But our favorite shrink is steeling herself for battle instead of facing reality. She’s convinced this is just another round in her decades-long war with Brooke, and she’s determined not to let the “Logan from the Valley” win. Problem is, the war’s already over — Ridge made his choice the moment he pulled Brooke from those Mediterranean waves!

That Italian Rescue Changed EVERYTHING

Let’s talk about what REALLY went down in Italy, because this wasn’t just some random business trip. Ridge and Brooke were sent to one of their most romantic locations — the same Italy where they’ve reunited before, where memories are everywhere. And Taylor? She

stayed home in Los Angeles, physically removed from the action. That’s not a coincidence, that’s deliberate storytelling!

When Brooke ended up in the water during that boating accident, Ridge didn’t hesitate. He dove into those choppy waves like a man possessed, executing what sources are calling a “splashy save” that triggered something profound. This wasn’t just about saving a life — in that near-death moment, Ridge’s entire life flashed before his eyes and it was ALL about Brooke!

The man had what spoilers are calling a “love-life epiphany” right there in the Mediterranean Sea. Thirty-plus years of waffling, and it took almost losing Brooke to finally give him clarity. No wonder he came back to L.A. looking guilty as sin!

The Psychology of Denial: When a Psychiatrist Can’t Heal Herself

Here’s the tragic irony that’s killing me — Taylor Hayes has all the professional training to recognize these patterns, but she’s too emotionally invested to see straight. This is textbook sunk cost fallacy! She’s invested three decades into this man, sacrificed everything, been his rebound more times than we can count. To walk away now would mean admitting all that pain was for nothing.

So instead, she’s choosing to fight. Not because she doesn’t see the signs — come on, the woman’s not stupid — but because acknowledging them would shatter her entire worldview. Her kids Steffy and Thomas have been pushing this reunion for years, stoking her competitive fire against Brooke. They’ve turned this into a Logan vs. Forrester battle royale, and Taylor’s too proud to surrender.

But here’s what breaks my heart: Taylor’s not really fighting Brooke. She’s fighting against thirty years of established narrative! Ridge has chosen Brooke after presumed deaths, after affairs, after manipulations, after EVERYTHING. When has he ever chosen Taylor when Brooke was truly available? I’ll wait…

Ridge’s Guilt Is Written All Over His Face

Let’s be real about what’s happening with Ridge right now. That “subtle shift” Taylor’s noticing? That’s not temporary cold feet — that’s a man who’s already made his decision and is just procrastinating the execution. Spoilers confirm he’s “conflicted” and consumed by “guilt about his indecision,” but here’s the thing: he’s not actually indecisive anymore!

His internal struggle isn’t “Who do I choose?” It’s “How do I tell Taylor I’m ending our engagement?” Big difference! When his granddaughter Kelly shows up at the mansion, representing the family he built with Taylor, he practically radiates guilt. Not because he’s torn, but because he knows he’s about to blow up that little girl’s world AGAIN.

Eric Forrester knows what’s up — he’s been Team Brooke this whole time, working behind the scenes to orchestrate this reunion. Even Steffy saw this coming, warning her dad before Italy to “stay strong against any advances from Brooke.” Fat lot of good that did!

The Showrunner Has Spoken: Bridge Is ENDGAME

Now here’s where it gets REALLY interesting. Executive producer Bradley Bell isn’t even trying to keep us in suspense anymore. He’s literally confirmed in interviews that “Brooke and Ridge will be together forever after this” and that the Italy drama was specifically designed to make Ridge realize he “cannot live without Brooke.”

That’s not speculation, that’s a decree from the soap gods themselves! Bell has declared Bridge the ultimate endgame, which means Taylor’s current battle stance is completely, utterly, tragically futile. She’s fighting a war that the showrunner already decided she lost.

This is actually a strategic move by Bell — he’s managing expectations, reassuring the massive Bridge fanbase while generating short-term drama with the Tridge engagement. But make no mistake: this is temporary turbulence before the inevitable Bridge reunion.

What Happens Next? The Collapse We All See Coming

Future spoilers paint a clear picture of how this ends. As Ridge continues dragging his feet, paralyzed by guilt, Brooke’s going to get impatient. She knows what happened in Italy, she knows where his heart is, and she’s not about to sit around waiting for him to find his courage.

Ridge’s return from Italy is explicitly described as bringing “bad news” for Taylor. We’re building toward that devastating confrontation where he has to look her in the eye and admit his feelings for Brooke never went away — they just got stronger. The dramatic irony here is chef’s kiss perfect: everyone will know the truth before Taylor lets herself accept it.

If history is any guide (and with 30+ years of data, it definitely is), Ridge will probably use some variation of the “I never meant to hurt you” speech. He’ll talk about not being able to fight destiny. He might even throw in something about Taylor deserving someone who puts her first. And Taylor, despite all her intelligence and training, will be blindsided because she chose not to see what was right in front of her.

The Real Tragedy? This Could Have Been Avoided

Look, I get it. After decades of this triangle, Taylor wants to believe THIS time is different. Her whole “steeling for battle” mentality is almost admirable in its determination. But fighting Brooke isn’t going to change the fundamental truth: Ridge sees Taylor as his safe harbor and Brooke as his destiny.

The saddest part? Taylor deserves better than being someone’s consolation prize. She deserves a man who doesn’t need a near-death experience to remember he loves someone else. She deserves to be someone’s first choice, not their fallback plan.

But instead of recognizing these red flags for what they are — warning signs to GET OUT NOW — she’s doubling down. Preparing for war. Ignoring her instincts. And we all know how this ends: with Taylor heartbroken, Ridge apologetic but relieved, and Brooke victorious once again.

Fans are exhausted by this recycled drama, but apparently, the triangle is too fundamental to the show’s DNA to ever truly die. So here we go again, watching Taylor march toward inevitable heartbreak while Ridge prepares to do what he always does — choose Brooke.

The red flags aren’t just waving, they’re practically screaming. But when you’re determined not to see them, even a trained psychiatrist can miss what’s obvious to everyone else. Taylor’s about to learn the hard way that some battles can’t be won, no matter how hard you fight. Especially when the outcome was decided before you even entered the ring.