Friday, July 15, 2005
Dr. Mark went on the defensive over Jackie's mention of Stephanie. He played offended and prepared to leave, but Jackie stopped him by playing the humiliated, needy woman. Mark said he wanted to punch Mass over the way he treated her, which was ridiculous because "guys like me don't punch guys like Massimo Marone or have intimate dinners with their wives." She apologized for the misunderstanding, insisted she'd never ask anything unethical of him and poured him some more wine. He let her know Stephanie would make a full recovery. With a look at the tape recorder, she told him that this wasn't good news for her. She feigned embarrassment over wanting to see harm to her, but then explained how Stephanie used her trust to destroy her relationship with Mass. "She'll turn you against me too, if she gets a chance," she cried and then said a man like Mark could never be one of her victims. (God, she's good!)

Ridge and Taylor stopped making out in the entranceway to discuss Thomas working at Spectra. They were just getting back to kissing when Dunn the immigration guy walked right into their open front door. "It's about your daughter-in-law," he said, dropping the bombshell that Thomas was married. Taylor assumed it was a case of mistaken or stolen identity, but his signature on the license confirmed it was true. When they spotted Gaby's name and the name of the shoddy Vegas chapel, Dunn said they "just wanted to get in and get out, maybe get some fries with your vows and of course, your green card." Gaby's immigration issues came up and Dunn threatened that fraud was illegal.

Gaby surprised Thomas with a small dinner in the guesthouse, because she'd gotten her paper reinstating her for the school year. Though she was still worried about what would come of their marriage, she was excited about being back in school. Thomas was worried about the immigration issue and wanted to tell his parent, but waited to clear the idea with her first. Gaby was thrilled, because, as she explained, "I'd rather them think I'm a tramp and know I'm not than to have them think I was sweet and innocent and know I'm a liar." Thomas was impressed and when she said she made a better girlfriend than wife, he said he wanted his girlfriend back and the two started kissing. They moved toward the bed and started going at it...just in time for mom and dad to walk in and order them apart!

Stephanie kept goading Brooke, reminding her of Brooke's attack on her in the hospital. Brooke called her a "sick old woman with a cane." Stephanie was suspicious as to why Brooke was suddenly concerned, to which Brooke only pointed out that Stephanie still hadn't charged her with attempted manslaughter. Stephanie said the law hasn't worked when it came to Brooke, so she had to take care of it herself. "You are the dream that we're waking up from. Now we can get on with the happy chore of forgetting," said a snide Stephanie, but Brooke just answered, "Go ahead, Stephanie. Gloat. Revel in your triumph...however short-lived it will be." The two continued going in circles, both calm and collected until Stephanie left to meet Eric and head home.

After Brooke noticed Stephanie had forgotten her cane, she was convinced Jackie was right. She made the promised call to her new partner in crime, interrupting the dinner with Mark. As the two talked, Jackie talked in fabulously intelligent code. Then she returned to Mark. She went into a downward spiral over feeling like dirt next to Stephanie, who is the epitome of integrity. That was the final straw for Dr. Mark. "She's not such a pillar of virtue. She's done things that she wouldn't want people to know," he admitted. "What kind of things," Jackie asked with sheer innocence in her voice. He slowly started to tell her the story of the mistake he made. "There was deception going on in that room. A manipulation. And I was part of it."

Thursday, July 14, 2005
Stephanie stopped in at Forrester to check on Ridge. She sighed over a photo of him and "accidentally" knocked it over with the walking aid she's been using. When Ridge arrived, she acknowledged that he was angry with her, but that he'd gotten what he wanted. "Did I really?" he asked in annoyance. Stephanie continued to badger him as he worked on a wedding gown. He filled her in on his meeting with Brooke, including the fact that his feelings for her were still strong. Stephanie was fine with that, because she knew he'd returned home to Taylor. Ridge finally asked her to leave, because Thomas was coming. He gave no response to her parting "I love you" and replaced the photo on his desk. Thomas entered, questioning his father's bad mood. Ridge dropped a fashion mag on the desk that had Thomas' move to Spectra as a cover story. The kid looked plum nervous. Ridge told Thomas he should at least have brought his contract in before signing it. It wasn't that Ridge was okay with it, but there wasn't much he could do at that point. He warned Thomas that he'd learn bad habits there that he'd have to "unlearn once you come work for us." Then Ridge wondered if there was anything else Thomas wanted to talk about — namely, Gaby! Thomas asked for privacy, but Ridge was ready to dispense some advice. Unfortunately, "Don't rush it" was too little too late, considering they're married.

Brooke and Jackie continued discussing the possibility that Stephanie paid Dr. Mark off. "Stephanie has her means of persuasion and I have mine," said sexpot Jackie. Brooke said she should do "more" than she intended to get what she wants, to which Jackie said she wouldn't do "that," especially considering her goal was to get Mass back. She then asked Brooke to call her in case she needed saving. Brooke agreed and before leaving she lent Jackie the digital recorder she carries around "for work." Jackie set up mood lighting, telling Massimo's picture, "For you, darling." When the doorbell rang, she started recording. Dr. Mark showed up in a suit and opened a bottle of wine. Jackie started slowly working information out of him by confusing him with big offers, compliments on his dedication as a doctor and coos over things like his "masculine" cologne. She finished him off by going on about him being "so honest." He thought he knew where she was going, but when she mentioned Stephanie, his face fell.

A shirtless and shiny Dante came in from Massimo's pool, turning down the cognac his host offered. Massimo then bragged about being rich and invited Dante to stay with him longer. Dante explained for his "gallery engagement" he needed a studio space. Nick showed up and on seeing Dante shot out, "Looks like you've been doing too many push-ups out by the pool. You're dripping on the rug," but as always, Dante kept his cool. Nick rehashed his lie about Taylor, but Massimo shut that line of convo down and let Nick know he was to be nicer. Once Nick handed over some paperwork, Massimo left the two men alone to spar. Dante offered Nick a drink, but Nick remained haughty. Nick asked after his lunch with Bridget and Dante admitted it was the reason he decided to stay in town. Massimo returned to let Dante know the beach house was his to use. Nick continued to needle him but got no rise. It only took Dante sending his best to Bridget to stop Nick in his tracks. Nick asked him why he's never heard Dante's name before and when he threatened Dante, the Italian compared him to Popeye. Nick concluded he should stay away from Bridget and Dante calmly one-upped him again, saying, "Stay away from her mother." Nick left in a huff, refusing dinner by sniffing, "I don’t like the smell of the olive oil tonight."

Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Nick and Bridget spent the morning on the boat, but coupled bliss was not on the agenda. Bridget made pancakes while Nick did his high-powered mogul thing on the phone, dealing with Marone Industries business. Tired of being ignored, Bridget brought her fiancè pancakes in bed — and poured the syrup all over his shoulder, which she proceeded to lick off and down...past where we viewers could see. A shocked Nick hung up the phone in a hurry.

Thorne and Darla tended to Stephanie, who was back at home. Massimo came over to visit as well. Mass and Steph talked about Jackie, and how things weren't working out with Jackie as Mass had hoped.

Newsflash: The network broke in to tell us that NASA scrubbed today's Space Shuttle launch.

When the show resumed, Nick and Bridget were back in bed, post-whatever. She told Nick she wants their wedding to occur at the right time for him, not just her. Nick admitted that Brooke and her kids need him right now, but insisted that he and Bridget were in this together. When he asked her where all this was coming from, Bridget admitted to having "lunch" with Dante recently (no mention of all that suntan lotion/ tonsil tag they were playing). Nick was peeved that "the liar" was judging their relationship, and he fled from the bed in a huff, surprising Bridget. When she told Nick that Dante was staying in town, he deflected his annoyance by making fun of the Italian stud until they collapsed back onto the bed in laughter.

Brooke visited Jackie, who lamented the fact that Stephanie was getting in the way between she and Massimo. Brooke sympathized — she well knows what it's like for Steph to come between her and a man — but was resigned that there was nothing to do about it. Every time I fight her, she wins, Brooke explained. Not ready to accept defeat, a bitter Jackie told Brooke she's convinced Steph faked her heart attack. Brooke tried to talk her out of it, but Jackie was adamant that Steph had waived enough money in front of Dr. Mark McClain to make it happen. Speak of the devil — Mark showed up on his new neighbor's door to say hello. A loose blouse button and a purry, "come hither" voice later, Jackie had set up a dinner date with the good doctor (while fondling enough of her own cleavage to pop the poor boy's eyes out of his head). Once he was gone, Jackie promised Brooke she would get the truth out of him. Jackie called Stephanie as Brooke listened in on speakerphone, and La Forrester didn't admit to anything but said women like Jackie and Brooke couldn't "appreciate the caliber" of men like Massimo and Ridge, and that's why they were both on their way out. Jackie hung up, called her "evil," and vowed to take her down. "Join me," she said in a wicked Emperor-to-Anakin Skywalker kind of way. Brooke smirked and shook her hand.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Brooke continued to very calmly push Ridge to explain why he'd come to talk to her and whether he was going to take her back. There were none of the infamous waterworks, even when she assumed the answer was no. She remained strong, insisting he do something or stop rehashing with her. Then, Nick walked in with Hope, who asked her "daddy" if he was staying for dinner. Ridge was noncommittal. Nick shot Ridge and Brooke a "meaningful" look as he ushered Hope out of the room. Brooke told Ridge to go, saying, "I'm tired of doing this dance. You push me away and then you pull me back in. Well, if that's the best you have to offer, I'm better off alone!" Her anger continued to grow until Nick returned and ordered Ridge to leave. Ridge said this was between him and Brooke, but as Nick moved to Brooke's side, he shot out, "Wake up, pal. There is no more you and Brooke. You made your choice." He basically told Ridge to take Brooke back, get lost or deal with him. Ridge gave Nick trouble for being "Mr. Johnny on the Spot," moving right in to play Brooke's hero. Brooke stopped him and told Ridge that if he couldn't make a decision, she would — they're over! She told him he'd have to clear visits with the kids or to the house with her from now on and then showed him the door. "Hope mentioned something about dinner?" he said hopefully, but she wasn't having it. "We'll be fine," she concluded and Ridge showed Ridge the door. At that point, a tear or two escaped, but much to Nick's pleasure, she remained strong. He left her to go handle some business.

Jackie and Massimo showed up to visit Stephanie, who was being wheeled over to get one last EKG before being released. Jackie snidely commented on how well she was looking, all things considered, and then Dr. Mark wheeled her away to take the test. Massimo sighed that the stress of being matriarch and fighting Brooke have taken their toll on Stephanie, but Jackie pointed out the convenient timing of it all. Massimo insisted it wasn't possible to fake a heart attack, but Jackie contradicted him, cooing, "Sure you can, if you've got enough money and a young doctor saddled with med school bills who wants to impress one of the hospital's major donors." Massimo exploded, upset with Jackie's attitude. He insisted she'd never get her life in order as long as she continues meddling and said that other mothers aren't as manipulative as she is. Dr. Mark walked by and seemed to hear Jackie's response that others were suspicious, too. Massimo stormed off, unwilling to listen to anther word, and found Stephanie. She told him the doctor was discharging her and he offered to drive her home. When she heard about Jackie’s suspicions, Stephanie just said she never understood what he saw in her, anyway. "At this point, neither do I," he sighed as he rolled her back to her room. Jackie exited the elevator and Dr. Mark asked how she was doing. She admitted that she was the one who upset Massimo, not vice versa, and explained that they were trying to reconcile, but it was rough going. That's when Dr. Mark dropped a bombshell, telling her he'd just bought a place in the EXPENSIVE building she'd been staying in. Jackie was floored, but she didn't miss a beat, saying, "Excuse me for being so surprised! It's just that I gave the doorman strict instructions to tell me when any attractive young man moved into the building." She later found Stephanie ready to go. Jackie called Stephanie out on her deception, but Stephanie just goaded her, noting that the more Jackie pointed fingers, the worse things will be with Massimo. She leaned in to whisper, "I think at this moment, your husband dislikes you almost as much as I do." Mark and Massimo showed up and Stephanie was wheeled out, leaving Jackie with Mark. The flirty sleuth invited him over for a neighborly dinner.

Taylor returned home to find her kids preparing a backyard barbeque — and her husband not at home! She decided to stay and "party with you guys." Thomas wondered if his parents needed some alone time, since they didn't even get to have a honeymoon. Not knowing her son just tied the knot with Gaby, Taylor went into a monologue about the meaning of marriage. "It's something you live together, every single day for the rest of your life. It encompasses everything about you." She concluded that marriage is "precious" and "sacred," to which Thomas added, "That's how Brooke feels too." The twins felt weird having a family barbeque without Hope and RJ, while Thomas feared Ridge might think this was a party to celebrate Brooke's loss. Dad walked in just in time for burgers. The kids started teasing him, but he wasn't very responsive. He admitted that he'd been checking on Brooke and Taylor assumed correctly that Brooke hadn't been ready to see him. He was crushed, having let everyone down, and apologized that he wasn't up for celebrating. The kids told him they understood and would always be there for him, no matter what. A tormented Ridge enjoyed a family hug, while Brooke stood crying alone in her living room...until Hope came in and they too enjoyed a family hug.

Monday, July 11, 2005
At Bikini Beach, Bridget broke off the hot kiss Dante laid on her, but she wasn't angry and he didn't stop coming on strong. The interaction remained light and easy. He said he "just wanted to see if you kiss like a married woman." He teased that he couldn't leave town "now that I see how you could get burned," but as she defensively started talking up her relationship with Nick, Dante made his meaning clear by applying sunblock to "protect" her shoulders. (Of course, he must have also been talking about Nick!) When the subject of Taylor came up, Bridget asked — in so many words — if they'd slept together, to which Dante only said, "Get your mind out of the gutter." He then brought up the issue of Bridget falling for her mother's men and offered himself as fresh meat. He laid down so she could apply sunblock on his back. As she rubbed his shoulders, she talked about how glad she was that Nick was looking out for her mother. Dante responded, "You want to marry a man whose purpose in life is to make your mother happy?" Then he asked her to apply lotion to his "other side." They reminisced about the last time they sunbathed together until she agreed to do it — sort of. She slapped it on his belly and he announced he was sticking around town. She was curious about the why and how of his sudden decision.

Taylor showed up at the hospital to visit Stephanie. The room was empty, so she started reviewing Stephanie's medical chart, but Stephanie entered with Darla before she could get a good look. Darla spotted the chart and asked Taylor to tell them whether Stephanie was doing as well as she thought she was and Stephanie happily agreed with the idea. Taylor wondered why there were no lab reports and was still slightly uncomfortable about the validity of Stephanie's heart attack. She was worried that if Ridge did marry her for the wrong reason and found out the attack was a fake, he'd feel like he was trapped into his decision. Dr. Mark showed up, but his answers didn't leave Taylor much relieved. "There's a great deal at stake here," Stephanie said. "I know that better than anyone. Now, you've got trouble coming, but it's not me." She told Taylor that Ridge showed up at the hospital all riled up, but she was more concerned with what Brooke's next move was. Taylor filled her in on Brooke's moving out and thought it was natural that Ridge would be with Brooke right then. Stephanie warned her to stay close to him, specifically if Ridge was reconsidering his decision, insisting, "Do not underestimate the power that this woman has over him!"

At Brooke's place, Ridge apologized for making a terrible mistake and begged Brooke to talk to him. Brooke pushed him to explain what exactly what that mistake was. He admitted he thought he was responsible for Stephanie's heart attack and would have done anything to save her. "Including marrying Taylor," Brooke added. He also admitted he was wrong to compare them "like a couple of appliances." He pledged his love for Brooke and everything they had. "We fought a lifetime to get to this point, right now Brooke," he whined. "We can't let it end this way." Brooke admitted she'd made mistakes and urged him to fix this one. Ridge didn't know how. Brooke became frustrated, asking him what exactly his point was. She told him she'd come back to him if he'd only ask and he marveled at her ability to bounce back. Still not sure where he was going, Brooke ended the show with the question we thought was already answered: Are you going to be with Taylor? Or me?