Friday, October 20, 2006, Episode #4919

Taylor tells Thorne that Darla was a saint.

In her jail cell, Taylor tells Thorne that she knows he hates her, but she's sure he'll forget her in time. Thorne doubts time will heal this wound, and he questions if her spending ten years in jail will make up for his daughter losing her mother. He can't decide what hurts worse - what she did to Darla, or what she did to Alexandria. The truth hurts, Taylor says. Like anyone cared about the truth, Thorne retorts, thinking of how Taylor, Phoebe and even his own mother lied to him. Taylor says she's sorry, but Thorne doesn't respond. She asks him to talk to her, but he asks what he's supposed to say. Taylor thinks he has every right to be glad she's going to prison, but Thorne sees nothing "right" about this. At least he can rest knowing the person who hit Darla is in prison, Taylor offers. Thorne laments how that person became the most important person in his life. He can't believe he thought Darla brought them together, and he still can't fathom that Taylor and Phoebe expect him to believe it was an accident that Darla fell onto the car. No one is blaming Darla, Taylor suggests. Thorne however thinks everyone is blaming Darla, by claiming that she was a dingbat that just fell onto the road! Taylor sobs that he's wrong; she tells him that Darla wasn't a dingbat. Rather, Darla was an incredible woman who came to Phoebe's aid, even with everything going on that night. "Darla was not a fool. She was a saint," Taylor cries. Thorne leaves.

Stephanie asks Shane to help Taylor.

At Taylor's house, Stephanie pleads with Shane to testify that Darla's death was an accident. Shane tells her to let Phoebe do it, but Stephanie tells him that they need someone to corroborate that, and he is the only objective witness to the event. Shane recalls how Stephanie kept telling him that no one would believe his story, so she told him to keep his mouth shut. Before Stephanie can answer, she gets a call from Storm, who tells her that the judge will not postpone the sentencing. She tells Shane that Taylor needs him, but Shane reminds her how she told him he was a nobody, and how she said he shouldn't even go near a courtroom. Stephanie senses that Shane wants something in return for his testimony and asks what is is. Shane tells her that there is one thing he wants very badly. Then it's his if they get to the courthouse, Stephanie promises. As Stephanie turns to the door, Shane smugly smiles, pleased with himself.

Brooke tells Thomas and Phoebe that their mom has a good lawyer.

Thomas and Phoebe meet with Ridge and Brooke in Ridge's office. Thomas can't believe that his mom hit Darla and covered it up. Phoebe tells him it was an accident. Ridge tells them that no one is blaming Taylor. Then why is she going to jail? Phoebe asks. Brooke replies that Taylor might not see much jail time, since Ridge hired her a good lawyer. Ridge tells his kids that the lawyer is Brooke's brother Storm. Right on cue, Storm comes in; he greets Ridge and his sister and then says hi to the kids. The kids ask him there is any news about their mom; Storm tells them how Taylor asked to be sentenced today, so she can get this over with. Phoebe wants to talk to the judge, to tell him what happened. Ridge reminds her that she was part of the cover-up. And besides, Storm adds, as Taylor's daughter, the judge would think Phoebe is trying to protect her mom. Phoebe insists that she wouldn't lie, but Ridge thinks the best thing they can all do right now is be there to support Taylor.

Storm tells Brooke why Taylor wants to be sentenced now.

Soon after, Ridge, Thomas and Phoebe leave. Storm calls Assistant District Attorney Tartaro and arranges for Ridge and the kids to get some time alone with Taylor before the sentencing. After Storm hangs up, Brooke asks if Taylor really wanted to be sentenced now. Storm explains that Taylor is ready to accept her punishment; he tried to convince her to wait to be sentenced, but she doesn't want to prolong Thorne's pain. He guesses she loves Thorne that much. The sad thing, Brooke comments, is that Thorne still really loves Taylor, too.

Ridge, Thomas and Phoebe spend time with Taylor.

In her jail cell, Taylor is surprised to see Ridge, Thomas and Phoebe. Ridge explains that Storm arranged for them to be here. Thomas asks his mom why she didn't tell him; she says she didn't want to involve them, but Phoebe says that they want to be involved, so they can show their support. Taylor asks if Steffy knows; Ridge says that he called her, and she is ready to fly home at any time, but Taylor thinks it's better for Steffy to avoid the spotlight. Thomas asks his mom why she pled guilty if it was an accident. Taylor replies that she doesn't want to add to anyone's grief. So she's doing this for Thorne, Thomas guesses. Taylor says that she's accepting the consequences of her actions. Thomas doesn't to lose his mom again; Taylor says she doesn't want to be away from them, either. Ridge tells her that he'll take care of the kids. She responds that she knows he will, just as she knows they'll all take care of Thorne and Alexandria. Phoebe thinks Thorne still loves Taylor, so she wonders if they can still work things out and tell the judge that it was an accident. Taylor tells Phoebe not to say that; she refuses to blame this on Darla, which is why she is taking responsibility for her actions. Storm arrives with a guard, as the sentencing is about to begin. Thomas and Phoebe ask for a chance to say goodbye; Taylor gives them a hug before the guard cuffs her and leads her away. Ridge then gives his kids a hug as they leave the cell, not noticing that Thorne has been eavesdropping from the shadows.

Sally tells Eric that she's here to see Darla get justice.

In the courtroom, Eric sits with Bridget, who can't believe Taylor pled guilty. Eric supposes Taylor wanted to be honest; Bridget understands that. Eric asks if she told Dante and Felicia; before she can answer, Sally enters the courtroom, hounded by that trio of reporters, Jarrett, Sophie and Danica. Sally tells the "buzzards" to back off. Eric invites her to join him and Bridget, but Sally wants to sit on the other side of the courtroom, behind the prosecutor, since she is here in support of Thorne. She wants to make sure Darla gets the justice she deserves! Reporters and spectators file in, including Lt. Baker. Ridge, Brooke, Phoebe and Thomas join Eric and Bridget on the defendant's side of the courtroom. Phoebe blames herself, even though Bridget tells her not to. Lt. Baker greets Thorne and says he's sorry. Eric tells Thorne that he doesn't have to be here, but Thorne thinks he does. Judge Owens enters and calls everyone to order. He asks Taylor to rise. Taylor and Storm stand up as the judge states that he's reviewed Ms. Tartaro's sentencing recommendations and is ready to sentence Taylor. Phoebe and Thomas wonder why Storm doesn't object; Ridge says Storm would if Taylor wanted him to. The judge then sentences Taylor to 60 days in jail for driving with a suspended license and one year for obstruction of justice.

Thorne has some questions for Shane.

Outsides, Stephanie anxiously drags a nervous Shane through the courthouse. Shane points out that there are cops here. "You're in a court house! Are you a sociopath or something?" Stephanie retorts as she pulls Shane to the courtroom. Inside, the crowd gasps as Judge Owens sentences Taylor to the mandatory ten year sentence for gross vehicular manslaughter. As the judge tells the bailiff to take Taylor back to her cell and prepares to wrap up, Stephanie bursts in and asks to be heard. The judge tells a guard to restrain her, but Stephanie tells him that the man with her has something to say. Taylor tells Stephanie to stop, but Stephanie blurts out that this man can testify that Darla's death was not vehicular manslaughter. Tartaro objects, saying that justice has been served. Stephanie asks the judge how it is just if all the facts haven't been told. She explains that this man witnessed what happened on Pacific Coast Highway. She tells Shane to go ahead and tell them it was an accident.