The Bold and the Beautiful recap (Feb. 9): Douglas chooses Hope, will that choice hold?

Now that Taylor’s suicide scare is behind us, The Bold and the Beautiful has turned up the heat on Thomas and Hope’s custody struggle. We spent much of the back half of 2022 with the co-parents trying to avoid a battle over their son, Douglas. Hope was doing all she could to be a part of Douglas’ life while he lived at Forrester Mansion, including sleeping over, much to Liam’s discomfort.

However, after it was revealed that Thomas was the one who called CPS, Douglas ended up back at the cabin on the Logan estate and apart from his father once again. He and Thomas have been in little contact since due to the tension in the family and Thomas being unsure of how to navigate this new situation with Hope.

On today’s episode, he finally got to see his son but it was with Hope and Liam watching him the entire time. Tired of being unsure of his standing in regards to his child, Thomas served the couple with papers and made them aware of a hearing that will decide Douglas’ permanent residence based on where the child says he wants to live.

It’s a risky move that the story’s suggesting may not play out in Thomas’ favor since Douglas told Hope he wants to live with her, but with the hearing scheduled for tomorrow, that decision could change. Here’s the full recap of events including Thomas’ request of Steffy and Taylor’s answer to Brooke on whether she’ll move in.

What happened today on The Bold and the Beautiful?

As mentioned above, Thomas had a supervised visit with Douglas. Mind you, no court has ordered that he must be watched when seeing his son. Liam and Hope just decided that’s what they’re going to be doing. They also didn’t seem to want Thomas there at all, so the little time he did spend with Douglas had an abrupt end.

Before he left, Thomas handed over documentation detailing his decision to give Douglas the power to decide who he’d like to live with. Hope was in disbelief and pointed out that Thomas doesn’t have a home of his own to which he rebutted that he does have money which means he can get a place if need be.

Liam attempted to weigh in but Thomas shut that down as politely, and frankly generously, as he could. Thomas is very aware of the role Liam has played in Douglas’ life and is thankful for it, but this is a conversation that needed to be between him and Hope. It also should have been a talk they both had with their son but that’s not what happened.

Thomas told Douglas that they could all talk about a scenario where his living situation can be settled and made more permanent at a later time, but once he left, Liam and Hope spoke to him about it as if Thomas hadn’t said a thing.

Hope checked in with Douglas regarding his visit with his dad and he didn’t seem that enthusiastic about it. She clearly took that to mean he doesn’t really want to be around his father but that appears to be projecting on her part. When Thomas said he’d be heading out, Douglas looked disappointed and only seemed to cheer up when his dad sent him off to go get his basketball from the car.

I think his somberness about his father has to do with being separated from him and only getting to see him for infrequent snatches of time. Remember, Douglas has consistently said he misses his dad. He was perfectly fine living at Forrester Mansion and wasn’t missing being at the cabin at all. He also didn’t seem to want to leave Steffy’s house when Liam came to pick him up.

Sure, Hope asked him who he’d like to live with and got the answer she wanted, he wants to live with her. But that may not be the real answer in his “heart of hearts,” only the answer Douglas knows she wants to hear. Or really the more stable choice since he keeps being taken from his father and put with her.

Hope was overjoyed by Douglas’ answer and Liam was relieved but cautious because he thinks Thomas may have a trick up his sleeve. But Hope couldn’t help but see her day in family court as a means of getting Thomas out of their lives for good. I hope it’s not that simple.

Thomas was right. He doesn’t have his family, his job, or his son. The latter is what he needs and he can’t keep letting her dictate when he does and doesn’t get to see Douglas. It’s not fair and, to be honest, Hope really is missing the forest for the trees here. Their son is sad whenever he thinks about Thomas’ scheming but she didn’t ask him what part he’s sad about or to elaborate on his feelings so she could get blindsided at the hearing.

In attempt to make his case a strong one, Thomas asked Steffy to be his witness. She and Finn had just returned from some late night fun on the beach and had been discussing how much he loves Douglas before he arrived at the Cliff House. Steffy warned Thomas that this may not go his way. He could lose full custody of his son, but she will be his witness at the hearing, so at least he’ll have someone in his corner.

Brooke and Taylor make a pact

Oblivious to what’s been going on with their children, Brooke and Taylor continued to talk at the beach house. Taylor was hesitant to agree to living with her new friend because of Ridge. She thinks he’ll be coming back for Brooke and that she should leave her door open to that possibility. Brooke countered saying that perhaps Taylor is hesitating because she’s hoping Ridge will show up on her doorstep.

Neither woman wants to wait around for him or make decisions based on what he might choose. As Brooke told it, she doesn’t want to be chosen, she wants to choose, and she’s choosing to be the best friend she can be to Taylor. As for Taylor, she doesn’t want to concern herself with Ridge’s decisions anymore.

The discussion led to the friends agreeing not to be involved with the same man ever again even if that man isn’t Ridge and to be role models for their daughters. Brooke is finding that she’s comfortable living in the unknown now.

She used to wonder who would love her, hold her, kiss her, and take care of her but she doesn’t anymore. And Taylor assured Brooke that she’s not lonely even though she lives at the beach house by herself. She has their friendship and that’s been getting her through this tough time.

Ultimately, Taylor said she needed time to decide if she’s going to move in with Brooke, leaving the decision open ended for now. Until next time, Bold fans. Stay beautiful!

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more The Bold and the Beautiful news and coverage. New episodes are available to stream on Paramount+.