At Forrester, Carter solicited Zende's opinion of which photo Katie should use for a Foundation publicity piece. Carter was impressed by the good things Zende had to say about Paris. Zende expressed that he could talk about her for days. He'd been ready to return to his player ways after his marriage hadn't worked, but Paris had swooped in with everything he'd ever wanted.
Carter noted that Zende had it bad, and Carter understood why. Zende did, too, and asserted that he'd never lose Paris. The topic turned to Carter, who admitted he didn't have much of a personal life after the drama of the past few months. Zende asked if Carter had come out of it okay. Carter replied that he was moving forward with optimism.
Zende hoped Carter would find what Zende had found with Paris. Paris was Zende's future. Surprised to hear it, Carter conveyed that he'd overheard models saying that Zende was fun, but they shouldn't get emotionally involved, because he wouldn't. Zende had had every intention of keeping it that way until "this little fireball" had come into his life. According to Carter, being in love suited Zende. Carter offered to be there for the couple in any way that he could.
At Thomas' apartment, Paris gave Thomas the side-eye as he suggested they explore a relationship before she fully committed to Zende. Thomas knew it didn't look good that he was going after his cousin's girlfriend, but if there was a chance for them, he didn't want to lose it.
Paris had never seen "this" coming. Thomas hadn't, either. He was attracted to her, and he figured he'd let her know how he felt. He thought it was a good thing that he'd been honest, and he asked how she felt. Paris was touched but wanted to remain friends.
Thomas promised not to hold it against Paris if she needed time to rethink that choice. Paris said he was funny, talented, and not bad to look at. He conveyed that she could have all that and more. Paris replied that she was in a relationship with his cousin. Thomas knew it didn't look good, but he would have regretted not telling her. "So now you know," he said.
Later, Paris informed Thomas that she wouldn't tell Zende about it. She didn't want friction between them, and she didn't want things to be weird between them, either, in their apartment. Thomas informed Paris that he'd decided to move out.
Paris assumed Thomas had gotten a house, but he explained that he'd just get a hotel room. He'd have room service, a gym, and a bar. Paris asked if Thomas was sure. She didn't want him to feel awkward around her. She'd meant it when she'd said that his confession wouldn't become a problem between them. He said his declaration wasn't the reason he'd move. It was just time for him to go and for her to make the place her own.
Paris didn't want Thomas to feel like he had to leave. Thomas didn't, but he reasoned that he'd get lazy about his house-hunting if he kept staying there. He felt that she'd been the prettiest and best roommate he'd ever had. He felt compelled to admit that he was disappointed that she didn't want to see where it could go; however, he wished her and Zende the best.
At the cliff house, Finn was enraged at the lie Jack had perpetrated for Finn's entire life. Jack advised Finn to get it all out, saying it was the only way they'd be able to go on as father and son -- which was exactly what they were going to do. Finn berated Jack for trying to play the family card. The family foundation had become rotten, and there was no getting past it.
Finn guessed that "this" was who Jack Finnegan really was, and he asked how Jack could live with himself. Jack explained that he'd been protecting Finn from Sheila, and Li had desperately wanted a child. Jack reminded Finn that he'd had a good life, and Jack's mistake had been Sheila. Jack regretted everything he'd done except creating Finn.
Finn asked if Jack should have trusted Li and respected her enough to let her decide how she'd wanted to handle it. Finn didn't know how they'd look at Jack the same way again. Jack asked Finn to look him in the eyes and give him another chance because Finn and Li were Jack's world. Jack was sorry, and he asked for a chance to fix it. He asked Finn to forgive him.
Finn hugged his mother as she asked Jack who he was. The man she'd married would have never made a mockery of their family and life together. He never would have lied to her for decades. Jack claimed he'd been trying to protect her. Li found that condescending and insulting. She wasn't a child and didn't need Jack to decide what she should know about her own life. Jack had kept Sheila a secret from Li for years, and it hurt even worse to learn that he'd also had an affair with Sheila. "You turned to another woman, Jack!" Li exclaimed
Jack claimed he'd been young and stupid. The thought of being a responsible adult had terrified him, and he'd gotten caught up. Jack knew he should have told Li and Finn, but he said his love for them was the most honest thing about him. Li didn't know how she could believe Jack. She was devastated and said Jack had to think she was the biggest fool who'd ever lived. She told him that he was a stranger, and she couldn't even look at him anymore.
Jack suggested that he and Li return to the hotel. Li asserted that he wouldn't go back there with her. She didn't know if she ever wanted to see him again. Finn ordered Jack to respect her wishes and leave her alone. Finn expressed how hurt and disappointed he was in Jack. Jack said he was still the man who'd raised Finn and the man Li had married. Finn said that man wouldn't have done what he'd done, and the family Jack was trying to fall back on was based on infidelity and lies.
Finn felt that he was a product of Jack's betrayal, and it was affecting Finn's new family. Steffy tried to calm Finn down, but Finn insisted that Jack needed to know the damage he'd done. Finn stated that Jack had had a son who'd wanted to be just like him, but Jack was the last person Finn wanted to emulate as a father. Finn planned to love his wife respectfully, faithfully, and honestly, and he'd raise Kelly and Hayes with truth and respect, not secrets and lies.
Jack called Finn "son," but Finn ordered Jack not to say that. Jack began to sob, saying Finn couldn't wipe away their family history. Finn roared at Jack to leave, and Jack reluctantly walked out of the house.
At the cliff house, Finn wished he could turn back the clock, but Steffy asked if he really didn't want to know the truth. Disillusioned, he didn't know how to feel, but he was most sorry about the way Jack had hurt Li. Li didn't want her son worrying about her, and she asked him to remember that he had a good life and marriage based on honesty and trust. "The fact that your father -- " Li began to say. Finn interjected that he could no longer think of Jack that way.
Finn assumed the scars would be with them for the rest of their lives. He told Li that it was okay to admit everything she was feeling about "Jack." Li thanked Finn for his compassion, but all she could think about was Finn and how he'd lost his father and the family he'd believed in.
Finn and Steffy suggested that Li stay with them in their guest room, but Li needed some time alone to process what had happened. Finn asked how she could be certain that Jack wouldn't show up at the hotel. Li assured Finn that Jack wouldn't do that. Li and Finn said they loved each other, and Finn promised that she'd never lose him.
Later, Steffy had checked in on Li, who was back at the hotel. Finn thanked Steffy. He was still disconcerted that Jack had done it, and he vowed to do all he could to help Li through it. Steffy loved how Finn was to his mother and his family, but she had to ask how Finn really felt about Jack being his biological father instead of his father being a faceless man whom Finn had wondered about.
Finn and Steffy talked about how he'd felt about Jack before the secret had come out. Jack was no longer who Finn had thought, and Finn didn't know what to do about it. He said things might have been different if he'd always known Jack had been his father, but Finn's life had shifted under his feet.
Steffy let Finn know he could count on her and their family. She knew Finn would always be a devoted father and husband. It was Finn to the core, and Steffy left it up to him to decide what to do about Jack. She just wanted Finn to know that he had her, and he could lean on her. He could count upon her love always. Steffy and Finn kissed.
In Sheila's hotel room, Jack arrived and revealed that he'd taken Sheila's advice and told the truth. She asked what had happened. He replied that it was exactly what one would expect after revealing that one had been a liar and a cheat. Jack conveyed that he'd told Li first, and he was devastated by how he'd hurt Li. He couldn't imagine she'd stay with him.
Sheila was sorry to hear it. She asked how Finn had reacted and if Steffy knew. Jack replied that Steffy hated what had happened. "She hates she can't blame this on me," Sheila quipped.
Sheila focused back on Finn. Jack was worried that his relationship with Finn wouldn't be the same, and Jack feared he'd lost his family. Jack was bitter that he'd taken Sheila's advice and wondered why he'd ever listened to her. Sheila said it wasn't about Jack. It was about Finn and how they'd help him through it. "How I am going to help him through it?" she added.
Sheila asked what Jack had thought would happen and if he'd thought Li and Finn would just turn the other cheek. Sheila told Jack to stop feeling sorry for himself, but he replied that it was like he was being cast aside. "Well, now you know how I feel," she responded. She advised him to give Finn some time to absorb what he'd learned, and then "we" could be in Finn's life again.
"'We?'" Jack asked. Sheila figured that Finn's biological parents were in the same boat. They could get through to Finn if they united forces, and they could shut Steffy down. Jack sensed that Sheila was hatching another scheme. Sheila replied that he knew she didn't give up easily, and she advised him not to, either. She said Finn was far too important for it to be over.
At Forrester, Carter was surprised to find Paris at the conference table instead of in her own apartment. Paris realized that it really was her own apartment. Carter gleaned that Thomas had found a new place, but she said something had happened between her and Thomas. Carter asked what had happened, and she assumed she could count on Carter's discretion.
Carter affirmed it. Paris explained that Thomas had opened up to her. Carter asked what he had opened up about and was stunned to hear that Thomas had feelings for her. She said Thomas was an awesome guy, but she'd told him that she just wanted to be friends. Carter thought of Zende, and Paris reminded Carter that he'd promised not to tell anyone, especially Zende.
Chuckling because Paris hadn't had any idea of Thomas' feelings, Carter joked that she didn't know her superpower. Paris rolled her eyes, but Carter was serious. He said her enthusiasm was infectious, and people enjoyed being around her -- especially Thomas. Carter was about to talk about Zende again, but Paris was adamant that Zende not know. She didn't want to damage the men's personal and professional relationships. She assumed Thomas felt the same way, which was why he'd moved out. Carter concluded that Paris was a woman in demand.
Later, Carter was ending a call as Paris checked her bank statements. She figured she had to be more careful with her spending, since she wouldn't have a roommate. She made good money at Forrester, but there were still bills and student loans to repay. Knowing the feeling, Carter said he'd learned how to make his money work for him -- stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency. He briefly summarized how to invest small and grow the money.
Paris thought it was something she should be doing, and Carter offered to help her get started. She said that he was one of the nicest guys around, and she didn't get why he was still on the market. She wondered if he had a date that night. He didn't, and it was why he was at work. Before leaving, Paris predicted that he'd soon catch the eye of a smart, lucky woman.
In Sheila's hotel room, Deacon chuckled as he realized that he and Sheila would be spending the holiday in each other's company. Sheila grumbled that she wasn't thrilled to be spending her holiday with him, either. As she played a game of solitaire, Sheila added that they should be spending Thanksgiving with their children.
Deacon confessed that he expected to get an invitation to the Forrester gathering because of all the progress he had made. Sheila laughed at the idea. The pair raided the minibar, and Deacon dreamed about what his ideal Thanksgiving might look like.
In Deacon's fantasy, he arrived at Brooke's house and was greeted warmly by both Hope and Liam. A smiling Ridge welcomed Deacon and said that Deacon would be seated at the head of the table. "You belong here," Brooke said as she embraced Deacon.
Sheila snapped Deacon back to reality and told him that there was zero chance of his "cozy reunion" ever happening. Deacon countered that he stood a better chance of spending the holiday with Hope than she did with Finn.
Sheila and Deacon ordered Chinese food and were amused by the fortunes in their fortune cookies. As she ate, Sheila envisioned what her perfect Thanksgiving would look like.
In her fantasy, Sheila arrived at Brooke's home, and Brooke jumped from her chair and demanded to know what Sheila was doing there. After a momentary pause, Brooke added "without the sweet potatoes!" Those in attendance laughed merrily at Brooke's joke. Steffy extended her arms and called out, "Mom!" She quickly pulled back her arms and asked if it was okay to call Sheila that. As the two women hugged, Finn told his "girls" how much he loved them.
Ridge announced that he was happy Sheila had joined them, and he touted how great it felt to celebrate "healing and forgiveness." Sheila thanked everyone for helping make her lifelong dream of spending Thanksgiving with her "beloved son" a reality.
"And then, they called the SWAT team, and you get dragged out of the house in handcuffs," Deacon said as he laughed, adding, "The end." Sheila asked Deacon why he felt her dream could not come true. He replied that "the entire Forrester dynasty -- past, present, and future"-- hated her.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Forresters and Logans gathered at Brooke's house to celebrate the holiday. Hope made what was described as "grandma's famous dish," though the reactions to the creation were less than rave reviews. Hope called it a "total crowd pleaser," while Ridge claimed it had a "unique flavor." Brooke added that it was "hard to put words to it," and Steffy announced that Finn would be getting a really big slice.
Zende and Paris were the next to arrive, followed closely by a reluctant, wine-toting Carter. Ridge assured Carter that his presence was wanted. Carter handed the bottle of wine to Ridge as a "peace offering." Ridge quipped that he'd decide if the peace offering had worked once he tasted it.
With everyone in attendance, Brooke welcomed everyone to her home and thanked them for attending what she knew would be a "fantastic Thanksgiving."
Finn filled everyone in on the twist in his quest to know the identity of his biological father. He thanked Brooke for inviting his mother but said that Li did not feel up to a social gathering. "I know that holidays can be tough without a parent," Hope interjected as she took a sip of wine. She muttered that she was certain Deacon wished he could be with them. Liam reminded Hope why it would not be a good idea to have Deacon at the gathering. Hope stopped her husband mid-sentence and explained that she did not want to ruin the holiday by arguing.
Steffy returned from checking on the kids and presented Finn and Liam with arts and crafts turkey headpieces that the kids had made. Across the room, Brooke and Ridge shared that they were both thankful to see their daughters happy. As Brooke and Ridge shared a kiss, Steffy and Hope looked over and smiled. Later, the two women talked about how much they liked it when they were friends and able to coexist.
Ridge told everyone that he had some good news and bad news -- the good news was that the food was almost done. The bad was that he wanted to say a few words before they all sat down to eat. "Life creates challenges. Families create challenges," Ridge stated. He declared, "How we deal with them, that's what defines who we are as a unit."
Ridge shared how happy he was that Paris and Zende were together, and he said that after her successful singing of the National Anthem, the Dodgers might let Paris play a few innings. "Speaking of players," Ridge said as he turned his attention to Carter. As Carter waited for what Ridge was about to say next, Ridge commented that everyone made mistakes, and he added that Carter was still his best friend. "And if somebody knows a single lady that likes out-of-shape COOs, maybe you can hook him up," he quipped.
Ridge continued, sharing his joy of seeing Hope and Liam together, and he praised Finn for weathering a year full of challenges. Ridge looked to his left, saw Brooke, and jokingly expressed surprise that she had been standing there the whole time he'd been speaking. He told her how thankful he was to have her in his life. "Without you, I don't think I could breathe," he said before kissing her.
The assembled guests got their plates of food and sat in Brooke's living room to have their meal. The laughed, smiled, and enjoyed each other's company.
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, The Bold and the Beautiful did not air a new episode. Instead, the CBS soap opted to rebroadcast the August 6, 2021, episode in which Steffy and Finn's wedding ceremony had a surprise wedding crasher -- Sheila Carter. A full recap of that episode can be read here, and please check out our Daily Recaps Archive with recaps for episodes going all the way back to the first first episode of B&B' in 1987.
Regular programming resumed on Monday, November 29, and picked up where the Wednesday, November 24, episode concluded.
Due to the extended Thanskgiving holiday, The Bold and the Beautiful was preempted for CBS Sports coverage of NCAA football. This was a planned preemption and there were no "lost" episodes as a result of the schedule change.
Regular programming resumed on Monday, November 29, and picked up where the Wednesday, November 24, episode concluded.
