Tuesday, July 25, 2006, Episode #4858

Thorne says his goodbyes to Darla.

It’s the day of Darla’s funeral. In the chapel, Thorne nods to the undertaker to open the casket. After commending the undertaker for doing a good job, Thorne asks for a moment alone. He touches Darla, recalling how she said she would never leave him. He then kisses her lightly, first on the cheek and then on the lips, crying as he does. Soon after, the family starts to arrive; Eric, Ridge, Felicia, Bridget and Dante come over to comfort Thorne. Felicia asks where Alexandria is. Thorne says that he didn't want her here, because he still doesn't know how to explain to her that someone mowed down Darla like a dog and fled. Eric assures him that the police will find the driver; Thorne hopes so, because God help them both if he finds the driver first.

Hector and Phoebe try to get through to Taylor.

At the Bel Air mansion, Taylor reminds Taylor that he and Phoebe are accessories, having lied for her. Taylor asks if a little guilt is supposed to keep her in line. Phoebe says she doesn't care what happens to her if Taylor goes to jail. Taylor admonishes Hector for putting Phoebe in the middle; she reminds him that she’s the one who took Thorne’s prefect marriage and Alexandria’s mother away, so she doesn't care about whether she’s a criminal or not. She just cares about Thorne and Alexandria learning the truth, because they deserve to know why they lost beautiful Darla. She hands Phoebe the keys and asks her to drive to the chapel; when Phoebe is silent, Taylor says she'll take a cab. Hector steps in front of her and says he feels for Thorne’s family, but he sees no point in destroying another. Taylor says she’s going, with or without him, and walks out.

Taylor and Phoebe soon after arrive at the chapel; we see Thomas, Sally and Clarke are also there now. Stephanie sees Taylor and takes Taylor in her arms; she’s glad Taylor didn't let their recent differences keep her away, because family is family. And right is right, Taylor responds. Thorne comes over and apologizes to Taylor for the way he acted when she came by the other day; he knows he was awful to her because of his grief, but he wants her to know that he would have lost it had she not been there. He recalls seeing the video Darla made. She was so beautiful and loving, Taylor says, giving Thorne a hug.

Ridge talks about his jealousy of what Thorne and Darla had.

The minister begins the service; we see Brooke, Nick and Donna are there now, and some of the former Spectra employees are with Sally and Clarke. Hector and Phoebe notice as Lt. Baker slips into the chapel and takes a seat in back. Ridge speaks first; he admits that he wasn't Darla’s favorite person, but he should have been. He never thought she was smart enough or strong enough to be in their family, but that might have been because he was jealous of the way Thorne and Darla made being happily married seem so easy.

Stephanie praises her departed daughter-in-law.

Stephanie gets up next, speaking of how rare it is in life to meet someone who is truly kind and generous in spirit, and who shines with goodness and love. She thinks of how fortunate her son was to find someone like that in Darla, who completed him spiritually and guided their child through life. She looks to Thorne and says that Darla may be gone, but it’s just for a while, since Darla will always look after him and Alexandria. She then tells him to honor Darla and her love for him by living the rest of his life with joy, as Darla would want.

Sally grieves over losing Darla after already having lost Macy.

Sally is next; she starts out, “I'm Sally Spectra, and I'm a selfish old broad, and you might as well know that.” She bets they're wondering why she’s thinking of herself at a time like this; it’s because her beautiful girls, her daughter Macy and her precious Darla, are both gone, and she'll never see their sweet smiles again. She breaks down as she asks what the Lord was thinking. Clarke steps up to help her back to her seat.

A tearful Taylor steps up to speak about Darla.

The minister asks if anyone else wants to speak; a tearful Taylor steps up, catching Lt. Baker’s eye. The cop looks at Phoebe, who looks uncomfortable, and at Hector as Taylor starts to speak. Taylor admits that she’s horrified to know that Darla is gone. She thinks of the love in Darla’s voice when they spoke the night before Darla died, at a time when she needed to hear words like Darla’s most. That’s the way Darla was, she explains; Darla would use her spirit and sense of humor to make you feel special and to give you hope, even if you felt there was no hope. She recalls how Darla just loved people that way, never asking for anything in return; in fact, Darla died helping Taylor’s daughter, who was feeling afraid and alone. Taylor feels ashamed now when she holds herself up in the light, but she knows that her task is to be the woman Darla saw in her. She steps down and returns to her seat.

Thorne thanks everyone.

Thorne steps up and thanks Taylor and everyone for their words of love and support, and especially for reminding him how special his wife was in her own quiet way. He starts to get choked up, unable to find the words. Stephanie steps up and tells him it’s OK. Thorne gives the nod to the minister to continue and then joins his parents by the casket. The camera pans to Taylor, and then to the assembled guests, as they prepare to leave the room.

Lt. Baker shares a word with Taylor.

Hector tells Taylor that he has to get to the station, so he asks Phoebe to look after her mom. Phoebe then tells Taylor that Lt. Baker was watching them. Let him look, Taylor says, since it’s his job. Ridge and Thomas come over to see if Taylor is OK. Ridge admits he’s been worried about her drinking. Taylor says she has a handle on it. That’s good, Ridge says, suggesting that the two of them spend some time with the kids this afternoon. Taylor agrees and tells him to take the kids now. Phoebe protests that she has to drive Taylor home, but Taylor says she wants to stay, so she'll take a cab. Phoebe reluctantly leaves. Alone, Taylor lights a candle. Lt. Baker approaches and says he was hoping to talk to Phoebe. Taylor says Phoebe already left; then they'll talk another time, Baker responds. He notes how nice the service was and how tragic this whole series of events was and then leaves.