The Week in Review: December 8 - 12

I. Guza's Return/Monday's Episode

The soap magazines said Guza would come back with a bang, and he certainly did. Monday's
episode was tightly constructed with wonderful acting, directing, and writing. Characters were truer
than they've been in a very long time, history was omnipresent, and storylines and ideas were
brought back into play in grand style. 

Most of the action took place at Luke's club, which is, like its owner, the place where legitimate
society and what's underneath meet. It's neither a safe place nor a simple place...again it's aptly
named. But it's a place where big things happen that shake up all of Port Charles society. But given
all that, everyone goes to Luke's. And almost everyone was there on Monday. 

Luke: "Ladies and gentlemen, from now on every damn thing around here is gonna be different!" 

The episode began with the camera back behind the curtain--a black screen over which Luke spoke
the above line. We then panned out into a big loud party, with dancing and live music. From the very
beginning, this episode indulged in history. After Luke's announcement, Edward Quartermaine met
his eye with a look both mocking and approving as Luke launched into some air guitar and general
dancing and merriment. Luke moved down off the platform, dancing with various people, towards
the bar where he handed out instructions to the staff--and Babe was back! 

Luke: "We gotta go for a new attitude. No more of this yes sir, no sir, whatever you say ma'am. I
mean, you know, we're too polite. I mean, look at them. Ya! The customer's always right? I don't
think so; look at this crowd. You know why they come in here? They come in here because we are
cool. And because they would like to achieve a little cooldom for themselves." 

Luke: "Mike, I've been home, but now I'm back." 

Luke told the staff to find a new attitude, because that's what the customers were there to see.
Edward Quartermaine had sent a hundred-dollar bill and asked for something French and bubbly;
Luke sent him some seltzer and told him to keep his money. The staff was delighted. Mike asked
him why he was throwing a welcome home party for himself after all this time, and Luke announced
that he was back. All in all, Luke's was back to its old self, and so was Luke. And with this opening,
not only did Luke announce his return, but Geary and Guza did as well. Guza sent a bold message
out through Luke, with whom he's always aligned himself. Things will be different. The audience will
not necessarily dictate what goes on. And they ain't seen nothin' yet. 

Luke: "Excuse me, I've gotta master a ceremony." 

Luke: "Isn't it great, Alan? My whole body's thumpin'!" 

Brenda: "Ah, well, he's here because, you know, Jax gets invited everywhere. And even when he
doesn't he shows up anyway." 

At the Q table, Edward groused about the service while Justus shook with laughter over Edward's
face when he tasted the seltzer. I was so glad to see him! Alan complained about the music and
Brenda apologized for the choice of locale, but Justus insisted that he was having fun and that
Monica would too, once she got there. Edward said she was just trying to smooth things over after
she had moved in with Jax and asked if Jax had laid his hands on her yet. Brenda reassured him.
Edward asked why he was here, and Brenda's response (above) was so true to the Jax we first met
I couldn't stand it. She turned and smiled...all but blew him a kiss...and he smiled back. 

Jason: "Well if you wanna be served in private, there's always the men's room." 

Jax: "Feel like losing a few hundred...thousand dollars." 

At this point, Jason arrived and Edward moaned, so Justus left them. Jax went up to Jason and
asked if the back room were open. Jason didn't respond, but Jax said he knew Jason had to have
taken over Sonny's shares of Luke's. Jason said gambling was illegal and boring, but he'd ask Luke.
Their exchange was polite, because public, but the tension was clearly still there. Jax thinks he has
the upper hand with Jason, but he seems overconfident at this point. 

Lucky: "This is a private party. The club is closed, ok? I could have invited the...the campfire girls if I
wanted. Now, come on."
Lizzy: "Ah, but then you'd have to invite their little sisters just to be polite."
Lucky: "Elizabeth, that's not why you're here."
Lizzy: "Oh no?"
Lucky: "No. See, if I hang out with you, I...I figure I'll know the signs in...in case my little sister ever
gets a, uh, inferiority complex, huh? Which I think is kind of inevitable, don't you?" 

Meanwhile, Lucky bopped along to the music while Lizzy asked Emily about Jason. She must have
been in heaven, being at Luke's club in the presence of mobsters. I was hoping for another encounter
with her and Luke. Emily started to explain, but Lucky interrupted, saying that the cops had arrived
and then teasing them when they jumped. He got Emily to dance (kind of) with him... 

Justus: "You know, I don't want it to get out, but I can dance that dance."
Dara: "Ya. Is that what you do all day at the Quartermaine house? Shake your booty up and down
those beautiful marble floors?"
Justus: "Oh ya! And that is no easy feat to chamber music. So, how did you end up here?"
Dara: "Luke thinks I like him."
Justus: "Well, he assumes all the women do."
Dara: "Well, if he weren't already taken, I think I might think about it."
Justus: "I think someone put something in your drink." 

...and Justus and Dara looked on. I don't much care for Dara (probably because she's always
prosecuting the Spencer clan), but I adore Justus. Not only can he preach like an angel, but he can
also stand up to the Qs, and he has conscious and heart and everything good. On top of that, he has
erred and survived, so he's interesting as all get out. We need more of Justus, IMO. 

Luke: "I would, uh, give myself the prize, of course, but that wouldn't be fair. I would give it to my
son--he was makin' some pretty cool moves over there--but, uh, my wife would kill him if he ate the
worm. So, the winner is...the ever lovely...Amy Vining!" 

At this point, Luke announced the winner of the dance contest. Too funny, since he was dancing with
Amy and she's family. She kissed him, thanking her family, and then she thanked the Academy...and
the look on his face was priceless. 

Luke: "Don't freeze. My blowtorch is in the shop." 

Luke: "Emily, until the day I wander around town with my underwear on the outside of my clothes,
dribble running down my chin, please don't call me Mr. Spencer." 

Nikolas arrived, met Luke's eyes, and greeted Emily while Luke stood behind her. As she left, Luke
smiled at her, then glared at Nik. He asked to see his invitation. Nik said he was the guest of
someone who hadn't arrived yet. Without any response from Luke but that cold stare, he said he'd
wait outside. Emily bounded up and told him the party was great; he told her in his own way that she
should just call him Luke. Jason came up and asked if he'd open the back room. He looked over
and smiled at Dara and told Jason they should speak outside. 

Outside, Nikolas was waiting. Luke noted the risk and asked Jason if there was enough potential
profit to warrant taking it. Jason was telling him that Jax wanted to play and that he'd love to see
Luke empty out Jax's pockets when shots rang out. We had wonderful direction and camera work
here--shots of the neon work getting blown off the sign, Jason's men firing back, Luke and Jason
ducking (with Luke's hand over Jason's head), etc. But we also had these interspersed with shots
from the inside--everybody ducking, Jax getting Brenda down and putting himself between her and
the shots, her stunned and pained face, etc. Fantastic work that finally blended from the "Luke's" sign
into the opening credits. 

We came back from commercial to stunned silence. Lucky gradually rose and softly said, "Dad?"
The look on his face at the thought that--once again--his father could be dead was perfection. Is it
any wonder he's so fixated on his father after fearing his loss so often? Jax sheltered Brenda, and she
muttered, "It's him." Edward was slumped over the table and Justus and Jax stayed with him until he
started breathing again. Outside, Nikolas (in an outstanding performance by Tyler Christopher that
was only beginning) was convulsing on the pavement, unable to breathe. Jason and Luke stood and
went to him. Lucky came out and Luke told him to stay back, keeping his son from seeing any more
than necessary but completely focused on Nikolas. 

We then cut to Carly and Tony in the car, driving to a party. He was cold and distant and she was
prattling about the party and the baby uncomfortably, trying to fill the dead space. He quizzed her on
people's names and chided her for never remembering. She was on the defensive and made a crack
about Bobbie and he just glared at her. At this point, the news came on the radio announcing the
shooting at Luke's. Tony recognized the address, and a beat later Carly realized what the man was
saying. 

Stefan: "Thank you." 

Katherine: "Innocent and impressionable are not words that I would use to describe Nikolas.
Neither is gullible." 

Next we went to Katherine rolling off of Stefan, with both of them encased in the covers of his
Wyndemere bed (I do love that bed). The line above had me rolling, but he was actually thanking
her for coming back with him. She said she was heading home and he reminded her she didn't have
one anymore. There was a room waiting for her, and she teased him about sending her to stay down
the hall. He said it was for Nikolas's sake that he wanted to set a good example, and she mocked
the idea. Of course Nikolas would know what was going on, but the fact that Stefan would think
about it and she wouldn't struck me somehow. Stefan was also concerned that Nik's crush on
Katherine would make this hard for him. While I'm glad he's thinking of Nik, the fact that he hasn't
noticed Nik's moved on and is serious with somebody should worry him. 

We returned to the club to find Jason placing his jacket over Pete's face and telling Rinaldo to find
the car and the three shooters (he did notice) before the cops did. He then returned to Mike and
Luke, who were bending over Nik; Mike told Jason he couldn't breathe. Sarah showed up at this
point and started screaming Nik's name. Mike led her away and Lizzy held her. Luke and Jason
stayed with the boy. Alan came out and Emily told him that Jason was alright; Alan sent her inside to
see about Edward while he looked on. 

Edward: "I have worse chest pains than this every night after dinner." 

Edward insisted he was fine as several people tried to help him. Meanwhile, Dara was on the cell
phone with the PCPD and was asking the people *inside* if they'd seen the car. Alan went accosted
the coat check girl and took his pills, saying he needed his coat because they needed him outside. At
this point, it was clear he was going to be of no help to anybody inside or out, but the relief and pain
and desperation he was feeling was also clear. 

Luke: "You think that was a carload of joyriders, Jason?"
Jason: "They were lookin' for me, Luke." 

Luke: "Nikolas! You know who I am. Just keep your eyes on me, Nikolas." 

Outside, Jason announced that he was going to cut an opening in Nik's throat to help him breathe.
Luke asked what he needed; Jason said he needed something hollow--a pen--and Lucky went to
get it. Luke asked--no, accused--Jason about the car and Jason admitted the attack was aimed at
him. Lucky came back with the pen and Luke had Mike take him away and clear the people back
from around Nikolas. Luke sterilized Jason's switchblade with the flame from his lighter while Jason
tried to calm Nikolas. When Luke was done, he took the Nik's head in his lap and looked down into
his eyes. Firmly and calmly, he told Nikolas to look into his eyes. But both men's eyes were scared. 

Back in the car, Tony noted that Bobbie wouldn't have been at Luke's yet while Carly grew more
and more agitated and told Tony to stop the car and go to Luke's so they could help. But when the
news that one person was dead came, she was even more adamant, saying that it could be Jason. 

Luke: "You're a little late, doctor."
Jason: "Take a look and make sure I did it right." 

But Jason had just finished the procedure and Luke announced that Nikolas was breathing and told
him that help was on the way. Sarah flew to his side again, but as Monica arrived, they cleared her
away again and let Monica take a look. Monica's responses were wonderful. She gazed at her son,
but returned a businesslike evaluation of the work he had done. Meanwhile, Lizzy comforted Sarah.
She asked if there were any other victims; Jason told her Pete was dead. The ambulance arrived and
she reported the situation, saying only that a bystander had performed the procedure before she had
arrived. 

Mike: "He looks so damned scared."
Luke: "Wouldn't you be?"
Mike: "Ya, but I'm not Laura's son." 

With his emotions catching up to him, Luke asked Mike where Lucky was. Mike reassured him and
Luke grimaced in relief. As they put Nik in the ambulance, Sarah tried to speak to him but Monica
told her that he was drugged and couldn't hear her. After the above exchange, Luke asked Mike to
look after Lucky and got into the ambulance. 

Luke: "You don't look that bad, really...considering everything.... I, I wou, I wouldn't let...I wouldn't
let you fall off the side of that mountain, I mean I...what do you, what do you think, I'm gonna, I'm,
I'm gonna let you breathe...bleed to death in front of my...club? I mean that's...bad business." 

This was the most fantastic scene of the episode, and the most talked about. Once seated, Luke
started into some half-hearted sarcasm, trying to relieve Nik's fears but at the same time
uncomfortably not knowing exactly what to say or do. His words came stuttering across the boy's
labored breathing. Then Nikolas moved his hand towards Luke and Luke hesitantly took it...and Nik
held on fast. We had a shot of Luke's eyes, Nikolas's face, and then of Luke placing his other hand
on top...the one with the wedding ring. Very nice shot. 

Carly: "Will you just do this one thing for me? This one time, because I asked you?" 

Carly: "Now if I were lying in a pool full of blood with a bullet in me, you'd be busy. And Jason
would be the first person that I saw if and when I opened up. And then he would take care of me.
And every second that you waste keeps me from doing the same thing for him that he has always
done for me without thinking twice." 

Tony: "I don't care where you end up right now; just get in the car!" 

Having stopped the car, Tony asked Carly to explain herself. He said he was taking her home and
would call her with a report. She wanted to go to the ER and he launched into doctor speak about
her stress levels and taking care of the baby. At this point, things seemed to take a leap from where
they were when we left them on Friday. Tony had gone from suspicious to angry and sullen and
cold, while Carly was perfectly willing to put up a fight for herself. She and Jason have always been
friends, but this seemed a violent overreaction even for her. Tony asked why she thought it was
Jason; she said it didn't matter. She announced that she would hitchhike and got out of the car. The
argument escalated, with him yelling about the baby and her yelling about Jason. This is not to say I
don't think she had every right to be angry. It was quite clear that Tony was only concerned about
the baby. And he had every right to be angry at this point too. Finally, it's a miserable situation and
the performances are so good that I hate to watch it...and love to all at the same time. 

Garcia: "Let me ask you something. How come the right guy never gets hit?" 

Back at the club, Dara, Taggert and Garcia lamented the violence so soon after Sonny's departure
and Garcia noted the similarity to another shooting from about 18 months ago. Justus was there to
point out that Jason had saved a man's life, but Garcia didn't want to hear it. Dara set them back to
task. They went up to Jason, who said that he had nothing to say. 

Inside, Alan was explaining to Monica where he was and what he had been doing. He said he didn't
even know that anyone had been hurt outside, saying he had stayed with Edward. It was as if he's
been making excuses and covering his tracks so long because of those drugs that he can't stop. He
told Monica that had been outside when she asked and she was convinced that the shots were
meant for their son. 

Edward: "No, I uh, I never feel old...except on nights like this."
Brenda: "Edward, Alan said that you should say still."
Edward: "I don't understand the way we live now. The world has never been a...a clean, well-lighted
place. But...before, if someone was gunning for you, you knew it. You, you saw it coming." 

Brenda: "This definitely wasn't a shock to Jason. It's a thrill. He's finally important enough to be
killed, and Sonny taught him really well to throw innocent people's bodies in his way so he can stay
safe." 

Jax told Edward that even if this was a shock to them, it wasn't to Jason. But leave it to Edward to
philosophize (and quote Hemingway) in the middle of a crime scene. John Ingle's one of the few that
could pull it off. But I smiled at his lament over the past--when you knew the shots were coming. But
Brenda's cold, quiet reaction was even more notable. Jax didn't respond, but he was paying close
attention. 

The detectives continued to ask questions and Jason refused to respond. Taggert wondered aloud if
it was Sonny, returning to teach Jason a lesson. Jason wanted to go; he had to tell Pete's parents
about his death. I was struck, at this point, with the similarities to Sonny when Joseph died. Jason
knelt the same way over Pete's body, but I wasn't convinced that he felt the same emotions. It was
as if he knew his duty, but nothing more. At the same time, Sonny's emotions were often what
caused his troubles. But the cops weren't listening, and moved to arrest Jason. 

Stefan: "My arm's fallen asleep. Why don't we join it?"
Katherine: "I'll scream I swear."
Stefan: "Will you?"
Katherine: "Ya."
Stefan: "The servants will think it's another torture in the dungeon, that's all." 

Meanwhile, Mike called the Cassadine house again. Katherine moved to leave again and Stefan
teased her into staying. But there was a knock on the door and Stefan rose to answer it when he
heard that it was about Nikolas. The servant said that Nikolas had been hurt, but had no details. 

Luke: "Go with him, Barbara." 

Bobbie was dressed for the party in a cleavage-baring blue number on her way out when a nurse
advised her that there had been a shooting at her brother's club and they were bringing somebody in.
At this point, the speedy orderlies whisked Nikolas into the ER as Luke--somehow calm and steady
again in its wake--followed behind. He simply told Bobbie to go with Nikolas. She did, as they
wheeled him into a trauma room. 

Lucky: "Mike, where's my dad?"
Mike: "He's, uh, he's on his way to the hospital. Um, there was no one else to ride in the ambulance
with Nikolas."
Lucky: "Sarah."
Mike: "Sarah is not an adult."
Lucky: "Listen to me. Cassadine means nothing to my dad."
Mike: "You know, Lucky, you both keep saying that."
Lucky: "Well because it's true, Mike."
Mike: "Alright, well, maybe, uh, maybe Luke felt responsible to, a, a bystander that was shot in his
parking lot."
Lucky: "Maybe." 

Emily sat with Lucky at the club, wondering why they were talking to Jason. Lucky tried to comfort
her, and it was nice to see two old friends together, even under these circumstances. Lucky said that
the shooting was aimed at Jason, but Emily told him that Jason had said different. Lucky, trying to
comfort her, said that the shooting might have been aimed at his dad, and with that thought he
excused himself and went to find Mike. Mike told him that Luke had gone with Nik. Lucky knew
what Mike was thinking, and was very insistent that his dad didn't care about Nikolas; I don't think
he appreciated Mike's not quite condescending alternative. But maybe he was actually irritated with
his father for leaving him there to go with Nikolas. He went to find Sarah and Liz. 

Meanwhile, Monica filled in Edward and Alan about Jason's procedure. Alan quietly noted Jason's
brilliance as Edward got up to interfere with the police as they began to question Jason. Mike was
already trying their patience, but Edward announced that Justus would serve as Jason's legal counsel.
Jason insisted that they let him go, but they suggested that they could hold Jason on assault charges
for using his knife on Nikolas Cassadine, which could turn into a murder charge if Nikolas died.
Emily--and everyone else--was flabbergasted. 

Alexis: "Here, you need a family member?"
Bobbie: "Ya...."
Luke: "Bobbie, she'll do." 

Back at the hospital, Alexis came into the ER with some paperwork, turned, saw Luke, and
acknowledged his presence. He thought somebody had called her, but when she saw the blood all
over his shirt she asked him what was going on. He told answered her immediately, straightly, and
calmly and pointed her to the room. Bobbie entered at this point, saying they needed permission for
surgery. Alexis signed, against Bobbie's better judgement, at Luke's word. This little instance caused
a lot of ruckus on ratsa as we debated the need for a signature at all, the problem with Alexis signing,
etc. For me, this was the only contrived moment of the whole show. While I believe Alexis might
have had business in the ER at that point, the whole need for a signature and the obligatory fallout
when Stefan would arrive seemed overkill to me. 

Bobbie: "Luke, they said you and Jason Morgan saved his life."
Luke: "It was Jason."
Bobbie: "Alexis, I know what you're thinking. But my brother had nothing to do with Nikolas being
shot."
Alexis: "Then you don't know what I'm thinking." 

At Bobbie's words, Alexis took a sidelong glance at Luke as she signed the papers. Bobbie
misinterpreted it, but I thought it was wonderful. Alexis was grateful, but knew better than to say
anything, giving Luke the same consideration he had given her to relate the facts without
commentary. I was hoping that she'd thank him, but at the same time I don't think they needed any
response. 

Tony: "Now, how is it that I know your body so well and I have not a clue who you are?" 

Back in the car, Tony gave the line that so well encapsulated his relationship with Carly. First it was
physical, and now it's still physical--but about the baby. These two people don't know each other,
and what they do know about each other they choose--or chose, until now--to ignore. 

Justus: "I always thought there were lines you were too proud to cross."
Dara: "There are, but they keep moving around, so whatta you gonna do." 

Emily: "Do you think if I don't see...see them take him it's gonna be like it never happened?"
Monica: "I. I don't want to see them take him." 

Garcia read Jason his rights, much to the Q's dismay. Justus took Dara to task for their charge, but
said he wasn't taking any professional interest in the situation. As they prepared to take Jason,
Edward started to shuttle the family out the back to avoid the press. Emily spoke up to the police,
expressing her displeasure, but Jason told her not to worry and that everybody was just doing their
job, including him. Her parents led her out, and I thought Monica's response was wonderful. Emily
got in one last scream at the cops, and Mike agreed with her. But Garcia pointed out that she was
just saying the same things Sonny used to say, and Mike was silent. 

The police cleared the way and put Jason in the car, but Brenda walked up and congratulated him
for being at the top now. She ranted and raved at him about his great life and finally climbed in the
car and beat on him until Jax drug her away. I wanted the cops to arrest her as well. 

Stefan arrived on the scene and Bobbie filled him in. Stefan was enraged that Alexis had been
contacted before him and demanded to know what was going on. As he ranted, Luke stepped
around the corner--no, paraded around the corner--placing himself and his blood-spattered shirt
immediately in Stefan's line of sight. But his face changed with the realization that Stefan was
charging, and the end of the episode found Stefan driving Luke across the room and into the wall. 

II. The Cassadines

Luke: "No thanks necessary." 

Tuesday began immediately where Monday left off. Stefan shouted "murderer" at Luke while Luke
demanded that he get off. Katherine stepped in and calmed him down when he wouldn't listen to
Bobbie's claims that Luke didn't hurt Nikolas. Only then did Stefan stop for the whole story of
Nikolas's injuries--after ranting at both Luke and Alexis. And again, that didn't make me very happy
with him. At the same time, I understood it. Stefan is, most likely, angry with himself again for being
blind to what was going on with Nikolas as he pursued Katherine. And, yet again, his nephew's life is
in danger. But he's lashing out at everybody else because he can't face the thought that he might be
responsible, in part, for this. 

Stefan and Katherine listened, horrified, as Bobbie related the tale of Nik's injury and treatment.
Bobbie was utterly professional, not even batting an eye at the sight of Kat and Stefan together. At
this point Alexis rounded the corner, and it was as if she thought he would set aside the rift between
them for Nik's sake. She simply told him that she had signed for the surgery, nothing more, a simple,
almost business-like moment. She said that she had signed and that she assumed that's what he
would have wanted. But the look on Stefan's face made her cut off short. 

Stefan: "How dare you involve yourself in this."
Luke: "He would have preferred you let the kid die, Miss Davis."
Stefan: "Stay out of it."
Luke: "With pleasure. Tell me where to send the dry cleaning bill."
Stefan: "As for you, stop interfering in our affairs. There's no future in it."
Luke: "Ya, well you can sign uh...for me any time I need surgery, Miss Davis. I'm not nearly so picky
about who saves my life." 

Stefan told Alexis to stay out of things, and she gave no response. She didn't have to; Luke stepped
in and responded for her. And he does indignant fury really well. Somehow, Stefan didn't seem to
note Luke's defense of a Cassadine. He should have, something tells me. Bobbie told Stefan she
would keep him apprised of Nik's condition. 

Alexis: "Was Nikolas in much pain?"
Luke: "No more than he could handle."
Alexis: "Must be very bad indeed." 

While Stefan was to have official notice of Nikolas's condition, Alexis was already relegated to
second-hand information from Luke. Still there was no mushy comfort, only straight talk. And I think
Alexis would appreciate that, since she was very emotional already and probably had no desire to
break down into tears in front of Stefan. 

Someone came down from the surgery to ask if the parents had been found. Stefan said his father
was dead and his mother was...out of the country. A look passed between Stefan and Luke at this
point, and I'm hoping that means that this will be addressed in some way or another in the near
future. 

Sarah arrived to ask about Nikolas, with Lucky and Liz in tow. She was upset but calm, and Bobbie
reassured her. Lucky wasn't happy, but he was determined to wait with her. Sarah went up to
Stefan, and she had to answer his question and admit that she had asked Nik to meet her. They
were interrupted with news of Nikolas. He had been lucky, and they expected a complete recovery.
The doctor assured him that Nik would have died without the emergency procedure. Luke was
there, of course, to volunteer the detail that it was a switchblade, not a penknife, and the doctor was
amusingly fascinated, it seemed, but the whole procedure where Stefan was skeptical. 

It was good to see Liz there for he sister, and she was funny and comforting. Sarah thanked her for
wanting to help, and they held hands in a very sweet way. Bobbie told them it was family members
only, and that they should go home and get some rest. Stefan brushed her off, but Katherine told her
that she could see Nik in a few days. Stefan all but contradicted her. Lucky tried to get her to go
home, but Sarah was staying there until she knew more about Nikolas. Lucky and Liz walked her
upstairs, the sisters holding hands again. 

The nurse took Stefan up to Nik, and Alexis stopped Katherine and meekly said that it was family
only. Kat sniped at her, saying she'd tell her how Nik was doing. This was another moment people
got stuck on. Most said that Alexis deserved what she got. I say that she knew exactly what she was
going to get and did it half out of habit and half out of a sense of self-punishment. Some said she was
sarcastic, some said she was humble. I saw it as the last ditch effort to do her job when she knew it
was hopeless. She does feel awful about what she did to Stefan, but I for one wish she'd at least put
on the pretense of control and self-assurance in front of Stef and Kat. I know, though, that at this
point she was more worried and still reeling from things. But I look forward to her getting back some
of her own. Stefan would have done the same thing to her and not thought twice about it, and I find
his treatment of her problematic, as always. 

Luke: "It's late."
Alexis: "Too late. Look, you don't have to sit here. Why don't you just pretend I'm invisible. It's
really not that difficult. You should just watch the way everybody else does it."
Luke: "You didn't do anything wrong. You signed a paper so the kid's life could be saved. Now, if
your brother's got a problem with that, where are his priorities." 

At the end of the episode, Bobbie went to change and Luke waited for her to give her a lift home.
He saw Alexis sitting forlornly alone in the waiting area and joined her. Still no mushy comfort, just
the Luke-facts. Somehow, I think they might have helped, just a little. 

Upstairs, Stefan looked on as the nurse set up Nik's bed. Then, in the silence of the room broken
only by the monitor's beeping, he said, "My son." And he began to weep. I've blamed Stefan for a
lot of mistakes lately, but that scene did indeed break my heart. It was nothing new; we knew of this
possibility already. But the reminder was indeed effective. Stefan's been on the edge lately, and he's
letting more and more emotions have free expression. It's as if letting loose his passion on Katherine
let other things loose as well--anger, fear, sorrow, etc. And I hoped for more and better things. 

I didn't get them on Wednesday. Katherine was a source of high irritation to me all day. She was
there to treat Nik like a child in Bobbie's absence and I felt like she was intruding into the moments
between Uncle and Nephew...or Father and Son. Stefan actually didn't pay her much attention
throughout; he didn't seem to depend on her. I would think that her hovering would wear thin with
him after the shock of Nik's accident wears off. But who knows. 

Katherine: "I am personally going to have this framed." 

At any rate, she and Stefan were there when Nik woke up, and where Stefan comforted him by
explaining what had happened, Kat just seemed to rattle on. They went in the hall and Kat gave
Stefan a pep talk and hugged him...just as Bobbie rounded the corner. I thought that surely we were
going to get some good eye rolling by proxy, but nobody there seemed to think twice about the sight
of Kathy and Stefan embracing in the hall. Who knew? Stefan said that he thought something was
wrong with Nikolas. Bobbie tried to reassure him, checking Nikolas herself, but left him with a test
to try. Stefan was to write something on the clipboard and have Nikolas write a response. Stefan
asked if Nik was in any pain, and his response? "Only when I laugh." So funny. Stefan, oddly
enough, went out to report the news to Bobbie, smiling! It was as if Kathy wasn't even there,
somehow. Strange. 

Katherine insinuated herself further by talking with Sarah and then asking Stefan to let her visit. She
actually said he could consider her Nik's friend, if it made him feel better. How condescending is
that? Sigh. 

Lucky: "I hate waitin' around hospitals. It reminds me of when Lulu was sick."
Bobbie: "Is that a round about way of saying you're worried about Nikolas?"
Lucky: "No. Look, I'm not prayin' for him to die. That's all." 

Anyway, Sarah had stayed throughout, and Lucky and Elizabeth showed up with breakfast and a
change of clothes. Elizabeth asked Lucky if he would see Nikolas, he said no, and she told him to
practice what he preached about sibling rivalry. Lucky would have none of it. Later, Elizabeth noted
to Sarah that this was more difficult than he was letting on. Lucky asked after him with Bobbie too,
however, and I think that maybe Elizabeth is right. On the other hand, most of me is convinced that
the reason Lucky doesn't want his mom to come home is because he knows that Nik's injury will
garner him affection and attention, something he hasn't had from his mother for a long time, since
she's been away. And finally, his basic insecurity is the same as his father's. They're both afraid that
Laura is going to choose somebody else over them, and that's part of the reason why they feel so
determined to protect her. As long as she's in danger, they have something to do to earn her love. At
any rate, Lucky hung on Sarah's every reaction while Liz tried her best not to seem helpful. 

Stefan: "I love him more than my own life." 

This was almost more effective than the line at the end of Tuesday. Very nice. 

III. Carly and Tony

In the hallway, Carly raced up to Monica and Alan, demanding to know how Jason was doing. Tony
reminded her that they didn't know if it was Jason, but she was convinced that his parents wouldn't
be there otherwise. Monica told her to stop babbling (ha!) and Carly was horrified that she was so
cold. But Monica told her that Jason was fine. They heard the story, and Tony asked after Nikolas.
He was amazed that Jason had tried the procedure, while Carly was full of his praises and saw
nothing wrong with the risk. Tony asked Alan where he had been and Alan said he was with
Edward. Monica told Tony that Jason was completely in control when she had arrived. Monica and
Alan had come to the hospital to see how Nik was, hoping Jason wouldn't face another lawsuit. 

Carly: "I know Jason better than anybody does, alright? He is my friend and he is the only person
who doesn't make me feel like I'm on trial for my life." 

Tony: "You know, you have made our unborn child a hostage. That's nice, Carly." 

Carly was indignant that they could be concerned with that when Jason was a hero and in jail. She
was horrified and angry when Monica said that jail was the best place for him, but Monica's point
that Jason was unfinished business and safer from the hit men this way fell on deaf ears (though it
made perfect sense to me). Carly couldn't believe it, and wanted to go to the station to see Jason.
Tony put his foot down, but she put her foot down harder. Still, this was all about the baby for Tony,
and even though I didn't think Carly should go, I understood her anger. And I noted that this entire
exchange happened in front of Monica and Alan, who would be quite interested in Carly's assertions
about her relationship with Jason--Monica especially, since she's already concerned about Carly's
involvement with AJ. 

Tony: "How can you stand to look at me?" 

Tony: "You know, Carly Roberts declared war on our family, and I surrendered without firing a
shot." 

Monica and Alan went for coffee while Tony stayed behind. Bobbie entered, and he responded
immediately with the above line. She made light of it, saying she had years of practice, but he was
inconsolable. He made it clear that the possible marriage to Carly was dead. He moaned about his
stupidity, and he told her that she had been right and that he always knew she spoke the truth, he just
didn't listen. He cast the whole thing as a mid-life crisis at this point. 

Bobbie: "You know, you're beating yourself up enough so don't expect me to join in." 

Tony: "I knew that my heart grew harder. I didn't realize my brain grew softer. It's been a while.
How much longer am I going to pile up all the errors of my life on my daughter's grave? That poor
child carries the burden of eternity on her tiny shoulders. She doesn't need this. This was my
foolishness." 

Tony apologized, but Bobbie told him not to jump the gun. Tony said that he didn't know why he
was with her, but that he didn't love her and maybe never had. He continued to bemoan his stupidity,
and Bobbie patiently listened. Tony wondered why he was the target, but Bobbie didn't have the
answer. Then, in the smartest thing I've heard him say in a long time, Tony vowed that he would stop
using BJ as the excuse for his own mistakes. A very touching moment, I thought. 

Tony arrived, as she knew he would. She started to apologize, but he jumped down her throat. Her
explanations were weak, and I still thought that this whole thing was a bit contrived, still. But Tony
had a good point about the constant stream of surprises out of her. He wouldn't discuss things; he
just took her home. 

Carly: "I just realized. As much as I hate you, sometimes I'm really glad you're here." 

On Wednesday, Lorraine tried to stop Carly in the hallway and Carly tried to ditch her. But when
Lorraine told her not to brush her off, Carly told her that she was actually quite fond of her. The sad
thing? I don't think she was being sarcastic. Lorraine knows all of Carly's secrets, and that's
something for Carly. She's so weighted down with secrets and threats right now, that to have
somebody who knows them all and is still "helping" might be a load off. The thing is, I think these
two are friends, despite their twisted circumstances, and it was fun, kind of, to see them
acknowledge that. 

Lorraine caught her up to speed with Tony's snooping, and Carly told her about the fight and Jason.
Lorraine was intrigued, but Carly lied and told her there was never anything between them. Lorraine
was fascinated with the possibilities of a mobster friend, and I thought I sniffed some foreshadowing
there. Or maybe it was just Terry's convincing speculations. Lorraine mentioned the job again. She's
not as smart as she seems, if she actually thinks that's gonna happen after everything. 

Alan: "You know, one day you'll look back, you won't be able to tell yourself apart from all the other
middle aged men who've made fools of themselves with younger women." 

Tony: "I just don't have any choice. There is no way on God's earth that I'm gonna let Carly raise my
child." 

Meanwhile, Tony was surprised to find Alexis in his office. She was asking after Nikolas because
Stefan had instructed the doctor to speak to her. Tony said he'd ask. She left and Alan entered.
Tony launched into another long dissertation about his stupidity, and Alan told him that he was only
typical. Too funny. But Tony didn't want to take it lightly. He told Alan he was going to sue for full
custody and asked him to recommend a lawyer. Alan suggested Alexis, and Tony was hesitant. It
made no sense for Alan not to recommend Justus, but I'm not sure Justus would have taken the case
because of his past encounters with Carly. But for whatever reason, the tie in with Alexis was sure to
come. Anyway, Alan was still shaken about the shooting (but for some reason he didn't pop a pill
that I saw). They talked about all the bad things with children that surrounded them. Tony then
ranted about Carly being a bad mother--an argument that has grown on ratsa. Tony made him
promise not to say anything...so Carly couldn't cover her tracks. 

Later, Alexis was in the lobby pumping Bobbie for information when she got the call to come up to
Tony's office. She recognized immediately that it was urgent. Personally, I was glad to see her get a
storyline away from Stefan. I like to see her in action, and maybe this will get her confidence up...or
at least get her mind off things. She warned Tony it would get ugly, but he was adamant. The most
interesting thing was that Tony said they could dig on Carly and find more than he already had on
her. Someone on ratsa pointed out that this would mean Alexis digging into Carly...and how will
Luke feel about that? The fun we're going to have. ;) She said that she would take the case and he
reminded her that the baby was due in a month. Bobbie stuck her head in...and her nose...and asked
what was up. 

And in the middle of all of this, AJ found Keesha in the library. She was so strange, saying that she
was setting up their trip to France for the spring but that she was going to stay away from him just
now because of the things he needed to work out. Whatever. They started talking about Jason, but
then she pushed about Carly again and this time he told her everything. Alan stuck his head in and AJ
was going to tell him too, but Alan wouldn't stay. He did tell the whole story of that night. Then, he
actually apologized, but she said that he had no reason to, that they hadn't been together. But she
was clearly upset. 

AJ: "You make me feel like I'm a ruthless, selfish person."
Carly: "Well if you're not, this is a very good imitation." 

At the end of the episode, Carly turned and smiled as AJ came up to her. The smile left her face as
he handed her a court order for a paternity test. On Thursday, she took him to task for breaking his
promise not to cause trouble until the baby was born. She ranted about him making her pay for her
mistake, but that wasn't it. AJ told her that he needed to know whether this was his baby. She told
him that she and Tony had already made this baby theirs and that he should step away. She wanted
to know what he'd do about it if it was, and after her claim that this was *her* child, he broke and
told her that he would want his rights to it--actually, he wanted full custody. Now, even though he
hadn't planned on saying it, the fact that he would think it stunned me. What court in the world is
going to give him full custody? His family, maybe. Or maybe he's thinking they'll pull some strings for
him. Or maybe it just slipped out before he thought about it at all. At the same time, I applauded him
for insisting on having something to do with his child--fathers and sons are a big deal for him. But
Carly's reaction was vitriolic, but scarily calm. And I couldn't blame her, because this is somebody
trying to take her baby away from her. Not joint custody, sole custody. And mothers leaving
children for any reason is a hot button issue for her because of Bobbie. It was clear at this point that
Carly was getting ready to go on a rampage. And I knew that rampage would start when she found
out what Tony was planning. 

AJ: "Where is it written that you can't enjoy yourself raising kids, even if you are a Quartermaine?" 

Afterwards, Keesha ran into AJ and they smoothed things over. He filled her in and she supported
his decision. Then he talked about wanting to be a father, spoke of the sonogram, and she supported
that too. It was a weird moment, though, because it's as if she's keeping her distance and sizing him
up before she admits that she wants to get back together. But it was a sweet moment where AJ was
concerned, even if I think the sole custody thing is a bit contrived on both sides. 

Tony: "You never forgave me for those custody papers, did you." 

Upstairs, Tony was telling Bobbie what he had decided. Her reaction was wonderful. She didn't say
anything at first, really, just asked some questions and tried to leave. But he stopped her and told her
that he wouldn't have gone after Lucas with a custody battle, saying he was out of touch. I didn't
know why he thought he was in touch now, and I was hoping Bobbie would tell him so. I wasn't
disappointed. 

Bobbie: "A word of advice? Be prepared for a fight. Because I sure as hell would have given you
one." 

She told him she tried not to think about the custody papers and moved on to Lucas, a comforting
thought. She asked him if he was ready to do this, since it would be ugly. He said he wanted a
family; she told him that she could see why, because she had seen Carly love this child. Tony ranted
about Carly, and Bobbie told him that she remembered being 16 and having people tell her she
would be a lousy mother. It was clear at this point that she was thinking more than she was saying,
and he pushed her to tell him the whole truth. 

She told him the truth. She said he wanted her support, not her opinion, and she wasn't able to be his
cheerleader just now. She then took him to task for turning all of their lives upside down for Carly
and then turning on Carly too. She told him he was blaming Carly for being exactly who she had
always been--who everybody had told him that she was. She didn't like the thought of Carly as a
mother, but she couldn't be on his side either. Tony took it well, but he didn't actually hear her. He
told her she had a right to be conflicted about this and took a call from Alexis. 

Carly: "You really think it's your job to protect Tony from the woman that he loves?"
Bobbie: "Actually, no." 

As Bobbie left the office, Carly came up. She told Carly not to go in the office because Tony was on
a business call. Carly breezed in anyway and realized Tony was talking to Alexis, not a doctor as
Bobbie had told her. She was agitated. He explained it away by saying it was about a case at the
hospital and distracted her by asking her why she was upset. She talked about people dumping on
her and finding her center in Tony and the baby. She apologized, and I realized just how often he
makes it so that she has to be the one to apologize. And when she looked for reassurance, he made
everything about the baby. She was still so comforted by him that it pained me to watch. She was
going to go home and get some rest. 

On Friday, she returned to the office to get Tony's opinion on colors for the nursery and he
announced that he cancelled the offer on the house. She's upset that he didn't ask her (someone on
ratsa pointed out that he didn't tell her when he made the deal either), but he said that he wants to
concentrate on the baby and besides, he felt like he was forcing the house on her. She wanted to talk
about things they needed at the house (I liked that she had chosen yellow, since she had made a big
deal about AJ's rattle being yellow). He brushed her off and left to go to a meeting, and she waited
for him. Amy showed up to leave some papers for Tony, just as Carly's musing over AJ's court
order. Carly insisted that she can take them, and Amy actually let her. Of course Carly read them,
and of course it was the custody paperwork. 

Tony returned, and Carly let fly the way only she can. He apologized only for the way she found out.
At first, she was pleading, thinking that someone had told him something. Tony told her it's over
between them and that he can't do this anymore. He told her that it had started way back with the
custody papers and she continued to plead and apologize and explain and cry. She reminded him
that they had been in love, and he told her that he had loved her. She noted the past tense and it
sunk in. 

Carly: "God. God, you have no idea how hard I tried to be somebody that you could love. And now
I realize that was never gonna happen no matter what I did. Because all I ever was to you was...an
incubator...for the baby that you couldn't get from Bobbie." 

At this point she started getting angry. She asked him why he convinced her to stay back in the
summertime, and he launched into a list of her sins a mile long (he actually said she was the one
picking fights with Bobbie, and I saw red), saying that the child would be better off with him. Again,
not joint custody, sole custody. And she saw red. He tried to brush her off, but she wouldn't let him
silence her. She ranted about him, and he said it was a midlife crisis and it was over. She ranted
about him sleeping with her and he said he would take all of them back but one. She realized
then--and I was proud of her--that she had been trying to be somebody that he could love and that it
wasn't going to get her anywhere. I hated that she never was herself with him, that she always
thought she wasn't good enough. And his telling her it was only a fling to him hurt her, because it fed
her insecurities. When he actually told her that he had planned to marry her and divorce her when the
baby was older, I saw red right along with her. She told him that he could never take her baby away
from her, and then told him that none of it matters because the baby isn't his. It's Jason's. 

IV. Jason

Garcia: "Exactly what happened at Luke's tonight?"
Jason: "A man died."
Garcia: "What are you, a comedian? Huh?"
Taggert: "Funny how that happens when people get too close to you."
Jason: "It's not stoppin' you." 

Dara: "I would remind you of your right to remain silent, but I think you have that one down cold." 

Jason: "And you're supposed to be straight up?" 

Justus: "Well, Mr. Morgan needs an attorney, and it looks like you folks need a lesson in justice." 

At the station, Taggert and Garcia demanded answers out of Jason. Dara had a word with them,
reminding them that their handling of the case could get it thrown out. She was going to sit in on this
one. She told him he had a right to an attorney, but Jason wasn't buying the charges and wanted to
know why he needed an attorney. As they headed Jason into the interrogation room, Justus arrived,
still in his tuxedo and announced that he would be Jason's legal counsel. I was ready for my lesson in
Justus. ;) 

Justus: "Edward volunteered me. He's the only man I know who can beg and bully at the same time."
Jason: "Ya, only if you let him." 

Jason: "He's busy."
Justus: "Doing what?"
Jason: "Running for his life." 

Justus took Dara to task about the handcuffs; she wanted to know why he was there. He responded
with more ridicule and threats of Edward Quartermaine and the press. He knew that they only
wanted to push Jason to get information about the shooting and reminded her that it was illegal. He
asked to speak with Jason alone. Jason knew immediately that this was Edward's idea, and Justus
admitted it. He asked about Valentine, and Jason filled him in. Only Mike, Brenda, and Valentine
knew for sure that Sonny was gone. Since Marino's shooting was sloppy and didn't get Jason,
Valentine now knew that Jason knew he was the one that had told Marino. And so Valentine was
running for his life *from Jason*--I loved that. And I loved Justus's reaction--not even a flinch. 

Jason: "Well, if you're gonna be workin' for me you're gonna need a retainer."
Justus: "You kiddin' me? If I'm gonna be workin' for you I'm gonna need a bullet proof vest." 

Justus: "Bite your tongue. ELQ respectable? Don't let Edward hear you say that. It'd break his
heart." 

Justus: "Well, A is more subtle. B is a lot more fun." 

So Jason was without a lawyer. He wrote a check to Justus for a hundred thousand dollars; Justus
turned it down. But he didn't turn down the case. He pointed out that ELQ wasn't respectable, but
he didn't want Jason's constitutional rights to go by the wayside because Valentine wasn't there. He
said he'd take care of this instance and then they'd see. They had two choices, as Justus saw it. But
Justus also noticed Taggert meddling with the phone. He told Jason that A) he could pretend to
answer questions or B) Justus could challenge the whole thing. 

At this point, Jason got a phone call noting the mistake at Luke's and mentioning Paris. When Jason
got off of the phone, he told Justus to get him out--Justus went to plan C. Justus called them on the
wiretap, and told them that they would let Jason go or he would call the press with the story.
Smooth. 

Garcia: "We *are* treating your friend like a common criminal. You wanna know why? Because he
*is* a common criminal." 

Justus: "Where are you going?"
Jason: "You sure you wanna know?"
Justus: "Apparently not." 

Carly: "Hey, is he gonna be ok?"
Justus: "If he's very careful in selecting his friends." 

Of course, at this point, Carly showed up. Jason had no idea why he was there, but she started
pointing fingers at detectives left and right. Jason took her aside and told her things were fine and that
Justus was taking care of things. But she kept on yelling at various people and ranting about people
passing judgment. Sigh. It was a bit over the top for me, and I think I would have found a reason to
arrest her. And then when they let Jason go I was sure she thought it was all her doing. He gave her
cash for a cab, told her not to do it again, and set off to Paris. 

Justus: "Dara, you're really gonna have to break it to Detectives Taggert and Garcia that it's called
the Bill of Rights, not the Bill of Interesting Suggestions." 

Dara: "What is it with you guys anyway? You think life is just one big game of gotcha."
Justus: "That's not true. Only those of us who are good at it." 

After he was gone, Justus took it up with Dara. She said she wasn't fooled, but he took her to task.
But he admitted that he was bored with the Qs and that he had fun practicing law. He teased her
about her second job, and they reached that truce they always meet due to the respect they have for
each other. He's the only person I can stand her with. 

Robin: "I missed you so much. I'm not gonna let our time together be about things we can't solve." 

At the end of the episode, Jason was on the plane to Paris. On Thursday, he double-checked plans
with the street vendor, who was a guard. He had set up protection for Robin, but he didn't want her
to know he was there. I don't know why he couldn't have done it over the phone. He was using the
same people Sonny had used. He hid in the alley while Robin ordered a crepe. But as she entered
her building, she saw him. They went to each other and kissed--what happened to splitting up?! She
asked why he was here, he said business, and she didn't buy it. He gave her a brief account, and she
said they weren't going to talk about that and asked him to stay for longer than he had planned. They
went to her room. She told him that her journal was letters to him and that he could read it. She
chatted about Paris and the past. And at the end of the episode, he just held her, saying nothing. 

Robin: "What am I supposed to do, Jason? I mean, who am I supposed to hire. How am I supposed
to keep you from getting killed?" 

Jason: "I made my choice. I can't...I can't change it."
Robin: "Not can't, Jason. Won't." 

On Friday, Jason had spent the day with Robin going all over Paris. They talked a bit about Paris
and he admitted that he'd been reading tour books while she bought him a sandwich she knew he'd
love and pestered him about eating, but they couldn't stay away from that topic they were trying so
hard not to address. She noted that he must miss Sonny; it wasn't real to her since he never said
goodbye. He told her that he couldn't. She didn't want to hear what Sonny left her; she wanted to
know what Sonny left Jason. He had to admit that Joseph was dead too. She was upset and blamed
Sonny. Jason assured her that this had been his own decision. She was angry that this business had
taken everyone away from her. At this point, they were having the same conversation they had had
before, and he moved to leave. He walked her down, pointed out the guards, and asked him to stay
with her. We cut to Jason on the plane, remembering the scene of her walking away from him and
telling him that he knew how to stop her. And she wrote the "goodbye" in her journal that she didn't
get to say to him, because he didn't stop her. Finally, this whole thing was a waste to me, because
we'd seen it before. But since it gave Luke a reason to show up on Monday, I wasn't complaining.
Seriously, now that Kimberly's back, I hope they don't stick her back in a repetitive situation with
Jason. I think these two need to be separated, or we're going to simply have the same story over
again--both theirs and Sonny's. 

V. The Quartermaines

Ned: "He's not going to die. It'll be alright. I'll fix it. I promise." 

On Tuesday, Ned arrived home to find Emily on the sofa, clearly upset. He had been out of town; he
immediately thought it was about AJ. Emily filled him in briefly. He hugged her, then asked her some
questions. She clarified things as best she could and told him where everyone was. She was worried
that Nik would die and Jason would be charged with murder; it was very sweet when she
remembered that he was the first guy he'd ever kissed. He said he'd call up to the hospital, explained
how it would be with Jason, and promised that he'd make everything alright. Of course he has no
way to make sure of that, but somehow it was comforting to hear him say it. And I knew his
thoughts had gone to Alexis. 

At one point, later, Luke told Alan and Monica that they should have been proud of Jason, for he
would have made a fine surgeon under other circumstances. The pain on Alan's face was awful. 

Justus: "We don't know for sure Jason ever killed anyone. You and I both know that I have." 

On Friday, we had a series of short scenes at the Q mansion. After a very nice moment between
Justus and Edward in which we're reminded of the murder Justus committed as they discuss Jason,
Ned enters to announce that ELQ Jakarta will soon be theirs. Justus wanted to know why he wasn't
told anything about Jax, and Ned brushed him off. Jax arrives, telling them that if the deal doesn't go
through in 20 minutes, Jerry's going to hit several factories in Jakarta. Justus looks increasingly
disgusted. Finally, the deal goes through, Edward signs the papers, and everyone but Justus
celebrates. A small set of scenes that went miles towards demonstrating Justus's consideration of
Jason's offer. 

VI. The Spencers

On Tuesday, Bobbie took Luke and Lucky aside and told Luke that he had to call Laura. Now, of
course we knew he wouldn't, since Genie Francis wasn't there to be on the other end of the line. If
he did call her, Laura would look like a bad mother for not showing up. But I was interested to see
how they would play this one, since before I had the chance to watch it I saw people lining up to
complain about it. 

Bobbie insisted that Laura would want to know, but Lucky insisted right back that she couldn't do
anything about it and that the last time this happened it ended badly. Luke listened to everything,
sized up the situation, and I believe he decided that this wasn't going to be decided right then and
there. He told Bobbie to drop it. I think the parent kicked in and he just wanted to get his kid home
and calmed down and he'd make the decision later. Now, we haven't seen anything else about it,
and I really wanted to see his rationalizations. Other people believe he just listened to Lucky, but I
don't buy that. Finally, while he had a soft moment with Nikolas, his heart hasn't completely changed,
and since right now he doesn't know how things are going to go down with Stefan over this, it made
perfect sense to me that he wouldn't call her. It's not the move anyone but Lucky would say was
right, but it's totally in character. What some of us wanted to see was Stefan forbidding her to be
there, to take the blame off of Luke. Others wondered why Bobbie wouldn't call herself, but she
wouldn't go behind her brother's back like that. Now, Amy, on the other hand.... 

VII. Brenda and Jax

Wednesday's show opened with Brenda at a test shoot for the Christmas...er, Winter campaign. She
looked good in red, though, and she seemed to be fine--flirting with and acting embarrassed at the
photographer all at the same time. The Star TV people were there, and the photographer and
Brenda both made sure they were in their place. It was nothing like Jax, though. When the camera
caught him and Brenda in a private (but not terribly revealing) conversation, he insisted on having the
tape. He didn't admit it to Brenda, but she knew exactly what he was up to and just smiled away.
I'm still irritated with this hovering that Jax has been reduced to. And now he's playing tough guy?
No wonder Brenda can't get Sonny off her mind. 

In the middle of it all, by the way, we got a shot of Don calling Lucy. I miss Don. I was hoping that
he would be around some on PC, since Lucy set up to work at home, but no such luck. 

We had a bit of foreshadowing when Brenda jumped at a surprise test shot. She pretended nothing
was wrong but was clearly rattled. Afterwards, Jax reminded the crews not to tape him and made a
date for lunch with Brenda. She said she had an errand to run. She went to the hospital to see
Nikolas, something that I hope doesn't foreshadow a future development. I was angry at this little
scene. Brenda went on for several minutes about how she knew how Nik was feeling, etc. But it was
more for her good than for his, and I resented the fact that she breezed easily into the room (family
only?), woke him up, and poured her heart out to him while he was trying to recover. And you know
he'll be sweet about it, if he remembers, because he's Nikolas. Anyway, I was not touched or
moved in any way except to a high level of irritation. As Brenda left, she assured herself that she
would be better than ever. Again. 

On Friday, Brenda is at the real deal photo shoot, working with the Star TV people with Don fussing
over her, when Jax shows up with tons of flowers...and fussing over her. At some point this week
she was in green, and it may have been this scene, but later in the day she's in a white gown that I
didn't care much for with this strange thing on top of her head. They start the shoot, and Brenda's
alright, except for the flashbulbs, which are making her a bit nervous. Jax continues to look
concerned. At one point, a bulb bursts, and Brenda is definitely rattled. At some point, she looks
over to Jax and realizes he's not there. Her last big coping mechanism gone. Finally, as the shoot
continues, Brenda starts to hallucinate, seeing Jason and Sonny in the crowd, covered in blood. She
grabs a tripod and start to scream at everyone to stay away from her. At this point, I thought the
whole thing was over the top and that we had spent way too much of our Friday on the build up. I
softened my opinion a bit on Monday, but that's for the next review. 

VIII. Mac and Felicia

On Thursday, we got back to the one storyline Guza hasn't managed to interest me in--Mac and
Felicia and the boring and unexplained plan by Tess and Jimmy. Mac got a call that Jimmy had been
found...but he was dead. Some of Mac's highway patrol people had found him in an accident. Tess
had to go up to identify the body and they offered to go with her. Felicia told Mac he didn't have to
go, since Jimmy looked just like him, but Mac thought that was silly. 

Mac: "But maybe I should die more often. No tellin' how I could use this unexpected chink in your
armor.'

Upstate, the guy rolled out the corpse and Tess dutifully cried and asked for a minute alone. Out in
the hall, Felicia cried and told Mac, "I don't want you to die." Mac told her he was alive and well
and then teased her a bit about her reaction. He surely does have some unfeeling responses for all of
his protective nature. But inside, Jimmy sat up, thrilled that Felicia was upset over his death. 

IX. The Week in Review

All in all, this was a great week on GH. I found some weak spots, but those were most likely due to
my own prejudices and my habit, gained over weeks of sub-par writing, of looking for weaknesses.
I look forward to the day when that's an exception to the rule, and I think we're already headed that
way. I much prefer discussing actions that come out of solid writing with attention to character
history than complaining about the writing. 

The pacing was good. Monday hit with a bang, and Tuesday didn't slow down much. But the rest of
the week came from those early events, and we had characters reflecting, dealing, and otherwise
engaging with the shooting. I like it when GH finds that balance between action and character, and
I'm glad to see the first week of Guza's return has achieved that. 

Guza has also broken us immediately out of some cycles of repetition we were stuck in. Carly's
storyline has been jacked up yet another notch, while the Cassadine/Spencer thing draws on history
but looks to move out of mere iteration. Brenda has broken out of her repetitious dealings with Jax,
though the echoes of that are still present in the storyline. And, treat of all treats, Justus is back and
promising to stir up things within the Q household. 

Finally, I think the comment that says it best came from someone on ratsa, who said they never
thought that writers made much difference and didn't really know their names. That newbie was
pleasantly surprised to find that Guza did make a difference. And I was glad to not be disappointed.