The Artificial Reality story may be coming to a genuine close: The Young and the Restless Two Scoops for the week of April 20th

The Young and the Restless began its Artificial Intelligence story nearly a year ago when Cane Ashby revealed that he was going to use the buzzed-about program to make all the power players in Genoa City bow down to him. There's been nothing artificial about the great drama that we've seen on the show, but Y&R possibly is bringing this tale to a conclusion, as much of it has been difficult to accept.

The Young and the Restless, where were the lawyers

Phyllis and Lauren were shocked, shocked, we tell you, to learn that many Newman Enterprises (or Summers Conglomorate, take your pick) employees were ready to jump ship, and who could blame them. We seldom, if ever, see the hundreds or thousands of minions whose lives have been thrown into turmoil ever since Phyllis took control of Newman Enterprises.

Imagine working for Victor Newman for years or decades, and one day you discover that he's gone, and you have a new boss. Surely, word would trickle to the lower-level employees that this was something Victor didn't want. Of course, the great and powerful Victor Newman would someday regain control. Wouldn't he expect loyalty from his employees? We are surprised that Phyllis didn't see a rash of resignations before!

Victor and Victoria told Michael that there was a plan to decimate Phyllis and re-win control of Newman Enterprises. Forget about Michael's friendship with Phyllis, he needs to step up and convince Phyllis to do the right thing for his wife, Lauren's, sake if nothing else!

The long arm of the law

Cricket could be the key to forcing Phyllis's hand on Y&R | Image: CBS

Making Christine Blair Romalotti (yep, that's her name again!) the district attorney is another indication that Phyllis may be in for a shock. The lawyers should have gotten involved in this storyline a long time ago. In real-life, if someone orchestrated an AI takeover of a company the size of Victor Newman's, then lawyers would have started filing briefs and asking judges for injunctions.

The failsafe program that caused the AI program to turn on its host-user was a twist we didn't see coming. So when Victor used the program on Cane, he actually ended up hurting Newman Enterprises. But if the AI program was always going to turn on its host-user, how was Cane going to use it to take over companies? And why did Cane think ruining the business lives of the Newmans, Abbotts, etc. would endear him to Lily?

Ironically, Phyllis wanting to avoid seeing Cricket in court again could cause her to bow out of the boardroom wars she's currently immersed in!

Can't buy me love

Diane couldn't accept Jack's gift on Y&R | Image: CBS

The AI story didn't even indirectly affect Victor's vendetta against Jack. That was going on long before the business elite of Genoa City went off to France last year, which kicked off the AI story. Victor was going to get around to making Jack's life hell sooner or later.

Victor's actions have resulted in a wedge being driven between Jack and Diane. Mrs. Abbott just can't look past Jack's mistakes. Not even Jack's gifts to Diane have changed her mind.

Blood is thicker than artificial water

Lily and Cane might reunite over Cane's concern for Malcolm on Y&R | Image: JPI

Cane's going to make many more inroads with Lily by offering to be tested to be a donor for Malcolm, who is suffering from aplastic anemia. And if he's a match, well, then he can go ahead and book the GCAC for a wedding ceremony! Soaps are about family -- not endless corporate boardroom battles.

It's smart of Y&R to tie Holden, the appealing and attractive Nathan Owens, to a core family. This will put the kibosh on a romance with Lily as the two are half-siblings. Speaking of Lily, why didn't Y&R start this story months ago by having Lily and Holden start dating? They both cared for the late Damian. Stephanie's return to Genoa City to see if Holden would be a match for Malcolm would have had a great emotional impact.

We've seen half-siblings have to end their romances in the past -- Cole and Victoria (though they ended up not being related), and Scott and Cricket (they shared the same dad) -- and it's great soapy drama!

We're not sure how many doctors Vivica Fox has played since leaving Y&R over 30 years ago, but she makes a great one. There's never a scene where we forget that she's not only Malcolm's ex-lover but also his doctor. She's fine if Malcolm and Holden want to blast her for staying mum, but Stephanie has a point that that can wait until after Malcolm is out of the woods.

Noah and Sharon, you in danger!

Noah and Sharon walked into Matt's trap far too easily on Y&R | Image: CBS

We know Nick is not in his right mind because of the pills he's been taking, but why, why, why did Adam and Chelsea listen to him for a single second when he suggested they hold off on calling Sharon and letting her know that Matt had both Adam and Nick's phones?

OF COURSE, Matt was going to use the devices to lure Sharon and Noah into a trap. Matt TOLD Nick when he was his prisoner in the hotel utility closet that he wasn't going to just destroy Nick's life, but that he was going after Nick's loved ones.

How, in today's world, when instant communication is at our fingertips, could Sharon and Noah not have gotten word that Matt was luring them into a trap? Matt's money was wiped out by Victor (in probably the only good use of the AI program), so how has Matt been managing to make his way around Las Vegas and stay two steps ahead of everyone? What did he use to pay off those two youthful-looking drug dealers to get Nick hooked on pills?

Speaking of which, why didn't Matt follow through on his plan to get Nick further hooked on drugs? He had both Adam and Nick unconscious and totally helpless, and he then...walked away? Adam picked up a phone on the wall and let Chelsea know where they were, so she could rescue them.

Why isn't Matt taking advantage of having the upper hand, and why aren't the Newmans being accompanied by security teams 24/7?

Realistic conflict

Devon and Abby are at odds even though they have the same goal in Dominic's safety on Y&R | Image: JPI

Devon wants Mariah to be kept far away from his son, Dominic, and if that means going to the big house with big cement walls and iron bars, then that's the way it has to be. There's the mental and physical well-being of a child at stake.

Conversely, if (and yes, that's a big if) Devon and Abby can be convinced that Mariah won't escape from the mental hospital, then, maybe, that is where she should be?

What's interesting about this conflict between Devon and Abby is that we can see both sides clearly. Devon and Abby should have been consulted before Mariah was offered her current deal. No one can fault Devon or Abby for wanting them to keep Devon safe. However, Mariah going to jail does not seem right either. Viewers have known Camryn Grimes, Mariah's portrayer, since she was just a little bit older than Ethan Ray Clark (Dominic) is now; granted, she was playing Mariah's twin, Cassie, back then.

Winning at Pattycakes

Diane heard some harsh truths from Patty on Y&R | Image: CBS

There's nothing like watching characters using history to spar with each other on soaps, right? Patty has run amok in Genoa City on and off for years. She's dangerous and unpredictable. And guess what? When she reminds Diane of the fact that she lost her baby with Jack as a direct (or indirect, as Diane might argue) result of Patty walking in on Jack and Diane having sex when Patty was pregnant is soap opera gold.

Suddenly, the wronged person might be someone who did wrong and is getting a dose of karma decades later? Neither Stacy Haiduk nor Susan Walters was playing Patty and Diane back then, but you'd never know it the way these powerhouse actresses delivered in their scenes together!

Patty may want to set up a permanent shop in the lobby of the Genoa City Athletic Club. That's where Patty sparred with Phyllis, who seemed genuinely fearful of Patty, given that her daughter, Summer, had a horrible allergic reaction thanks to Patty years ago.

Y&R had a big week with action, dramatic conflict, and more, but the best takeaway from the week is that the AI storyline may be wrapping up soon. Are we wrong on that? Stay tuned to find out!

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.