Wednesday, October 18, 2006, Episode #4917

Phoebe explains that Darla's death was an accident.

At the Forrester mansion, Eric has several visitors as he reads the newspaper account of Taylor's confession. Felicia and Dante have come by to show support. Sally is there, because she was like a mother to Darla. And Jackie has stopped by, because... In any case, Sally is stunned that Taylor drove the car that hit Darla. After Jackie reads a comment about Phoebe possibly being charged, Dante asks Eric how Phoebe is; Eric tells them that Phoebe was exhausted and spent the night. Felicia worries about how Thorne took the news, so Eric tries to call him and leaves a message. The group is shocked that Taylor is the one Thorne's been looking for, and that she kept it a secret from everyone, including Thorne. Phoebe comes downstairs and offers to answer their questions. Sally is stunned that Phoebe knew the truth. Eric tells Sally to calm down, but Phoebe says that Sally's right: she did keep it a secret, even though she knew it was wrong. But she wants them to understand that she only did it because Darla's death was not her mother's fault.

Felicia and Eric listen to Phoebe's story.

Phoebe recalls how the force of removing the last lug nut threw Darla back onto the road; there was no way her mom could have kept from hitting Darla, she swears. Jackie and Eric assure Phoebe that they believe her. Felicia chimes in about how Taylor allowed herself to become so close to Thorne and Alexandria after the accident; she can't see how Taylor thought the truth could stay hidden. Phoebe explains that Taylor felt guilty about what happened all the time, so she couldn't help but try to ease Thorne and Ally's pain. And then Thorne and Alexandria fell in love with Taylor, Sally points out. Phoebe tells them that her mom loves Thorne and Ally, too. She knows Taylor wants to be with Thorne, but they can never work things out if Taylor goes to prison. That's why she prays that Thorne can forgive her mom. Otherwise, her mom will go to jail, and she can't bear to think about that.

Ridge tries to get through to Thorne.

Ridge drops by Thorne's house to offer his condolences. He tells Thorne that Phoebe told him everything last night. Thorne still can't believe how so many people, including Hector, Phoebe and even their mother, knew the truth and kept it secret, He thinks about how Taylor taught him to smile again and saved Alexandria, so it makes him mad to know that the killer was here in his home, holding his daughter. He asks Ridge how he can forgive Taylor. Ridge thinks it's in Thorne's heart to forgive, but Thorne can't get past the fact that so many people close to him covered up the truth. Ridge admits he's not happy about that, either, but he sees how devastated everyone is - especially Taylor. Thorne asks if "devastation" includes playing him for a fool. Ridge points out that Hector was the one who convinced Taylor to lie. Yes, Taylor showed bad judgement in following Hector's advice, but Thorne knows how narrow the shoulder on PCH is. Thorne tells Ridge to stop right there, since he is sick of people telling him that it was Darla's fault! He reminds Ridge that Darla only went out there to help Phoebe, so no one will ever convince him that his wife was at fault. Taylor even called Lt. Baker and admitted she was responsible, he adds.

Ridge agrees with everything Thorne just said. Yet Taylor still came forward and told the truth, even though everyone else told her to keep quiet. He asks Thorne why that is. Thorne says that Taylor didn't want him to suffer anymore, but Ridge thinks it's because Taylor loved Thorne. No matter how confused Taylor may be, Ridge knows she loves Thorne, and he can't understand why Thorne is questioning that. "I question everything," Thorne states. Ridge points out that the suffering will only get worse if Taylor goes to prison; that's why he's asked Storm Logan to take Taylor's case. But none of that will matter if Taylor keeps punishing herself, since all she'll get in return is a mandatory ten year jail sentence. He asks Thorne if he wants that and tells Thorne that he can have a life with Taylor. Thorne can't picture a life with his wife's killer. Ridge urges Thorne to see how Taylor is taking the blame for an accident, because she thinks that's what Thorne wants. But they all need Taylor, including Thorne, so he urges Thorne not to let Taylor do this. Thorne shakes his head and walks out on his brother.

The prosecutor hopes there are no surprises in store.

At the courthouse, prosecutor Jennifer Tartaro (daytime TV veteran Debbi Morgan) discusses Taylor's guilty plea with Lt. Baker. She points out that Storm Logan is in the building with Taylor. Lt. Baker asks why Taylor needs a high powered lawyer for a guilty plea. Tartaro doesn't know, but she reminds Baker that Taylor's guilty plea is the only thing stopping her from charging Hector, Phoebe and Stephanie for their crimes. She hopes there will be no surprises. Baker agrees.

In a visiting room at the county jail, an orange jumpsuit clad Taylor is led in to see Stephanie, who urges Taylor not to plead guilty. Yes, Taylor left the scene of the accident, and yes, they all lied about that. But that doesn't mean Taylor has to be a martyr, especially since Taylor has a good defense and witnesses. Taylor says that she's not trying to be a martyr. She's just trying to do right by Thorne, who needs peace. "He loves you," Stephanie reminds Taylor, but Taylor thinks Thorne hates her guts for lying to him and his daughter. That's why she intends to plead guilty and serve her sentence. Stephanie urges Taylor not to throw her life away, but Taylor's mind is made up. She, as a psychiatrist, sees that Thorne needs retribution, so she's giving it to him. Stephanie can't see why Taylor would want to spend ten years in prison and asks Taylor to wait for Storm to get here, so they can take this to trial and plan her defense. Taylor thinks a trial would be too painful for everyone, and it would be an insult to Darla's memory. She doesn't think she deserves Thorne's forgiveness.

Storm and Stephanie tell Taylor not to plead guilty.

As Stephanie pleads with Taylor not to sacrifice her life for this, Storm comes in. Stephanie asks the lawyer (now played by William deVry, formerly AMC's Michael Cambias) to talk some sense into Taylor. Storm thinks there is enough factual and procedural information to the case that he can use to get the charges dropped, even though Taylor made a confession. Taylor appreciates his efforts, but she doesn't think she needs a lawyer. Thorne has been through enough losing his wife, she insists, so she won't compound that by being a victim. She wants to prove to everyone that she still has integrity. Stephanie tells Taylor, "I love you, but you're the most pigheaded person." She thinks the world already knows what kind of woman Taylor is. Before they can go any further, Lt. Baker arrives to escort Taylor to court for her hearing. Storm wants more time to talk to his client; Lt. Baker asks why, since Taylor has already agreed to plead guilty.

The Judge calls the court to order.

Soon after, Judge Devin Owens (named after a Soap Opera Digest writer, and played by KNOTS LANDING vet Kevin Dobson) calls the room to order. The judge sees Stephanie and asks her to leave, as this as a closed proceeding, but Stephanie convinces him to let her stay to provide Taylor with moral support. The judge then asks Ms. Tartaro what happened to Taylor's court-appointed lawyer. Storm identifies himself as Taylor's attorney and asks for a continuance, since he just arrived in L.A. this morning; the Judge denies the request, since Taylor confessed and accepted a plea. Thorne then arrives; the Judge asks him to leave, too, but Thorne asks to stay. The judge allows the husband of the deceased to remain, as long as he realizes he cannot provide testimony. As Thorne takes a seat, the Judge asks Tartaro to read the charges against Dr. Hayes (who, as of the last few shows, has suddenly stopped going by the last name of Forrester, even though Hayes was her first husband's name). Tartaro reads the first two: driving with a suspended license and obstruction of justice. Despite pleas from Storm and Stephanie, Taylor answers "guilty" to each. When they read the last charge, vehicular manslaughter, Storm warns Taylor that it carries a mandatory sentence of ten years in prison. He asks her not to plead guilty, so he has room to help her. Stephanie agrees.