Friday, October 6, 2006
Asa was warmly welcomed back surrounded by a happy band of Buchanans. Asa congratulated Clint for having dumped Dorian. Bo shared that David Vickers thought Spencer had been behind the mishaps that happened on and around New Year's Eve to the Buchanans. Bo reminded them that Spencer had been up at the cabin on New Year's. Asa clearly didn't want to talk about it at that moment. Nigel called Asa on that mysterious black and white photo that he had hidden in the drawer. Asa didn't spill any details, but he was uneasy.

David ran into Dorian in a public park. Dorian was horrified to realize that David spent the night on a park bench. David asked Dorian to accompany him to the funeral. David felt responsible for John's death, in that he had been involved, though not responsible for, Thomas McBain's death as well. David went to the funeral and spoke directly to Mrs. McBain. David told her that John had given him a second chance and he thanked her. The McBains were not too responsive, but Bo told David that it took guts for him to show up today.

Rex arrived at John's funeral and wondered where Natalie was. At Viki's, Roxy slapped Natalie when Natalie, still dressed in her robe, said she didn't see the point in going to John's funeral. Viki encouraged Natalie to go, adding that she'd regret it for the rest of her life if she didn't. Natalie went with her family. She was eager "to get this thing over with." She (and we) watched as the flag-draped coffin was carried in by the police guard to the music from a bagpipe. With deep emotion Bo gave the eulogy and spoke movingly about John being a true hero. The priest prayed and Michael thanked everyone for coming. Natalie sat and touched her engagement ring. The graveside service was beautifully directly and scripted. Each mourner had a few words as they left a flower in the grave. Evangeline sang "Oh Danny Boy." A tearful Natalie had been giving the flag, and was the last one left sitting.

Thursday, October 5, 2006
Michael, Eve and Marcie were meeting with the funeral home director when Natalie showed up. "Do I count as family?" she said. Michael assured Natalie that she was family, but they didn't want to upset her. Eve asked her to please stay. Natalie asked what they were planning for the funeral. Michael said there would be an honor guard from the LPD and bagpipes. After choosing the casket, which was very difficult, she exited and ran into Cris in Angel Square. She then sat on a park bench and tried not to cry as Vince almost interrupted her reverie.

In ICU, Kelly visited Hugh as Paige watched from afar. Kelly started to cry to when she talked to Paige about how successful Hugh had become. "I wish I had told him (I was his mother) sooner," Paige said wistfully. Kelly assured Paige that Hugh would pull through. Kelly told Paige how Hugh had helped her get through the beginning of her pregnancy. "You son is a beautiful, beautiful man," Kelly said through the tears.

Vince tried to convince Cristian to stop trying to get the boxing commission to change its mind. Cris reminded Vincent that his reputation was now ruined. "The last thing I need from you is bad PR," barked Vincent. Vincent told Cris he needed to accept the situation and move on. Cris wasn't that sure and stormed out of his own apartment. Vincent pounded the door after Cris left.

Evangeline loved the story Todd published about John McBain. "John is one of the reasons I'm sitting here," Todd said, but added, "he wasn't an easy guy to like." "Like you," Evangeline smiled. Evangeline grabbed Todd's hand when Blair slithered in and smirked. Evangeline told Blair she and Todd were having a private conversation. Blair said she had come to talk to Todd about their children. Evangeline left and Blair slipped into her seat. They needed to figure out where Jack and Starr were going to live. Todd wondered if Blair would sue for custody, but then sniped she could always just sleep with the judge. Blair stated that she wanted to move back into the penthouse and she wanted their lives to be the way they were two years ago, the way they were supposed to be. "Marry me, Todd," she said bluntly.

Antonio and Bo were overwhelmed with the amount of flowers that were being delivered for John. Antonio and Bo talked about John, "one of the best cops I ever met," Antonio said. Bo pointed out that John was gone while Spencer Truman was sitting in a cell trying to get away with murder. Bo and Antonio vowed that wouldn't happen. Evangeline headed to the police station and asked Bo if he would go through John's office with her. Evangeline had just been retained as the lawyer for the McBain family, and apparently John had not left a will. Evangeline was hoping that they might find something in his office but she felt awkward going through the office alone. Bo and Evangeline decided to start with the file cabinet together. Later, a grief-stricken Bo sat in John's office as Evangeline ran into Cris' arms.

Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Cris and Evangeline talked about John in Angel Square. The quiet was interrupted by Vincent, who said he was dumping Cris as a client. "I'll have to clear my name on my own," Cris said. Todd ran into them and said he felt bad about John. "He was a good cop." Todd hadn't found anything out about the boxing commission's ruling. Cris and Evangeline went back to Cris' place, where he began to clean house — he wanted to get rid of his boxing stuff and his art supplies. Evangeline tried to talk him out of getting rid of everything and promised that she'd help him rebuild his life. "You are not done," she reminded him.

Todd broke the news (somewhat gleefully) to Vincent that Hugh had been seriously burned. Vincent was affected by that news but Todd didn't care, as Hugh had sent him to the death chamber. Todd noticed that Vincent seemed interested in Layla. Vincent said he was, which prompted Todd to make a threat: "You lay off me or I'll tell her how you set up Vega." Uh-oh.

Natalie went home to Viki's to find her worried family ready to comfort her. Natalie got snarky with Kevin, telling him, "you drank your way through Duke's death," and then apologized for her behavior. Kelly clarified that she and Kevin were not reconciled. Clint tried to convince Natalie to let them shoulder some of the hurt. Natalie said it was still hard to have two families. Jessica encouraged Natalie to let it out. Natalie added, "Without John, I don't know if I'm ever going to feel alive again." Natalie told her family about the engagement ring John wanted her to have.

Much to Starr's humiliation, Todd walked her to school. One of Starr's teachers asked Todd if he could speak to the class about his recent brush with death and the legal system. Todd declined. "I think high school is harrowing enough," he noted. Langston and Starr had a bad first day of school but then they hooked up with some jocks and managed to get themselves invited to a wild Llanview party.

Rex helped Adriana pack up as Layla watched. Both gals commiserated about not having jobs they liked. Adriana didn't want to work for Rex, even though he offered her a job. Layla left to give Rex and Adriana space to christen her new apartment.

Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Blair ran into Kelly before the latter had her OB/GYN appointment. Kelly couldn't offer that many details about Duke's mother, (that would be LeAnn) even though the doctor wanted as much information as possible on the baby's medical history. Blair called Kevin for a favor. Kevin quickly arrived at the hospital and sweetly offered to be Kelly's birth coach.

Natalie spent the night tossing and turning in John's bed. She woke up, saw the engagement ring and began to cry. Rex and Roxy showed up and they had a family comfort session, drinking beers and eating cheese doodles on John's bed. Roxy broke the mood when she reminded them she'd have to rent out John's room. Rex wanted to stay with Natalie, but she said she'd be okay and added "I'm not alone." Natalie went into John's closet and began to weep again. She pulled herself together and began packing up John's things.

Kevin asked Antonio how he deals with not being Bree's real father. (Remember, it's Nash.) Antonio said he couldn't punish Bree. Antonio explained that Jessica wasn't Jessica when she got pregnant. "I love her. How could I not love her child?"

Vincent broke the news to Chris that the boxing commission had ruled that Cris had thrown the fight. Cris and Evangeline vowed to fight the decision.

Paige and Nora were in the ICU with bandaged Hugh. Spencer demanded to see his "son." "Why would you want to keep him from the best surgeon possible?" Spencer said. Paige blew up at Spencer. "Stay away from my son. Go to hell." Spencer sat by Hugh and tried to get through to him. Hugh became agitated, which set the machines off. Paige went ballistic. Spencer looked concerned. They were shooed out and Spencer questioned his ex as to why she hadn't called in specialists. Paige defended herself the best she could. Then Hugh's adoptive parents showed up to visit him.

Monday, October 2, 2006
Nash walked in on Jessica and saw her smack Claudia. "She provoked me," Jessica stated. Claudia claimed Jessica was consumed with jealously when she learned that Nash and Claudia had sex. Nash later showed up at the police station and told Antonio that Jessica had a strong right hook. Nash told Antonio about his night with Claudia and added that he thought Jessica was having some trouble with the integration. At the end of the episode, we saw Claudia start drinking — something she hadn't done in a while.

Jessica told Clint she's becoming more like Tess, and Clint urged her just to relax and accept what was happening.

Rex helped Adriana and Layla find an apartment. Michael and Marcie broke the news about John's death to Rex and Adriana. They offered their condolences and their help. Rex asked about Natalie; the McBains said that Natalie had flipped out at the news that John was hoping to propose to her. John's mom told Natalie how excited he had been about asking her to marry him. Eve added she hadn't heard him sound so happy since he had been a little boy. Natalie listened in disbelief. "His last wish was for you to have this ring," Eve said as she gave the ring to a weeping Natalie. Natalie took the ring as Michael came out to see them.

Clint asked Carlotta if she'd seen Natalie, who was very sad to hear about the death of John. Dorian walked and saw them hugging. Dorian accused Clint of fooling around with Carlotta. Clint told her to shut up. Dorian vowed not to give up on him; Clint was clearly disinterested. Clint broke the news that John McBain was dead and that seemed to get Dorian to stay quiet. Dorian offered her help, but Clint said no. Adriana and Rex showed up at the diner. Adriana warned Clint that Dorian was "the queen of spin. She could sell ice to an Eskimo." Dorian said she wanted to make amends. Clint tried to extricate himself from the argument. Adriana began listing all of Dorian's evil deeds and it was clear she wasn't going to be warm and fuzzy toward her mother for a long, long time. In fact, Adriana told Rex she wanted to reunite Clint and Viki.

Evangeline reminisced about John with Antonio and later found comfort in Cristian's arms.

2005 recaps