Tuesday, November 11, 2008, Episode #5438

Jake helps Eric prepare for the podcast.

Eric arrives at Forrester and greets a bunch of workers before heading for his office, where Jake Maclaine is waiting for him. Jake has all the cameras and microphones ready to record Eric's announcement of Rick's being named as Forrester's new president. After Eric complains about one of the mikes, Jake tells him not to worry, as they won't be broadcasting the announcement live; he plans to record the announcement and clean the recording up so it can be uploaded to Forrester's web site. Eric thanks Jake again for doing all this on such short notice. Jake says it was his pleasure and excuses himself to do some other thing before the announcement begins.

Thorne objects to Eric's choice for Forrester's new president.

As Jake leaves, Thorne comes in and objects to Eric's choice for the new president of the company. Eric explains that he wants Rick to have the same opportunities Thorne and Ridge had growing up. "So give him a corner office and buy him a teddy bear, but don't make him president," Thorne argues, outraged that Ridge has been forced out. Eric points out that he asked Ridge to share the presidency with Rick, but Ridge turned him down flat, and that's why Eric has decided to name Rick as the sole president of this company.

Marcus and Steffy learn of Rick's promotion.

Outside the office, Steffy, Marcus and Madison try to get Jake to tell them about the big announcement, but he'll only tell them that it's big news. Meanwhile, in the elevator, Rick positions a set of metal crutches on his arms to make it look like he just got back the use of his legs. When Rick comes off the elevator, everyone greets him. Thorne comes over and quips, "All hail the chief," telling Rick that his new title is just a pity promotion because Eric feels guilty about overlooking him. Rick insists that he earned this, but Thorne says he doesn't buy it and walks away. Having overheard, Steffy asks Rick if he's sharing the presidency with her dad. When Rick tells her that Ridge stepped down as president, Steffy worries about her poor dad, while Marcus wonders if Stephanie knows about this. As Rick heads for Eric's office, Marcus, Steffy and Madison discuss the news about their new president. Marcus thinks it's a great opportunity for his buddy Rick, but Steffy fears that this won't be good for her father and wonders why her grandfather would have done this. Marcus assures her that Eric must have had a good reason and advises that they just trust Eric's judgement and respect his decision.

Rick thanks Eric for entrusting the company to him.

Rick enters Eric's office. Eric is thrilled to see his youngest son walk through the door. Rick thanks Eric again for giving him this opportunity. Eric tells him that they'll make the official announcement once Brooke arrives. Rick asks about Ridge; Eric informs him that Ridge will be designing from home from now on. Rick thinks that's too bad, since he would have been honored to share the presidency with Ridge. But Ridge made his decision, so there is nothing else to say. Eric thinks Rick is up to the challenge of running the company on his own. Rick promises to make him proud. Eric says he already has, and the whole fashion world will know that soon. Rick thinks Eric's trusting him with the family business is the greatest gift a father can give his son. Eric tells Rick that this company is as much his legacy as it is Ridge's; Rick thinks it's a shame Ridge doesn't see it that way. He will, Eric assures. Rick thanks Eric one more time for his faith, since that's what enabled him to get on his feet and out of bed.

Ridge tells his mother about Eric's decision.

Stephanie drops by Brooke's house to ask Ridge about the big announcement Eric plans to make today. When she asks if this is something they should be celebrating, Ridge says it isn't and informs her that Eric made Rick president of Forrester Creations. "But you're president," she points out. "Not anymore," Ridge replies. Brooke defends Eric's decision to a stunned Stephanie, who can't believe this. "Rick told dad I turned off his ventilator," Ridge speculates, surmising that Rick did that just to get back at him for every single thing that went wrong in Rick's miserable life. Brooke insists that Eric must have found out some other way, but Ridge is sure Rick told Eric. Stephanie offers to talk to Eric, but Ridge fears that Rick has brainwashed Eric as part of an attempt to undermine Ridge's relationships with Brooke and with Eric. He is especially suspicious of Rick's sudden "recovery" and tells Brooke that he's surprised she and Eric both fell for that. Brooke can't think of a reason why Rick would lie about something like that. "To get me out of the house," Ridge presumes, suggesting that Rick is simply out for revenge. Brooke doesn't want to talk about this anymore; Ridge thinks that just proves that Rick's plan to come between them is working. Stephanie asks Brooke how she feels about the promotion. Brooke wishes Rick and Ridge could work side by side, but that apparently can't happen, and that leaves her in a terrible position. Brooke assures Ridge that she will make her feelings clear in her statement for the podcast. Stephanie however still can't understand Eric's actions and leaves to confront him.

Ridge asks Brooke to promise to take a stand with Rick before things get out of hand. Brooke asks him not to make her go against her son and encourages Ridge to work with Rick, but Ridge doesn't trust Rick enough to have faith that they can work together. Brooke tells him that he'll understand where her loyalties lie once she makes her statement and wishes he and Rick could put the bad blood between them in the past. Ridge assures her that their love will see them though this and asks her not to ever forget that.

Taylor discusses Rick's promotion with Ridge.

Steffy calls Taylor to tell her about Rick being named as Forrester's new president, effectively shutting Ridge out. Realizing that Ridge must be devastated over that news, Taylor heads for Brooke's house and expresses her dismay. Ridge laments that he spent years being groomed to take over the company only to have it all handed to Rick because of a guilt trip Rick laid on Eric. Taylor asks what Brooke thinks, knowing it must be hard for Brooke to be caught in the middle between Rick and Ridge. Ridge agrees that Brooke is loyal to Rick, which is why he hopes Brooke comes through for him with a big statement during the podcast. "I know she won't let me down," Ridge muses.

Brooke gives Rick some advice.

Back in Eric's office, Marcus helps Jake get the cameras ready to record the podcast, which will go to "pretty much the whole Forrester universe" via the company web site. Meanwhile, Brooke finds Rick in Ridge's office. Rick turns to leave, but Brooke informs him that Ridge will not be coming in for the announcement and in fact will not even be using this office anymore, either. Rick tells her that it's a shame that Ridge couldn't put aside his humongous ego, but Brooke defends Ridge and claims that he just feels betrayed over the loss of the company that has been such a huge part of his life. Rick argues that Ridge would respect Eric's decision if he really cared about this company and asks his mother to please let him know that she supports him on this. Brooke says she does, but she doesn't like being torn between her son and the man she loves. Rick reminds her that Ridge turned down Eric's offer to share the presidency. Brooke admits that he's right, but she still hopes her speech today strikes a chord with everyone, especially Ridge. As Rick gets ready, he complains about his crutches. Brooke suggests he get checked out by an orthopedic specialist, but Rick turns her down and says he needs to focus on his new job now. He thanks her for her support. Brooke tells him she loves him and hugs him.