The Cassadines: (cont.)

Helena: "Well, finally. You know, Mrs. Lansbury, I'm being very indulgent to meet you here in person. Now, the least you could do is be prompt."

Helena: "As ever, Stefan goes exactly where I point him, only to arrive too late. The only thing he'll see on that yacht is his father. He won't even think of the history that Luke and Laura have there. Which means that he will never guess my next move."

Judy: "I fear for Andreas's death, but with Mrs. Lansbury betraying the boss (my heart goes out to you Terry, you're such a fan; this is surely the result of a gross mis-reading of her character by the writers), Stefan's going to need another domestic; so it could be that Andreas'll be bringing in the tea and scones someday, thus securing himself a little added longevity."

Joan: "Hah! He could offer tea and sympathy. Mrs. Lansbury! Oy!"

Amy: "Do you think Andy...er...Andreas...was talking for Helena, or for Stefan? If the latter, then Mrs. Lansbury is one sharp scone."

Joan: "Didn't you think that telling Stiffy that they were all on Ice Princess Island was on Helena's orders? I agree, Mrs. Lansbury may be a traitor, but she's a smart traitor not to mention a snob (I only deal with principals)."

Amy: "I also wonder if Stefan's got him quizzing Mrs. Lansbury to test her loyalty. Andy's playing them both against the middle, it seems to me. I'm waiting for definite word on why, and if they drop the ball, I'll be angry."

Judy: "Me too! This better not have been just a random scene to set up Filly's intrusion into the story (although I fear it might be)."

Amy: "I actually would have liked to see this attitude from Mrs. Lansbury developed earlier. It could have been taken care of with like 3 scenes. I always had a fantasy that Mrs. Lansbury hated Laura Spencer. There were little lines that, if delivered only slightly differently, would have shown that: her 'Mrs. Spencer is in charge while Mr. Cassadine is away,' her insistence on calling her 'Mrs. Spencer,' as if to remind people that she was married, etc. I would have actually enjoyed it if Mrs. Lansbury were to turn on Stefan because he was going after 'that damned Spencer woman,' who toys with Cassadine men's hearts and wrecks their home, etc. Now that would be something to see."

"But has Mrs. L. Been recast since the earliest days? The delivery seems different, and I keep meaning to ask."

IX. Think of Laura...In the Closet (3/21)

I really liked that, even now when he was desperate to get out, Stefan would only call Laura's name. He remembered the slap, and various kisses he had shared with Laura, but nothing else bad--certainly not the Judas Kiss in the "Twist of Fate" episode. I was struck by the comparison with Felicia, who was on the docks this month remembering her kisses with Luke.

Judy: "Terry, you missed the show, but not anything good. Stefan was on, but L&L weren't. All we saw of Stefan were him flashing back to better days with Laura (assorted kissing scenes), then the slap. Then, he decided to come out of the closet. *G*"

"Other than that, Helena plans to take Lucky to the Ice Princess Island next. Mac is angry at Felicia for even thinking about anything connected with Luke (she told him about seeing Helena on the docks). He reiterates his ultimatum (don't see Luke, don't mention Luke's name, don't think about Luke, don't think about Luke's offspring, don't think about words that rhyme with 'Luke,' etc). Hmmm...I wonder if that's destined for failure? More with Chloe and her tumor. She's having vivid dreams about getting whacked with Helena's car. Jax comforts her with sex and spends a lot of time shirtless. Roy loses his temper with Sonny (that was a weird scene, seemed a little overdone to me). Sonny is annoyed with Carly for giving Bobbie the key. Sonny decides to do what Sorel wants and ship something other than gummy bears (will this cause Roy to tip his hand as an FBI agent?)."

"All in all, not a stellar episode. You didn't miss much. Lots of flashbacks (Bobbie flashing back to Roy getting hurt, Chloe dreaming back to the accident, Stefan's stuff with Laura, etc), and the repetitive scenes with Mac and Filly were really, really annoying. It was a let's-drive-the-point-home-with-a-jackhammer sort of day."

Amy: "Could Stefan not remember any of the other bad times? It was as though he wanted to believe that, before the slap, there were no bad times at all--only kisses. Whatever."

X. All Aboard for the Cassadine Island (3/21)

Helena: "You still want to go back there after all the fascinating places we've been?"
Lucky: "It's home."
Helena: "As much of a home as your parents would ever allow you to have."
Lucky: "Why did we land there if we weren't staying?"
Helena: "I had business to take care of, and it needed to be done in person. Lucky, I hope you don't think I brought you there to tease you."
Lucky: "No. No, I didn't think that."
Helena: "Hey. You know, ours could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Lucky: "So, where's our next stop?"

Helena: "I ordered shrimp especially. I know they're one of your favorites."
Lucky: "Well, there isn't much you don't know about me."
Helena: "Not much. Still curious about our next destination?"
Lucky: "Do I have to win at chess to get an answer?"
Helena: "Not this time. No, our next stop is very special, and it's the first in a quick series. When the history lessons are over, we'll return to Port Charles permanently, just as I promised."

XI. The History Lessons Continue (3/22)

Helena: "Where your parents killed my husband, yes."

Lucky: "This is the weather machine."
Helena: "Yes. Mikkos was a visionary. How he dreamed such dreams lesser people couldn't even imagine, let alone make a reality."

Lucky: "I can't believe it actually worked."
Helena: "It would have."
Lucky: "Except Mikkos froze Port Charles."
Helena: "Is that what your parents told you? Lucky, it was a minor accident. Now, Mikkos was only--he was only testing the machine. But your parents panicked and they frightened everyone else. No, if not for Luke and Laura, my Mikkos would have realized his vision. The world would have been in order--no floods, no droughts, rain forests everywhere, no more desert, only farmlands. No one would have been hungry. Our planet would have been a safe sanctuary. But your parents tracked him to this island. They hunted him down without mercy, like an animal. My Mikkos died for his dreams all because of them."
Lucky: "You must want revenge."

Helena: "I've never sought revenge, Lucky. All I want is to help you. You've been the victim of your parents' whims and passions, as have I. And my poor Mikkos, he surrendered his life to Luke and Laura, and in some ways, so have you. No, the more you can learn about the Cassadines, the more you will understand who your parents really are."

Helena: "What are you thinking?"
Lucky: "If my parents find out I'm alive--"
Helena: "They won't."
Lucky: "They will come for me."
Helena: "I'm not worried about that. Not in the least."

Helena was in red and Lucky in grey again. In their last scene, the music from the previous two scenes faded as we came in on Lucky and the sound of the wind through the ventilation system.

If this was supposed to be the same control room, we were seeing it from a different angle. They kept referring to it as Mikkos's study, but then saying that this was the weather machine. I agree with Joan that Helena's telling of the tale was wonderful, and I agree with Judy (I think it was her) who noted that they should have rebuilt the set from the old days. What a hoot that would be, and what comments Helena could have made about the decorating.

I wondered how much of what she was saying Helena believed. I'm fairly sure that most of it was an act for Lucky, and would enjoy hearing her real thoughts on Mikkos. I should, perhaps, fill people in on the "murder" of Mikkos. When Luke ended up trapped in the control room with Mikkos, they struggled over a gun. They wrangled all over the room, and ended up at the door of the freezing chamber. Mikkos opened it, meaning to push Luke in. As they struggled, Mikkos fell into it himself, and the door closed. It was very clear that Luke had not intended to freeze him, or shove him in on purpose. And indeed, as we saw Mikkos's face in agony against the glass, we cut to Luke's reaction shot. He was horrified, and tried to open the door, I believe. Just like the "murder" of Stavros, this Cassadine died despite Luke and because of his own actions.

Joan: "I was home from work and watched GH in real time today, and the most wonderful thing in the episode was seeing Helena drip disinformation into Lucky's skull, her voice throbbing with crocodile sincerity as she bemoans Luke and Laura's pursuit, persecution and murder of 'my poor Mikkos.' My only quibble is that the set designers should have been given the opportunity to recreate that fantastic space-age underground compound set."

XII. The Staff Meeting (3/23)

Andreas: "Mrs. Cassadine wants to know what Stefan is up to regarding Lucky Spencer."
Mrs. Lansbury: "Why did she send you?"
Andreas: "Lucky's parents are keeping her busy at the moment."
Mrs. Lansbury: "How so?"
Andreas: "Mrs. Cassadine wants to lure them to Ice Princess Island. She wants to trap them there and keep them from interfering again."
Mrs. Lansbury: "I have no desire to be involved in this."
Andreas: "I'm authorized to pay you for any information."
Mrs. Lansbury: "I've already been questioned by the police. I will not be interrogated by you. If Mrs. Cassadine wants to speak to me further, she'll have to contact me herself."

XIII. Helena and Lucky Talk About His Childhood (3/24)

Lucky is in white, while Helena is in a dark crimson: chess piece colors again. Though the chess set they use now has blue and white pieces. They play with the board sitting on the weather machine plans, and laugh over their game. Lucky gets to choose, she says:

Helena: "Still here."
Lucky: "Well, why wouldn't they be? I mean, we've only been gone 24 hours."
Helena: "Oh, I wasn't referring to the blueprints. I meant the lingering spirit of greatness. How it quickens the pulse. Do you sense it?"

Helena: "My husband was a genius. He was centuries ahead of his time, like Galileo, or anyone brilliant enough to threaten a world of tiny minds."
Lucky: "You mean my parents?"
Helena: "Then you agree with me that your parents are primitive? I didn't mean to be unkind."

Lucky: "Well, my parents aside, what about me do you find fascinating? And not the standard list of compliments. You've been watching me for weeks. By now you must think you know me. There's nothing else to figure out."
Helena: "Except how you survived your childhood--life in a state of perpetual flux, constant uprootings. And the name changes. How did you--how did you bear that chaos?"
Lucky: "I thought it was cool. And for the regular people? They were the ones missing out."

Lucky: "Why did we set it up here?"
Helena: "It's where we happen to be. Chess is infinitely portable, which is the second-best thing about the game."
Lucky: "I'm waiting to hear the first. Unless you won't tell me until I win one."
Helena: "Ah. Chess reveals the player's true character--like yours, for instance--over time."
Lucky: "So, think you know all about me, huh?"
Helena: "Oh. You're quick and determined, but reckless, as opposed to simply bold. But once you bridle that recklessness, with daring you're going to be a champion."
Lucky: "I don't think I'm doing too bad right now. Check."
Helena: "Bravo. Bravissimo. You deserve a reward."
Lucky: "An extra question?"
Helena: "A choice. Shall we leave this island right away or stay a little longer?"

XIV. Curses! Foiled Again! (3/24)

Andreas: "How did you get my cell phone number?"
Stefan: "That's not relevant."
Andreas: "It is to me. You're invading my life. If Helena finds out, I'll be eliminated."
Stefan: "Then it's in your best interests to give me the information I need."
Andreas: "I've told you all I'm going to tell you."
Stefan: "Don't be self-destructive. You tell me where Helena has Lucky."

Andreas: "Helena said she plans to release--"
Stefan: "Where is he?"
Andreas: "Helena took Lucky to an island off the coast of Argentina. Ice Princess Island, it's called."

Joan: "We need to face it, folks. The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name has accounted for some of the greatest love stories GH has told in the past, generally loveless, three years. Garcia's passion for Sonny, Taggert's sublimated hostility for Sonny, Jason's Tony Curtis to Sonny's Kirk Douglas ... do we see a pattern emerging? Now we have Stefan generating more fire in his scenes with Andreas than any with Laura. Zowie!"

Taggert: "Clear your calendar. You're under arrest."

XIV. Helena and Lucky Decide to Depart (3/27)

Lucky: "Is there anything else you think we should see?"
Helena: "Oh, I suppose not. No, this room has lost all of its former glory and meaning. It's just an empty shell, a repository for shattered dreams. My Mikkos--oh, he was a genius and a forward thinker. He would have gone on to do incredible things for this world had he not been thwarted by the evil that was--that is your parents."
Lucky: "If we leave now, will you take me back to Port Charles?"

Helena: "You are very disarming, Lucky. Oh, if I were to act on impulse, I would make you privy to all my plans."
Lucky: "You say that. But you don't exactly tell the whole truth, either, or explain. I guess it probably has to do with your thing about keeping secrets. I got to be honest. It's getting really old. First, you keep me away from Port Charles. Then you bring me back and drive me around. I don't know why since you won't let me out of the car. Now we're halfway around the world going through a bunch of ruins. What do you want from me, Helena?"
Helena: "The pleasure of your company a little while longer."

Lucky: "Why do you enjoy it so much when I win?"
Helena: "Because I take pleasure in observing a creative mind at work. Oh. And what's so funny?"
Lucky: "It's not funny. I mean--ironic, I guess. My mother and father have creative minds."
Helena: "Mm-hmm."
Lucky: "But when they win--"
Helena: "I lose. Now, why would I take pleasure in that?"
Lucky: "Good point."

XV. Helena in Texas (3/31)

The first shot was of a heeled sandal stepping gingerly over a rock and into the Texas dirt. Crack me up. She also had a great look at Lucky's description of eating rabbit.

Lucky: "Watch out for that iguana. It looks like a rock."
Helena: "What? Ah. Oh. Oh--why on earth did you want to come out to this godforsaken place?"

Helena: "You actually enjoyed living out here?"
Lucky: "No, I thought it was beautiful."
Helena: "Well, what did you do for food?"

Helena: "Well, don't wander off. Please."

Lucky: "It's still here. Just like my dad said it would be."

Lucky: "We were a family in Texas. For the first time. Dad wanted to leave something behind to prove that we were here."

Lucky: "Well, that's the game, isn't it? We leave clues so mom and dad can find them."
Helena: "Such a clever boy."

Helena: "Well, this will be our last stop. After this, you're on your own."
Lucky: "I'm ready."

Helena sat on a rock while Lucky told the story and carved his name. I found it interesting that he gave Texas as the place they were a real family for the first time. It's where Laura told Luke that she was pregnant with Lucky, and it was where Lucky was born--if I remember right. So they were family because there were three of them? It seemed something deeper than that, a feeling. It's convenient, perhaps, that we saw almost nothing of their life in Texas on screen. The writers now can fill it all in for us--not that I minded one bit.

Amy: "I have to say that most of the appeal of the Spencer/Cassadine--and even the Scorpio stuff--at this point is anticipation. Yes, I know, 'make 'em wait,' but the Helena/Lucky conversations especially have become quite repetitive, and I'd like at least a little crumb of something new to chew on while I wait."

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