, unless you were ten.  He was appalled.  They almost kissed, but were interrupted by Officer A. crashing into a chair.  Sigh.

II. Sonny

A. and Jason

Jason:  "That's why I went to the house with Alan.  To see if Monica did it."
Sonny:  "And?"
Jason:  "Maybe."

Sonny:  "But in the end, Dorman's murder will go in the books unsolved because you didn't do it, I didn't do it, and they spent the first 24 hours of this investigation pushing a vendetta instead of doing a job."

At the beginning of Monday's episode, Sonny met up with Jason on the dock.  When Jason didn't hound him about walking by himself, Sonny knew something was wrong.  :)  Jason is trying to do what Robin wants and let the Quartermaines see him, but he didn't know how.  Sonny told him that she didn't mean he needed to admit to a murder to cover for them; Jason said they asked him over and over about Sonny's involvement when they knew Monica wanted Dorman dead.  Jason knows they're out to get Sonny, but Sonny's not concerned.  He knows that the Qs are lying, but he's not sure what they're lying about.  Finally, he declared that he wouldn't put any of them ahead of Sonny.

But I think Jason's loyalty is becoming less clear cut.  The confusion he feels in trying to do what Robin asked is not simply because he doesn't understand what she intended or meant.  He is, I think, starting to feel something for this family--as the new Jason.  He's starting to care.  And I think that his declaration of loyalty to Sonny was more for himself than for Sonny, who trusts his loyalty.  I think he's realizing--consciously or not--that under certain circumstances, that choice wouldn't be so clear.

Sonny:  "Um, remember that barn that, uh, I found?"
Jason:  "Ya."
Sonny:  "Remember that?"
Jason:  "Ya.  You told Pete to, to stop the car.  You got out, started walkin' through the field with me and Joseph chasin' after ya, and then that poor farmer, scared to death.  You asked him if the land was for sale."
Sonny:  "Ya, he, he probably thought we had somebody buried out there.  That's why he sold it so cheap, you know."

Sonny:  "I guess once you have everything you got everything to lose."

Jason:  "You think Brenda will turn on you again?"
Sonny:  "I think the business will wear her down.  She'll get tired of the bodyguards, tired of fear.  She'll keep asking me questions and she'll get hurt when I don't answer.  But I love her, man.  And I want this to work, but I just...I don't....  It's too late for me to change."
Jason:  "She knows that, right?"
Sonny:  "Ya."
Jason:  "She chose you anyway."

Sonny:  "Maybe I should just take my own advice and enjoy what I have instead of worrying about losin' it."

Then Jason started in on him for walking with no guards.  Sonny said he couldn't sleep and started talking about the farm.  He told Jason that's where he and Brenda had been, then said that Brenda had to learn to live with his kind of life but at the same time he knew it was hard for her.  He's also afraid of losing her.

The above conversation was amazing.  Sonny sees Brenda clearly; he has for a long time.  And he still loves her--or wants her--enough to be with her.  He knows she could screw something up or could make trouble.  And she will (as we saw by the end of the week).  And Jason knows all of these things too, but he encourages Sonny to believe in the relationship.  Sometimes I wonder how Sonny can think Brenda would ever be happy with him, and he seems to selfishly assert that he won't change and she will just have to get used to the life, even if it wears her down.  But most of the time I know why he thinks that way--because he knows that they love and/or want each other enough that they couldn't be happy apart.  I've never thought these two made a healthy couple.  But something in me would like them to be a happy couple.  At least as happy as they can be.

Sonny:  "Anyway, you look tired.  You should go."
Jason:  "After I walk you back to the hotel."
Sonny:  "Excuse me?"
Jason:  "I guess I could trail you."
Sonny:  "That'd be better."
Jason:  "Ok."

These two just crack me up.  They can be sharing everything one minute (Sonny spills his guts to Jason on a regular basis and much more easily than he does to Brenda) and then Sonny won't want to walk with him the next.

B. and Brenda

Brenda:  "Why is it always you?"
Sonny:  "Figure it out."

We started Tuesday's episode with a syrupy sweet good morning scene from the two newly reunited lovebirds.  I have to admit they still make me smile when they're romantic.  Sonny suggested a walk, but Brenda said they were going to stay in that room for the rest of their lives so they would be safe.  Sonny told her for the hundredth time that things would blow over; she said that it would always be something.

I absolutely loved the breakfast order: five or six different kinds of eggs for Bren to choose from and dry toast for Sonny.  Ha!  But she made the mistake of reading the paper and seeing the coverage of him and the Dorman case.  What did she expect?  She knows what's up, because she could recite Sonny's own explanation when he asked.  But she wasn't satisfied.  And when the cops showed up at the door, she wasn't just unsatisfied, she was terrified.

Taggert:  "Mrs. Jax."
Brenda:  "Miss Barrett."

Sonny:  "You hungry, detective? I, I'd offer you eggs, but I know you'd, uh, accuse me of trying to kill you with cholesterol."

Brenda:  "I don't appreciate being treated like a child."
Sonny:  "Well stop acting like one."

Brenda:  "I know that you know how to take care of yourself, so I'm gonna go ahead and trust that you're gonna do that."
Sonny:  "I'll always try."
Brenda:  "Doesn't mean you can stop me from doing things to protect you, though."

Taggert and Garcia were there to take Sonny downtown to take a hair sample.  He agreed, but Brenda went off the deep end.  Sonny said he'd be at the station in an hour.  Taggert didn't go for it, but Garcia took his word on it.  Sonny lost his temper with Brenda and at the situation.  But he still let her go down to the station with him.  Brenda had a good point about them setting him up (Sonny agreed); I think Sonny knows that while Taggert would frame him, Garcia wouldn't.  But he told her that he had to roll with the punches.  He kissed her and that was the end of it for him.  But not for her.  Before the scene closed, she was holding scissors in her hand, and in the next scene, she was lying through her teeth with a lock of her hair in an envelope in her pocket.

i. Sonny

Sonny:  "You can't change me.  Neither can I."

As much as I adore Sonny just the way he is, this line always gives me pause.  It's like he excuses everything he does with the fact that he is unwilling to change.  He says he's unable to, but it's not like he's tried.  He has changed since his first appearance in Port Charles, and quite drastically in many ways.  He's better with Brenda than he used to be, and he's come to even be a little better with Mike.  But he dismisses any suggestions for bigger changes than those that come naturally with this approach.  I don't want him to quit the mob, though some would disagree.  In fact, I'd love to see him have one big bad mob storyline before he leaves, or for that to be the source of his departure.  But I still want Sonny to see the possibilities--all the possibilities--from which he is capable of choosing.  I don't want him to sell himself short.

ii. Brenda

Brenda proved more than ever that she hasn't changed a bit.  I happened to be watching the Puerto Rico storyline in tandem with this week's episodes.  That happened in winter 1994; now it's summer 1997.  Brenda's playing the same old games.  She lied to Sonny as usual, telling him that she wouldn't worry about things and that she would let him handle it.  He's giving her explanations, which he wasn't doing back then, and she's still meddling and making things worse--and justifying her actions with the delusion that she can do something to help him.

C. The Hair Sample

In a throwaway moment before Sonny and Brenda arrived, Rebecca Chase told the cops she was friends with Dorman and her hair might be found on his suit.  Now, it looks as though her hair won't match, but I'm wondering if our men in blue will remember this little exchange later....

Sonny:  "Well you'd better march your bald psychotic butt to the judge and get a court order, because that's the only way you're gonna get a hair sample or anything else from either of us."

Garcia was confident Sonny would show, and he was right.  Sonny was completely cooperative until Jason showed up in handcuffs.  Then they both refused to comply without a warrant, but Sonny told Brenda he had to see how badly Garcia needed it.  He's not out to make this easy for Garcia either; he noted that he was the one who was almost able to get Laura convicted for Damien's murder (I'm intrigued by all the comparisons between this case and that one, btw.).  But I think he trusts Garcia over Taggert any day.

Garcia:  "Marcus, are you trying to trash this investigation?"

Taggert's just making it harder for Garcia and the rest of the investigation, and I'm hoping we get to see more of them locking horns over his methods.

While Sonny set the record straight with Garcia about Taggert, Brenda edged her way over to the evidence and got a ziplock bag for her hair.  At this point, Taggert took off on Lily's death and Garcia put a hard, cold end to that before Sonny could even respond.  And Sonny complied.

Brenda:  "It's for Sonny."

Sonny:  "I'm glad you, you, uh...stayed out of everything.  Thank you."

Brenda, however, was still on the silent rampage, and she got Jason to agree to make a distraction while she switched the hair samples.  (What was he thinking?)  He chose to verbally attack Rebecca.  What a scream.  Sonny called him on it as they left, telling him it wasn't a good move.  Jason tried to tell him then about Brenda, but Sonny wouldn't hear it.  He told him to keep the pressure on Rebecca once she had cooled off.

Brenda set off to actually do some work while Sonny and Jason went to get Jason's tux for the ball.  Brenda was confident she had taken care of things.

D. Back in Bed...and Back to the Cop Shop

Sonny:  "No coffee shops.  Uh, I don't like to hear all that clinking in the morning."

Sonny:  "I'll tell you what I'll do.  Tonight after the Nurses' Ball we will come back to my place and you will have the run of the kitchen.  And then you will make me one of those special breakfasts that you make.  And I, according to the new rules of communication, will tell you the truth about what I think of it.  And if it works out, I will buy you your own new set of pots and pans."
Brenda:  "Are you sure you're ready to do that?"
Sonny:  "Hey, you know, I can choke down a lousy breakfast any day."
Brenda:  "No, Sonny.  I meant, are you sure you're ready to share that space with me?  The space you shared with Lily?"

It must have been a simple shooting schedule with all those scenes of S&B in pajamas in bed this week.  Ha!  I'm going to spare you the details of their conversation about Brenda making breakfast, but it was kind of fun.  The conversation led to an offer from Sonny to let Brenda come stay the night at his apartment and cook breakfast.  Brenda wanted to take him up on the offer, but she wanted him to be sure.  Now, I want to think this was a sensitive moment on her part, but I don't think Sonny would have offered if he hadn't thought about this already.  So I'm tempted to think it was a fairly passive aggressive bid for some reassurance.

Sonny appreciated it though, and thanked her for knowing he needed a bit more time.  He knows Lily would want him to have a life, and he said they were together now.  They talked about having all the time in the world, and then the cops showed up again.  Ha!

They told Sonny the hair sample he gave them matched the hair on Dorman's body.  Next came the stupidest exchange in a long time:

Brenda:  "You're trying to set him up.  Again.  The only difference is that this time I can prove it.  So I really hope that you two are ready for some serious embarrassment to your department."

Sonny:  "Brenda?  What the hell d'ya do?"
Brenda:  "I took a piece of my hair down to the station and I substituted if for yours.  So I dare you two to take him in on any charges."
Garcia:  "You realize the penalty for tampering with evidence?"
Brenda:  "No.  I don't."

Sonny:  "You are a suspect now, Brenda.  What's it gonna take to get through to you.  This isn't cops and robbers."

So, no breakfast.  Instead, a trip back down to the police station to check the story and Garcia's warning that she get her alibi ready.  Sonny was furious, as well he should be.  He gave her the silent treatment all the way there and all the way back.  He was irritated about Jason joining in as well.  But *now* Brenda chooses to make light of the situation.  So clueless and so irritating.  She didn't even have a ready alibi and she wasn't worried.  She was so convinced that they had set Sonny up that she didn't even stop to think that her hair might actually match...she just rattled on about them being seen at the ball together, and everything she said was about her and Sonny.  Even when he mentioned Stone, Brenda's memory of him was that he wanted them to be together.  I almost threw something at the TV, but I didn't want to miss the ball on the next day.

III. Carly and Tony

A. The News

Carly:  "I'm not going anywhere."

On Monday, Carly told Tony A.J. was just there to bring her costume for the ball.  She asked if they would still be doing the number, and Tony said everybody was counting on them.  While Tony went to help A.J. with a plumbing problem, Carly put her pregnancy test where Tony would be sure to see it.  I laughed at her wadding up clean paper so that it would sit just right.  But then I wondered why at this point--when all the games had failed her--she didn't simply tell him straight out that she was pregnant, instead of playing this ask-me-to-stay game.  Or even if she was going to threaten to go away, why couldn't she just inform him of that without the wastepaper basket ploy?  But my mind doesn't work the way Carly's does, thank God.

In the meantime, A.J. was assuring Tony that things didn't have to be complicated.  He told him that Carly still loved him, and that it seemed like Tony still loved her.  When Tony entered the apartment, however, he didn't say anything of the kind.  He went to the desk while Carly stood in the doorway, waiting for the bomb she had planted to drop.  It did.

Carly:  "Yes.  Tony, I'm pregnant."

Carly kept talking about their act at the ball, playing passive aggressive games and finally mentioning something about the trash.  Then Tony looked down and noticed the pregnancy test and she pretended as though she didn't mean for him to know and told him it wasn't his problem.  But she admitted she was pregnant, and the look on his face was one of complete shock.  Carly told him again that it wasn't his problem.  He asked if she wanted this child and she said yes.

Carly insisted that she would deal with things and not burden him.  He started giving her prenatal instructions, and she assured him she would do her best to make this baby happy.  Tony talked about not thinking he would have another child--so touching.  Carly apologized for hitting him with this out of the blue.  But she was so happy about having this child, and I think it hurt him to see her happiness because of their circumstances.

Tony wants to be happy about this child--because of B.J., I think, most of all.  But he can't let himself show his happiness yet.  When B.J. died he shut down that part of his emotions, and it will be very painful and hard for him to open them up again.  Someone on ratsa said they wanted to see more of Tony's reactions to this news; I think we'll get to see them when he starts letting himself feel them, or when he can't keep from feeling them anymore.  I'm getting ahead of myself a bit, but I think that what he's going to tell Carly he's decided on Monday's show is that he wants her to stay.  It'll be interesting to see if he tells her he loves her.  But I don't think he can bear losing another child, even to distance.

Brad's performance in all of these scenes this week was wonderful.  He showed all the emotions right under the surface as well as Tony's struggle to keep them in check and make a rational decision.  But I think that rational decision or not, Tony won't be able to keep the full force of his anger about Carly in the face of this.  Tony's the most interesting part of this storyline for me right now, and I believe and hope we'll have much more of him coming to terms with this new baby in terms of B.J. and his own emotions.

B. at the Hospital

Carly:  "No, Tony, right now I have a secret inside of me that nobody knows exists except for you.  And if you hadn't come over last night and seen that pregnancy test in the trash, you wouldn't know about it either."

Carly ran into Tony at the hospital on Tuesday's episode.  He asked after her health and her doctor's appointment.  He asked her if she told anybody else, and she took offense, thinking that he was asking if she had told Bobbie out of spite.  While I thought her anger at that possibility was justified (though I'm not sure Tony meant that), she immediately slipped into her lies again.  Like heck she wouldn't have told him.

While I feel for Carly in all of this, her games are beginning to wear on me again.  I wish we'd get another scene with Uncle Luke to cut through some of her crap.  My sympathy is swinging towards Tony, even as I'm starting to wish he'd pick up the clue phone and figure out she's playing him for all he's worth again--or still.  At least he had her number when he said she couldn't keep this a secret (He asked if she was trying to keep the child away from him.  Wrong scheme to be suspicious of, Tony.).

She told him again it was nobody's business and she didn't want to burden him.  In the face of his protestations of responsibility she told him she was leaving.  She told him she wouldn't stay around the people who judged her and wanted a new start. Of course she was assuming he would ask her to stay; he didn't.  He even offered to help her move.  At that point, she was convinced her scheme had backfired.

C. Carly and A.J.

A.J.:  "Why do I feel like a big disappointment?"

(Aside:  I'm not going to comment on the possible appropriateness of this line given the recast--I haven't made up my mind yet....)

Carly:  "How come I never think about things like that?"
A.J.:  "Because people like Mrs. Markel do.  You goin' somewhere?"
Carly:  "Maybe."
A.J.:  "You don't usually pack for maybe."

Carly:  "I would make myself sick if I had to watch me all the time."

On Thursday, Carly called Tony at the office but he wasn't there.  She hoped it would be Tony at the door, but it was A.J., who knew immediately that she as upset.  He noted the bags, and she started crying while trying to tell him.  While I like A.J. and Carly together, their scenes are becoming repetitive; he stops by, she cries, he reassures her, and so on.  Hopefully with Carly's new ultimatum this thing will pick up speed again.

A.J.:  "Possibly he's feeling a little manipulated."

Carly:  "But I would almost take him any way I could get him."

Carly admitted she had pressured Tony to ask her to stay (although she didn't put it quite that bluntly).  Even despite A.J.'s telling her to be honest, Carly was still playing the same games to get Tony back.  As someone pointed out on ratsa, she sticks as close to the truth as possible, but she's not being honest about her wanting to leave.  She doesn't want to leave, and probably wouldn't if this weren't a ploy.

Tony:  "I just know that you can't walk away from my responsibility."
Carly:  "And I won't be held hostage to it either.  Look, I'm sorry.  But it is not enough for you to wanna do right by our child.  I need you to want me.  For me."

She thought it was A.J. again, but it was Tony at the door.  He told her he wanted her to stay and see if they could salvage things.  But he didn't say he loved her, and she gave him an implied ultimatum:  "Tell me you love me or I will take this child away from you."  Tony was angry that she was rushing this decision and insisted he had rights regarding the child.  But Carly played his rejection of her to the hilt, saying he wouldn't be there if she weren't pregnant.  She told him it was all her fault but that she couldn't raise a kid in that mistrust.  Boy she has this game down pat.  She turned everything he said back on him and made him feel like the guilty one.  She justified her every move and made it actually sound sensible.  Such the Spencer.

Tony left and A.J. came back.  She claimed she stuck to her guns, and I think she actually thought she was the one in the right.  A.J. said he would take her to the ball since Keesha wouldn't be with him.  She accepted.

IV. The Spencers

A. The Siblings at the Library Continued

Bobbie:  "Luke?  I did it!  I'm in."
Luke:  "Hi honey.  How are you doin' over there in Switzerland?  Uh, listen, there's somebody here who, uh, would probably like to say hello to you.  Uh, I give you one guess, ok?  Um, he would hold you at gunpoint for a deviled egg and some baklava."

Bobbie:  "Luke!  There's no place to hide!"
Luke:  "Well you better look again.  Uh, she wants to know how Nikolas is."
Stefan:  "Tell her to call me herself.  She has my number."
Luke:  "Ooo, he's grumpy today."

While Bobbie was figuring out the password in the GH library, Luke waylaid Stefan in the hall outside.  When Bobbie called Luke to tell him she was into the computer, he pretended it was Laura, letting her know that Stefan was on his way in.  Bobbie freaked out and ended up hiding behind a bookcase.

Note:  I never tire of watching Luke figure out that it's his phone that's ringing out of his jacket pocket.  He does it with Sonny, and now with Stefan.

Now let me just stop for a minute here.  What was she thinking?  The fact that Luke was just there in the hall might have made Stefan suspicious, but he also might have written it off with the thought that Luke was coming from having seen Bobbie in the library and was playing games with him.  Bobbie had told him that she would stay right there, and he had no qualms earlier about leaving her in the library alone with his computer.  It's a public room; she could have made up any number of reasons for being there.  She could have said she was looking for him, or was using the phone to call someone about Lucas, or had gone in there to calm down from a confrontation with Luke.  Better yet, she could have come out of the library at that point and say something about Luke not having left yet when she had told him to and starting up another fight.  But instead of thinking on her feet, she freaked out and hid.  And if he had found her huddled behind the furniture, there was no way she could have explained her way out of it (But can't you imagine her trying: Stefan:  "Barbara, what are you doing in the floor?"  Bobbie:  "Oh, Stefan hi.  I, um, was just looking for an earring I dropped...back here...behind the book shelf...and I didn't hear you come in...and it's taken me 10 minutes to find it...").  Rusty?  Try just plain bad.  But since she's back on Luke's side for the moment, I refuse to slap her.  :)

Luke:  "Aw, the hell with him, Barbara.  Let him be suspicious.  I mean, unless he dusts for fingerprints he must think it's me, not you."

Luke:  "Barbara Jean, you done good.  You're a little rusty on the shady behavior, but with time....  I'm very proud of you."
Bobbie:  "Thank you.  I, I, I was pretty good, wasn't I."
Luke:  "You were rusty.  But fearless."

Luke:  "Barbara, be creative.  Use a few more of those Spencer skills."
Bobbie:  "Ya right.  Close my eyes and jump in?"
Luke:  "Somethin' like that."

Luke:  "This time we're on top.  Because he doesn't know that we're standing on the same side of the firing squad."
Bobbie:  "It feels so good just to hear you say that."
Luke:  "We just can't let him get wise to us."
Bobbie:  "Ok, good, so does that mean I get to slap you every time I see you?"
Luke:  "Whatever works."
Bobbie:  "Let's not fight anymore, ok?"
Luke:  "Before we bury the hatchet, let's make sure it's in Stefan's head."

Luke hid behind a custodian he paid off while Stefan exited, then went back into the library to reassure Bobbie.  She was convinced that Stefan knew something.  Luke reassured her, but I hope he doesn't write off the possibility that Stefan' figured out he needs to suspect his wife too.  I loved seeing them leave arm in arm at the end of Monday's show.

And Adrian?  I think you have a new title for some FGC Bobbie member.  Keeper of the Spencer Skills.  For that matter, I think every FGC Spencer needs someone with that Keeper title.  :)

B. Luke and Lucky

Lucky:  "What...Dad, what are you doin'?"
Luke:  "Shhshh.  I, I be with you in a minute, alright?"
Lucky:  "Wait...what...what, are you waitin' for a bomb to go off under Cassadine's desk?"
Luke:  "Ya, somethin' like that, ya.  How ya doin'?  What's this?"
Lucky:  "Huh?"
Luke:  "What's that?"
Lucky:  "It's just a surprise for a friend.  What..."
Luke:  "Oh.  Are you gonna be home for dinner tonight?"
Lucky:  "You cookin'?"
Luke:  "No."
Lucky:  "I'll be there.  We should get like a big thick pepperoni pizza from Gypsy's or somethin'."
Luke:  "That sounds good."
Lucky:  "Ya."
Luke:  "Pick one up and a six-pack of beer."
Lucky:  "I need the fake IDs."
Luke:  "Oh.  Right, no, I'll get the beer."

But the best part of this was when Lucky came by on the way to ICU with Audrey's cat.  Luke was listening at the door trying to hear how Bobbie was covering her butt when Lucky found him.  Further proof that TG can talk about nothing with anybody and make it entertaining.  I wonder how much of this was improvised; I'd bet most (Terry, you've got me betting on everything!).

C. Lucky and Sarah

Amy:  "And Lucky, try not to pop any balloons on the way in."

Sarah:  "You're...funny."

Sarah:  "Gram, it's Sarah.  Do you know who I am?
Audrey:  "You cut your hair."

Sarah brought in a jungle to help cheer up Audrey.  Lucky brought Audrey's cat when he returned.  Lucky's racking up major points on the sweetness meter, but unfortunately for him I think Sarah sees that as a friendly kind of sweet.  I liked hearing him talk about his grandmother with her; they do indeed have that in common, and I might have liked to see that go on for a few scenes.  But Audrey had to wake up in time for Joe Scanlon's hearing on Port Charles, so she woke up on GH on Monday as well.

Sarah seemed awkward at first, and seems older than the character, somehow.  But I've read that the character's supposed to be 17, and that makes sense.  She was a bit off to me at first, but after several scenes with her, I bought into her maturity and sweet, calm nature--but I still find her a little corny.  I think she's immediately taken to Lucky as a friend and relative, and she's clearly intrigued by Nik, even if she finds him rude and arrogant.  This is going to be one of the big storylines of the summer, I've heard, and I'm assuming Lucky stays behind when his Dad goes wherever he's going (I'm betting Luke goes to Switzerland to be with Laura to account for Geary's vacation) and that this is the reason.

D. At Ruby's

Luke:  "Yes.  Barbara Jean saw the light.  It almost blinded her, but now she's in vindictive mode, which is very healthy."

Lucky:  "That's just some of the best news I've heard in months."

Lucky and Luke caught up on the details of the plan against Stefan at Ruby's.  Luke mentioned in passing that Bobbie was working on the inside for them now, and Lucky was very happy to hear it.  I love them with Ruby, and it was nice to see so much of the family together and happy.

Bobbie:  "Hey nephew, can I get a hug?"
Luke:  "Better make it snappy.  He's a very busy man."
Lucky:  "Dad, give me break."

Luke:  "So who's the foxy young thing that's sending my kid into a hormonal spin?"

Bobbie:  "What?"
Luke:  "Oh...a little revelation here.  Now I see what's inspired my son to these new heights of responsibility to the needy."
Bobbie:  "Well, you know the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it."

Lucky was in a hurry to get back to the hospital when Bobbie showed up.  Luke was razzing him about it, but he didn't know what was up until Sarah showed up to pick up some pie for Audrey.  Luke ain't ever been as dumb as he looks (as he says), and he immediately figured it out.  While Lucky turned on the charm and sat with Sarah at the counter, Luke just shook his head and laughed.

Luke:  "Just keep that anger and that fury blazing inside a ya like that, baby, it comes out your eyes--he'll think it's lust.  I,I, I'm serious.  And listen, while we're on the subject, when we're in public, try to be as unpleasant to me as possible.  I know how hard that is for ya.  We can be friendly in the family and when it's private, but out in public we've gotta keep snarling at each other, ok?"
Bobbie:  "Ok.  That is the most fun part of this whole operation."

Lucky kept chatting with Sarah and Bobbie told Luke Stefan changed the password.  She didn't want to have to do it again, and she didn't want to have to go to the ball with Stefan.  They chatted about her act, but Luke was distracted by Lucky and Sarah.

Bobbie:  "Hey, if you wanna meet her, why don't you just go over and introduce yourself."
Luke:  "Oh, no.  Do I look like one of those pushy what-about-me kind of parents?  Come on.  My kid'll introduce me when he's ready."
Bobbie:  "Hm.  Well, he's a teenager.  It could be Christmas."
Luke:  "Then it'll be Christmas.  I refuse to be uncool."

This conversation with Bobbie about parenting and uncool-ness was a riot and a half.  It's too bad Geary's going to be gone for most of the summer, because I would love some little family scenes with Luke trying to figure out how to handle Lucky's burgeoning crush and his own sense of cool combined with some serious stuff about Lucky trying to become his own person in light of his past hero worship of Luke.

Luke:  "That's really good news about Audrey.  She's a helluva gal"
Sarah:  "Ya, she's gettin' better every day."
Lucky:  "I don't think I'd call her a gal.  In fact, I don't think I'd call anybody a gal, Dad."
Luke:  "You wouldn't?  Hm.  Is that politically incorrect?"

Bobbie met Sarah and they chatted a bit, much to Lucky's chagrin.  Sarah was very gracious and included Lucky in the story of Audrey's recovery.  Luke was put out of his misery by Ruby's calling him over.  Lucky did introduce him, but not happily--he didn't even give Luke's name.  I was waiting for Luke to kiss her hand, but he restrained himself.  :)  (Of course, I could think of a different reason for Lucky not to want to introduce dear old Dad--now he has to compete with the moves of the master of charm and flirtation--not that Luke would intrude, but at Sarah's age I would have had a crush on the dad rather than the son.  ;)  And you know, that would be a fun twist, to see Luke having to deal graciously with a teenage crush and Lucky's own mortification.  Ha!)

After they left, more on parenting from Bobbie and Luke:

Ruby:  "They're sweet."
Luke:  "Ya, she is.  Did I grow horns?"
Bobbie:  "What you've grown is a teenage son."
Luke:  "Is that what that was?  Barbara, when did I become such a drag?  I thought I was like the coolest, hippest parent in the, the whole universe, you know."
Bobbie:  "Oh, hey, you are!  But to a teenager in Lucky's condition...."
Luke:  "What condition?"
Bobbie:  "Are you kidding?  Major infatuation!  And nobody wants his dad around at a time like that."
Luke:  "Even me?!"
Bobbie:  "Ya.  Even you."
Luke:  "Ah, wait a minute.  Now, now look.  You're just gettin' a...you're gettin' a big kick out of givin' me this ribbing, aren't ya."
Bobbie:  "Uh-huh.  Well, you know, I have to stay one up once in a while because you get so obnoxious when you're right more than twice in a row."
Luke:  "Is that right?  Obnoxious and un-cool too?  Damn, woman!  You're all over my case!"
Bobbie:  "Ya, well, you know, it, I've missed it so much; it feels so good."

Luke:  "Barbara, I'm positive that you and your disco doctor are gonna be the hit of the show."

Bobbie:  "It feels really good to be here.  I've missed you."
Luke:  "Welcome home."

Bobbie went off to prepare for the ball, and we had a sweet good-bye from my favorite siblings.

V. The Cassadines

A. Stefan

Of course Stefan had reason to be suspicious after meeting Luke in the hall, but I still think Bobbie could have put him off guard a bit by not hiding.  I assume Stefan suspected Luke, but he may have been wondering who was really on the phone after that "I'm outside Steve Hardy's old office" line.  He was definitely pondering something.

In the middle of all this, he called Monica to ask her to rejoin the board at GH.  She was happy to get herself involved immediately, and I know he was sincere in wanting her back.  But I wondered at his timing.  He's made it clear that he suspects the Quartermaines and may not stand behind them if the Dorman thing proves messy.  Is he still trying to manipulate them into trusting him?  Has he been doing so all along?

Stefan:  "Do you know what happens when you feed a computer more information than it can manage?"
Alexis:  "It stops working."
Stefan:  "Exactly."
Alexis:  "Stefan, what's going on?"
Stefan:  "Please, Alexis."
Alexis:  "What!"
Stefan:  "I need respite.  Alright?  At least for an afternoon."

After seeing Katherine in public and staying silent, Stefan called to see if she was in her office.  Again with the not being able to stay away from her.  Alexis came in, quite bubbly after seeing Ned, but not too bubbly to ask him what was wrong.  He told her to keep after the Quartermaines, then called his secretary and said he would be leaving for the day.  When she asked him, he responded with the above very Stefan line.

B. Nikolas

Katherine:  "Is this some kind of joke?  How could you do this to me?"

Nikolas hijacked Katherine for an outing on Tuesday's show.  He didn't tell her where they were headed...in retrospect probably not the best idea.  ;)  When they got to the country house and he took off the blindfold, her reaction should have told him everything.  Somehow she managed to cover with her weak explanation of being caught off guard.

At one point, after Katherine knew Stefan was there and decided to wait and see him instead of going with Nik, she chatted with Nik about his new license and his new car--a convertible.  Now, this doesn't tell us anything about Nik's age, because he could have had to wait a while to get it, but it does tell us he's at least 16.  And since L&L had their 15-year anniversary recently, that seems about right.  Sarah's supposed to be 17, and Lucky is 14 or 15 (JJ just turned 15 in May).  What bothered me about this conversation was that Nik spoke about driving the limo, and wouldn't he have to have a special chauffeur's license to do that legally?

Nik didn't understand why his surprise didn't turn out well, and he had a questioning tone in his voice when he told Stefan about it later.  And he noticed the change in Katherine's attitude about walking again, asking her if something had happened while he was gone.  He's suspicious, and I hope he doesn't let her poor explanations derail his questions.  At this point, however, she passed over it by saying she had found focus and going in to her meeting with Lucy.

Stefan:  "Your technique needs improvement."

Stefan found Nik listening though the door on the meeting, and I was struck by the similarity to Luke and Lucky's scene earlier in the week.  While that one seemed improvised and easy, this one seemed scripted and tentative.  A nice statement on all concerned.  Stefan noted his Americanisms again.  They found a truce when Stefan offered to let him drive home.

C. Stefan and Katherine

Katherine:  "It's not fair."
Stefan:  "To want you?"
Katherine:  "To act on it.  You agreed to stay away from me.  Please have the decency to keep away."
Stefan:  "You're lying by my pool in my retreat, and I'm the transgressor."
Katherine:  "Nikolas brought me here."
Stefan:  "And you stayed by your own choice."
Katherine:  "Fine.  It's my fault.  Would you just go.  Please."
Stefan:  "I'd like to say I'm sorry you're hurting, but the truth is I'm gratified.  It helps somehow to know that you too...want what we can't have.  What we'll never share."

By this point we all know where Stefan was going for his respite.  And, conveniently, the hydrotherapist's car broke down and Nik had to leave Katherine alone for a bit.  We were treated to a painful (for them, I mean ;)) reunion of Stefan and Katherine at the scene of their last romantic interlude.  I'll pass over the gory details.  Suffice it to say that he found some solace in the fact that she was still in as much pain as he was.

Several of us had problems with the way this relationship was set up.  Once it was set up, I was willing to take it as a given and have an open mind, seeing how tptb would handle things.  I'm still not happy.  This staring at each other across crowded rooms is boring, and I hope that the new writing team can start to take off where Culliton left off and either make this into an developing and changing storyline or leave it for a while and go somewhere else. 

Katherine:  "You never miss a chance to spy on him, do you?"
Stefan:  "He used to tell me things.  Now I have to rely on observation.  'Sit tight?'"
Katherine:  "It's an Americanism."
Stefan:  "Yes.  He uses them more and more."
Katherine:  "Nothing wrong with them."
Stefan:  "Well there is if you're not American.  Language is a tool that should reflect one's station."
Katherine:  "You really are a terrible snob, aren't you?"
Stefan:  "Not really.  But there is such a thing as place."
Katherine:  "That's the point, I suppose.  You've got your place and I've got mine.  We'll never be the same."

The most interesting part of their conversation was actually the part about conversation.  I've noticed our favorite men in black falling into looser and looser speech patterns as the weeks and months wear on.  Stefan maintains a higher level of speech than Nik does--appropriate, I think, given their ages, but not, as Stefan points out, given Nik's position.  The language of the Cassadines always fascinates me, and I was glad to hear Stefan talk about it again.

Stefan:  "I'm accustomed to living with loss.  That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Katherine:  "Don't."
Stefan:  "Why?  There's no one else here.  We won't tell."

Even these lines show Stefan's assumptions about the power of speech.  He tells Katherine that their kiss won't be a problem because they won't *tell* anyone about it, eliding the power of the action itself and the pain it will cause them both.

An aside for Port Charles viewers: I'm also fascinated in my ever-growing and ever-developing comparison of Stefan and PC's villain, Rex Stanton.  Rex is simply out for money, as far as we know, but his entrance has been similar to Stefan's (the first thing we saw of him was his hand, even).  But while Stefan maintains his accent and his vocabulary, with the occasional slip-up, Rex has shown a command of two accents already.  He gains an advantage from making his speech serve him--from his ability and willingness to change positions and places and accents and vocabularies.  It will be interesting to see if he can gain more and do it more quickly than Stefan has, and whether that will be because of his language.

In the end, Katherine called Nik to come and get her and take her back.  She told him she was crying because of the allergies; I don't think he believed her.  After she left, Stefan sadly stood behind her empty chair.

VI. Audrey and Sarah

A. Audrey's Visitors

Audrey:  "Hmm.  And how did the word get out, Amy?"
Amy:  "Well, it's a dirty job, but somebody had to do it."

Audrey and Amy and Sarah were interrupted by Katherine at the beginning of Tuesday's show.  Katherine was gracious, but was there to start the publicity ball rolling.  Sarah was hesitant, but Audrey said she'd do everything to help the hospital.  Of course, Amy let slip that she had almost died twice then covered her tracks by giving her the news that Stefan was coming to visit.  Katherine tried to leave immediately, but Stefan came in before she could wheel herself out.  Things were uncomfortable; he never even spoke to her.  Of course that's what she said she wanted, but from the overly pained look on her face it was clear she uncomfortable with his silence.

Stefan was all charm with Audrey and her granddaughter (who was appropriately uncomfortable, since she knows the name from Nikolas), and even Amy (I just loved hearing him say my name--the upside of sharing a name with the town gossip is that she's also related to the people with the best voices).  He didn't speak to Katherine, as per her wishes, but of course he couldn't stop looking at her.  Sigh.  He deserves better than this, and at the same time he chose his own situation when he married Bobbie.

Audrey:  "Don't tell me you're here to examine me again."
Tony:  "I certainly am."
Audrey:  "Oh, for heaven's sake, it's the third time this morning.  Isn't there someone else in the hospital you need to examine?"
Tony:  "You have dibs on me.  You know that."

But Tony was the best visitor of all, and so cute with her.

B. Sarah and Nikolas

Nikolas:  "Have you reported me to the proper authorities yet?"
Sarah:  "Ah, well, actually I haven't given you the second thought."

Sarah went out into the hall with Amy and Katherine, who told her not to worry about the publicity.  Nik came up to say hello, and Katherine introduced him to Sarah.  They were short with each other, but both of them looked after each other dreamily as the other one left.

C. Audrey and Sarah

Tony and Sarah talked Audrey into letting Sarah stay the summer--not that it took to much arm-twisting.  Sarah's line about there being a lot to do in Port Charles cracked me up for some reason; it's certainly never boring!  Tony hit her up to baby-sit Lucas, but left when she started talking about the Brownstone.  Audrey filled her in on the divorce.

VII. Mac

A. with Dara

On Tuesday, Dara filled Mac in on the investigation and gave her condolences over his lost job.  We actually had a good scene with Dara.  She applauded Mac's work as commissioner, and in the face of his explanation for going outside the system to take down Dorman, she admitted her own dislike of the system that says she has to prosecute Dorman's murder.  I liked seeing her doubt and her frustration, given her usual pit-bull approach to the letter of the law.

She admitted it would be easiest to prosecute Sonny, and she went into the details a bit before she realized that Mac was there to find out just that.  She knew Mac was there to check up on Jason, and even Sonny.  But she thinks they probably did it, and she said she hoped so, because they would be able to cover their tracks and the case wouldn't go to trial.

Mac was great with her, and I was glad to see that he's keeping up with the case for Robin's sake.

B. With Jax

Jax:  "Why the hell didn't you fire that guy?"
Mac:  "Careful, you're starting to sound like Sonny."

Jax:  "I asked for honesty.  She must have got it confused with, uh, total disclosure."

Jax met Mac as he had requested, and they caught each other up.  Then Mac told Jax about a letter from Miranda.  Jax was frustrated, but Mac saw that she was trying to let it go.  He told Jax his grudge was over.  I thought this was a nice moment aside from the fact that it was a time to let Jax know Officer A was moving in, and I'm wondering if they're setting up for some cooperation between these two at some point in the future.  That I'd like to see, actually.

C. With Katherine

Mac:  "Although I will miss wearing all those spiffy suits you got me."

Katherine:  "So you're thanking me for breaking up with me."

Mac:  "Why don't you let me be in charge of the chair tonight.  I mean, can't a couple of old friends have a ball together?"

I was actually glad to see Mac show up at Katherine's apartment on Thursday.  They talked about his leaving his job and their breakup and their futures.  It was nice to see them being comfortable friends together and to hear Mac excited about the future and looking for adventure.  The talk about Katherine's new attitude did bother me a bit, since we haven't really been privy to the ins and outs of her seeming multitude of changes of heart.  But taking it at surface value, it was good to see her speaking confidently about her life.  I'm ready for her to walk again so they can give her a chance to prove her new outlook on life, personally.

They talked a bit about Robin too, and Katherine said she had found inspiration from her.  More philosophizing from Katherine, but it made Mac happy to hear her speak that way, so I was glad.

VIII. Lucy

Lucy:  "By the way, you were very photogenic in that picture when you were being arraigned.  Uh, Sonny never looks quite as photogenic, does he, when he's arraigned.  He just looks sinister or something.  I'm sorry, I'm digressing.  Where were we?"

It's so wonderful to get to talk about Kevin and Lucy again.  :)

At the beginning of Wednesday's show, Lucy arrived at the GH library for Nurses Ball planning.  Amy informed her she wouldn't be helping; she was too busy with the plans for Bobbie's number with Dr. Drexler.  Lucy became agitated, insisting that things go on exactly as they always had.  Now, those of us who watch Port Charles immediately knew why she was so insistent on things going smoothly--Serena's kidnapping and the threats from Rex Stanton.  That also explains why she was so jumpy about Jax's new sidekick.

Lucy:  "If I want?  You're actually normal. You're a nice person.  You're very cooperative, it seems, and you do have a...a modicum of chic.  Look at you.  Well, you really wanna do it?"

She introduced Gina and Jax (Jax has chemistry with everybody these days, doesn't he?), and then asked Gina why she as there.  Gina was going to be Lucy's dresser (someone should be FGC Gina, Keeper of the Modicum of Chic).  Gina went off to study her instructions and Mac arrived.  Again, Lucy went pale, assuming something was wrong.  It was only that Robin couldn't make it this year.  Mac backed out on helping.  On his way out, he told Jax he needed to see him and then offered the upstairs apartment to Officer A.

Finally, Katherine arrived, and when Lucy started getting upset about things Katherine suggested they stop.  But Lucy said she wanted to fight because it was normal.  GH-ers complained about this series of Lucy scenes because they didn't have the context for things.  I can't judge whether they're working well or not, but I'm glad Lucy's preparations were on GH.  Hopefully, as the ball continues, things would become clearer for those people who don't see PC.

IX. The Nurses' Ball

This was my first real time Nurses' Ball.  I've seen some performances from last year's, but I must say that it was so wonderful to watch it in the course of all the storylines and know what was going on behind all those faces.  I'm trying my best not to gush about Monday's episode and stick to Friday's....

A. Lucy and Kevin

At the beginning of Friday's episode, Lucy was freaking out over the chair truck when she was really worried about Serena.  We had a flashback to a scene that took place on Port Charles where Rex Stanton threatened Lucy, telling her that she would have to find a way to drop off the money for him during the ball.  People who don't watch Port Charles (or can't) didn't have know everything that was going on, but I thought they did a good job of setting up the main things that were going on with this flashback and Kevin's proclamation that he was taking Lucy home.  You see, he doesn't know that Scott and Lucy have made this plan with the kidnappers, though he suspects something's going on.  But he doesn't want Lucy to tire herself out for the baby's sake.  Finally, I think they didn't want to do much with the storyline here because they weren't going to wrap it up here (we saw the exchange on PC the next Monday).

Lucy:  "Yes, what?  What is it, Mr. Cassadine?  Have you never seen two people involved in a heated discussion before?"

Stefan:  "How do you say, um, butterflies?"

Lucy wouldn't go home, and it drove her batty that she couldn't tell Kevin why she had to stay.  Turns out the plan wasn't that involved, but I think Lucy had to stay there because this was the one thing in her life right now that she could have absolute control over.  I loved that Kevin told Stefan not to put any pressure on Lucy, and I loved even more the little look they exchanged over her declarations.  It makes me sad we may not get much more of those two together.

Lucy:  "Don't forget what those beautiful, gorgeous ladies look like in those gowns, because I want you right now to picture them without them."

Lucy:  "Now be careful.  You may get your pocket picked before you get there by Lila Quartermaine."

Lucy:  "We get hope.  That's what we get."

Once things started, Lucy was all grace.  Her dresses were lovely and fun all at the same time, and her jokes at the microphone were a scream.  But through it all she spoke very eloquently of the reasons they were there.

Don:  "Personally, it ticks me off.  He never calls; he never writes.  Being dead is no excuse.  Well.  Maybe it is."

I love Don.  He was gracious with all the guests and performers, and he was wonderful with Lucy.  Their scene about John Hanley was one of the best moments of the whole ball--a quiet scene between two friends, and so real.  Lucy wasn't thinking of John, but she does, that was clear.  And I thought it was very touching that in the middle of all her personal worries she had a moment there where she determined to do her best not for herself, but for John.

B. The Women's Dressing Room

Amy:  "I just wish they'd catch that psycho already.  Guess maybe they don't have to be a psycho considering they only killed Dorman."

These were some of the best scenes on Friday, in the dressing room.  Amy babbled on to Brenda about the Dorman investigation; we cut to this right after the cops agreed they needed as search warrant.  Brenda wasn't in the show, but she was helping.

Ned:  "Well how about that.  I'd better take a look and make sure it's full of undressed females."

Ned walked Emily and Monica to the dressing room, teasing Emily (above).  So cute.  They joked about Edward's stage fright and when Emily went in with Amy to get ready Ned reassured Monica.  He told her to play it cool so that everybody would see that nothing was phasing the Quartermaines in the middle of all this.

Amy:  "Better get started."

I loved Monica's reaction to Amy's above line.  Ha!  After this, everyone showed up and we had a big kind of musical number with everyone getting dressed and made up.  I loved, in particular, the little moments between Gail and Bobbie behind Carly's back, Amy's patting down Brenda's hair, and Alexis letting Carly powder her nose (I'd like to see scenes with the two of them, actually).  In the end, everybody was ready but Amy, who ran up just in time to start the show.

C. Carly and Tony

Carly:  "And I really don't have a burning desire to hear what Port Charles thinks about me being pregnant."
Tony:  "Who cares."
Carly:  "You obviously don't."

Tony stopped Carly in the hall and wanted to about her leaving.  Carly pretended it wasn't a deadline and again played the person who was put upon.  Again she played the truth.  People don't like her, but I wonder if they would treat her as badly as she thinks.  She actually asked him if he was going to take her to court--low blow.

Jason found Carly and she asked him if he would miss her.  I think he would.

Tony/Brad Maule was wonderful in his act.  That's one of Brad's songs, and I loved it.  He was so cute.  Everyone did a good job during this scene of making their characters' thoughts clear.  Carly's moment of pain when she was in Tony's arms was well-done and well shot.  Bobbie and Stefan--and especially Luke--in the audience were wonderful to watch.

Lucy:  "'Course you know now why I had no choice but I had to marry this man.  For what was it, a year we were married, two, three years?"
Tony:  "That was you?"

Tony:  "I don't like being pressured into these kinds of decisions; it's not my way.  This one's pretty easy though."

That was the cliffhanger for Friday.  From the look on Carly's face it was clear that she thought he had chosen against her.  I was just afraid he was going to declare his love for her right then and there.

D. Luke and Stefan

Luke:  "You'll spoil your appetite for rubber chicken if you keep eating your heart out like that."

The line of the ball, for my money, and the perfect interruption of those painful stares between Stefan and Katherine.  I wish Luke could show up and interrupt all the time.  No, I'm not going to go off on them again.  But like all things--even the things I like very much--this can and has become repetitive.  Lucy worrying about Kevin became repetitive, A.J. and Carly are becoming so, and these longing looks are beginning to wear very thin.  I hope that now that the nurses' ball is over they'll give us some variation and plot progress.

Stefan:  "I didn't realize you were numbered among the hospital supporters."
Luke:  "What are you, nuts?  I got a tattoo on my butt; it says, ' In case of emergency take me anywhere but GH.'  I mean, between the murders in the basement and the viruses in the light bulbs?  Man, I'd rather be covered in leeches."
Stefan:  "Well.  I'll drop a hint to Laura.  Perhaps for your next birthday."

I wanna see....

E. Jax and friend

Stefan:  "I'd, uh, hoped you'd join me at my table, but perhaps you and your friend would...prefer something less visible?"

Crack me up.  But Jax was very gracious with Officer A., even when she gave him every opportunity to criticize her appearance.  He simply smiled.

F. Sonny and Company

Sonny:  "You're not listening.  Brenda isn't Robin.  Robin's happy when you're happy.  Brenda's happy when she's driving me crazy.  I don't want you to enlist in that cause."
Mike:  "Maybe you oughta get her some tropical fish."

Sonny chastised Jason for helping Brenda.  While he defended her logic, Sonny told him he didn't want him helping her.  And none of them ever seemed to think that the cops weren't framing them; they all assumed it had blown over.  I absolutely adored seeing Mike and Sonny together again.

It was such a scream to watch 3 men changing out chairs for Brenda--Mike, especially.  And the picture taking was so very 40s mobster.  :)

G. The Quartermaines

A.J.:  "Look at you.  You look...familiar."

Sonny commented on how well Jason looked in his tux, and he really affected the Quartermaines.  A.J. gave him an awkward greeting as he arrived.  Lila and Edward both commented on it as well.

Lucky asked after Emily, and Lila told him that she was in the fashion show.  It was good to see him think of her, given his current state of infection...er...affection for Sarah.  I just laughed at his attempts to stay out of the way of the following.

Edward:  "Where were you A.J.?  We waited at home until we were nearly late."
A.J.:  "Did I know you were waiting?"

Lila:  "Ignore your grandfather, A.J.  He's consumed with stage fright."
Edward:  "Why do you keep telling people that, my dear?"

The Qs squabbled with Edward over A.J.  This was the first time we'd seen the new A.J. with the entire Q contingent, and I will admit he doesn't fit in.  I'm still optimistic that Warlock can make the role his own, but the physical discrepancies just don't make it easy.

Alan led off the ball with the fashion show.  He sang a medley of "It's a Grand Night for Singing" and "Ten Minutes Ago."  And he thrilled hearts across the country...and across ratsa.  Stuart Damon is a peach, and I was so glad to hear him sing this song...again.  ;)  I loved his moments with Emily and with Monica during this number.  His whispered "I love you" was wonderful.  And Monica was so beautiful and the look she gave him was so sweet.  I'll stop gushing.  I loved the rainbow of dress colors, but I'll spare you any more discussion of the outfits.  It's not my bag, and we've done it to death on ratsa.  I thought everyone looked beautiful, but Lucy was the best of all.  :)  And as always, it was interesting to see who they cut to in the audience for each woman's appearance.  My favorite cut was to Luke when Carly came down the stairs.  A wonderful start to the ball!

Emily:  "Did you ever think of being a professional singer?"
Alan:  "Well, actually, when I was in college I auditioned for an off-Broadway musical, but my father wouldn't let me appear in the nude."
Edward:  "No, no, no, no.  That was the Fire Marshall, to keep people from stampeding the exits."

The Qs chatted about the musicality in their family a bit, and for just a moment forgot their troubles.  It was wonderful to see, and such fun.  They still couldn't see whom A.J. was with.  Monica and Alan said that Jason looked just like he did on his prom.

Jason:  "So you were my girlfriend."
Karen:  "Ya."
Jason:  "I can see that.  Are we mad at each other or anything?"
Karen:  "Hm.  We're all over that."

In the meantime, we had a really nice scene between Karen and Jason.  He figured out who she was.  ;)  Karen wanted to see Robin and spoke of Jagger and Stone.  The Qs noticed, and didn't say much.

H. Katherine

As Kevin and Mac (it was so good to have them together) talked about Lucy, Katherine went to practice her speech.  She went, actually, to practice her standing and walking, where Stefan found her later.  Cliffhanger for Friday; they didn't say anything.

I. The Cassadine Table

Amy raved about the bid Stefan put on Bobbie's dress, and he was very charming.  She didn't buy it.  But she was too busy fending off Dr. Drexler (who drug Amy off to show her some new moves) to speak much about it.  Luke cruised by, scowling, and Bobbie charmed Stefan for all she was worth.  Ha!  She immediately asked Nik about Katherine.  When she's good, she's good.

Stefan:  "Dr. Jones and Lucy Coe?"
Bobbie:  "Yes, well, some marriages were made in heaven.  This one was made in a coma."

After Tony's number, Bobbie went to practice with the awful Dr. Drexler, and Stefan went to mingle.  At least that's what he said.  He went to find Katherine.

J. The Cops

Throughout the footage of the ball we had some scenes with Garcia and Taggert intercut.  Brenda's hair matches the one found on Dorman, and they got a search warrant and searched her car, finding the bloody scalpel--or at least "a" bloody scalpel.  That was the cliffhanger for Friday.  I resented a little that this storyline closed Friday's show, which should have been focused mainly on the ball.  But I guess it is your stereotypical cliffhanger.

K. The Interns

I liked seeing the bits of the interns at the ball, and I thought it was a nice way to get people interested in the new show--or at least aware of it, if they weren't already.  The drawback was that people didn't have the background for why they were interacting the ways they were, especially in their anger with Eve.  I won't say any more than that.