The Week in Review: March 9 - March 13

It was one of those weeks with a lot of fantastic individual scenes but also some repetition--one of those weeks that doesn't, finally, hold together.  Lots of the storylines seem unrelated right now, and even characters who should be involved in another's life aren't.  I hope that Guza can work towards some better integration.  At the same time, we did have the beginning of the Mac/Jax involvement, with the people around them, as well as a visit between Luke and Carly, which we haven't had forever.  At any rate, it was a good week, if not great, setting up for some of the wonderful stuff to come.

I.  The Cassadines

A.  Katherine and Stefan

Katherine:  "I don't know how you do it."
Stefan:  "What's that?"
Katherine:  "Make stubbornness look so...attractive."
Stefan:  "Well, you call it stubbornness; I call it adherence to the truth."
Katherine:  "Well whatever it is, it's adorable."
Stefan:  "Adorable....  Well, that is the first time anyone has ever ascribed that particular trait to me."

On Monday, after some mushiness (I think that somebody should become FGC Stefan, Keeper of his Adorableness), Katherine found the check that Stefan had written to Robin in his coat pocket.  She was angry with him and demanded an explanation.  Stefan explained that he was concerned about Robin's association with Jason, but that wasn't good enough for Katherine.  She told him that he was afraid of things that weren't there and was overprotective and controlling of those he loved.  Actually, to a degree, she was correct.  And I thought that this incident with Robin was a bit contrived, probably to give us this scene, as well as to set up Robin and Nik as star-crossed friends.  But they haven't sold this past conflict thing to me.

Stefan:  "I am her son.  If anyone knows of her inability to love...to have real feelings...it's me."

Katherine then made this weird leap to these exaggerated threats to Helena.  She wondered if perhaps Stefan didn't see Helena clearly.   Stefan told her that his mother was a monster and that she was indeed a dire threat.  Personally, I wished we could see more of her motivations and more evidence that she poses a clear and present danger.  Stefan is doing too good of a job of neutralizing her, for my taste.  Let Helena shine!  Of course, it's sad that in a scene where she isn't present, she's the character I'm most interested/invested in....

B.  Nikolas

While Stefan and Kathy talked, Nikolas was visiting Sarah at her house after leaving Lucky.  She had phoned Katherine about him, who had told her to expect a visit, so she was elated.  He apologized for his past behavior, but their awkward scene made it clear that his feelings had changed while hers had not.  His skirmish with Lucky wasn't the only thing that was bothering him, and it seemed that it was going to be impossible for them to put their relationship back together.

Nikolas:  "Well I've already learned one lesson.  Sometimes what you feel inside's more important than what you say."

He returned to the island and told Katherine of his visit to Sarah.  He wasn't happy.  I was just bored.

C.  Nikolas and Stefan

On Tuesday, Nikolas read Laura's letter again.  In it, she said that she was certain that her two sons would find peace someday.  Nikolas was beginning to feel guilty about blurting out the truth to Lucky, both because of his mother and his half-brother, I think.  And he was concerned that Stefan wouldn't be happy either.  He asked his Uncle whether he was sure about the rape, and how they knew.  Stefan tells him that the proof is available, but doesn't tell Nik (or us) how he knows.  I assumed that he had put 3 and 3 together and actually gotten 6, based on public records, hints (perhaps) from Laura, etc.  But Terry tells me that she's convinced that Laura told Stefan about the rape while they were on the island.  Stefan also said that Nikolas was free to ask questions of those who would know--Scotty and others.  I don't know if that's how Stefan's so sure or what.  I hate that this was left so unclear, and I'm hoping that we eventually get to hear how Stefan knows, since that's the thing that chaps my hide right now about this whole thing.

Nikolas than admitted that he had told Lucky, and explained the situation.  Stefan was quiet, but then said that Lucky would find out the truth for himself.  Luke should never, Stefan said, have thought that he could keep this secret (And of course we know Stefan never keeps any secrets that could turn around and bite him on the butt.  I love how these two men--Luke and Stefan--are so similar and yet so critical of each other.).  Stefan didn't blame Nikolas, and instead praised him for volunteering the truth.  He told Nik to prepare for Luke's imminent arrival, since Luke would refuse to take the blame himself and would come to confront them.  So true.

This was the best Cassadine scene of the week--this and the scene with Stefan and Lucky.  I can almost see the real Stefan--his original incarnation--in his scenes with these two young men, these two sons of Laura.  I know that multitudes of people adore the Stefan/Katherine pairing, but I can't stand it.  It was born in crappy writing, and has never been convincing to me.  When I see Nichols/Stefan in scenes with other people--with Spencers, with his own family--I am always disappointed with the way in which this character was handled in the time Guza was gone.  Give me Stefan in business and in family and in intrigue.  But Stefan as a romantic lead?  Well, his relationship with Katherine is more interesting to me when she isn't on the screen with him, and that's sad.

D.  The Wedding Shower

On Wednesday we were treated to an awful sequence of scenes when Kathy gave Felicia that wedding shower that she had promised (she hadn't even asked Stefan about the party!).  I think we were supposed to find it sad that Kathy wasn't having her own party, but I was just surprised everybody showed up.  We had Robin holding a present--a black negligee--up to her and Nikolas rounding the corner just in time to exchange a bemused/embarrassed look with her (it was good only because it showed that Robin was contemplating sex--most likely with Jason); we had everyone convinced that Kathy's plumber was actually a stripper; we had an embarrassing display of affection with Kathy and Stefan in front of everybody--completely out of character for him, even if he did want to flaunt their relationship in others' faces or use this public event to convince himself that he wasn't thinking about Laura.  And Felicia was told them that she wasn't really marrying Mac, but they thought that it was just cold feet and we had more of the overdone adulation from the others--as if this marriage would be the end all, be all of romance in Port Chuckles.  I was glad to see a bit of a scene between Bobbie and Monica commiserating about their lost grandson, but other than that this part of Wednesday's show was a waste.  The only fun part was when Mrs. Lansbury entered, carrying a bag containing Kat's risqué gift for Felicia, and Nikolas teased her about it--teased Mrs. Lansbury, that is.  Too cute!

E.  Robin and the Cassadines

After making a date for another dinner at Cafe Matisse with Nikolas and leaving the shower, Robin went to the bridge, where Helena approached her.  She thanked Robin for helping Nikolas, but Robin rebuffed her coldly.  After she left, Helena noted that it was a start.  I wasn't sure at this point what Helena wanted with Robin; I suspected she wanted to use her as a route to Nikolas, since Kat wasn't working out.

On Friday, Nikolas was having lunch with Sarah at the Grill, and she found hope in the fact that he had remembered that she had mentioned that she liked the cake there.  Robin arrived with Jax, however, and Nikolas's obvious happiness at seeing her wiped that hope away again.  Robin left Jax in Brenda's proverbial hands and came to join them.  Nikolas was more than happy to let her stay and Sarah was less.  Nikolas and Robin proceeded to discuss all manner of things that Sarah knew little about--very insensitive--and Sarah was left to grow more and more unhappy and desperate.  When Robin left, finally, Sarah meekly suggested that she'd like to go with Paris, and Nikolas willfully misunderstood and told her that perhaps her family could go to Europe sometime.  She made her point more clearly, saying that she wanted to go with him, and he uncomfortably said that would be nice.  It was very clear to me that Nikolas was out of love with Sarah, was falling in love with Robin, and that Sarah realized it all.

These scenes were only slightly less nauseating than the summer of teeny-bopper crap.  I'm ready for them to write Sarah off--perhaps she can join the Peace Corps.  I might like to see Nik and Robin together, if they weren't so isolated from the rest of things--does Mac even know about their friendship?  But I'm afraid we're headed to Robin and Jason together.  But even that would be better than that.

II.  The Spencers

A.  Lucky

Lucky said that he refused to believe Nikolas on Monday.  He said Nikolas was doing it just to turn him against his father.  Nikolas then coldly gave him the date of the rape and told him to look it up for himself.  At this point, I would have hoped that Nikolas had calmed down enough not to make things worse, but at the same time I understood his agitation.

Despite his protests, Lucky went to the library.  Some people criticized the logistics of the microfilm reader (but why wouldn't all of the Spencer articles be catalogued on the same film?), but I liked the progression of the scene.  It was as if Lucky was pulling up all of the articles that would prove his faith in his father--the mayoral election, the Ice Princess, etc.--before looking up the last date on his list.  But finally he turned to the date Nik had given him and saw the brief mention of the rape.  The piece proved nothing, giving no names, but was enough to make Lucky look further.

B.  Luke and Lucky

On Tuesday, Laura called home and Lucky started fishing.  He asked her about meeting Luke, and she said that it was love at first sight (of course we didn't hear her, but he related her answers to us).  Now, I love that answer, because of course there was some attraction for Luke from the beginning, but she didn't admit it for quite a while.  Her rewriting of history was so quick, based in habit.  But when Lucky pushed, asking her if there had ever been any doubt, she changed the subject, asking him if he was interested in a girl.  Not a denial, or an example of denial--she remembers quite clearly what happened, but she's not talking about it.  On any other day, Lucky might have bought it.  But again, this evasion was enough to make him keep searching for the truth.

Luke:  "80s, eww.  Jurassic era.  Well, if you read anything about me, it is true I was mayor of Port Chuckles...briefly...but everything else is lies."
Lucky:  "Well, there was actually some pretty complimentary hero stuff, Dad."
Luke:  "Oh.  That was always a matter of opinion."
Lucky:  "There's also some bad stuff about Nikolas's father."
Luke:  "Stavros.  Well, there should've been.  A lower life scum never graced a morgue slab."

Luke:  "Somethin' you need to tell me?"
Lucky:  "No.  Just more of the same, you know?"
Luke:  "Lizzie?"
Lucky:  "I'm lookin' for the truth.  It's not even about revenge anymore, Dad.  Just tryin' to find the truth."
Luke:  "Well maybe you'll find it.  Or maybe it'll find you."

Luke entered, looking for his calculator as he was finishing his taxes and lamenting his sucky math skills (I like that in him), and Lucky continued to ask questions.  I was struck by the fact that he wasn't asking straight out.  He was playing it rather like his father--gathering information before making his move, or even making his final judgment.  But I knew that he feared that he already knew the truth, which was the other reason he wasn't asking straight out.  Instead he told Luke a version of the story--all about the newspaper accounts, which he said were part of a school history project--and mentioned Stavros's death.  Luke, of course, had a few choice words to say about him, and Lucky latched on to the idea that Cassadines would paint Luke in a bad light any chance they got (though I would note again that Luke's doing the same thing--the parallels and ironies in this storyline are too beautiful).  But even that thought wasn't going to bring him much comfort.  Luke asked if there was something that Lucky needed to tell him--he could tell Lucky was holding something back.  Lucky said that it was about the truth.  Luke should be worried.

C.  Lucky and Scotty

Scotty:  "Well...you know...you can be married to somebody and not know everything about them.  I, um, didn't understand that at the time, but I do now."

I was so happy to see Scott back on GH!  I was hoping we'd get a repeat of the Luke/Scotty greeting for the GH watchers, but no such luck.  What we got was great, though.  Lucky approached him, asking questions, and finally asked who raped his mother--asked if it was his father--asked what he already knew.  Such nice repetition--first Bobbie asking everybody about Carly before coming to Luke, then Lucky searching the library in concentric circles, coming closer and closer to the two people in the middle.

Scotty:  "Ya know, you're...you got quite a...a lot of your mother in ya.  Ya got her eyes...pretty blue eyes like your mother.  But ya got your father's personality."

Lucky:  "You're afraid of him."
Scotty:  "Of your father?  No."
Lucky:  "Ya.  I know you're not protecting him.  And you must hate him for how my mom chose him over you."
Scotty:  "I did, Lucky.  I did once."
Lucky:  "No, you still do.  That's why you're talkin' like a fortune cookie.  You don't have the guts to bad mouth my father."

As for the question, Lucky egged Scotty on, hoping to goad him into a revelation.  But Scotty, I think, saw not only the pain this would cause Laura, but also saw himself, wanting so badly for Laura to tell him who raped her those many years ago.  And now, as a father, he saw also how this would hurt Lucky.  And he wasn't willing to be the one to do it.  Lucky was counting on the bad blood between Luke and Scotty; what he doesn't understand is that Scotty has changed.  I was glad to see it, and I loved these scenes.

Lucky backed off and asked how harmed Laura was, and Scotty told him that she hadn't been harmed physically, (remember that, kid!), but that she had been emotionally hurt.  This small amount of information, however, drove Lucky to continue his search.  He went from there to the records room at the hospital (Believable?  Maybe not.), taking another step further in to the center.  He pulled up the file and read the physical reports.  He read also that she hadn't named her rapist on the night of the attack even though the police were notified.

D.  Bobbie and Luke

Luke:  "What'd I do now?"
Bobbie:  "Nothing.  I was on my way to work and I found myself in your driveway."
Luke:  "Ya?  Guess that means your car has forgiven me."

Luke came home to find Bobbie waiting for him.  He wanted to think that this meant that she'd forgiven him, but she was really there for some support.  And I think that no matter how angry Bobbie ever is with him, she always can separate that part of their relationship from the good.  Or usually, at least.  :)  Especially when she really needs him.

Luke:  "That's impossible.  They'd have to go through his father."
Bobbie:  "Michael was with Carly.  Actually, it was their first time out together."
Luke:  "And she lost the kid?  Ha-ha!  Has she gone postal again?"

She told Luke about the kidnapping, and his response utterly cracked me up--especially the chuckle.  I was waiting for her to bash Carly some more, but this time she admitted that she thought Carly was terrified.  She had calmed down, and was able to face her fears and her feelings for Carly--of course, she couldn't express this to Carly yet.

Luke wanted to get involved, but she made him promise not to interfere--unless Jason asked him, he said.  He made some crack, and she told him that this wasn't about their quarrel; it was about Michael's safety.  And she didn't want him causing trouble.  She was thinking of B.J., and that's why she had come to him--to family.  She also spoke of holding Carly before they took her away, and said that no matter what else, Carly didn't deserve to have her child kidnapped.  She never wanted her daughter to know what it feels like to lose a child.  Such a breakthrough!  And I couldn't wait for the moment when Bobbie could speak to Carly about all of this.  At the same time, I want that to be a long time coming, because I want to enjoy the process towards mother/daughter bonding.

E.  Lucky and Elizabeth

Lizzie:  "Is it so important that you stare at Wyndemere right now?"
Lucky:  "No.  You want me to go with you?"

Elizabeth found Lucky on the docks, looking towards Spoon Island, on Thursday.  She asked him to go with her to the police station; they wanted to interview her further.  He agreed.  Dara and Garcia asked her some questions, and Liz retold the story of the rape.  It's been interesting to me (of course) to listen to how she retells this event to different people, and this was the most detailed story she's told, I believe--and it was to provide a great companion piece to Luke's monologue the following Monday.  This was a new story, told by Liz in place of Laura, whose story we may yet hear.  And Becky Herbst more than held her own in the monologue department.  Liz spoke of how she got through the actual act by letting herself not be there, somehow.  And, sadly, she admitted that she knew she could do little to catch her rapist, since she had made poor choices immediately following the act, ridding herself of all evidence.  After she was done, Audrey arrived, and Liz went to the restroom to compose herself.

F.  Lucky and Stefan

Lucky:  "I want an answer."
Stefan:  "From me?  I'm intrigued."

Stefan:  "Why come to me seeking your family's truth?  Are you saying you would take my word?"
Lucky:  "If you promise to be honest for once in your life."
Stefan:  "And why should I?"

Stefan:  "Whatever choices your mother made...cannot be judged by ordinary standards.  You see, Laura is unique in her capacity for love--and forgiveness--for self-delusion.  In any event, they've obviously served her well."

After he was done with Liz, Lucky returned to the docks.  He asked Stefan a different version of the question; he asked why Stefan had lied about his parents.  He tried the same tactics he used with Scotty, and the still weren't working as he'd planned.  Again, like Bobbie, he went to the enemy to hear the truth.  Stefan, however, didn't give a perfectly straight answer either, and looked sad.  He refused to admit it was a lie, however, and gave Lucky further reason to believe Nikolas's statement was the truth.  It's interesting to me to see the responses of Scotty and Stefan--two men who have loved Laura--to Lucky's questions.  I think they declined to answer for the very same reason--they don't want to hurt Laura's son for Laura's sake.

G.  Lucky and Bobbie

Lucky:  "Cause you wanted the truth.  No matter how much it hurt it was better than a lie."
Bobbie:  "I thought so."

Bobbie:  "You have to ask your father."
Lucky:  "No, I don't."

Lucky continued on in his spiraling in towards his father on Friday as he confronted Bobbie at the Brownstone.  He demanded an answer.  His tone had changed completely, and he insisted that his father had been wrong to keep the truth about Carly from her, even if it was to protect her.  I loved her response--so many meanings.  I remembered the scene at Kelly's not so long ago when he said exactly the opposite--nice work.  Bobbie hesitantly agreed with him, worried about where this was heading.  She didn't have to wait long.  Lucky asked her flat out whether Luke raped Laura, and Bobbie started to hedge.  Lucky slammed him hand on the table and demanded an answer again.  Bobbie simply told him that he had to ask his father.  He said that he didn't, and left.  By this time, he knew the truth.  If it weren't true, Bobbie at least would have told him so.  Bobbie rang Luke at the club and got the machine; she told him to call her and that it was an emergency.

H.  Lucky and Luke

By the end of Friday, we had a beautiful set-up for Monday's show, and I was awaiting it with both eagerness and trepidation.  I knew what was coming, and I knew it would be fantastically written and played, but I also knew that it would be painful to watch.  For Lucky heard Bobbie call the machine at the house and knew she was calling about Lucky's questions.  He prepared to take off, getting the backpack out of the closet and checking to see that the money was still there.  It seemed that he already knew the truth and wasn't going to confront his father--perhaps didn't want to--but Luke entered, forcing the issue.  Luke could immediately tell that there was a problem, and asked what was going on, laying his hand on his son.  Lucky told Luke not to touch him, but said nothing else.  Luke's face was perfect--he knew what Lucky knew, and he knew that they would have to have it out.

III.  Carly and Jason

A.  The Kidnapping

As Monday's episode began, Carly was frantically looking for Michael.  My personal favorite moment was when she actually looked under the lobby couch, as if he'd gotten out of his stroller and rolled under there.  It was actually quite real, but quite funny at the same time.  Jason arrived to meet them for lunch, and they realized that Michael had been kidnapped.  Jason immediately thought of Moreno; I immediately thought of Tony.  He took no time to comfort Carly, but he didn't blame her either.  He convinced her, however, to let him find Michael without involving the police.  But the clerk had already rung the police and Taggert and Garcia arrived shortly.  They questioned Carly and Jason and told everybody to remain silent about the kidnapping.  I was looking forward to see how the cops and Jason worked together.  So far it wasn't well.

Bobbie:  "What did you do, Carly?  Pop in for a facial and leave your son to fend for himself?"
Carly:  "This is not my fault."
Bobbie:  "Did somebody hold a gun to your head?"
Carly:  "No."
Bobbie:  "Then there's no excuse."

Carly, though, had already called Bobbie.  I loved that she instinctively called her mother, but I was not pleased with Bobbie's response to Carly (I loved her response to the cops, demanding answers), though I understood that it came out of fear and anger.  When she arrived, she accused Carly of allowing her baby to be stolen because she didn't want to be a mother anymore.  Carly snarked back about Bobbie's own mothering skills.  Jason told them both to shut up.  At this point, Bobbie had the gall to offer her help, and Carly rejected her.  Jason then told Carly that she hadn't done this on purpose and made her concentrate on getting Michael back--he insisted that he would get Michael back.  And Brenda says he's not an optimist.

Carly:  "Jason...do you think he's afraid?"
Jason:  "I hope not.  We got work to do."

Their parting lines at the end of the episode demonstrated the difference between them right now.  She sobbed out her line, softly pleading for some reassurance from him.  And he was locked in focus on the goal of getting Michael back, with no time for reassurances.

B.  Carly and Jason Visit the Qs

On Tuesday, Carly awoke from a nap calling for Michael.  Benny arrived with the update, but there was no news on the street.  Carly grew weepy, but Jason refused to jump to any conclusions.  He was convinced that the kidnapping was personal because of Moreno's behavior and the lack of demands, and Carly immediately assumed that meant the Quartermaines.  I was surprised at that, actually, because it would seem to me that she'd immediately think of Tony, since he's low man on her totem poll.  But she decided to go and talk with Edward, intending to promise them not to press charges and then go ahead and do it once Michael was back--crack me up.  She managed to convince Jason to take her to the Q mansion.

Edward:  "To what do we owe this appearance?  You collecting for the Old Felons' Home?"

Jason:  "I'm askin' you nice.  Where is he?"

When they arrived, the usual crowd is conveniently there (nobody ever seems to arrive at a house to find nobody at home, no matter what time of day or night, unless, of course, that's the convenient thing).  Jason demanded Michael from Edward, and everybody is shocked at the news.  Bobbie, who was conveniently visiting, shouted at Carly for not doing as the police asked, but Jason said it was his idea.  Jason again demanded the kid from Edward, and this time everybody looked towards Edward, half expecting him to have the kid.

Edward was flabbergasted, and Bobbie stepped in to tell the whole story.  Her version painted Carly as a worthless mother who allowed--perhaps willed--her child to be kidnapped, and I was so angry with her.  Carly began to defend herself, and mentioned the call from Edward.  She claimed that he set her up, and Edward left.  Jason followed.  AJ, in the meantime, took up where Bobbie left off.  In the end, he actually said that if he knew where her child was, he would keep him away from her forever.  Now, that's not going very far towards building my sympathy for AJ, though I definitely have some.  But the way they're setting us up right now gives that sympathy no support.  We've never seen AJ with the child (at this point), and he's back to snarking at Carly.  But at the same time, I *love* watching this play out.

Edward, in the meantime, has made it to the front door, where Taggert and Garcia stop him.  They asked questions about the attempted kidnapping in January while Jason listened carefully.  Edward had this half-cheesy/half-cool moment where he dropped an expensive vase on the floor to show just how much he cared about money compared to family.  Despite the showmanship, Jason believed him, and told the cops so.  They were angry that the Qs had found out, and made it very clear that nobody else was to know.  I love it when anybody gets heavy-handed with the Qs.

Taggert reamed out Jason for telling the Qs, and Carly defended him, blaming herself.  She did a better job of scolding herself than anybody else in the room could, until Edward came to her, hugged her, and told her that she was not to blame.  Now, Edward had ulterior motives.  We all know that.  But he proved himself a master of manipulation in that moment.  And at the same time, I'm not sure that he was completely unmoved by Carly's calm declaration of blame.  But I was proud of Carly for taking credit for her mistake, and I was happy to see her not letting Jason take the heat for coming to the Qs.  Bobbie, on the other hand?  I hoped that she saw Edward model the right thing to do, even if it was for the wrong reasons.

Taggert and Jason talked motives and AJ butted in.  Jason told him that *he* was still a suspect and to butt right back out.

Back at home, Jason started talking out loud about the motive for the kidnapping.  Jason ruled out money, since there had been no demands.  Carly started going through the list--not the Qs, not Moreno, then some wacko...Tony Jones!  It took her long enough.  I was glad to see that Jason had already taken action on that thought.  He warned her not to tip off Tony.

C.  Carly and Justus

Justus:  "But clearly Jason sees something in you the rest of us don't, and I'm starting to trust his judgment."

Justus:  "But he is a very well established, well respected member of this community."
Jason:  "Who also happens to be cracking up."

On Thursday, Justus arrived at the penthouse.  Carly and Justus discussed their relationship, and he told her that he didn't hate her--but they weren't friends either.  He didn't trust her, and said something that implied that he believed her to be partly at fault for Tony's behavior.  Carly continued to blame herself for the kidnapping, hoping, perhaps, to elicit some sympathy for Justus.  He wasn't harsh with her, but he wasn't won over, either.  Jason arrived, and they all talked about the possibility that Tony's the kidnapper, and then Carly took a walk, upset to hear that there was no proof and next to nothing that they could do (I think she should have more faith in Jason, but she's not used to trusting anybody but herself).  Jason said that he wasn't ready to talk to Tony.  Jason and Justus discussed Carly as well as Michael.

D.  Tony

Carly:  "Don't you dare jump to his defense.  What is with you?  Can you just not help yourself?  Are you too stupid?"
Tony:  "Don't talk to Bobbie like that."
Carly:  "Why not?  Cause sh...she's my loving mother who thought I kidnapped my own son?"
Bobbie:  "I was wrong, and I apologize."

She headed, of course, for Tony.  She demanded to know where her child was, and Tony appeared calm--too calm.  He pretended, unconvincingly, to be surprised.  He was good enough to get her to leave, but not without a few parting and deserved words for Bobbie.  And after she had gone he quizzed Bobbie about the kidnapping.  He actually had the nerve to all but say, "I told you so."

E.  Jason and Taggert

Jason: "And he could be cryin' right now.  And there's nothin' I can do."

Jason was showing more emotion than we've ever seen from him over the missing Michael.  Taggert arrived in the middle of Jason's conversation with Justus, and Justus immediately got his hackles up.  Taggert wanted to tap the phone, but Justus suspected that he wanted to use the kidnapping to gather information against Jason.  Taggert left after declaring that Jason would be the one to kill his own son if he didn't cooperate.

Back at the station, we had what was, perhaps, my favorite Taggert scene yet.  Dara told him that she was thinking of taking him off the case, and Taggert told her that in his first kidnapping case, he was too gentle with the family and the little girl died.  He would not have that happen again, even if the father was public enemy #1.  His telling of the story convinced me even more than it seemed to convince Dara, even though she was clearly moved.  She's still suspicious, but was willing to let him stay on the case.  I like Taggert more and more as we get to know him better.  He's become less monomaniacal, and more sympathetic.  I would really like to see him get that relationship with Dara so he'd get some more time and we could know him better.  I'd like Garcia to have a story too.  Of course, I wanted to see a Grace/Garcia pairing over on PC, but that clearly won't happen now....

F.  Carly and Jason

Jason:  "But Michael can't do anything except wait for me to find him.  Now, if I think about that too long, I will go crazy.  And then I won't be able to do Michael any good at all."
Carly:  "Why don't you hate me?"
Jason:  "Because I let it happen just as much as you."

Jason:  "We'll find him."
Carly:  "I know we will."

When Carly returned home, Jason told her that he had been to the police station and given them permission to put a tap on the phone lines.  All of them.  He had told everybody he wanted to protect to call on the cell phone.  She told him that she was at the hospital, and he told her he already knew.  He had been tailing Tony since the night Michael was taken.  Carly said that Tony was surprised; I couldn't believe that she bought his act.  Jason said that Tony wouldn't be able to leave.  He also told her not to act on her own, because she'd make a mistake.  She asked if he was scared, and he said he was.  And that was the reason he had to be careful.  I'm only on audio, since I'm away from home, but I think this is the point at which Jason went and sat on the sofa, and Carly sat down beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.  He didn't move to hold her, but I think she felt better anyway.

G.  Carly and her Callers

Rinaldo:  "Carly, Luke Spencer's here."
Carly:  "Is he allowed to...just walk in...any time he wants...like that?"
Rinaldo:  "Well, he's a friend of Jason's."
Luke:  "Rinaldo, I'll explain things to my niece.  Thanks."

Luke:  "Well, I'll wait."
Carly:  "Fine.  Do whatever you want.  You're gonna do it anyway."

While Bobbie and Lucky were both looking for Luke on Friday, he was at the penthouse looking for Jason.  I loved his entrance, and I loved that he called Rinaldo by name (a scene with two of my FGCs!).  Carly didn't want him to stay, so of course he did.  He was going to offer his help to search for Michael, and Carly tried to deflect things by complaining that Bobbie had told him.  Luke dismissed that.  Then she complained that Bobbie hadn't been sympathetic, and he wrote that off too.  He grew frustrated that she wasn't listening and was instead throwing around attitude, and she grew more frustrated that he was waiting.  I was thrilled to see Uncle and Niece together again after so long, and looked forward to these scenes.  They weren't as wonderful as I wanted, though.  Luke made it clear that he didn't blame Carly for the kidnapping (she seemed surprise), but he didn't find her blameless, either.  She should have been more careful; should have known that her "old man has powerful enemies."

Luke:  "I'm offering my assistance to my partner in searching for my lost nephew."

Their scenes didn't have time to escalate, unfortunately, because Edward arrived.  I think she let him in just so she wouldn't have to deal with Luke solo.  This meant that we did get some Luke/Edward stuff, of which I am a big fan, but Luke left Carly to her fate fairly quickly.  I knew he wasn't just waiting for Jason....

Edward:  "After all, I...I pay her wages and I own the house."
Carly:  "Wait a minute, I thought Monica said that she owned the house."
Edward:  "Good lord, you know more about us than I realized."

Edward again gave Carly the thing she couldn't find anywhere else--effusive reassurance.  And he was in rare form, after Luke's presence proved to him that the Spencers were the competition.  And, again, his motives were anything but pure.  He invited Carly to move into the Q mansion, but she refused.  They sat down to tea (crack me up!), and Carly mentioned the housekeeper, prompting Edward to comment on Cook's rule of his house.  Carly noted that it was Monica's house.  Ha!  But Edward can never help but undermine his own cause by laying blame on Jason.

Carly:  "That's a key to this penthouse.  Jason gave that to me for Christmas last year.  It's the most valuable thing that I own.  See it says right here, it says 'Caroline'?  That's because he knew even way back then who I really was and he never told anyone.  I showed up on his doorstep pregnant with a baby that I had been passing off as another man's for months.  I blew a hole through the middle of his life.  But he never once hesitated to help me or do what I needed.  You understand that Jason is the kind of person that people dream their whole lives of having, a friend like him, of having somebody like him be the father of their child?  Michael and I are...are incredibly lucky.  Nothing you can ever say will ever make me doubt Jason.  So if that's why you came here...you should leave."

But this time, Carly gave a beautiful response to Edward's accusations.  She showed him the key chain with "Caroline" engraved on it that Jason had given her for Christmas--her most valued possession.  Terry was kind enough to transcribe the above lines in her update; they were beautifully written and presented.  Edward changed tactics, moving on to Jason's business and the danger it posed to the child.  If something were to happen to Jason, would others in his organization be as willing to put the baby first?  And I found this cruel, giving Carly something else to worry about at this point in time.

H.  Jason and Tony

Tony:  "I mean, why are you searching for Michael?  Just cause Carly asked you?  Because obviously you don't feel; you're not gonna feel for a child, are you, Jasey boy?"
Jason:  "You know where he is.  And one way or another, you're gonna tell me."

Meanwhile, Jason and his entourage showed up at Tony's cabin.  They burst into the house, and as the men began to search the house, Jason forced Tony to sit down and wait.  At first, Tony protested.  But then Jason pulled up another chair very close to the good doctor, and started putting bullets in a gun.  Tony's reactions proved to me that he's wacked.  He was very calm, as if he knew Jason wouldn't kill him (I didn't know that; I still don't).  Jason said that he had never liked Tony, and that he resented Tony's treatment of him after the accident.  Tony was the one to teach Jason what it meant to be brain damaged--that it meant that you were something broken that couldn't be fixed.  It was convincing reasoning, but I was sorry, in part, to see that Tony had been right all of those times when he had said that Jason hated him for that period of time.

Jason:  "Your diagnosis is wrong, Dr. Jones.  Oh, I can feel.  I can hate.  Cause I hate you.  Where's Michael?"

Jason continued, talking about Michael.  It was the same thing we've heard before, but the delivery was excellent.  He said that Michael wasn't an "it," or a belonging.  Tony had no right to take him from the people that loved him--Jason and Carly.  And he's right.  Tony deals with Michael in very selfish ways; I don't believe for a minute that he took Michael for the child's own good.  Jason grew quiet (and, as Terry pointed out, more menacing) again and demanded that Tony look at him.  When he wouldn't, one of the men forced him to do so.  Jason then delivered the most amazing line, above.

Tony smiled that annoying smile that I was to grow so tired of in the following days, but he didn't have time to refuse to answer Jason because Taggert and Garcia arrived just then.  Tony then dropped his cool facade and played the victim, screaming about arrests and demanding justice for Jason's intrusion.  They went through the motions, but were really there to search the house.  Garcia asked Tony to show him through the house and point out any damage the men had done, and Taggert asked Jason if he'd found out anything.  I was suspicious, at one point, as to whether Taggert and Jason had worked this out, but they hadn't.  But Taggert had been smart enough to capitalize on Jason's illegal entry, since they couldn't get a search warrant.  When Tony returns with Garcia, he said that he wouldn't press charges because he was on his way out of town.

I.  Jason

Jason returned home with Justus, and Rinaldo caught him up on the visitors.  Carly was gone on a walk.  Justus wondered at Edward's visit, but Jason knew.  He told Justus that Edward was using Carly to get to Michael, and Justus asked if Carly knew this; he was concerned.  Jason said that he had told her, but didn't know if she was convinced.  They then discussed the events at Tony's cabin, and Jason was upset that they had found nothing to point to Tony as the kidnapper.  He was convinced, however, that Tony was lying.  Justus asked if perhaps Jason wanted to believe it was Tony because it made sense, and Jason actually listened to him.  I didn't buy that.  If Jason were convinced, he wouldn't have been swayed.  But at the same time, I took it as the best sign that Jason's in unknown territory now.  This isn't following the rules of business, but, more importantly, he is feeling so many emotions that he hasn't known before that he doesn't know how to feel or act.

Jason:  "You're right, Justus, what you don't know is worse. Justus, I'm not used to being afraid."

Carly:  "You would give anything to get Michael back, right?"
Jason:  "I would give my life."

Jason asked Justus to talk to Moreno and see if he catches any clues to Michael's whereabouts, but he was worried that this was simply a random act.  Justus tried to reassure him.  Jason then called Benny and told him to refocus their people on Moreno, since they hadn't seen any indication or found any evidence that Tony was keeping a baby.  Carly arrived home, and knew immediately that Tony hadn't had the child.  Jason said that the kidnapping was obviously a set-up, and that he was back to suspecting Moreno.  Carly asks for reassurance, and this time (above), he gives her exactly what she needs to hear.

From this, we cut to Mercy Hospital and a nurse holding Michael, talking to somebody we didn't see.  She was reporting the baby's condition, and as she did, we pulled back to see the nurse and then Tony.  In a perverse variation of Jason's bedtime talks, Tony held Michael after the nurse left and told him of his plans.  Creepy.  Brad Maule is doing a fantastic job, and I have faith that I will come to be more sympathetic with Tony again in the future, but right now the performance and the actions are icky.  I have no sympathy for Tony, even though I understand his actions.

IV.  Mac and Felicia

When Felicia returned from her shower on Wednesday, she found Tess behind the bar.  Tess had, while Felicia was gone, told Mac that she would stick close to keep an eye on him.  But she told Felicia that she had really needed the job.  Felicia took it all in stride, ordering Tess to clean some tables and, when she balked, asking her if she could handle the job.  Too funny.

On Thursday, we had more forced scenes with Mac and Felicia, with him nuzzling and her squirming.  Methinks the lady doth protest too much.  Tess commented, and quizzed "Jimmy" on their sex life.  Mac dodged the questions well enough, but I think the two sleuths are acting weird enough that there's no way Tess won't be suspicious.

Meanwhile, Brenda showed up at Jax's penthouse to give him a gift of children's books which he used to love (does it strike her, ever, that she should strive for originality?).  They chatted a bit, until Brenda saw the tabloid story about herself, complete with quote from Mac.  It was what Jax was so distracted about when she entered.  They went to The Outback and confronted Mac, who is surprised.  He realized in time, however, that this was a test--a part of Tess's plan, somehow--and refused to stand down from his statement...or from Jax, who slugged him.  When a photographer snapped a picture, Mac's suspicions--that this was a set up--were confirmed.  The rest of the Brenda and Jax stuff was simply more of the same, and I'll leave it for another time, since I know we'll hear the same conversation again.

V.  The Quartermaines

A.  Edward

On Wednesday, the Qs continued to discuss the kidnapping.  After some rambling, AJ placed the blame solely on AJ.  Ned tore into AJ over that, but AJ was convinced that Jason suspected somebody--probably a "colleague"--and that they should draw on Jason's trust of Ned to find out who that suspect was.  Ned refused.  After AJ left, Ned explained his position to Edward and told him not to let AJ do something stupid while Ned was on a business trip, but when Ned left the room, Edward announced that Ned wasn't in charge of the family yet.

B.  Alan

Meanwhile, Alan was passed out on his office sofa.  Amy entered, saw the pills on the floor, woke him, and headed for help.  He managed to stop her before she could leave, though, and convinced her not to say anything.  Amy started putting things together, and reminded him of all the other strange incidents.  But he gave the routine answer--stress--and when Amy insisted that she would put him into counseling he told her (against police orders, remember) about the kidnapping.  I was dreading the fact that Amy would be the stereotypical source for others to find out, but she wasn't.  She's kept her mouth shut very well lately, actually.  But after she left, he headed for the pills again.

At home, he lied to Monica about where he'd been.  She held him close, telling him that the fact they were working with the police and keeping Michael's kidnapping a secret was the thing that was keeping the little boy alive.  A bit heavy-handed, but Stuart Damon gave Alan the perfect expression in response to the line.

VI.  Brenda and Jax

I was hoping we would make it through the weak without this section....

Jax: "...abandons me to sit at the table of a guy who looks like he's on a date.  I think you've ruined the blonde girl's afternoon."

Jax and Robin arrived at the Grill on Friday.  They spoke of Brenda for a while.  She was the real one who had invited Jax to lunch, of course, not Robin, and when she got there we had more of the same.  Robin left them alone and went to join Nik and Sarah.  The scheme this time was that Brenda had flown in oysters from Jax's favorite Scottish pub...as well as the pub's proprietor to shuck them for him.  I was just glad that the guy didn't show up in a kilt.  Nothing against kilts (I'm Scottish), but please.  This storyline is corny enough as it is without Brenda going for accuracy in her contrivances.

Robin returned and asked how the lunch went; Jax proclaimed himself full but unmoved.  Brenda simply gave that dazed look that's supposed to be meaningful, and I was glad the day was over.  Ick and double ick.  Terry said in her update that both Robin and Brenda were acting childish today.  I totally agree.

Terry spent some time writing about why she doesn't like this storyline, and perhaps I should say a few words of explanation too.  Like Terry, I find that this storyline makes both characters seem shallow.  I don't like that the characters are isolated away from everybody else.  I resent the repetition, both on the small level--all of Brenda's little schemes--and on the large--the theme and variations of the marriage proposal and the courtship fall flat for me.  I don't find this romantic.  I find it manipulative, co-dependant and a backward step for both of them in terms of self-awareness and independence.

I'm not saying I don't want them together.  I wanted very much for Brenda to spend some time alone rebuilding her life after her accident.  The lip service they're paying to her independence is frustrating; apparently, independence simply means you're the one in the relationship spending the money.  The emphasis on money also drives me batty.  But back to my point.  I wanted very much for Brenda to find some strength and then return to Jax.  This still reeks of her being saved, on some level, as well as denial.  I don't want Brenda with Sonny.  I would want her with Jax, if they could both grow up and break out of their bad patterns of behavior.  This is almost worse than before, though, because Brenda thinks that she's broken out of that pattern, as does Jax.  They had moments of self-awareness and blew them.  The writers have always pointed out the bad in Brenda/Sonny's relationship--a good thing that made for good drama.  But they've always seemed to think that Jax/Brenda is a healthy alternative.  Before we get these two back together, I want very much for them to realize that they aren't any healthier.  But I believe they can be.