Dejected, rejected, humiliated, and read for filth, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Liam Spencer got just what he deserved to usher in the holiday season — and he got it twice, from the two women he has emotionally tortured and abused for years.
They’re Just Not That Into You Anymore, Liam
For nearly 14 years, Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton) has done nothing more than waffle back and forth between Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), with a few other dalliances in between, proving he has no ability to stay faithful to anyone. And for most of those years, both women let him. The first one to break free of this weasel of a man was Steffy when she met John ‘Finn’ Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) and finally learned what it was like to be loved completely and respectfully.
Finn helped Steffy find her dignity and strength, making her realize she was worth more than being the woman Liam turns to any time Hope dares to upset him. At the time, it looked like Hope might never find that same strength and inner peace. However, after a long journey of self-discovery and change this year, Hope has had enough. So, where does that leave Liam?
Will Liam Go Off The Rails?
The last we saw Liam, he witnessed something he never thought he would see — and something he thought he could control. Appalled that Hope has entered into a real relationship with Thomas (Matthew Atkinson), a man who loves her and only her, he thought he could just tell Thomas to leave the little log cabin he no longer lives in and that would be that. Hope informed Liam that her home wasn’t his home anymore and she was with Thomas now.
Liam even had the (dis)pleasure of hearing Hope admit she loved Thomas for the first time. By then, both seemed to forget Liam was even in the room, so he slinked outside and watched through the window as Hope and Liam did far more than just kiss. At that moment, it felt like Liam hit the point of no return, as his eyes rolled back into his head and the music hit a chaotic fever pitch.
Was B&B telling us that it realizes Liam can no longer claim undeserved hero status so it’s now embracing the villain Liam has always been, even if he wasn’t supposed to come off that way? After all, Steffy (very nicely) told him to go take a hike on Monday and Hope very firmly told him goodbye on Friday — after he declared his undying love for both of them, of course. That seems as good a time as ever to shift Liam into the role that suits him best.
Scott Clifton Is Ready For Villain Liam
Despite Liam being a smarmy and hateful man, you can’t help but to watch him and wonder what on Earth is going on in his brain because Scott Clifton portrays him so masterfully and seems to truly know who he is. He holds no illusions about Liam and it shows in interviews and social media comments.
Clitfon has even told us that he’s not going for hero status at this point
Several weeks ago a fan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Liam either needs a new woman to redeem him or he becomes a full villain. Clifton simply replied, “Villain.”
When another X post wondered what narrative the show was trying to go for when Liam told a photo of Steffy that he’d get her back no matter what, Clifton offered his take, saying, “I, for one, was absolutely not playing charming.”
Bring On The Bad
When Liam left the log cabin and peered through the window, it felt like there was both a shift and role reversal. For too long, Thomas was the ‘bad guy’ — doing manipulative things on the daily with a bitter chip on his shoulder. Some might say Thomas had been thrown under the bus multiple times just to make Liam look good and keep ‘Lope’ alive long after their expiration date.
Now, Thope is the couple most fans want to see and Thomas is the man in Hope’s life, changed for the better and welcome in her home. And Liam is the odd man out looking in. It’s been a fascinating journey to watch but the journey isn’t over until B&B and Liam finally embrace who Liam has been all along — and we are here for it.
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