Tuesday, August 14, 2007, Episode #5124

Jackie brings a gift for Thorne.

When Jackie stops by the Forrester mansion with an engagement gift for Thorne (since she didn't know Thorne's address), an annoyed Stephanie accuses Jackie of encouraging Donna to pursue Thorne. She assures Jackie that the marriage won't happen. Jackie wonders if Stephanie would punish Brooke's children even more to get back at Donna. Stephanie states that the kids were removed for their own protection, just as Donna will be removed from Thorne's life like an annoying tick. Jackie suggests that Stephanie, even after 20 years of battling Brooke, might not be ready for another 20 years with a younger, more energetic version. Stephanie thinks it will only take 20 minutes for Thorne to dump Donna. Eric arrives and breaks the ladies up; when Jackie tells Eric that she brought a gift for Thorne, Eric thanks her for the thoughtful gesture in honor of Thorne's engagement. Stephanie is surprised that Eric knows that Thorne is engaged and asks if he knows who Thorne's fiancee is. Eric replies that Thorne told him that it's Donna and can't see anything wrong, since Donna is a knockout. More like a streetwalker, Stephanie retorts. Jackie takes the bickering between the spouses as her cue to leave, so she turns to the door, making sure to wish Stephanie "congratulations" as she exits.

Donna tells Brooke about her engagement.

Donna and Thorne stop by Forrester Creations to see Brooke. As they wait for Brooke in Nick's office. Thorne feels a bit odd standing in his dad's old office. Speaking of his dad, Donna tells Thorne that Stephanie came back to the beach house while he and Aly took Eric home. She hates to be a snitch, but she got really upset over Stephanie's accusations that she is just using him for revenge. Thorne is sorry she had to listen to his mother's tirade and promises to take care of it. Just then, Brooke arrives; she's surprised to see Thorne with her sister, and she's even more surprised to learn that Thorne and Donna are engaged! As Donna shows off her huge engagement ring to her sister, Thorne tells Brooke that they're going to be family again. He guesses that Donna and Brooke have a lot to talk about and leaves the two sisters to chat, telling Donna that he'll see her back at the house. Once Thorne is gone, Brooke tells Donna that she's a bit confused. Donna tells Brooke that Thorne is a wonderful man, and she knows that she can make him happy. "And you can make Stephanie very, very unhappy," Brooke adds. Donna admits that it's possible.

Brooke has some concerns.

Brooke tells Donna that she has some concerns, because Donna hasn't been seeing Thorne long, and because Thorne isn't even Donna's type. She also worries that Donna is only going after Thorne to get back at Stephanie for taking Hope and R.J. away, but she doesn't think marrying Thorne will help matters with regards to the kids, so she urges Donna to fix this now. Donna says that she can't do that; while she admits that what she and Thorne share isn't the grand passion Brooke and Ridge had, she also points out how little that passion got Brooke. And despite the fact that Brooke and Storm act like she has guys all over her, the only guys Donna encounters are cat-calling construction workers, so she sees nothing wrong with showing an interest in a nice guy like Thorne and making him happy. She points out that she and Thorne are both lonely. "Then join a book club or a dance class," Brooke remarks. Donna assures Brooke that she really wants to make Thorne happy, and it's just too bad if that upsets Stephanie. Brooke points out that it will be Thorne, not Stephanie, who suffers from a marriage based on revenge, but Donna insists that she truly cares about Thorne. Jackie comes in and hears the Logan sisters talking about the engagement; sensing that Brooke is not happy about it, she suggests that Brooke design Donna's wedding dress. Brooke says she'll sleep on it and tells Donna that they'll talk about this again soon.

After Brooke leaves, Donna vents to Jackie about Brooke's disapproval. She can't understand why Brooke is denying her this chance in the spotlight. "She doesn't know you're doing it for her," Jackie notes. Donna says she's only partially doing this for Brooke. She admits that she looks forward to making Stephanie's life a living hell. Jackie advises Donna to be wary of Stephanie's wrath, but Donna is sure that Thorne will stand up to his mother, especially with her reminding him what he really wants. Jackie cautions Donna that Forrester men stand up to Stephanie tend to get knocked down.

Eric tells Stephanie to let Thorne be happy.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie fumes about Thorne's engagement, but Eric sees what would attract a man like Thorne to someone like Donna. Stephanie fears where this relationship might go, insisting that Donna has Thorne in a "hormonal half-nelson." Eric reminds his wife that Thorne is a grown man who can make up his own mind, but Stephanie fears that Donna is only using Thorne to get back at her for all the things she supposedly did to the Logan family. Eric rattles off a list of the things Stephanie did to Beth, Stephen and Brooke, suggesting that Donna may have a point. Stephanie refuses to let her son be the sacrificial lamb, but Eric guesses that Thorne may not see having sex with Donna as a sacrifice. Stephanie can't believe he is being so calm about this. Eric asks if this is where she calls him spineless and weak-minded. Stephanie says that he's not weak-minded, but he has a short memory given his obsession with sex. Eric states that he can understand why Thorne would want comfort and intimacy in his life. Stephanie argues that Donna has more miles on her than the Queen Mary and asks Eric if he really believes what he's saying. Eric counters that love isn't everything, pointing to their own relationship as proof. He advises his wife to let Thorne be happy, but Stephanie argues that Thorne must be dim if this engagement isn't a cry for help - just as Thorne walks in.

Stephanie warns Thorne about Donna.

Stephanie tries to apologize to Thorne for calling him "dim," but Thorne says he's heard enough and asks to speak to his mother alone. Once Eric leaves the room, Stephanie tells Thorne that he has her full attention now. Thorne tells his mother that he only wants her to support him, especially since she's treated him like the "runt of the litter" all his life. He admits that there was a time when he needed her to be the center of his universe. but she was too occupied to notice. Stephanie asks him to forget about his childhood and compare Donna with Darla in his mind. Thorne tearfully cries out that Darla's gone, and she's never coming back! He's accepted that, and he thinks Stephanie should do that as well. He also asks his mother what's so bad about Donna, especially given how Stephanie still praises Ashley as the perfect woman for Ridge after learning that Ashley slept with Rick. Stephanie begs Thorne to stop, but he sees how it is: women love Ridge, but they only use him. Stephanie tells him that Donna doesn't really love him and is only seducing him. Thorne concedes that the sex with Donna is great, but there is more to their relationship than that. He tells his mother that he's tired of sleeping in his bed at night alone, but Stephanie cautions that pleasure has its price and asks him not to blind himself to what Donna is doing.