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The Young and the Restless character Victor Newman may have lost out to Cane, Phyllis, and that pesky Artificial Intelligence program, but Victor's portrayer, Eric Braeden, has been shining as the mustached mogul refuses to give his adversaries an inch. Soap Central is bestowing our Performer of the Week for Y&R honors on Braeden for his recent performance.
The Young and the Restless, Eric Braeden, Performer of the Week
“Down but not out” is an expression that one might apply to Victor right now as he’s lost his company, Newman Enterprises, to Cane (Billy Flynn) and Phyllis (Michelle Stafford).
However, not only is Victor not “out,” we’re not sure “down” is the word to describe him either. Oh, sure, he's had a setback with Cane and Phyllis, but, at best, it's temporary. Even when Victor’s seemingly on the losing end of a situation, Victor comes off like a winner. That’s due in no small part because of the way his portrayer, Eric Braeden, plays the character.
At the beginning of the week, Victor had a private moment with his daughter, Victoria (Amelia Heinle). “We’re doing everything we can,” Victor said, sounding hopeful, but fully aware that Newman Enterprises is indeed in trouble. Braeden brought vulnerability to his scenes with Heinle, but also kept in mind his character's resilience. The mogul reminded his daughter that she's never known him not to fight back when attacked. "I don’t give up," Victor said. "I never give up."
When Phyllis and Cane showed up to remind Victor that they'd be moving in within a week, Victor remained behind his desk, mostly silent. Braeden is a master of the silent stare. He knows that Victor's power comes in those quiet moments as he sizes up his opponents.
"Enjoy the moment at the top," Victor softly but firmly informed Phyllis following one of her tirades. "Because you'll fall. It'll be a pleasure to watch you fall.
While Braeden is a master of saying lines quietly but effectively, he also knows when to shout. "Enough!" Victor bellowed when Phyllis practically threatened to physically remove Victoria from what soon will be her office.
The Young and the Restless, Victor, Victorious
Victor initially didn't even bother to look at Phyllis and Cane when they were on their way out the door. He called Cane a "punk," who is punching beyond his weight class, adding that "she" (not even referring to Phyllis by name) wasn't worth talking about. Naturally, that got a rise out of Phyllis.
"Your fall is imminent, and when it happens, my family will toast to your humiliation," Victor previewed.
He later told his family in private that Cane and Phyllis don't even know what a mistake they made when they took him on. "They will really pay if it's the last thing I do," Victor vowed.
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Bravo to Braeden for delivering a powerful performance, reminding us that "business stories" on soaps are always ultimately about the interpersonal dynamics among the characters.
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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