John Abbott, Elementary: The Young and the Restless Two Scoops for the Week of July 13

We received from the top-rated soap a week off with no kidnapping, no new plans for Artificial Intelligence use, and no kidnappings. Instead, The Young and the Restless gave us some good old-fashioned family drama during the week of July 13, and we couldn't be happier!

John Abbott's Return...But Not Really

John Abbott is gone, but he's never far from the thoughts of his loving family | Image: JPI

With Patty (Stacy Haiduk) in custody, and both Jack (Peter Bergman) and Diane (Susan Walters) on the mend, the immediate danger to the Abbott clan was squelched. But that didn't mean there wasn't a lot of drama last week on Y&R. Viewers got the heartfelt kind. We're not sure what prompted the flashbacks of John Abbott (Jerry Douglas), but we loved seeing them!

It was simply wonderful hearing John's calm voice in flashbacks as he guided and supported his adult children with their woes. Whenever he could, John provided a guiding and loving hand to his children. He hid as best he could the pain he felt that Dina (Marla Adams) had walked out on the family.

Watching Traci (Beth Maitland), Ashley (Eileen Davidson), "honorary Abbott" Lauren (Tracey Bregman), Abby (Melissa Ordway), and Diane (Susan Walters) gather together and share how they all felt about each other and the Abbott family was a welcome chance of pace. Y&R fans have had enough of kidnappings and corporate intrigue to last a lifetime -- or at least until the fall!

Dear Abby

Abby has ties to most of the families in Genoa City | Image: CBS

Speaking of Abby, it warmed our hearts to see her visit her Uncle Jack in the hospital. Abby's special in that she's both Abbott and Newman because of her respective parents, Ashley Abbott, and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). Her unique lineage should mean that we see her in more stories, but often, she's left out of tales.

Abby's name never comes up when Victor is looking to place one of his children at the helm of Newman Enterprises. And there are occasional Abbott dramas that Abby's not a part of because she's considered a Newman.

In a perfect world, Abby would pop up in all Abbott and Newman stories! More Abby means we'd likely see where she lives -- the iconic Chancellor mansion. It's seen minor upgrades over the years, but any viewer who's been away from Y&R and happens to tune back in would recognize it instantly! A soap opera's strongest assets are its history and families. Y&R remains at the top of the game by playing its beloved veterans and veteran families.

Crystal Claire

Vicki (Amelia Heinle) shot Claire a look when she said something that could have upset Nikki | Image: CBS

Nikki's facing the permanent loss of her vision has brought the Newmans together. Not only has Victor softened and shown great vulnerabilty but we've also seen Victoria (Amelia Heinle), Nicholas (Joshua Morrow), and Claire (Hayley Erin) stand by Nikki's side, offering support and love. In Claire's case, she's also thrown in a big batch of Debbie Downer doom and gloom by noting that Nikki's eyesight might not come back.

Claire's realistic approach served as a contrast to the optimism that other loved ones of Nikki's offered. We chuckled when Vicki shot her daughter a look that read "did that just come out of my child's mouth?"

The Un-Welcome Matt

Matt is over everyone thinking the worst of him in Genoa City | Image: CBS

Y&R has kept Matt on the canvas because Roger Howarth, a Daytime Emmy-nominee for his role as Matt, is a terrific actor. First, he had amnesia and had no idea as to who he was or what he'd done. Now, he remembers who he was and what he'd done, but he's horrified by his past. He can't imagine being the person who did all those horrible things.

That's good. But...it doesn't mean he shouldn't be responsible for what he did. The police and the district attorney's office should have something to say about it. Christine (Lauralee Bell) was ready to bring Diane before a grand jury based on circumstantial evidence -- despite Patty's (Stacy Haiduk) past psychotic behavior, which led to the death of Colleen (Tammin Sursok).

We still don't know how Matt faked his death all those years ago when Rick Hearst (Ric, General Hospital) was playing the part, and he yanked his tubes out of his body in the hospital, hoping to frame Nick for his funeral.

Matt's very presence gives Sienna (Tamara Braun), Sharon (Sharon Case), and Noah (Lucas Adams) the heebee-jeebies. Matt has turned over a new leaf, for lack of a better expression. He's not going to start trying to kill people (we hope!), but that doesn't mean he's not going to strike back when people tell him they're uneasy around him. Matt's turned a corner, but he hasn't had a personality transplant. Matt's a time bomb. He could go off at any minute. Is he truly the only person whom Victor feels can keep an eye on Cane (Billy Flynn)? And why does Cane need someone keeping an eye on him anyway?

Cane has everything he wants -- a job at Chanellor Industries and a renewed relationship with Lily (Christel Khalil). He's not actually the threat that Victor may believe him to be.

Remembering Cole Howard

Cole and Victoria shared a kiss before he went to that great soap in the sky | Image: CBS

It was such a shame to bring Cole (J. Eddie Peck) back after being away for years and years. Did he have to die? Why couldn't Cole have just taken a job at Newman Publishing overseas? That way, he could return for holiday episodes and frown upon Claire's (Hayley Erin) love interests like a good father!

At least Cole is being remembered with his favorite foods. Who knows? Maybe Aunt Jordan (Colleen Zenk), who could still be alive, whisked Cole away from the hospital after it appeared he died last summer? Jordan took baby Eve (AKA Claire) away from her family to mess with them. Maybe she took revenge on the Newmans again by making off with Cole? Stranger things have happened!