Monday, November 12, 2018 (S56E154): What If?

In this episode we see Sonny, as a kid, Brooklyn, New York, 1985; he pulls the trigger and shoots Vince Marino.  He wakes up to see Margaux still asleep on the couch, and wanders over to the window; looking out, he sees himself, as a kid again.  Scene backs up and we see Sonny, as a kid, about to shoot Marino; his father shows up and stops him.  He wakes up again… this time Margaux is not on the couch; there is a picture of him, as a police officer on the shelf.  He looks in the mirror and turns to examine the room; nothing is the same.

There is a picture of Dante, dressed in leather, and two other girls, with Olivia, who enters the room; she tells him they are going to see their son in Port Charles today.  She tells him he needs to be more supportive of their son, no matter what choices he is making.  They get to Puzzolo’s restaurant, where Dante apparently works; Olivia notices Sam’s earrings… Sam says Dante got them for her, for their anniversary.  They sit down to eat and Sonny asks about his son’s business; Dante tells him he wouldn’t understand.  Julian and Ava come in and Dante introduces them to his parents; Sonny is not very polite.  Dante tells Julian he will meet with them in a minute; Sonny lets his displeasure be known... he gets up and leaves.

He goes into the police station to speak to the Commissioner; he sees Alexis, the D.A.  Anna comes out and introduces herself; she snidely says she has met Dante, calling him “charming.”  He warns her Julian and Ava have expanded their territory; she seems to disregard his warning.  Julian tells Dante he was right about A.J. Quartermaine being "right for the picking”… enter Jason, who is introduced to Dante as Jason Smith; Ava kisses him intimately.  Sonny is disappointed that Anna doesn’t seem to care what Julian is doing in Port Charles; he asks Alexis why she’s “on the take.”  Alexis tells him about Anna’s daughter, Robyn, who died of full-blown AIDS in 1990 because there was no care available at General Hospital.  Sonny thanks her for letting him know that.  Carly comes in threatening Ava, saying her son had to leave the country because of them; Sonny smiles.

Dante meets with Jordan and gives her evidence on Julian Jerome; he says he is doing it for his father… he despises the Jerome’s as he does.  She says if his father knew, he would be proud.  Carly laughs about how Michael got out, and how they have to deal with A.J. now; she says they will end up in prison.  She asks Jason how he can allow this to happen; he ignores her.  Julian tells Carly to leave; she starts to swing her fist at him, but Sonny offers to walk her out.  They go for coffee; she tells him her name is Caroline, but says she likes to be called Carly… they shake hands, and exchange a familiar look.  He asks about her son; she tells him A.J. is the CEO of ELQ, and a drunk.  She is angry that her son is half a world away, and says they fought before he left; Sonny says he understands, being the father of three kids.  Julian tells Jason to eliminate whoever it is that turned him in; Sonny asks Carly why she doesn’t go after her son and apologize.  He admits he just fought with his son; says, he’s in a bad way.  She tells him to take his own advice… or stay and drink with her.

Sam asks Dante what is going to happen now that Julian and Ava have been arrested; he tells her he plans to take over, but she says this is their chance… to leave and be free.  He says if she doesn't like the life he's given her, she can leave and he’ll find someone else to take her place.  She lays her ring on the bar; Jason watches her.  He asks if she’s okay; she says her marriage is officially over.  He asks where she is going to go; she says Wyoming or Montana maybe… she suggests he do something for himself, like get on a motorcycle and just ride away.  He says he used to have one, but he got rid of it when he started working for Frank; she says he should get another.  He gets a text to meet at Pier 55; when he shows up, Dante shoots him.  Carly tells Olivia Sonny was going to meet Dante... Sonny runs onto the docks to stop Dante from shooting Jason again, and accidentally shoots Dante.  Olivia screams, “you just shot your own son” with a familiar tone.

Scene flashes back to Sonny, as a kid, but this time Sonny, as an adult is there; he tells him there will be consequences for the choice he makes, and he says, “I know” and pulls the trigger.  Sonny wakes up again, Margaux on the couch, and he stares out the window.