It's mid-June, folks, and Brad has to start setting down the groundwork for his summer storylines. So far, we have Ridge once again being the prize between two near fifty year old women who have fought this battle time and time again for two decades, we have Nick and Bridget finally together and will be piloting JackieM's while dealing with Owen and his opportunistic behind, and we have the Logan women still running around like the wicked stepsisters in a bad Cinderella play thinking they're still all that and a bag of chips. Looks like it's Forrester Creations up against JackieM all summer like Brad has been hinting to. So is it going to be a sizzler, or just another reason to hit the back yard to sunbathe and sip some Mint Julep?? Let's examine the evidence then you can decide for yourself.

Obviously, Ridge and Brooke and Taylor aren't through. Just when we thought there was no possible way this triangle could be resurrected, somebody on the writing staff again doesn't do their medical homework and decides after taking ONE STUPID PILL, Ridge becomes an addict and after popping two more, he's mesmerized, near passing out and ready to haul Doc into the bedroom for some afternoon delight. OH COME ON. First off, after having been on those pills myself, I can testify that they don't work in ten seconds, ten minutes, or even a half an hour. It takes more than a half an hour just to start relaxing. They don't work instantly like that, sorry, writers. And what's worse is that they don't turn you on! I can see Ridge relaxing to the point of actually wanting to make love to Taylor, he shared an incredible life with her and still has strong feelings for her, he admitted that many times. The drugs aren't talking here, folks, the man is. The inhibitions are being blocked by the relaxers so that Ridge can say what he really feels. Still, it's ridiculous that once again we have to go through watching two supposedly very smart women beg and plead for him in their beds. Oh Good Grief. Is it going to end anytime soon? I don't think so, all we know from hints is that Brooke and Whip share a kiss, so obviously Ridge doesn't go back to Brooke for a while. That means what, exactly? Watching yet another stomach churning wedding if they DO get back together???? Or watching Taylor get hurt again because she really and truly does love Ridge and she's supported him all of their lives together?? Frankly I think Ridge is a jerk, but I'm rooting for Tridge, Taylor deserves some happiness too. So does my other favorite, Nick.

Which brings us to THEIR summer sizzler, Nicket/Jowen. I don't know how many times I got letters from very determined readers who were demanding I support Browen because they were the wave of the future. Thank GOODNESS I didn't, I had a feeling Owen would show his true colors. I got no use for a young man who can barely grow facial hair and flies into town accepting bribes from someone he doesn't know to seduce someone else he doesn't know, finds out the power is in being her right hand man and butt-kisser, then whines when he's found out and nearly thrown out of the company to the daughter and hits on HER. Owen is a pig, pure and simple, and everything he's done lately including lying to Bridget about Nick's meeting and proposing to Jackie proves it. Still, it's going to be fun as hell watching Nick and Owen ruffle each other's feathers over JackieM's and Jackie herself considering California is a community property state. That means unless there's a prenup, Owen is entitled to HALF of everything. Well, half of Jackie's part, that is. Remember that Queen Stephanie will have a huge chunk of the company herself.

 So the summer of fashion, fun and campiness will begin, the groundwork being laid down now. I'm on the fence as to whether it's going to be a sizzler or a drizzler. I'll reserve that opinion for another few weeks.

 How about a few random thoughts about last week?

1. You know, I'd like to say I felt a little sorry for Brooke when Ridge coldly and callously dumped her and moved out, but I can't. My last nerve got grated like a tiny spec of Parmesan cheese being stretched to cover five pizzas every single time that one single tear came strolling down the cheek and “destiny” and “childreeeeen” and how much their luuuuv could conquer everything. Oh man, how many times have we had to choke through those lines? How many times do we have to see Brooke begging for Ridge not to leave her? UH HELLO, Brooke?? YOU were the one demanding  Ridge leave the house and leave the kiddies so you could continue breastfeeding Rick and shoving it in Ridge's face. Brooke never gave RJ a second thought even though Ridge reminded her HE SHOULDN'T leave, the kids needed him around. NOOOooooo, Brooke demanded he move out. She totally snubbed the fact that two little kids needed Ridge. So now she wants to whine about how Ridge can't move out to get control of his hatred???? Oh please. I got no sympathy for Brooke, none at all.
2. RIDGE, however, does get my sympathies, my support and my admiration. Yep, for years I've bashed Ridge, but after hearing his heartfelt admissions to Brooke that he simply can't get past his hate right now and he can't expect Brooke to feel the same way he does, so he has to leave her to come to grips with his hatred really got to me. He was acting rationally, maturely, and out of real love for Brooke. Thing is, he really loves Taylor, too. He chose a life with Brooke because of RJ, he stated that to Taylor, and he was going to see it through and be happy. Trouble is Brooke didn't support him. NOBODY asked Brooke to give up her son, just keep him away from Ridge. Support RIDGE. Now Ridge has broken. Brooke suffocated him. She was sucking the life out of him. Does Ridge love Brooke, OF COURSE. But he can't go on living with a woman who he knows cannot give him what he needs, and he needs support. He's had a tremendous loss. I think Tridge could actually work this time because I admit part of Ridge's heart will always be with Brooke but he knows she's not good for him. Finally, he's seeing that. Finally, he's admitting it.
3. Taylor should do some admitting of her own. Come on, Doc, admit that you'd do anything short of strip teasing to get Ridge back. Why, I don't know. I guess love is a wonderful thing after all. At least Taylor's sitting back and not throwing her panties at Ridge. For now.
4. CAN I GET ANY MORE REVOLTED at watching Owen, his lies, his manipulations, that baby-faced smirk on his face, the nastiness coming out in him against Nick, or knowing that the only thing Owen sees in Jackie is dollar signs??? The cougar and the boy toy. Some romance. Not.
5. At least we were blessed not to have TOO many scenes with Donna, right?
6. UH STEPHANIE....love ya, your highness, but isn't it time you backed out of the Tridge/Bridge wars??? I mean, damn, Stephanie is almost seventy, if her blockhead son is too stupid to realize he has a better thing in Taylor than he could ever have in Brooke, I say let him stew in Fish-Dom with Brooke and wallow in sushi. Funny, I SO see Brooke doing the same thing to Rick in years to come.