Thursday, July 20, 2006, Episode #4855

Reintroducing Donna Logan (now played by Jennifer Gareis).

Brooke is at home, looking at a photo of Thorne, Darla and Alexandria, when her doorbell rings. She answers and is surprised to see her sister Donna (now played by Jennifer Gareis, formerly Grace on The Young & the Restless). Donna explains that she came after Brooke called about Darla; she heard how sad her big sister sounded and rushed down to L.A., since Darla was family. Brooke wonders if Darla knew that she admired how Darla made her marriage to Thorne seem so easy. Donna wants to stay for the funeral and asks Brooke if her new hubby will mind a houseguest, especially since the newlyweds are technically still on their honeymoon. Brooke’s sure Nick will love her. Donna still can’t believe that Brooke let Nick interrupt her wedding to Ridge, the Prince of Beverly Hills who was always Brooke’s “destiny”, and married Nick instead. Brooke comments that they already talked about this on the phone for hours, so she doesn’t know why Donna is doing this. Donna just wants to know how Brooke could throw Ridge away for some sailor. Right on cue, Nick returns from his morning run; Brooke introduces Donna to Nick, who quips that Donna can just call him Captain Bligh.

Nick's taken aback by Donna's reaction to the Bedroom line ad.

Donna apologizes for the blunt comment, but Nick says it’s OK, since he IS a sailor. He asks how long Donna is staying. Brooke explains that Donna is staying for Darla’s funeral. Nick says that he didn’t know Donna knew Darla so well. Donna says that the Forresters are like family, since Ridge has been part of Brooke’s life forever. Brooke stops her, but Nick says he’s aware of their history. Donna insists that she just wants her sister to be happy. Brooke says she is happy, as she said before. Nick respects Donna’s desire to see Brooke happy, but he hopes Donna will keep an open mind. Donna agrees. Nick is ready for his shower and asks if Brooke is going to play hooky with her sister. Brooke thinks she should go to Forrester, since the family is in mourning; she hopes Donna won’t mind. Donna says she’ll be fine. Brooke then asks Nick if he’s OK with her going to Forrester; he tells her to go ahead. Just then, Donna spots a magazine with the semi-nude photo of Brooke promoting the Brooke’s Bedroom line and thinks it’s amazing! Nick says he’s going to shower now. Donna takes that to mean he doesn’t approve. Nick says it is his wife. Brooke adds that Stephanie tried to use that photo to stop her and Nick’s wedding. Donna still thinks the image is fabulous. Nick excuses himself, leading Donna to ask if he’s threatened by his wife’s sexuality. Brooke says she has no time to model anyway. Nick goes to take Donna’s bags to the guest room.

Brooke explains her compromise to Donna.

Donna turns to Brooke and asks if Brooke really gave up something she’s so passionate about, like modeling, for HIM! Brooke says that she may have dreamed about modeling when she was younger, but she wants to be more than just a body. She is, Donna states: she’s the CEO of Forrester and the face of Brooke’s Bedroom. Brooke asks what man would want to see his wife nude before the whole world. Ridge wouldn’t care, Donna insists, pointing out how Ridge values free expression. Brooke retorts that she’s never felt more herself than when she’s with Nick. “By scraping barnacles off your butt?” Donna sarcastically asks. Brooke points out that Donna doesn’t even know Nick; Donna retorts that she knows her sister, so she can’t understand why Brooke is acting ashamed of photos like this just because Nick doesn’t approve. Brooke reminds Donna that Stephanie and Ridge tried to use that photo to break her and Nick up. She explains that Nick loves and supports her, but he just doesn’t want her taking her clothes off in public. Donna asks if Brooke is walking away just because Nick doesn’t approve. Brooke says she’s not walking away; she’s just giving up modeling, and she thinks that’s a fair compromise.

Thorne opens up to Taylor.

At Thorne’s house, Thorne tells Taylor that he knows what she’s trying to do; he thinks she wants to make sense of what happened. He thinks about what might have happened if they didn’t have the party, or if he’d been home when Phoebe called, and he even tries to take the blame for the accident to displace his anger. As Thorne walks away from her, a guilty looking Taylor says she’s sorry. Thorne apologizes for laying this on her; it’s just that he fears that he might spend the rest of his life trying to understand why some sick bastard would do this. Taylor admits that she hasn’t been herself, since she tried to deal with her pain by turning to alcohol. She takes his hands and is about to tell him what happened when the phone rings. She tells him not to answer, but he says it might be Lt. Baker. While Thorne goes out on the patio to answer, Taylor looks at a photo of Thorne and his family. Just then, Hector comes in and asks what she’s doing. She says that she has to tell Thorne that she killed his wife, but Hector says that won’t bring back Darla. Thorne comes in and says that was his mother, who wanted him to know that Alexandria was okay. He sees Hector and thanks him for his efforts on Darla’s behalf. Taylor looks like she’s about to say something, but Hector says they should be going, since Taylor is tired and Phoebe is worried. Taylor says the accident wouldn’t have happened if... If Taylor had gotten there in time, Hector finishes. Thorne tells Hector and Taylor not to feel guilty, since this isn’t their fault.