4650 Friday, September 30, 2005
At Chez Ridge, Taylor asked if she should get some Q-tips to clean out her ear canal. She could have sworn Ridge offered to go to couples therapy with her. Ridge assured his wife she was not dreaming. He had always thought they could work out their problems on their own. But things were getting out of hand. The family was falling apart and he wanted to put it back together. If the only thing that could save them was counseling, he was all for it. Taylor was ecstatic. She knew they would be able to solve their problems. She told Ridge about the incident with Brooke answering his cell phone and telling him she loved him, too. Ridge explained they had been talking about RJ and setting up times to see him. Brooke's mention of love was probably to let him know they were all right as friends. Ridge admitted he had been a wishy-washy idiot and caused almost all the troubled between them. (OK, he didn't say it in so many words, but we all know that's what he meant.) Taylor said she had not been perfect either. But the couple agreed they still loved each other. Ridge would move back into the house and after some therapy together, things would get back on track.
On the Shady Marlin, Nick couldn't wait for Bridget to finish cooking dinner. He scooped her up and carried her to that tacky red couch. There, they had hot, hot, hot sex once again. Bridget could not believe her good fortune. Marriage had certainly made her husband more passionate. Nick professed his love and said he would do anything to make her happy. The conversation turned to the upcoming birth of their child. Nick realized the boat was no place to raise a child and thought they should perhaps look at buying a house. Bridget said she had actually looked at a few properties and printed out some photos from web site. But darn it! She had left them all at her mother's office. She offered to go get them. Nick didn't want his bride to leave. But Bridget was so excited, she decided to run to Forrester Creations to pick up her research. She knew Nick would be a thrilled with the prospects as she was.
Meanwhile, in Brooke's office at Forrester Creations, Stephanie got tough. She told Brooke she would not allow Bridget to get hurt again. Brooke argued they were on the same side. The only thing Brooke cared about was her daughter's happiness. Her feelings for Nick had been dealt with and she intended to move on with her life. Stephanie branded Brooke's words as poppycock! Brooke never thought of anyone but herself. Brooke countered she would not hurt Bridget again. Stephanie could see it had been a waste of time to confront Brooke about the issue. She decided to straight to Bridget with what she knew. Brooke freaked. Why was Stephanie stirring up trouble? Bridget was happy. She and Nick were now married and expecting their child. There was no reason for Bridget to know anything about the past. Stephanie disagreed. It was wrong to keep Bridget in the dark. She needed to be told. Of course, Bridget arrived at that very moment and wondered what all the commotion was about. Brooke quickly interjected Stephanie still had a vendetta against her and was out to ruin her life. Stephanie calmly stated Brooke was still in love with Nick and would not stop until she got him. Bridget laughed at the absurdity of the idea...
That is until Stephanie mentioned she had sent he two of them at Big Bear that afternoon. Suddenly, Bridget wondered if something was indeed being kept from her.
4649 Thursday, September 29, 2005
Ridge went up to the Forrester Big Bear Cabin to visit his mother. Stephanie was so pleased to see him, she made lemonade and cookies. She explained she had done a lot of thinking while she'd been hiding away. She was volunteering at a local homeless shelter and feeling better about herself. She understood why everyone was mad at her and she hoped she could even mend some fences when she returned to Los Angeles. Stephanie said she had called Chez Ridge and had an interesting conversation with Steffy. She had learned Ridge had moved out and Bridget had finally gotten married. Ridge bristled when La Forrester mentioned Brooke's name. He said that had always been the trouble between them. Stephanie apologized and said she had assumed Ridge had returned to Brooke if he and Taylor were apart. Ridge said Brooke had moved on. Stephanie found that strange, but took it at face value. She really did love her family, she went on, and wanted to have a better relationship with everyone. Ridge smiled at his mother's new attitude. As he left, Stephanie wanted to make sure he knew she loved him.
Meanwhile, Brooke and Nick were all touchy-feely in the woods by that bench made of old twigs. They agreed it shouldn't have to be so hard for them to stay apart. Brooke thought it would get easier with time. But Nick said each day away from Brooke made him want her all the more. They whined, they cried, the grasped each other's faces. Oh, how cruel fate had been to them. However, for Bridget's sake and happiness, they could not act on their feelings. Not now. Not ever! The couple then heard a car and saw some headlights. Brooke decided they should leave. Being so close to "the cabin", they didn't want to risk being scene by anyone who might be up there. (WHAT?!? THE CABIN?!? You're telling me Nick and Brooke are having their little rendezvous within sight of the Forrester Big Bear Cabin? I've never heard of anything so stupid in my natural born life. The lack of common sense these people demonstrate appalls me! How did Nick ever sail a tanker on an ocean if he's this stupid? How could Brooke invent a chemical to keep clothes from wrinkling when she can't even find a safe place to meet Nick in a state the size of California? I'm perplexed.) Nick and Brooke agreed to leave. But guess what? Stephanie had been looking out the window up in the cabin. She saw the couple, got out her Kimberly Fairchild approved binoculars and saw Nick and Brooke a little too close for comfort!
At the Spectra Fashions, a weepy Gaby was devastated to learn Taylor didn't feel she was good enough for Thomas. Gaby pleaded with the shrink to understand. At first, the marriage had been only to secure a green card. But she had fallen in love with Thomas. She also wanted what was best for him. Taylor scoffed. If Gaby truly cared about Thomas, she would annul the marriage and leave him alone. Taylor left and went home to Chez Ridge to find Steffy and Phoebe arguing. In the heat of the moment, Steffy tattled that Phoebe was failing trigonometry and needed money to buy test answers. Taylor was furious and sent Phoebe to her room. Phoebe screamed that she should leave too. No one else in the family wanted to live with Taylor. (My, how tunes have changed since all those sickening scenes of family bonding when Taylor first returned from the dead.) Later, Ridge showed up at the door with a snarky look on his face. Taylor made it clear she needed a husband and not another problem in the house at the moment. Apparently having had a change of heart after his talk with his mother, Ridge shocked Taylor by suggesting they go to marriage counseling.
On the Shady Marlin, Bridget donned a sexy swimsuit and an apron to cook some dinner. Mama Mia! That's a spicy meatball. A shell shocked Nick arrived. Bridget could tell something was wrong and asked if he was OK. Nick simply staggered forward and continued his look of impassivity. Bridget reached out her hands and Nick immediately fell into her arms, hungrily devouring her with passionate kisses. (Can anyone say "transference?")
Brooke had returned to her office at Forrester Creations and was amused to see Stephanie standing in her doorway. (Ah, it's so good to have these two back together again.) Stephanie was all smiles and said it might surprise Brooke to know she hadn't thought about her once since she'd been gone. "Why would it surprise me? I haven't thought of you, either," Brooke smiled. "Touché," replied Stephanie. La Forrester explained how she had gone away to think things out. Everyone thought she spent too much time running her children's lives. Perhaps it was true and she should move on to helping the next generation. "That is if anyone will let you near them,' Brooke quipped. Stephanie simply smiled and said she had been at the Forrester Big Bear Cabin...and guess what she had seen that day. "Lovers. Liars. Cheats." Stephanie growled. She said she had seen Brooke and Nick's little tête-à -tête and she couldn't believe Brooke was going to steal her daughter's second husband. Brooke screamed it wasn't that way at all and threatened to call security.
"You can call Satan and all the minions of hell. I'm not going to let you hurt Bridget again," Stephanie monotoned. Stephanie's back! Stephanie's back! Hip, hip, hooray! Stephanie's back!
4648 Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Taylor went to Spectra Fashions to talk to Thomas. On her way down the hall, she remembered her kiss with Hector the previous evening and felt compelled to call him. Hector was happy to hear from the nubile shrink. But Taylor made it clear she could not see him again as long as she was still married to Ridge. She instructed Hector to go save some lives. He replied he wanted to save hers. (Ah, ain't that sweet.)
Taylor stomped into Thomas' office. Thorne and Sally, who had been doing a bunch of nothing, left to give them some privacy. Taylor told Thomas she was not going along with the stupid fashion show down idea. They had to think of an intelligent way to come to terms with the issues which were tearing their family apart. It didn't matter who won the silly contest, Gaby would never be accepted into the family as his wife. On cue, a newly blond Gaby came into the office. (I guess now that Gaby has started college, she needed a new hair color to, well, to...hmmm. Maybe she got a free box of Miss Clairol Nice n' Easy.) Thomas was called to the cutting room, leaving Gaby and Taylor alone to talk. Gaby didn't understand what Taylor had against her. Taylor laid it all on the line. She thought Gaby was taking advantage of Thomas' kindness. She was playing him like a fiddle. She had gotten the Forrester family name and was holding on to it tight. Since getting hooked up with her, Thomas had moved out of his home, dropped out of college, and was estranged from his family. And worst of all, she had "brought deception into his life." For that reason alone, she would never be good enough for him. Gaby tried to defend herself, but ended up crying instead. (I'm not sure the blonde hair is such a good idea. Makes her look like a hussy. I'm always more sympathetic toward brunettes.)
Brooke had made her way to work at Forrester Creations. But not much work was getting done. All she could do was mope around like a school girl and think about Nick. Dante came into her office excited about his artwork being painted on fabrics. (Yeah, that's something to get excited about.) He could tell Brooke was in a state and suggested she find a way out of her funk. She said she could find someone new or spend more time with her kids. (Let's see more time than none is - well, why don't you spend SOME time with your kids, you lousy mother, you.) Brooke hoped she could forget Nick with time. "Fabrics fade. Feelings don't", philosophized Dante. (Thanks for the platitudes, dude.) Brooke agreed. She had to take a long drive to clear her head. Dante offered to go with her, but Brooke insisted she needed time alone.
Meanwhile, Nutso Nick was still having visions of Brooke calling to him. Massimo stormed into his office and wanted to know why he was not getting any work done. Nick said a woman in the sea was calling to him. Mass understood. (Oh, great! They are both off their rockers!) The woman was a siren, a mythical beauty of the sea. Her lovely voice sang to sailors and lured them to her. All of them were killed as they tried to reach her, but one would make it and be her lover forever. Nick had to get away from the siren. She would destroy his life. Nick agreed. He decided to take a long drive to clear his head. (Oh, we don't see where this is leading at all, do we?) Before leaving, Nick confessed to his father the siren was Brooke. Mass already knew - and was upset his son was such a putz.
Later, Brooke was wandering in a wooded glen between a scenic route and an old mine road. Even though she had come to commune with nature, all she could do was think about Nick. Her plan wasn't working so she decided to leave. But as she rose from the bench made of old sticks, she ran smack into Nick! (Nope, didn't see that one coming at all. And it makes perfect sense, doesn't it? Two people need to leave Los Angeles to clear their heads. It's a small town. There can't be too many directions to head if you want to leave. And when one wants to clear one's head, doesn't one always head to a wooded glen between a scenic route and an old mine road?) Absurdities aside, Nick and Brooke agreed they could not get the other off their mind. But they had to be strong. They couldn't. No, they simply couldn't.
Couldn't what? Sweet Anticipation by Miss Carly Simon as heard in those old Heinz Ketchup commercials! Quit looking at each other and either get it on or move it on.
4647 Tuesday, September 27, 2005
On the morning after Bridget's wedding, a lethargic Brooke couldn't get out of bed. She simply laid there in tears, thinking about her daughter marrying the man she loved. Dante knocked on the door and offered a tray with breakfast. Brooke thanked him by telling him to pack his bags and get out of her house. (I think she was expecting those new Chocolate Lucky Charms, not just plain old toast and marmalade, Dante. You've got to think about what's going to cheer her up.) Brooke immediately apologized and said she was just upset about what had happened the previous evening. Dante understood. They both lost someone they cared a great deal about.
Meanwhile, a happy - and apparently less horny - Eric was bustling around his office working on designs and thinking about that Greek salad from last night. Bridget arrived and was happy to see her father in such a good mood. She wondered what might have caused it. Eric turned the conversation toward his daughter and how joyful she seemed to be. Bridget guessed she had never been happier. She was glad to have finally married Nick and they were expecting a child. Everything in her life was perfect. Eric let it slip that he and Jackie had discussed that exact subject. Bridget picked up on Jackie's name and discovered her father had invited Jackie to the Malibu Beach House after the wedding. Eric tried to pass off that they were simply friends, but Bridget said "I can smell when man is smitten." (First of all, no you can't, honey, or you'd smell your husband sniffing after your mother. Second, what exactly is that odor? Is it something like a freshly baked cinnamon roll? Or is it more masculine....like dirty gym socks? What does a smitten man smell like?) Eric got off the hook by Dante's arrival and excused himself for a lunch meeting with Jackie. Bridget was thrilled to finally be able to show Dante her wedding ring. She was happy, happy, happy. Dante smiled through the pain. He also knew how Nick was still pining after Brooke.
Over at Marone Industries, Nick sat in his office and thumbed through photographs from his wedding. He stopped to gaze a photo of him, Bridget, and Brooke. Suddenly, Brooke's face became alive and told him he was married to her daughter but still thinking of her. Jarred, Nick put the photos down. Luckily, Jackie showed up to see how her son was doing. She could tell Nick seemed upset about something, but he insisted everything was fine. He was glad to finally be married to Bridget. Jackie was impressed with how he had been able to put his feelings for Brooke aside and do what was right for his child. She told him she'd do anything to help him out. Remembering the talking photograph, Nick pushed the wedding pictures off on his mother and asked her to assemble a photo album for them. Jackie happily accepted the challenge. But she mentioned there was sometimes no need for photographs. Some memories were forever burned in your mind.
A little later, Jackie met Eric for lunch. They kissed and talked about the wonderful time they had enjoyed the previous evening. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so happy. Eric mentioned he had seen Bridget and she was pretty darn happy herself. Jackie said she had visited Nick, she was worried about him.
That's a good idea, Jackie. Back in his office, Nick was decidedly upset. He called Bridget and reminded her how much he loved her and how much he was looking forward to their baby. Bridget was touched by her husband's attentiveness. But after Nick hung up, he was haunted by Brooke's voice calling his name. Across the room, he saw a vision of Brooke. There she was in a green goddess gown. The fabric was billowing in the wind as she stood by a restless ocean. She lifted her arms and called his name. (Talk about your cheesy fantasies. Nick envisions Brooke as some kind of mermaid or something? Ick!) When the vision wouldn't go away, Nick screamed and threw a vase toward the door. He wanted Brooke to leave him alone! Me thinks Nick is cracking up! Sweet Gorilla Glue, we'll need a strong adhesive to repair that vase AND Nick.
4646 Monday, September 26, 2005
After Bridget and Nick's boat wedding, Eric went home to the Malibu Beach House to prepare for a visit from Jackie. He made some salad, lit some candles, and poured champagne. When Jackie arrived, she was impressed by the effort. They discussed her last visit and how they were glad they had waited to hit the sheets. When Eric said it would make it all the sweeter this time, Jackie called him "cheeky." (Thankfully, Eric clarified that was a good thing to be. My dictionary says cheeky means "saucy, impudent, insolent." I love saucy!) Over their green dinner, Eric explained how he was over Stephanie and Brooke. Stephanie had been witty and sophisticated while Brooke had been sexy and spontaneous. But Stephanie had a need to control everything and everyone while Brooke had been too young for him. Where, oh where would he find someone with all those qualities now? Eric chomped an olive while Jackie coyly fed herself some feta cheese. (I'm guessing they had some Greek salads. Stuffed grape leaves anyone?) Not being able to resist any longer, dinner plates were tossed aside and our hot little couple hungrily kissed. (I've got to say the young 'uns on THE SHOW could take some heat lessons from Miss Lesley Ann-Down and Mr. John McCook. They practically sizzled on my TV screen today. Ssssss.)
Meanwhile, in Eric's office at Forrester Creations, Brooke wondered what Ridge meant when he said he needed her. He explained he needed her friendship and her advice. He had tried so hard to make it work with Taylor, but she had kicked him out. (It's interesting how it seemed to have slipped Ridge's mind he refused to do the only thing she asked of him.....go to marriage counseling.) Ridge explained his idea of competing with Thomas on the runway to settle his the issue of his marriage to Gaby. Brooke thought it was a good idea....but was blown away when Ridge revealed he had told Taylor he still had feelings for Brooke! Brooke made it clear it didn't matter if Taylor was a psychiatrist. It had been really dunderheaded to tell her he had feelings for another woman. How stupid was he? Brooke said she had nothing to do with his future. He had put her in his past the night he renewed his vows to Taylor. Ridge wasn't sure she should see Dante. Brooke reiterated it was none of business. He couldn't have his cake and eat it too. Ridge's cell phone rang. He took it from his pocket and decided not to answer it when he saw the caller ID. Instead of putting the phone back in his pocket, he laid it on his father's desk. He told Brooke he expected she still loved him as well. Brooke threw it back in his face and said he expected too much. Having been shot down enough for one evening, Ridge left.
Elsewhere, Hector had taken Taylor to his fire house after their dinner at Café Russe. He showed her a memorial for a female firefighter who had died trying to save people's lives. He explained that everyone had to do what they thought was best to help other people. It was obvious Taylor had a gift for counseling troubled people. She should do it and not listen to what Ridge thought was best for her. Taylor expressed her admiration for the bravery of the firefighters Hector worked with. He said he only did what he could to help out. He explained how he wished he could make Taylor see how special she was. All he'd ever wanted was to live a simple life and provide a safe, loving home for his children. That had not been enough for Samantha, he explained. She had wanted a huge house like Ridge had purchased for Taylor. He wished she could have understood that a house without love was simply an empty shell no matter how big it was. Hector leaned toward Taylor and stroked her cheek. Taylor put the kibosh on the PDA. She was still married to Ridge. So call him and work it out, Hector suggested. Good idea, thought Taylor as she dialed Ridge' cell phone. (But remember where it was left?) In Eric's office, Brooke answered Ridge's cell phone. Without waiting for the caller to say anything, Brooke assumed it was Ridge. She told him she had found his phone and would return it to him the following day....and she loved him, too!!! Brooke hung up. At the fire house, Taylor was stunned. She told Hector what had happened and started to cry. Hector said Taylor deserved better...and planted a big wet one on her lips! (And believe me, that looks like a lot of work. There's a lot of ground to cover.)
Now if you were Brooke, would you assume it was Ridge on the phone? Ridge had looked at the caller ID to see who was calling. Why didn't Brooke do the same thing? I supposed she could have. She doesn't know where Ridge is staying and the number at the fire house where Taylor used the phone would have been unfamiliar to her. But still, why start talking before even saying hello? It's not your phone, sweetie.
