**The Week in Review: September 22 - September 26**

I. Carly and AJ

A. Carly and AJ

Carly:  "We slept together...once.  That's not how people get pregnant."
AJ:  "That's the only way people get pregnant.  It's not cumulative like a savings account."

At the beginning of Monday's show, AJ told Carly that he wasn't siding with her, but with the baby.  He didn't want Tony to doubt that this child was his, because the child would pay for it (as he did with his father).  She tried to praise him, but he wouldn't hear it.  He told her he wanted proof that this child wasn't his, and then he wouldn't tell Tony anything.  She tried every dodge in the book (I couldn't believe that a so-called medical professional would try the one above), even putting the guilt on him by saying he betrayed Tony as well that night.  But he demanded a sonogram to prove the date of conception, telling her that she had to do everything as he instructed--have the sonogram at GH--or he'd tell Tony everything.

B. Carly

On Tuesday, Carly called a nursing school friend of hers--Lorraine.  She turned on the charm and got Lorraine to come over and meet with her by promising her money.  It didn't look good.  Basically, Lorraine's really a snarky person who drinks her Scotch straight and doesn't put up well with Carly's faux-charm.  Basically, Carly wanted Lorraine to fake the results of her sonogram when she had it done over at Mercy on the next day and was willing to pay her well for the service.  Lorraine asked more questions than Carly wanted to answer and she managed to dodge them for the time being.  Lorraine agreed to the plan and took the money.

C. Tony and Bobbie

Amy:  "I could see Carly getting married by an Elvis impersonator."

Bobbie went up for some research and found Tony in the library.  He filled her in on the failed elopement and she asked some halting questions about AJ.  It was clear she was suspicious.  Amy interrupted, telling Tony a patient wanted him.  Amy asked Bobbie what had happened; Bobbie filled her in and they commiserated.

D. AJ and his Women

At the beginning of Thursday, Carly came in to make arrangements to meet AJ for the sonogram...at Mercy.  He wasn't happy and said she could lie to cover any questions Bobbie or Tony might have.  She insisted on Mercy and he said he'd be there.  Keesha arrived with a snarky question.  AJ told her things were under control and then Carly started to threaten her.  Keesha wasn't scared and let fly on Carly, who left.  She then started giving AJ orders about Carly, which he didn't appreciate.  He was gracious but refused to tell her what was going on.  She grew angrier and left him, but he stopped her and on Friday they came to terms again, with her promising to keep her mouth shut for a while longer.

AJ:  "You really have lost all your faith in me, haven't you."
Monica:  "Well tell me I'm wrong."

Monica arrived and asked them what was going on.  He asked after Emily and then demanded to know why he wasn't in rehab.  Keesha let them alone.  He told her he wasn't drinking again and that he had been sober for months.  He told her he couldn't explain but that they shouldn't worry.  She wouldn't accept that.  He told her he had good reason, that he couldn't tell her, and that she'd have to trust him.  He headed off, but she wanted to talk about his conversations with Lila.  She told him Alan had been happy when AJ was proven to be his son; she thought he was using these things as an excuse to drink.  He was angry at that insinuation.  He told her she was wrong and that he was just focusing on staying sober.  She asked again about rehab and he left for his appointment.

Monica:  "Keesha, why won't you help me?"
Keesha:  "Because there was no slip."

But Monica went upstairs to corner Keesha and get her to get AJ into rehab.  Keesha wouldn't just agree and leave it at that; she had to resist.  And, of course, Monica pushed and Keesha got her chance to tell Monica what was really going on.  She was on the verge of telling her everything at the end of the week.  Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to have Monica insinuated into all of this.  But I can't stand that the writers keep letting Keesha be the one to tell AJ's story for him.  It drives me nuts and takes away AJ's agency in the situation.  Sure, he can't keep this quiet forever, but he should get to have some control over it here at the first.

Carly:  "I'm trying to convince some guy that he didn't get me pregnant."
Lorraine:  "No offense, sweetie, but it usually works the other way around."

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Carly checked in with Lorraine.  After some close calls, everything was taken care of.  Lorraine would change the results and give them to the guy that would be with Carly.  She still wanted to know why, and Carly gave her the vague details and said she'd explain later.  When AJ arrived, she called him honey and kissed him--they were posing as a married couple.  He said that he wouldn't put it past her to set this whole thing up.  Lorraine recognized him, and wanted to know exactly what was going on (I love how she calls Carly "missy").

II. Jax and V.

Jax:  "You look at the world and you think that everybody sees it the same way as you do.  I mean, mountains are beautiful, airports aren't, lobsters taste better than toothpaste, and happiness is better than being shot full of holes.  I mean, these things, they all seem so self evident that you would assume anyone given a choice wouldn't choose, uh, bleeding as a way of life.  But you would be wrong.  Somebody will.  Maybe someone you care about.  And it's sad.  You're sorry.  You just...you don't get it.  But what can you do but let them go?  Unless you want to spend your life bleeding too, which I don't."

Jax:  "You have now left forever the category of cheap date."

V:  "Have you ever studied death-worshipping cults?"
Jax:  "Not on purpose, no."
V:  "Me either.  Um, do you believe that we're all inexorably drawn as if by electromagnetic forces to, uh, our own destruction."
Jax:  "No."
V:  "Me either.  But, have you ever considered that the average person could be seduced by complete and utter evil in human form?"
Jax:  "No more champagne for you."
V:  "No.  I'm just trying to figure out why a woman who has you would turn around and marry Mr. Corinthos."
Jax:  "Well, the sun just went to bed.  One less shopping day 'til Christmas."

At the beginning of Monday's show, V pulled away from Jax.  She asked him if he had wanted to kiss her just then, and told him that she didn't want to be the way he got through his ex-wife's wedding day.  He assured her he had only thought about the possibility and that she wasn't in any danger.  Later, they talked about taking life seriously versus acting on impulses, and he reassured her she was safe with him.  He spoke of always knowing that Brenda was a chance, not a guarantee and of moving on.  He was here to remember what was good about his life.  Then came some charming V-speak, and she finally told him that she couldn't see why anyone would leave him for Mr. Corinthos.

I love the scenes with these two together, and I hope they don't come to a screeching halt when Brenda and Jax start seeing more of each other after this non-wedding.  V has really grown on me, and not only do I like Jax's way of dealing with her, I like her for herself.  Jax likes to help people feel good about themselves, but with Brenda it comes off as co-dependent, and with V it comes across as an equal friendship.

V:  "That's a fairy tale ending."
Jax:  "Ya.  Which one of us wouldn't mind one of those."

Jax:  "On second thought, fairy tales bore me."
V:  "Ya, me too.  Except the really scary ones."

On Wednesday's show, Jax woke up to find that V hadn't ever gone to bed.  She was working on some sketches, which she was reluctant to show him and felt as though she had to tell him what things were even though he knew.  Too cute.  He said there was a story behind them and she refused.  I think that she was afraid he'd see the similarities to their own relationship, but he meant that there was an actual narrative.  He took them away to look at them more closely.  When he got back, he had a whole little story laid out.  They worked out the details, which still echoed their own story.  She thanked him for taking the time with her sketches and he encouraged her, saying that people would like her work if she would let them see it.

Jax:  "Ardanowski?"
V:  "Yes, Mr. Jax?"
Jax:  "Pack up the animals.  We're going back to Port Charles."

V:  "Even my father never thought that...thank you."
Jax:  "My pleasure."

On Friday, they arrived back at the penthouse and quarreled about jet lag treatment.  She headed for the mail--at the top of the stack was the paper with the news about the non-wedding--but he stopped her to tell her some "exciting news."  He had called a friend and the story of dog and bird was to be published.  She was thrilled.  They squabbled about whose name would go on the cover--good-heartedly--until she became insecure about her drawings again.  She wasn't passive aggressively asking for reassurance, but she got it nonetheless.  Then they argued about her name on the front cover.

Mike showed up and told him that Brenda needed him, assuming Jax had already heard about the wedding.  When he filled him in on what had happened, Jax didn't rant about Mike's son, he just went to Brenda.  V came out of the office with the newspaper and knew immediately where he had gone.

III. Sonny and Brenda

A. The Non-Wedding

Edward:  "She's better off.  That man doesn't deserve to live."

On Monday, we had a replay of Brenda's silly grin as she walked down the aisle, heard the door, nodded at Lucy, and turned and saw...Jason.  Jason came down the aisle and Brenda asked him if Sonny was ok.  When he said yes, Mike asked him if Sonny was there.  Jason said no.  There was dead silence until Lila got her family together and left, leading the rest of the congregation out into the foyer.

Mike:  "Lucy, this doesn't make sense."
Lucy:  "Oh no it doesn't, huh, because your son is such a nice person?"

Mike:  "There has to be a reason.  You know that."

After they were gone, Lucy lay a comforting hand on Brenda's shoulder and told her that the side door was clear for her exit.  Mike asked Jason if Sonny was ever coming back, then demanded to know what was going on.  It was so painful to watch the truth sink in.  Mary led him away.  Out in the foyer, he asked the thug if he knew about this; the thug played dumb (or maybe he wasn't playing).

Mac:  "A person could starve going to Brenda's weddings."

Lila invited everyone back to the house, telling Edward that if Brenda couldn't entertain them she certainly would.  Alan went after the car and told the reporters that everything was over.  The Spencers had walked, and Bobbie said they could get in one of the Q cars, drop Lucky and Liz off, and she'd go on to the Qs.  Liz wanted to go to the party; Lucky said she should be satisfied with what she'd gotten.  Dara took off and Mac and Felicia headed off to find some dinner.  Lucy talked to Ruby about Brenda's faith; Ruby said Sonny should be shot (she never has liked him).  Kevin had left and Lucy went off to find him--she didn't have a good feeling about things.

B. Brenda and Jason

Brenda:  "I wanna get married and I want you to take me to Sonny."
Jason:  "Anywhere but that."

Brenda:  "Forget it Jason, I'm not gonna sit here and conduct my relationship with Sonny through you."
Jason:  "Brenda.  You don't have one anymore.  That's why he sent me."

Brenda:  "Look, why don't you just tell me exactly what it is that he told you to tell me.  Exactly."
Jason:  "He said to tell you that it was a great ride."

Jason:  "Brenda, he doesn't want you to mourn; he doesn't want you to wait.  He just wants it over."

Jason:  "He might lie to you.  But not to me."

When they were alone, Brenda asked Jason what was supposed to happen next and why this was happening.  She set off to find him; Jason stopped her.  Brenda grew angry and said that she would wait for Sonny to come back.  Jason told her Sonny wouldn't be back.  Then she decided that something had gone wrong and the plans had changed.  She pleaded for a hint as to the reason Sonny had left her.  She convinced herself Sonny was waiting for her somewhere and Jason said that Sonny would send her away.  Then came the big delusion: she decided Sonny had changed the plan and even Jason couldn't know what was going on.  The truth finally sank in with Jason's last line above, and she knew he was right.  Sonny would lie to her, but he wouldn't lie to Jason--the one time he had tried he couldn't pull it off.  And that said a lot to me about this couple.  She was so willing to think Sonny would lie and yet would make things better, and yet she also saw that Sonny would only be completely honest with Jason.

Jason:  "I'll take you home."
Brenda:  "Sonny's my home."

Jason said that he hadn't wanted to do this.  Brenda had done a 180, and now she had decided that they had been planning this the whole time, that Sonny had never intended to marry her.  And Jason couldn't even give her that little comfort, because he was supposed to help her hate Sonny.  She still wanted answers, and asked him what she should do.  She still wanted to find him, to face him and tell him that he was a liar and demand that he take her back--like Jason had done.  She begged him, quietly, to take her to Sonny.  Jason avoided the question and tried again to apologize.  Then she became enraged with Jason and his calm exterior and his lies.  She refused him when he offered to take her home.

Brenda:  "He always leaves me standing in the rain."

Brenda headed out the doors and told the guards to go away; they moved when Jason motioned them to.  She went to the church doors and stared out into the rain until she collapsed and Jason had to support her and sit her down.  The irony in the above line broke my heart.  While Brenda was in pain and suffering in her uncertainty, Sonny was watching, not letting himself tell her, and leaving her because he thought it was the only way to keep her alive...and knowing that she would hate him.  While I saw Brenda's pain, my heart and sympathy were with Sonny.

On Tuesday, Jason let Brenda into the bridal suite at the hotel and I thought, "This was the only place she could think to go?  Talk about wallowing!"  Brenda was convinced that Sonny had planned this all along and told Jason to go.  He stayed as she moved about the room reading all the cards on the presents.  Her mask of angry sarcasm only slipped a little when she got to Lois' card.  She reached for the champagne and offered Jason a drink; when he turned her down she said that he'd do it if Sonny asked.  The champagne was from Mike, and she drank to the happy and joyous life together as he instructed...but she dropped the glass.  When Jason moved towards her, she told him not to touch her and started crying.

She asked him why he was there and whether he was going to report back to Sonny on all the little details.  She mocked him for his mindlessly following Sonny and told him to tell Sonny that she hated him with all of her heart (thin line and all that).  Then she set in on his lack of emotion and I wanted him so much to tell her what he felt about Sonny leaving.  But he just took it.  Again she told him to leave, and showed him the door.  He said he'd be outside.

C. Sonny

Sonny:  "You know, sometimes you leave and you gotta go back...cause you think you left the door locked but you gotta make sure."

In the car on Monday, the driver checked in with Sonny, who asked if they'd heard from Jason yet and noted the thunderstorm.  He told the driver to go to the park across from the church.  He needed to make sure.  I knew then that he wasn't going to say good-bye after all, that he just wanted to see her and see that she had believed Jason's story.  The car parked; Sonny got out, looking towards the church and waiting for a sign.  He got it.  And then he just stood there in the rain...and I cried.  I really should by that stock in Kleenex for this show.

D. Brenda

We had lots of scenes of Brenda moping this week.  She threw around presents (somebody should have put something in the boxes), killed the telephone, dropped teacups, and remembered Sonny...oh, and cried.  At the beginning of Wednesday, she opened the door to find Jason still there and asked him to get rid of all the wedding stuff, even the dress and the jewelry Sonny had given her.  Then she said she didn't want to see him around her anymore.

All day on Wednesday, Brenda remembered scenes from her past with Sonny, from the very beginning through everything.  I loved seeing those clips, but I wished we could have Sonny remembering scenes too--to compare what each of them chose to remember.  But the clips made one thing clear; Brenda remembered the sex and she remembered the fighting.  This couple was always about passion, which made for good television most of the time, but they were rarely, if ever, happy together.  I was especially struck by the times shortly after she wore the wire, where Sonny told her she had turned him into his stepfather as he worked really hard at not hitting her and she sat weeping in the floor after he had gone.  They loved each other, but it was an obsessed kind of love, selfish and not self-aware.  They both wanted each other, but they never really stopped to see that maybe the very thing they wanted was the thing that wasn't any good for them.  Now, this is what soap opera couples are made of, but as I've said before, this kind of ending makes more sense to me with these characters *as they are now* than a happy church wedding does.  I thought it was wonderfully sad and a nice tribute, true to the tone of their relationship.  They had happy times, but in those times someone was still lying or suspicious or in denial.

I was also struck by the fact that the time he left her in the rain was also for a positive reason, as opposed to a fight or a falling out.  He left her for his child--to make a home with Lily (I almost typed Lila...that would have been something!).

The music during these memories was all very nice too.  I always love the music tptb pick for these montages, and these were no different.  I don't have the list in front of me, but it's been posted on ratsa a couple of times.  It went from music celebrating the first time to regretful music about loss.  My favorite?  Crazy Love.  I love that song.  And one other note.  I love the background music that they always use for Brenda and Sonny, and I hope they don't recycle it with some other couple.  The Brenda music should stay with Brenda.

E. Sonny's Last Scene...

Sonny:  "You know what we just did?  Full circle.  You've learned everything I have to teach."
Jason:  "You've changed my life.  I don't think that happens to too many people."
Sonny:  "Well, you've done the same for me.  Don't you die on me now."
Jason:  "Don't you die on me."
Sonny:  "Tell the pilot I'm ready."

It wasn't with Mike or Luke, it was with Jason.  And somehow, that was the most appropriate, because these two understand each other and work well together.  So it was a peaceful ending, not overly emotional, but, at the same time, heavily emotional.  Jason told Sonny where Brenda was and that he had found her at the altar.  Sonny said that was just like her.  Jason gave the details--his last report.  And Sonny asked him to protect her, because he was the only one Sonny trusted to keep her safe.  Jason promised him, then asked him where he was going.  Sonny was staging a business trip for the benefit of those watching him, and then he would disappear.  Jason said he had arranged the accounts; Sonny told him to keep it and they fought about money for a minute...and then fell silent.  After the above exchange (no hugging; they were in the car--and that seemed right, because Sonny wouldn't have to face more overt emotion as he left, but I really wanted a hug), Jason got out of the car and Sonny stared straight ahead.

I realized all over again that the ways I will miss Maurice Benard most have nothing to do with Brenda.  Although I like him in the romantic scenes, I like him more with Jason, Luke, Mike, and even Lucy.  Fighting with the Qs, Jax, etc.  But Jason and Sonny have become one of my favorite pairs, and this ending for them (supposed ending...it's a soap, after all) was perfect.  Each taking care of the other (pun intended; it's why I love that line so much--it can be both literal and figurative) and each tearing up but not letting their emotions show too much...yet each one understanding the other completely.  And, of course, I was crying as I watched this last scene...five times.

F. Mike and Jason

On Thursday, Mike showed up at the penthouse.  Jason took a deep breath before he opened the door, and then Mike demanded to know where Sonny was.  Jason said he couldn't, and Mike said that he just wanted to know his son was alright.  Jason told him again that he couldn't know anything about where Sonny had gone.  Jason was headed out and had to convince Mike that he wasn't going to see Sonny and that he would come back and tell Mike what he could.  After he'd gone, Mike picked up Sonny's picture and asked why.

When Jason returned, Mike talked about Sonny's dependence on Jason...because he trusts Jason.  He asked Jason what he thought about all of this.  He told Jason that he didn't want to see Sonny and Jason knew it was the truth.  Jason said that this was how Sonny wanted it and that he couldn't tell him anything.  Mike realized that Sonny had known on the day that he brought him the wedding present.  Jason said he asked Sonny to tell his father and Mike said Jason should have told him if Sonny wouldn't.

Jason:  "No one gets to make another person's choices.  Not even their father."

Then, finally, Jason showed somebody other than Sonny his emotion.  Mike said he like a machine and Jason blew up.  He said he wasn't happy but that it was Sonny's decision.  And Mike broke down and admitted this was denial because he couldn't face the fact that Sonny was gone for good but that this was the truth he had to face.  I cried some more.

Jason said that Mike and Brenda were the only other people who knew Sonny was gone for good and that everyone else thought he was on a business trip.  He told Mike that he was in charge now and offered him help if he ever needed it.  Mike was offended that Jason was making this about money and told Jason to go to hell.  He figured that Sonny assumed he wouldn't make it and had instructed Jason to help him out.  Jason explained what he could--that Sonny had provided for Mike even as he made the only choice he could make.

Mike:  "But I didn't understand that Michael loved me all along.  The day that I gave him that wedding present I realized that the son that I had abandoned had never abandoned me.  That afternoon I got my son back.  And now you're telling me that that's all there's ever gonna be?  One afternoon?  That's not enough!"

Jason:  "Sonny...needs you to be alright, Mike.  He...he needs you to let him go."
Mike:  "I will not accept that."

Jason:  "I don't make any promises about Sonny."
Mike:  "You know it's amazing.  But you're almost exactly like him."

Mike told Jason about his relationship with Sonny and the fact that Sonny had forgiven him finally.  That's what hurt most of all.  That Sonny had forgiven him and still hadn't told him the truth about his leaving...and that he had left him, after all they'd gone through.  Jason told him that he had to set Sonny free, just as Mike had told him to set Robin free.  Mike refused, and told Jason to tell Sonny that his father needed to know where he was.

G. Mike and Brenda

Brenda:  "Mike, it's not your job to apologize for Sonny."

Brenda had asked Mike to come over.  She opened the door for him and told Sonny's thug to stay away or she would call the police.  I was afraid from the trailers that she was going to tell him she never wanted to see him again because he reminded her of Sonny, but she simply wanted to give him back his ring.  I wanted so much to have some scenes of these two comforting each other, but no sign of that so far.  Brenda was matter-of-fact and distant, not wanting comfort or talk about Sonny.  She said she would have to throw the ring away if he didn't take it, so he did.  He tried to talk with her about it but she said she was glad to have Sonny gone after all the pain he had caused her.  She didn't want Jason either; she just wanted to be alone to take care of herself.

H. Brenda and Jax

At the end of Friday's show, Brenda was looking at the charm Jax had given her and remembering that moment.  Jax came to the door, yelling for her to open up, and when she didn't immediately he broke down the door.  Too corny for me.

I'm also afraid that they're going to put Jax immediately back with Brenda in a romantic relationship.  That's not fair to either of them.  He needs to become re-involved with Port Charles goings on, and we don't need to lose the stuff with V.  And Brenda needs to learn to stand on her own two feet so they can both move out of this co-dependence.  I like their friendship, and it wouldn't make sense if they didn't communicate with each other at this point.  But I fear what's coming.

IV. The Quartermaines

A. After the Wedding

Alan:  "There's a special kind of humiliation only a son can bestow."

AJ:  "The eternal question: was that something cook dropped or something she threw?"

Back at the house, Mike thanked Lila for her hospitality and said he'd have to come another night.  When AJ arrived, Lila sent Alan away.  AJ told her he was fine and that she had helped him a lot with their conversation about his birth.  Lila went to see after cook and as AJ turned to leave, Keesha stopped him.  She said she had seen Carly and he told her he had seen her as well but he wouldn't give her any details.  Suffice it to say they had a rehash of all their previous conversations.

B. Talkin' about Carly and Tony

Bobbie and Alan talked about Brenda and Sonny's devotion, and then Bobbie filled him in on the other wedding--Tony and Carly's elopement.  She then warned Alan about AJ's involvement with Carly.  Alan then overheard AJ and Keesha speaking and demanded to know what AJ knew about Carly.  On Tuesday, AJ told Keesha that he would tell his family when he was good and ready, despite her protestations.  He tried to leave, but Alan and Bobbie stopped him, repeating his line about not wanting his father's company anymore than his father wanted his to him and asking him why he was there.  He was diplomatic, and informed them that Tony and Carly hadn't eloped.  He left the details for Tony and Carly to tell and apologized to his father again.  Alan launched into another rant and left them.

More of the same from Keesha before she left, and more of AJ's apologies.  But in Keesha's mind, he's doing this for Carly's sake, and I simply wish he'd tell her it was for the baby, not for Carly.  But he didn't.  He just stood there and took her criticism.  She's convinced the secret will come out soon, though.

C. Home Sweet Home

Edward called to talk to Brenda and the guy hung up on him.  Alan, Lila, and Edward talked about love and how it did or didn't work.  The topic moved to AJ, and Edward complained about his influence over Emily while Alan said again that he'd washed his hands of his son because of his not going into rehab.  Lila told them that there was a reason for AJ's not leaving, but Alan and Edward launched into a fight about fatherhood...just in time for Monica to walk in and admire them for their consistency.  Alan smiled for the first time in ever so long, and it was nice to see.

Alan:  "I'm just tired of being lied to and conned.  And if that makes you angry, so be it.  Cause if I had the whole thing to do over again, I'd do exactly the same thing.  I'm sorry."

He was happy to see her, and she filled them in on Emily's extended vacation with some friends.  Everyone welcomed her and she told them Emily was doing great.  They filled her in on Brenda and the non-wedding--actually, Edward ranted.  Then she asked about AJ and Alan had to admit to her that AJ never went to the clinic.  He hadn't told her this while she was gone; he wanted them to enjoy their vacation.  Edward and Lila left so they could talk about things.  He filled her in and told her he had given up on AJ.  She wanted to know why he hadn't told her, and then wanted to know why he hadn't spoken to AJ about things.  But she understood what he had done and said he had done the right thing by Emily.

Alan:  "Monica, let's just say that we are the worst parents in the world and AJ has every reason to be as screwed up as he is.  Somewhere along the line, everybody has to take responsibility for their own life, and I'm not giving up any more of my life to make sure that he doesn't drink, and you shouldn't either."

But Monica wasn't ready to give up on AJ and insisted that something must have happened to make him slip.  Alan wouldn't hear it.  Lila returned in time to hear this, and told them about her conversations with AJ about his birth.  Alan said it was just a new angle on the same old song and headed off to work.

V. The Cassadines

A. Stefan and Katherine

Katherine:  "It's my birthday and I'll celebrate it if I want to."

Stefan:  "I'm responsible for what you don't know."

Katherine came back to Wyndemere that night (Tuesday's episode) even though she had said she probably wouldn't be back.  The above line had me rolling in the floor because of the song that came to mind....  They clung to each other while I cringed.  I hate this whole Alexis' plot storyline.  And when a planter fell over outside in the storm and they started talking about forces of nature and such I almost couldn't listen.  They spoke Harlequin Romance dialogue in hushed and excited voices and he gave vague hints of his worries...then he carried her upstairs.

They didn't make love; he simply held her in his arms all night.  But this near-incest, for Stefan believed they were siblings, was too much for some people.  Personally, I found it predictable, and might have liked more to see Stefan sleep with her anyway and deal with the guilt later--and to see Alexis' reaction.  I mean, if you're going to play it close to the edge, why not give the Stefan/Katherine fans some reward for their wait?  I'm primarily tongue-firmly-in-cheek here, but I really thought the whole thing was quite tame.

There was a nice moment when Stefan kissed her really passionately and then pulled away and apologized for frightening her.  She said it was being overwhelmed and that she wasn't scared of him; he knew better, knew that he had scared her.  He used that as the moment to say it was too fast and they should just hold each other.

On Wednesday, Katherine awoke to find Stefan gone.  She made a call about the deal she had made the night before and arranged for some clothes to be delivered.  Alexis arrived and asked for an explanation; Katherine told her only that she was there at Stefan's invitation.  Alexis noted that the guestroom was nice and Katherine let her know that's not where she had stayed and told her that she didn't intend to talk about this with her.  Katherine then had to ask where Stefan was, but Alexis didn't know.

Stefan was at work already, and didn't look happy.  Alexis arrived and quietly but firmly demanded an explanation.  She asked if he had slept with her and he became angry and didn't answer the question.  He simply threatened her if she had said anything to Katherine.  She told him that she as on his side and he informed her that they did not make love...and the he left, still angry.

Stefan:  "I won't deny it now.  That's why I'm here.  I'll tell you everything."

Stefan returned to Wyndemere and thanked Katherine for staying; she chided him for not leaving him a note.  He was all apologies, but she asked him to explain why there was something off between them, why he acted so distant from her, and why she felt there was trouble.

On Thursday, we got the kind of scenes between these two that I've been waiting for for so long.  This wasn't about Nikolas or the Spencers or the accident or the past or Alexis or the family.  This was only about them--about whether or not he wanted her and whether or not he was lying.  In the middle of a crappy storyline, these scenes were the best things going, but they were still not enough to reconcile me to all things Cassadine right now.

Katherine was gentle, but Stefan had a hardness in his eyes.  In a week where Sonny knew that he couldn't face Brenda and lie to her convincingly, knew that she would see the truth in his eyes, it was these scenes that pointed out to me the truth that is indeed in Sonny and Brenda's relationship no matter how they lie and deceive.  For Stefan could look straight into the eyes of the woman he loves and lie to her, tell her he didn't love her, that he had been using her...and she believed him (at least at first).  And, more importantly, Stefan and Katherine have to stay in the same town and deal with this confrontation while Brenda is left alone with her confusion.

Stefan:  "On the contrary, to be perfectly honest, I have no feelings for you.  I never have."

Stefan:  "It is not in my nature to joke."

Stefan:  "We're not discussing your feelings."
Katherine:  "I have seen it in your eyes.  No man has ever looked at me the way you do."
Stefan:  "You saw what you wanted to see."

But I get ahead of myself.  Stefan told her that he had pretended to love her so she would remain silent about the accident and he would stay out of jail.  He had simply used her.  At first, she was flabbergasted, convinced it was a joke or a test of loyalty, and she didn't believe him.  If anyone has seen the movie "Gaslight," you'll know why this reminded me of that film.  He told her that it was all her imagination and that she had convinced herself of something that was untrue.  And when he told her to look in his eyes and tell him what she saw, she couldn't.  Because she didn't see love.  And his ability to convince her of this in this moment amazed me and reminded me of Stefan when he first came to Port Charles...and it was a nice feeling.

Stefan:  "You're the one who insisted on making something mystical out of this thing."

Stefan:  "Oh Katherine, for God's sake don't be naïve.  Do you think only women are capable of feigning desire?"

Stefan:  "Well, successful deceit is always sprinkled with a bit of honesty."
Katherine:  "You are sick."
Stefan:  "I prefer pragmatic.  With Luke Spencer about to pounce I had to give the performance of my life.  You should have listened to him."

They both grew angry and screamed at each other.  Cut to Mr. Murty asking why Catherine and Heathcliff weren't together--a nice touch.  :)  He had an answer for each and every one of her protestations.  And when she spoke of him willing her to walk, he said it was the perfect example of how she had deluded herself into thinking they were connected.  She said he was lying and he used that as another example of her delusion.  He said he didn't meant to hurt her and was hoping the whole thing would die down during his marriage to Barbara, but when that ended she was still convinced there was something between them.  He only admitted that their conversations about Nikolas had a moment of truth.

Stefan:  "If you were Lila Quartermaine you might be able to convince them.  But, given your background, I'd say the odds are not in your favor."
Katherine:  "Maybe I'll just go to Luke instead."
Stefan:  "Oh Luke, that's better yet.  His success rate with me at the moment is zero.  I think of him as one of those cartoon characters who's continually setting traps for the enemy and then blowing themselves up."

When she threatened to admit he shot her, Stefan said that he had taken care of all of the evidence.  He said she wouldn't do it because of her pride; she threatened to call his bluff.  He pointed out the ridiculous nature of her accusations and told her that he had taken care of all the evidence (he lied about Luke's success rate, though).  She slapped him and he told her that at least she could walk for all her trouble.  She told him to tell her again that he didn't love her.

Stefan:  "You're a born victim, Katherine."

On Friday's show, he did, telling her that another man would not only have stolen her heart but also her money.  She just slapped him again--a bit of overkill, I thought.  And she wasn't through yet.  He asked her to leave--demanded her to leave--and she pleaded with him to tell her the reason.  He repeated his story, this time at a louder volume.  They screamed at each other and she said she had one more thing to do...and hit him again.  Lord help a duck.  She told him she had never stooped to his level and then ranted on about the warnings she had received and her misjudgments of him.  She went on for some time about what he was telling her were delusions, screaming and threatening more physical violence, then *finally* she left.  And what I hoped for in this moment was some real fighting between these two, none of this star crossed lover stuff with family and business keeping them apart, but her really angry with him for what he was doing to her, truly mad at him and convinced she'd never love him again.

I got a variation on that.  She went outside (to the same tree where he had shot her) and started remembering things and grew convinced that something was wrong.  By the end of the episode she had convinced herself that Stefan did love her and that he was lying to her.  And she was determined to figure out why.

Alexis:  "I know what she means to you.  But at some point you're going to have to stop worrying about her."
Stefan:  "I may never see her again, Alexis.  But I will always worry about her."

Stefan:  "Well, frivolity has never appealed to me, Alexis.  You know that."

The look on Stefan's face when she left him, though, was painful.  And I did feel for him despite all of this bad plotting.  Alexis arrived, saw his face, and he told her it was done.  He defended Katherine's behavior to Alexis and berated himself for following his feelings for Katherine.  He just wanted to tell Katherine the truth.  Alexis gave him every reassurance, but he didn't seem reassured, except where Katherine's protection was the issue.  He believed he had done that, at least.  Alexis headed out to find Katherine, since she hadn't made it to the launch. (What was that crap about never seeing her?  They both still work at the hospital!)  She suggested a vacation, and then a return to Greece, since there was nothing for them here.  He tended to agree with her and she said she would go with him.  But he wasn't ready to commit.

Stefan:  "What is that slogan...that gambler's slogan?  Cut ones losses?"
Alexis:  "A smart strategy in life, as well as poker."

Hmmm.  Smacks of that fantasy poker game I want to see!

Katherine showed back up at the house at the end of Friday's episode.  She announced her realization and her conviction that he was lying.  She wanted the truth.  And I was afraid Stefan was going to give in and tell her and I'd be out of luck on my antagonism wishes.

B. Nikolas

Let's just say Nikolas isn't cut out for public school.  On Thursday, Mr. Murty asked a question and Nikolas jumped right in.  He had the right answer, but the students laughed at him for not following classroom procedure.  Murty told him to raise his hand and attend class on a regular basis because he was covering ground they'd already talked about.  Nikolas was humiliated, and I have to say that I doubted my affection for Mr. Murty in that moment...but then decided he was only voicing things I don't get to say in my classroom and forgave him.  :)

Nikolas:  "Fitting in was never the Cassadine tradition."

Nikolas had to stay after class while Sarah went with Lucky to the student union.  Later he told Sarah that he had detention and mocked the public school system.  Boring.  Sarah helped him see the humor in the situation and they had a mushy moment.  They planned to go riding that evening.  He leaned in to kiss her and she said that she didn't want to do it there.

VI. Mac and Felicia

Felicia:  "A bride that didn't get married isn't any tougher than Laura Spencer not dead."

Mac and Felicia, at home on Tuesday, talked about telling the girls and Mac was stalling and she called him on it.  Mac told her that he wanted to know about the three dates.  She explained, telling him she didn't want to intrude on him and Dara and he said it wasn't a date.  All of this turned into an agreement that they would never involve themselves in each other's love lives again.

VII. The Spencers

Lucky:  "I hope Mr. Murty rips the little snot a new armpit.  Sarah, hey, come on, you know me.  Ok, I'm not gonna hide the truth."
Sarah:  "You know what?  What I don't get is why are you talking about him behind his back?"
Lucky:  "It's nothing I haven't said to his face."

Lucky mocked Nikolas in front of Sarah on Thursday as Murty kept Nikolas after class.  She got up and walked away.  He went after her and told her that he would restrain in her presence, but she took off, not appeased.  Lizzy told him to sit back and let her figure Nikolas out for herself.  He noted that she was always willing to bad mouth her sister; she said she didn't want Lucky to look like the chump, returning the favor he did her.  I can't wait until these two hook up to bring havoc to the teenybopper scene for real.

Kid:  "And they said you were cool."
Murty:  "They lied."

Lucky can't understand why Sarah's interested in Lucky, but his friends told him to look at reality.  They had the usual teenage chitchat and then joked with Murty about the test answers.  Lizzy got this weird look on her face and I knew the wheels were a turnin'.