My first memories of B&B Brooke and Ridges wedding (well one of them anyway) where literally it was two weeks of episodes that took place/revolved around the wedding and reception and nothing else. (There was a CJ and Ric punch up (I think they had only been SORASed once at that point) and extremely fake looking waves on the beach set). I also remember Sally Spectre's over acting and scene chewing. Oh the delicious memories. But everything did appear to be bolder back then (pardon the pun) with the writers taking time to develop characters and story lines.
I found many of the B&B DVD specials (Best of B&B Weddings et cetera) a great way to catch up on old episodes and a great way to be introduced to characters as their younger selves and some (like Caroline) that where before my time.
I do remember the 'younger/teen appealing' characters in the mid-90s, the long forgotten Forrester Jessica, Dylan Shaw, the Lady Called Michael and not-Lisa Tuttle. I cannot remember the name of the beach cafe they hung at and it has been bugging me for a while. I think I have been watching too much 90210 lately as I have the Peach Pit stuck in my head (and it is clearly not that!). It is funny none of them lasted more then a couple of years though I did get caught up majorly in the Sly-raping-Jessica storyline, which for 15 year old me, was pretty intense.
One thing I never noticed back in the day, though I do notice now, is Stephanie's constant attempts to slut-shame Brooke (I may of just been a little too young and naive). I don't think the show ever pulled it off well, trying to do the family values angle with a family that had very little to begin with. In retrospect it does feel forced and awkward, and while it did give us plenty of brilliant Susan Flannery scene chewing moments, it does feel a little out of place as well.