Franko

At this point in my viewing, the permanent sets would likely be: the "hub," the versatile nurses station and waiting room set, with various elevator doors to signify different floors Kelly's the Quartermaine living room the Webber living room the Brownstone living room Sean's penthouse Frisco and Felicia's studio apartment Terry and Kevin's apartment Anna's apartment the spa

Week 18, Part III -- Conclusion Monica: "Alan Jr. only has one set of grandparents, Lila. I don't want him to lose them." Lila: "We don't want to lose him, either." Monica: "You are so dear to me, Lila. And, as much as Edward and I snarl at each other, he is dear to me, too. And you know you are always welcome in my house." Sean Swindles the Quartermaines: Sean's airtime is spent with Anna and Robin in the Buzz storyline and Edward's out of town for most of the week, allowing for the revenge and financial aspects of this storyline to mostly take a backseat to the relationships stuff. Jimmy Lee and Lorena each have a foot in the Buzz and swindling storylines. He's about as tireless as Anna in wanting to be there for Buzz, and Lorena keeps close to Jimmy Lee as often as she can. I liked that Jimmy Lee and Lorena's scenes were played platonically. It wouldn't have been unusual for the two to have hooked up out of a mutual need for comfort amid stress, and it's clear that they're always going to care for one another at least on some level, but you can sense that there just isn't love there. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Lorena's in line for greener pastures. Alan's assignment for the week is to unload the home he shouldn't have bought. Alan approaches Derek, who's noncommittal. Soon after, Derek learns from Lorena about the Qs being in dire straits. Now Derek's willing to buy the $3.1 million house ... for $1.7 million. Things go better for the elder Quartermaines' efforts to raise money: Edward sells the Southhampton estate and Lila doesn't have to sell any of her jewelry to Amanda. Monica buys it all. After all, someday Alan Jr. will get married ... Later on, Monica admits how much she cares about Lila & Edward, but insists that it's just too late for her and Alan. Lila reminds Monica, who doesn't answer whether she's in love with another man, about Alan's dangerous side. Meanwhile, Alan and Jimmy Lee get in some belated bonding at Buzz's bedside. Domestic-Relationship Roundup: Lorena and Derek: If I didn't know better, I'd think that Shelley Taylor Morgan and Mark Goddard were going to hang around. On Thursday, Lorena and Derek discuss the idea of him buying such a huge mansion, one he can raise a family in. Lorena thinks it's a matter of time before she gets married, so she asks Claudia about buying her out of the spa. Bryan and Claudia: They have the obligatory "Gee, our problems don't seem like much, do they?" conversation after finding out about Buzz, but they aren't yet ready for a happily ever after. With her marriage not yet saved and in need of something to keep busy with, Claudia considers owning the spa. The Webbers: I'm happy to admit I was wrong. Things were blissful for Mike, et al. this week. On Tuesday, Mike gets Rick and Ginny to let him throw a surprise birthday party for Jamie. It's a hit, even if the guest list is just Jamie, Mike, Rick, Ginny, Amy, and Bill. Mike's actually grateful to Ginny. Oh, if only the peace could last. Tony and Tania: Buzz's plight inspires some reminiscing about Tony's coma the year before. The waterfront violence has Tony wondering if it's time for him and Tania to leave the Brownstone and move into a more suburban neighborhood. If you wait seven months, Tony, a house will be available. ... Frisco and Felicia: Felicia is even more upset about the violence, especially since Frisco's going to deal with it every day. Get used to Felicia stressing about being a cop's wife, since she's going to be this way for the next two-and-a-half months. Bobbie and Jake: The Paris trip? C'est Magnifique! Bobbie feels like she's at a turning point in her life, and that she can spend it with Jake. I guess they'll be getting engaged pretty soon, and I have to tell myself not to worry about how he apparently doesn't know about her past. Tania also has some tang to her: "Knowing Buzz, if he recov -- I mean, when he recovers, he'll probably be back out in the van and taking care of the rest of the world. Whether they deserve it or not."

Week 18, Part II Kevin, to Terry: "You're an O'Connor now. ... O'Connors handle their own problems. Their own way." Laurelton, what's left of the mystery: It won't be confirmed until the end of next week that Kevin's a triple murderer, but Jake fears as much as this week ends. Before that, Patrick and Kathleen have a confrontation over Sarah acting as his proxy at Purity Water. Kathleen claims the killer was a stranger, Patrick wants her to stop lying, he suggests that either Kevin or Kathleen herself did it, and she slaps Patrick. He doesn't actually think his mom or brother's the killer, which leaves only Tim. Again, if GH wanted to keep Kevin around, Tim's the most likely culprit. As for Kevin, he's also not thrilled about Patrick's decision and refuses the idea of attending marriage counseling with Terry. Four more weeks left with this bozo, none of which will be spent in Port Charles. On Wednesday, Kevin says he and Terry should have a real honeymoon. They'll quick go to Laurelton to get things in motion for the Jennifer Talbot memorial hospital wing, then continue onward. Three other notes about Patrick: I forgot to mention this in the Lucy section, but I was struck by how she stayed in character while he fought a guy who was hitting on her in the library. They didn't even throw in an insert shot of Lucy secretly loving the attention. I also got a kick out of Frisco feeling uneasy Thursday when he say Lucy and Patrick getting friendly together at Kelly's. You can just tell that the wheels are turning in Frisco's head, even if he's got the wrong idea. I'm sure Frisco's gut reaction is that Patrick was the mastermind and is manipulating Lucy. And finally, Guy Mack looked hot Monday when Patrick came home in a sportcoat and sunglasses. Terry, meanwhile, throws out the idea on Thursday of her becoming a criminal justice lawyer. Oh, honey ... no. Just no.

The Decline and Fall of the Monty Empire Week 18 (April 28-May 2, 1986) -- Part I Bryan: "I've never seen one hospital so concerned over one patient." Lorena: "Well, Buzz is hardly your ordinary patient. In many ways, he is General Hospital." Buzz Gets Brained: This storyline runs a close race against Laurelton for dominance of the week. While attempting to break up a fight on the waterfront, Buzz gets his skull fractured by a tire iron. As the week goes on, it's revealed that Buzz was apparently tortured while serving in Vietnam and has a steel plate in his head. He also has to deal with seizures (as a complication from the attack, not as something they're retconning into Buzz's everyday life). A specialist is called in to operate on Buzz's subdural hematoma, and of course, there's no guarantee that he'll be able to survive such a dangerous procedure, let alone fully recover. On the other hand, doctors can beat the odds: Jimmy Lee reveals that back in his youth, Buzz was able to prevent his needing an amputation. There's a lot to respect without genuinely like here. I appreciated how just about everyone gets to react to Buzz's plight. We're also reminded of just how intertwined Buzz is in so many lives and environments. Alas, I'm watching while knowing Buzz isn't going to be a long-term player, so all the attention just seems funny in hindsight. I'm giving this week's acting crown to Finola Hughes. Anna has a nice heart to heart with Frisco on Monday. She feels guilty about not being in love with Buzz, even if she cares about him and loves him as a friend. As Anna talks out her confusion over not being able to love Buzz romantically, Frisco has the answer. Buzz is not Robert. Anna: "I don't know why I can't get on with my own personal life. I mean, it seems such a ridiculous, stupid torch to carry. He's thousands of miles away, he's married to a wonderful woman. I'll never be anything more than a friend to him. But can I accept it? No! Why can't I just fall in love with another man?" The rest of the week is spent anticipating the big surgery. Friday includes an especially sweet Anna and Robin scene. Robin's been thinking about how people don't stay around very long: Robert, The Ancient One, and Filomena. Anna reminds Robin about how all of those people can be visited or contacted, that Buzz is fighting for his life and has people fighting for him, and how much Robin has been praying for Buzz. Anna: "And you know something else? I'm going to be around for a very long time." Robin: "Oh, Mommy!" hugs her Laurelton, the Lucy stuff: I love that we start the week with Lucy in lingerie. Seriously, it's part of Monday's first scene, when Lucy's bidding farewell to her unseen beau. It's like, okay, we get it, she's not actually frumpy. Speaking of that, there's a clever bit on Wednesday. Robin tells Felicia that Lucy's beautiful and recognizes that Lucy's intentionally trying to look plain. You gotta love how kids can cut through any bull. GH hasn't tried to make much of a mystery out of "Who's Lucy's guy?" There's no attempt at red herrings, which prompted me to try making my own. Monday's teaser takes place at night, and act one begins the following morning. Near the end of the episode, Lucy tells her lover to have a good day at the hospital. We know that she couldn't have said goodbye at the start to Buzz, Tony, or Yank. We also know that she and Patrick have no previously established intimacy, and their interactions over the rest of the week further that idea. This leaves a motley crew of remaining guys: Kevin, Bill, Steve (as if!), Alan (wait a few years), and ... Rick. Apparently Lucy is going to flirt with Rick later in the year. Barring any flashbacks (I don't think there will be any), Lynn Herring and Kevin Bernhardt share their only scenes together on Thursday. That's another indication that her survival on the show did not depend on him. While Jake's found the key to Lucy's apartment in Kevin and Terry's toilet tank, Kevin's giving Lucy lackluster kisses (See?! I told you he's a dud, not a stud!) and reminding her that they can't be seen together. Kevin and Lucy's last scene, happening after he's found out Jake has the key, has her assuring Kevin that she'll maintain their lie if it's to her advantage. If Lucy's sentenced to jail, she'll turn on Kevin. Luckily for Lucy and Kevin, she gets a suspended sentence including 100 hours of community service. Lucy's scenes in her librarian persona include some interesting maybe-a-lie, maybe-the-truth stuff. In retrospect, she's lying when she tells Frisco she doesn't have family. It's not certain that Lucy's lying when she tells Jake that she's not used to getting compliments from a man, and later that she was a disappointment to her late parents. On deck: Laurelton, what's left of the mystery, plus Sean Swindles the Quartermaines and the Domestic-Relationship Roundup.

What a great find, @DRW50.

Related to the episode that aired Thursday, April 30, 1998.

I'm sorry you're still having issues. And 100% correct about the art of blogging about obscure TV. I ended up reading several posts from various sites today, all of which were unmistakably from people who never would have dreamed of using AI.

A closer look at Who Is Julia?. Interestingly, they didn't play up the inherent science fiction aspect. @DRW50

Full House had an earlier beneficial time slot shift. It premiered as an 8 p.m. Friday series to low ratings. The initial Friday lineup was FH, I Married Dora, Max Headroom, and 20/20 (which was having its own beneficial time slot move, having vacated the 10 p.m. Thursday slot). Anyway, at midseason, there was a series of sitcom revolving doors, including Perfect Strangers moving from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Friday. FH got demoted to 8:30 p.m., sandwiched between PS and Mr. Belvedere. For the next season-and-a-half, Full House built an audience and got rewarded in the fall of 1989 with a return to the 8 p.m. Friday slot (Perfect Strangers moved to 9).

Twenty-eight years ago this week ...

Week 17, Part IV -- Conclusion Monica: "Well, I have to get to the hospital. I'm sure, Edward, you can appreciate someone with a salaried position." Sean Swindles the Quartermaines: Now that Alan, Edward, Lila, and Jimmy Lee are wiped out, let's have a round of good idea, bad idea! Lila: figuring out available resources (free busing, discount senior meals) -- GOOD IDEA! Edward: cutting back on the food spending ("Maybe some macaroni and cheese or a free pizza.") -- GOOD IDEA! Edward: vowing to drag Dimitri into court to get the money back -- UNREALISTIC IDEA! Lila: deciding to sell her jewelry -- GOOD IDEA!, as far as Edward's concerned ("Have you ever seen those rocks she has stashed away in the vault? I mean, this could be our version of Live Aid."; he's okay with Lila selling everything but her wedding ring) Alan: considering working double shifts to allow for more patients and more billing revenue -- GOOD IDEA! Edward: tapping into a rainy day fund of several hundred thousands -- GOOD IDEA! -- but intending to use that as seed money rather than the means to live modestly -- BAD IDEA! Edward: cutting back on the alcohol spending -- GOOD IDEA! Alan: considering looking for work outside of Port Charles -- BAD IDEA! Edward: urging Alan to reunite with Monica so they can keep their housing while he rebuilds the family fortune -- UNREALISTIC IDEA! Alan: accusing Jimmy Lee of being part of Dimitri's scheme -- BAD IDEA!, this gets Alan a punch in the face that sends him backwards over a chair Edward: deciding to sell the Southampton estate -- GOOD IDEA! Edward: deciding to close ELQ's international and Manhattan offices and dismiss the staff from the Port Charles office, with the family taking on all duties there -- UNREALISTIC IDEA! Edward and a reluctant Alan: trying to trick the GH board into paying Edward for being the chairman -- BAD IDEA!, this backfires when Steve, Amanda, Dan, and Rick assume Edward would be insulted by what they think would be modest wages, and decide it's best to just thank him for his service Sean, meanwhile, keeps Monica in the dark about having the Q's money. I can't remember when or if she found out. Either way, we can already start to see the finish line for that couple. Speaking of sex, after some urging from Buzz, Jimmy Lee finally agrees to go after women again. Actually, at this point, Jimmy Lee is the star of the family. He's been promoted to supervisor -- not "foreman" -- of a new construction job. Domestic Corner: Bryan and Claudia: She starts the week worried about Bryan, who didn't come home. Did he go on a bender? (I forgot Bryan's an alcoholic.) Was he with Debbie? Bryan gets mad that Claudia would think so little of him, says that he needs some space, and disappears for the next four episodes. Rick, Ginny and Mike: Mike likes girls, specifically Jamie (I'm 90% sure she's played by Wendy Brainard from Kids Incorporated), a fellow soccer player. Jamie tells Mike about how her parents don't pay her any attention, and I hate that I can make an educated guess as to where things are going. Mike will inevitably freak out about Rick and Ginny not worshipping him, and that's what's going to send him into Derek and Lorena's clutches. This is also where I can mention that on Thursday, when discussing with Anna the matter of friendships surviving tough times, Ruby alludes to Ginny framing Bobbie for murdering D.L. Yeah, that would be something tough to overcome. Tony and Tania: He installs a deadbolt on their door, since there's still a murderer out there. Later, Robin's made an honorary Jones, and Frisco & Felicia accept the honor of being the upcoming baby's godparents. It's all so adorable. Edward: "We may be out of brandy, but damn it, we are going to maintain dignity in this house." Shoves Alan, causing him and the chair to once again fall over Every week, I tell myself I'm not going to write War and Peace ... Oh well, as long as it's still fun for me and hopefully you guys.

Week 17, Part III Sean: "When are you ever going to get back to the business of being a woman and stop trying to be Robert Scorpio?" Laurelton, the Anna (and Buzz) stuff: Just a few more weeks of this crap where almost nobody respects Anna. Just a few more weeks. Okay, let's do a quick rundown of her wins and losses this week: having some mother-daughter time with Robin while they buy summer clothes (WIN) Felicia wanting to be friends again (WIN) Kevin getting acquitted of murder (LOSS) doubting her abilities as a judge of people, crimefighter, etc. (LOSS) receiving tough love from Sean (WIN; Yes, he says some condescending things, but he does genuinely care for her. Contrast with Jake pulling the same routine a few weeks ago.) getting various degrees of attitude from Patrick, Jake, Kevin, and a random heckler while out to dinner (LOSS, but that's to be expected) going on a dinner and dancing date with Buzz (WIN, according to the show), who keeps stepping on her toes (LOSS) Anna can't deny that she cares about Buzz, but she doesn't know if there's a future for them. Back at her place, they share a nightcap, Buzz kisses Anna, she pulls away, they confirm Robin's whereabouts, one more kiss, and then it's time to be interrupted by Frisco, Felicia, and Robin. Side note: Anna and Buzz's date included instrumental versions of "I've Got a Crush on You" and "Somewhere." I thought the latter was played in a rather improv. style that actually kinda made sense for how unorderly their situation is. And there you have it. The farthest Buzz will ever get with Anna. I already know that he'll get bopped on the head next week, and by the time he gets out of the hospital, Duke & Anna will very much be happening. Buzz gets some last creepy moments Thursday while sharing an awkward breakfast with Anna and Robin. Anna's already told him that she's really not ready for a serious relationship right now. Buzz thinks she is. Anna's glad she's gotten the chance to feel like a woman again. Anyway, at breakfast, Robin brings up having a baby brother or sister. "Do you think you could manage that?" Anna says she could, but there's more to it. Robin: "There is?" Buzz: "Yes, tell us." Anna: "You stay out of this, Buzz." Anna says that if you're going to be a mommy, you should be married. Robin: "That shouldn't be so hard for you." Buzz: "No, it shouldn't." Anna: "Um, eat your breakfast." Robin: "You can marry one of my godfathers. They're all unmarried. ... It might have to be you, Buzz." Anna: "He's speechless. ... Please try to be." Anna's week ends on Thursday, when she admits to Buzz that she can't let go of her doubts about Kevin. She's right, of course, but we won't know that for a while longer. This one's for you, Buzz!

Week 17, Part II Patrick, to Kevin: "It's great to have you back where you belong. So, how's everybody been treating you?" Old lady being wheeled away by a nurse: "I'm not getting out of this hospital a minute too soon! Can you believe they're letting that man come back to work?" Laurelton, the O'Connors stuff: There's an alternative universe where it wasn't Kevin all along, and he remained on the scene for at least 1986-87. In this more low-key world, significant time is spent on Kevin rebuilding his professional life, finally having a happily ever after with Terry, and ending up on good terms with Anna. That last one writes itself; Robin gets sick and Kevin heals her. For better or for worse, GH just wasn't that kind of show at this time. For the record, Lucy and Sarah aren't around when the not guilty verdict's read. I thought it was interesting that Anna and Brett's dismayed reaction shot doesn't come for 20 seconds. Red, to Jake: "I hope you're satisfied, counselor. ... I know what I saw that day at the airport. ... No, you're the one who's making a mistake. You just let a killer go free." Tuesday's episode has an odd moment with Sheriff Broder, Ted, and the O'Connor parents. Ted says they've all had three long years wondering just who was Earl Moody's killer, but it's time to "put the past behind us once and for all." Tim O'Connor, who, by the way, is back to being at odds with Patrick, thinks that maybe it's better that they not know who did it. That's pretty insensitive from a guy who lost three in-laws to the killer and had everyone in his immediate family except him and his wife be suspected of murder. I guess in this world where Kevin and Patrick didn't do it, Tim would have. In-universe, I think the Laurelton four know that Kevin did it, but are too much in denial or fear to say so. Whether they've always known it or have finally reached that conclusion remains to be seen. On Thursday, Tim starts to imply that he thinks Patrick is the killer. It's also revealed on Thursday that Earl was killed in the same room as Ted, et al. and that it happened when the lights went out. Okay, that's just stupid as hell. We've seen the room where it happened. It's not that big. Did everyone but Kevin just stay where they were, too terrified to move while their longtime acquaintance or relative was being killed? They couldn't all have been tending to the lights. And how long does it take to strangle a guy, anyway? Moving on ... Patrick rewards Bobbie and Jake, who gave Kevin a discount on his defense, with a Paris vacation. Jake leaves with a growing seed of doubt about Kevin's innocence. Meanwhile, Patrick goes to Laurelton, where he gives Sarah the use of Earl's house, makes her his proxy at Purity Water, and establishes a salary for that role. Sarah initially fears she's being paid off for her testimony, but comes around in a surprisingly touching way. Patrick: "I need you to look after my interests, so to speak. I need ya." Sarah, whispering as if in ectasy: "Oh, your uncle used to say that to me. Normal voice Oh, Patrick, you know I was very important to him." (I'll just bet she was!) Patrick: "I know that. And you are very important to me too, Sarah." Sarah, whispering again, and tearing up a little: "Oh, imagine. ... Just imagine me. Getting back to normal volume Me. Important to somebody. Oh, you know the people here in Laurelton never thought that I was important to anybody!" Anyway, the Laurelton guys learn what Patrick's done. I still think Tim should have been killed off during Laurelton II: Sarah's Revenge. Maybe Jim McKrell wasn't available. Back in Port Charles, Kevin and Terry continue having lousy sex. Since February, Terry's been presented as the one who's not pulling her weight, but I wish it would have turned out that Kevin just wasn't a good lover. That would have really sent him over the edge. Terry's determined to find out just who the killer is, so she can finally move on and be Kevin's wife. She also doesn't like Kevin's idea of leaving the Brownstone and/or Port Charles. Patrick returns from Laurelton in time to keep Terry from using Jennifer's brandy to make her unofficial truth serum. He ends Thursday's episode by telling Terry that she must forget the past. (Hmm ... maybe Patrick also has some barely suppressed doubts about Kevin?) Friday's episode includes Kevin's initially awkward return to GH. I smirked at the student nurse running like hell once she realizes they're alone together. As the episode goes on, various folks (from Alan to Yank) assert their confidence in Kevin and that everything will soon be back to normal. The episode includes not one, but four visits to Lucy. Lucy, to Terry: "I've learned my lesson. ... Never tell a lie and never fall in love, because they both bring you nothing but pain." After Terry, Lucy's visited in the library by Frisco, then Patrick. I watched these scenes carefully, trying to see if there'd be any red herrings for the finale. Truth be told, there aren't. Lucy briefly mentions Brett and Jake, but we already know that the latter's in Paris and the former hasn't shown up in the episode, so he's not likely to be the mystery man. Frisco ends Friday's episode having afterglow with Felicia, so he's not going to suddenly show up at Lucy's. And the way Lucy and Patrick are interacting, they clearly have no established intimacy. That leaves just Kevin, who for his part, has claimed to Patrick and Terry that he doesn't like Lucy. Which brings us to Lucy's big scene. As a standalone piece, it's a well-deserved classic. In context, it's frustrating. It won't be confirmed until next week that Lucy's seeing Kevin, but based on who she's been interacting with so far, it's really not hard to figure it out. Classic JER, like the unnecessary staggering of Roman finding out about Marlena & John's affair and that John was Belle's father. In my next post or two, which will come tomorrow, thoughts on Laurelton, the Anna (and Buzz) stuff, Sean Swindles the Quartermaines, and the domestic storylines (the Webbers, Bryan & Claudia, Tony & Tania).

The Decline and Fall of the Monty Empire Week 17 (April 21-25, 1986) -- Part I Ruby: "Can I, um, offer you some advice?" Kevin: "Well, anything from Bobbie's aunt, I'll take." Ruby: "Well, your life's pretty good now. Don't let petulance and anger screw it up for you. ... Okay, I better get in the kitchen and get on with my chili." Laurelton, the Frisco stuff: Kevin's declared not guilty of murder halfway through Tuesday's show. Monday's cliffhanger concerned his jury being deadlocked. We'll soon find out that Kevin's innocence is false, but in the meantime, GH teases its audience with a few days of "What's next?" Kevin and Anna spend the most time picking up their pieces, but there's also some reckoning for Frisco, Patrick, and Terry. Anna: "When you wear this badge, you have to do many things that go way against your own personal sense of morality." Frisco: "Really. To be a cop, I have to play dirty, is that it?" Anna, after a pause: "Criminals play dirty. What choice do you think you have?" Frisco: "Lucy Coe is not a criminal!" If I didn't have enough reasons to be thankful for the reveal of Lucy's true colors, it's apparently what's going to toughen up Frisco. I want to have more sympathy for him, and really, there's more disillusionment as 1986 goes on, but right now, it's like, why even be a cop? The correct answer is that GH apparently needs a male hero to pick up Tristan Rogers' reins. Frisco: "What about the people in between, huh? What about the Lucy Coes?" Lewis: "The means justify the ends. You do what you have to do." Spurred by Lewis, Frisco decides not to chicken out. The young man's humiliated early in Friday's episode. Felicia, her professor's star pupil and poised for work as a bookkeeper, stops by the police academy. She unwittingly demonstrates the logic and steps needed to safely disarm a gunman. Frisco and Sam both wind up "dead" in Lewis' exercise, and Eric's admonished for his shoot first, ask questions later attitude. After letting jealousy make him insult Felicia -- he's seeing Lucy, someone who needs him -- and fearing he's been stood up, Frisco makes amends. Ruby doesn't offer any wise words before this, just a sympathetic ear and some light flirting. Felicia takes things up a notch by walking into Kelly's in handcuffs, then dropping the key down her top. Frisco: "Do you know what the penalty is for trying to seduce a cop in this state? Hmm? You have to spend the entire evening in the arms of the arresting officer." They kiss, and the key drops to the floor. Felicia, laughing as she puts both arms behind Frisco: "Guilty as charged!"

I just can't take The Boy Who Drank Too Much seriously as a title. I know it's getting to the point, and comes from the name of its source material book, but it sounds like a parody. The boy, BTW, was Scott Baio, acting* opposite Lance Kerwin. *In Scott's case, it's really more "appearing" than acting.