For months now, The Bold And The Beautiful’s Eric has been on the back burner. As such, it was heartening to see the family patriarch come to the fore again with some truly touching moments in Stephanie’s hospital room. There were no histrionics for a pro like John McCook. Quietly, sensitively, he depicted Eric’s anguish and helplessness at seeing is ex-wife comatose – those feelings each of us has experienced in similar situations when a loved one is in distress. In fact, a viewer couldn’t help but be moved when Eric confessed to Stephanie, “I always thought I’d be here, any you’d be the one holding vigil.’
Sitting at here bedside, hoping she could somehow hear him, Eric fought to keep himself in check and not give in to fear and negative thoughts. He gained the inner strength to gently admit to Stephanie how he’d recently been reminded of just how important she is to him and their family. He acknowledged all she had done as a wife, mother and partner in the family business. “I haven’t told you how I appreciate that, but I do,” he said. Holding her hand, caressing it lovingly, he wondered aloud, “Do you know how much you mean to me?” He entreated, “You come back to me. Give me another chance. Give us another chance.”
These tender, moving sequences were well-written by Jack Smith, and played ever-so-subtly by McCook. For this underutilized actor, we look forward to more scenes of the same caliber coming his way in the near future.
By David Johnson, Soap Opera Weekly, 11/09/99