**The Week in Review: August 18 - August 22**

I. Sonny and Brenda

A. The Police Station

Back in Port Charles, Sonny, Brenda, Jax, and V. were all down at the police station on Monday.  Taggert was there to give them all a hard time, but Dara said that they simply wanted to clear up everything.  They were dropping all charges and simply wanted them to sign their statements.  They were still waiting on Jax's paperwork, and when Garcia apologized, he said that he didn't accept and that if anything like this happened again he would sue.  Fun!

Jax offered to have his lawyers look over Brenda's statement, but she said Valentine already had (I'm still not sure if it's a V. or a B. at the beginning of his name, but I like Valentine better).  Mike arrived and gave her a big hug and she pointed him towards Sonny, who was irritated by a phone call.  Mike tentatively asked some questions and Sonny filled him in a bit.  Mike headed off, but Sonny stopped him and asked if he could take them home.

Mike:  "Didn't I see you in that lovely dress at the Nurses' Ball?"

Before they left, Mike thanked Jax for saving Sonny's life again.  As always, Jax said he did it for Brenda, but Mike was still grateful.  Jax introduced him to Officer V., and she was shocked to find out that Sonny's father was so...normal.  We got to see a bit of Mike's old overkill charm in the above line, which cracked me up.

Garcia:  "See, you gotta beat me every time.  I just gotta take you down once."

Garcia also told Sonny they had closed the book on Jason's shooting.  Sonny teased him about not nailing him, and Garcia said it would happen.  I want more of Sonny and Garcia before Sonny leaves!  They signed, and the car arrived.  Mike headed off again, but Brenda told him to follow them and have some dinner with them and Sonny agreed.

B. Sonny and Jason

Back home, they told Mike all their stories, especially the one about Sonny's high-speed Cuban accent.  Jason showed up and demanded to speak with Sonny.  He told them that Robin had left and Mike took Brenda with him to the deli, but not before she could ask questions and tell Jason Sonny was doing this for his own good.

Sonny:  "What kind of friend lets you wreck your life?"
Jason:  "The one who knows he doesn't have the right to stop me."

Sonny told him that he was throwing Robin away for something he probably couldn't hold on to.  Sonny talked about not being able to protect the woman you love and that he didn't want this life for him.  Jason insisted that he chose this life.  He reprimanded Sonny for treating him like he was brain damaged when he never had before.  He knew Sonny did it for Robin, but he explained that he knew he hurt Robin but that he would keep on hurting Robin if he stayed with her, because everything he was good at had no place in her life.  Sonny was surprised that Jason had sent her away, but Jason said that it was right, even though it hurt him.  He didn't want her to have to lie about being ok, and he knew she wasn't ok.

I found it interesting that the brain damaged one has the right idea about letting someone go when you can't make him or her happy and they're lying about things to you.  Sonny's never seemed to understand that, and Brenda's certainly not been perfectly happy with him, though she deludes herself into thinking she is.  I'm not saying they don't belong together (though I might), or that they don't love each other, but they have problems between them that they haven't addressed.

Jason:  "I'll take care of it."
Sonny:  "I know you will."

Sonny said he would do anything for Robin, even lie to his best friend.  Jason told him that Robin knew this wasn't his fault.  Sonny asked after his wound and Jason said he was alright.  Sonny asked him if he was ok to work, saying he needed Jason to fill him in on everything and find out who knew Rivera was alive.

C. Brenda and Mike

Brenda:  "Oh ya, he can fix it.  He will.  You know, he finally fixed things between me and him.  And he's gonna fix things between Robin and Jason, and everything's gonna be perfect."

While Sonny and Jason were talking, Mike filled Brenda in on Robin's leaving.  Brenda had a typical Brenda moment; she asserted that Sonny would make Jason stop and that he could fix everything.  And she told Mike that Sonny had proposed.  Mike was surprised, though he didn't want to admit it at first, but he was also very happy.

I was struck by the difference between these two couples all over again with her little smile and complete faith in Sonny.  Something awful happened and Robin knew herself well enough to know she couldn't live like this, to know that what she thought was a good thing--their total acceptance of each other--was not a good thing at all because it left her unable to explain to Jason what she needed.  She knew them both well enough to know that they could not be together anymore.  On the other hand, Brenda, even in the face of Rivera's last stand, takes all their good luck and turns it into the delusion that if Sonny loves her, everything will be alright.  Sonny realizes where she does not that she can't cut this life and that she won't ever be happy in it, despite her protestations.  But he still hasn't made the choice that Robin had to make.  He still thinks that he can make it alright, as much as she does.

D. Brenda and Sonny

Brenda got back with the food and Sonny said he would get her a key.  Ha!  Mike had gone to close up the bar and Jason had left.  She told him that Jason would get over it and Sonny told her that he wouldn't just get over it and that Jason still worked for him because he couldn't force him out without Jason's help or Jason would be dead.  Brenda was appalled and insisted that Jason had to do whatever it took because Jason loved Robin that much.  Sonny said Jason couldn't change who he is.  Brenda agreed, but seemed not to want to think about it very much, maybe because she knew what it meant about Sonny.

E. Brenda and the Quartermaines

Edward:  "Alright everyone, just because Miss Barrett has survived another brush with infamy is no reason for this entire household to come to a standstill."

Brenda visited the Q house on Wednesday, and Ned said that he might have helped her out but she thanked him more for never losing faith in her.  Monica asked after her, and Lila was thrilled to see her.  Edward told her never to worry them again.  She was there to tell them she was getting married...but not to Jax, to Sonny.  They were less than thrilled, except for Lila, who was happy for her and offered the house again.  But Brenda said Sonny wanted to get married in the church.  She headed off, but Ned walked her out.

Out in the foyer, she thanked Ned for not being critical.  He told her that he didn't feel like criticizing today, but didn't tell her about AJ.  He congratulated her, and she was still a little suspicious of his good will, but not really.

After she left, Monica said she felt guilty that they hadn't done anything to help Brenda.  Ned said they didn't have any information that could have helped her, but Monica said she wouldn't justify herself with hindsight.  She was still angry with him and told him he was manipulative.

F. Sonny and Mike

Sonny:  "What exactly do you call a sure deal?"
Mike:  "A man offered a deal; I said sure."

Sonny:  "What about the sure deal?"
Mike:  "I figured your mother was surer."
Sonny:  "Guessed wrong again, huh Mike?"

Mike:  "Because I bought this ring in love and I gave it in love.  And it would have stayed there if I wasn't the biggest fool in God's earth.  You see, this ring needs a second chance, Sonny.  The kind that you and Brenda can give it."

Mike showed up to see Sonny, who was irritated by a phone call.  He asked after Brenda, and Sonny said she was at the Qs.  Mike was there to offer Sonny his mother's engagement ring to give to Brenda.  Mike said that he had bought that ring at a pawn shop when he was there getting cash for a "sure deal."  He had seen the ring and bought it instead.  He spoke of what he didn't know he had, and that after they had split she had given it back before she married Deke.  It was the first time she had taken it off.  He said he couldn't sell it because he needed its hope.  Now he was giving it to Sonny and Brenda, and that he knew that this time he was betting on a sure deal.  I love Mike, and I love his faith and hope concerning his son.

G. The Proposal

Sonny:  "Will you be my wife?"

Brenda:  "I can't believe that you're on your knees, that you're asking me to marry you, and we're not even facing certain death."

Back at the penthouse, Sonny and Brenda kissed and sat down on the loudest sofa known to man.  He told her that he had waited for a lot of things in life (the "waiting to get over...things" already had me tearing up), but the waiting for her was the worst of it.  Maurice was already getting choked up, and I knew I was going to be crying despite myself.  Sonny took her hand, got down on one knee, laughed a little nervous laugh, and asked her to marry him.

She couldn't believe it, and Sonny told her she could say yes, no, or maybe.  She said there was no option; she said yes.  She was giddy, and then he told her that he had something from another Mrs. Corinthos and gave her the ring.  He told her Mike could tell her the story, but that she wanted her to have the ring his mother wore when she was happy in love.  He said he was going to get a real one--she could pick it out--but she wanted this one, and said that she would never take it off.  We'll see about that....

Sonny pushed for a quick wedding, and Brenda said she had been known to move pretty fast.  Ha!  He said that he didn't want her to rush, that he wanted this to be a dream wedding.  She talked about the dream she used to have about her wedding, and he told her she'd have everything she dreamed of.  He turned around and set the date for 3 or 4 weeks away.

H. Sonny and Jason

Jason showed up and Sonny told him that he was the first to be invited.  He congratulated them, and Brenda left to let them talk about things.  Jason told him there was trouble.  When Sonny went on the run and Jason was in the hospital, the competition made some moves.  Sonny didn't think it was a big deal, but Jason said it was worse and that people had decided he was weak.  Jason said they had to handle things now, but Brenda came in babbling about her dress on the phone with a designer.  Sonny said he wouldn't take action until after the wedding.  He told Jason to let things ride, but Jason wasn't convinced.  And in the meanwhile, Brenda babbled about things on the phone and interrupted with questions.

God, I hope they don't make Sonny stupid in his last days.  He should have learned not to overlook this kind of thing by now.

Thursday's show ended with the Tin Man getting on a plane to Port Charles.  Good thing he didn't get a round trip ticket....

II. Jax and Officer V.

A. At the Police Station

Jax:  "You're a good person, Officer Ardanowski."

After Sonny and Brenda left, Jax realized that Officer V. had brought him some coffee.  She said she would stick around and see things through to the end as he waited for his paperwork.  Jax let her.  She apologized for being an annoyance, but he told her that she had risked her life for him and that he was thankful.  They swapped some compliments and apologies and forgiveness and he teased her that he could set her up with Jerry.  He tried to pay for the coffee; she denied.  He said he'd pay for her services in Tiger Key; she turned him down.  The paperwork arrived and he signed.  Dara let him know that Mac had gotten him a travel permit, even though Jax denied that he had left without it.  Officer V. was still there, but they swapped a "See you around," rather than a "good-bye."

Her supervisor stopped her at this point and said he needed to see her away from the station the next day so they could discuss her position.  Jax said that it was probably about a congratulations for all the good work and they parted again.  After she left, Jax dropped his name and mentioned his contributions and put in a good word for her.  Actually, he did more than that; he wrote a lengthy document outlining her help and his admiration of her.

B. The Outback

On Wednesday, Jax showed up at The Outback and shared words with Mac.  V. was meeting with her supervisor, and everything seemed well, until he said they were making budget cutbacks and were terminating the newer people.  She was outraged, assuming it might have something to do with gender, and was only angrier when she found out that she was expected to pay for her half of lunch.

V. read Jax's pages of praise and confronted him with them.  He told her he just wanted to help.  She said there was nothing he could do and went upstairs.  Jax went to the phone and placed an order for "one of everything."  On Thursday, upstairs, a load of stuff came to V.'s door, and Jax was right behind.  She tried to refuse the gift, but he wouldn't let her, saying it was an investment and there were strings attached.  She finally gave in, and it was clear she was excited about the gifts.

They talked about what she could do now, and he told her to have fun and take advantage of the change to do things she wanted to do.  He left her to it, reassuring her that she'd find a job.  They had cute scenes, and I enjoyed them.  But I still think that if they want to put Jax and V together they should take their time and let her have some connections with other people--heck, they need to reconnect Jax with other people again as well.  Right now they're too isolated.

III. The Quartermaines

A. The Anniversary Party

Monica:  "Got through another one."
Alan:  "What, anniversary, or near divorce?"
Monica:  "Both.  You know, I used to want to hurt you.  I don't anymore.  I guess that's progress."
Alan:  "I used to want to kill you.  I don't anymore.  I guess I'm mellowing."
Monica:  "No, not that much."
Alan:  "I haven't tried to kill you in 15 years.  That's cause for celebration.  Would you like some champagne?"

Alan:  "Trust me.  Danger is my middle name."
Monica:  "Good luck, Danger."

Alan:  "Champagne?"
Monica:  "Thank you."
Justus:  "Why don't you have some too, Edward.  It'll wash the taste of your foot right out of your mouth."

Justus:  "You know Edward, I think the reason Jason irritates you is because he reminds you of you."

Edward:  "Well for God's sake, that boy's...that boy's a criminal."
Justus:  "I'm your lawyer, Edward, remember?  So are you."

On Monday, Alan and Monica sat together talking about what had happened.  Alan headed off to the kitchen to steal some champagne and canapés meant for the surprise party.  In the meantime, the family came home and, seeing Monica sitting by herself, Edward assumed that they were going to get a divorce.  He went off on a rant despite Lila's protestations.  Monica admitted they had a fight, but didn't explain; she just let him rattle on and on until Alan returned bearing snacks and champagne and told Edward to put a sock in it.  Edward blustered and Alan offered Monica some champagne.  Emily arrived home from the concert and realized that they had known about the surprise party.  But she didn't care, as long as they were together and wanted to celebrate.  She apologized that Jason wasn't there and commented on his haircut (Edward said that he needed to look more like a convict), and Alan told her that AJ had indeed called.

Justus and Ned ribbed Edward about Jason while Monica and Alan commented that they had lots to be thankful for.  Emily brought in the cake she had picked out and Alan thanked her.

Alan:  "For some reason people find it very stressful to work for us."

The family was chatting about cook and Lila admonished Edward to be nicer to cook.  He said he didn't want to and Justus said he knew that Edward was scared of her.  But they keep her around because she's good and she's got the stamina it takes to work for the Qs.  This was a funny bit, interrupted by the next bit of bad news.

B. The Phone Call

Emily went up to bed as the phone rang, and Edward bellowed at Reginald to get the phone.  Alan answered instead, and the woman (Carly with an accent) at the other end said that their son was lying in the alley behind the apartment building drunk and passed out.

Monica and Alan went to find him.  Monica rushed to him, but Alan just stood there, devastated, as if he wouldn't allow himself to grieve or worry...just resigned to the fact his son was a drunk and always would be.

C. AJ

At the beginning of Tuesday's show, AJ woke up to find himself in his bed at the Quartermaine mansion.  It was clear that he had no idea how he got there.

Downstairs, Monica had sent Emily to a friend's house and Ned couldn't believe the effect this would have on Emily.  Alan said this couldn't be kept from her, but Monica said she couldn't bear to tell her this morning because she was still so excited about the party.

AJ came downstairs and asked what had happened.  He didn't remember anything, and at first nobody would speak.  When AJ pushed, Edward asked if he really didn't remember, and then Ned (of course) was the one to fill him in.  AJ asked if Ned was telling a tale or if his parents really found him.  He was sure that he hadn't had a drink in months, but of course nobody believed him.  Alan tried to send him off to find some breakfast, but AJ insisted that he would find out what happened, cutting off Ned's comments.

AJ retold the story as he remembered it, and he decided to call Carly for some answers.  When she arrived and Tony, AJ told the story again, leaving out the fact that Tony was supposed to be there in the original plans--something I noticed, since he had mentioned that in his first retelling.  I was hoping that wasn't on accident.  Carly told the story of the bartender again, and Edward called Neptune's Net and asked Mick to come to the house.  Alan had no room for doubt at this point; he was convinced AJ had been drinking again.

AJ:  "Thing is, I...I've let my family down so many times that they don't believe in me.  They can't afford to.  Not like you, Carly.  Not like my friend, who always keeps the faith no matter what."

AJ went out in the hall with Carly while Tony tried to reassure the Qs.  AJ apologized to Carly for dragging her into this and said that he was confident that he didn't drink.  She started to cry and he ended up apologizing to her.

In the meantime, Mick the bartender had arrived.  He looked a little shaken that he was in the room with so many Quartermaines, and more so when they all started talking at the same time.  AJ stepped in and asked him to tell his story.  He said that AJ was at the bar waiting and that he had taken two quick vodka tonics and then Carly had arrived and, later, asked after him.  That was all, and Mick was gone (after complimenting the Q's house).  Tony and Carly left as well, though Tony got a page.  Mick stopped Carly and told her that since he was dealing with Quartermaines, it would cost her more.

Ned thanked Carly for coming, and she said she felt like she had hurt AJ by telling her story.  She and Tony left and went home.  In the meantime, AJ got back to his apartment and ripped up the calendar that numbered his days of sobriety.  Tuesday's show ended with him in tears... and me too.  I never cared about AJ when Kanan was playing the part; that's not to say Kanan is a bad actor, it's just that I prefer both the storyline and Warlock's portrayal of the character--a matter of taste, rather than a difference in skill.  At the same time, AJ doesn't seem like a Quartermaine anymore.  Since Warlock's been on, AJ's been estranged from his family, and we haven't really gotten to see him in Q situations very much.  I look forward to seeing what he can do in terms of the family, since he's really got my attention in terms of the Carly storyline.

D. The Fall Out

Alan:  "Who appointed you the official savior of this family?"

On Wednesday, Ned ranted about AJ while Alan thanked him for his concern and Lila chastised him for his insensitivity.  Edward just blamed him for upsetting Lila.  Alan and Ned fought about his partly self-appointed role in the family, and Alan left for the hospital.  Monica stopped him and asked him to call her later, and then Ned followed her and asked if he could help her, if not AJ.

Ned:  "AJ drinks because he's a drunk."
Edward:  "He's also a Quartermaine.  And by God, you do something to help him."

After Brenda left, Ned apologized to Lila, who was forgiving and pleaded for him not to give up on AJ.  Edward told him to do something, even if that meant being nice to AJ.  They called AJ's house, and when he wasn't there, Ned said that he was most certainly out drinking...and Emily overheard.

On Thursday she threw a fit and insisted that she was the same as AJ.  Monica tried to diffuse the situation, but Emily refused to be handled.  Lila stepped in and Emily told her that she needed to stop being treated so carefully and for people to stop mistreating AJ and for Ned to lay off.  Alan came home and said AJ was at the hospital.  Finally, Monica had to tell her that they had found AJ drunk.  She refused to believe them and was irritated that they were worried about her instead of AJ.  Everybody tried to calm her down and reassure her.  She ended up apologizing when she was the last person who needed to do so.

When she left, Alan lit into Ned about children and Ned retaliated with the fact that Lois had taken his girl away because of them.  Lila stopped him before he left and thanked him for working to keep them all together, apologizing that sometimes they had to take care of themselves.  Ned said he was going to do just that.

E. Alan

Tony:  "Ah, I saw you walk away from AJ before, and, uh, it's not my place to tell you how to be a parent, but I don't think that's gonna help."
Alan:  "I'm not tryin' to help."

Keesha asked Tony where Alan was, and then saw him looking painfully at--but not speaking to--AJ.  Alan stopped Tony to ask him not to say anything to Keesha (or anyone) about AJ.  Tony was the one that spoke to Alan about his behavior, but Alan stopped him almost before he started.

F. AJ and Friends

Keesha, in the meantime, went to talk to AJ.  He told her what had happened, and she was almost immediately suspicious when she heard that he didn't remember how it happened.  She had seen no signs of him slipping.  When he told the story this time, he did mention that Tony was supposed to go with them.  On Thursday, they continued, and Keesha was adamant that AJ didn't do this on his own and she suspected that the incident didn't even happen.  Lots of people on ratsa wanted her to suggest a blood test to see whether or not he had a drink, since she was so insistent that this time was different.

By this time, AJ was convinced that he was simply a drunk and could slip for no reason.  I was so sad for him.  Keesha stopped Jason and made him come to talk to AJ.  Jason was there to get his stitches out.  AJ told the story again, and talked about the family being resigned to his failure.  Jason told him he'd do whatever he could, and went to get his stitches out.

Keesha went to the house and told the Qs that AJ had informed her.  Edward started matchmaking, but Keesha was there to check up on AJ and tell them that this was completely different.  But they insisted that his alcoholism was simply worse and she didn't have anything concrete to tell them.  She asked them if he went to the ER, and they said they had just taken him home (they didn't even assume they should have, in retrospect--even Monica didn't seem to latch on to Keesha's hope).

G. Monica and Alan

Later, Monica said she didn't want pain for her children.  Alan said that Lila always said you couldn't stand between your children and pain.  Now, I, for some reason, thought Monica was talking about Emily as well as AJ, but Alan just responded that it was up to AJ from now on.  He's washed his hands of AJ once again, clearly, and I already can't wait to see him react to the news that AJ hadn't had a drink after all.

H. Emily and AJ

Emily went to AJ's instead of going to bed, and showed up at his door at the end of Thursday asking him to tell her it wasn't true.  On Friday, he said he couldn't tell her that.  He retold the story again, and Emily sympathized.  He talked about feeling for the other people in AA and feeling that he had gotten to the other side and that alcohol wasn't a part of his life any more.  Emily told him that he would simply decide not to let it happen again and be extra diligent.  She was emotional because he had helped her get past her drugs, but he told her that he wasn't strong enough.

Emily went on to say that he couldn't let the family convince him he was a loser just because he had a disease.  He was amazed at her insight, and complimented her on it.  He agreed that he had wasted too much time fulfilling their "non-expectations."  Emily left him, thinking he was going to be ok, but AJ was headed out the door when Carly arrived.  He said he was going to the bar because he was a drunk. 

I. Monica and Ned

Ned:  "I'm fine."
Monica:  "You could at least smile when you lie."

Monica:  "How do you put up with us?"
Ned:  "Honestly?  Sometimes not only don't I know but I'm not so sure it's worth it."
Monica:  "Don't give up on us Ned.  We do love you, and we do need you."

Monica had heard Ned squealing into the driveway and was bothered herself, so she came down to visit him.  He opened the door and asked what was wrong.  She said she was there to see how he was, for a change.  He didn't really want to talk, but she insisted that she owed him an apology for not being grateful for his help.  Nice exchange between them, and then she asked again how he was.  He answered vaguely and then Monica turned the subject to AJ.  He said he wouldn't commiserate and that she wouldn't want to hear what he had to say.  But they left things on a good note, and she went back to the house.  I love these two together, as I've said many times before.

J. Monica and Bobbie

Monica:  "Bobbie, when am I gonna stop being wrong all the time?"

While Alan sat at home waiting for AJ, alone, Monica went to work.  Bobbie knew she was worried and sympathized with her.  Monica said this was a shock because he had been doing so well.  It was good to see these friends together, because one of the weaknesses of the show right now is that it's all about romantic couples.  We get some family stuff with the Cassadines and the Webbers, but very few scenes with pairs like this.  That's why Monica with Ned and Bobbie were some of my favorite scenes, even though not much happened.

IV. Carly

A. The Deed

Jason knocked on the door at the beginning of Monday's show and AJ showed some signs of rousing.  He got a call, though, that Sonny was back and he left for the police station.  Carly wheeled the cart out into the hall where the neighbor kid saw her and asked what she was doing.  Now, if she hadn't made such a big deal out of it, the kid might have forgotten, but instead, she lied through her teeth and proceeded to threaten the kid to get him to stay silent, promising him some gum.

She took the basket downstairs, all the while explaining and apologizing to the unconscious AJ.  She said she was doing this all for the baby and for Tony.  She told him they didn't do anything wrong or dirty, but that they just needed each other.  But the baby needs two parents who love each other and this was for the best.  What struck me most was that she kept saying, "If you're the father."  She's doing this without knowing if she needs to--without knowing if AJ's the father or not.  She rolled him out onto the ground and poured vodka all over him, leaving the bottle in his hand, then went upstairs to call the Quartermaines (using an accent) and tell them that their son was out in the alley.  She was crying the whole time.

And that's what keeps this from being something unpardonable with me.  I hate that she did this, and I think she was acting without a good enough reason.  But she knew she was doing wrong, and had convinced herself that AJ would be ok because he'd be in rehab.  She's justified everything because she thinks she's doing the best thing for the baby, and while I think she's doing it for herself too, I think that the more unselfish reason--the child--is actually uppermost in her mind.

B. The Fall-Out

On Tuesday, Mick called Carly to see why nobody was asking him for the story.  He was satisfied with the hundred bucks, at least for a while.  Tony came home to find her upset, and she told him she was worried about AJ because he had never shown up at the restaurant where he was supposed to meet her and that the bartender said a guy fitting AJ's description had come and gone.  She said she had been trying to reach AJ all night and hadn't found him.  Tony decided that maybe AJ had gone to the Quartermaines' anniversary party or that there was an AA emergency with a friend.  She insisted that he would have called and Tony tried to reassure her.  AJ called at this point, and they headed to the Quartermaine house.

C. Carly Covering her Butt

AJ:  "Why is it every time something awful happens it always comes back to you?"

Back at home, Tony went to the hospital and Carly knocked on AJ's door, wanting to see if he was ok.  He did answer.  From his greeting (above), I thought he got a clue, but instead he said she was the only person that really cared and stood by him.  He was convinced that he had failed again, and Carly tried her best to convince him it wasn't her fault.  She started pushing the rehab center really heavily, saying she would make all the arrangements.  AJ headed off to work, but ended up going back to the bar at which he supposedly fell off the wagon.  Carly was going to follow him, but that annoying kid came out to threaten her about the gum.  Ick.  She caved and gave him five bucks.  She then threatened him.  Not a smart move.

She remembered AJ's line above in a different context as she flashbacked (annoying, usually, but this was a quick montage that would catch people up who missed the actual incident--I was afraid we'd see it too many times, though) to the events of that night and the following day.

D. Carly and Tony

Carly went up to the hospital and Tony thanked her for being good to AJ.  I can't help but notice that he sometimes, in cases like this, speaks to her as if she were a child doing well.  I know he's trying to be supportive, but sometimes it sounds really fatherly.  They both told each other that they made each other feel happier.  On Wednesday, Tony told her not to think she had to fix everything with AJ because she needed to take care of the baby as well.  More reassurances from Tony.

E. Carly and Bobbie

While AJ talked to Jason, Carly was spilling her version of the story to Keesha and gaining some congratulations about her engagement.  Keesha left, and Bobbie stepped up to the plate.  At this point, I was growing so tired of these unprompted attacks and the ensuing cat fights that I could almost predict what Bobbie was going to say before she said it.

Bobbie:  "Do you think if you say it often enough to enough people Tony will just marry you because he heard the rumors?"

Bobbie:  "It's totally foreign to you, isn't it.  The concept of friendship.  The concept that somebody could actually care for somebody and not be after them or using them for something."

Bobbie refused to believe that Carly and Tony were actually getting married.  She then moved on to taunting her about getting pregnant to trap Tony and Tony not marrying her yet.  Carly tried to walk away, and Bobbie told her that she wouldn't let her ruin Tony's good name.  Carly said she was jealous because she wanted Tony back.  Bobbie told her she was wrong and had caught Tony in mid-life crisis.  She said Tony would never marry her.  AJ stepped in and said that Tony loved Carly and would marry her soon; Carly just smiled at him.  Bobbie chose to snipe about Carly wrapping AJ around her finger, and he pulled out the friendship with his family and told her to stop being bitter and find out who Carly really was.  Bobbie remained unconvinced, and Carly broke down into tears over AJ's support of her.  She blamed herself and pleaded with him not to blame himself.  She started harping on the rehab again.

F. Carly Covering her Butt...Again

Mrs. Perez:  "You?  What kind of mother are you going to be?"

See a pattern developing here?  The kid's mom showed up, kid in tow, to talk to Carly.  She guided them to the lobby and told AJ that the woman was nuts and she was trying to help her out.  Jimmy's mother confronted her with bribing Jimmy into lying, and Carly told her that she could explain herself.  She gave some version of things that made her out to be innocent, but the lady wasn't buying it.  Carly had to fall back on saying that she didn't remember things, and went into some shtick about caring about children and said she was pregnant.  The woman replied with the above.

Bobbie and Tony came through and she asked him if he was getting married.  He told her that he would have told her if she'd let him talk about anything other than Lucas, and that he was sure about it, while she asked him to reconsider for himself and for Lucas.  Bobbie took off on Carly's lies, and Tony told her that she had done some bad things for good reasons and had no room to talk.  Yay!

Carly:  "You know, whatever may or may not be going on here is really none of your business, and, hey, how's this for a concept.  Maybe I'm right.  That thought ever scurry across your tiny, little brain?"

Carly:  "Is your life so empty you have to fill it up with mine?"

Carly took off on Mrs. Perez after that comment (the catfight was fun), but after her conversations with Tony and Nikolas, Bobbie set her sites on Carly.  She butted in and asked if there was a problem, saying she had the right to be there because she was hospital personal and they were causing a disruption.  Bobbie told her to keep her voice down or she'd have her thrown out.  Carly apologized to Mrs. Perez and said it was a misunderstanding and it wouldn't happen again.  The woman left, and Carly told Bobbie this was a matter between neighbors.  And Bobbie actually said that she should look the woman up and get her take on things.  I just slapped her.  She's intruded time after time, causing herself more anguish over this thing than she needs to and making things worse for Tony.

She left Carly with a few more parting words about her effect on children and what Carly's kid was in for, and of course Carly let fly another crack about the irony of Bobbie calling her a bad mother.

G. Carly and AJ

Carly arrived at AJ's to find him headed off to the bar.  She did everything she could to stop him, telling him that he had said he would go into rehab.  She was scared to death that this was where her plan would fail, and I believe that she didn't intend this kind of reaction and cares about him.  She headed after him and followed him to The Outback, where she knocked the drink out of his hand (both in this scene and in the Ned/Alexis scene, The Outback had really crappy music on).

Finally, I'm glad things have come to a climax, because this storyline was losing it's zip in all the repetition.  I like this storyline a lot, both the Carly/AJ stuff and the potential for future things with Alan/AJ and Bobbie/Carly/Tony (and Luke).  I hope they can keep the momentum going this time.

V. The Spencers

Lizzy:  "She's, uh, strictly kind of a mid-day kinda girl."

On Tuesday, we had Lizzy trying to be a waitress and not doing a good job at all.  She asked him about the concert and he tried to get her to tell him what Sarah had said about it.  Lucky said it was a little weird they were sisters, but didn't quiz her on why she didn't want to tell him.  They chatted about Ruby and Lucky offered to give her some tips, saying Ruby would take to her eventually.  Lizzy started to ask him to do something, but Sarah walked in and Lucky's attention was completely lost to her.  They sat down to chat, and Lucky had no idea what was coming.

Lizzy begrudgingly waited on them, trying to get some more conversation in with Lucky before she left and telling Sarah that she had rescued the sweater from behind the couch.  Sarah asked if she had found a button and Lizzy told her she should be more careful with her belongings.  Ha!  Lizzy went on to grouse about the two of them together to Ruby and drop a muffin on her sister before she left.  I figured it would be the tea....

Sarah:  "I just need to know that, you know, you weren't getting the wrong idea, because I would never wanna hurt you."

Finally, finally, finally, Sarah told Lucky how she saw things between them--that she considered them to be only friends.  Lucky tried to cover, but it was clear he was disappointed.  At this point, for some reason, I really really wished Luke was home, because I would have liked to see Luke pick up on Lucky's disappointment and ask him about it.  I don't know if Lucky would have told him everything, but I would have hoped for a man to man on this one.

On Friday, Lucky called Sarah, who had other plans, then helped Ruby until Lizzy got there, late as usual.  She thanked him for covering for her (she was there to fill in), and Lucky said he was waiting for her.  But what he was waiting for was to see if Sarah was bringing her.  He agreed to sit down with her and asked her if Sarah really liked classical music because he was going to make her a mix tape.  The funniest thing about this conversation was when Lizzy said that he knew her so well and he replied that she wore her emotions and thoughts on her sleeve--but he had no idea at all that she was interested in him, and never has.  Typical male.  ;)

Lucky:  "I said electric blues.  Where have you been, woman?"

Later, he apologized for not offering her a tape too, thinking that's what was bothering her.  She said he could pick the music and he warned her she could end up with a history of electric blues.  She poo-pooed the blues a bit, which wasn't at all the right move, but elicited the very fun Luke-ish reaction from Lucky, above, which was probably the whole point.  Lizzy mentioned his Dad's club, but Lucky turned the conversation back to Sarah, saying that he knew Lizzy didn't want to tell him for some reason.  Hello?  She's jealous and she likes you, Lucky!  Lizzy simply told him that he needed to get over Sarah because she was out with Nikolas.  "Still wanna know her favorite song?"

VI. The Cassadines

A. Nik and the girls

While Lucky and Sarah chatted at Kelly's, Nik was asking Audrey whether Sarah was coming in.  He's not good at prying for information and he stumbled over his words and explanations.  After she walked away, Bobbie stepped up with a huge smile and big eyes, and was actually surprised when Nik walked away from her.

In the children's playroom, Nikolas said good-bye to one of the kids as Bobbie came in.  She was still overly cheerful in the face of his coldness.  She told him that she wanted them to be able to have some sort of relationship again because she valued his friendship.  He said he couldn't understand what he had done; she said she was desperate, and for once a Spencer actually said, "I felt it was my only choice"--rather than falling back on the assertion that there had been no choice to be made.  Applause for her for that.  She said that despite the rest of it, she missed him.

Bobbie:  "I have to get back to work."
Stefan:  "Well now, that's a splendid idea."

Stefan interrupted them and asked her if she was harassing Nikolas.  Nikolas spoke up and said they were just catching up.  Bobbie ignored him and Nikolas told her to say hello to Lucas and that maybe he'd drop by.  She had to tell him they were staying at the Spencer house.  He wouldn't come, but she said they could meet somewhere.  He made no promises.

In the meantime, Lizzy showed up and rudely interrupted Amy's phone call, demanding to know where she signed up for the "Pediatrics thing."  Step 2 in her plan to win Lucky's attentions, I suppose, with the bonus that, if she could get in, Sarah wouldn't be the only one doing good-hearted volunteering.  Amy sent her to see Nikolas.

Lizzy:  "Oh, well great, then you're the man.  I wanna volunteer to play with sick kids."

Stefan:  "Well, I'll let you get back to your young applicant.  I don't envy you."

Stefan wasn't happy about Nik's conversation with Bobbie, clearly, but knew enough not to criticize Nikolas.  Instead, he applauded his caring about Lucas.  He instead asked if Lucky had been giving him any trouble.  Lizzy entered and interrupted their conversation, asking which one was Nikolas.  She was put out when Nikolas asked her to wait and walked his Uncle out of the room.  He told Stefan that he could handle Lucky, and Stefan said to keep him in his place.  Stefan asked about the change in riding plans; actually, he simply apologized that the plans had to be dropped and complimented Nikolas on his handling of things...and told him he was there for him.

Lizzy:  "You obviously don't know who I am.  My grandmother is Audrey Hardy, and she practically runs this hospital."
Nik:  "Wait a minute.  You're Sarah Webber's sister?"
Lizzy:  "No.  She's my sister."

Nikolas returned to find Lizzy reading his clipboard (she was figuring out when Lucky worked).  She assumed that she was automatically in, but Nikolas told her that there wasn't an opening.  She whined; he said there were rules.  She said she wanted to work with kids and wanted to do so professionally in the future.  She pulled what she thought was a trump card and said she was Audrey's granddaughter.  Entertainingly enough, Nik didn't let her in on the secret, focusing instead on the fact that she was Sarah's sister and how different she was (she took it as a compliment, of course).  Lizzy chose to threaten him, saying he'd be fired if he didn't hire him and calling him "Nikky."  He told her that she could forget it, and he let her go.  Too funny.

Sarah came in and was met with Nikolas' cold shoulder.  He tried to leave and she told him that they could make that a permanent arrangement.  Snotty.  On Wednesday the criticism continued, and Nikolas just tried to get out of the room.  Sarah told him, finally, that she and Lucky were just friends, and that she was interested in him (well, she wasn't that blunt, but she made it clear she was interested).

Nik:  "And I used to have this Crimean War set that was a lot of fun."

They changed the subject and started picking up games.  Nikolas admitted that he didn't know any of the games, and that he played backgammon, mostly.  Most of this was fast-forwardable, but for some reason I can't bring myself to fastforward GH, even after all this time and this pretty awful summer.  More on Nikolas not having kids around his own age.  He worked back around to the topic at hand and he told her he had been behaving badly and that he wanted to spend time with her too.  He asked her out for dinner that night.  More gibberish about a possible walk in the rain and Nik not understanding why that would be good.  Ick.

B. Stefan and Alexis

Alexis brought Stefan the details of a saved business venture on Tuesday, and he complimented her.  She turned the talk immediately to the dinner with Katherine the night before.  She jumped almost too quickly to the subject of the picture and his reaction, rather than letting the conversation work its way around to it.  I was hoping Stefan would call her on it.

Stefan:  "I didn't realize you studied my expression so closely, Alexis."
Alexis:  "That's not an answer."

He did note her question, but pushed and he answered.  He didn't want to admit the resemblance, but she pressed again and he did admit the resemblance between Katherine's mother and the woman with Mikkos.  She acted skeptical (and he bought her act) and moved on to talk about the renovations at Mikkos' old villa.  She said she wanted to hire a new team and he left it in her hands.

After he left, she had a conversation with someone on the cell phone--I assume Leo, but she didn't say.  She told him that she had laid the groundwork and he asked how she felt.  She said that didn't matter, because Katherine was a gold-digger, a true conniver, and said that she had seen this before, giving a litany of this type of woman's qualities and insisting that she wouldn't let it happen.

At this point, this was the only motivation given to us by Alexis or tptb.  It didn't make any sense to me (it still doesn't) why Alexis would want to fabricate (for I believe it is fabricated, from this conversation and others, or she would talk about the threat in terms of incest and disappointment, rather than describing a conniving fortune hunter) a blood relation between Katherine and Stefan which would simply bring Katherine into the family.  Unless she's betting that Stefan doesn't tell Katherine...but more on that later, when we have the evidence at hand.  One of the drawbacks of being so behind on the WIR is that I have to keep reminding myself what we know and don't know at the time of the episodes I'm writing about.

Stefan called Katherine to thank her for the nice un-birthday party and asked her to ring him.  Alexis pretended to take no notice, but she told him she had decided to fly George in (the caretaker) and ask him directly how things were going.  Stefan concurred, and Alexis mentioned that George would also be able to fill them in about Kristen, Mikkos' mistress.

C. Stefan and the Webbers

Lizzy went straight from Nikolas to find Audrey, who asked after her job and introduced her to Amy.  Lizzy insisted that she wanted Audrey to pull rank and get Nikolas to back off.  Audrey filled her in that Nikolas was nephew to the hospital's CEO.  Ha!  On Wednesday, she continued her pleading with Audrey to help her into the program.  Stefan interrupted, Lizzy chided him, and Audrey introduced them.  Lizzy was stunned but slipped easily into flattery mode.  Crack me up.  She asked Stefan to help her out, but Stefan said he wouldn't go over his nephew's head or recommend somebody that he didn't know personally (of course he didn't use that Americanism, but you know what I mean).

I absolutely loved the combination of Lizzy and the Cassadines in these scenes.  I was laughing out loud by the end of them.  While Lizzy may be a walking, talking stereotype, she sure gives Nik and Stefan something great to play off of.  I hope we get more of them--I'm sure we'll get more of her with Nikolas as the terrible teeny-bopper story unfolds, but I hope this isn't the last we see of her and Stefan.  Crack me up.

Audrey apologized after Lizzy left, and Stefan was very gracious and complimented her on both granddaughters.  He then asked her what she thought about Sarah and Nik spending time together.  She said she was pleased that Nikolas was making her feel welcome, and Stefan changed the subject and complimented her.

D. Stefan and Nik

Nik told Stefan on Wednesday that he was thinking about coming back to Wyndemere; Stefan tried not to sound too excited, telling him that any decision he made was fine.  Nik said that if he did come back, he'd be attending Port Charles High in the fall.  Stefan tried not to sound too irritated.  Ha!

E. Stefan and Alexis

Alexis:  "Good grief, he could even start to rollerblade.  Right toward social equality.  Downhill."

On Thursday at The Outback, Stefan told Alexis that Nikolas was considering moving home but wanted to go to school.  She responded sarcastically, but Stefan was really bothered.  Stefan said that Katherine should take the credit for keeping Nikolas nearby and convincing him to come home.  She responded with one of those annoying Americanisms.  Crack me up.  Stefan said that he wasn't trying to shelter Nikolas and that he was allowing him to see Sarah Hardy (of course he had a few almost-snide remarks about her...not their sort, after all).  Alexis changed the subject to the renovation and George's possible knowledge about the photos.  Stefan was uninterested, but spoke again about moving forward and change.

F. Alexis and Ned

Alexis:  "Where did you come from?"
Ned:  "I was wondering that about you.  Are you a gift to me from the universe?"
Alexis:  "I beg your pardon; I thought you were Ned Ashton."

Ned:  "Would you like to run away?"
Alexis:  "Frequently."
Ned:  "I mean now, together, with me."

Stefan called her later to ask where the contracts were, leaving a message.  But she was still at The Outback, and was being heavily distracted by Ned.  She said she had to take the contracts to Stefan; he said she had to let him buy her a drink.  She asked if he was in trouble.  He said it was family stuff as usual; she said she completely understood.  He told her he was needy and they should run away together for a while.  He realized that the needy thing had put her off somehow, but she said it wasn't familiar and that it was very effective.  He said that if she wouldn't run away with him, she should come home with him.  When she didn't answer right away and mentioned contracts again, he left her there, confused.

Alexis:  "Alright, you wanna handle it that way, you wanna disallow the vulnerability on a technicality, fine."

When the door sounded again after Monica had left, Ned thought it was her returning.  It was Alexis.  She reprimanded him for leaving so quickly after being so urgent.  The needing wasn't a problem, it was the leaving.  Ned said he hadn't asked for help, and Alexis said that it was very clear nonetheless.

Alexis:  "Desire is not only permissible, it's required.  And if I thought that all you wanted was a night of distraction, I dare say we'd be an hour or so into it by now."

Alexis:  "Needing has to be ok.  You have to be able to expect things from family or friends...or lovers."

Ned said that he needed her--not someone, her.  He admitted that he thought he could get lost in her for a few hours.  But she demanded honesty, saying that she didn't think he was after a simple distraction.  She wanted truth, and he wanted to try.  He let her go first, and she said she didn't mind that he got time to formulate a response.  She said she didn't want games in her personal life.  At this point she was falling back on lawyer-speak, but she caught herself and said that she didn't want to have to chase him any time he needed her and that they had to be able to depend on each other.

Ned:  "Yes, I did come looking for you tonight.  And not only did I see the understanding that I was hoping to find, but you were sexy as hell.  And I just didn't want this evening to end, as they always do, the two of us going our separate ways."

Ned said that he walked away not because he was playing a game, but because he was a little scared.  When he had needed her, he was getting away from the last year, which was spent efficiently dispatching tasks...with no emotional entanglements.  He's not comfortable with his attraction for her yet.  When he asked if that was enough for her, she said she didn't know, and when he asked her to tell him what she needed, she responded with a kiss, which he wouldn't let her end quickly.  A very hot kiss, for my money, and these scenes were the best thing going for me on Friday.  But she broke off, saying she needed some time to think, and she left.  Poor Ned.  ;)

I love that this is taking some time to get where it's going, and I love that it doesn't seem drawn out, but rather the story of two busy people.  I like the sense I get of two hesitant and hurt people trying to find a way to be together and trust each other when they don't trust and need easily.  I look forward to the conversation(s) where they confront Ned's past with Lois (and whatever past Alexis has, because I'm sure she does), and yet I'm happy that Lois hasn't even been mentioned between them yet.

And finally, I loved the comparison between the Alexis/Ned scenes--very adult emotions and baggage and history and possible outcome--and the Sarah/Nik scenes--first love perhaps.  The difference in conversation, in expectation, in emotion...everything.  Two levels of relationships, and both handled realistically (though I found the conversation in the park boring).

G. More Nikolas

Bobbie came up to Nikolas on Friday and told him he looked "twinkly."  The whole conversation was stupid.  She was overly happy and he told her he couldn't be her friend.  She said she understood, but if she understood, she'd stop behaving this way.

Nik showed up with flowers for Audrey (charming custom, indeed!) and he and Sarah headed off on their date after a few rude comments from Lizzy and some small talk with Audrey.  Since when does Sarah have a curfew?  They ended up skipping dinner and just walking through the park.  She said she thought about him when that song came on, and he said that he had been afraid that she wouldn't think of him then because she was with Lucky.  More mushy stuff followed, and I'm going to skip it because I can.  The worst was when they talked about still being able to hear the music--and the music came up and they danced *again*.  Sigh.

VII. The Webbers

A. Audrey

After her encounter with Stefan on Wednesday, Audrey was visibly shaken.  Bobbie noticed, and sat down with her for a minute.  Bobbie asked if Stefan had offended her, and she admitted that his question about Nikolas and Sarah had bothered her, and that Sarah's seeing Nik scared her because of the possibility of Stefan's role in Steve's death.  Bobbie reminded her that there was no proof (I'm wondering if that's one of the things Luke will do when he gets back to town).

B. Sarah and Lizzy

Lizzy interrupted Sarah and Nikolas as she came in and apologized to Nikolas.  She spewed more stuff about wanting to work with kids at GH.  Nikolas said that, for Sarah's sake, he'd see what he could do but didn't promise.  He left the sisters together, and Sarah asked her the real reason she wanted to work there.  Lizzy played it cool and convinced her sister that she meant what she said while she weaseled some information about Nikolas out of her (gushing ensued).  Sarah actually said she'd support her in her volunteering.  When she left, Lizzy congratulated herself on finding out Sarah and Nikolas were involved.

At the beginning of Friday's show, Lucky called for Sarah, and Lizzy said that it looked like her date was off as she handed her the phone.  Lucky asked her if she wanted to hang out--just friends--but she said she had plans.  When she got off the phone, she asked Lizzy what she had meant by the comment.  Lizzy made a rude comment about her having two boys after her.  The bell rang and Lizzy started to answer it, but Audrey didn't let her.  Nikolas was there with flowers, and Lizzy was stunned.

She made some smart remarks to Nik and Sarah, but she pretended to be happy about Sarah and Nik after they were gone, then assumed Audrey would drive her to work.

VIII. Mac

On Wednesday, in The Outback, Mac asked Dara to sing officially sometime.  She gave every excuse known to man, but she said she'd do it.  A little flirty, but I suspect that it'll just be a catalyst for Felicia's jealousy when she gets back.