The Bold and the Beautiful recap (Dec. 15): Brooke and Taylor choose themselves

I’m not going to lie, Bold fans, I got major deja vu watching today’s episode of The Bold and the Beautiful. The whole ‘Brooke and Taylor choose themselves’ decision struck a similar note to when Steffy took Liam’s choice from him, slid her ring on Hope’s finger, and told the two they should be together. She was breaking the cycle back then, too, so that she could stand in her power and dignity after all that she’d been put through by him because he kept going between her and Hope.

Granted, Ridge ended up alone (not that he looked torn up about it) and Liam got one of the futures he was struggling to pick, but it was still pretty much the same story beat. Not to mention, I just don’t feel like this is a turning point that’s going to stick. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the soap is done with the triangle, but I doubt Ridge isn’t going to end up with either Brooke or Taylor at some point, maybe even in time for Christmas.

For now though, these two rivals not only have called a truce, they also left the man they both love hand-in-hand in an empowering final scene that could have done without the cheesy high five. It’ll be interesting see where the story goes next especially factoring in Steffy and Hope’s “civil” back-and-forth over which one of their moms Ridge was going to choose.

Here’s the full recap events.

What happened today on The Bold and the Beautiful?

Watching Taylor and Brooke be coy about why they’d called Ridge to the office was mildly aggravating. But, once they finally got to the meat of their ‘We choose us’ moment, it worked. Even if it did feel like the soap wasted our time with all this waiting.

Krista Allen really hit hard with Taylor’s speech to Ridge about how he’d hurt her. Yes, Brooke reminded him of the way he treated her, beginning with leaving her without explaining why. She flubbed the facts though regarding his proposal to Taylor. Ridge had gotten Brooke to sign the annulment papers and then asked Taylor to marry him. He didn’t propose when he was still married to her.

Admittedly, I felt less for Brooke. Ridge’s behavior was deplorable, I agree, but the real shining moment of that exchange belonged to Taylor reminding Ridge of the promises he’d made to her. There’s an intimacy there that Brooke hadn’t been privy to and she got to witness it today in a way that you could tell rocked her a bit.

Also, Taylor called Ridge on his lies. She didn’t phrase it that way, but she did shame him for the mess he’d made. Brooke boiled this down to his inability to communicate with her, but it was more than that. It was the lengths Ridge went to open Taylor’s heart to him again knowing that he wasn’t being completely honest with her. And she found that out the hard way when he didn’t marry her when he was supposed to because of the truth coming out about the CPS call.

Taylor and Brooke are right. They did and do deserve better than how Ridge has treated them over the years. So, choosing themselves is an act of defiance, taking the choice from him and putting it back into their own hands so they can stand in dignity and hold power over their own lives. Though I will say Taylor stopping in front Ridge like she was going to say something else to him and then reaching out to get her purse instead was such a chef’s kiss of a move! I love her.

As affectionate as Brooke and Taylor were being toward one another, I’m not sure how long this let’s hold hands and support each other attitude is going to stick. Ridge said the two have a lot in common, I don’t see it, but it would be interesting if they’re more cordial and friendly than they had been now that the triangle is done.

Maybe their daughters could take note. Steffy and Hope spent the episode somewhat bickering in the office next door over who Ridge would choose. Their husbands, Finn and Liam, even joined in. Each providing their own points about the right woman for their father-in-law. There was, however, a presumption by Hope that he’d choose her mom like he always has that didn’t sit right with me.

So, I’m not going to deny that there’s a HUGE part of me that hopes Ridge not only was going to choose Taylor but that he proves that by being there like he promised and courting her. I know that sounds like wishful thinking, but it’s how I feel. Also on my wish list, better parts for Charlie because his comedic relief bits aren’t hitting and he seemed really unnecessary this episode.

Until next time, Bold fans. Stay beautiful!

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more The Bold and the Beautiful news and coverage! New episodes of the soap air Mondays-Fridays on CBS. Evening viewing is available on Paramount+.