The Young and the Restless Recap August 24: Holden Chooses a Side

On the Monday, August 17, 2026 episode of The Young and the Restless, Nick and Marie bonded in rehab, Holden turned to Stephanie for advice, and Nate scheduled his surgery.

Putting the Pieces Together

Nick and Marie support one another in rehab | Image: CBS

At the rehabilitation facility, when Nick struggled to assemble a jigsaw puzzle, Marie approached and snapped a piece into place. She admitted that she wasn’t good at staying clean, but she’d managed not to land in the hospital again the night before. Marie found it more manageable to focus on the hours rather than days, weeks, or months. She shared that she’d made it to midnight sober, but then her husband’s angry words had derailed her efforts.

Marie confided that she’d been halfway to swallowing a whole bag of pills when she’d remembered what Nick had said about not being a hero but not being a waste, either. Nick asked if it meant she’d checked herself in, and Marie replied that someone had to finish the puzzle. She teased him for getting a big head for thinking he was the reason she’d checked herself in. Nick conceded that it made him feel good that something he’d said had led her in the right direction. She found another matching piece and dared him to catch up.

Marie accepted that she was an addict, and she didn’t blame her husband for his reaction. Marie divulged that she’d also lost her waitress job, but Nick gave her credit for still making it until midnight. She bemoaned that she’d barely made it, and she murmured that she’d thought a lot about Nick after everything that had happened during their night together. He replied that he’d been thinking about her, too.

Marie apologized for setting Nick up with pills to get high, noting that her overdose wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t scored the drugs. Nick figured that then he wouldn’t have saved her life and ended up there. She pondered whether it was fate, but he stressed that they’d both made a choice to be there to get better.

Marie observed that Nick looked better than the last time she’d seen him. Nick confessed that he thought about scoring all the time, but his love for his family kept him on that side of the door. Marie recalled that she’d been there more than once and only proven that she couldn’t hack it. Nick encouraged her to have more faith in herself. Marie reasoned that at least she had a friend there to kick her into shape.

Friends Forever

Nikki had a visit with Jack | Image: CBS

Nikki stopped by Jabot to see Jack at his invitation. Jack recognized that their friendship was the biggest obstacle to keeping peace in her marriage and thought it was best if they kept their distance from one another. Nikki protested that she didn’t want space she requested his help to save Nick. Jack pledged to be there for Nick as a sponsor or friend once he was released. Nikki’s face lit up when Nick called and asked to see her.

At the rehab facility, Nikki empathized with it being hard for Nick to look for answers when all he wanted was his next pill. Nikki stressed that nothing was more important than his recovery, and while she missed him, she didn’t want him to return home until he was certain he was solid. Nick explained that he thought he was ready to face his family, and he’d wanted to see Nikki first because she best understood what he was going through.

Nick lamented that he’d done nothing but lie to Nikki and make promises he hadn’t kept. Nikki recounted that she’d once felt the guilt and shame Nick was feeling, but she was confident he’d get to the other side with his doctors’ help. Nikki cautioned that it wouldn’t be easy, and she implored him to draw strength from the love and faith his family had in him.

Meanwhile, Jack confronted Victor at the new Newman ranch and declared that Nick’s fight for sobriety superseded the animosity between them. Jack indicated that Nikki had asked him to be Nick’s sponsor when he got out of rehab. Victor vowed to never forgive or forget the “night of debauchery” that had nearly killed Nikki. Jack pleaded with Victor to set aside his hatred long enough to see the value in the help Jack could give Nick.

Motherly Advice

Stephanie gave Holden advice | Image: CBS

Holden sought Stephanie’s advice over coffee at Crimson Lights. Holden mentioned that Billy had offered him the opportunity to climb up the corporate ladder at Chancellor, but he was worried he’d get stuck in the middle of a battle between the Winters and the Abbotts. Stephanie questioned whether Holden would go against his sister and family. Holden wanted to be his own boss, and he didn’t think he’d achieve that working with Cane, but he hesitated to let Lily down.

Stephanie recalled that Holden had wanted a sibling ever since he’d been a little boy, and she didn’t want to see him jeopardize the connection he’d built with his sister. Holden griped that Devon and Nate hadn’t been as accommodating, and he was reluctant to side with a family that never intended to accept him. Stephanie advised him to be honest with Lily about his dilemma. Holden questioned how much loyalty he owed to a sister he’d never known he’d had at the expense of his own goals.

Holden reasoned that Billy’s offer was just business, but Stephanie thought people said that to justify the choices they made, even if they hurt someone else. Stephanie inquired whether Holden could trust Billy. Holden wasn’t sure, but he was determined to make his mark without getting tangled up in office politics. Stephanie applauded Holden for having good instincts and a big heart, and she trusted him to make the right choice.

Decision Time

At Lily’s penthouse, Lily told Nate about her resolve to fight to keep Chancellor. Nate wondered if it was about hanging onto Chancellor or making sure Cane didn’t lose it. Nate argued that Cane would land on his feet even if Chancellor went to Billy. Lily vaguely referred to having set something in motion that would take the thunder out of Billy’s attack. Nate received a text message from Stephanie about their lunch plans.

Nate left as Holden arrived. Holden informed Lily about Billy’s job offer. She expected Billy to crash and burn, taking Holden down with him. Holden contended that he liked the direction Billy wanted for the company, but he also didn’t want to go against Lily. Lily insisted that Holden pick a side.

Lily argued that Katherine had been Devon’s grandmother and pledged to do everything she could to fight for their family’s legacy. Holden mused that it felt good to hear her say “their family,” and he swore that he had her back.

Nate joined Stephanie at the Athletic Club and declared that lunch was on her because she was still wooing him to join her staff at Memorial. Nate announced that he’d scheduled his surgery with Dr. Price, so he might be able to take Stephanie up on her offer sooner than they’d thought.

Watch full episodes of The Young and the Restless on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.