Friday Update
November 9, 2001

PREVIOUSLY ON ALL MY CHILDREN

At SOS Simone nags Mateo about where he's been and says she's been worried sick. He says he's been taking care of business and she doesn't need to know where.

At the boathouse, Liza tells Ryan: "It's started -- he's laying the foundation." Ryan: "-- what? For what? Liza: "To take Colby away from me. I'm going to be sick!" She walks away to heave in semi- privacy.

SOS

Mateo, wearing an expensive business suit, counts out a large chunk of cash. Simone asks who died and made him rich. He jokes that he knocked off a bank and tells her to lighten up, these are good times. She asks for who (he corrects her with "for WHOM"). He shows off his suit and she wonders what's up with THAT. He says he's a successful businessman. He's looking puffy and there are dark circles under his eyes, not to mention beard and mustache stubble. He changes the subject and says he heard the costume party was some scene the night before. She assents. He says it was probably the biggest take they ever had. [Excuse me? It was a closed party, and it's not like they had one of their numerous ABC-sponsored singing groups. Must have been the Disney character costume rentals that jacked the prices up so high] Simone asks if Brooke paid for all of it IN CASH. He says it was honest money for honest work. Simone says that's BULL! It's drug money, not drink money. She accuses him of laundering money for Proteus and freezing her out of the loop. He suggestively offers to warm her up. She says the French cuffs, the fancy watch and the attitude are NOT his style and reminds him that he, Edmund and her are a team. He tells her she's SO sexy when she's worried. He leans in and kisses her. He laughs with a creepy smile and then walks to the back. A black man (name is Ezechial according to the CC) in a business suit walks up and asks her when THAT started.

Simone is not happy to see the man. He asks a lot of questions about Mateo and his cash, which she brushes off. He notes the kiss and asks if she noticed THAT either. She asks what he's doing there. He says he wanted to see where she works. She never invites him, so he invited himself. She says he's seen it, so now he can go. He asks what she's afraid of. She again asks him to leave. He complains that she's avoiding him and never answers his calls, so she can't blame him for being concerned about her. She insists that he GO! She says they can't be seen there -- this is one time he takes orders from HER.

CHANDLER HOUSE

The doorbell rings. Adam assumes it's Liza and, elated, jumps up and runs to the door. It's Ryan. Adam starts to slam the door on him, but Ryan forces his way in, demanding answers for why Adam is running background checks, etc. Adam tells him to get over it. Ryan wants to know WHO dug up the dirt on his father. Adam refuses to name his sources to the man who just cozied up to his WIFE in the middle of the night in the boathouse. Ryan tells Adam his is a sick BASTARD to hire someone to spy on his OWN WIFE!

Adam says he hired a PI because his wife is "out there running WILD!" Ryan says she doesn't want anything to do with Adam. Adam says she's confused and doesn't know what she wants. Ryan no doubt LURED her to the boathouse and is taking advantage of her! Ryan says she didn't need a whole lot of encouragement. He points out that he removed the PI's film and Adam scoffs at the notion of that actually STOPPING him. Ryan says he has NO RIGHT to invade her personal life! Adam snarls that he has EVERY right -- he's her HUSBAND! Ryan switches gears again and tells him to stop investigating him. Adam, referring to The Official Bad-Guy Guidebook which specifies that the bad guy MUST tell the good-guy what he's planning to do, tells Ryan he's already won the first round. He'll have his whiney little PI testify in Family Court that he caught Ryan and Liza "together". Ryan says he and Liza were only TALKING -- there was no sex or even TALKING about sex going on! Adam ignores him and says he is also going to prove that Ryan is violent, having his PI testify that Ryan lost his temper and broke his camera. It can be added to Ryan's ever-growing rap-sheet. Adam: "You're a violent man, Lavery! The cycle of abuse started by your father is being continued through YOU. And you're now a hazard to my daughter. And Liza's affair with you will cost her custody of Colby!" Ryan says Liza is lucky that she bailed on Adam when she did -- he had no IDEA that Adam HATED her this much! Adam says what he feels for Liza is FAR from hate -- he's doing this to protect Colby! Ryan says Liza would rather DIE than let anything bad happen to Colby. He says Adam's suspicions, detectives and accusations are making Liza ill. Literally. Ryan says Liza is in TROUBLE and she needs help -- NOW! [Oh great, give Adam more fuel]

Adam is surprised that Liza is sick and asks what's wrong with her. Ryan says HE's what's wrong with her -- he's wearing her down. Adam says Liza KNOWS he loves her. Ryan: "Well, she knows you're ruthless. And she knows you'll use your children as weapons and you'll take Colby away from her to punish her for leaving you. She knows THAT." Adam: "Colby's an innocent child!" Ryan: "Yeah? You keep this up, let's see how long THAT lasts." Adam tries to switch the subject back to Liza, but Ryan says Liza and Colby are the same -- if he takes Colby away, he takes away Liza's reason for living. Adam gets huffy and says Liza made her choice and has to live with the consequences. Ryan asks if Adam is joking -- she didn't ASK for this! Adam yells that SHE left HIM! Ryan yells back that he FORCED her OUT! Him and his bloated EGO! Adam looks slightly abashed. Ryan says it wasn't enough that she came back to him, that she wanted to give their marriage another shot. Adam had to come after HIM! And he's STILL doing it! He had to hunt down a rival that just doesn't exist! Adam: "You and my wife were LOVERS!" Ryan: "It's over. She chose YOU!" He says he WAS on his way out of town, but Adam blew it and now he's got Liza so knotted up inside that she's physically SICK! Adam asks if Ryan heard that somewhere. Ryan says he was THERE. It was like that time on the yacht when Adam threw a fit and she fainted. Adam says he wasn't even THERE last night, though. Ryan makes Adam look him in the eyes so Ryan can tell him that he is NOT having an affair with his wife. He's GOT to stop harassing Liza, for Colby's sake. Adam glares at him, but seems to be taking it in.

CONDO COURTYARD

Hayley leaves, walking into the leaf-strewn courtyard, tossing back instructions to the invisible Rosa to give Enzo his Chu-ba-Chu if he gets fussy. [Kelly really hesitated in the middle of this and pulled something out of her pocket -- I'm guessing they were her lines, which she quickly tossed into the condo before shutting the door] She stops to adjust her shoe, hopping on one foot, as Liza walks up. Liza is pissed off and yells that Adam has gone TOO FAR and has crossed WAY over the line! [Apparently impregnating her without her knowledge or consent doesn't even come close] She tells Hayley that he's going after Colby by having spies in the bushes trying to prove she's an unfit mother. Stuart walks up, grinning in his usual dorky manner and holding an large sketchpad. Liza, who has been able to tell Adam and Stuart apart for YEARS, calls him a PIG and a LIAR and starts hitting him as Hayley tells her to stop.

Liza keeps slapping at Stuart and chasing him around support beams while Hayley ineffectually protests. Liza: "You thought this was going to work? You know what? I'm going to tell you something! Stuart is all about a LOT more than just a SWEATER! Okay? He has a SOUL! You can't FAKE that, Adam!" Stuart keeps saying he IS Stuart, but Liza ignores him, saying his little charade won't work -- she's not going to confide in "Stuart" so he can get more ammunition to take Colby away from her. Hayley stammers that it IS Stuart -- she invited him over to see the baby. Stuart pipes in that he was going to sketch him as a surprise for Mateo. Liza finally realizes her mistake and apologizes. She keeps reaching out to reassure him, but he cringes out of reach. Liza starts to cry a little and sits on a bench. Hayley explains to Stuart that Liza left Adam. Stuart, echoing AMC fans around the world, says: "AGAIN?" Liza says she needs their help to do whatever it takes to fight off Adam and keep him from taking Colby away from her. They stare and gulp.

Liza tells them that Adam CAN'T win this! Liza: "That means we cut him off from his family! Stuart, Colby, me, you, Adam's grandson -- all access denied." Hayley says that's pretty harsh and he's still her father. Liza tells them about the PI following her and Ryan -- it's typical Adam behavior and they can't let him get away with this! [Do I sense an upcoming banana cream pie-in-the-face moment?] Hayley and Stuart believe her and realize how frightened she must be. Hayley points out, though, that she's asking her to lose her FATHER. [Is there a new makeup artist on the set? The women all appear to be wearing WAY too much foundation -- not that it looks lumpy or anything (well, okay, MATEO'S makeup looks lumpy) -- it just looks like their faces have been ERASED and new ones painted on -- it's a little disconcerting] Hayley says no one knows Adam better than she does -- he's an egomaniac and a power-hungry control freak (Stuart nods and shrugs in agreement). Liza asks if Hayley wants that man near her child. Hayley: "Didn't YOU? [touche'!] I mean, before all of this, before whatever it is hit the fan?" Didn't they want to be a family? Is Liza sure she's doing the right thing? Liza says she doesn't have any choice. Hayley says she has lots of choices -- does she just want to throw her family away? [Why is Hayley arguing with Liza after YEARS of the same old crap? Does Liza even NEED a reason at this point? Frankly, this whole thing rings kind of false to me after everything ELSE Adam has done -- so a PI was following Ryan -- big deal! Now one is following Liza -- a bigger deal, but NOTHING compared to his usual manipulativeness. At this point she should routinely EXPECT that Adam has people watching her every waking moment.] Liza: "Colby comes first -- that's the rule." Stuart asks for an opportunity to talk to Adam before Liza does anything drastic. [Stuart is wearing a yellow and black horizontally striped shirt -- he looks like a large bumble-bee in a tan jacket] Liza says it's too late. Adam is DESPERATE to get Colby -- he'll do everything he can to get her and she has to fight him back! [Again, so far we've only seen that Adam has hired a PI. Yes, we know from past experience how he'll go after his children, but we haven't really seen anything DESPERATELY overt ... yet.] Stuart thinks there MUST be a way to handle this before anyone gets hurt. Hayley asks if Liza is SURE she was being followed. Liza ISN'T sure, which means Ryan was probably also being followed and Adam has an accomplice -- and she is SO dead! Liza stomps off, leaving Hayley and Stuart to stare at each other with deep concern.

THE BOATHOUSE

Mateo walks into the boathouse looking like a natty gangster [I'm thinking Antonio Banderas in the "The Misbehavers" vignette of the movie "Four Rooms"]. Roger holds a gun on him and tells him he's late. Mateo just stares, slightly amused. He asks what's with the gun. Roger says he doesn't take any chances. Mateo good naturedly says that's all they DO in their line of work. He starts to pull out the wad of cash. Roger stops him, not trusting that there's not a gun in Mateo's pocket. Roger pulls the money out himself as Mateo comments on Roger's trust issues. Roger says there's too much cash there. Mateo says he exceeded his quota -- won't Proteus be pleased? Roger says Proteus doesn't LIKE surprises. Mateo says he moved the merchandise and doubled the take, so what's the problem. Roger says Proteus likes things as planned -- no improvising. Mateo says he's a take-charge kind of guy, what can he say? Roger insists he take some of the money back. Mateo refuses, saying he wants Proteus to know how much he's worth and that he wants a meeting face-to-face. [Didn't we JUST go over that scenario about a week ago?] Mateo excuses himself to answer his cell phone. It's Hayley. She says she needs to see him right away -- it's REALLY important! He says it's not a good time. She insists she NEEDS him and is coming down to the club -- Liza thinks Adam is trying to take Colby away from her. Mateo: "Which is not my problem, okay? So just handle it." He hangs up on her as she starts to protest. He doesn't look happy about having to do that, though. Hayley stares at her cell phone, then moves her jaw to the side to contemplate the conversation.

CHANDLER HOUSE

Adam says it's not his intention to hurt Liza and it troubles him that she's not well. Ryan says he can FIX it by calling off his dogs. Adam writes out the name and number of the guy who tracked down Ryan's father. He says it's legit info. Ryan asks if he'll back off Liza. Adam says yes, if he's making her physically ill [like THAT'S ever stopped him before] Ryan pockets the money and leaves. Adam plops onto the arm of a couch, has a flashback to when Liza fainted on the boat and him asking her if she's pregnant. Liza had insisted she was not and said: "You would love that, wouldn't you? Another CHANDLER child to run around and create and continue your legacy of LIES!" Back in the present, he strides to the phone and calls Seaview Hospital. He asks for Dr. Larribie, an obstetrician who was treating his wife. He wants an update on her condition. Unfortunately, the Seaview staff won't cooperate, citing the outdated notion of confidentiality. He yells at them, then slams the phone down.

Adam looks up to see Stuart at the entryway, deeply frowning. Adam rolls his eyes/head at having been caught and asks him what the devil he wants. Stuart, still grim, walks over and pinches Adam REALLY hard on his arm for being so mean to Liza. Adam: "OW!" He tells Stuart to go away -- he's had a bear of a morning and is in no mood for a lecture. [Okay, I can't let this one pass by. Go to http://www.robinc.org/sopranosounds.html and scroll down a little past halfway to "Episode 25: Knight in White Satin Armor" then look for "nomood.wav". You WON'T be disappointed :-)] Stuart: "TOUGH!" Adam: "What did you say?" Stuart: "I said 'TOOOOUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!'" Adam asks if HE's turned against him, too. Stuart pouts and reluctantly says he's his brother and knows better. Adam grudgingly allows Stuart to give him his best shot, knowing he can't stop it. Stuart says he loves Adam AND Liza and Liza loves Adam. Adam: "Yeah, we're one big, happy family." Stuart says they COULD be, except Adam is up to his old tricks and having Liza followed. Adam asks if he knows WHY he had Liza followed. Stuart stumbles over saying that it was because Adam thinks they are sleeping together (Adam has to finish the sentence for him). Stuart says they are NOT. Adam, who has poured himself a drink, wishes he had Stuart's faith in people. [I don't know if it's the makeup or what, but quite a few of the actors (except Kelly Rip, who's looking thinner again) seems to have an unusually puffy face. I'm wondering if they are all taking antibiotics because of the anthrax scare -- would it make their faces puffy?] He says Liza chose Ryan over her own family and he's doing what he has to do to protect Colby. Stuart: "Protect her from WHAT?" Adam says Lavery has a history of violence. Stuart: "So do YOU!" Adam scowls and says he's not HELPING! Stuart says Adam is not LISTENING and makes threatening little pinching motions with his hand. Adam tells him NOT to do that again! Stuart tells him that every time he gets into trouble, it's because he tries to control the people that he loves. He reminds Adam of when he thought Stuart was dead. Stuart: "You prayed! You prayed to GOD! Said, "Dear God, please, if Stuart is alive, I promise I'll change!" You even swore that same thing to ME! You promised that you wouldn't go back to your old ways!" Adam: "What makes you think I have?" Stuart: "You're alone again." Adam swears it's NOT his fault this time. He loves Liza and Colby beyond reason. Ryan is trying to take them away from him and he can't let it happen. Adam tears up and Stuart hugs him. [In the hug shot, Stuart's hair is WAY grayer than Adam's silvery white hair -- you'd think they could get a wig to match since Stuart's hair IS the same color as Adam's in other shots!] Adam really does look heartbroken.

PINE CONE MOTEL

There's a knock on the door to Ryan's room. Mia, wearing only a nightshirt (or one of Ryan's REALLY LONG shirts), leaps out of bed, thinking it's Ryan. [Why would Ryan knock at his own door, and why is Mia still in bed when everyone else in town is up and about?] It's Marian. Both women are surprised, having expected to see Ryan. Marian asks if he's there. Mia invites her in to see for herself. She doesn't know when he'll be back -- he went out last night to meet Liza and never came back. Did Liza? Marian doesn't know. [Hello? Isn't she "hiding" Colby, as usual?] Marian notes that Mia has made herself quite comfortable in Ryan's room. Mia doesn't want to make smalltalk. Marian sits on the bed and says it would seem that Mia and Ryan have more than just a casual relationship. Mia asks if Marian is asking her if she and Ryan are playing mattress tag. Marian counters that no one could ever accuse Mia of being subtle. Mia says no one could ever accuse Marian of minding her own business. Marian gives up on that tack and says she THOUGHT they were trying to be friends. Mia snorts that she doesn't know where Marian got THAT idea. Marian says she knows Mia came to PV with high expectations and that she disappointed that they didn't pan out. Mia says she'll deal with it. Marian: "With Ryan's help?" Mia says they understand each other. Marian says there's nothing in PV to keep either Ryan or Mia in town any longer. Mia asks what is the moral to the sad story Marian is telling. Marian says she and Ryan would make a terrific life together and they should both move on. Mia comments that that would get rid of at least two of Marian's problems. Marian concurs. Mia says Marian is UNBELIEVABLE! Marian points out how fond Mia and Ryan are of each other, so it's not that outrageous a suggestion and that Mia could really help Liza. Liza is hurting and Ryan is not good for her, and the sooner he leaves PV, the better off she's going to be. Mia laughs and says: "Oh, GOD! This is CLASSIC! I mean, Liza treats me like something that she just stepped in, and I'm supposed to rearrange my life so that she can maintain her COMFORT LEVEL?" Marian continues to whine about Princess Liza and her troubled times while Mia wonders what SHE'S got to show for it. [I notice a picture on the wall of smokestacks belching thick black smoke -- what an AWFUL picture to have in a motel room! Oh wait, those are just really tall trees whose branches don't start until nearly the top of the picture -- never mind] Marian: "She's under a great deal of pressure. But if you knew how kind and generous she can be --" Mia: "Yeah, I know." There's a knock at the door. Mia: "She's just like a regular MOTHER TERESA!" She opens the door. Liza wastes no time in backhanding Mia so hard I'm surprised Mia's teeth haven't imbedded themselves in the wall on the other side of the room. [Perhaps Liza should have thought about Mia's job as a KICKBOXER before having greeted her in such a loving, sisterly way.

Mia grits her teeth and asks if Liza wants to GO -- she is SO ready for HER! She pushes Liza back. Liza pushes Mia HARD a couple of times, driving her back into the room. Liza's ready to go ANY TIME! [Hello? Baby on board!] Marian breaks them up. Mia says this is the 2nd time this wench [their new favorite word -- I guess they can't keep using "bastard" AND "bitch" within a certain number of days of each other] has slugged her! Liza tells her she DESERVES it this time for ratting on her and Ryan to Adam! Mia is shocked and insists she did no such thing and, in fact, has quit. She didn't give Adam ANY information. Liza ascertains that Ryan never came home last night and, side-tracked, asks Marian what SHE's doing there. Marian chants her usual refrain: "Trying to save YOUR marriage!" She fills Liza in on coming over to get Ryan (and Mia) to leave town. Marian asks where Colby is. Liza says she's in a private, secure school and can only be signed out by Liza or Marian. Mia: "Oh, maximum-security pre-school. What fun for the kiddies!" Liza says she doesn't know what Mia's deal is (Mia agrees that Liza is TOTALLY clueless), but she doesn't trust her. How much was Adam paying her. Mia says he paid her nothing. Liza guesses he offered something else, more important than money, like maybe a way to get to HER. Mia laughs uncomfortably and tells Liza to get over herself. Liza says that whatever the deal is, Mia sided with Adam, which makes her Liza's ENEMY! Liza will do ANYTHING to protect her daughter, including rolling OVER Mia if she has to! Mia: "And that makes you better than who -- Adam? You're both a waste of skin!" Liza says Mia doesn't know ANYTHING about her and Adam. Mia: "Oh, beyond your hating his GUTS?" Liza says she LOVES Adam, and keeping their daughter away from him is like stabbing herself in the heart, but she will DO it if she has to! She stomps out the door. Marian follows, but stops at the door. Mia looks away in frustration and unhappiness at the latest monkey wrench in the gears of their sister-to-sister relationship.

CONDO COURTYARD

Hayley fiddles with her phone until she notices Ryan scuffle his way up to her. Did he catch her at a bad time? She sighs heavily and says Liza told her what went down at the boathouse last night. She reiterates Liza's wish for them all to strike back with a united front and how Adam is still her father. Ryan says Adam is using Colby to punish Liza. How can he do that? Doesn't he know what that's going to do to his own little girl? Ryan: "Does he want her to be mess up like ..." Hayley: "Like the rest of his children?" She says it's okay, she always says that, too. He states that she still loves Adam, in spite of everything. She asks if just the tiniest part of Ryan still loves HIS father, in spite of everything -- after all, he was going to go look for him. He says that was so he could give him hell. She asks if there wasn't something tiny, buried deep within him that wanted to FORGIVE his father? He says maybe and asks where all this is coming from [Hello? Haven't you been LISTENING?] Hayley: "You know, I'm sitting here thinking. My father is doing what he always does -- he is fighting for his family. Fighting. And you think that all he cares about is winning, but have you ever noticed how my father NEVER wins? He never wins. He always winds up ALONE and MISERABLE. He NEVER wins. Why is that?" Ryan doesn't know -- why does he always have to bring so many people down with him? Hayley quotes The Program, saying you can't get any better until you hit rock bottom. You can't go any lower than that, there's nowhere else TO go. Then she says that it's actually much SCARIER to HAVE everything in life -- to be in a place where you have everything and are living in this dream-come-true place because you KNOW that you could lose it all in a moment. He asks if she's saying they should all live like Adam [I wouldn't mind the money part]. She says she doesn't want to judge because it could be HER someday. Ryan says no way. Hayley: "I am telling you, you don't know what you're capable of until you're a parent, until you hold that baby in your arms, and that's when you realize that you will say ANYTHING and do ANYTHING -- and I mean ANYTHING -- to protect your child! You will! I KNOW it." She says you want to do the right thing for your child, but how do you know what the right thing IS? People say they would never do the things the way their parents did, but they DO. Her biggest fear is to look in the mirror one day and see Adam or Arlene staring back at her. He insists that won't happen. She says neither of them KNOW that.

THE BOATHOUSE

Roger orders Mateo to take the extra cash back and don't even THINK about meeting Proteus. Mateo: "I think he'd LIKE me." Roger reminds him that he's NOTHING but a soldier. If he wants to wake up in the morning, he'll keep his mouth shut and follow orders -- he does NOT want to mess with Proteus. Mateo: "YOU might be shaking in your boots, but I'M not scared of him." [What happened to him practically peeing in his pants over the possibility of Hayley or Lorenzo being killed due to his uncooperativeness?] He asks if Roger has ever met him. Roger says no. Mateo, still totally cool, bemused and indifferent to the danger, says he just wants to buy him dinner and pick his brain. He grins. Roger says he has a death wish. Mateo says no, he has a GIFT of making lots of money for Proteus and he wants to talk to him about his future. Roger says he HAS no future. Roger finally pockets the money and leaves. Mateo grins again, adjusting his cuffliks. He leaves.

SOS

Mateo walks back in and pours himself a drink. Simone asks if he delivered the money to Proteus. He tells her not to worry her pretty little face -- he's got it all under control. [I think they cut out some OTHER scenes (besides Greenlee & Jake, pre-party) -- SOMETHING happened to give Mateo this new attitude and confidence, but I haven't got the slightest idea WHAT]

CONDO COURTYARD

Hayley paces [isn't Rosa wondering why Hayley still hasn't left the front of the condo yet?] She sits down again and calls someone, asking if they can make some time for her. [her sponsor?]

PINE CONE MOTEL

Mia tells Marian that if Liza THINKS she's in her face, well she COULD be, no problem! Marian goes back to her song about poor little Liza, but Mia interrupts, saying: "I don't HAVE to understand anything, Marian! Liza doesn't make the rules!" She says Liza is all attitude and in her face! Mia is THISCLOSE to jumping over to Adam's side! Marian assures her she doesn't want to do THAT. Mia jumps up (as Ryan walks up and listens just outside the partially open door) and yells: "The HELL I don't! I think Colby would be better OFF with Adam, anyway! At least he's HOME nights!" Marian reiterates the difficult time Liza is going through right now. Mia: "Oh, yeah, like WHAT?" Marian: "She's PREGNANT and -- OH!" She realizes her gaffe and stops, sighing. Ryan (still outside the door) looks more than a little surprised and tries to take in this new information.

CHANDLER HOUSE

Adam slowly and dejectedly paces. The door slams. It's Hurricane Liza. She glares at Adam. He stares back and gives just the slightest, tiniest HINT of a smile and nod, indicating that he KNEW she would come back to him.

ON THE NEXT AMC:

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With distaste, Bianca asks Leo (sitting in a chair with a drink and a tophat): "You still planning on saying "I do" to LAURA today?"

An unknown woman, being ushered out by Laura's "friend" Susan, yells and points at Laura, telling her: "NO man has done enough EVIL to deserve a life with YOU!" Laura squints nastily at her.

Jake tells Greenlee: "I moved you out."

Ryan asks Marian and Mia: "I may be the baby's father?"

Liza tells Adam: "I filed for divorce." Adam looks surprised and unhappy.

Irreverently submitted,

Robin "so what else is new?" Coutellier