Soap Opera Weekly (2/24/09):
A CLOSER LOOK: RICK
Rick makes a startling decision this week: He's joining the Army. Kyle Lowder explains why his character is shaping up by shipping out.
Weekly: How does Rick come to this decision?
KL: It's basically because everything we've seen out of him over the past undisclosed amount of time. He's engaging in selling his own family out. He's acting out. So he comes to the conclusion that the only way he can really make up for these things is that he needs some discipline. He needs some structure. He needs some order in his life, and what better way to do that than to join the Army and get all the guidance he needs? And I have to say this with all respect to anybody who's involved in the military and has any family members in the military. He really believes that. This is something he really wants to do. He's not messing around.
Weekly: So is the show handling this with sensitivity?
KL: If you're going to tell the story, it has to be legit. And in my opinion they did that and I'm happy with it. Rick's whole family has a scene right before he joins, where they're talking about not just the wrong doing that he's done toward Forrester Creations but toward his own family. And he really gets the message: "I have not just betrayed my place in this company, I have betrayed my family and friends. And there's almost no atoning for this - except maybe to show people that I am serious about making up for my mistakes." I, as the actor in the storyline, was playing this with nothing but the highest of respect and seriousness toward the situation.
Weekly: One thing that always comes through with Rick is that no matter what he does, he's earnest about it.
KL: I'm so glad you said that because that's what I was trying to say before and what I say to our viewers that aren't necessarily liking Rick much right now. I'm trying to bring that across - he's a guy that is not really thinking before he's acting. You know that phrase, look before you leap? He does the opposite. He leaps before he looks. He wears his emotions on his sleeve. He shoots from his hip; whatever phrase you want to use. And yes, enlisting is another example of that, but at the same time, he wants to show people that he's not just messing around. He's not going to just say, "I'm going to make up for my mistakes," but also, "this is how I'm going to do it."
Weekly: How does Steffy react when he tells her?
KL: He tells her, "In order to show my family and show you that I'm serious about becoming a better man and making up for this. I'm joining the military." And of course she flips out and is like, "Okay, you don't always have to go to extremes in everything you're doing." They have a very heartfelt conversation about it. She tells him how she feels and that maybe it's not necessary for him to go that far. He tells her flat out, "I'm telling you this is necessary. This is what I have to do." And then they have the "wait for me" conversation.
Weekly: Hey, he's just going to boot camp, not straight to active duty, right?
KL: Well, that's what they talk about. She says, "What are they going to do? Are they going to ship you overseas to Iraq?" and he says, "I don't know yet. As of right now, I'm going to boot camp." He's scared out of his mind but trying to play his roguish charm that he plays all the time. But Rick knows this is serious. This is not another ploy. He's not trying to be disrespectful to those serving their country. He realizes he's been a bad boy and has to make up for it.
Weekly: If Rick goes away for boot camp does that mean you're going away for a bit?
KL: Well, that remains to be seen. I have to be coy right now. (laughs)
Weekly: One last thing...isn't Rick a little old to be enlisting?
KL: Yeah, I am a little old.
Weekly: Well, it's not like you're long in the tooth or anything.
KL: (laughs) I would hope that if I, Kyle Lowder, enlisted, they wouldn't turn me down!
SPOILERS
Week of Feb 16 - Bridget faces some harsh truths about her feelings towards Nick and Katie. Ridge refuses to move on. Bridget becomes a pawn in a plot to end a relationship. A couple of lovebirds decide on an impromptu wedding.
Week of Feb 23 - A truly heroic act goes unappreciated. Thorne prepares for his new position within the company.