The 35th Anniversary Special Episode is a standalone episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, created in celebration of 35 years since the show's first airdate.
This is the first episode officially announced to hold no effect on storylines, though episodes considered to be standalone have aired in the past.
The episode was first announced in February 2022, with Executive Producer Bradley P. Bell revealing that it would focus on the many loves of showrunner Brooke Logan, who has consistently appeared on the show from its first episode in 1987.
The episode was heavily promoted and during such it was announced that existing cast members Don Diamont, John McCook and Thorsten Kaye would appear, alongside returning show veterans Winsor Harmon and Jack Wagner, reprising their respective roles of Thorne Forrester and Nick Marone, respectively.
Development and Production[]
It was first announced in February 2022 that the show would celebrate its 35th anniversary with a special, "standalone" episode dedicated to the many loves of Brooke, and revealing some of her psyche around pining after several men. News outlet SoapHub revealed the following statement from the show:
“B&B has decided its 35th-anniversary episode will be all about the show’s premiere heroine — Brooke Logan Forrester, who has been played by Katherine Kelly Lang since the show’s inception,” reports the outlet. “Brooke will share scenes with five key men in her life — Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye), Eric Forrester (John McCook), Bill Spencer (Don Diamont), and the already mentioned above Thorne, and Nick.”
Upon being asked to return for the episode, Winsor Harmon made the following statements in an interview with to SoapHub:
“I was sitting at home going through emails and got one from B&B asking if I were available,” Harmon tells Soap Hub. He chuckles his immediate response was, “No matter what, I’m free!’ It was a huge surprise and I’m ecstatic about it.”
Harmon later described centering the episode around original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang as "a solid idea".
“Kudos to, Kelly,” Harmon said. “She should have the episode for the 35th and so much more. Here’s a girl who came in on day one, and I’m telling you I’ve never heard a negative thing come out of her mouth about anything. I’ve had the pleasure of working [with] her on and off for many years. Kelly shows up every day. She’s a joyous person to be around and is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. The show got very lucky when they found her. There’s not a lot of people who can have this kind of run for 35 years, and she’s done it.”
When asked about the demise of Thorne and Brooke, Harmon acknowledged "Deacon shook everything up. The thing that keeps B&B so successful is [it mixes things up]."
Plot Summary[]
Referencing SoapCentral's recap on the episode.
Introduction[]
At Brooke's house in the evening, a rose is shown wilting. Hope Logan told Brooke she had just put her dinner in the oven. Brooke said it was nice of Hope to bring dinner. Brooke expressed her wish that things were different with estranged husband Ridge Forrester, whom had just left her after kissing and spending the night with Deacon Sharpe. Hope replied that Brooke and Ridge were communicating, and he'd said he'd always love Brooke. Brooke figured that it had to be enough for the time being.
Hope decided that she had to get back to the kids (Douglas Forrester and Beth Spencer) and her husband, Liam Spencer. Brooke admitted that she didn't like to be alone with an empty house and a full mind. Hope reminded Brooke that she was loved and suggested that Brooke take comfort in all the loves she'd had in the past. Before leaving, Hope said that the nice thing about memories was that they were there when one needed them.
Brooke picked up a withered rose petal and thought of Ridge dropping petals down her fountain outside when he'd returned home from Paris. Brooke settled down to sleep on the sofa.
Memories of Eric Forrester[]
Main article: Eric Forrester and Brooke Logan
Brooke awakened and saw her first husband, Eric Forrester, pouring tea beside her. She said she'd thought she'd been alone. Eric replied that she'd never be alone, and he let her know that he'd never stopped caring about her. He asked if it had really been 35 years since they had first met. He said they'd had a wonderful time. She recalled that they'd raised two children together and made a beautiful family. Eric added that they'd made a beautiful couple.
A sultry version of the show's theme music played over flashbacks of Brooke and Eric's courtship. Clips of their wedding and balloon ride to the tent appeared on the screen. Eric stated that he'd always cherish their time together, even though he knew where her true destiny lay. "To know you, Brooke, is to know beauty and to know class. And most of all, it's to know love," he concluded.
Memories of Thorne Forrester[]
Main article: Thorne Forrester and Brooke Logan
Later, a living pink rosebud appeared on the bar beside Brooke's tablet, which displayed an alert that it had a new memory. On it was a photo of Brooke and Ridge in Italy. Brooke grinned, and from the corner of the room, Thorne said he knew that smile. She was amazed to see him in her living room.
Thorne wished he could make Brooke smile that way, but he got that the smile was only reserved for his brother. Brooke showed Thorne what was on the tablet, a picture of herself and Ridge. Thorne joked about the device showing one things that one hadn't seen in ages. He wondered what the point of anything was without memories. He felt that memories had saved him. At least that was how he felt when he thought of his relationship with Brooke.
A flashback played of Thorne and Brooke touring Italy. In it, Thorne said he wanted to feel that way for the rest of his life, and he wanted their adventure to go on forever. After the flashback, Thorne expressed that he'd been lucky to be loved by her. He said that his mother, Stephanie Forrester, had choice words for Brooke, but in the end, Stephanie had realized that Brooke was just a girl from the valley who followed her heart. Thorne said they all knew where Brooke's heart led her.
Memories of Nick Marone[]
Main article: Nick Marone and Brooke Logan
Later, Brooke heard a ship horn. She rushed downstairs and saw her terrace curtains blowing in the wind. A bright light appeared behind them, and in walked Nick in a captain's uniform. She said he looked amazing, and he told her that he'd worn it at their wedding. Brooke said she'd been thinking about him and had read wonderful things about him in the press.
Nick said he had been thinking about Brooke, too. He said she looked good, and he wondered if she was alone. When she affirmed it, he replied that she was never good at being alone. She told him that she was getting better. Nick hoped she knew that many people loved her. From his perspective, she'd never be alone. "The times we shared..." he said.
The song "I'm Going Back Again" played over a montage of memories shared by Brooke and Nick. After it ended, Nick said he'd been thinking about the journey of life and the times when one felt lost on the open water, without a compass or star. He said that to him, time with Brooke had always felt like clear skies, and the love and joy that she radiated were like beacons for the soul. "You guide us all home. I'm here for you always," Nick told her.
Memories of Bill Spencer, Jr.[]
Main article: Bill Spencer and Brooke Logan
Later, Brooke sat alone thinking. "Ma chère!" she heard Bill say from the staircase. Surprised, Brooke said she'd thought she'd been alone. He responded that she wasn't because he'd always be there for her. He stated that it wasn't "her" to be alone, and he offered to have the Stella Maris fueled and crewed for Monaco. Brooke was sure he could do it. "But you know I can't, Bill," she stated.
Bill replied that he knew it, but he said they had had epic times together. On the screen played flashbacks of Brooke and Bill on his boat and in the Middle East. Bill loved that Brooke had loved him for himself. She hadn't judged him or tried to change him. He stated that he wouldn't change a thing about her, either. "How could I? How could any of us?" he asked.
Brooke turned and saw that Eric, Thorne, and Nick were there, too, and Bill stood by them. She thanked all the men for being there, helping her to not feel alone; however, there was really just one thing she wanted to hear.
Memories of Ridge Forrester[]
Main article: Ridge Forrester and Brooke Logan
"Logan," Ridge called from the doorway. The other men disappeared, and Ridge asked if Brooke really thought she'd make it through the night without him. "You're unforgettable," he said, reaching for her hand. The song "Unforgettable" played. Brooke spun around in a red dress, and she and Ridge danced in the living room. Her pink rose was in full bloom.
"Thirty-five years...only getting stronger," Ridge uttered, swaying with Brooke in his arms, declaring, "This romance is gonna last forever." They said that they loved each other, and they kissed.
Trivia[]
- During Brooke's reminiscing of times with Nick, the song "Going Back Again", performed by portrayer Jack Wagner, plays. It is accompanied with a live performance of the song, which aired in a 2004 episode.
- Brooke's slow-dance with Ridge is accompanied by the song "Unforgettable", by Nat King Cole (accompanied by Natalie King Cole in this rendition). The song has been used as a running "theme song" for Ridge Forrester and Brooke Logan over the years.
- The Naval-themed attire which Nick wears was used during their wedding in 2006.
- "Mon cherie!", spoken by Bill to announce his arrival, is a reference to Episode #6635, where Bill announced his presence to Brooke with the same words.