**The Week in Review: June 23 - June 27**

I. Sonny and Company

A.  At the Ball

At the beginning of Monday's episode, Jason asked Sonny and Brenda why they had left the room.  They told him that seeing him with Karen kind of threw them for a loop, bringing back all manner of memories.  Of course, the biggest goof here was that Brenda mentioned that it had been four years since high school when Karen's supposed to be a new intern--which would probably have taken her longer than four years IRL.  

Jason:  "She seems nice, though."
Sonny:  "Ya.  She is."

The most interesting thing about the scene, however, was Sonny's response (above).  He's spoken with Jason about his past with Karen, and I'm sorry that it seems he'll be too busy before his departure to deal with it more.  I'd have liked to see that; I noticed that tptb very carefully kept Karen and Sonny out of scenes together and gave no impression that they even saw each other.

The scene at the end of the ball with Brenda and Karen was a good one to have, but people disliked it for various reasons.  Some people commented on Brenda's smile, which they thought was inappropriate.  I think Brenda smiled a lot throughout the evening, and mostly it was a defense mannerism in response to the pain of the subject matter.  I think, in her mind, it's the way to look gracious about the topic and understanding.  It didn't come off well.  I liked more hearing of Karen's guilty feelings than Brenda's finding inspiration from it.

I didn't mind that part.  I minded her talking to Stone.  No pain, no comment on Robin, nothing but the fact that she's back with Sonny.  Drive me up the nearest wall.

Of course, one of the reasons for the scene was to get Brenda in the hall so Garcia and Taggert could take her downtown.  The investigation actually continued during the Nurses Ball episode on Monday.  Taggert and Garcia searched Brenda's car and found a bloody scalpel in her trunk near the beginning, and they did take her to the station at the end.

B. The Police Station

Ned:  "Maybe she got tired of being a trophy at your table."

Ned:  "Let's hope all it means is that Brenda came to her senses about you."
Sonny:  "Gee Ned, I wish I could be as good as you at keeping a woman happy."

At the beginning of Tuesday's show, Ned came across Sonny who was looking for Brenda.  I've missed them together.  Sonny was worried because Brenda had simply gone to the lobby and never came back.  At this point, Joseph came to tell Sonny that Brenda had been seen downtown.

Brenda:  "Very cute."
Taggert:  "That's what Corinthos always says.  Well, he says I'm cute.  I don't know about this guy."
Garcia:  "He thought I was cute a lot longer than he knew you."
Taggert:  "Ok, now which one of us you think Sonny would think is cuter?"

Taggert:  "Oh, now we're pitiful."
Garcia:  "Hey look, Corinthos never called me pitiful."
Taggert:  "Yes he did.  I heard him."
Garcia:  "No he didn't."
Taggert:  "He did too."
Garcia:  "He called the entire department pitiful.  He didn't name me specifically."

Taggert:  "Well, our case just got a whole lot stronger than that protein fortified hair of yours."

In the meantime, we had a hysterical scene with Taggert and Garcia with Brenda down at the station.  They gave her the comic runaround while asking her about killing Dorman.  Brenda got snarky, and then they revealed their evidence and questioned her.  Brenda insisted that none of their evidence made sense and that they were setting her up.

Sonny:  "You better get your handcuffs nice and shiny for when I find out who set her up.  Do I get a, a toaster or an honorary locker or something for, you know, all your cases?"
Garcia:  "I'll tell you what.  How bout we name a jail cell after you?"
Sonny:  "Ya.  That's nice."

At this point, Sonny showed up just as they were going to read Brenda her rights.  Take note that at this point, Brenda told Sonny that he should call Valentine; it'll be important later.  Sonny declared everything circumstantial and pointed out all the holes and inconsistencies in the logic.  He claimed they were trying to get an admission out of him.  Finally, the police didn't have enough to hold her...yet.

The hotel room was trashed and Sonny said they could go back to his place, but she didn't want it like that.  He reassured her even though what she really wanted was a pill.  She slept fitfully and awoke to give us a really corny ending to Tuesday's show: "Maybe someone just walked over my grave."

Meanwhile, back at the police station Taggert got an anonymous phone tip to go to the dump.  At this point, I moved all my net.money onto Rivera (from Rebecca) because that voice on the phone sounded just like his.  I know that Dorman's drug connections were from Central America and would all have that accent, but since they've made this whole murder about Brenda there has to be a reason.  I'm betting Rivera is that reason.  I'm not saying the spoilers reveal this, but the scraps of things they do reveal add up to this.  They could add up to other things too, so I'm not giving anything away.  But I didn't want you to think I was flying blind if this pans out.

C. At the Hotel

Brenda:  "I appreciate that, but if you're gonna do anything to protect me I want you to consult me first."
Sonny:  "Like you consulted me?"
Brenda:  "Oh, switching the hair samples was totally different."
Sonny:  "How?"
Brenda:  "Because I was doing something to protect you."

Back at the hotel on Wednesday's episode, Sonny called Valentine to get him on the case.  In the worst dialogue I've heard in a long time, Brenda asked Sonny why he called Valentine without discussing it with her first.  Strike one--she asked him to call Valentine the day before.  Strike two?  The inane section of dialogue above.  It didn't come off as Brenda grasping as straws; it came off as Brenda looking really dumb.

Brenda:  "So I made them mad.  Do you think I care about that?"
Sonny:  "You damn well better."

Sonny:  "And if you think I'm gonna stand back and let that happen to someone I love, you don't know the first thing about me."

Strike three?  Brenda persists in not taking this seriously.  She has yet to realize what she's gotten herself into.  All I wanted right then was for her to get a taste of what could potentially be the consequences for her actions (lucky for me I'm doing this late enough in the next week that I know she does).

Brenda:  "You don't trust me anymore?"
Sonny:  "Trust?  I'm trying to save your life, Brenda.  They're tryin' to frame you for murder.  With one more piece of evidence, they're gonna do it."

Meanwhile, Taggert and Garcia went to the dump to dig through the garbage.  They were very pleased with what they found.

Sonny:  "We can't let them do this.  Come between us.  Because if they do, we don't stand a chance."
Brenda:  "We won't; we've come too far."
Sonny:  "Then why do I feel like I'm right back where I started?"

Brenda admitted she had messed up and promised she would never do anything like that again.  Like I believe that.  But Sonny's comment above was the most insightful commentary on the situation I heard.  Too bad they couldn't spend a bit of time talking about that truth.  Instead, Brenda continued to ignore the seriousness of the situation while Sonny predicted worse.

Turns out they had Brenda's clothes with Dorman's blood on them and Garcia remembered she was wearing that outfit on the night Dorman was murdered.

On Thursday's show, Jason showed up to check on Brenda and she filled him in.  She was comforting herself with the fact that they had let up on Jason so maybe they would let up on her.  But she was miserable that this was going on now that they were beginning to be so happy.  Sonny showed up with loads of Italian food.  Now that's happiness.  ;)  They chatted about seeing Robin at the ball and her heath and all.  As Jason left, Sonny took him aside and told him to keep an eye on everything and sent him on an errand.

Brenda:  "Think the cows are out right now?"
Sonny:  "If you want 'em to be."

Sonny:  "Now it's our time.  It's Sonny time."

While he was gone, Sonny served Italian food while Brenda wished they could have another picnic.  More fantasies.  Jason arrived with the package, and Sonny wouldn't tell her what it was.  She opened it to find plans for a house to be built on the land Sonny bought.  Very nice move!  Jason said he liked the thought of having a place of his own away from everything--with Robin.  Jason left and romance ensued.  Then they talked about the house and the babies' room....

They realized they hadn't eaten and joked about the volume of Sonny's stomach growlings, but the cops showed up to take Brenda downtown.  They had a warrant for her arrest.

D. Back at the Station

Sonny:  "Damn it Spencer, you pick now to get talkative?"

Crack me up.  That was a nice cut, from Bobbie on the phone with Luke to Sonny hanging up his cell phone having tried to call Luke.  Too bad, because with MB leaving I want all the Luke and Sonny I can get!  Jason showed up, though, and Sonny told him that he didn't know how to keep Brenda from blabbing or getting angry.  Sonny said he had something in mind.

Brenda was getting angry.  She started out by not asking for her attorney and claiming they were setting her up.  She gave them every argument in the book, but the problem was they weren't setting her up so they thought it was all an act.  She rattled on until they revealed their latest evidence, which she said she had taken to the cleaners.  They quizzed her about that day and she continued to assert they were trying to get to Sonny.  They even asked her if she was on drugs that day.  They claimed she was upset because of all the people Dorman had hurt.  Then she asked for her lawyer.  When Brenda started yelling, Sonny barged in.  But the cops booked Brenda and there wasn't anything Sonny could do about it.  Yet.

Sonny:  "When I say run, you don't think, you just run."

Sonny asked for a moment alone with Brenda, and Sonny reprimanded her for talking without a lawyer.  She caught him up to speed but she still didn't believe that they could really indict her on this charge.  Sonny whispered something to Jason, then told her that when he gave the signal she was to run.  They took her away to book her.

Jason had made a call; we didn't know yet to whom.  He and Sonny waited, and just about the time the cops brought Brenda back, Mac showed up.  Jason told him this was life and death then decked him.  The commotion gave Brenda a moment to slip away.  Mac went along.

They realized Brenda was gone, and Taggert demanded that Sonny tell him where Brenda was.  The cops searched the building, but Jason was helping Brenda out the window.  Mac caught them in the alley.  Friday cliffhanger.

II. Tony and Carly

Backstage at the ball, Tony asked Carly to stay so he could know his child, but she needed him to want her, not the child.  Again with the ultimatum.  Back in the dining room, A.J. told her Tony was staring at her, and she was excited to hear it though she tried to brush it off.  Some cheesy dialogue in that scene.

Carly:  "We're not so different, you know.  I mean, when the going gets tough maybe I do walk away, but so do you."

Carly:  "So half the things Bobbie said were half true.  I am a liar.  I'm a fake.  Ya, I've been pretending with you since day one, Tony.  Only it wasn't pretending to me.  I was just trying to be better than I am.  For you."

Carly:  "Have you ever been desperate for anything?"
Tony:  "Now."

Tony:  "I can't live with somebody I don't trust."
Carly:  "I know.  You've made that very clear."
Tony:  "And now I see that's, uh, what I was asking you to do."

Tony:  "I told you, 'Bobbie's no threat to us.'  And that's true, but you didn't believe that, and I knew it, but it was better to have you think that another woman wanted to be with me rather than to admit that I thought you probably wouldn't want me for too long.  So I knew what I was doing.  And, uh, I knew I was waking up some old terror that you had from long ago of being abandoned.  You know, Carly, I could have taken that ghost away from you.  But I didn't do it.  That's my job.  I didn't do it.  This time I will, though."
Carly:  "This time?"
Tony:  "If you give me another chance."

On Tuesday, Tony waited for Carly to take her home, saying he wasn't finished with their conversation.  Back home, Tony admitted that he didn't ever expect them to work.  He admitted he was wrong and that nothing had gone wrong as he expected.  Carly jumped in and admitted everything she had done, pleading her desperation.  Tony then told her that this was partly his fault, and asked her to forgive him.

While I totally enjoy the character of Carly with all her faults and foibles, I was getting a bit irritated with her.  At this point, I thought she was speaking the whole truth as she saw it, and I believed the anger and the desperation.  Tony did too, and I have to say it, I like these two together.  I'd like to see them work it out.  As Tony talked about the wrongs he had done her it really seemed like he had learned something about the way he deals with women--with Carly.  He admitted all his insecurities and fears.  He really wants to do better by her.  Ditto for Carly.  She's still scheming, but I have hope that she could grow up as she learns to deal with Tony in a committed relationship and learns to trust him.

Unfortunately, they're headed for another big blow--a bigger blow--when the final truth comes out.

On Friday, Carly was working with Katherine and met up with A.J.  They chatted a bit and Carly told him everything had changed.  Tony showed up and they told A.J. that they were back together.   Tony headed off after a page, and Carly told A.J. again that his words were what helped her through.  She wished him good things and told him he had a friend for life.

And Tony still calls him a kid.  Crack me up.  His news, when A.J. was gone, was that he got Carly into the GYN appointment early.  Carly said it now felt real.  Tony's so excited he's going to be a Daddy again, and I'm really glad to see him happy.  Their names were awful.  Poor kid.

When they went to the appointment (I was glad to see Tony go with her), Dr. Neuman predicted the due date, and Tony said he knew the night it happened--the night after that fight.  It dawned on Carly that it could be A.J.'s kid about 2 seconds later.

III. The Spencers

A. At the Ball

Bobbie:  "Listen, this act isn't any big deal.  It was a little over the top."
Lucy:  "A little?"

Backstage, Bobbie and Amy cringed as Dr. Dan Drexler practiced his moves for the act.  Lucy joined them (the look on her face was great) and the three watched in amused horror as the Disco Doctor danced himself right out of the number.  Amy was determined that the show would go on, and left to find her inspired solution to the problem.

Bobbie noticed that Lucy was upset about something.  We got the same flashback to Rex's threats we'd had on Friday's ball episode; I assumed they didn't have time to cut in a scene from that morning's Port Charles.  What non-PC-ers missed was Lucy throwing a staged fit about one of her dresses and tossing it into the trash, where Danielle retrieved it.  The dress was covered in diamonds worth 5 million dollars--Serena's ransom money.  So Lucy was understandably upset, though GH-ers weren't given the whole story as to why.

Stefan came back to wish Bobbie luck, and just then Amy returned with Luke (doesn't that sound nice), protesting that she was mistreating his expensive jacket (but this means, of course, that he said my name again, which I always adore hearing).

Amy:  "Luke Spencer could dance figure eights around every single, solitary man in this entire town if he wanted to.  Now go ahead, tell me I'm right, tell me I'm brilliant."
Luke:  "You're right and you're brilliant and I could, but the point is this idea would go over like a lead mirrored ball.
Lucy:  "Ok, wait a minute partner, come here, come here, come here.  You're right.  It might.  But listen, you gotta save my little butt.  Because, see, I'm gonna have to vamp and stretch and hambone it up for ten minutes after Edward's act if you don't do this.  Could you please, please, please do it for me, please?"
Luke:  "Anything for your little butt."

As FGC Lucy, Keeper of her friendship with Luke, this exchange delighted me to no end.  I've missed all of his reactions to her storyline since she's been on PC.  The other thing I loved about the way they set these scenes up was that Bobbie actually looked to Stefan for permission and he graciously told her it was up to her.  Ha!  But while they made it clear that this hadn't been planned before hand (and it couldn't have been, given the Spencer/Cassadine situation currently), I wondered if they would actually look angry with each other on the dance floor.  Not a chance.

Bobbie:  "Do you know the routine?"
Luke:  "Routine?  I invented disco, Barbara.  And when it bored me I killed it.  If you recall, it died a hideous death.  People lined up to stamp the headstone 'Do not resuscitate.'  But for one night, for a good cause?  You wanna dig it up I guess I'm your guy."

Beautiful.  I was laughing forever on this one.  One note: did anyone else think that Geary's inflection on the "Do not resuscitate" line had a touch of the Fonz in it?

Lucy:  "Listen, let's go find you a dressing room and you can do something to yourself."
Luke:  "With all these people around?"

Crack me up.  At this point, I couldn't help wondering what Stefan was thinking of all of this.  Not only has his nemesis proclaimed himself king of disco, which is not at all an appealing title to Stefan, but he's making such crass remarks with ladies present.  HA!  Funnier still were those very ladies hurrying to strip Dr. Drexler of his disco suit before they carried the stretcher away.

Now, I knew this dance was coming, but what I didn't expect were the hysterically funny scenes of Amy trying to help Luke get dressed for the number (Luke wore Docs to go on stage--I was so happy--but I looked closely and I think Geary changed to different shoes to actually do the number), or better yet, his look just before he went on stage.  Those defy description, but suffice it to say I've seen them several times.

The number was an absolute riot!  I loved the fact that Bobbie wasn't actually in the whole dance, and that her "Last Dance" was mostly all about her partner.  I'll spare you all my gushing about my Luke; I'll just say I was very happy.

One of the best touches to this scene was the Cassadine table's reactions.  Stefan smiling at the mention of his wife's name, his exchanged look with Alexis after the end of the number, etc.  Too funny.  The rest of the room was thrilled--the shots of Lucky, Brenda and Sonny, etc. were so fun!  And I absolutely loved the looks between Luke and Bobbie--and his kiss on her hand.  At the same time, I'd like to see Stefan bring that up as a reason he started to doubt the siblings' quarrels.

Terry knows that I was hoping for "We Are Family," but of course they wouldn't have planned that for Bobbie and Dr. Drexler.  Instead they went with "Last Dance."  I thought that was kind of out in left field, though it's a well-known number.  I received the following email shortly after the number aired.  The author emailed people who ran GH web sites (my Tony Geary web site URL always appears in my sig file, btw, gratuitous plug) to share the following story, which I repost with her full permission:

I am writing this letter in hopes that someone might read it and give credit where credit is due.  The GH Nurse's Ball was a very emotional day for a lot of people. As I was watching Luke & Bobbie dancing to "Last Dance" it hit me... does anyone know who wrote that song and the circumstances behind it!!! Well, it was written by Paul Jabara.... Paul was a struggling actor and wrote songs in his spare time. I met Paul at work when he came to fill in for Tim Curry. The role he played was Dr. Frankenfurter in The Rocky Horror Show, (the play, at the Roxy in LA) One evening we all went out dancing after work. Paul had just broken up with his friend and disco was the happening thing at the time. He was depressed about the breakup. He went home that evening and wrote "Last Dance"  He sent the song to Donna Summer which she recorded and it became a huge success!! Needless to say, Paul won an Oscar for Best Song in a motion picture. We were all so proud of him, he really made it. But.... Paul is no longer with us now, because he died of aids!! I I am hoping in my heart that TPTB at GH realized what they were doing and made this part of the Nurse's Ball event. If not... I hope they realize it now!!    Crash τΏτ

If the story is true, and I have no idea to doubt it since it makes perfect sense, what a fabulous choice of music for the Nurses Ball number!

B. The Super Siblings do Wyndemere

Bobbie:  "I've even been knocking on the walls.  Mrs. Lansbury's going to think she's hearing Morse code from another world."
Luke:  "No, the battle axe sleeps.  I already checked."

Luke:  "Well, be asleep when he comes home tonight.  And every night."

On Tuesday, Bobbie came into the bedroom at Wyndemere looking for Luke.  I laughed out loud when she looked under the bed.  They were looking for some sign of what Stefan was up to while Stefan was out at the hospital.  Through a bit of contrivance on the part of the writers, they found the map and opened it to see the chest behind it.  They couldn't get it open, though.  Bobbie told him to take it with him, but he didn't want her to get in trouble if Stefan noticed it was missing.  Then they saw the keyhole, and Luke said he'd have Laura send over a medallion to try to open it.

Luke:  "Listen Barbara.  That cousin, Alexis?  Look, I know you think that she's your friend.  But I swear to you, you look sideways at Stefan and she's gonna show her teeth."

I think that this is the part of the fallout I'll be most interested in seeing.  Alexis likes Bobbie, and vice versa, and I wonder what she'll think and/or do about Bobbie's current actions.  I somehow think she won't be as hard on Bobbie as Stefan.

PC Aside: I just have to say that I was smiling at Luke lugging that chest in and out of the wall, primarily because I was thinking how cute he was (just joking) but also because I was struck by the difference between Stefan's containers--all elaborate family heirlooms--and Rex's Rubbermaid.  Ha!

Luke:  "Honey, for the third time, nobody saw me.  What do you think, I'm slippin'?"

Luke:  "No, don't worry.  Barbara wouldn't do anything crazy.  Wait a minute, rethink that."

Luke went to the club afterwards and called Laura.  I absolutely adore these scenes with Luke on the phone.  Tony Geary is absolutely wonderful just left to his own devices in these little moments.

And Luke was right.  Barbara did indeed set out to do something crazy.  She wasn't asleep when Stefan came home.  She was awake and playing the devoted wife.  I suppose she wanted to see if he would take his medallion off in the shower.   And the look Stefan gave as he went through the doorway where Luke appeared earlier made us all think he had some sense of what was going on from something.  It was left unexplained, but I hope it meant Stefan wasn't buying the act.

Luke:  "I was tired.  It's an amazingly comfortable bed for Gothic Modern."

On Thursday, the siblings were at it again.  People commented on the implausibility of Luke's taking a nap in the master bedroom, but since we cut from Stefan's proclamations about Luke's lack of intelligence and denial that Luke could be a threat, I thought this was pretty effective in showing the vulnerability that such underestimation allows.  And it was just plain cute.  Though personally, I wouldn't think Luke would want to sleep in that bed....

Luke:  "Why doesn't this open?!"

Bobbie:  "Oh, great.  So what, does that leave it up to me to try to get it away from him?"
Luke:  "Well, you're the one who looks good in a teddy."

Luke:  "Well, just wait 'til the sun is high in the sky and he's deep in vampire coma."
Bobbie:  "He's a light sleeper.  He's wake up in a flash."
Luke:  "You oughta drop this on his head.  That'd put him out.  Well, if he's a light sleeper, we oughta find something that would help him slumber more soundly."
Bobbie:  "Luke.  You don't mean."
Luke:  "I'll drive you to the hospital."

Of course, if I hear Bobbie protest she's been scared half to death one more time, I'll scream.  She took the day off to work on the chest with Luke.  They tried the medallion Laura had sent but it didn't work.  Luke realized they would need Stefan's own medallion.  Bobbie knew that it was up to her to try to get it away from him.  They agreed they should drug Stefan into a sleep so Bobbie could get the meds.

Bobbie:  "I don't like to lie, Luke."
Luke:  "Me to.  Hate lying.  Hate it."

Luke:  "Where do they get these names?  Or...or...marzipan."

Luke:  "Now look, if you decide you wanna give him something that'll drop him for more than an hour, I won't tell anybody.  Eternally'd be nice."

The shot of Luke and Bobbie fumbling for keys in the hall was a scream.  They went into the drug closet and while Bobbie ranted about the impossible task before her Luke read big words off labels.  So funny.  Bobbie sent him away so they wouldn't have to explain his presence as well if somebody came in.

Someone did come in.  After Alexis saw a nurse drive Luke and his cigar away, she got suspicious, I guess, and went in to find Bobbie in the drug closet.  Again, Bobbie was...as Luke says...rusty, and while she did come up with a story it wasn't a very convincing one.  Something about a school presentation on prescription drugs.  When Alexis asked her if there had been an emergency, why didn't she just say yes?  Alexis wouldn't have checked up on her; maybe she would have mentioned it and Stefan would have wondered or asked her about it or checked up on her, but then again, maybe not.  I guess any way it went Bobbie would have raised suspicion.

Stefan:  "Is this becoming as tedious for you as it is for me?"
Luke:  "I don't know.  I'm here to visit sick people.  Seem to be a bunch of 'em loitering about."
Stefan:  "Well your sister isn't at work today, in case you were hoping to continue your harassment of her."
Luke:  "Well, she would certainly qualify as a sick person, being married to you, but believe it or not I have other things to do with my time than torment my sister."
Stefan:  "Then I suggest you do them."
Luke:  "Good idea.  Thanks for the guidance.  Ciao."

In the meantime, Stefan ran into Luke in another hallway.  Stefan didn't seem to suspect Bobbie at this point, so he might not have even thought of it if Alexis had mentioned their meeting.  I'd like to think he would have.

C. Lucky and Sarah

Lucky:  "Sarah.  I had no idea you'd be here."

Sarah:  "Brahms didn't make a seventh."
Lucky:  "Maybe it was a bootleg."

When the doorbell rang, Sarah was determined to turn the visitors away.  It was Lucky bearing food from Ruby's.  Audrey got a call from Tom and went upstairs, leaving Lucky and Sarah alone downstairs.  Lucky turned on the charm, offering to show her around town.  Sarah countered by asking for a radio station--classical.  Lucky fudged his way through a conversation about classical music (love that Spencer music that kicked in over this one).  He tripped up when he mentioned the non-existent 7th symphony of Brahms.  But he turned that around in his favor by saying he was willing to learn.

Later, as Sarah listed off all the herbs in the little box garden she had started for Audrey, I wondered why on earth Lucky could find her interesting.  But he does, and he put a Spencer spin on that, saying that he could help her sell herb gardens if she was interested.  She was even complimentary about the old worm farm business.  But he had to leave to volunteer at the hospital, and said he'd ask if there would be room for her in the volunteer program but that they would need a time commitment.  Just a way to find out how long she'd be staying.

D. Sibling Surveillance

Bobbie:  "Well, he just went to get us some port to drink in bed."
Luke:  "Oh, oh, please, please, no grisly details.  Just spike the punch and do the deed."

Bobbie:  "Where are you?"
Luke:  I'm lookin' right atcha."
Bobbie:  "Wha?  You're not on the grounds."
Luke:  "Oh, hell no.  I wouldn't, uh, risk distracting Rasputin from his intentions or you from yours.  I'm on the dock across the lagoon; I'm lookin' right at the house of Usher."

Back at Wyndemere, Bobbie was crushing the drugs (Wouldn't she have done that somewhere else?  Servants and all?) when Stefan arrived home early.  She hid everything, but not very well in my estimation, and hugged him.  He went to fetch a glass of port, and Bobbie saw her opening to drug him.  She called Luke, who was waiting out on the docks watching Wyndemere through field glasses.

Bobbie:  "Actually, it's not the port I'm looking forward to."

Stefan:  "To Barbara, my lovely, devoted wife."

Stefan:  "What do you think you're doing, Barbara?"

Stefan returned with the port and Bobbie insisted on pouring while he got ready for bed.  That was a smooth move.  The next wasn't half as smooth and I rared off and slapped her for it.  Stefan returned; she handed him the drink; he got a phone call.  We didn't know who it was at this point, but when he got off the phone he took the glass without the drugs and drained it.  Bobbie had no clue he had gotten the wrong glass.  Bobbie got up and obnoxiously tiptoed across the room (if he were drugged, would she have to tiptoe?!) and opened the wall map before Stefan grabbed her from behind and whispered threateningly in her ear.

In the meantime, Alexis showed up quizzing Luke about what he was doing there.  The promise of a good Alexis/Luke scene in the next week!

IV. The Wards

Dara:  "Who exactly was in my body when I agreed to do this?"
Justus:  "Well, don't look at me."

Justus teased--or was that a reprimand, or perhaps true concern?--Keesha for still caring whom A.J. was with at the nurses' ball.  Dara was scared to sing, and he tried to comfort her.  He was very cute and charming, and I was sad all over again that they're not planning anything major for him in the near future.

V. The Quartermaines

A. At the Ball

Edward:  "I'm not going to go out there and make a public ass out of myself...without your help."

Edward and Emily's number was very charming, and I loved the way he called her up on stage.  Very MGM Musical.  And the best touch of all, besides the looks on the Qs faces when Emily joined her grandfather on stage, was the inclusion of Russ Tamblyn, real life father to Emily (Amber Tamblyn) and star of such musicals as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  It was great to see him!

The number I didn't know was coming--and that made me very happy--was Ned and Dara doing the James Taylor number, "You've Got a Friend."  Beautiful.  And the reactions around the room made me cry.  They were family (Lucky and Luke, Edward and Emily) and they were friends (Sonny and Brenda, A.J. and Carly).  Very nicely done.  And everyone sang along in the end.  (And I wondered how the Cassadines would know the song--Stefan didn't sing, but Nikolas almost did at one point.  I guess he's a quick learner.  ;))

B. Ned and Alexis

Alexis:  "Ok.  You impressed me."
Ned:  "It took you this long?"

Alexis:  "Ya, that's me.  I hardly draw breath without adding to the Cassadine cache of potentially useful information."

Ned and Alexis went out onto a balcony (I think) after the ball at the beginning of Tuesday's episode.  She complimented him on his singing and let slip that she had heard Eddie Maine on CD.  Doing her homework, as Ned saw it, but I was glad to see she knew about that part of him already.  If she knows things, then even if Ned doesn't want to talk about them yet (or can't) then maybe she knows even more of what she's getting into than we thought.

Alexis:  "We're gonna have a problem, aren't we?"
Ned:  "Which one?"

Alexis:  "Would we even know a personal feeling if we had one?  It's getting late.  There's no one left but us."
Ned:  "Do you wanna go home?"
Alexis:  "I'd rather jump."
Ned:  "Me too."

Ned:  "Why can't we pretend to be people with lives of our own and just...dance."

They talked about asking questions and being defensive and called an unspoken truce on the gatekeeping duties.  The music started, and Ned asked her to dance.  Very romantic, if you ask me.  And the song, "Someone to Watch Over Me," was the best touch.

Ned:  "No Alexis, I can sort it out, you from your surroundings.  I don't think of you as a henchman or an appendage to the Cassadines."
Alexis:  "But I am."
Ned:  "You tried to run too, didn't you."
Alexis:  "I didn't pick New York for the climate."
Ned:  "Why didn't it work out?"
Alexis:  "They needed me.  Or something."

Ned:  "The worst?  I suppose keeping secrets."
Alexis:  "That's not so bad.  It's just silence."
Ned:  "Not if you do it as well as I do."

Ned:  "It's funny we don't have their names but we have their money and their troubles."
Alexis:  "And when you least expected it, someone does understand.  Someone like me."

And then the talk turned to families and business, asking tentative questions and being relieved at the answers.  Alexis talked about being raised apart, as a "different species."  The thing I like best about these scenes is that they give us the chance to see the insecure side of Alexis.  Her worries about being loved and accepted by a non-Cassadine, her fears about conflicts regarding their families, her simple insecurities about having a date.  So cute and so vulnerable and so real.

Ned:  "I'm gonna have to kiss you.  You could probably stop me."

But she didn't.  So sweet, that first kiss.

Ned:  "You ought to be kissed more often."
Alexis:  "Why is that?"
Ned:  "It makes your hair smell so good."

Alexis:  "Will we be odd with each other next time I see you?"
Ned:  "Odder than we are right now?"

Ned:  "I don't know if I could ever truly trust anyone who likes me just the way I am."

I loved how Alexis decided they wouldn't analyze this or be awkward later.  And I loved how Ned sidelined those concerns with his own insecurities.  They fell back into joking about their families' different ways of lying.  Note that at this point the band played "When I Fall in Love."  Nice touch.

Alexis:  "Sweet dreams."
Ned:  "That's a distinct possibility."

C. At Home

Alan:  "Well we all know that Emily's hiding something.  I'm hoping Dr. Rogers can get it out of her."

At the beginning of Wednesday's episode Ned and Monica congratulated each other over the ball and the apparent lack of evidence in the Dorman case.  Then Dr. Rogers showed up to see Emily at Alan's request.

Dr. Rogers was there to help Emily remember.  But Ned and Monica believe that what she'll remember is killing Dorman.  Now, I don't think Emily did  kill Dorman, and I think that if any of this comes out she'll be mortified that Ned and Monica could believe that of her.

Ned:  "Is there any way to stop this?"
Monica:  "I don't think so."
Ned:  "If that doctor presses the right button, Emily could admit to killing Dorman."
Monica:  "It's not gonna happen."
Ned:  "How do you know?"
Monica:  "I won't let it."

Monica confronted Alan about not telling her Dr. Rogers was coming.  Alan insisted it was the right thing to do, and I suspect he didn't tell Monica because he knew she'd say no.  He accused her of lying when she said she wanted to address everything head on.  But Emily knew of the appointment and Monica couldn't stop it without making her suspicious.  All they could do was hover around the door and wait for an opening.

It was a bad session.  Emily tried to answer the questions, but blew up in the face of Dr. Rogers platitudes.  I wished so much Kevin was there.  I didn't like Dr. Rogers' methods.  When she grew agitated from remembering the blood she saw on Monica's sleeve, Monica came in and stopped the session.  Emily declared that she didn't want any more therapy and was headed to bed until Monica persuaded her to visit Audrey with her.

Alan:  "Ok, if that's supposed to be a criticism about me, save it.  You don't know the first thing about being a parent."
Ned:  "Does Monica?"
Alan:  "Of course."
Ned:  "Then next time you start patting yourself on the back for being such a great father, I suggest you run it by her first, because you nearly created a major disaster today.  And maybe next time she'll stop you from doing it again."
Alan:  "Ok, fine.  What would you have done, Ned?  Huh?  How would you have handled it if it was your daughter."
Ned:  "I have handled this as if she were my daughter."

Ned asked if Emily had said anything incriminating, but Alan demanded to know why Monica had called the session off.  And this is the part I didn't like.  Ned reprimanded Alan for his bad judgment, and Monica actually convinced Alan it was indeed a bad choice.  While it may be completely true that it was too early, and while the sentiments behind the criticism may have been honest, the fact that the two people who are lying to Alan and to Emily made him feel bad about his own attempts to do the right thing didn't sit well with me.  Monica didn't intend too, and she tried to be gracious.  But Alan was still confused, and asked her again what she wasn't telling him.  And she lied to him again, telling him about Emily's fragile emotional state yet again.

Monica:  "I will do anything to protect that child.  Anything."

While I trust that Monica's love for Emily is real, I wonder if her determination to protect *this* child stems, in part, from her inability to protect her others.  Ned too.  Since he can't be there to protect Brooke, is he more determined to protect Emily?

D. Monica and Audrey

Audrey:  "But we both know from bitter experience that hovering won't help her or make you closer."
Monica:  "Yes, I know that.  No, as a matter of fact I don't.  I don't know that I know that.  I don't know what I know anymore, Audrey, or if my life is ever going to be right again."

Monica:  "If Emily knew that person back then I wonder if she would even like me, let alone love me."

Monica:  "I wonder if I have changed as much as I would like to think.  People still keep getting hurt because of me, Audrey."

Emily and Sarah set off to the mall while Audrey and Monica had a chat.  Monica was nervous and suggested she could go too, but Audrey covered for her.  They chatted about Emily for a while, and then about Monica's feelings about her time with Jeff.  Monica blames herself for Emily's misfortunes--her own failures.

E. Emily and Sarah

When Emily and Sarah arrived at the juice bar, Emily was thrilled to find Nikolas there.  She snuck in to surprise him like the adolescent she is, and it was nice to see.  Of course Sarah was completely unimpressed.  Nik was nice to Emily, complimenting her on her performance at the ball, but when she stepped away to get the drinks, Sarah lit into him about his limo driver.  At this point, I couldn't believe Sarah's rudeness, and I was glad Nik called her on it.  Better yet the look on her face when he told her he was practicing driving.

Emily:  "You know what Sarah said about having the best big brother?  I do too."

Jason showed up then, having bought a book on how to build a house.  So cute.  Sarah commented on the similarities between him and her brother (Steven Lars), and then when things got uncomfortable she went to the bookstore.  Jason stayed and chatted with Emily.  They talked about the comparison Sarah had made, then about Emily's frustration with the family.  Jason told her he'd always be there for her.

VI. Robin

Robin:  "You all look so beautiful."
Alan:  "So do you, sweetheart."

I absolutely loved the way Robin showed up at the ball.  She stood in the foyer with Stone's quilt block until Jason found her.  A quiet entrance, and an expected one--no one, even Mac, could believe that she would miss this.  She spoke with grace and dignity and just a touch of little girl still about her.  And in the end, Mac and Robin, holding each other.  Very nicely done.

Robin left immediately, returning to school.  I miss scenes with her and Mac.

VII. Katherine

Katherine:  "I'm aware that this night isn't about me."

Lucy introduced Katherine, and I braced myself for the worst.  TPTB are trying their best to redeem this woman, and while I like particular scenes with her (especially with Nik), I don't like the "new" Katherine much.  This scene, which I assume was supposed to make me see how far she's come, just made me mad.  Despite her words, she was making this about herself, or she would have told people she could walk before hand.  And Lucy's mention of her generosity in the introduction set up what might have done the trick; if Katherine had given back the money she bilked from the ball in the past, I might have seen her in a new light.  But this was about her walking, not about the nurses ball at all.  And I was just thankful it was short and that she passed the mike on to Robin.

That said, I think her intentions were good.  I just think she wasn't thinking at all about the ramifications of her appearance, only of what she could do.  Personally, I would have liked to see someone react not so positively.  I think, though, that I got my response with Lucy.

The thing I liked about this scene was Lucy's introduction to Katherine's standing.  Lucy could see her before everyone else, and I would have liked a shot of Mac and Kevin in the audience seeing Lucy's reaction and wondering what was going on backstage.  Their reactions were wonderful to the whole thing, as was Robin's.  Stefan's was the best of all; he hid his face so people couldn't see, and in doing so could have drawn attention to the fact he was trying to hide it.

Lucy:  "I have to focus all my energy into making everything appear as normal.  I want it to be as normal as possible at all costs.  Do you understand?"
Katherine:  "Ok, ok.  You want normal, I'll give you normal."

Katherine recognized that Lucy was upset, but Lucy couldn't and wouldn't tell her why.  Katherine gave her predictable in the unavoidable disrobing-Lucy joke during the closing chorus line.  The joke is old, but the reaction from Mac and Kevin was a scream.  And of course Luke was catcalling with the best of them.  :)

Stefan:  "Meet me in an hour."
Katherine:  "Where?"
Stefan:  "You know where."

Stefan stopped Katherine backstage at this point.  The tone was that of a reprimand, but unfortunately it wasn't for snipping Lucy's dress.  It was a reprimand for not telling him sooner.

VIII. The Cassadines

A. Stefan and Katherine

Stefan:  "I wasn't sure you'd come."
Katherine:  "Neither was I."

Personally, I wasn't sure where we were at this point.  That was some confusing combination of sets: the park bench from (oddly enough) the park set, the grounds and tree from Wyndemere, and a new wall which was supposed to be, I'm told, the outside wall of GH.  While Terry did set me straight on where we were supposed to be, I found it interesting that they used the same set tree where Katherine was shot to represent the tree they made their promises on.  There's something in that, but I'm not sure I want to spin it out here and now.

Stefan:  "You said you would walk to this tree.  And I would be here to see it."
Katherine:  "And that, I think, is all that was unresolved between us."

I have to give Katherine that she has repeatedly tried to end this--to do the right thing in the face of Stefan's marriage.  And I'm glad to see that she finally is indeed trying to make her recovery about herself.  Stefan asked her about her walking and why she needed privacy.  She claimed vanity, but he knew that she was separating herself from him, I think.  She did thank him, but he noticed the "polite distance" between them.  He again forced a kiss on her, but she literally pushed him away and told him good-bye.

Now this is a version of things that I could find interesting.  If the way is made clear for these two and Katherine still wants to maintain a distance between them, seeing Stefan in pursuit of yet another woman he's placed upon a pedestal would be intriguing.  Intriguing because it would be the same pattern of his affection for Laura, and I'd like to see that progression in more than flashbacks.  And hopefully, along the way, someone (Alexis?) could identify the pattern.  Stefan in pursuit of another woman who didn't choose him would be fascinating, and in this case, there would be the hope that he would find happiness at the end of that long road from fantasy to reality.  Hey, I don't want the man to be absolutely miserable, after all.  And I'd like to see the growth that could come from recognizing past behaviors and changing patterns.

Stefan:  "You want to think of your life as a straight line that I interrupted.  How do you know your life wasn't leading you to me."
Katherine:  "Because somebody got there first.  You have a wife."
Stefan:  "At the moment, yes."

Katherine:  "Can we be clear about something?  I am not asking you to end your marriage."

Katherine:  "Odd, getting moral instruction from the man that shot you."
Stefan:  "I thought I was getting it from you."
Katherine:  "Blind leading the blind."

He told her that they had said good-bye before and had always ended up together.  Katherine claimed they had come full circle and were the same as they were before.  That's a delusion, and Stefan called her on it, saying they had changed irrevocably.  She again insisted that he was married, and told him that she didn't want him to leave Bobbie any more but admitted that she had wanted that in the past.  She said that they had brought out the best in each other for a while, but spoke of everything in the past tense.

Stefan:  "Whatever my failings, I am a civilized man.  I don't kick dogs, or slap waiters, or make children cry.  And I don't take a wife with the thought that she'll do until something better comes along."

Stefan:  "Why do you persist in thinking that the fate of my marriage is in my hands alone?"

Stefan claimed even still that he didn't intend on leaving Bobbie.  He was holding out some vague promise of what might be, but Katherine didn't take it.  She said she wouldn't wait patiently to see if that might be would happen.  She insisted she would move on.  Without him.  But when he left, she looked longingly at the necklace he had given her.

B. Stefan and Alexis

Stefan:  "Even assuming the worst it would take a far keener mind than Spencer's to stop what we've set in motion."

On Thursday we found out that Luke's ruse to keep Bobbie out of suspicion did succeed.  Unfortunately, Bobbie left something disturbed when she closed up the computer so Stefan knew someone had messed with it.  But he suspected Luke and was appalled at the intrusion.  Alexis, however, was more willing to suspect Luke of knowing what was going on than Stefan--as always.  Stefan continues to underestimate the Spencers, even though every time he realizes he has he doesn't change his opinion of them.

Stefan described this phase of the project at this point.  The software is surveying all major communication companies.

Alexis:  "I'm sure that you already know this, but I would go to hell and back for either one of you."
Stefan:  "I do know that.  And I appreciate it more than you'll ever know."
Alexis:  "Don't canonize me yet.  Maybe I'm not adverse to global power."

I don't think Stefan holds Alexis up on such a high pedestal as that, but I do think he alternates between taking her for granted and toying with her loyalty.   For example, he moved from the above declaration to scaring her into thinking he was going to tell Nik about the plan.  Instead, he told Nikolas about the job coordinating the peer counselors he wanted him to take on at the hospital.  But I think he enjoyed seeing Alexis worry.

Nik:  "It seems as if you're finally startin' to realize I'm not a child anymore."
Stefan:  "Oh, you'd be surprised what I realize.  I know it's hard for you to believe, but actually, I was once your age."
Nik:  "Is this true, Alexis?"
Alexis:  "I can swear to it.  And sometimes he still acts that way.  In spirit, for example.  And his fashion sense."
Stefan:  "Oh, now come on, no ganging up.  When it comes to teasing you know I'm no match for the two of you."

But it was a fun scene, and the above exchange made me laugh.  And I think Alexis didn't mind the joke so much after all.  Their teasing is normal, after all, and shows that Stefan feels back in control.  I just hope she doesn't start to believe he's in as much control as he thinks.

Nik:  "But will it bring me closer to knowing the whole truth instead of just pieces of it?"
Stefan:  "Be careful what you ask for."

Alexis:  "Because Nikolas is not pragmatic like we are.  What if he can't accept the lengths that we've gone to.  And what if he never will?"

Nik took the job, and gave Alexis cause to worry anew.  Nik seemed to know that something was up, and Alexis knows that Nik will have to know at some point, as Stefan reminded her.  And soon.  I'm glad he has her worrying about him, because his Uncle (who is concerned, I'm sure) seems resigned and matter of fact about his involvement.  Alexis sees that these are more secrets being kept from a boy who's faced too many secrets in his life already.

C. Nik and Alexis

Later Nik ran into Alexis at the hospital.  They checked in, and Nik asked her why she had been so edgy earlier.  I don't know if he bought her explanation, but she protested all was well and she was feeling positive about things.

D. Alexis

Alexis showed up at the gym to talk to Katherine.  No, I love to watch these two maneuver around each other, and if Katherine and Stefan end up together for any length of time I'm going to definitely have fun seeing Alexis deal with that.  I'm quite sure she'll maintain the upper hand.

For now, she just wanted to know if Katherine was keeping her job at the hospital, or so she said.  I think she was asking because she wanted to know if Katherine and Stefan would still be seeing so much of each other now that she was walking again.  I think Katherine was suspicious as well.

IX. Jax

Officer:  "You got any wire cutters?"
Jax:  "Lent 'em to the neighbor."
Officer:  "Crow bar?"
Jax:  "At the jewelers being resilvered."
Officer:  "Suppose one of your arms fits through one of those little spaces."
Jax:  "You don't suppose correctly."

Jax and Officer A. spent Wednesday's episode locked in his storage pen down in the basement.  Her inadvertent fault.  After some squabbling and hurt feelings on her part, some bad assumptions (again on her part) and irritation, they tried to get out.  He tried to boost her over the top; she fell into his arms.  She dropped and broke the boat that used to sit on the mantelpiece.  Finally, he used the key to her handcuffs to pick the lock.  And she almost let the door shut on him on her way out--he just smiled.

These scenes were cute on Jax's part, but I still find Officer A. simple filler until something else comes along for Jax.  He has connections with almost everyone in town and they have him locked in a storage bin with someone we've known for about ten minutes?  He's still isolated, even after the promise of the ball.

We did find out that she became a law officer because her father was one before her.  We also learned that when things get weird, she hides behind that oversized hat of hers and falls into regulations.  When she fell into Jax's arms, she immediately asked for her hat, as if that would save her from her reactions.

Katherine:  "I hope I didn't seem too self serving."

On Friday's show, Jax went to the GH gym to workout late at night.  He chatted with A.J. a bit--I thought A.J. didn't like him enough to speak to him.  They commented on Katherine's progress.  Jax went over to her and  congratulated her on her walking and on the nurses' ball.

When Katherine left to speak with Alexis, Officer A showed up sopping wet.  Jax had led her into the steam room and turned up the steam and left her there.  Ha!  It cracked me up when he suggested they had forgotten her.  He laughed at that, but not at the news she brought--that Brenda had been arrested.

X. Sarah and Audrey

On Wednesday, Audrey came home to welcome home decorations and she and Sarah settled in.  They reminisced a bit about Steve.  The funniest moment here came when Audrey picked up Gatsby and he screeched.  Leslie Ames handled that very well.  Sarah continued to prove herself way too perfect for my taste.

Audrey:  "No, on Lucky's side they tend toward a more...well, let's say an active, ah, lifestyle."

After Lucky left on Wednesday, Audrey chatted about the Spencers a bit.  Too funny.  Sarah's heard the stories.  They again established that Lucky and Sarah weren't blood related.  Boring and obvious, but Audrey's word for relatives by marriage--"shirttail relatives"--was worth knowing.  And the talked a bit about Audrey's injury.  More sweetness followed, as well as a discussion of Sarah's family and her lack of restrictions (due to her responsible nature).

On Thursday, Audrey said she had talked Tom into staying away for a while since Sarah was staying.  More sweetness.  I'm glad we had the Quartermaines this week to help cut the sweet like a good, strong, black cup of coffee.  Monica and Emily arrived, and Sarah asked if Monica had been married to her father (Jeff Webber).  The question threw Monica a bit, but she passed on to some pleasantries.

Emily:  "Oh, it was amazing.  I am actually in one piece after having a dangerous fruit smoothie."

When the girls got back, Monica couldn't hide the fact she had been nervous, but Emily made a joke to ease the tension (and to vent some frustration, too).  The girls promised to see each other again, and Monica and Emily left.  Then Audrey and Sarah talked a bit about Emily.  Sarah said she had seemed friendly one minute and closed the next, and Audrey told her that things were going on that Emily couldn't talk about yet.  Sarah told her what she thought of Nik, too.