The Young and the Restless Rehash, May 12: Lily threatens Phyllis by invoking her late mother, Drucilla

The Young and the Restless reminded us today, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, that the death of a character, or rather, her presumed death, doesn't mean that said character still doesn't have value on the canvas. When Lily threatened to draw on her late mother Dru's fury in dealing with Phyllis, a chill went up our spine -- in all the good ways!

Her mother's daughter, The Young and the Restless

Phyllis stared down Lily on Y&R | Image: CBS

Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) and Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) came into conflict about 20 years ago when the two women were involved with the cosmetic wars at Jabot. Dru was wed to business exec Neil Winters (the late, great Kristoff St. John), and Phyllis was with Jack (Peter Bergman).

The two women sparred often. Their scenes were magic and fire and appointment TV. Their intense dislike ("hate" is a strong word) culminated in a tragedy. Sharon (Sharon Case), Dru, and Phyllis were fighting over a cell phone near a cliff. The phone had proof of Sharon's affair with Brad Carlton (Don Diamont) on it.

Dru and Sharon fell off the cliff. Sharon popped up alive pretty quickly. Dru has been presumed dead for years.

But Lily remembers not just her mother, but the antagonistic relationship Dru shared with Phyllis. Lily has no reason to like Phyllis, as she may get Cane (Billy Flynn) in trouble; now, she's liking her even less.

Lily "Dru" Phyllis an image

Lily will go all Dru on Phyllis if she has to on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Lily marched into Phyllis's office and ordered her not to drag Cane (Billy Flynn) down with her when she goes under for all the crimes she'd committed. Phyllis dismissed Lily's threats as she does whenever anyone demands she be held accountable for her actions.

"I am telling you, leave Cane out of this," Lily demanded. Unimpressed, Phyllis snarked that Lily didn't know what the charges were against her, and she wondered what Lily was going to do to her.

"What am I going to do?" Lily responded rhetorically. "I will channel every ounce of hatred that my mother ever had for you. So believe me, Phyllis, don't make me your enemy. You don't want that."

Lily was facing not only Phyllis, but she also spied her portrait, too, while she was there. "Cute picture, by the way," Lily snarked when she walked out the door.

The camera held on Phyllis. Clearly, Lily's words had made an impact on her. Lily's never gone after Phyllis for her accidental role in her mom's presumed accidental death.

Phyllis knows who her adversaries are these days. There's Victor (Eric Braeden), of course, and the "Bug" AKA Christine (Lauralee Bell), Genoa City's district attorney, and others. Phyllis knows she doesn't have many allies. Even her kids, Daniel (Michael Graziadei) and Summer, want nothing to do with her.

But can Phyllis take on the added challenge of Lily channelling her mother's hatred (yeah, we guess it's not too strong a word where Lily's concerned!)? Stay tuned to find out.