The Young and the Restless Recap July 31: Victor Newman Does Something He’s Never Done Before

Here's your recap for The Young and the Restless episode that aired Friday, July 31, 2026, when Phyllis overreacted, Noah and Sienna argued, and Victor did something he's never done before when it comes to admitting what he'd done!

There's Got to Be a Morning After

Phyllis got antsy when Matt Clark went missing | Image: CBS

Phyllis woke up in bed alone, wondering if Matt Clark had left town already. Phyllis got out of bed and looked for Matt, but saw no sign of him. Phyllis looked in the bathroom and wondered where Matt was. Had he dashed away for good after their night of lovemaking?

Muffin Tops

Sharon Newman updated Noah on Nick being in rehab | Image: CBS

At Crimson Lights, Noah noticed that Sharon was putting mulberry muffins together for Nick. Noah shared with Sharon that Sienna was vulnerable to Matt Clark. Sharon said that Sienna was too smart to fall for Matt. Noah said that Sienna gave too much credit to Matt for showing some basic human decency.

Sharon wondered if Matt wanted to reconcile with Sienna. Noah wasn't sure. Noah analyzed Sienna's take on Matt today. He believed it was a bad idea to cut Matt any slack at all and could be dangerous. He feared that Matt might do something to prove he hasn't changed. Noah mused over the idea of forcing the issue of Matt leaving town if he doesn't do it himself.

Noah noted that Matt hasn't taken a single step since he talked about leaving town. Noah said Nick was right, as Nick didn't believe Matt would leave town. Sharon broke the news to Noah that Nick has checked into a rehabilitation center, as he's been struggling with his addiction.

Sharon gently told Noah that his father would never get over his addiction. She added that it was a great sign that Nick checked him into rehab. He didn't want to delay it. Noah wanted to visit him, but Sharon said not right now. Noah pointed out that if Matt hadn't caused the car crash, Nick wouldn't have gotten hooked on pills. It's another reason that Matt has to go now.

The Shadow Room Showdown

Matt and Sienna tried to come to terms | Image: CBS

At The Shadow Room, Sienna thought Noah had come in, but it was Matt. She asked him if he was on his way out of town and had come to say goodbye. Matt said that he wanted to ask his ex a favor.

Matt recapped Noah accusing him of harassing Sienna. She told her ex that he wasn't wrong to say that he wasn't a total creep during their marriage. Matt hoped that Noah and his family would give him the same grace that Sienna had.

Matt said that they'll never stop looking at him as a monster. He's not proud of how he acted. Sienna asked Matt if he was going to leave town, as he had threatened to do. Matt said that he didn't need to sacrifice his life to please the Newmans. Matt announced that he was going to stick around Genoa City after all.

Matt told Sienna he had changed his mind about leaving. He hoped that she could convince Noah and his family that they were wrong about him and assure them that he was not a threat. Sienna wondered what made Matt believe that she could do that when he couldn't.

Tensions Ignite

Noah Newman and Sienna Bacall do not agree on Matt Clark | Image: CBS

Phyllis texted Matt, demanding to know why he left! Back at The Shadow Room, Matt disregarded Phyllis' text so he could continue his talk with Sienna. She said she couldn't sway the Newmans. Matt said that Noah loved her, and he cared about how she felt. He added he had no anger. Sienna said that she had talked to Noah about him, and she thought Matt was telling the truth -- but Noah didn't believe it. She told him it was Matt's job to fix all this, not hers.

Sienna said that they just had lies between them. Matt said that he just wanted peace. She got up and said that she'd see what she could do. Sienna said that Matt had better not be playing her. After all, she tried to kill him once, and next time she promised not to be so clumsy.

Matt said that he wanted to spend the rest of his life without looking over his shoulder. She reminded him that she would try to help. Then, Noah entered and reminded Matt that he was going -- whether he chose to leave town or not. Matt suggested that they all leave each other alone and live their lives in peace. Noah asked Sienna if Matt had come there to say his goodbyes.

Noah and Sienna argued over Matt. She wondered why Noah thought that she wouldn't be able to see through Matt. Sienna told Noah that she didn't need him to rescue her. Noah rattled off Matt's crimes, including his multiple attempts to kill both him and Sienna. He threw in terrorizing Sharon and causing Nick's drug addiction into the conversation for good measure. Sienna said that she got it. Noah blasted Sienna for defending Matt Clark! Sienna said that nobody controlled her, and that included both Matt and Noah. Then, Sienna walked off!

I Can See Clearly Now

Nikki marveled over seeing colors again | Image: CBS

Victor and Nikki dined at the GCAC. Nikki, her eyesight returned, marveled at the colors of her fruit salad. She feared she'd never get her sight back. Victor knew she would. Nikki lamented how sad and defeated Nick looked when she saw him. Victor said the good thing is that Nick went to rehab, and he should be home soon. Victor confirmed Nikki's belief that he's worried about their son.

Nikki said that Nicholas was always fearless. Victor said that it's not surprising Nick feels helpless given what he's been through. Nikki apologized for having put Victor through her addiction. Nikki said she hoped that Nick was okay that she and Victor surprised them. Victor said Nick should be happy that Nikki beat her addiction and regained her sight.

Nikki brought up her question to Victor from last night -- where do things stand between them? Victor urged Nikki to focus on her recovery. Nikki feared that she and Victor were falling into old habits and not addressing their broken marriage. She asked Victor to tell her how he felt.

Then, Phyllis barged in on them. Phyllis said that Victor won't get away with his latest sabotage. Victor appeared confused by Phyllis' declaration. Victor wondered if Sharon was having trouble with Arabesque. She said she wasn't. She beat Victor before, and she will again. Phyllis left. Nikki wondered why Victor gave Phyllis anything. Victor reminded Nikki that Phyllis helped save Matt's life. Nikki asked if she'd be going back upstairs to her suite or would she be going back to the ranch.

Phyllis Welcomes Matt

Matt explained his absence to Phyllis | Image: CBS

A confused Phyllis left a scathing voicemail message on Matt's phone, fearing that he'd abandoned her. Then, Matt walked in. "What happened to you?" Phyllis demanded to know. Matt asked her to slow down. Matt said his bag was under her bed -- he hadn't left. He didn't want to wake her, and when she slept, she looked like a "hot angel."

She told him not to listen to her voicemail. Matt laughed and said that he did now. He explained he spent the morning trying to build a new life for himself. Matt said he had to check in with an old friend, meaning Sienna, who just might be his salvation. Matt said Sienna clobbering him started his transformation.

Phyllis asked what the plan was -- for Sienna to hit him in the head with a bigger rock? Matt said as Sienna was dating Noah, maybe she could help convince them to let Matt live in peace. Matt noted that saving Nick's life should have given them a pass on some things.

Victor Says That He Was Sorry

Victor and Nikki approached Phyllis and Matt after he apologized to her | Image: CBS

Victor asked Nikki to stop talking about Jack. Victor saw two choices, which were either to accept Nikki and Jack's friendship or not have a future with her. Nikki saw a third choice: Victor could admit that he was wrong.

Nikki said that Jack was her friend, and that Victor was her soulmate, the love of her life, and her husband. Victor said that Nikki didn't fully grasp what it meant to him to lose his company. Nikki said that she knew. Victor said he lost not just his company, but also Nikki -- because of Jack Abbott. "But you're the one who told me to go," Nikki reminded Victor.

"I guess I shouldn't have pushed you away -- sorry about that," Victor said. Nikki thanked Victor and agreed to meet him halfway so that they could reclaim their life together. Nikki said that she couldn't give up her friendship with the man who made sure that she still had a life.

"I guess my love for you is stronger than my hatred for Jack Abbott," said Victor, adding, "Let's go home." Then, Nikki said that she didn't feel she was truly home when she was recovering from surgery. "I missed you so much," Nikki told Victor. The mogul kissed his wife on the forehead. "I missed you more than you will ever know," Victor told Nikki. Then, Nikki spied Phyllis and Matt together, not knowing they were together. Nikki asked Victor to deal with them now.

Victor and Nikki approached Phyllis and Matt. Victor noticed Matt's ankle monitor was missing. Matt quipped that it was itchy, gave him a rash, and therefore had to go! "Phyllis and I got it off," Matt gloated. Victor said he had made the terms with Matt very clear, and he let him know what would happen if he didn't abide by them. Matt said the rules needed wiggle room, and he was moving in with Phyllis. Victor said that we'll see about that.