**The Week in Review: August 25 - August 29**

I. The Spencers

A. Lucky and Lizzy

Lucky:  "Did anybody ever tell you you're a brat?"

Lucky:  "Half brothers.  We have the same mother.  And believe me, she didn't want him anymore than I do."

On Monday, Lizzy repeated her question--was Lucky still interested in Sarah's musical tastes.  Lucky struck back and she apologized for upsetting him.  But he realized that she was getting off on this whole thing (who knows why he can't tell she likes him if he can even figure this out) and demanded that he didn't give a damn about Nikolas.  When Lizzy cracked about them not being related, Lucky chastised her for pretending not to know.  Thing is?  She didn't.  She was stunned, and apologized again.  Lucky tried to send her away, but Lizzy stumbled around with some questions and wouldn't drop it.  Lucky couldn't believe she was serious about Nikolas, but Lizzy couldn't give him any hope.

Ruby interrupted, told her to go home, and said that maybe she would forget about firing her the next day.  Lizzy invited Lucky for a walk, but Bobbie came in at that point, looking for Lucky, and praised Sarah to Lizzy.  Ha!  Bobbie offered him a ride home; Lizzy said they were taking a walk.  Lucky said that he didn't want conversation.  Lizzy left in the cab Ruby had called for her.

B. Lucky and Bobbie

Lucky:  "If I hear that name one more time, I'm gonna spit."
Bobbie:  "Ooo.  Looks like I guessed right."

After she had left, Bobbie asked him again what was wrong and asked him if it was about Nikolas.  Lucky got up and swept, angrily, while that great Spencer music played in the background.

Bobbie:  "You know something?  You're almost as good as dodging as your father."

On Thursday, Lucky showed up at Ruby's to meet Bobbie.  He knew there'd be an agenda, and she admitted to wanting to know why he was upset.  He commented on the service and Ruby said she was firing Elizabeth.  Bobbie wasn't to be put off, and asked if it was something to do with Elizabeth.  Ha!  Lucky said Lizzy reminded him of Sarah, who reminded him of wasting his summer working for Nikolas--the real problem.  Bobbie didn't understand why this was a consideration right now.  Lucky admitted that Sarah liked him, and that she didn't know any better because she only saw him doing good and that he was just using the pediatric children to make a good impression.  Bobbie wouldn't hear it.

Lucky:  "Every time she sees him she cries.  He wants her to."

Lucky insisted that Nikolas hurt his mother continually and went off on a rant his father would have been proud of.  At this point, Lizzy came in, saw him, went back out to straighten herself up, and then reentered...right in time to overhear Lucky say that Stefan had killed Steve Hardy.

Bobbie:  "Nikolas isn't his uncle."
Lucky:  "Since when?  Am I not my father?"

But the most interesting thing about the conversation came in these lines.  While people complain about Lucky modeling himself after Luke, I love it, as you know, and I hope that the story with Nikolas can become the point where tptb test that a little.  What would happen if Luke made his peace with Nikolas?  What would that do to Lucky and their relationship?  Or what would happen if Lucky changed his mind about Nikolas?  And instead of a simple reiteration of the adults, the variations could be very interesting--see Lucky's horror at Nik's fall down the stairs.  I hope this whole thing can be un-simplified and we can lose this simple love triangle stuff.

I was glad to see these two together, as well, because of the diminished Spencer contingent.  I like seeing pairs that we don't usually see, and since she is supposed to be living in the house with him and keeping an eye on him right now, it only seems right that they should be seen together.

C. Lucky and Lizzy Again

On Friday, Bobbie continued, pointing out that Lucky was granting Stefan almost magical powers with his accusation about Steve Hardy's death.  And whether he contributed or not, she pointed out that this had nothing to do with Nikolas.  Lucky backed off and said he wouldn't tell Sarah, but pointed out that the rumor was all about town.

Lucky:  "Nobody deserves a Cassadine."

Lucas called for Bobbie, and Lizzy sat down with Lucky.  She was upset; he called her Elizabeth, rather than Lizzy.  But when she got on the subject of Nikolas, Lucky was back on his guard.  Lizzy wouldn't let it go, and she said she was worried.  Lucky insisted that he was not trying to make anybody think anything about Nikolas and that she shouldn't avoid him just because of his opinion.  Whatever, Lucky.  Like we believe this.  More from Lizzy on why Sarah shouldn't be with Nikolas, then she asked him to warn Sarah and asked how they could break them up.  Lucky said it was none of his business, or hers, and that nothing they said would do any good.  Lizzy pouted and went back to work.

These two were kind of repetitive this week, but I still enjoy them more than anything else about the teenage story.

D. Bobbie and Carly and Tony

Lizzy:  "She doesn't look much older than we are. What is she, a stripper or something?"
Lucky:  "No.  I...I don't think so.  No, she does something at the hospital.  But not very much of it.  You know, maybe she's your new role model."
Lizzy:  "So what to you think?"
Lucky:  "I think my aunt Bobbie's just as good lookin' as she is."

Carly:  "Go ahead and fire away, Bobbie, like you always do when Tony's not around to hear you."

While Bobbie was at Kelly's, Tony and Carly came in for dinner and met Lizzy.  Tony asked if he could speak to Bobbie.  Tony told her that he was marrying Carly.  Bobbie made a crack about setting a date, and Tony told her they already had.  Ruby called for Tony to get something from the top shelf, leaving mother and daughter to their usual catfight.  Carly talked more this time, spouting off stuff about Tony choosing her over Bobbie, etc.  Bobbie returned fire.  Carly went outside and Tony came back and reprimanded her for hounding Carly.  Bobbie couldn't care less.  Basically, a repeat of the same scene in a different location this time.

Outside, Tony asked her what was wrong and Carly said she had done something awful to AJ.  And I didn't believe for a minute that she was going to come clean.

E. Bobbie and Katherine

Katherine:  "Hi, uh, I'd like to have something light that I could take home with me."
Bobbie:  "Then don't make it Stefan.  You'll sink like a stone."

Bobbie tried again to warn Katherine.  I don't know why she bothers.  Nobody ever listens to such warnings on GH--not about Damien, not about Stefan.  But Katherine mentioned growing up at Serenity (conveniently) and said she had only now learned the meaning of the word.

II. Carly

A. Carly and AJ

On Monday, Carly continued to plead with AJ not to drink.  She followed him from The Outback to the park.  He was trying to get away from her and drink his vodka in peace, but she insisted that she wouldn't let him do this.  She blamed herself because she had chosen to meet him at a bar; he absolved her of her guilt.  In the park, he said that she was an enabler and asked what she got out of saving him; she answered, "forgiveness."

Carly:  "Why do you find it so hard to forgive yourself?"
AJ:  "Back on that again.  Because I don't like myself, Carly.  And once you get to know me better I'm sure you'll feel the same way."

She said that she had always wanted a friend that would stick by her, that she had trouble trusting people, and that he was that friend she had always wanted.  She said he always forgave her, and while it may not have meant anything to him it meant everything to her.  He responded with sarcasm, but she kept crying and pleading and saying that she cared about him.  He insisted that he could find another bottle and that she couldn't stick around forever; he was convinced he had blown it.

She brought the subject back to rehab; he insisted he didn't want to kid himself that he could change.  He described the reaction to his drinking again (he called Ned "Mr. Dimples,") and said the other option was to start another calendar of sobriety until he failed again.  She said she would help him; he said she would hate him.  But she pleaded for him to give it one more chance, and he listened to her pleading, finally, and gave her the bottle.

These scenes were so painful for me to watch, on both their counts, and I was again pondering that stock in Kleenex.  For AJ to be convinced again that he's a loser and cannot succeed after all he's been through?  And for Carly to have to face what she had done to him--driven him to drink, rather than getting him some help (one of the ways she was justifying her actions, or excusing them, or making things better for herself)?  Both of them in so much pain and desperation.  I know that people hate Carly right now, and I know others, like me, who want these two to somehow work through all of this and find each other.  Whether they become a romantic couple or not, these two are fabulous together, and I hope we get to see more progression after the fallout.

Carly walked him home and he told her how amazing she was.  They parted after he thanked her for stopping him, saying he didn't know what he'd do when she wasn't there.  She told him that she would at least get him through rehab.  More support and encouragement and thanks and hugs followed before they parted for the night.

Unfortunately, Carly didn't make it to the door without Mick stopping her.  Mick was demanding more money or he'd go to the Quartermaines and tell everything and get a reward from them.

B. AJ's Announcement

At the beginning of Tuesday Carly couldn't believe she was starting to show and Tony said he loved it.  AJ rang the bell and announced that he had remembered something--another of those false alarms.  He actually was talking about going into rehab--remembering his plan to go away if he slipped again.  He said that because of Carly he realized that it's what he has to do.  He's leaving right away.  Carly was utterly relieved.

Tony went to work and AJ asked him not to say anything until he had a chance to tell the family.  AJ stayed to chat with Carly, and we had more congratulations and thanks and support.  He noticed that she was showing, and he told her that she was beautiful.  She let him feel the baby and they held hands for a second.  It's clear to me that he has a crush on her and that's part of the reason she was able to convince him not to drink.  She asked how long he'd be gone and he admitted that Port Charles wasn't good for him and said he wouldn't be there when the baby came (he told her she would be a great mom).  She cried again; he told her everything was ok again.  He said he'd come back by to say goodbye.

C. Carly and AJ

After he left, Carly remembered that night.  Mick showed up again and she threatened to go to the cops because she had been down this road before.  Mick called her bluff and demanded more money for "aggravation."  As she wrote him a check (stupid move number...I've lost track) and screamed at him as she opened the door, AJ arrived home.  Yet another supposed cliffhanger.

On Wednesday the faux-cliffhanger continued with AJ saying that he understood everything.  He decided that Carly was trying to pay off the bartender to lie and say AJ was never there.  He thanked her, but didn't want her to cover up his failures.  He wanted the truth (ironic, that).  She didn't correct him, of course, and elaborated on the lie, saying she thought the guy might have some hints about what had made AJ drink.  More of the same, and I'm not going to detail it all.  Suffice it to say there was a lot of dramatic irony in AJ's comments.

D.  Carly, Tony, and AJ

Tony:  "This is one of the bravest people I've ever known.  God bless him."

Tony came home and AJ told him what had happened and Tony actually said she deserved a gold star.  Again with the child thing.  AJ told them that he might not come back, just as he had told his family.  Tony supported him, but Carly was devastated.  He told her he wasn't giving up; he was getting better so he could have what they had...someday.  He thanked them both and was gone.  Tony praised her again, and said that he now understood their friendship.  She told him that he was precious, and he replied by breaking out the calendar to pick a wedding date.

On Friday, they asked AJ out to dinner, but he said he had things to do before his flight the next morning.  They said goodbye and left him to it.

III. Mac

On Monday, Dara showed up to sing and was very nervous.  Mac reassured her, and she went ahead with her performance.  He's so cute, even if he does insist on rescuing every woman that crosses his path.  Of course, she only knows that one song....  More teasing ensued after she was done and had received great applause.  Dara said she'd think about returning to sing tomorrow night, but she was worried about people she knew in the audience.

Dara:  "Now, in terms of emotional support, what a woman wants, admits to wanting, needs, and wants you to know she needs are totally different things."

As V. wrecked havoc on The Outback and people started demanding her firing, Mac and Dara looked for Felicia's phone number.  After talking to Felicia, Mac asked Dara to sing regularly and she changed the subject to his own stress.  He admitted that he wanted to go to Felicia, and Dara told him that she didn't mean it and that he should go to her.  I don't know what I think of Dara's above lines.  Mac made plans to go to Felicia and Dara was giving in to the singing arrangements.

IV. The Quartermaines

A. Emily

Monday found the Quartermaines worried about Emily and Lila and Edward bickered over his disdain for AJ.  Monica chimed in, but Edward insisted that Emily stay away from AJ.  Alan discovered that Emily wasn't anywhere to be found, but the phone rang with Nikolas telling them that Emily was safe and he was bringing her home.  Edward was appalled that "Cassadine" was bringing her home.  Crack me up.

Emily was in the park, upset after seeing AJ, on Monday.  She ran into Nikolas, who comforted her and called her parents.  He wanted to take her home, and apologized to Sarah, who just told him that she liked his devotion to his friends.  I'm sorry they dropped Em's crush on Nik so soon; it's as if she introduced Sarah to him and then forgot about him.  She simply complained about her family a bit and told him to give her some of his strength by putting his hand on her head, which he did--cute.  This could have been a much richer scene if she were still stuck on him, or had a relapse because of his help.  But no matter, because I was just glad to see friends together again.

Edward:  "The next time you decide to fly this coop, just give me the "hi" sign and I'll go with you."

Emily got home and received no trouble from her family.  Alan thanked Nikolas again for bringing Emily home; Nik said there was no debt to be paid.  She admitted that she had seen AJ and told them again that she didn't understand how that happened.  Alan assumed he was drunk and reassured her that she would never depend on drugs again.  She said that the teasing at school would never end, and that she might slip up in the face of it.  Monica suggested a vacation.  Somehow, I don't buy that as a solution to Emily's problems, and it seems to me that she'll face more crap coming into school late than running a normal routine.  But in actuality, Leslie Charleson is taking a vacation, so this was the way they wrote her off for a month or so.

The original plan was for Monica, Alan and Emily to go off to Italy for a month or so.  Emily was worried about AJ, but Monica said that she was going to encourage AJ to go to rehab while they were gone.  This trip was about Emily, and she seemed really excited.  But after she went upstairs, Alan said that it might be a problem for him to get off of work, but that he would try to come over for a week or so.  He said again that they had to make sure that what happened to AJ didn't happen to Emily.

On Tuesday, the family all congratulated Monica on the vacation, but Alan arrived and announced he couldn't go.  Emily said he had already told her and it was ok, but insisted that she would say goodbye to AJ.  Lila took Edward and Ned out of the room, though Edward stayed behind to ask Emily why she wanted to see AJ again.  She just wanted to say goodbye; Monica said that she hadn't been able to reach him.

B. AJ

At that point, AJ arrived and announced he was going into rehab in Minnesota.  He had made the arrangements and was leaving in a few days.  He couldn't do it alone and he couldn't do it in Port Charles.  Monica said she was proud; AJ said to wait until he had done something to be proud of.  Emily filled him in on the vacation.

Monica:  "You are a remarkable man, AJ.  And one of these days you're gonna realize that and there'll be no stopping you."
AJ:  "Thank you for still loving me...and believing in me...even though I'm not the son you wanted."
Monica:  "Yes you are.  You are the son I wanted.  And the son I want now.  More than ever."

After people left, AJ stayed to speak to Monica.  He told her that he was thinking of not coming back to PC because that's where all his problems came from.  Monica understood that he meant he needed to get away from his family.  She was worried, but he reassured her.  She asked simply that he not shut them out completely.  But he has to do this to save himself, and not concern himself with his family at this point.

Ned entered and wished him luck, with no smart remarks.  AJ said he'd be back before he left and left through the garden to say goodbye to Lila.

One other thing.  AJ went back to The Outback and paid for the glass Carly had knocked out of his hand.  A nice touch, and it spoke volumes about this current incarnation of AJ.  Mac didn't comment, only accepted.

On Friday, Keesha went to AJ's to plead with him not to go without pushing to find out the reason for this slip-up first.  She didn't believe he had been drunk because this time was different.  She pushed; he admitted that things were strange.  At one point they talked about why things didn't work out between them.  It's clear they really still care about each other, but I can't stand the thought they'd get back together...not when I'm finally invested in AJ.

They heard a noise at the door; it was the kid, Jimmy, looking through the keyhole.  He asked about the feet he saw and the big basket.  Basically, he gave out enough information to prove something weird had gone on.  They quizzed him about the laundry basket and which night it was.  With the mother's help, they found out when it was.  Turns out it was the night AJ was found "drunk."

C. Monica and Alan

Alan:  "Emily has a wonderful mother.  I don't think that she would mind you doing one un-motherly thing."

Alan was driving with them to the airport, and Emily went out to start the car.  Monica didn't want to go without him, but Alan told her that she was doing the right thing and kissed her goodbye in one of those great Alan bear hugs.

V. Jax and V.

A. V. at The Outback

While Dara sang, Jax came to sit with V.  She was trying to find a job before her money ran out, and had faced a bunch of rude or perverted people.  In the meantime, one of Mac's waitresses quit and Jax had a not-so-brilliant idea to get V. the job.  V. was too scared to ask because she didn't want Mac to know she was out of money...and it was embarrassing.

Mac:  "You really wanna wait tables?"
V:  "Well I'd rather live rent free but I wasn't sure you'd go for it."

But Jax stepped into a conversation about Felicia and said that he knew someone who could take the waitress's place.  Mac hired her.  We found out that The Outback was now open for breakfast.  Dara left and V. asked Jax why he had done that...but she didn't seem upset.  She went up to bed.

On Tuesday, we had several vignettes of V. dealing with customers at The Outback.  She reprimanded them for their choices, refused to allow substitutions, corrected them when they weren't politically correct, and was rude.  Mac couldn't believe it.  Jax stopped by and Mac asked him if he still hated him.  It was bad.  Mac was ready to fire her but Jax stepped in to talk to her.  She said she would do better, but it was clear that she was doomed as a waitperson.

In fact, it took only one more order for Mac to fire her.  He gave her next month's rent free, but he couldn't risk losing any more business.

B. Brenda and Jax

V. turned her nose up when Brenda came in to see Jax.  But Brenda told Jax she liked her after V. came up and told Jax that she'd been fired.  Brenda was worried about hurting his feelings, but he had already heard about the wedding.  He told her just to tell him she was happy; she did.  Mushy stuff followed, about no regrets and learning about happiness, then she took off.  It amazes me that she can keep seeing him in these mushy kinds of reunions and not realize how much it hurts him.  It shouldn't amaze me, but it does.

C. Jax and V.

V:  "At least I'm a known quantity."
Jax:  "Exactly.  And I wish you luck, but not in my employ."

V. stopped to console Jax, who said he'd get to the point eventually where he could sit across from Brenda without hurting.  Jax's assistant, who was resigning because of all the stress (and Jerry's most recent kidnapping), interrupted them.  Jax called Jerry while V. looked through the want ads and dropped hints for Jax to hire her.  On Wednesday she just came out and told him, finally, that he should hire her.  He quizzed her and she listed her good qualities.  He said he'd write her a letter of reference.  Ha!

Later, V. was still having trouble finding anyone to recognize her skills, and Jax told her he'd take her on temporarily and started giving instructions...as she broke a glass.  Too cute.

These two continue to be corny--too much so, for my taste, at times--but still a bright spot in a fairly bad patch we're suffering through.

VI. The Webbers

Back at the house, Sarah turned off the lights and headed up to bed as Lizzy came home.  Lizzy made some cracks about her short date and Sarah tried her best to ignore her.  But Lizzy continued on the subject and asked Sarah why she didn't tell her that Lucky and Nikolas were brothers and hated each other; Sarah protested at the hating part of the statement.  Nikolas arrived to apologize for the short date.

Sarah tried to get Lizzy to go up to bed, but she insisted on staying and rolling her eyes at all the mush.  Nik and Sarah made plans for the next night.  He left and Lizzy started in criticizing again.  Sarah said that Lizzy just couldn't handle her being happy.

Lizzy:  "Nikolas with a 'K'.  Is it just me, or is that weird?"

Lizzy:  "Such a well-scrubbed couple."

Thursday found the girls squabbling over eyeliner (Jax Cosmetics plug) and Sarah's upcoming date with Nik.  Ick.

On Friday we had some small talk about knitting between Sarah and her grandmother...which led to talk about Nikolas.  Mush followed.  Then, after Nik called to postpone, they talked some more about Nik and Sarah being together and the chapel, etc.  Audrey said she got nervous, but that if Nikolas made her happy, she was happy too.

Audrey:  "I think I'll just read a book about knitting first."

Lizzy:  "Well I loved gramps too, you know.  He paid attention to me; he laughed at my jokes.  He never told me I was too dirty to sit down at dinner."
Sarah:  "I know you loved gramps, Liz."
Lizzy:  "Then why are you dating the nephew of the person who killed him?"

Audrey praised Sarah's appearance as Lizzy came home in time to mock her.  Sarah tried to make small talk; Lizzy said she shouldn't be nervous because Nik would show up.  Lizzy pushed and Sarah headed outside.  Lizzy immediately found a way to drop the "truth" about Nikolas in her lap.  The thing that moved me about her outburst was her talk about her grandfather--her insistence that Steve had loved her too.  That made me sad.  But the outburst was truly juvenile, and I didn't buy the effect it was going to have on Sarah (but that's for next week's review).

VII. Felicia

On Tuesday we opened with Felicia reading the girls a book on the Aztecs, sitting in her grandmother's house in Texas (and I was glad to see the Lucy-in-San-Antonio hotel room again).  Felicia said she was thinking about staying.  Cut to the mess at The Outback.

Her grandmother broached the subject of Tom and Felicia said his work was important and it was good to be apart.  But then a letter from Tom came, and it was clear things weren't at all good anymore.  He was breaking up with her...in a letter.

Felicia:  "My affliction is Tom.  I hate him."

In the meantime, Dara found Felicia's number and Mac called immediately.  Felicia covered up with her grandmother, but she couldn't cover with Mac, who knew immediately that she'd been crying.  On Wednesday she said it was hayfever (and much was made of the various mentions of her hayfever over the months) but finally admitted that she was upset and told him about Tom.  She wanted to have had the chance to agree or vote on the whole thing; Mac limited himself to saying he was sorry.  He volunteered to come out and she told him not too; she also didn't say when she'd be back.

While Felicia dealt with things, Georgie and Maxie were out playing.  Maxie found a little statue in the dirt and took it in with her when her great-grandma called them in.  When she came in, Felicia asked her what she was hiding under her jacket.  Felicia recognized it as something sacred from the land that was once a burial ground and told her to put it back.  Her grandmother said that she handled it well; Felicia said again that she was going to think about staying and didn't want to see any Port Charles faces.  Cut to Mac making travel arrangements.

Felicia left Maxie to say a prayer over the statue, and Maxie marked the spot when her mother wasn't looking.  On Friday, Maxie looked through the book to check her mother's story about not playing with that doll and said it wasn't there.  At that point, Mac showed up.

Mac:  "She's walkin' again."
Felicia:  "You're kidding.  Oh good, I was so sick of feeling sorry for her."

Felicia wasn't happy.  She put up every excuse in the book as to why he shouldn't be there, and pointed out that she had told him not to come.  She said she felt like a basket case--or that he thought she was one--because he had come all this way.  Mac lit into Tom; Katherine criticized Katherine.  After some back and forth, she said she loved Tom and Mac left off complaining.  They agreed that at least they were good at picking business partners; he asked her to come home.  She said she was already planning to come back.  Mac had brought plane tickets, and told her he had charged them on her card.  Crack me up.

I like these two together, even if Mac's to-the-rescue thing should annoy the heck out of me.  I didn't like her when I first started watching, but now I like having both of them around.  And I'm even kind of looking forward to their big storyline this fall (if it still happens), especially if it's a light adventure/romance kind of thing.  Just so they don't bring the honey....

VIII. Sonny and Brenda

A. Business Troubles

Tuesday found Brenda busy making plans and Sonny going along with whatever she wanted but reminding her about the honeymoon.  Jason showed up to talk to Sonny and Brenda went out to run errands (she didn't even protest when Sonny sent Joseph to drive her).  It wasn't good news.  The balance sheets had gone missing on Francis' trip to Albany.

Sonny made some calls to shut everything down.  He gave instructions to Jason, who was headed to Canada to take care of things.  If this information got out and Sonny was under investigation, he couldn't defend himself and somebody would come after his territory.  More arrangements, then Sonny asked Jason what went wrong.  Jason told Sonny he was the one that screwed up by running when he shouldn't have.  Sonny didn't get mad; he saw that Jason was telling the truth.  And when he asked Jason why he was letting this happen, he made Jason say the answer he already knew: Brenda.  And after he left, Sonny started pondering his options.

B. The Condition

When Brenda came home, he told her there was one condition to their getting married.  On Wednesday, he gave her a vague version of the business trouble and told her that his condition was that they disappear.  He was endangering her and letting her--his weakness, his love for her--guide him around.  He had made a mistake and people don't make mistakes in his world.  So he told her he was getting out.

Brenda:  "I know the organization has been your life.  And you're saying that you wanna give that up for me?"
Sonny:  "It's not a question of want...it's a question of have to."

Brenda was thrilled; I think all she could comprehend was that Sonny was leaving the organization for her, choosing her over his work.  She didn't even seem to see what it would cost him, the risk they were taking in trying to get out and disappear...none of the reality of the situation, only her glamorized/romanticized view of things.

Sonny:  "This is the only way you can live.  As in keep breathing."

Sonny told her he loved her more than the business, but what I wanted him to tell her was the reasons he had told Jason for this move and the gritty details: that she couldn't hack it, that their lives would be in danger even after they ran away, etc.  Nothing romantic about that.  And when she asked him if he would regret this, I wanted her to realize that she might be the one to regret this.  No sign of that from her, because she's still living in the delusion that if Sonny loves her, all's right with the world automatically.  She didn't even understand why he was asking her to choose if he had already made the decision--assuming that he would simply make all the decisions for the both of them.  Ick.

Sonny:  "If the price is too high, you say so now.  I will walk away and I will never ever think you didn't love me.  But if you're willing to walk away from everybody, then we'll walk away together.  It's up to you."

Brenda:  "So if it has to come down to them or us...it has to be us."

Sonny told her that they would have to disappear immediately following the honeymoon, nobody would ever see them again, and they would never come back or contact anybody.  She was losing more than he was losing, he said, and that she didn't have to prove her love.  He told her to take her time.  She spoke of her time in Port Charles and all the people who loved her, but she said that she wanted him to be her family.

Sonny:  "You're gonna have to trust me blind.  Can you do that?  More important, will you do that?"

Brenda:  "If you're willing to give up everything for me, how can I not trust you with my heart?"

He said that there was one more thing that he needed to ask of her.  They had to make sure nobody got suspicious, and he had to do some quick work to pull this off.  He said their honesty was working out, but that she couldn't ask him anything more about the plan to leave town.  She agreed.

C. Sonny and Jason

On Thursday, Brenda worried about Lucy's Christmas campaign and asked if she could tell Lucy to find someone else now; Sonny dissuaded her.  She admitted that this was hard.  She left, promising to get a copy of the marketing report from Lucy for Sonny; Joseph drove her but Brenda asked him to stay in the car at The Outback.

Jason criticized that, saying Joseph would blame himself, and Sonny said that Brenda didn't understand and couldn't do it.  He couldn't do it without her, so he was getting out.  Jason didn't protest; he said that Sonny must have thought it out and decided that there was no other way.

Sonny:  "Since when do I care what she wants.  Since when is that more important than her life, Jason?"

(Note the foreshadowing in that line!)

Sonny said that he loved Brenda so much that he couldn't think straight and that it was going to get them killed.  He bemoaned the mistake he had made in running away and told Jason he had been right in his criticism.  The Tin Man had used the only bait Sonny would take, and he had panicked.  He should have done so many things, and he had so many mistakes.  He said they wouldn't be so lucky twice.  Lily had the security and she hadn't survived.

Sonny:  "I'll be happy.  I'll have the woman I love and a brand new life.  Maybe not the one I want, but, uh, it's better than being dead."

Jason asked about Sonny, which Brenda didn't think to do, and Sonny reassured him.  He told him the plan to leave on the honeymoon and not come back and asked for his help.  Sonny started in on the arrangements: transferring money, new identities, etc.  Jason said he'd get a marketing report to find out which countries Lucy advertised in; Sonny was one step ahead of him.  He told him he needed a month, and he needed Jason to get it for him.

Jason:  "I scare her."

Jason:  "Plus I don't say much.  But neither do you.  For some reason that makes you smart and me dumb as a box of rocks."
Sonny:  "Who said that?"
Jason:  "Doesn't matter."

Jason:  "And I do not want to spend the rest of my life running from a organization when I could be in charge.  By the time they know you're gone, I'll be ready to fight."

Sonny said that whoever took over would have to kill Jason.  Jason said he wouldn't go to Robin because they broke up because of him, not her, and not his job.  Sonny said he'd probably die and he didn't want to lose him.  Jason said that it was his choice and that he wanted to do this for Sonny.  Then Sonny said that if Jason chose this life, he would let Jason take over for him.  Jason said that he wanted respect, like Sonny has.  He wanted the power.  He wanted the life.  But while he knows the mechanics, he doesn't have the respect.  He knows that he may not live long enough to get that respect, but he wasn't going to run because he couldn't imagine the future, either way, except in this business.

Sonny:  "I want you to promise me that you will do everything you have to to stay alive."
Jason:  "I will.  You promise me."
Sonny:  "I'm already doin' it."

I love these two.  Sonny continued to name all the risks and told Jason to take care of things without getting his hands dirty.  I knew at this point that we were going to have a series of instructional moments with these two.  I couldn't wait.  Sonny told him to take the car and his wardrobe, that it was a matter of respect.

I loved this exchange, and I love the prospect of Jason being the new mob boss (nice cut from this to Edward).  Some people aren't so sure, but I think that rather than writing Jason into a corner, they're setting up some fantastic action.

D. Brenda and the Quartermaine Men

Brenda:  "Sonny is the man that I love, Edward."
Edward:  "Then there's no accounting for taste."
Ned:  "People say that to grandmother all the time."

Ned:  "So if I buy the company and put it in a trust, it'll be like a...a little reminder that she came from a magic time."

Before Brenda arrived, Edward was grousing about Brenda and Sonny.  Nevertheless, once she arrived he agreed to give her away.  Too sweet.  Ned said he was just happy for Brenda.  After Edward left, Ned teased that he was disappointed she didn't ask him, and she realized that he knew what he was going to ask.  She asked him to be her maid of honor.  Too cute for words!!  He agreed, and I was so looking forward to that.  Then she asked him to buy her share of L&B.  She was clearly trying to take care of it (pun intended) before she left, but she couldn't tell him that was the reason why.  She fudged a bit and told him that she wanted him to keep that part of himself; Lois was going to focus on a new band and Brenda wouldn't be any good on it by herself.  He said he'd keep it in trust for Brooke.  Nice bit of SWATCH.

IX. The Cassadines

A. Stefan and Alexis

George was set to arrive on Wednesday's show, and Alexis and Stefan awaited him.  In the meantime, Nikolas called them and said he'd join them at The Outback (the way Stefan says "hamburger joint" cracks me up), but Stefan said he'd come to Katherine's.  Nik asked him to bring Alexis.

B. Nikolas

Nikolas:  "For what it's worth, I think you have what it takes to...I don't know...sort him out."
Katherine:  "Assuming he wants to be sorted."
Nikolas:  "I suspect that he's...teachable."

Nikolas left Katherine's to move home to Wyndemere on Wednesday's show.  He told Katherine he was going to public school and admitted he was nervous.  He asked her if she thought that Stefan would still find excuses to come by, now that he was moving home.  Again they spoke of Stefan and Katherine's relationship like it was no big deal to Nik, and again he supported it.  I'm so sad to have that tension gone so quickly.  Katherine told him that she would always be his extended family and reassured him that he had done right in forgiving Stefan (that went by too fast for my taste as well).

Nik:  "I love you.  And I miss you both.  And I wanna come home."

Nik:  "I really wanna make this work."
Stefan:  "It will work.  I will see to it."
Nik:  "No, we'll see to it."

Nik called Alexis and Stefan and, when they arrived, he told them that he had a better perspective on what home meant to him and that he was coming home.  Stefan just hugged him hard (and I started crying).  Alexis thanked Katherine, who said that all she wanted was to see them together.  Stefan said they could weather the changes (even 
High School?) and they were proud of him.

C. Katherine and Stefan

Alexis headed home with Nikolas and Stefan stayed to "discuss business" (is that what they're calling it these days?).  He told her he'd stay, if it weren't Nik's first night home, and they made plans to "discuss business" the next night.

Stefan:  "I am nothing like my father, for which you may consider yourself fortunate."

On Thursday they met Nikolas for lunch at The Outback and we got Nik's hatred of department stores again.  Ha!  When he left, Stefan thanked her again for helping Nikolas to come home, and they spoke again of that night's plans.  She said she had work to do and they should be discrete and not leave together.  He had the meeting with George to go to.

D. Alexis's Plan Continues

The next day, on Thursday's show, Alexis met with George and Leo and made sure they knew what they needed to tell Stefan--to protect Stefan and Nikolas from harmful influences.  It was still unclear to some whether George would be telling the truth or not, but I believed the whole thing was a set-up.

Stefan joined them and George started in on the construction delays, saying there were difficulties but hesitating to say what they were.  Stefan told him to speak, and Alexis prompted that George was talking about the past not the present when he spoke of secrets.  George dutifully told his story of the tunnels that Mikkos had built under that villa and said that he had smuggled them out, safe from Helena.

Alexis feigned shock on Friday, and George continued in his conjecture.  Stefan was skeptical, but George had an answer for almost everything.  Nikolas arrived, and George and Leo paid homage.  This cracked me up, actually.  Nikolas left them to do business after reacquainting himself with everybody.  Nikolas said he'd see them all before he left, and then left them to their business for a while.  Later, Nik and Stefan chatted with George and granted him a case of champagne and an Arabian stallion, much to George's delight.  Crack me up.

Stefan asked the girl's name; George pointed out that she probably didn't have the same name now.  After a call from Katherine urging him to hurry, George told Stefan that Mikkos had sent the Kristen and Natasha to a place called...you guessed it...Serenity.

I still don't understand this plan.  Unlike Christine, I don't believe there's even a chance these two are really related, and I don't see the logical sense in trying to convince Stefan of that fact.  Find a way to prove she's stealing money from the family or is after Nikolas' inheritance or something.  But this doesn't make much sense, though it does serve the immediate purpose of keeping them out of bed together.  But even that seems insulting to Stefan, that she would assume that he'd lose his mind so much after sleeping with Katherine that he'd put the family fortune in danger.  Granted, he gets a bit spacey when he's in love (or obsessing, however you want to see it), but still.

E. Nikolas and Sarah

Some mushy crap out at the church.  I'm so tired of this; it's making Nikolas boring and taking him away from the interesting conflicts that I like so much about him.  But all the talk about Tom Hardy served as a contrast to what's going to come next.  They danced *again*, and I thought I was going to scream.  Other people did.  That tptb would take one of Luke and Laura's conceits or tropes or whatever you want to call it and hand it over in such a weak way to this non-couple makes me ill.  And I'm so sick of that song.

Later, on Friday, he called her and told her he'd be late because he needed to pay some attention to their guests.

X. Katherine and Scott

This was the most bizarre first appearance for Scott Baldwin returning to GH that I could ever have imagined.  He simply walked up to Katherine in The Outback and they swapped niceties.  Not much of him filling her in, no antagonism, no promise of future crossovers with either of them.  Very strange.  At this point, they were figuring out Rex's plan over on PC, and I thought maybe the Scott/Katherine past would come into play there and that's why they chose this crossover.  Still no sign of that either.  So we had several segments of this conversation that amounted to nothing but included a nice establishment of peace.