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The Young and the Restless did a bit of a time jump this week. Nothing as far-reaching as the one Days of our Lives did years ago, in which time moved forward by an entire year. This was more subtle, but one that still required a bit of explaining that we're likely never going to get.
GC Memorial Hospi-Tale, The Young and the Restless
There's nothing like a beloved family member being rushed to the hospital that will bring a family together and put viewers on the edge of their seats. Remember when Paige (Nicollette Sheridan) was shot on Knots Landing? Her loved ones rushed to the hospital, and dramatic scenarios unfolded while surgeons worked to save her life.
Closer to home, Billy (Jason Thompson) was in the hospital, seriously ill, in 2016. As Jill, Jess Walton, Billy's mother, gave a tour de force, fearing her son would die. The drama brought Jack (Peter Bergman), Jill (Jess Walton), Phyllis (then, Gina Tognoni; now, Michelle Stafford), and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) together.
There are a lot of other examples, too. It's a sure-fire winner in our book. Family members gather at the hospital, and as they wait for word on their loved one, drama unfolds. Poignant dialogue exchanges. Confessions. Recriminations. Possible reconciliations.
Y&R headed towards this at the end of Thursday's episode when Victor (Eric Braeden) called Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victoria and told them that Nick was alive, but he was on the way to the hospital, Genoa City Memorial, we imagine.
Nikki, who had a horrible nightmare that Nick had died, was torn in two. On one hand, she was overwhelmed with gladness that her son was alive; on the other, she was devastated to know that he was doing poorly. Nikki and Vicki left her room at the Genoa City Athletic Club.
We expected the next day to see a hospital waiting room set, a nurses' station, and Nick's room. Maybe even an elevator so that characters could make dramatic entrances!
The chief of staff is almost in
Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) talked to her son, Holden Novak (Nathan Owens), about becoming GC Memorial's new chief of staff. The timing was perfect! After Nate (Sean Dominic) lost his ability to perform surgery, he moved over to the business world.
Imagine Dr. Simmons telling Victor and Nikki that Nick stood a better chance of recovery if he saw his parents united. Cue the Ice Castles theme, "Through the Eyes of Love," as Victor and Nikki put their differences aside so that Nick will pull through!
Well, that's what you're going to have to do -- imagine. When we picked up the action in the next episode, Nick, who nearly died on Thursday, was out of the hospital already and back at the Newman Ranch!
What??? There were a few throwaway lines about how the doctors checked Nick out, and Victor said he was home -- where he belonged! Well, who are we to argue with Victor Newman!
So, here's the timeline as best we can determine. In mid-afternoon or up to early evening, Victor and Nick came to his old office to confront Matt and Phyllis. Then, Sharon, Noah, and Sienna (Tamara Braun) showed up, too.
Nick collapsed. Matt, apparently versed in helping bring back people who've overdosed, jumped in and saved Nick's life. Paramedics who might have arrived in time to save Nick showed up and brought him to the hospital. Victor's guards showed up, and they escorted Matt away on Victor's orders. (Finally! The bad guy is under Victor's control!!)
They tried to make me go to rehab, but I said, 'No, no, no'
Apparently, Nick spent the night in the hospital. Nikki likely showed up and, at some point, went back home to get some rest herself. Nikki, wearing a new outfit, showed up at the ranch and was surprised that her son was already out of the hospital. Again, it was reiterated that the doctors felt Nick could recover at home just as well. Really? A near-death experience, and he's back home just like that?
Nick certainly seemed like he was doing a lot better, actually. Adam asked Nick to bring him (and Nikki and Vicki) up to speed on what went down. Nick recounted that he was about to call Det. Burrow (Matt Cohen) and have him come over and take Matt into custody. (Has Burrow joined the GC Police Department?)
Nick shared what he remembered, and then he was told that Matt had saved his life. He was livid! Yep, Nick's energy shot right up! You'd never know he was at death's door less than 24 hours ago.
Instead of seeing Nick's loved ones sit on the edge of their seats at the hospital, we got, instead, a family meeting at home in which people got caught up on what went down and learned about Matt's whereabouts.
It's Y&R, not ER
What a missed opportunity! Could the show not afford the hospital set? We do recall that the Genoa City Memorial Hospital was a pretty big set. There'd be a large waiting room next to the nurses' station. And then, there'd be Nick's room.
Using a hospital set involves not only setting up the set but casting numerous day players, under-5 actors (performers who have 5 lines or less), and extras. So, it may have been an economic reason that we didn't see Nick and his family at the hospital.
However, it was a missed opportunity. Don't get us wrong, we're happy to see Nick up and around, walking and having some energy back. But it all happened way too quickly.
The drama on Friday's episode dealt with the Newman family members debating what kind of man Matt was now. Vicki had the best point, noting that there was a constant level of risk as Matt might get his memory back. She pointed out that while Matt may have forgotten that he committed some crimes, he still committed them!
We're all for doing what needs to be done to keep a terrific actor like Roger Howarth on the canvas as Matt. But Victoria has a very valid point. Matt is still the person who committed a host of crimes that date back to the 1990s.
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But seeing Nick linger between life and death at the hospital, as his family worried about him, would have been soap opera storytelling at its finest!
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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