Soap Hub Performer of the Week for The Bold and the Beautiful: Lawrence Saint-Victor

Zoe Buckingham has learned the hard way that one should never mistake kindness for weakness. She believed that Carter, her nice-guy fiancé, would somehow be “okay” with her having second thoughts about getting married while she scoped out interest from Carter’s pal Zende.

Lawrence Saint-Victor

Lawrence Saint-Victor played Carter’s disbelief, shock, and anger as the legal eagle learned the truth about his secretive bride-to-be, Zoe (Kiara Barnes). For his powerful performances as a man betrayed, Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors on Saint-Victor.

After Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) broke the news to his family company’s COO that Zoe had feelings for Zende (Delon de Metz), Carter subpoenaed, if you will, Zoe to the executive office for a conversation.

Conscious or not, Carter appeared to go into trial attorney mode in order to get to the truth. (Sure, courtroom cases aren’t his specialty, but he had to have studied them in law school.) Carter proceeded to cross-examine Zoe as if she were on the witness stand. He let her know that Ridge had filled him in on what was going on, making it more difficult for her to feign ignorance.

However, unlike a lawyer at trial, Carter is emotionally involved in the outcome of this particular case. His eyes had slightly filled with tears as he realized that Ridge was telling him the truth.

Zoe had little defense against Carter’s inquiries and when it appeared she had nothing to say, he dropped his methodical legal approach. Carter exploded at Zoe not as a lawyer, but as a man in love who clearly felt betrayed. When Zoe suggested that Carter simply didn’t understand, he exploded: “Then, make me understand why you’re throwing yourself at Zende when you’re engaged to me!”

Carter strengthened his case by bringing up a point that he may have suppressed if he’d ever considered it consciously at all. While past actions aren’t always allowed in a court of law, Carter pointed out to Zoe that she was desperate to marry Thomas (Matthew Atkinson) not that long ago. And what do Thomas and Zende have in common? “What you really want — is to be a Forrester,” Carter accused Zoe of desiring.

At this point, the lawyer would be holding the jury in the palm of his hand if one were present to hear his case. “I’m such an idiot…I am such an idiot,” a resigned Carter emotionally added. (Note to Zoe: When a guy says this it means he’s done.) The attorney confirmed this when he handed down his verdict: “the engagement is over.”

While it’s been heartbreaking to see Carter suffer, it’s been terrific to see Lawrence Saint-Victor sink his teeth into meaty material. The handsome actor has languished far too long on the backburner. Fortunately, that’s no longer the case. The Bold and the Beautiful airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.