The Bold and the Beautiful Recap Dec 5: Ridge surprises Eric with a party and an order to retire
In The Bold and the Beautiful recap on Friday, December 5, 2025, Daphne tried to state the obvious, but Ridge dug his heels in, and Eric went from being on top of the world to having his jaw on the floor.
The Bold and the Beautiful Recap
In the design office, Steffy and Finn made out. Steffy told Finn that she agreed that Eric should prioritize his health and that he’d earned the break, but worried he wouldn’t see it that way. Finn noted that Ridge was insisting on Eric’s retirement, but Steffy thought that they needed to build up Eric the way he had built up the company for years.
Finn assured Steffy that retirement would help reduce stress. Steffy thought Eric had his last show and should go out on top. Finn thought that Eric would understand and would step down graciously.
In the runway showroom, Eric worked on sketches. He told Donna that Ridge would change his mind when he saw his latest designs. “Eric Forrester is back!” he said happily. Donna loved his designs; Eric was proud of his work and inspired to show them to everyone.
Donna loved seeing Eric in his element, but also wanted him to enjoy it, stress-free. She didn’t want him to stop working; she just wanted him to find a balance and put down the drawing board when needed. Eric was sure he could find that happy medium.
Eric told Donna that he was going to show his designs to Ridge that day and was confident he would see that he was bringing his A-game to the couture line. Eric felt on top of the world.
In the CEO’s office, Ridge and Brooke prepared to send Eric into retirement against his wishes. Their surprise party included a happy retirement banner, balloons, and a bottle of champagne. “Big day,” Ridge noted. Brooke and Ridge recalled Eric’s grand finale showcase and how it almost killed him, and decided it was why he shouldn’t be designing anymore.
Brooke told Ridge that he was doing the right thing, but wondered if Eric would take it very well to be told he was retiring. Ridge said it had to be done and that Eric would get over it. Carter and Daphne came in and congratulated Brooke on her party planning. Daphne brought the cologne Brooke asked for to give as a gift to Eric.
Daphne agreed that Eric should be celebrated and didn’t doubt Ridge’s love for Eric, but she asked if Eric should have to accept being told to retire. She thought that Eric should be revered, valued, and be able to decide what he wanted for his own future. Steffy and Finn came in and could feel the tension.
Daphne explained that in other parts of the world, they would never push out an elder. Ridge asked what Finn’s expert opinion was. Finn agreed that less stress would be good for Eric, so Ridge said he was going to text his dad and invite him to come to get the surprise party going.
Eric and Donna came in excitedly but their smiles quickly faded when they realized it was a forced rement party. Ridge told Eric he had a good run but it was over now. Eric firmly told Ridge that he would be designing until the day he died.
Eric reminded them that he and Stephanie built the company from the ground up, right in the spot that they were standing. As it was his legacy, Eric said he got to decide and his decision was not to retire. “I’m not doing this,” Eric said. “Yes, you are, Dad,” Ridge told him firmly.
