CBS The Bold and the Beautiful 9/08/2025 – Full Episode Recap (Monday, August 08)
Today’s episode of The Bold and the Beautiful delivered the kind of heartbreak and emotional intensity that long-time fans know all too well. After weeks of anticipation, Ridge finally faces the truth he has been running from since returning from Italy. What begins as a celebration of new beginnings quickly unravels into one of the most shocking decisions Ridge has ever made—one that will leave Taylor, Brooke, Thomas, and the entire Forrester family reeling.
For days, Ridge has tried to convince himself that a future with Taylor was possible, that marrying her was the right choice for their family. Taylor, hopeful and deeply in love, allowed herself to dream again—of finally having Ridge by her side, of a marriage that would heal the past and offer stability. Thomas, too, believed this wedding could close old wounds and bring their family the unity they had been chasing for years. On the surface, Ridge played the role of a man ready to commit, but inside, he was waging a war no one else could see
That hidden struggle finally reaches its breaking point. Just as Taylor prepares for her long-awaited walk down the aisle, Ridge calls it off. His announcement is like a lightning strike. Taylor’s joy crumbles in an instant, leaving her blindsided and shattered. Once again, the man she trusted to give her forever slips away, reopening old scars and delivering the same heartbreak she has endured time and again.
Thomas’s devastation quickly turns to fury. Having pinned all his hopes for stability on his parents’ reunion, he cannot comprehend his father’s decision. Bitterly disappointed, he confronts Ridge with raw anger: how could he put Taylor through this again? His voice trembles with rage, his faith in his father’s integrity crumbling. Ridge, though shaken by his son’s reaction, insists that the truth can no longer be buried.
In a painful confession, Ridge admits what he has long tried to deny—his heart is still tied to Brooke. The history, passion, and unshakable connection between them continue to pull him back, no matter how hard he has tried to move forward. For Taylor, this admission is like salt in a wound. For Thomas, it feels like betrayal layered upon betrayal. For the entire family, it’s a haunting repetition of the past.
And yet, the biggest surprise of the episode comes after the storm. Viewers might expect Ridge to immediately run back to Brooke, to embrace the woman who has always held his heart. But instead, he makes a choice no one sees coming: he leaves Los Angeles altogether. Ridge tells himself he cannot keep destroying the women he loves. He knows he has betrayed Taylor once again, but he also admits that he cannot give Brooke the kind of stability and loyalty she deserves. Trapped in an endless cycle of guilt and indecision, Ridge decides the only solution is to walk away from both of them.
The ripple effects of this decision are devastating. Taylor is left not only heartbroken but humiliated, her dream of reconciliation vanishing before her eyes. The knowledge that Ridge didn’t even choose Brooke in the end makes her pain feel even more senseless, as if she endured this heartbreak for nothing. Thomas’s fury grows darker, his disappointment boiling over into a dangerous vow never to forgive his father. His anger could send him spiraling back into destructive patterns, creating new threats for the family.
Brooke, though absent during the shocking announcement, finds herself caught in the fallout as well. She loves Ridge deeply, but his refusal to return to her leaves her questioning whether she can continue waiting for a man who runs every time the pressure becomes too much. The stability she craves may never come from Ridge, forcing her to consider a future without him.
As Ridge walks away from Los Angeles, the show itself is poised for a dramatic shift. Without him, Taylor and Brooke must find new strength and identity outside his shadow, while Thomas’s instability could drive the next major storyline. Ridge’s absence leaves a painful void, but also the possibility of new directions and unexpected alliances.
This episode proves once again why The Bold and the Beautiful remains a masterclass in emotional drama. Ridge’s decision will echo for months, reshaping the future of every character he leaves behind. Fans are left with one haunting question: Did Ridge finally do the right thing by stepping away, or has he only created more heartbreak by refusing to choose once and for all?
