Emotional Fallout: B&B’s Luna (Lisa Yamada, l.) got served tough love,  GH’s Lois (Rena Sofer, c.) had to face the music and DAYS’s Marlena (Deidre Hall) was there for the love of her life, John.

The Best

Bold and Beautiful: Sheila To Luna: Leave Town

Has famed murderer/kidnapper/stalker Sheila Carter finally learned her lesson? She actually gave good advice to her newfound granddaughter Luna — who naturally didn’t take it.

“I’m concerned about you,” began Sheila after spying Luna staring at pictures of Will Spencer. “He’s with Electra Forrester.” For now, replied the snide girl, adding that Will and Electra could break up tomorrow. Sheila said Luna is playing with fire and needs to accept her circumstances because Will doesn’t want anything to do with her. Luna blathered on about how Will doesn’t belong with “snobby, snooty” Electra and Sheila grew alarmed. “Sometimes I wonder if you choose not to listen or if it’s something worse.”

It’s something worse. Electra ordered Luna to stay away from Will and threats followed. Sheila broke it up, lamenting to Luna that she recognized the violent flash in her eyes and thinks Luna is on the verge of backsliding and ruining her life. The more Luna argued, the more a lightbulb seemed to go off in Sheila’s head: Luna does not appreciate the second chance she’s been given. “It pains me to say this to my own granddaughter,” concluded Sheila, “but it’s time for you to leave Los Angeles.”

General Hospital: Payback For Lois

Brook Lynn, Dante, Ned and Olivia took turns excoriating Lois for her lies after they learned the truth about Gio. Lois knew she deserved it and stood strong.

“I’ll tell you everything,” Lois explained to her daughter, recounting how her cousin Camila wanted a baby so letting her adopt Brook Lynn’s child felt like the right thing for everyone. Gio went to a loving home but then Camila got sick and died and Gio’s world fell apart so how could they tell anyone then? She was trying to do the right thing. “For who?” demanded Dante.

Ned, too, was incredulous that their daughter had a baby and Lois kept it from him. “I’ve been living with my own grandson for over a year!” he boomed. It wasn’t fair, agreed Lois. Olivia echoed Ned, furious that her oldest friend didn’t tell her the truth and kept their mutual grandson to herself.

When the deluge was over, a surprising person emerged to show support: Lois’s fellow grandparent Sonny. “When you got me to pay for Gio’s music you were trying to give me a relationship with my grandson?” he asked gently. Yeah… it was her way of sharing Gio with him without the truth coming out and ruining all these lives. “I appreciate what you were trying to do,” responded Sonny, taking Lois in his arms.

The rest of her family will not be as forgiving.

Days of Our Lives: John’s Family Gathers

Will, Eric, Carrie and Paul returned home to join Brady, Belle and Johnny at their father/stepfather/grandfather/hero John’s bedside. Cue the flashbacks.

Carrie’s clips were the most poignant as we watched John (the late Drake Hogestyn) break the news to a very young Carrie (Christie Clark, still in the role) that Marlena had been presumed dead. Post-memory, Marlena hugged her and they reflected on how John always made Carrie feel cherished and secure even though Roman was her bio dad. He may have been a famous spy but Carrie said John was best at being a dad to Sami, Belle, Eric, Paul, Brady — even Sami despite the grief she’s given him. “He loves her like she’s his own, like me,” smiled Carrie. Family is what sits in your heart, nodded Marlena.

As they took turns sitting by the critically burned John’s bedside, his family rationalized that he wouldn’t be John Black if he hadn’t risked his life to obtain the experimental drug that could save Bo’s life. He’s very stubborn and that stubbornness will help him recover decreed Marlena. “Doc,” responded John faintly. Other positive signs included John squeezing Carrie’s hand, whispering to Paul he was proud to be his dad, and giving Belle his trademark “That’s a fact” when she told him he’d get through this.

“It kind of feels hopeful,” mused Belle. Kind of…

Young and Restless: Traci and Ashley Come Home

The Abbott sisters left town after Traci’s fiancé was revealed to be a kidnapper and murderer, so their return to pick up the story was welcome. Traci admitted to Diane that she’s been tortured by the guilt of having brought Alan/Martin into their home. Diane consoled her by saying he fooled all of them. Jack offered a brotherly ear and Traci shared that she’s working on turning her ordeal into a novel to help her heal. “That’s very brave,” praised Jack.

Next came Ashley, who asked for time alone with Jack to discuss her difficulty coping with what Martin did to them and how devastated Traci was by his betrayal. She asked for a leave of absence from Jabot to deal with the trauma and Jack agreed. Take all the time you need, he advised. He will look after Traci.

On lighter note, this was the first time Ashley and Traci had seen Diane’s renovation of their family home. Traci saw it as a new beginning; a way to erase the memories of her ex-fiancé. Ashley grudgingly pronounced it beautiful, allowing it didn’t come easily for her to give Diane a compliment. “Change is necessary,” she admitted.

Especially the kind that brings the Abbott ladies home.

The Worst

Beyond The Gates: Why Is Martin So Nasty?

He’s from the most prominent family in town and has a loving husband, two good kids, and a promising career in politics, yet Martin’s M.O. is fighting and yelling. Smitty quit his job to raise their kids but Martin dismisses him and lies to him at every turn. You know your marriage is in trouble when you depend on push notifications from your husband’s job to keep track of him. In Smitty’s case, it’s easy: Congress wasn’t even in session when Martin lied he had to “go vote” and instead went after Bill — which is a bigger problem.

“There’s a debt to pay, Martin,” warned Bill after the congressman accosted him at the country club. “My favors aren’t free. Don’t you ever forget who cleaned up your mess that night.” Martin’s grandparents certainly haven’t. Vernon and Anita are beholden to Bill for his “favors” but Martin shows no appreciation for their part in keeping whatever terrible thing he did from the family, the law and the media.

It’s been three months since we were introduced to this character and we still know little about him. Martin throws around a lot of ‘tude for a guy whose family cleaned up whatever his “mess” is, and his righteous anger feels misplaced in many scenes. BTG has shown us why Dani is a loose cannon. It’s time for some insight into what makes her explosive nephew tick… tick… tick.

B&B: Carter’s Instant Proposal

How is it possible that Hope popped by Carter’s apartment for what Carter thought was a final break-up but after she explained the misunderstanding about Liam, he suddenly had flowers, candles and an engagement ring?

Last week, Hope called Carter and asked if they could talk. He flashed back to overhearing her declare her love to Liam and prepared to be dumped for good. She explained that Liam was dying and they reunited. “Close your eyes,” he said this week, as candles suddenly got lit and he handed her a glass of wine to toast “the woman of my dreams” as the music swelled. Out came a diamond ring hidden in the couch: “Marry me!”

Putting aside the improbability of keeping a diamond in your couch in case your ex pops by, Hope emerged from Carter’s bedroom the next morning with no mention of who cared for her young daughter Beth while she spent the night. (We know it wasn’t the ailing Liam!) Yes it’s a soap, but if B&B wants us to get behind this insta-couple, there should be some discussion about what could have possibly led to a marriage proposal one hour after Carter had so little faith in Hope that he thought she had gotten back with her ex-husband.