The Week in Review: December 22 - December 26

I.  Carly, Three Fathers, and a Baby

A.  AJ and Jason

At the beginning of Monday, the scene between AJ and Jason continued.  AJ asked if he was the father, Jason started to hedge, and AJ changed his question, asking this time if Jason had slept with Carly.  The answer was yes.  There's been an ongoing debate on ratsa as to whether or not Jason lies.  While the characters use that word, I prefer to ask the question a different way: "Is Jason able to tell stories?"  That answer is no.  Sure, he can deceive.  His gift is stonewalling (as TJ tells me).  But he can't keep straight in his head what he's said and not said if he's supposed to concoct a big story.  Things have to be concrete to Jason, or he has to remember them from personal experience.  He can't do abstractions and imagination.  So does Jason lie like Carly lies?  Absolutely not.  Is he completely honest?  Absolutely not.  But since when has Jason ever volunteered information?

AJ:  "I was wrong, because your heart is as cold as your eyes."
Jason:  "That's about it."
AJ:  "The only reason I came here is because I knew you'd tell me the truth.  Like I said, ever since that accident, I've been carrying around the past for the both of us.  But today, I finally met the real Jason Morgan.  And you're not a part of the past at all."

After Jason's answer, AJ asked him about the story Carly had told.  It was the truth.  But when he asked for details, Jason simply showed him the door.  But AJ wouldn't go; he asked about Robin and Tony and Jason told him this had nothing to do with either of them and to leave Robin out of it.  AJ did...this time.  He was too stunned at the sight of the real Jason.  Jason Morgan.  He announced that he wouldn't let Jason anywhere near Carly's child, even if it were Jason's.

Oddly enough, I thought that this was, perhaps, the best thing that could happen to AJ, even if the timing sucked.  He has been living under the shadow of his "dead" brother long enough, trying to make amends by cozying up to a stranger.  And in this scene, he moved past that.  I hope that he can now start to find an identity for himself that does not begin with the phrase, "I am responsible for my brother."

AJ:  "Then tell me something.  What...what is it you think that this baby is gonna learn from its mother?  Or is that truth even too frightening for a tough guy like you?"

Jason:  "So Carly lies.  So do you.  So do the rest of the Quartermaines.  How's the baby gonna be any better off with you?"

Jason:  "You have no idea what's important to me.  Don't try to guess."

AJ:  "But you never seem to leave, Carly."

AJ:  "Man, you were everything I wanted to be.  I was the older brother, but...there was nothing you couldn't do.  You always knew what was right and...and you always did it.  I wanted to be just like you.  I wanted to be you.  You were my...my hero.  And in spite of everything, I never...I never completely let go of that.  Until now.  My brother's gone."

Jason insisted that Carly was the mother, but AJ said that she was the source of the danger for the child--at this point, Carly was at the top of the stairs listening, and AJ knew it.  He launched into a litany of her past actions; Jason insisted that she had done everything for her child.  More arguing about parenting and children and Carly.  The argument turned to the Qs, but then AJ started truly bashing Carly and screaming about Jason claiming to be the father.  AJ said that Robin would despise him for this, and at this point Carly came downstairs, saying that the baby and she would be long gone before Robin was home and Robin would never have to know.  AJ continued to hassle her, and Jason asked him to leave.  He did, but not before AJ told him again that he would never bother with him again.  Ditto on what I said above, that this is good for AJ, but at the same time it was really painful to watch.

It was painful for Carly too, and she apologized to Jason.  Jason said that AJ was never his brother--"just some guy who looked real sincere."  She took comfort in the thought that she wasn't alone and that Jason was there for her.  But she knew the case looked bleak.  Then Jason told her that AJ and Tony couldn't prove anything without any evidence, and it dawned on her what a plus it was to have Jason as the one on her side.  For my part, it was at this moment that I started pondering why Jason was so willing to do everything for her.

Jason asked if she wanted to go do something, and they headed out.  Rinaldo (I love Rinaldo, by the way--he's sure helped ease the pain of Joseph's passing), as well as the rest of the bar, smiled as they watched Jason and the pregnant Carly shooting pool at Jake's and teasing about who was going to win.  I smiled too.

B.  Carly and Jason

At the beginning of Wednesday--Christmas Eve--Carly laughed at Jason's table manners and said she would make dinner.  She was sad about the lack of Cmas decorations.  Carly felt a twinge; she was thinking of the baby as a girl at this point, and was happy to be thinking about the baby and not about all the lies.  Jason left to work and told Carly Rinaldo would let her in if they got back before him--he had a look in his eye at this point, but didn't say anything.

Carly took a load of money and set out.  She met Jason at the hospital, thinking that he was there to go with her to her appointment.  She said she was early and asked to go with him to run interference.  He let her.  They walked out of the elevator just in time to disappoint the kids, who were expecting Santa, and be directly in Tony's line of sight when he came out of the other elevator in his Santa suit.  For a minute there I thought we were going to have a scene.

C.  Tony and Bobbie

Grumpy-Tony met Bobbie in the hall, who commented on his playing Santa in the middle of all of this.  She invited him to Cmas dinner, but he turned her down, saying the apartment was ok now that Carly was gone.  Bobbie hadn't heard, so Tony got to tell her that Carly had moved in with Jason and was claiming that he was the father.  Brenda hooked up with Monica to check the story, and Monica said that AJ was the only one not thrown.

D.  Jason and Stefan

Jason:  "Did you want me to let him die?"

Jason:  "Ya, well I know a lot of things you didn't authorize."

Jason:  "I know you think you sit on this invisible throne and everybody does what you want.  But all you are to me is loud and in my way."
Stefan:  "How far do you think your reach extends, little man?  Well you multiply it by several time zones and twice as many nations, and then ask me why I even permit your continued existence.  Because I'm told there's a slim possibility you saved my nephew's life.  True or no, that's not a debt I'll carry for long."
Jason:  "Well, you're not so loud now.  But you're standing way too close."

I put this meeting here because Jason was the clear winner to me in this stare-off.  Stefan got a call from accounting saying that Jason was there, and left without telling Katherine what was up.  He was there to pay Nikolas's bill, thinking that was the least he could do, but Stefan was offended (as he probably should be) and refused his money, telling him to watch his step, as it were.  Stefan blamed Jason for Nik's condition and told him he was at fault for the knife wielding he had done.  Jason was unmoved by his display, saying that he knew Nik had a stroke, and when he left, Stefan stepped out of his way.  A telling gesture, to my mind, even if I was supposed to think it was the genteel thing to do.  The thing is, Stefan may have met his match. He's used to dealing with the rantings of Luke Spencer, and now he has the opposite--in that cold hard stare.  Love it.  More, please.

E.  Carly and Bobbie

Carly:  "Oh, hey.  Merry Christmas, Bobbie.  Listen, if you wanna call me a slut, could you hurry it up, 'cause I have got a doctor's appointment."

Bobbie:  "I don't know what to say."
Carly:  "That's good.  That's how I like it."

Meanwhile, Bobbie stopped Carly in the hall and Carly started in first.  Bobbie simply asked her about Jason.  Carly gave her line about being careful with Tony and not with Jason, and moved on.  Bobbie stopped her, starting in on her character and virtue.  She was confused, saying that she believed that Carly had loved Tony.  Carly said she was a gold-digger and now Jason had money.  Carly reminded her that neither of them had lived up to Tony's too-high expectations and told her that she could have them back.  Bobbie was stunned, saying that she couldn't believe that she had been on Carly's side when Tony decided to press for custody.  I'm sure Carly took notice of that even if she didn't seem to just then.

F. Carly and Jason

Carly:  "How could I have wasted so much of my life on somebody who turned out to be as disposable as shelf paper?"

Jason:  "When I thought it was real and when I thought it was everything it was."

Back at the apartment, Jason was amazed at the Cmas display and worried that she had done too much.  She had ordered it from Wyndham's and bought Mexican.  She was upset, and he asked her why, thinking it was that she had spent all the money.  She told him it was about Bobbie.  But not Bobbie, really.  Tony.  She didn't want Tony anymore, doesn't miss him, and can't believe that she wasted so much of her life on him.

Carly:  "Why are you doing this for me?"
Jason:  "You asked.  Besides, it hasn't cost me much yet."

At the beginning of Friday, Carly and Jason had just seen a lawyer to make arrangements for Jason's name to be on the birth certificate and give him power of attorney.  She was still convinced that they were fighting a losing battle as they listed the possible witnesses, but Jason told her that for one thing, Mik the bartender has decided to relocate.  That lifted her spirits.  Then they talked about gender-appropriate colors.  Carly said she had bought all green and yellow.  Jason talked about how he remembered things from Jason Q only when he needed them.  Carly spoke more about wanting to make a home for the baby--something Bobbie couldn't give her--and how that was everything that mattered to her.  Jason said he'd call in favors for her.  She asked the question that I've been asking--above--and I think there's more to it than just her asking.  But more on that later.

Jason left Carly alone, and AJ immediately arrived to see her.  I think she called it right when she asked if he'd been waiting for Jason to leave.  AJ had more questions for Jason and more threats for Carly, but she repeated her story and eventually had Rinaldo show him the door.

Carly:  "Maybe it's better..."

Carly went to bed only to awaken and find that she was bleeding.  She made her way downstairs towards the phone but collapsed.

I love Jason and Carly together, though I'm not sure I'd want them as a romantic couple.  But they fascinate me, and I think they're just right for each other--they accept each other, no questions asked.  I'm looking forward to the baby coming and seeing the fallout from all the revelations that are destined to come out.

G. Bobbie and Tony

Tony checked in with Bobbie about Nikolas and told her that Nik reminded him of Jason, telling her about his meeting with Jason.  Of course, he said he made a reasonable request--I must have missed that point.  He ranted about the baby living with Jason, but Bobbie didn't see it at a problem.  Of course, she sounded a bit naïve, but she was right not to feed his rage.
 
II.  The Cassadines

A.  Alexis, Helena...and Luke...and Stefan

Alexis:  "May I ask how you got in?"
Helena:  "No.  You may not."
 As Monday opened, Alexis braced herself to face Helena.  These scenes were wonderful, and I found myself wanting to fast-forward all the other good stuff to watch them first and then come back for the rest.  I settled for watching them a couple of times after I was done.  ;)

Helena:  "Well, a lot of people were hoping that I would die.  But I continue to defy expectations."

Helena:  "Don't attempt to understand me.  I don't even understand me."

The two swapped small talk about health, career, and snacks, and then Helena got down to business.  She spoke of the ring and of the night her mother died--the night Helena really wanted to kill Natasha.  Mikos convinced her to let the child live, and live with them.  But she asked Alexis to tell her everything she knew...so she could decide whether or not to spare her life.  Alexis recounted the tale Luke had told her; Helena recounted her unscheduled trip to London where she discovered Kristen and ordered her death the next day.

Alexis said that she felt no connection to that woman...but I remembered the tears in her eyes and the look on her face as she heard her mother sing for the first time.  She was quite convincing, however, and I applauded her calm in the face of Helena's threats.  It's the first time in a long time that Alexis has seemed her old spunky self.  Helena said she did not have to spare her life any longer; Alexis asked to make an arrangement.  She knew that Helena wanted something from her, or she would be dead already.  I think Helena was impressed and pleased.  She said that she wanted to regain control of her family--regain influence over Nikolas.  Now, of course we know that Alexis would not want that for Nikolas at all, so the decision was already a complicated one.

Luke:  "Helena!  Come on, you little gypsy princess!  The big bad wolf's here, baby, you know what that means."

Luke:  "Come on out!  It's your all-American boy toy, here to be toyed with.  Come on, Helena, I'll spank your tambourine."

Helena:  "Well, I've wasted nearly a year on my back."
Luke:  "Oh, no, never a waste, Helena.  You on your back?  That's not a cure, that's a career."
Helena:  "So I've tried to tell you."

But at that point, complication incarnate arrived.  At the sound of the knock, Helena went into the other room to hide.  When Luke entered, he knew she was there and demanded to see her.  He continued to taunt, hoping to bring her to the surface, and the look on Alexis's face was priceless--and only continued to get better throughout the trio's scenes.  She's never seen these two lock horns, and it was quite the display.  She claimed not to know where Helena was, but Helena herself came out, telling Luke it was rude to turn his back on a lady.  The look on Luke's face was not amused--it was as if he hadn't really believed she was there.  Or, perhaps, he was stunned at how good she looked, as his immediate comments were as to her color, posture...and tail.  They recalled fondly the last time they'd "danced" and she matched him flirt for flirt and tease for tease.

Helena:  "If Nikolas had died, someone you love might have joined him."
Luke:  "Oh, pussycat.  You wouldn't slit your own throat."

Alexis:  "You and Helena have a fascinating way of relating to each other."
Luke:  "She's crazy about me.  She wants to take me home, slice the meat from my bones, and whip me up into a nice thick falafel."

Alexis:  "She knows that I found out that Mikos was my father."
Luke:  "That means you're desert.  I'm the main course."

She said she was there to see after Nikolas, and told him he was lucky he had nothing to do with it.  I loved that he chose throat-slitting in the above line, as if to say he knew all about Natasha.  The phone rang, and she stroked his chin before answering.  By this time Alexis was completely amazed.  Helena headed out, telling Alexis that their business was not finished and getting in one last shot as she said she had sent flowers to Laura in Switzerland for her birthday.  At that, Luke did react, bristling.  Once she had gone, Luke jumped to the correct conclusion that Helena had threatened her, and Alexis said she knew everything.  I was amazed at the above line, however, because at this point in time, I don't think that Luke is Helena's main purpose--and for my money, he's always the dessert.

Alexis:  "She did let me negotiate for my life."
Luke:  "God, she's in a good mood!"

Stefan:  "She's here."
Luke:  "She's not under the couch.  I checked."

Luke:  "Help him, Alexis, he's lost his mommy."

Alexis asked Luke about the way he deals with Helena, but he said he wasn't intimidated.  She was, and was visibly shaken.  They were interrupted by a knock at the door...it was Stefan.  Luke greeted him with his best Bela Lugosi imitation.  Ha!  Now, given the current state of affairs, Stefan immediately jumped to the conclusion that they were working together, rather than giving Alexis the benefit of the doubt or anything else.  But it was great to see the look on his face--so over-confident and smug about being justified in exiling Alexis--and know that Luke Spencer had known about Helena before him.  What I would have liked is some hint that Stefan suspected something was going on--Helena was there, after all.  I wanted him to jump to the conclusion that Alexis was working behind his back with her, rather than Luke.  But no such luck.  Alexis told Luke to cut the wisecracking, that Stefan was his enemy, not hers, and that seemed a bit of a surprise to Luke as well.  Stefan left, telling Alexis nothing of Nik's condition and refusing to allow her to see him.

Alexis:  "Those are my options."
Luke:  "Choose another one."
Alexis:  "Change my name to Sonia and start a new life giving pedicures?"
Luke:  "No, throw in with me and take control of the Cassadine empire for yourself."

Luke thought Stefan was there for the reason I wanted Stefan to be there--to see if Alexis had thrown in with Helena.  But I saw nothing of that in Stefan, as I said.  What amazed me at this point was that Alexis actually told Luke everything that had been said, admitting that either side would kill her if she joined forces with the other.  He used the information immediately, building up a scary picture of future events and offering himself as the alternative.  I was so grumpy when we didn't get to see her immediate response.  We didn't see these two together again for a few days.

B.  Nikolas

Lucky told Nik that he was going for help at the beginning of Monday's show, but Nik didn't want him to go.  Nik insisted that he was fine, but tears were streaming down his face and I suspected that he simply didn't want to be left alone.  Lucky insisted on getting help, telling Nikolas at one point, echoing his father's words, "Look at me."  Lots of people have told Nik to look at them lately, and Nik has indeed been doing a lot of looking.  But this parallel was quite effective--father and son reacting the same way in light of their "enemy's" distress.  I look forward to seeing the fallout.

The immediate fallout, however, wasn't as interesting.  Stefan declared that he held Lucky responsible while Katherine looked perpetually worried.  I could choose to explain Stefan's reaction by saying that he's simply blaming everybody and everything but himself, but I don't want to.  I thought that it was ridiculous of him to yell at a child while his own son needed his attention.  It's beneath him, somehow, or it should be.  He keeps putting his need to blame above Nik's need for comfort and support, and I don't appreciate it.

As things fell out that day, Bobbie reassured Lucky that he wasn't responsible (we had a repeat of Bobbie's line when Lucky told her that Nik asked about Laura and didn't seem to want her to come home--Bobbie noted that they all agreed), and Tony told Stefan that if he didn't stop yelling at Lucky he'd have to leave the room--for Nikolas's sake, of course, but it went over poorly with Stefan, who continued to demand and blame and rant and rave...almost as well as Luke.  ;)  Tony dealt with him firmly but professionally, and he has lots of reasons not to like him.  They started testing, but no answers as to Nik's diagnosis on Monday.  Tony convinced Stefan that a MRI was the best course of action.

Stefan got a call at some point, and that's when he left Nik in Kat's care and went after Helena.  While he was on the phone, we were treated to Kat using her own recovery as an example for Nikolas and telling him everything would be well.  But she wasn't the same as when they were friends.  She was using that mother tone, and I didn't appreciate it.  But I'm predisposed to dislike everything she does just now.  When Stefan said he had to leave for a bit, the desperation on Nik's face was terrible--Stefan told him he would end this pain for him--as were the scenes of Nik trying to speak and write when left alone.

On Tuesday, we got scenes of Bobbie trying to get Nikolas to speak, getting rid of Tony when she saw that Nik wasn't going to try to speak with him in the room.  General Jones was back again in full force, but somehow wasn't as annoying as usual.  Must be the insipid cooing of Katherine that puts Bobbie in perspective.  I am getting really tired of women coming in and talking at Nik, however.  Bobbie made a good point, though that Nik is proud of his educated speech and this has to be doubly hard on him because of that.  Nik and his Uncle are masters of words and rhetoric.  Tony returned and assured him that they would figure this out.

In the meantime, Sarah showed up, wanting to know why Nik hadn't gone home as planned.  She got the brief explanation and turned on Lucky, asking him if he had anything at all to do with this.  Ouch.  She was also hacked off that he didn't tell her, and he gave a poor imitation of his father--the king of lying for other people's good--and said that he didn't want to tell her anything until they knew something for sure.  For the rest of the episode she brushed him off repeatedly when he tried to speak to her.  Lucky asked Bobbie whether Nik would get better...but of course he's not interested or worried.

The results of the test came back; Nik had suffered a stroke because of his original injuries and he was experiencing dysphasia.  Stefan insisted that something be done, but Tony told him that the best course of action would be observation and speech therapy.  Once again, Stefan claimed to know better but had to admit, in the end, that Tony was correct.  His frustration used to move me, but at this point they're writing him with too much bluster and I'm not getting enough looks underneath that mask he always wears.  But he told Nik the diagnosis himself, telling him also that he would get better (breaking off, apparently, before he spoke of Nikolas as "my son" out in the hall), though Nik didn't look convinced.

Nik refused to see Sarah once the verdict came down, she ran away, and Lucky cringed.  Stefan tried to talk Nik into seeing her, but he refused, asking Stefan to leave.  And I just braced myself for that story--doomed to be repetitive.  I don't care to see Nikolas and Sarah taking another long slow journey towards coupledom, thank you very much.  Sigh.

Lizzy:  "His uncle's glamorous girlfriend is there.  He looks like he wants to spit at her."

Christmas Eve found Sarah trying to take a gift to Nikolas.  Stefan greeted her and her sister and told them that Nik wouldn't see visitors.  Later, she managed to get in, but Nik refused her and her present.  What I couldn't believe is that she stood there and declared that this was hard for her too--she's turning out to be very selfish in this whole thing, and this was only the beginning.  She left, but she said that she'd be back.

Tony:  "Because no matter what your uncle thinks, it's not a sign of prestige to take up space in a critical care unit."

On Friday, Nik was set to move out of ICU.  Stefan tried to convince him that he would be completely recovered with some speech therapy, but Nik was still resisting.  Sarah visited him (on Bobbie's suggestion, not Stefan's), repeating the same things but in a slightly more cheery tone, but finally Nik rang for the nurse and Bobbie escorted her out.

C. Luke and Alexis

Alexis:  "Who is it?"
Luke:  "Don't shoot!"
Alexis:  (opening the door with a shudder) "Specializing in firearms is your thing."
Luke:  "No, no.  No, that's not true.  I do my best work with my bare hands.  It's your cousin who's trigger happy, remember?  Has he taken aim at your pretty little behind lately?"
Alexis:  "No bullet holes so far."
Luke:  "Well, don't worry about it.  Don't feel left out.  There will be soon enough.  He's been kinda distracted what with the kid in the hospital and all.  But once he gets back to Transylvanian turn and has nothin' to talk to but that dim blonde and Igor the coffin-sweeper, he'll come looking for ya.  Murder is a nice way to spend the time, you know, while you're tryin' to figure out another hair-brained scheme to take over the world?"

Luke:  "You got three choices.  Death, death, or an alliance with me."
Alexis:  "I think I'd prefer death."

Alexis:  "Oh, goody.  You waited."
Luke:  "I'm a gentleman.  We weren't through with our conversation."

Alexis:  "You know what?  I would actually be touched by your concern if your self interest weren't so disgustingly blatant."
Luke:  "What do you care what I get out of this as long as you stay alive?"

Luke:  "Look, Pollyanna.  The wicked stepmother knows that you're King Herod's bastard daughter.  The Prince of Punishment is next in line for the information.  Once he finds out you're not only his betrayer you're also his rival that means you the big bad bogeyman, princess, and the dark won't be safe until you're eliminated from it."

Luke:  "You refuse to be as smart as I know you are."

Luke:  "He's as transparent as a bullet-proof windshield."

Luke:  "You know, you'd be astounded what I can accomplish when I'm motivated."

Alexis:  "I'm not going to let you use me against my family."
Luke:  "That's what you say now.  But we'll see what you say next time.  That is, if you're alive next time.  And if you're not?  Then I was wrong.  You are stupid.  Good luck, kid."

Where I was hoping for her initial reaction, I instead got a replay of Luke's offer to Alexis.  Not that I mind.  He repeated her situation; she repeated her refusal.  He said that they could get Helena out of the picture and Stefan declared incompetent, which would put Nikolas in her hands.  Of course, I wanted him to cop to stopping the computer chip fiasco when he was crowing about what he could accomplish, but he's smarter than to bring any more Cassadine wrath down on his head just now.

I can't wait for the inevitable--Alexis and Luke working together towards some common goal.

D. Alexis and Stefan

Alexis went straight from Luke to Stefan.  It was as if she was checking her own claims about him, for she was there to tell him that she was his sister. 

III.  Brenda and Jax

On Tuesday, Jax and Julia discussed Brenda's condition with her doctor.  The doctor didn't want to release her and had placed her in isolation, which infuriated Jax.  Jax announced he was bringing in a second opinion.  Julia was upset about the isolation as well; Jax insisted that Brenda could never be a danger to herself.

Alan:  "Well, I appreciate your honesty, but what you have managed to do is lay at my feet not only Brenda's addiction, but her present condition."
Jax:  "Alan, this isn't a conversation I intend to have right now."

Alan came by and offers his help, which Jax was reluctant to take.  He got through the red tape so that they could see Brenda, but while Julia visited her (she was so nervous), Alan asked Jax why Jax doesn't seem to want his help.  Jax launched into a seemingly logical explanation that Alan should have seen the signs of addiction and should have monitored Brenda more carefully, etc.  I was infuriated all over again at this point, because Jax should have seen this coming too, using that logic.  He was certainly around Brenda more at that point.  Alan was offended and reprimanded Jax for putting this all on him, but Jax walked away from the conversation.  Alan reached for his pills but didn't take one.

Inside, Brenda seemed completely disoriented from the drugs, and when Julia came in she asked her if she brought their father with her.  She recovered quickly, and Julia told her that she wasn't there to put her away, but just to sign some routine paperwork.  She told Brenda that she only wanted to help, but Brenda seemed too dazed to hear any of it.

Julia:  "I just found my sister again.  I don't wanna lose her."

Back outside, Julia told Jax that perhaps they should leave Brenda there for a while--she was visibly upset by her sister's condition.  Jax entered the room and spoke to Brenda about getting away to New Orleans.  Back outside, he claimed that the medication they had her on was the source of Brenda's daze (even though the nurse said she had no meds since the night before).  Julia went to the cottage to take a break and pick up the book that Brenda wanted--Nancy Drew, of course.  I was very glad Julia was there, and I felt for her--with her--as I thought of my own sister.  But Jax was just driving me batty.

Meanwhile, the doctor tells Jax that Brenda should stay in the hospital--if not in isolation--for a few more days.  But Brenda has only one request for Jax--to get her home for Christmas.  And there was no doubt in my mind what he would do at this point.  And stupidity would definitely be involved.

On Wednesday, the doctor insisted that Brenda should stay in the hospital.  Inside her room, Brenda was excited that they were leaving; he told her what the doctor said.  She pleaded with him to get her out. When she left, the doctor entered and she told him that Jax would get her out no matter what.

Alan:  "What is it again that makes you morally superior to Sonny Corinthos?  It slips my mind."

And indeed he did.  He cornered Alan and told him that Brenda would be released or he would cause trouble for Alan over his treatment of her, all the way up to blaming Alan for Brenda's condition in a lawsuit.

Brenda still managed to be surprised that Jax actually managed it, even with her statement of faith in him to her doctor.  Said doctor stopped them as they left, telling Jax that he would realize what he had done in due time.  Brenda and Jax just laughed at him and left.

Jax:  "Elves."

Brenda:  "Elves."

When Brenda entered her house and saw the tree, Jax's matter-of-fact comment above cracked me up.  He had held off decorating the tree for her, and had laid out three presents--marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate.  Now, amidst it all, that was very sweet.  And it was nice to see Brenda have a sweet and peaceful moment away from her troubles at Cmas--which I suppose was the point.

Julia:  "Oh, Brenda, you're so tiny.  You look like a gust of wind could blow you away."
Brenda:  "Um-hum.  Well, for a kid who was called tubbo, I think that's kind of an achievement."

Jax:  One thing I learned from this is that Brenda has to recover on her own.  You know, making it better one day and an hour at a time...it's not good for her."

Friday found Julia at Brenda's house...doing the dishes.  They spoke of their past and of their father, and Julia asked Brenda to come to London with her, at least for a while.  Jax arrived just at that point, and Brenda told him of Julia's invitation.  But Brenda declined, saying that she felt better in her own house.  Julia left anyway, on Jax's plane, and Jax told her that he'd arranged for a nurse to stay with Brenda.  I was very glad to hear the above sentence, but I'll believe it when I see it.

The nurse arrived before Jax had a chance to warn Brenda, so making it seem like her idea was pretty hard.  But he convinced her to talk to the woman, and Brenda accepted her and asked her to start immediately.  Although I thought she was a bit miffed with Jax for making this decision for her.  Or more like she resented the thought of a stranger in her home but was putting on a good face so he wouldn't know how upset she was.

Unfortunately, Jason arrived after Julia and Jax have gone.  He had come to apologize for being a part of her trouble and pain, telling her he knew what it was like to want to get out of the hospital, which I thought was actually nice of him.  But it was too soon, and he didn't know any better.  So he actually made it worse.  Brenda asked if Sonny had sent him, then started talking about his having everything that Sonny had, approached him, and moved to kiss him.

Vanessa Marcil has been putting in some fabulous performances, and I'm glad Jax is beginning to use that clue I bought him for Christmas, but I am still not "into" this storyline.  The pacing is weird, the explanations for Brenda's various actions are non-existent, etc. 

IV.  Mac and Felicia...and Tess and Jimmy

Tuesday found Tess and Jimmy conferring about their plan.  Felicia and the girls entered and we had this lame scene about "Uncle Mac" not remembering that they were going to cut the Cmas tree that day.  Sigh.  Felicia was bemused, but didn't ask enough questions or seem very suspicious.

Meanwhile, Tess and Mac chatted, with him tied up to the bed.  He believed that Felicia would be out looking for him now and Tess offered no reason why not.  He also assumed that she's kidnapped him because of his resemblance to her now-dead husband, and she let him.  Perhaps she led him to believe that as well, but I didn't think she was doing a very good job.  Or maybe he's just too smart for his own good....

Back at the Brownstone, Felicia seemed to take no notice of "Mac's" brand new back condition and glossed over the contradictions he was spewing out right and left.  Sigh.  You'd think that a woman who's been stalked this much--and been fooled by a twin before--would be hypersensitive to these things.

At the cabin, Tess decorated their sad looking tree as well.  Mac tried to seduce her, saying that he would make love to her if she'd only untie him.  Nice try, she said--but she didn't take the opportunity to suggest that sex could be had *with* him tied up...just to see the look of panic cross his face.  Too bad.

In the end, we had a nice cut from Jimmy's tree to Tess's tree to Jax and a wreath at GH--with the same song being sung by the Brownstone people as well as Tess.  GH is always good about smart cuts from one scene to another, but that one caught my fancy.

The storyline, on the other hand, is the weakest thing going right now.  I have no reason to be invested in it, and I think the pacing sucks.  They've got to give me more information and speed things up a bit.

V.  The Quartermaines

At the beginning of Wednesday--the Christmas Eve episode--the male Qs bickered about the alleged angle of the star on the tree, the model train tracks, etc.  Meanwhile, Monica and Keesha looked on, laughingly.  I love this family, and I love the big group scenes of typically Q behavior.  Love it.

Alan:  "I am so happy I'm not a role model for you."

Alan:  "I wouldn't delve too deeply into what Alan is doing when nobody is looking."

Alan went outside without his jacket (the above line) to chat with Emily.  Too cute, and we got a bit of Sidney the bear!  Emily was remembering the year past and all the bad things that had happened.  She wasn't depressed, more reflective.

Back inside, Ned entered with Brooke Lynn.  He only had her until that evening, and they couldn't believe it.  He was sweet, talking about getting to drive with her in the car.  Edward couldn't understand why he couldn't see his great grandchild, and Alan suggested that Jason might change that with the new baby.  AJ entered right on cue.

Lila:  "Oh no, now I remember.  He plays, um.  Oh, whatever is it called, um.  It looks like a pelican."

AJ:  "I have an idea, mother.  Since Christmas comes but once a year, let's pretend--just for a night--that I'm almost as interesting as my brother, since I'm actually the one who's here."

Ned said he had invited Dave Koz to play at the Cmas party (Koz is the one who wrote and performed the GH theme song).  Meanwhile, Monica and AJ greeted each other over the eggnog.  She quizzed him about Jason and Carly and the rest, and he chided her with the above line.  He moved on to Keesha, who repeated the questions.  He gave a curt answer, letting her know that he believed Jason might be the father.

The Qs headed to the hospital for the Cmas party, meeting Karen along the way.  It was nice to see her.  Alan was bubbly, until Jax took him aside and threatened him.  He regained composure quickly, and greeted Mike, who had brought presents for the kids, reminding him to stay away from Brenda.

Alan:  "And that's what we know about the events of that first Christmas night.  But Christmas is much more than that.  It's a time when enemies are not enemies, when friends tell each other how much they mean to each other, and for one day and one night we remember that what made us and what we're made of is patience and forgiveness and love.  I wish you all a very very Merry Christmas."

For some reason, the Cmas party belongs in the Q section for me.  Edward greeted Mr. Koz (as did Amy, who bubbled at him so fast I couldn't stand it), and once Santa arrived (and after he glared at Carly and Jason) they all went into the other room to have the party.  Alan read the Cmas story as all the GH-ers stood around.  Felicia was there with the kids, and Scotty was there with Karen and Serena.  The Qs were there, of course, and Keesha.  But sadly, the Spencer brigade was nowhere to be seen.  *pout*

It was a bittersweet musical montage on the way out, with Sarah and Nikolas and Brenda and Jax and everyone else.  But the shots of the families together always make me happy, and the music was just beautiful.