The Bold and the Beautiful has never been a stranger to controversial romances, and once again, the iconic CBS soap appears ready to walk a familiar —

and eyebrow-raising — path. Just when viewers may have thought the show would resist repeating history, the groundwork is quietly being laid for

a new emotional entanglement that feels both inevitable and explosive. This time, the spotlight falls on RJ Forrester and Electra Forrester, a pairing that

raises questions about family boundaries, unresolved rivalries, and the fragile future of an already complicated love triangle.

At first glance, it might seem naïve to believe that RJ wouldn’t eventually follow in the romantic footsteps of his older brother Thomas. The Forrester men have a long history of intense, often ill-fated attractions, and RJ appears poised to continue that legacy — even if it means venturing into territory that blurs the lines of family and romance. With Electra now firmly in his orbit, the show is once again flirting with the idea of “kissing cousins,” a trope it has revisited more than once over the years.

Cousins by Name, Not by Blood — But Is That Enough?

In true Bold and the Beautiful fashion, the show wastes no time clarifying the technicalities of RJ and Electra’s relationship. While they share the Forrester name, they do not share a direct bloodline — a distinction the series has leaned on heavily whenever it explores taboo romances.

Electra is the niece of Ivy Forrester, making her RJ’s third cousin through Eric Forrester’s lineage. However, Ridge Forrester’s complicated parentage places RJ biologically within the Marone family tree, not the Forrester bloodline. As a result, RJ and Electra are not related by blood, despite their shared surname and extended family ties.

The show goes out of its way to emphasize that RJ and Electra didn’t grow up together. They share no childhood memories, no familial bonding, and no shared history beyond the Forrester name itself. In classic soap fashion, this narrative framing seems designed to reassure viewers — or at least prepare them — for what may come next.

Still, no matter how carefully the show parses the family tree, RJ and Electra remain cousins in name. And for longtime fans, this is far from unfamiliar territory.

History Repeating: Ivy and Thomas, Reimagined

Veteran viewers will immediately recognize echoes of a past scandal. Years ago, Ivy Forrester herself found her way into a forbidden romance with Thomas Forrester. What began as family familiarity quickly spiraled into secret meetings, emotional betrayal, and infidelity — all while Ivy was still involved with Wyatt Spencer.

That storyline established a clear pattern: emotional boundaries within the Forrester family are often fluid, especially when desire and rivalry collide. Ivy, of all people, understands the danger of falling for a Forrester man while entangled with a Spencer — a parallel that feels impossible to ignore now that her niece Electra is romantically involved with Will Spencer… while growing increasingly close to RJ Forrester.

Given Ivy’s history, it’s almost guaranteed that she’ll weigh in on this situation. While she has publicly supported Electra and Will’s relationship, her faith in Will has wavered before — particularly during the turmoil surrounding Luna’s pregnancy.

Ivy’s Doubts and Will’s Fragile Standing

Ivy’s reservations about Will didn’t stem from cruelty but concern. She worried that Electra was sacrificing too much of herself to support Will during an incredibly complicated chapter in his life. Before Luna’s tragic miscarriage and death, Electra had fully intended to stand by Will as he prepared for fatherhood — a massive responsibility for someone so young.

Ivy wanted her niece to pause and consider the reality of that commitment. Though that particular crisis has passed, it’s unclear whether Ivy’s opinion of Will has fully recovered.

Adding to the strain was Will’s decision to withhold the truth about his assault before sleeping with Electra — an omission that deeply hurt her. While Ivy did not blame Will for what happened to him, she believed Electra deserved honesty, especially given how vulnerable and meaningful that moment was for her. That breach of trust left a lasting mark, not just on Electra, but on Ivy’s perception of the relationship itself.

Under those circumstances, Ivy may very well encourage Electra to explore her options rather than locking herself into a relationship shadowed by pain and secrecy — even if that exploration leads uncomfortably close to home.

A Triangle Begins to Take Shape

The tension crystallizes during a quiet but loaded moment at Forrester Creations. In the salon, RJ and Electra share an increasingly intimate conversation that feels charged with more than professional admiration. RJ praises Electra’s talent as a jeweler, clearly impressed not just by her work but by her presence. He also points out how little they truly know each other — a statement that feels less like an observation and more like an invitation.

The conversation inevitably turns to Will. While RJ doesn’t openly criticize him, he subtly introduces doubt by referencing Electra and Will’s shared family ties through Brooke and Katie — carefully avoiding the word “cousins,” but ensuring the implication lands.

Electra, for her part, remains loyal, speaking warmly about Will and defending their relationship. But RJ presses where it hurts most: Luna. Though Luna is RJ’s ex, the focus remains on how her actions impacted Will and Electra’s trust. RJ admits he’s heard the basics but wants to know how Electra truly feels.

That moment may prove pivotal. RJ positions himself as a safe space, someone who will listen without judgment. He even reassures Electra that her heart is safe with him — a line that feels unmistakably romantic, no matter how gently it’s delivered.

What neither of them realizes is that Will is just outside the door.

Fallout Waiting to Happen

If Will overhears Electra opening up to RJ — or senses a growing emotional intimacy between them — the consequences could be immediate and severe. A rivalry between Will and RJ has already been hinted at, and Electra may be the catalyst that turns simmering tension into open conflict.

So far, the show has only offered glimpses of RJ and Electra together, but the chemistry is unmistakable. Whether it blossoms into a full-blown love triangle depends on how far Electra allows herself to lean into RJ’s understanding and support — and how deeply Will’s trust is shaken by what he hears.