Eric collapsed on Bold and the Beautiful but that doesn’t necessarily spell the end for the Forrester patriarch (Dec. 8 recap)

We got a fade to white today on The Bold and the Beautiful as Eric collapsed on the floor of his home with his family surrounding him as he told them it was his time to go. He’d just found out that not only had Ridge lied to him and he wasn’t the winner of their fashion showdown after all but also his loved ones did know he was dying. It was a moment that was tense at first before Eric broke into a smile and took hold of his son, acknowledging that that was the nicest thing that anyone had done for him.

Earlier in the episode, Eric had been making the rounds talking with them all. He told Carter that he’s family and that he always would be. To Luna, RJ, and Zende, he bestowed upon them the declaration that they’re the future of Forrester. Of course, they expressed their love for the patriarch in return and told him what he means to them as well.

When he spoke with Thomas and Hope, the latter expressed that they’d all learned from him never to give up hope. Personally, the private talk that I found most moving was between Steffy and Eric. She told him that he lives in her and that she will carry him with her always. It’s moments like that one, and when Steffy stepped up at the top of the episode to share how much they all love him and that they’re honoring him tonight, that further convinces me Jacqueline McInnes Wood will inherit the soap if she chooses to continue on with it well into the future.

The entire soiree was beautiful. The one hiccup was when Donna went to get Eric a “splash” of champagne and overheard Thomas talking about Ridge being the true winner of the fashion showdown. I was happy to see someone get mad about that choice since everyone seemed to be completely fine with it even though there was room to be upset considering how Eric might feel about being snowed in that way. Not that he has much of a leg to stand on considering he had intended on keeping the fact that he’s dying from his family.

However, it turned out not to be an issue so that small bit of tension was for the drama and the drama only. With Eric’s collapse has come the question of whether or not he’s dying. That, however, is a spoiler so if you want a clear cut answer, click here. If not, here’s how the story could be shaping up into a plot that sees Finn saving the day.

Finn searches for answers during Eric’s “last hurrah” party

The good doctor has been busy working on a case. So much so that he’s missing Eric’s party, leaving his mother Li to question why he’s not by his wife’s side. What she doesn’t know is that Steffy told him that her grandfather is dying and asked him to look into his case, and that’s exactly what Finn is doing.

Based on the flurry of notes he’s been taking, and the furrowed brow that’s been a constant presence on his face, Finn could be putting together that something isn’t matching up in Eric’s diagnosis and care. The famed designer is said to be having ministrokes, is suffering from cerebrovascular disease, and multiple oncologists have been consulted and yet he has no treatment plan or projected window for how long he has left.

Sure, that could just be soap writing. We all know how this goes. The medicine is often hand waved and we’re told to suspend disbelief. But it seems pretty clear that the Bold and the Beautiful writers are setting Finn up to come through with the miracle Eric needs. Also Bridget, the sole Forrester who is a doctor, was brought home for Eric’s party. Li is likely to be looped into what’s going on with her son’s grandfather-in-law since she keeps asking her son what he’s working on.

She admitted to Finn that she’s envious of Eric’s loving family and wishes she had that as well. Li said that Eric has a lot to live for and, based on her sentiment, she’d do what she can to ensure he has more time with them. With four doctors currently on the soap, if Dr. Colby is brought in since he is Eric’s attending physician, there are plenty of hands on deck to help Eric. Next week is sure to be interesting on the soap!

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more Bold and the Beautiful news and coverage. Episodes stream on Paramount+.