The Week in Review: December 29 - January 2

I.  The Cassadines

A.  Stefan and Alexis

Alexis:  "It wasn't that long ago that you believed that a total outsider could be your sister.  Is it really that difficult to believe that Natasha could be me?"
Stefan:  "No Alexis.  It's not difficult to believe.  It's impossible."

Alexis:  "I'm not asking you to accept my apologies.  But you can't question the sincerity of them."
Stefan:  "How can I not?"

Alexis:  "You can have your experts go over the contents.  I'm sure they'll tell you that every page is authentic and every word is true."
Stefan:  "If it is, what does it matter to me?"
Alexis:  "Oh, it matters."

At the end of last Friday's episode, Alexis announced to Stefan that she was Natasha.  His reaction at the beginning of Monday was not what she'd hoped for.  He refused to look at her evidence--obviously forged, he said--and said that it was impossible to believe she was his sister.  She pleaded with him for his protection--the same protection he gave Katherine--and he cut her off, saying she was lying and reprimanding her for the pain she's caused Katherine.  She appealed to his curiosity by telling a short version of her story; he told her to leave before Helena found out.

Now, this is where I began to question her approach.  She told him Helena knew and that she was in danger, but he refused to listen.  Why would she not tell him exactly what was going on?  That Helena had offered her a bargain, that she had refused it, and that she only ever wanted to be on his side?  He might not have believed it, but she would have done her part to warn him about Helena's plan.  She didn't even try to explain why Luke was hanging around, even though you know he wouldn't have believed that.  But it might have made sense to him later, as he found out more about Helena.  It's a move Luke would make, of course, and he would know that.  In fact, it might just be the thought of Luke moving in on his family in any way that would have brought him around to her side.

Anyway, I found it amazing that she would tell Luke the entire story and not play that card with Stefan as well.  And in the mean time, while her pleading was painful to watch and completely understandable, I was almost hoping that she would enter, put on her business face, and offer Stefan a deal and an ultimatum.  I know, I know, it's not really in character, but right now Stefan-with-blinders-on doesn't deserve to be the object of her grief.

Alexis:  "No matter what I've done to you before, I am your sister now."
Stefan:  "You always were my sister, Alexis.  In every way that mattered.  But no more."

But when she wept to him that Helena already knew and would slaughter her, his only response was to ask why she didn't come to him immediately.  She didn't have a satisfactory answer to that.  Stefan told her to leave.  She did so, telling him that she would never give up on him.  Her version of the above, I suppose.

B.  Stefan and Katherine

After she had gone, he sat, pondering, until Katherine distracted him.  He told her immediately what Alexis had said, which told me that he had absolutely made up his mind, or he would have kept her in the dark and continued to ponder.  I hope I'm wrong.  I think he does believe that Alexis is Natasha, however, and that it may indeed come to be the thing that changes his mind about her.  In the meantime, he told Katherine that he would never accept her...which in soapland is a definite sign that he'll have to eat his words one day.

C.  Nikolas and Alexis

Alexis:  "I think I've come down with this hereditary illness that strikes every generation of Cassadines.  Irony."

Alexis:  "I guess you and I aren't gonna get our heart's desire anyway.  You've been wanting to escape the Cassadines and I've been wanting to break in.  If it's any consolation to you, you really do have the better part of the deal.  It won't be long before Helena and Stefan tell you all the family secrets.  All but the one they won't even reveal to themselves.  You see, the Cassadines think they're at war with the world.  But our family is the real battleground.  And Nikolas, the problem is...I don't know what side I'm on anymore."

As tired as I am of women talking at Nikolas, I really liked this scene with Alexis--and I was very glad to see that she could get in as easily as Brenda could.  She spoke to Nikolas as he slept, telling him that the family was the real battleground, not the outside world, and that she didn't really know what side she was on anymore.  I know, though, that she's on Nikolas's side.  And part of the reason she can't take Luke up on his offer is that she isn't sure what would be the best thing for her to do in light of Nikolas's position at the middle of all of this.

D.  Nikolas, Stefan, and Katherine

Stefan:  "Nikolas, I realize this is a difficult time for you, and certainly you're entitled to your frustration.  But there also comes a time when bad health can no longer be an excuse for bad manners."

Stefan:  "And you have been hiding behind this long enough.  Now, when you return home, I will expect more from you than sorrowful eyes and a sour disposition.  If that angers you, tell me.  If you don't know how, learn."

At the beginning of Tuesday's episode, Stefan entered Nikolas's new room and started to babble about his homecoming.  Nik demonstrated his continued grumpiness in a note, saying it didn't matter.  Stefan said that it did, both to him and Katherine, then told Nikolas that he would no longer stand for his bad manners, that Nikolas should accept his condition so that he could start to correct it, and that Nikolas would no longer be allowed to use the clipboard.  Now, actually, this is exactly what I think somebody should have said to Nik, and I was glad to see it.  I hoped that this would be a battle of wills between Uncle and Nephew (Father and Son)--and dared to hope that it would bring them together in ways that would not involve Katherine.  Outside, Kat asked if Nik agreed to the speech therapist.  "Not quite."

Katherine went in to see Nik, returning the clipboard (sigh), and giving him that same recovery speech all over again.  Nikolas observed that he wasn't Katherine, but she replied that he had been there for her and that she would be there for him, if he would let her.

Back in the hallway, she agreed with Stefan that Nik wasn't ready for speech therapy.  Stefan then invited her to spend New Year's Eve with him, redefining the phrase "non-sequitur."

E.  Nikolas and Lucky

Proving that he can still surprise me, Lucky stuck his head into Nik's room.  (In her update on ratsa, Terry asked why Stefan and Kat didn't see him enter; I'm assuming that some time had passed between the NYE invite and Lucky's entrance.)  Lucky told him that he didn't do anything on purpose to bring about this "speech thing."  Nik wrote, "You ok."  And I was in the high heavens.  This little bitty scene, all but lost in the huge goings-on around it, was definitely my fave scene of the day.  Lucky so hesitant to speak, yet admitting that he didn't want to hurt Nikolas in this way and worried that Nikolas would think that he did.  Nikolas was willing to admit that he knew Lucky had nothing to do with it, and giving a general ok to his "enemy."  It was so nice, and held such promise for the future, even if it will be at the end of a very long and twisty road.

They actually chatted for a minute more about being stuck in the hospital, but of course Stefan had to enter and ruin it.  He ranted at Lucky, who simply shrugged his shoulders and left, not trying to explain (and why not a Luke and Lucky scene with them both in the hospital?!).  Nikolas tried to stop his Uncle, but Stefan wouldn't attend to what he was trying to say.

Stefan announced that Nikolas could leave.  Nikolas did leave, refusing the wheelchair Stefan held for him.  Stefan called after him, and, when caught up to him, said he was happy to see his pride still in tact.  Huh?  I figured it would be a reprimand, at this point.  Terry noted, in her update, the uncharacteristic arm around Nik's shoulders as they left the hospital.  Stefan certainly has gotten physically expressive lately, with no explanation.

Alexis watched them go.

F.  Sarah and Lizzy

While Lucky was in with Nikolas, Sarah had been watching.  Lizzy asked her if she wants to go to The Outback with her for NYE, but Sarah said no.  Kat let them know that Nikolas would be going home soon, and suggested that Sarah come out to visit once he gets settled.  Smart, Kat.  Real smart.  Sarah said she wouldn't give up.

Later, Liz went to The Outback to see about getting into the NYE party.  Felicia said it would be no problem.

G.  The Homecoming

On Wednesday, Katherine was playing Lady of the Manor with Mrs. Lansbury, giving her instructions on how to behave towards Nikolas once he arrived home.  Sarah arrived, having taken Kat up on her offer to join the welcoming committee.  While Kat seemed surprised to see her, she enthusiastically allowed her to stay.  Bad move.  Neither Stefan nor Nikolas was happy to see her when they entered.  In fact, Nikolas handed her a note saying simply, "Leave."  She did--embarrassed, hurt, and apologetic.  Stefan and Kat both started in on him, trying to be supportive, and he simply went upstairs.

Their worry is short-lived as Stefan turns her thoughts towards the future, saying that there may be good news, but it's up to her.  Later, they return to the conservatory (I miss the living room), all dressed up, having seemingly forgotten about Nikolas.  Stefan produced a jewelry box...but it's only diamonds.  Kat didn't even miss a beat, though I expected her to be disappointed.  His offer was simply that she live with him at Wyndemere, but she accepted.

II.  Brenda

A.  Brenda and Jason

Jason immediately pushed Brenda away at the beginning of Monday's episode.  He told her she was only hurting herself and not to use him to get back at Sonny; she fought him and he held her at the wrists until Jax entered and punched him out.  While they fought, with the Christmas Tree doing its best to intervene, Brenda simply retreated to the coffee table (what's her deal with sitting on coffee tables?) and rocked, staring into space.

B.  Brenda and Jax

Finally, Jax realized what she was doing, kicked Jason out, dismissed the nurse, and tried to get her to respond by talking about their past, talking around until he got to their time in Malibu (I always thought he looked like Malibu Ken) and the aboriginal charm he gave her there.  Along the way he found the angel ornament, smashed in the floor, and said that they'd find something else.  In the end, as he said that he was sure that the charm was gone, she took it from the chain around her neck and gave it to him...and he hung it on the tree.  Now, I'm pretty put out with this storyline, but it does come up with some beautiful moments...like this one.

Now talking, Brenda confessed that she initiated the kiss with Jason--that it was the ultimate revenge on Sonny.  At this point, she spoke of destroying herself before Sonny would have the chance--scaring Jax to death.  When he asked what was wrong, she admitted that she thought she was losing her mind.  Now, at that point, Jax should have taken her back to the hospital, to my mind.  But no.  He was still going to try to fix things himself.

New Year's Eve found Brenda and Jax together.  She began to complain of being restless, but when he started suggesting things they could do for the holiday, she said she didn't want to be around people or leave the house.  She told him to take care of the end of his business year, but was a bit hesitant when he actually took her up on it.  Robin called later and noted Brenda's weirdness at the beginning of the call; Brenda wasn't sure who it was and had remained silent, but she blamed the phone.  They chatted a bit and Robin asked when the special would be on.  Saved by Jax's re-entry, she got off the phone with Robin and smiled as Jax showed her what he'd brought--all the party favors they would need to celebrate NYE at home.

C.  Brenda and Ned

Brenda:  "Ya, everything's great."
Ned:  "But desperate to see me, right?"
Edward:  "Nobody can be that desperate Ned, especially Brenda.  Give her our love."
Ned:  "I'll make this fast, since I'm only allowed one phone call before I have to return to that assemblage of weirdos I call my family."

On Friday, Ned called and said he wanted to come see Brenda.  She agreed, even though Jax was surprised that she wanted company.  They spoke of Robin, and then Brenda said that she wanted the nurse to leave.  Jax asked her to let the nurse stick around for one more night because he was going out of town.  But after Jax left, Brenda told the nurse that her friend Ned would be staying and sent her home.

Ned came bearing bad news.  Brenda's financial guy was nowhere to be found, and had apparently skipped town with all of her money.  She had signed over everything to his power of attorney when she thought she was disappearing with Sonny.  I was amazed, at first, that we were going to have another disaster for Brenda this soon, but I suppose it's so we can see her handle it.  And it turns out to jump-start some thing about her career.  But I'm getting ahead of myself--a danger in falling behind on the reviews.

Meanwhile, Jax arrived in Paris to ask Robin a favor...for Brenda.  And Brenda was at home with a pair of scissors.

III.  The Baby

A.  The Emergency

At the beginning of Monday's show, Carly made it all the way to the phone but passed out before she could make the call.  As the receiver passed from automated message to beeping, Jason returned to find her on the floor bleeding.  He and Rinaldo took her to GH.

In the meantime, Bobbie had been talking to Monica about Nik and Jason, commenting that Jason was part ruthless and part good.  They wondered about Robin's reaction to all of this.  Bobbie then went to visit Nikolas, receiving the same response as always--none.  Monica reminded her that the outlook was good.  They were interrupted by the call on Carly, but Bobbie didn't know that until she got downstairs.

Jason explained what had happened and asked Bobbie to stay with her.  A nice moment, that, in the middle of a loud and busy scene (I'm sure the speeding orderlies were in there somewhere).  Carly was to have a Caesarian.  Before she went under, she pleaded with Bobbie not to let them take her baby.  Outside, Jason gazed through the window with Rinaldo by his side (My newest FGC!  He's made Joseph's passing so much easier to deal with.).

Bobbie:  "Don't you dare leave this boy without a mother, I mean it!  Don't you dare!"

And at the end of the episode, the baby was delivered and the baby pool on ratsa was over.  Unfortunately, Sarah Brown's taping schedule meant that the baby couldn't be born as late as January 6th--though I desperately wanted a Spencer to be born on my birthday.  Carly's heart stopped, and as the doctors worked, Bobbie insisted that she pull through for the baby.  The dramatic irony is getting so darned thick in this storyline!

B.  Jason and the Spencers

On Tuesday, we found out that Carly had survived, but she and the baby boy were both in critical condition--Carly unconscious and the baby with a heart condition.  Jason watched the baby through an observation window, and was joined by Bobbie, who caught Jason up on Carly's condition as well as the baby's.  Since I have no sense of medical terms, I'll just say that Carly was still unconscious and the baby had a duct in his heart that hadn't closed correctly and might need surgery.  Jason asked if the baby could still die; Bobbie says yes.  Meanwhile, we found out that Carly could still die as well, especially if she started to bleed again--cut to Carly bleeding again.  Jason said he wouldn't leave until he knew that they were both ok.

Luke:  "Jason, what's up, another drive by?"

Bobbie headed off to check on Carly, while Luke (who is often at the hospital for no apparent reason these days--not that I mind) showed up and ran into Jason.  He was stunned to hear that Carly has delivered--and that Bobbie was there.  Bobbie reentered, saying that Jason would have some decisions to make about Carly--and quickly, or they might lose her.

Dr. Newman arrived, giving Jason more medical terms and saying that Carly would need a hysterectomy.  Bobbie declared that Jason couldn't let that happen.  Luke remained silent, at one point standing against the wall with eyes downcast, while Jason turned to Bobbie, who explained her position, much to Dr. Newman's irritation.  She had been given a hysterectomy without her consent, and refused to let the same thing happen to Carly.  If this baby died, Carly would want to have another.  After much protesting from the doctor, Jason weighed his options and said that he refused the procedure--that he thought it was what Carly would want.

C.  Luke and Bobbie

Luke let the incident go without comment.  He knew exactly what Bobbie was feeling, and was playing it with a light hand.  Actually, through much of this week Luke was so silent that somebody should have noticed--but nobody did.  Again, the dramatic irony was amazingly thick, but Luke knew enough to lay low and watch and see what happened before he said much of anything.  This premature delivery threw him into the unknown, and he had to get all the facts before he could make a plan.  Besides, his sister was now smack dab in the middle of it, which changed the game a bit.

Bobbie:  "Carly may never see her son alive.  I can't think of anything sadder than that."

Bobbie:  "Incredible, isn't it?  After all the animosity between us, there I am protecting Carly Roberts."
Luke:  "Pretty bizarre.  But I have a feeling it had as much to do with you as it did with her."

Luke:  "Maybe we'll have a better year next time."

The super siblings spoke outside Carly's room, with Bobbie filling him in on the slim odds for both mother and son.  Bobbie told him that Tony was in NYC for a Rangers game with Lucas (actually, he was at The Outback with Alexis) but that she'd left a message.  She then returned to the subject of Carly, amazed that she was now protecting Carly and waxing philosophical about birth and motherhood and having a child taken away.  Luke was uncomfortable at this, and asked her to spend New Year's Eve at the house with him and Lucky.

Luke went to gaze into Carly's room, pondering, I believe, what he would tell Bobbie and when, but also seeing his sister lying in that bed, having lost a child and her ability to bear more.  Nice moment.

D.  Tony and Alexis and Felicia

Tony:  "I've been a fool for Carly for a long time.  But if she fights me on this, she will meet a brand new Tony."

On Tuesday, Tony met with Alexis at The Outback, having come back from NYC early.  Tony had decided to pursue the custody case, and they rehashed their conversation, not knowing what had gone on at the hospital.  In the end, Alexis reminded him that they'll need more dirt on Carly, and he said that he'd ask Felicia.  Felicia heard this, asked him what he wanted as Alexis left, and Tony told her (funny, she thought at first he was suing for custody of Lucas again--ha!).  Surprisingly, Felicia was outraged at Carly and said she'd to the investigation for free--community service.  Terry notes in her update:  "Apparently the writers thought that long-time viewers would get a kick out of hearing Felicia rant about the nerve of a woman planning to marry someone who might or might not be the father of her baby (since many of us would remember that Filly herself was in a similar predicament years ago)."

E.  Jason and Tony

Tony:  "I am sick of being appropriate."

Jason watched the baby while Bobbie filled him in on Carly's condition, saying that Carly would thank him for his choice.  Jason said that he would tell her everything, and that she would thank Bobbie.  Tony arrived at this point, ranting and raving and taking egocentrism to a new level.  Why hadn't Bobbie informed him?  She had left a voice mail (I wanted to add, "Why didn't you check it?").  He demanded to know the condition of *his* child.  Much glaring went on between Tony and Jason.  Jason reiterated that Tony cannot own the child, and that it belongs to Carly until it's old enough to take care of itself.  Tony ranted some more; Bobbie told him he was being inappropriate.  As he made the declaration above, the doctor arrived and told Jason that there was a problem with his son.  That managed to shut Tony up.

F.  Jason and the Quartermaines

On Wednesday, the doctor tried to explain the baby's condition but Tony continued to rant about the baby needing surgery and the decision being left up to Jason.  Jason remained unfazed.  Monica entered, was stunned by the news of the birth, and asked to be alone with Jason.  Of course Tony hated that too and Bobbie had to restrain him.  Monica asked about the child's paternity but again answered her own questions, letting Jason off the hook.  He asked her, however, to advise him about the surgery since she was a "heart doctor."  She asked to see the baby first.

Bobbie:  "BJ is all I can think of too.  But this isn't the same."

At this point, all Tony could do is rant about the fact that he would have had his blood test if he had been there on time.  Bobbie was good with him, but I she had to be wondering how she could ever love this man.  He was being awful, never once thinking about the baby, only about himself and his desire to possess it--and about rights.  And while I can understand it as well as Bobbie, it wasn't pretty.  Tony found new fuel for his rage when Jason, having taken Monica's advice but still wanting to see the statistics she offered, appeared to be seriously considering the surgery.

Jason:  "I don't know what I'm doing.  I don't think they do either.  But he's...he's hangin' on."

Monica ducked out and called home while Jason went in to see Carly.  This was such a nice scene, with him filling her in on all of his choices.  He's been so good through the entire trauma--making choices, being calm and practical, looking out for what he thinks Carly would want.  I'm so very fond of him.

AJ:  "Meaning we don't know that Jason is the father of this baby."
Alan:  "I realize how much you resent Jason, but could you for once just resent him in silence?"

Of course the Qs arrived en masse, upon hearing the news.  They were actually elated to find out that the newest Quartermaine had been born.  AJ remained silent, much to Keesha's distress, but he was very worried about the baby.  And Jason, knowing that this was neither the time nor the place, kept quiet and let them stay there.

Luke:  "Edward, you wanna buy a baby I'll give you a phone number to the black market.  This one isn't for sale."

Ned:  "And how in the hell is any of this your business?"
Luke:  "We're friends of the father, right?  Which is more than I can say for anybody else in the room."

Monica:  "I'd like to say I'm old and wise, but I am too young to be a grandmother."

Edward began to speculate on how much money it would take them to get the child away from Carly, and at that point Luke arrived with Mike to put a damper on the fun.  Alan simply beamed at Jason.  Emily was the one to directly ask Jason if he was the father, but again didn't give him the chance to answer.  The doctor returned, saying the baby should be fine.  Jason, after dismissing AJ who was actually conciliatory, thanked Monica for her advice.

Luke:  "Edward.  Happy New Year.  To you and your whole blood-sucking clan."

But the line of the day went to Luke (as always), with parting shot at the Qs.  Some people thought it was a bit harsh, but I thought it quite appropriate, given Luke's choice not to declare his real relation to the baby.  Since he's refused to admit it has Spencer blood in its veins, he can't defend it against the Qs the way he'd like to.  The line, born out of frustration, was a scream and a half, and was quite in keeping with the ongoing--yet sometimes ignored--rivalry between Luke and Edward.

G.  Bobbie

Luke:  "Jason is currently being trampled by a stampede of cloven-hoofed Quartermaines."

In the middle of the Q invasion, Luke and Bobbie shared a quiet moment outside of Carly's room.  She filled him in and was the one to finally ask him if anything was wrong, saying that he looked like he had something to tell her.  He ducked out of things without a straight answer just as Tony arrived, taking the folder from her to see Carly's blood type and demanding that she go into the OR and get the baby's blood type for him.  Later, Bobbie returned, telling him that the operation had gone well and stopping him with a look as he started to say that he would never let Jason decide things for his child again.  He took the folder again, and realized that the baby couldn't be his.  And this was yet again one of those moments where Tony manages to gain my sympathy in the middle of all of his stupid actions.

H.  The Qs

Edward:  "Luke Spencer sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong.  Ooo.  What a surprise."
Lila:  "No one could ever accuse you of behaving in that way, could they, Edward."

On Friday, the Qs sat discussing the whole baby thing when Monica and Bobbie came in.  Bobbie told them that Tony hadn't matched the blood type and that the baby was Jason's.  Emily and Monica still weren't convinced, but had no real evidence to prove their doubts to the willingly delusional Quartermaine men.

Ned:  "I know you may not understand this.  Sometimes you can be completely in love with somebody and still lose your way.  All it takes is one dark, lonely night."

Afterwards, Ned and Emily talked about how Jason could have slept with Carly when he was with Robin.  Of course, any time this comes up I expect somebody to point out that he couldn't have sex with Robin, but nobody has.  I thought it might become a Carly "proof," but no.

Later, Emily and Monica chatted.  They were both convinced that Carly was still lying about something.  Monica gave her permission to take aim at Edward any time he needed it.  Inside, Edward and Alan continued in their delusions and Emily took aim.  Monica said too much again and Alan asked her what she knew about Jason.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Alan gazed at the baby.  Tony entered, and we had a painful scene of Tony trying to garner some sympathy while Alan was too entranced with his grandson to pay much attention--but he did try.  AJ happened upon them and heard Tony say that this couldn't be his child.  AJ tried to give Tony some sympathy, but Tony insisted that AJ had been covering for Jason and Carly the whole time.  Alan, for his part, quizzed AJ on how Carly had taken care of herself during pregnancy and lauded the fact that his son and his son's son were both survivors.  At that, AJ left.  He ran into Jason and Bobbie.  Bobbie filled him in, and he told Jason that he knew that the parenthood of that child was down to the two of them.  He quizzed Jason about his feelings for the child, but Jason wasn't interested.  Later, Bobbie asked him to stay away from Carly until she was feeling better.  He said he couldn't.

I.  Carly

Carly:  "Jason, you're the only real thing in this baby's life.  Please...give him your name."

Carly woke up to find Jason there with her.  He told her everything that had gone on.  At first she thought the baby was dead, but he told her he was fine.  She pleaded with Jason to give the baby his name--she didn't want it to have the false name of "Roberts."

Carly:  "You know?  You know and you don't hate me?"

Bobbie entered, and reassured Carly that her baby's condition was not her fault.  She tried to point out the good things she had done--giving Jason power of attorney for one.  But Carly couldn't believe that Bobbie was on her side.  At one point, though, Bobbie mentioned what Carly had said in the ER.  Carly thought that she had told Bobbie her secret, but Bobbie was referring to her pleading for her child and told her that she now knew Carly loved her child more than anything.  Carly wasn't convinced; she didn't feel that love for the child now.  Again, Bobbie wasn't shocked, she simply told Carly that she wasn't terrible, she was experiencing post partum depression.  Carly wanted to go somewhere; Bobbie told her to go see her child.  Carly asked her about seeing her own baby for the first time; Bobbie told her the story.

Later Jason took her to see the baby, but she grew very upset and begged him to take her away.  She said that it was her fault that the baby was in poor health--that she was terrible and that had manifested itself in the baby.  Jason agreed, and Baby Boy Morgan was one step closer to his name.  I was so on Carly's side at this point.  Perhaps it was because of the wonderful (as always) performance of Sarah Brown that made this little plot contrivance believable.  Perhaps it was seeing the Qs ganging up on the baby in their mass delusion.  Perhaps it's because I'm on Jason's side and he's on Carly's side.  Perhaps it's a mix of all of the above.  But right now I'm squarely in the Jason/Carly camp against all comers.

Finally, I love this storyline.  I love that it's shaken up so many people, and that it's going to bring so many things to a head: Alan and AJ, Bobbie and Carly, etc.  It's about parents and children in so many ways, and about family over all.  Everyone's been wonderful, and the subtext is, at all times, superb.  Love it.

IV.  Mac and Felicia

A.  More of the Same

On Tuesday, we had Mac and Tess rehashing their same old conversation.  At one point, Tess shaved Mac with a straight razor while telling the story of Jimmy's affair, which was supposed to be tense but wasn't (although Mac looked scared).  Mac worried about Felicia.  Later, Tess went to meet Jimmy and Mac managed to get a hand free and place a call to The Outback.  Felicia, who had just spent a couple of scenes bantering with Fake Mac about decorations and resolutions, had no idea why Mac was calling when he said he'd be back in an hour.  When Fake Mac returned with a gift of champagne flutes, Felicia mentioned the phone call; Jimmy raced outside to call Tess and let her know that Mac made it to a phone.  Later, he created a blue drink and told Felicia that it matches her eyes.  She just thought Mac was hitting on her.  Not that she liked it.

B.  The Outback New Year's Eve Party

She didn't like it the next day either, as they prepared for the New Year's Eve party.  The flirting and uncomfortableness continued and continued...  Meanwhile, Dara asked Justus his permission for something she wanted to do in her show, and I knew it was about Mary Mae.  Sarah had decided to go anyway, and Lizzy admitted that she'd only come there because Lucky had mentioned he would be there.  Since when was her crush on Lucky a known fact between them?

Dara:  "This first song is in memory and in honor of somebody whose life and example meant a lot to me.  Somebody I didn't know, but somebody who sang this song better than I ever will.  Mary Mae Ward."

And at the close of the show, Dara sang "God Bless the Child," a song Mary Mae used to sing, to bring in the New Year.  It was a beautiful song, and I like it when they use cast members in the musical montages.  In her update, Mary described the montage, something I usually lose, since I work from audio--and memory--only.  We had Jax and Brenda happily celebrating NYE--and I was happy to see them.  For all of their mutual delusions, Jax is very good at making her happy in the midst of her trouble.  And she needs moments of peace and happiness right now.  We had Stefan and Kat kissing, with Nikolas brooding alone outside.  We had Lizzie with a small bottle of champagne she had most likely stolen...until Felicia took it back.  We had Felicia and Fake Mac.  We had Tony, alone and miserable.  We had Luke watching over Bobbie, who was watching over Carly.  We had the Qs watching over the baby.  And, finally, we had the baby.  So cute!  And the one character who's perhaps going to bring the most upheaval to the citizens of Port Chuckles in the year to come....