The Bold and the Beautiful Recap, February 17: Eric’s health takes a turn for the worse

Here is your The Bold and the Beautiful recap for Tuesday, February 17, 2026 featuring Eric's breathing episode that leaves Donna begging him to seek medical help, and Ridge stumbling upon his father's secret.

What happened on The Bold and the Beautiful

Tuesday's new episode of The Bold and the Beautiful kicked off with Ridge toilng away on new designs, while Brooke looked over, noticing how troubled he was. She asked if he had seen the new online edition of Bill's fashion magazine. Katie gave an interview and touted the design talents of her mystery designer. However, Ridge didn't think that the name would live up to all of the hype.

Ridge remained worried about Eric's stress levels. Eric was supposed to be enjoying retirement, so why was he so worked up? Brooke tried to reassure her husband that it was probably nothing. She asked whether the doctor had an opinion about whether it was more than average stress, but he didn't go into much detail.

Brooke and Ridge never saw Eric again. He didn't play golf or tennis, and they hadn't travelled anywhere, so it was confusing what caused his new tension. Ridge reached out to Eric for a third time, but there was still no response. The lack of interaction between father and son had gotten weird, so Brooke and Ridge decided to drop by Eric's house.

At home, Eric struggled to create new designs, which caused more stress and anxiety. Donna joined him in the living room, and she suggested they spend the day by the pool. Eric barely listened to what she said because he was so wrapped up in his work for Katie's company. He was under a lot of pressure to finish the collection, and he wanted to follow through on his commitment.

Donna noticed that Eric was having physical symptoms from this new position. He needed to tell Katie that he couldn't do the line. It was taking a far greater toll on his health and well-being. Eric admitted that he'd rather be back at Forrester with his family. What changed? Eric ultimately confessed that he indeed had second thoughts.

This had become a terrible mistake for the Forrester founder. Eric had no control over his retirement. Ridge forced him out, but he did try to rectify things. Eric refused to accept the offer, and that's how they got here.

Eric wanted to prove to the world that he was still relevant. He did just that with this collection. Bill was the real issue. His obsession with the bottom line prevented Eric from getting the quality of materials he'd grown accustomed to.

Donna insisted that Eric get checked out by the doctor. She begged him to back out, and while she asked, he started having trouble breathing. Donna screamed that Eric was NOT fine. She refused to lose him over this. Eric told Donna she wouldn't lose him and asked her to have a seat.

Eric didn't envision his life reaching the point that it had. He was completely separated from the company he founded, and he was furious with Ridge. That anger festered, leading Eric to seek validation elsewhere.

There was a knock at the door, and it was Ridge and Brooke. Ridge instantly noticed the sketches and other design stuff, and he asked what was going on. It looked as if Brooke realized what Eric was up to, especially after running into him at Katie's on the January 16 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful.

Bill wished he had faith that Eric would come through for Katie. The outburst over the silk felt like a bit of a warning sign that more issues would arise. Bill wanted to apply more pressure, unaware of the issues it had already caused for Eric. Katie, on the other hand, was more concerned about the potential impact on Eric's health.

Katie knew that Brooke and Ridge would come down hard on them once the truth came out. Until then, things needed to kick into higher gear. The line needed to develop quickly. Bill's top priority was Katie. That was his number one concern. Eric couldn't be coddled with so much at stake.

Katie didn't want to let Eric down. Bill found that thought process ridiculous. The fashion business was different, but they couldn't just give in to his every whim. Katie wanted to ease some of the pressure on Eric. Bill recalled that Eric had pitched being the lead designer, not the other way around. Eric needed to follow through on his promises for Logan.

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Bill floated the idea that Eric didn't deliver at all. Katie was certain that wouldn’t happen, but Bill thought differently. Perhaps Eric regretted joining their company and going up against Ridge. Bill didn't want Katie caught in the middle of their family drama, because it would undoubtedly spark a war between Eric and Ridge. The Bold and the Beautiful's biggest family feud was on the verge of exploding even further.

Catch all-new episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.

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