The Young and the Restless Recap, April 1: Adam impresses Riza, Nick struggles, Sharon gives Phyllis a reality check

Here is your The Young and the Restless recap for Wednesday, April 1, 2026 featuring Adam's return as Spider, and Sharon giving Phyllis some tough love.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless' Adam and Nick Newman | Image: CBS

Adam tried to get into the Spider mindset before the big game that night. Nick asked how Adam got into the headspace for it, and he made a joke about Spider-Sense. Adam said, "People mock what they don't understand."

Nick asked Adam to show him how to play, but Adam said it wasn't that simple. He spent a lifetime observing people, and it wasn't something that Nick could just pick up at the drop of a hat. Adam did an exercise with his eyes closed, and he challenged Nick to prove how well he could hide the truth.

Nick asked Adam to reveal what his tell was, but Adam refused to reveal his secrets. However, his point was proven. Adam was able to see through any deception, and now Nick was well aware of this.

Nick hoped that Adam would get immersed in Riza's world as quickly as possible, so they could find Matt. Nick started showing signs of being in pain again, but he played it off. Adam called his bluff and pointed out that he was, in fact, not fine.

Adam needed to be careful not to tip off Riza that he was up to something. Adam appreciated Nick allowing him to help with his quest to take down Matt. He wanted to be a more supportive brother when Noah was in his coma, but that wasn't the right time to throw his hat into the ring.

The Young and the Restless' Adam and Riza | Image: CBS

There was a knock on Riza's door, and it was Matt, who instantly pulled her in for a kiss. Riza hadn't expected to see Matt at that time, but he claimed to be open to trying new experiences. She hoped he'd find a way to remain entertained, but he wanted to watch her in action.

Matt offered to pose as a waiter, so he could get big tips. Riza reminded him that clients valued their privacy, and they wouldn't react well to an outsider infiltrating the ranks. Matt took offense and reminded her that they were partners. Instead, Matt pitched for Riza to deal him into the game.

Riza confirmed that the game was closed, and there was no room for Matt. He assumed that Riza didn't want him around because Spider was back in town. Riza praised Spider's talents, so Matt questioned why he went away for so long and returned out of nowhere. She didn't care about any of that, as long as he came through during the games.

Matt wanted to meet Spider at the start of the game. He was adamant that he meet him. However, Riza wasn't convinced that it was the best idea. Matt received a text that he refused to fill Riza in about. Whatever it was was going to thwart his plan to introduce himself to Spider.

The players arrived for Riza's high-stakes game, and she introduced everyone to Spider. Everyone helped themselves to their favorite drinks, and it was time to get started. Adam quickly racked up wins at the table, and it was clear that he hadn't lost his touch.

After the game, Riza revealed that she had a partner. Adam asked who the man was, and he wondered if he'd heard of him. He wanted to know what had changed to lead her to change her stance against working with someone.

With Adam at the game, Nick's drug dealer friend arrived with the goods that he promised him. Nick purchased enough for about six or seven people, despite being the only one who would consume it. Nick inquired about Matt Clark, but the man claimed to have never heard of him.

The Young and the Restless' Daniel | Image: CBS

Tessa finally entered Crimson Lights to speak to Daniel after noticing that he was watching her. He claimed to want her to have some space after he noticed she'd been crying. Daniel explained that he was going through the same thing and confirmed that Phyllis was behind his recent swell of emotions.

Daniel assumed Mariah was the cause of Tessa's tearful outburst, and he offered to join her out on the patio and swap stories. Tessa explained that Mariah left for treatment, and although it was best for her future, it was difficult to say goodbye.

There was no set timetable for Mariah's return. However, the only saving grace was that Tessa didn't think Mariah would shut her out this time. She was in a slightly better headspace, but that didn't change Tessa's fear of the unknown.

Daniel revealed that he recently said his own sort of goodbye. It needed to be done, no matter how painful it was. Tessa asked how he was handling it, and he admitted that Phyllis was exhausting. Daniel told Tessa about Summer's letter, and neither of Phyllis' children could remain in her orbit any longer.

Tessa saw the similarities between the situations, but Daniel pointed out that, unlike Phyllis, Mariah was showing a willingness to change. Tessa wasn't convinced it wouldn't end the same way. The conversation took a slightly awkward turn, and they needed to address the elephant in the room. However, Daniel questioned whether talking wasn't the right answer.

Daniel got his guitar out, and he and Tessa started singing on the patio. Danny walked into the coffee shop and observed their musical talents. Danny joined them after the song and became emotional about his son following in his footsteps.

Danny suggested that Daniel and Tessa cut an album for him to produce. He asked them to accompany him to Spain for his private concert. Daniel wasn't sure if it was the best idea, but Danny insisted. To Daniel's surprise, Tessa was genuinely interested in accepting his father's offer.

The Young and the Restless' Sharon gives Phyllis some tough love | Image: CBS

Sharon showed up at Chancellor Café, and she told Faith over the phone that Mariah wasn't ready to take video calls. Saying goodbye to all of her family members was the last thing that she wanted to do. Sharon took a seat, where she was swiftly joined by Phyllis, who noticed how upset she was.

At first, Sharon denied that anything was wrong, so Phyllis started to walk away. However, as she was leaving, Sharon stopped her and thanked her for caring. Phyllis said, "Of course I care." She was sick of people throwing in her face that she somehow didn't have feelings.

Sharon brought up the whiplash nature of their friendship. One minute, Sharon and Phyllis were on decent terms. The next moment, Phyllis was at Sharon's throat because she was against her hostile takeover of Newman Enterprises.

Phyllis reminded Sharon that she should be someone who would support knocking Victor off his throne. She said she saw a chance and took it, and she didn't apologize for it. Sharon knew that Phyllis cared about Daniel and Summer above all else, and she couldn't understand how Phyllis could go after her daughter's family's company.

Sharon asked if something went wrong with Summer, based on Phyllis reaction. Phyllis questioned how everyone got a free pass besides her. For some reason, because it was her, everyone was up in arms. For the first time, Victor hadn't bounced back as quickly, but Phyllis dared him to try.

Sharon reminded Phyllis that Victor was human and that his past had shaped him into the person he is today. She walked Phyllis through his childhood insecurities and why Newman was so important to him. Sharon knew that Victor had wronged Phyllis in the past, but that didn't give her a free pass to steal his empire.

Sharon asked if gaining this company was worth losing the trust and support of her children. Phyllis didn't want to team up with anyone. She was against everyone else, and she didn't get it if it left her alone.

Sharon wondered if Phyllis heard how she sounded, and she told her that everything led back to Martin kidnapping them. Phyllis recalled that it had been a year since Martin abducted them, and she was disappointed that Sharon didn't reach out to her on the anniversary.

Sharon said the date slipped by her and that, with so much going on in her life, she hoped Phyllis would understand. Phyllis said she pushed what happened to them aside so she could move on with her life. She didn't think they had won after observing their current state of life.

Sharon divulged everything about Mariah seeing apparitions of Ian Ward. She wanted the monsters to go away, and the only way to do that was to embrace the people around them. However, Phyllis was rapidly losing everyone around her. Sharon asked Phyllis, "What is it you really want from this path you're on?" Phyllis replied, "I want it all."

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