The Week in Review: May 11 - May 15

There was lots of stuff this week with people who are not my favorites.  My favorite scene of the week, however, was Bobbie and Helena's!  The Mac and Felicia bit was entertaining, but the train ride was from hell.  Sonny's return made me happy, but the Q stuff I'm just not invested in right now.  We had little of Carly, and the Jason we had was with Robin.  I'm off the Cassadines right now, except for Alexis and Helena, but I have hopes for Stefan, what with Laura resurfacing.  It was even a light Spencer week.

I.  The Quartermaines

The Qs worried about the search for Jason and Brenda as Monday opened, and Monica noted that Alan was missing (again).  But Edward was the one to really put them into a tailspin when he came downstairs and told them that the baby was missing.  They all though immediately of Tony, and left to find him.

Meanwhile, Tony was checking in at the drug clinic where he'd be serving his community service.  We had a great bit player in the part of Valerie Washington, head of the clinic, and I want to praise the casting director for this actress as well as the one who played Tammy!  Valerie pushed his legal troubles aside and told him that they would be glad to have him.  Alan arrived, brought in by two kids, a brother and sister.  Tony said nothing to indicate who Alan was and started him on treatment.

The Qs arrived, demanding that Tony return Michael.  Val headed them off, but Tony came out to take the heat himself, calmly telling them that he didn't have Michael.  They spat back and forth, and then Monica ripped aside the curtain, thinking that she would find Michael.  Tony had covered Alan's face, so Monica didn't see him.  She was apologetic, and Tony put on his best doctor's voice--which a touch of sarcasm--and told her not to disturb their patients.

Emily had taken Michael to Bobbie's.  She was his godmother, and it was her job to protect him, even from the Qs, she said.  Bobbie asked what was going on, and Emily confided in her.  Bobbie didn't know quite what to believe, but she knew the girl was very upset.  She said that Michael could stay there if that's what Emily wanted, but she asked her to let her parents know where she was before she made that decision.  Emily said that she didn't want to talk to Alan.  She talked to Monica, though, and told her that they would both be home.

Monica:  "I never intended to steal him from you."
Jason:  "He doesn't belong here."

Bobbie drove them, and they had just arrived when Jason (and our Rinaldo!) burst through the French doors and demanded Michael.  Monica tried to explain, but Jason would hear none of it.  Em handed the baby to him, and he turned to leave.  Ned stopped him, telling him that he would have done anything to keep the Qs from getting custody.  Jason said that was good to know, and then he left.  That was a very fun scene indeed!

Tony listened to Alan explain things, but he didn't believe that he wasn't addicted.  He noted his blood/alcohol levels and other symptoms, but Alan insisted.  Tony held the knowledge over his head but didn't make any demands...yet.  He simply reminded Alan that he hadn't promised to keep this secret.  On Tuesday, their conversation continued in the same vein.  Tony suggested that he wanted his job back, but never really made a demand, I think.

Alan:  "I'm sorry."
Emily:  "You always are."

When he got home, he wrote a note, set it on the table, and brushed it off to make it look like he'd left word where he'd be.  Emily entered and asked after him, and he apologized.  She updated him on the events--on where she took Michael--and he fished to know how made Monica was.  She hadn't told people why she left.  Then Monica entered, not at all pleased that her hubby had been out all night and had only left a measly little note.  And she told him that if he had been around, he would know that his son Jason was safe.

II.  Brenda and Jax

A.  Brenda and Jason

Brenda again urged Jason to go and get help on Monday, but he refused to leave her.  Brenda still had faith in Jax, and grew irritated that Jason wouldn't do as she asked.  She asked him if he was doing it because Sonny asked him (speaking in a more general sense, of course, than their plane crash).  She demanded to know why Sonny left her.  But Jason didn't have time to answer because there was a helicopter flying above.  They made noise and Brenda insisted on using the last flare, despite the clouds and the darkness.  She knew it was Jax; she could feel him.  Above, Jerry told Jax to head back.  Brenda asked her question again.  She needed to know so that she could look forward.  But this time, Jax himself belayed Jason's answer.  He had indeed seen the flare, and Brenda ran into his arms while Jerry made a comment to Jason and the two stood awkwardly by.

B.  Sonny!!

At the end of Monday's episode, we saw an open window overlooking tropical foliage.  On a table near the window stood a nice frame.  The frame held a small picture of Brenda.  The picture was bent, as if it had been carried in a pocket...

C.  Brenda and Jax

Brenda awoke on Tuesday from a nightmare.  She was trying to get to the top of the lake and couldn't grab the hand that was trying to save her.  After they talked for a while, Jax asked whose hand it was, and she said that it was his.  Robin arrived to visit.  They talked about Jason, and Brenda admitted that she had softened towards him a bit--she understood him better.  But they weren't friends, and she still didn't approve of his business.  Robin announced that she had decided that she and Jason could have intercourse now.  She wasn't going to make any more decisions for him (What do you call that, silly girl!!  Did the thought ever cross your mind that he would have changed his mind?  That he might not want to take the risk because of Michael, or because of the way you left him, or because of the way you're coming back to him now?  Of course not.  And I knew that it would work out just the way she wanted it to.  Sigh.).  She played Vanna White with all of her purchases from the drug store, and Brenda told her to be very sure.  But she loved Jason--enough to take him even if it meant taking his business.  Brenda was worried, but she didn't try to make up Robin's mind for her.  She didn't rant about the business.  And she didn't make any comparisons to her and Sonny.  I was proud of her.

Outside in the hall, Jerry was ranting about the costs of the docks project, but Jax told him that he was falling--had fallen.  He was going to tell her that he loved her.  But not just yet.  He was going to take her out to Malibu, and Jerry offered to make the arrangements.

We hit a really dead spot with these two slouching towards Miami on Wednesday.  Jerry had booked them on the same train with a load of marriage counseling clients some shrink was taking on a trip to see if he could save some marriages.  I'm just going to leave it at that, because it was such a snooze--the parallels to J&B, the horror stories about marriage, the wacky spouses.  Ewww.  It continued on Thursday.  Gee, that was the easiest section of a day I've ever updated!  The only notable moment was when Brenda noted that theirs was the best relationship in the room--she didn't want to get off!  And I love the way Jerry calls Jax by his first name.

On Friday, they got to the house in Malibu.  They talked about old times--happy old times--and Brenda told him that they would go out somewhere and then come home, change clothes, and meet on the beach at sunset.  She told him again that she could always count on him, and Terry noted that Jax was, in some ways, NotSonny.  Everything she praises about him is because it's not like Sonny.  I agree with that.  Anyway, we had a musical montage of them at the beach, and then, at the oft-mentioned sunset, Jax came to her and told her that he would marry her.  She had broken his heart, but he had loved her ever, and would marry her.  And this time, he said, nobody leaves.  Well, we can only hope, because I don't want any more repetition in this storyline than we already have.

III.  Jason and Carly

On Tuesday, Jason spoke to Michael, saying that he had kept the promise he had made to himself that he would return.  It was lovely to hear another monologue with adopted father and son.  Benny arrived, noting that the men were saying that not even a plane crash could put him out of commission.  Jason said to make arrangements to go to Puerto Rico; Benny was amazed that he was getting on a plane again so soon.

Carly:  "Look, I'm not sayin' we're gonna be entering the three-legged race on family day."
Jason:  "But it felt ok, right?"
Carly:  "Ya.  It felt real ok."

He took Michael to see Carly, who said, "Am I glad to see you."  It was hard to tell which one she was talking to more.  She hugged and kissed both Michael and Jason.  She told him about her visitors, Bobbie and Ned, and about the Qs timing for their swoop down on Michael.  He said that he had put it in his will that the Qs wouldn't have Michael, but Carly said that nothing would happen to him.  He survived everything with strength she didn't have.  And I wished that she could see the strength that she does have.  Jason asked what he should do about his trip to Puerto Rico; could he take Michael?  Of course, she said.  And they'd be back to visit as soon as they got back.  Looked like those travel books were gonna come in handy early!

Jason had left Michael's hat.  When Carly went to knock on the door to return in, Edward came in, saying that he thought Jason would never leave.  They fought over Michael as Edward defended his own actions.  She then took off on him, declaring that she would make sure that he would never get Michael.  I worried that he had a tape recorder on him, because he went out the door and called that judge again.

Robin arrived at the penthouse with flowers to find that Jason had left town on business.  Ooo, that smarts.

On Friday, it was Robin who climbed into Jason's bed.  She woke him and told him that she loves him.  She then said that she was ready to make love with him.  They talked for a bit about his job and the dangers of penetration, and she told him that it was his choice as well.  He made it--pun intended.  Afterwards, he told her that he'd rather stay away from her than hurt her.  He reminded her of all the trappings of his business; Brenda had thought that she could do it, but she ended up driving Sonny nuts.  But that was because she was afraid all the time.  And like Brenda, who had shown understanding of Jason (if not acceptance), Jason saw her point of view here as well.  And that was the part I liked.

At the end, the moment I'd been waiting for for two weeks since I'd read the spoiler containing the actual date....  Robin came downstairs, carrying Michael, and Jason answered the door to find...SONNY!  Oh, I love Sonny and have missed him so much.  This was the last episode I watched before going on vacation, and I was so thrilled to see him.  He looked great.  Of course, I was trying hard to tell myself that he was only going to be there for a while and we would be getting him only with Brenda and Jason and Robin.  But I wanted so much to have scenes with Mike, Luke, the Qs, and Lucy!  Sigh.  And then I had to wait almost 3 weeks to watch him actually speak!

IV.  Mac and Felicia

Mac caught Taggert taking some cash from a fellow cop on Tuesday.  Taggert claimed that it was poker winnings, and Mac told him to watch out for Internal Affairs.  Inside his office, Felicia told him that she was worried about Maxie because she had found bridal magazines in her room.  She didn't want to drag this on any longer.  They had to tell people, starting now.  But when they went out to the hallway to do so, the entire precinct was there to give them the present (for which the guy was paying Taggert)--a week for two at the Love Mountain Resort in the Canadian Rockies.

On the vacation on Wednesday, Mac and Felicia had spent the day outdoors.  They seemed to be having a good time, aside from the guilt.  He offered her the bedroom, and when she realized she had forgotten her p.j.'s, he offered her the top to his (I love a man in full, actual, p.j.'s).  Neither could sleep, and in a great scene from an old Cary Grant movie, a cat opened the door between them and when they went to close it, they kissed.  Felicia made some quick plans for the next day and closed the door.  Still neither one of them slept.

On Thursday, Mac came in talking to Felicia, who turned out to be...out.  They argued over the bus schedule in her shopping bags.  He said that she thought he left, but she refused to admit it.  I was waiting for him to realize that she had been trying to leave, but they didn't get there.  She was mad at him for changing everything by kissing her, while he was slinging nicknames around and saying that she had been the one doing the kissing.  Back in Port Charles, they go to Luke's for dinner.  They talk again about telling everyone the truth--that the engagement was a fake--but when Taggert and Dara come over they said they came back because of allergies.  Felicia mentioned Kevin's book, "General Homicide," and isn't happy about the way she's portrayed as passive.  Mac made another crack about that kiss, and she got up and left.

V.  The Cassadines

Engagement preparations continued on Wednesday, and we were treated to an historical description of the masked balls the Cassadines had always held.  The masks were insurance to protect one from family members and other assorted foes.  Too funny.  Stefan and Kat left, and Nik entered after one of the servants had brought the trunk downstairs for Stefan.  He opened it and saw the letter from Helena and the contents.

Robin came by to remind Nik that they were just friends; she was getting back together with Jason.  Nikolas was obviously hurt, but covered well and asked her again to the party--they'd go as just friends.  Then, once Stefan had shown Kat the dress and told her that every Cassadine bride had worn it at her ball.  She was delighted.

Stefan:  "One night that will change our lives."

On Friday, Kat asked Stefan if Bobbie wore the dress, and he said no.  This time, however, he was marrying the woman he loved.  Of course, he hadn't answered her question--who was the last gal to wear it.  She didn't ask again, though.  Par for the course.  Later, Nikolas came across the dress and asked Kat if she knew it had a history.  She said yes.  Later, Nik told Stefan about Robin; she was coming but they were just friends.  At least he managed not to act pleased.  Then Kat worried over the cost for everything to Stefan.  But what she was really worried about was that Nikolas didn't approve.  He told her that she was wrong.  He knew why Nikolas was upset when she told him about Nik's seeing the dress, but he said that Nik was thinking of his mother and father when he saw that dress and looked towards these traditions.

Luke: "I wouldn't, uh, bury her alive; she might have the power to regenerate herself."

Luke:  "Ok.  Now, where on spoony loony island here do you think is an appropriate and believable spot for a grisly accident?"

Alexis:  "You want me to show you how to get there?"
Luke:  "No, I know the way.  You want me to show you back to the dock?"
Alexis:  "It's the one passageway that I've memorized."
Luke:  "Hmm.  Well, I have my cell phone, and you have the phone number.  So if you get lost, call."
Alexis:  "You know, Stefan knows that you're in and out of this house all the time.  So, if he catches you, you've got my cell phone number.  Call."
Luke:  "I will.  Thanks for offering.  Bye."

Too bad.  "The Cask of Amontillado" would have been my inspiration, and Luke seemed to be headed that way at first.  And Alexis's thought of killing her at the bench appropriated by Katherine as a gift to Stefan was also nice.

On Friday, Luke and Alexis came through the secret passage and contemplated the location of Helena's upcoming accident.  They decided on the parapet.  It was a week of efficient set use, as I pointed out on ratsa.  Felicia and Mac at Luke's, Luke and Alexis here.  It made no sense for them to have this scene there at the house, because Alexis walked in and walked right back out...using the door.

He ducked out of sight and we were treated to some muckity muck with Stefan teaching Kat to dance.  Let's just say that they started out bad and didn't get any better even when she was supposed to have done so.  Again, he mentioned the other ball he's been to and doesn't mention which one.  And she doesn't ask.  Luke watches on occasion, and his reaction says it all for me.  Scrunched nose, indeed!  But in his roamings, he found the portrait of Laura...and realized that the dress Kat had on was a copy.

VI.  The Spencers

A.  Lucky and Liz

Liz:  "I don't think I'd wanna be Helena Cassadine right now."

Elizabeth, on Wednesday, railed at some customers for necking.  Bobbie asked her how she was, and she just said that she couldn't even imagine doing that again.  Bobbie told her that she had once been a hooker and that she knew the feeling.  She assured Liz that things would sometime be better.  Lucky entered, and chatted with his aunt a bit.  She asked after his job with Helena, and he filled her in on their parting.  Bobbie left immediately.  I love it when she does that--sets out immediately to tear into somebody who's hurt her or her family.  It's the side of Bobbie I like--the strong side.  Liz, afterwards, brought Lucky a chocolate shake (I think) to thank him (another ditto moment wasted). 

B.  Luke and Helena...and Bobbie!

Luke:  "Well, maybe I can provide you with a little inspiration.  If this isn't reason to kill Helena, I don't know what is."

Luke:  "Just stay here.  I'm gonna make your day."

Luke:  "That new daughter-in-law of yours is quite a box of hair."  [Oh, rapture!]

Mike:  "Hey, hey!  Roxy:  "You're back!"
Helena:  "Tell your little friend Mikey to drop it.  Before I drop him."
Luke:  "She means it, Mikey."

Luke:  "This is very different, Helena.  This photo could be prophetic."

Helena:  "Is this going somewhere, or are you just being tedious as usual?"
Luke:  "Tedious.  Audacious.  And rude beyond all known philosophies.  Hit it!"

Luke:  "I didn't steal it, Helena.  It was a gift from your dear son."
Helena:  "Stefan."
Luke:  "Yes, the stiff one betrothed to Blondie the dim bulb."

Meanwhile, Luke was chatting with Alexis about the upcoming gala (I adore the way he says "Bacchanalia").  They agreed that it would be the perfect location for the murder--if Helena were invited.  I don't know who sent Luke the invitation.  At first I thought Katherine, but now I think that Stefan might have done it just for spite.  Ha!  Luke told her that he had a surprise for her and made her wait out of sight behind the door to the kitchen.  Helena entered at that point, demanding to know what possession of hers that Luke had (he had sent her a little invitation of his own).  She wanted it back immediately.  He chatted about the upcoming party for a bit, and then, as Mike called out "Roxy" and grinned as he filled the stools with people, Luke pulled out a photo of Helena, made up to look like she'd been beaten--as if to remind her why he was doing this.  She was unfazed.  Then, Luke called out "hit it," and that old favorite stripping song came over the speakers and he pulled back the curtain to reveal the portrait of Helena in all her...er...glory.  And I was PRAYING that Geary would slip in just a little of "That's my last duchess hanging on the wall..." just for me.  Instead, a touch of Hamlet.  I'll take it.

Bobbie:  "You wanna slap someone who deserves it?  [PUNCH]  Slap me!  I didn't think so.  Now listen lady, and listen good.  Lay a finger on anyone in my family again and I will introduce you to a good, old-fashioned, American butt kicking.  And don't think I won't."

Helena was irate and embarrassed all at the same time, and Alexis was giggling in her hiding place.  But the event wasn't over.  Bobbie arrived, strode over to Helena, called her an ex-mother-in-law (I was hoping for something like Bitch-Ex-Mother-in-Law), told her what she thought of her slapping Lucky, and SLUGGED her.  Ha!!  Love it, love it, love it.  Helena went reeling, Luke laughed out loud, and the crowd cheered.  Bobbie then informed Helena that if she came anywhere near her family again, she'd give her "a good, old-fashioned, American butt-kicking."  The contrast between the two women--one always cold, calm, and in control and the other one, well, rockin'--was so fun.  And I couldn't help wondering if a part of Helena didn't wish that Stefan had stayed married to her!

Luke:  "You were fantastic.  Oh baby, with a left hook like that you coulda been a roller derby queen!"

Bobbie:  "Do you think she'll try and get back at me?"
Luke:  "Put my telephone number on speed dial, sleep with your eyes open, lay low for about ten days, by then she's gonna have bigger fish to gut.  I promise."

Alexis:  "That was fun!  That was so much fun!"
Luke:  "Here, here.  Calm down."
Alexis:  "Helena won't forget this, you know.  If there's any way that she can get back at you and your sister, she will."
Luke:  "Well, she better do it soon.  Because after next Friday, Helena will be nothin' but a bad memory."

Afterwards, Bobbie and her brother had a chat, and then Alexis thanked Luke for the show, and he assured her that Helena would be gone for good the next Friday.  I loved that he poured them both shots without asking.  And I loved that they could both down them without flinching.  His kind of women for sure.

C.  Luke...and others...at Luke's

Luke:  "Oh.  Well, what would the world be without shoelaces, huh?  We'd all be wearing boots and sandals.  God, man.  It'd be positively biblical."

Luke:  "Well usually, if you can get through the door without a search warrant and you leave before the fight breaks out, we're open for business."

Luke:  "Ya, it's my latest acquisition.  What d'ya think?"
Dara:  "Were they all out of kittens and bullfighters?"

Luke:  "I want my customers to be able to see the glory that once was Helena, since it seems to be sadly sagging at the moment.  And nobody lives forever."

Jerry and Luke met on Thursday when Jerry came into club (Jerry didn't give his last name, I noted).  And it dawned on me that I might like some Luke and Jerry stuff later on...  Jerry went over to Dara, who was meeting both Justus and Taggert; they were both confused to see each other there, and they were more confused in why Dara was having coffee with Jerry.  Too funny.  When she motioned them over, they both pointed to themselves.  Ha!  She wanted them to compromise about the Internal Affairs hearing, but Justus won't do it.  Taggert thanked her, after Justus had gone, and she brushed it off as no big deal.

Tony:  "I'm wearing a shirt.  I'm wearing shoes.  I'd like a menu, please.  This is a public establishment; you can't turn me down for service for no reason."
Luke:  "This is my establishment, doc-ex-bro-in-law.  I can do any damn thing I choose."

Luke:  "The soup of the day is spilled milk.  I don't recommend it; it's not worth cryin' over."

Luke:  "Tony, look.  So you...you went a little nuts.  It happens.  More frequently to some of us than to others.  You know why it happens?  Because the whole world is screwed up, man.  And every once in a while it needs a kick in the groin to set it straight.  And what's a guy gonna do except light a match...grab a kid or load a gun."
Tony:  "Somethin' like that."

Tony:  "I'm not blaming Bobbie."
Luke:  "Good."

Tony:  "Helena Cassadine?"
Luke:  "Yep.  The butt that launched a thousand ships."

Meanwhile, back at the bar, Tony had come in and asked for a menu.  He didn't think he could get in anywhere else.  At first, Luke was cold, and I didn't think he would serve him.  But, true to his past with Tony, he did.  Luke asked if he regretted it, and while Tony noted all the bad things that had happened to him because of this, he admitted that he'd do it again.  Luke just looked concerned, and I wished that he would have laid down the law.  After all, Carly's family too.  And Luke can sympathize with Tony and still tell him how it is.  Tony was staying in town; maybe Bobbie would have a change of heart, and eventually Lucas could come to him.  Luke told him not to hold his breath.  He went out the back to dodge Mac and Felicia.  Finally, he wondered about Helena as he noticed her portrait.  Luke told him that she might indeed come to him for a favor.

D.  Lucky and Liz

Ned:  "I don't think I was ever that young."
Alexis:  "I once was."
Ned:  "I would have liked to have known you before you were so perfectly self-possessed."
Alexis:  "You almost did."

Ned came to Kelly's on Friday just as Liz was trying to get the place clean and ready for a "private party."  Ned said he'd be quiet if she'd just get him a cup of coffee.  AJ and Keesha came through on the way to the airport.  Keesha was going back to Philadelphia because her dad was sick.  This was the last episode for Senait, and I thought that it was a poor send off.  I hear they're going to recast.  Alexis joined Ned, and it turned out they were going to discuss Carly.  Lucky finally arrived, and Ned and Alexis headed out commenting on the pair.  We had a lovely sequence with Liz and Lucky over her poor cooking.  Liz was happy and smiling (I believe I joined FGC Elizabeth at this very point, as Keeper of her Smile), but Lucky was pensive, even though he was at ease with her too.  It was as if he were contemplating her and how she felt for him.