Episode 5028 Friday, March 30, 2007
The Sydney expedition was cut short. Brooke and Rick (sporting quite the shiner) flew back to Los Angeles on the private Forrester Originals jet. Brooke told her son how sorry she was Ridge had punched him. Because of Ridge's actions, Brooke explained she had cancelled the wedding. Rick didn't even pretend to be upset about the news. Instead, he suggested Brooke could find the happiness she wanted with Nick. Brooke reminded her son Nick had asked Taylor to marry him. Rick encouraged his mother it was never to late find true love.
On some (gasp!) commercial flight, Ridge and Phoebe winged their way home in the first class cabin. Phoebe attempted to give her father the silent treatment. When he asked what he could do to get her to speak to him Phoebe suggested he apologize. Ridge did say he was sorry for what had happened. But he felt the need to protect his daughter and he swore he would do the same thing again. Phoebe and Rick would never be a couple! Phoebe laughed. Just because her father gave an ultimatum didn't mean they'd adhere to it. Ridge said he was glad he'd arrived in the honeymoon suite before Rick had taken Phoebe's virginity. Phoebe blushed and told her father she and Rick had agreed not to have sex until they were engaged. Ridge rolled his eyes. Phoebe was living in a fantasy world. Later, Phoebe noticed her father looking at Brooke's engagement ring. She voiced her fears her father had lost the love of his life. Dunderhead Ridge figured Brooke's 14-hour flight would give her time to cool off. Nothing could break them apart. (Expect your fist to her son's face, Ridge
Brooke landed in LA and decided to take a car to see Nick. She called his assistant and discovered he was "working on a project" at home. Brooke instructed the driver to take her to the Marone Manse at 68210 Rose Briar Place in Bel Air. (Don't bother. I MapQuested it and the address doesn't exist.)
Over at Brooke's Old Place, Jackie dropped in to see Donna who was apparently babysitting the kids. Jackie asked if her cohort had heard anything from Australia. Donna didn't have a clue. But she was hoping her sister had dumped Ridge's sorry butt! Jackie was having second thoughts. She still believed Brooke was the one great love of Nick's life. But now it seemed Taylor could provide him with the one thing he'd always wanted....a child. Donna feared it was too late to stop her plan. (But what difference does it make. It seemed Donna's motive was to get her sister away from Ridge. Nick's involvement with anyone else shouldn't make any difference.) After Jackie left, Ridge stormed into Brooke's Old Place. He demanded Donna tell him where Brooke was. Donna was shocked the couple had not returned on the same flights. Ridge left in a huff when he couldn't find Brooke.
At the Marone Manse, Nick and Taylor woke up and did that baby-making thing again. (Again? What did these people eat for dinner last night? Oysters and Gatorade?) Afterglow was interrupted by Taylor's pager. A patient in dire straits needed her help. While Taylor was downstairs returning the call, Jackie showed up. She told Taylor she had been too hard on her. She now understood how much Nick loved her and wanted to start a family. Jackie put her arm around Taylor's shoulder as the women walked to the kitchen to make some coffee.
And then Brooke walked in the front door. After calling for Nick, she waked upstairs! (What?!? She just walks into someone else's house and starts wandering around? Where was she raised? A barn?) Brooke found Nick asleep in his bedroom. Nick woke up and was surprised to see Brooke. (No duh!) Brooke spilled her guts and explained how Ridge had crossed the line and assaulted Rick. She had called off the wedding. A groggy Nick mumbled...
The Quote of the Day: "I'm sorry that happened to you. But why are you here? Why are you telling me this?" (My question exactly, Nick!)
Brooke told Nick she was back. She was his. And she was here to stay.
That's nice sweetie. Now why don't you peddle that fertilizer to someone who has a garden and might care what you have to say.
Episode 5027 Thursday, March 29, 2007
In that chapel in Los Angeles, Taylor was touched Nick wanted to marry her. But she voiced she'd prefer to have her children in attendance when they got married. No biggie. Nick was ready to make a baby. The couple trotted over to the Marone Manse and shared some sweaty, heart-pounding lovemaking. Nick noted Taylor seemed "up" to the task of making a baby. Taylor nuzzled up against Nick and responded with...
The Quote of the Day: "So do you." (Oh no she did-ent.) That led to another round of the horizontal mambo. More sweating. More baby talk. More innuendo. Yada, yada, yada.
But the good stuff was all happening in a different hemisphere! In the honeymoon suite at the hotel Brooke and Phoebe were horrified Ridge had punched Rick into unconsciousness! Brooke screamed for Phoebe to contact the front desk and get a doctor. But Rick came to and said he didn't need a doctor. Brooke lashed out at Ridge for striking her son. Ridge defended his actions. He had found Rick in bed with his teenage daughter. Phoebe leapt to her feet. She railed against her father and his suspicions. They had been doing nothing wrong. She ripped open her robe to reveal her bathing suit. They had simply been enjoying some time in the hot tub. Ridge argued he had seen them kissing on the bed. Rick tried to stand up but wobbled. Brooke tried to assist her son. Ridge offered to help him up. Brooke wailed Ridge was not to come near her son.
Defiant as ever, Ridge continued his tirade against Rick. Phoebe could not believe her father was being completely unreasonable. (Why? I have no trouble buying it at all.) Phoebe ran from the room. As she did, she picked up Rick's shirt from 
the couch and put it on as a sassy little cover up. Rick had managed to stand up and took off after Phoebe. Luckily, the blast from Ridge's fist had knocked Rick right out of his terry cloth robe. Wearing only a pair of board shorts, Rick took off running.
Ridge started to leave as well but Brooke's shrill order to halt stopped him in his tracks. She let Ridge have it. She had warned him what would happen if he ever touched Rick again. Ridge tried to defend his actions by saying he was only protecting his daughter. Brooke didn't care to hear Ridge's foolish excuses. There was no reason for physical violence in her family. She would not stand for it. Grasping at straws, Ridge attempted to blame Brooke for what had happened. (Oh, yeah. Good plan, Ridge. That's going to get you far.) Ridge whined if Brooke had only been able to control her son's hormones none of this would have happened. Brooke ordered Ridge not to put his repulsive actions in her court. She was going to keep her word. She could not marry a man who was capable of violence - especially against her own son. Brooke told Ridge she'd always treasure the times of joy they had shared. Then she gave us...
A Second Quote of the Day: "But that joy has dried up." With that sentence, she raised her left palm to reveal Rick's dried blood on her hand. (I didn't know whether I should be grossed out or laugh. Dried joy? Dried blood? I'm still shaking my head over that one.)
Brooke then removed the engagement ring from her bloody hand and placed it in Ridge's palm. It was over. Forever. Ridge couldn't believe it had come to this. (Believe it, you colossal bonehead!) Brooke ran from the room and later collapsed in tears near a console table in the hallway. Ridge, looking like he'd had one to many sangers and stubbies, stayed in the suite and grasped the returned ring.
Meanwhile, Phoebe rushed from the hotel and ran through the streets of Sydney in her swimsuit and Rick's shirt....and NO SHOES! Ouch! Rick took after her in hot pursuit wearing only his shorts....and NO SHOES! Ouch! and NO SHIRT! Yum! Although Rick continually called out Phoebe's name, she kept running and running and running through many lovely locales around Sydney. (I don't exactly comprehend why she was running in the first place. And it makes less sense she'd keep running away from Rick when he was calling her name. And man, can that tiny slip of a young woman run! She stayed a good distance ahead of Rick the entire time...until she reached the perfect spot to enjoy a great view of the harbor, Opera House, and bridge. She stopped and listened to what he had to say. Rick told his beloved they would now be together. They would never listen to what anyone said again. They would lead their own lives. And right there in that Kodak Moment spot, they kissed.
Sweet Florence Nightingale! Rick had a little cut above his eye, but all the blood was gone. I supposed Brooke had scooped it all up in her palm to use later for dramatic effect.
Episode 5026 Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Nick invited Miss Ashley Abbott to his office at The Original Forrester Creations. He questioned her about her connections with Forrester Originals. She admitted her involvement in developing a new fragrance for the company. Nick mentioned he could smell the scent she was wearing. Ashley responded with...
The Quote of the Day: "Don't tell me you invited me over just to sniff me." (Like the dog that he is!)
Nick got down to business. He offered Ashley twice the amount of money the Forresters were paying her to work with him. She did not have an exclusivity clause with the company. Ashley didn't mince words. She did not want to work for a man who was so ruthless in business as Nick had proven to be. In fact, she thought he had revenge on his mind since Ridge had stolen Brooke from him. Not knowing Taylor was listening outside the door, Nick pledged to Ashley he was over to Brooke and in love with Ridge's ex-wife. Ashley found that odder still. (You know, Ashley, I think I agree with you.) Taylor entered and Ashley left. Taylor told her fiancé it was the right time of the month for her to conceive a child. Nick said he was ready to accommodate but first had some place he wanted to take her...and that place was a church! Taylor uttered...
The Second Quote of the Day: "I don't think they let you make babies here." (Oh, just keep it quiet and stay in the back pew. No one will even notice!)
Nick replied he wanted to do things correctly. He wanted they child they might have to know his or her parents were trying as hard as they could to be the best they could. He wanted to marry Taylor in that church that very evening! Taylor was taken aback. (Uh, there's also that little matter of a marriage license, you know.)
At the same time Down Under, Rick and Phoebe approached the Forrester Originals Boutique in Sydney. Phoebe wished they could profess their love to the press. But with a chaste kiss, they agreed to play it cool when they went into the store. (But the kiss took place in broad daylight! On the street! With tons of photographers around! I guess they just all happened to be looking the other way.) Inside, Ridge, Brooke, Rick, and Phoebe charmed the local reporters who were as excited about the Boutique opening as I am when a new Cold Stone Creamery opened downtown! I do love me the ice cream. And at CSC they put anything you want in it. You know, they mash up cookies or candy bars and add caramel and peanut butter. I meant it! Anything you want.) Now, where was I? Oh yeah, as the press swarmed the store, Phoebe convinced Rick to escape with her and they left through the back door.
Back in Los Angeles, Donna went to the Marone Manse to inform Jackie how Phoebe and Rick were planning a secret rendezvous in Sydney. Ridge was going to find out about it and explode. That bomb would be the end of Brooke's relationship with him! Jackie was having second thoughts. After having spoken with her son, it appeared he truly was in love with Taylor. Donna didn't care a feather or a fig. The wheels were in motion. She was going to save her sister from a life with Ridge. Donna's cell phone rang. It was the Sydney hotel. All the preparations had been made for the honeymoon suite. (You'll recall Donna had made the reservations while pretending to be an employee of Forrester Originals!) Donna told the person at the hotel to immediately e-mail an invoice for the suite to Ridge Forrester!
Back at the boutique in Sydney, the pres was clamoring for more photos of Phoebe but she couldn't be found. Ridge was suspicious. He was even more confused when he received the hotel's invoice e-mail on his PDA. Ridge called the hotel and tried to explain the mistake. When he learned Mr. Forrester had just arrived Ridge flew out the door with Brooke hot on his heels.
Rick and Phoebe arrived in the honeymoon suite. Rick was pleased with Phoebe's ingenuity to get them some time alone. They put on bathing suits and spent some time in the hot tub on the balcony. They put on the hotel's robes and sat on the bed. Phoebe thanked Rick for being such a gentleman. She had wanted to make love to him when they were at the Big Bear Cabin. But he had been right. Their first time should be special and not happen while they were sneaking around. She wanted them to make a commitment to each other. Rick kissed his sweetheart and they fell back onto the bed....
Just as Ridge opened the door! (I'm guessing since he received the invoice they gave him a key.) Ridge saw Rick and his daughter in bed and turned into the hot head we know he's always been. He pulled Rick to his feet, called him a name that wasn't very nice, and clocked him a good one across the noggin! Rick collapsed to the floor with a huge, bloody gash over his eye! Phoebe ran to his side. But more importantly, Brooke swooped in and tended to her unconscious son.
And if looks could kill, Ridge would have been pushing up daises right then and there.
Episode 5025 Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Thanks to Faithful Aussie Readers Donna in Brisbane, Teresa, Lauren, and Cam from Melbourne, Lynn from Queensland, Rosemary of Sydney, and Cris and Michelle from parts unknown for helping sort out The Quote of the Day from last Friday. Brooke suggested she and Ridge have a "sanger and a chubby and chill." For the uneducated, a sanger (or sanga) is a sandwich. Cam even gave a tasty recipe suggesting it would be a sausage wrapped in bread served with tomato sauce and often prepared for a barbeque. (Sounds good to me.) Brooke's suggestion of a chubby was problematic. Perhaps my hearing is going or maybe Brooke's Australian accent isn't up to par. All my experts agreed she probably wanted a "stubby" which is a generic term for a squat bottle of beer - as opposed to a tall, long-neck bottle. Several pointed out "chill" is not Aussie slang. It means to relax but is definitely an imported American phrase. Thanks mates! G'day!
At 3:00 in the morning, Rick dropped by Phoebe's hotel room. As the couple kissed they wished they could simply order room service or watch a movie in the room. They just wanted to be together. But the phone ringing in the adjacent room where Ridge and Brooke were staying warned the young non-lovers they had to be careful and Rick slipped away.
In the next room, Ridge picked up the phone. It was Stephanie calling to report Taylor and Nick were engaged. La Forrester wondered what Ridge planned to do about it. Sleepy, Ridge replied there wasn't much he could do about his ex-wife's love life. Besides, he had much bigger fish to fry. He had his hands full keeping Rick away from Phoebe. When Stephanie suggested Ridge belt Rick a good one, Ridge replied he'd wring Rick's neck if he fooled around with Phoebe. Ridge hung up and was shocked to see in irate Brooke staring at him. He thought she had been asleep! (Why wouldn't he think the ringing phone would wake her up? The boy is slow!) Brooke was fuming over Ridge's new threat of bodily harm to her son. Ridge attempted to explain his concern for his daughter. Brooke 
understood. She wasn't thrilled with the idea of Rick and Phoebe being a couple. But she would not tolerate threats of violence. Ridge apologized and they went back to bed. But Brooke's slumber was haunted by nightmares of images from the past...images of Stephanie's violence against her, images of Ridge's violence against Nick, and his threats toward her son! She woke up in a cold sweat. She told Ridge it was clear he had learned his bullying tactics from his mother. She feared what he might be capable of. Ridge replied with...
The Quote of the Day: "I'd rather cut off my own arm than do something to upset you." (Oh great! Violence begetting violence. How about you get a brain transplant rather than upsetting you fiancée?)
Ridge held Brooke in a tight embrace and assured her everything would fine. As soon as they were married their lives would get back to normal.
Back in Los Angeles Stephanie joined Eric, Pam, and Ann in the Forrester Dining Room for breakfast. A disagreement over Ann's problems with digesting Huevoes Rancheros led to a huge argument in which Stephanie smashed a juice glass with her bare hands (yikes!) and ordered Pam and Ann to pack up and leave. Eric smoothed some feathers and suggested Pam and Ann give Stephanie time to cool down. Alone with his wife, Eric lit into her about her violent nature. The threat of violence was as bad as actually causing harm in his eyes. Stephanie was no better than her abusive father had been. Stephanie seethed at the comparison. But Eric held his course. Stephanie was teaching Ridge to be a bully just like she was....and Eric wanted her to stop or pay the consequences!
Back Down Under, Phoebe e-mailed her new BFF, Donna. Donna replied by calling Phoebe on her cell phone. Phoebe cried how she and Rick wanted to spend time together but couldn't because her father watched their every move. Sharing with Donna a web link of the romantic hotel where they were staying, Phoebe gazed longingly at photos of the honeymoon suite. Donna suggested Phoebe book the room for some alone time with Rick. Donna even made the reservation call and pretended to be a Forrester Originals employee. Voila! A honeymoon suite for Rick and Phoebe. Donna made Phoebe promise there would no sex. She didn't want to corrupt her teenage BFF. Phoebe confirmed there would no hanky-panky. Rick was always gentleman. After hanging up, Phoebe immediately called Rick and told him she had made the perfect plan. The following day the two of them would have all the privacy the wanted....and they'd never have to leave the hotel. Rick was dubious but pleased.
We all know what a stickler for accuracy I am. With a little Googling to check on world time zones I determined if it was 3:00 in the morning in Sydney, it would be 10:00 in the morning of the previous day in Los Angeles. So although I think the Forrester were being a little logy getting to the breakfast table, it's believable. Good job fact checkers!
Episode 5024 Monday, March 26, 2007
From The House Which Has No Name, Taylor called Phoebe in Sydney to inform her Nick had proposed. Phoebe was shocked but congratulated her mother. Phoebe only wanted her happiness. Taylor said she had tried to call Ridge with the news but had only been able to leave him a voice mail to call her back. After hanging up, Taylor headed out the door but ran into Stephanie. La Forrester had come to warn her former daughter-in-law not get involved with Nick. He was trouble. Too late garden gate! Taylor showed Stephanie her engagement ring and mentioned they were going to try and have a baby. Stephanie gulped and wondered why Taylor would marry Nick when Ridge might be available soon. Taylor made it clear her relationship with Ridge was in the past. He was moving on with Brooke. La Forrester pointed out the problems Ridge and Brooke were having over the Phoebe and Rick affair. Taylor admitted she was not entirely comfortable with her daughter's involvement with Brooke's son. But she was 18. She could make her own decisions and Taylor planned to be there to guide and help her. And if Ridge had troubles with the coupling, that was his issue. Ridge was no longer her problem. (And I say Amen and Hallelujah to that, sister friend! I am here to testify! Hand me a tambourine.)
Meanwhile, Jackie found Nick in his office at The Original Forrester Creations. She worried he was being impulsive by asking Taylor to marry him. Brooke's engagement to Ridge was on shaky ground. There might be a possibility she'd be available again. Nick sternly told his mother he was finished with Brooke and her drama. He loved Taylor. He was planning a future with Taylor. He was going to have a baby with Taylor. Jackie admitted that certainly changed matters. She knew how much Nick wanted a child of his own. If he was sure this was what he wanted, Jackie would fully support his marriage to Taylor. The shrink walked through the door at that minute and was thrilled though skeptical at Jackie's new attitude. Jackie swore her sincerity and offered to plan a lunch with Taylor soon. Alone with Nick, Taylor suggested they make an attempt to get pregnant right then and there. Hound Dog Nick readily agreed.
Back Down Under, Phoebe and Rick made out in her hotel room. They were interrupted by the driver, Cliff, whom Ridge had hired to keep an eye on Phoebe. Rick was irritated to be followed around like a child.
Meanwhile, Brooke took Ridge to the exclusive Double Bay shopping district where the new Forrester Originals Boutique was going to open. Brooke mentioned the shopping district was just like Beverly Hills Down Under. Ridge responded with...
The Quote of the Day: "I'd like to be down under you right now." (Yeah, we all knew it was coming at some point. Such a wit, that Ridge. I'm just glad it's over and done with. Crikey!)
Ridge was impressed with the store's design and staff but miffed Rick and Phoebe had not yet shown up to meet them. When the young 'uns appeared, Rick blamed their watchdog for being the slowest driver in Sydney. The store employees expressed enthusiasm for the grand opening celebration the next day. The paparazzi would love to get photos of the new couple, Rick and Phoebe. Ridge blew up! Rick and Phoebe were not now nor would they ever be a couple. The employee apologized for her mistaken assumption. Those pictures flooding the internet had misled her. (I think those photos of Daniel Radcliffe looking quite un-Harry Potter-like for his play in London would be much more interesting than Rick and Phoebe singing karaoke in a coffee house; but maybe that's just me.)
Later, Brooke had arranged a family dinner for four in their hotel room. (Oh great! How many fantastic restaurants must there be in Sydney and we're stuck in the room waiting on room service. Thanks for nothing Brooke.) The dinner was a disaster! Ridge maintained his stance that Rick and Phoebe were not to get involved. Phoebe argued she didn't say Ridge couldn't love Brooke. She didn't even tell her mother she shouldn't love Nick when she called to announce her engagement.
Scratch the needle across the vinyl LP! Ridge was stunned to hear of his ex-wife's engagement and further annoyed to find out both Brooke and Phoebe had known before him. But his dismay did not diminish his tirade against Rick and Phoebe. Phoebe ran from the room and announced her father was suffocating her. (Oh Phoebe, can't you come up with a better analogy than that?) Rick followed Phoebe to her room and told her they would simply ignore Ridge's ranting. Rick kissed Phoebe goodbye in the hallway. Too bad they didn't notice Ridge lurking around the corner and witnessing their lip lock!
Ridge must have his diploma from the Kimberly Fairchild School of Stalking and Surveillance proudly displayed in The Little Office at Forrester Originals.
