The Best And Worst On General Hospital, Young and Restless, DAYS, B&B and BTG The Week Of Nov. 24-28
From General Hospital kicking off what is sure to be its latest wedding from hell – that of Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) — to the unexciting search for Noah (Lucas Adams) The Young and the Restless, here are our critics’ picks for the best and worst on soaps last week.
The Best
General Hospital: Things We’re Thankful For: Messy Engagements
The most hated man in Port Charles, Congressman Drew Cain, may be a shrewd politician, but he has blinders on when it comes to matters of the heart. He seems to believe that after getting busted for hiding from her that he’d been sleeping with her mother at the same time they were “falling in love,” he’s managed to win Willow back, but her body language in his presence isn’t exactly screaming “happily ever after.” Still, there’s no denying the soapy chaos that resulted on GH from his 900th proposal to Willow after she moved back into his house.
“Will you marry me?” asked Drew, as he got down on one knee… with Lila’s ring. Yes, the same ring Drew’s nephew Michael had given to Willow when they got engaged. (Willow removed the ring when she and Michael separated, and Drew took it. His reasoning was that even though Monica gave the ring to Michael, Lila was also his relative.) Compounding the awkwardness: Michael overheard Willow ask Elizabeth to be her maid of honor while also revealing the wedding would be on Thanksgiving Day. Michael looked positively stricken when Willow held out the recognizable family sparkler on her left hand.
Drew added to the messiness when he ran into Nina, Ava and Liesl at the Grill and invited them for Thanksgiving. “I promise you won’t want to miss it,” he taunted. “Dessert is going to be spectacular.”
Spectacularly messy!
Beyond The Gates: Drama At The Club
On BTG, Bill took his new bride to Fairmont Crest for turkey, which was exciting for Hayley until the Duprees sauntered in. “Don’t they have a chef at home?” she snarked. Bill explained they give Rowena the day off to be with her family and an angry Hayley realized Bill just wanted to be near his former in-laws. In walked the handsome Izaiah to join the Duprees and Hayley perked up. Okay, they can stay.
“I’m thankful Bill is our former son-in-law sitting way over there,” quipped Anita to Vernon, Nicole, Naomi, Jacob and Izaiah at the Dupree table. Naomi slipped over to her dad’s two-top to say hi, and said she appreciates Hayley looking out for Bill’s health. (Too bad Hayley’s poisoning him.) Watching his daughter yuck it up with his former in-laws made Bill visibly jealous, to the point where he hushed Hayley so he could eavesdrop on Vernon’s toast. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” eye rolled the black widow.
Vernon’s words were inspirational, as usual, ending with how his long life has taught him the “sacred power of gratitude.” Bill’s face looked more like he’s learning the power of regret.
Young and Restless: Ashley Comes Home; Genoa City Celebrates
Any week that starts with Jack picking Ashley up at the airport is going to be a good one, but Y&R went one better by spreading the wealth throughout Genoa City.
There was Cane entering Crimson Lights asking Esther, Amy, and Lily if he could help feed the homeless. “Are you for real?” Lily responded. They bantered until Phyllis popped in to bust Cane for chasing his ex. Lily turned the tables by saying the reason no one believes Cane has changed is because he’s hanging out with Phyllis. Advantage: Lily.
Over at the Newmans, Nate joined Victoria (which prompted knowing looks between Adam and Chelsea about a possible romance) and Nikki fretted about the absent Nick and Noah (sorry, Sharon!). Claire suggested Victor come with her to the Abbotts to see his great grandson Harrison and The Mustache replied, “Yeah right” — proving the OGs don’t need to get sappy just because it’s a holiday.
Billy brought Sally to the Abbott festivities so she could admire their turkey and apple cider traditions over the corn dogs she grew up having with her aunt on the carnival circuit. “Welcome to our table,” Jack greeted Diane, Billy, Sally, Traci, Ashley, Claire, Kyle and Harrison. Ashley brought up the heartache they endured this year (“I’m such a downer”) but Diane, Traci and Billy perked everyone up by extolling the love they share. Jack summed it up by saying even when they forget to like each other they never forget that they love each other: “It’s what the Abbotts do.”
Days of Our Lives: A Confession, An Engagement And… A Kidnapping?
Belle bought turkey to Marlena in the hospital, which she enjoyed for about five minutes until Brady arrived to reveal Rachel needs intensive mental health treatment after almost killing Sarah. Marlena apologized, saying she wished she knew Rachel was “still” a danger to others. What? Brady and Belle pressed, and Marlena had to admit she was there when EJ remembered Rachel had shot him and knew Kristen confessed to protect the murderous kid. Brady flipped, and blamed Marlena for his daughter now being sedated.
Roman and Kate hosted Steve, Kayla, Stephanie and Alex at The Brady Pub while the Hernandez house buzzed with Rafe, Gabi, Ari, Javi and Leo. Gabi invited Philip to join their low-key dinner which Rafe dubbed “charity for rich people” and they all celebrated when Leo proposed to Javi. Over at Julie’s house, she and Jack remembered how Doug left them last year on Thanksgiving (sniff!) and Julie scolded Jack for trying to take Chad’s children from him, calling it “beyond messy.” Jennifer grew more resolved to take the kids when Chad didn’t show up for dinner.
The kidnapped Tony and Kristen bickered in the DiMera crypt, fretting that their loved ones would think they left them on purpose. Kristen cut her hand and told Tony to fetch her a bandage, sparking an argument about where the hell he was supposed to find medical supplies in a mausoleum. All of a sudden, a body rolled in. “Oh my God,” exclaimed Kristen. “It’s Chad!”
Bold and Beautiful: Turkey, Tradition, And Toes: Oh My!
We’ll get to how toes fit into B&B’s celebrations (!) but let’s start with Steffy achieving the holiday of her dreams with her husband, kids, mom and dad.
“Cooking, but make it fashion,” quipped Steffy as she made pumpkin pie with Kelly and Taylor in matching aprons. Ridge turned up to have Thanksgiving “with my family” (Brooke would like a word…) toting flowers and wine. He and Taylor expressed gratitude that the family made it through the hardship of the past year, a clear reference to the violence perpetrated by Finn’s murderous bio daughter Luna.
Daphne did a random sound check at Il Giardino which gave Carter the chance to stare adoringly at her as she sang. Deacon brought up their differences (aka Hope) but Carter dismissed it, saying, “Leave it in the past.”
Sheila pulled her husband aside to comment on how much she liked the “new and improved” Deacon and showed off her own improvements. She slipped off her shoe to display pink toenail polish instead of the usual black, indicating a “kinder, gentler” Sheila. You know, since she cut off her toe to feed it to a bear when she faked her death in 2022 to avoid prosecution for shooting her own son and daughter-in-law.
Moving on…
The Worst
Y&R: The Search For Noah
Nick and Sharon yelling out Noah’s name in back alleys full of garbage, cigarette butts and drugs is not a story, and it sure isn’t anything people want to watch when they’re home for Thanksgiving.
There was Nick recounting to Sharon how Detective Burrow suspects Matt Clark is trafficking fentanyl through The Shadow Room, when viewers know the shady detective is on Matt’s payroll. “We need some clue,” said Nick, stating the obvious since their son had been missing for days along with Matt’s wife, Sienna (with whom Noah is having an affair). Detective Burrow joined them in the alley, referring to Matt as “Mitch”, which caused Sharon to scream out again, “Mitch is an alias!” Nick repeated that Matt is a bad guy who grabbed their son against his will, vowing, “Sharon and I will tear this place apart.”
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