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The Young and the Restless may have only been on for three days last week because of the annual March Madness basketball, but you wouldn't have known that as the CBS soap got a full week's worth of drama in the trio of episodes! A familiar face returned, former adversaries agreed to an allegiance, and not one, but two marriages hit the skids.
What happened on The Young and the Restless
Much to our delight, Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) showed up. She's been absent for too long on our screens. Bonus: Traci shared screen time with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), someone she hasn't shared a lot of airtime with each other the years! Traci and Nikki may be an Abbott and a Newman, but they were on the same page as both women are #TeamJack.
Soaps need moral centers, so that's why it's always great to see Traci. Plus, Traci's one of the few Abbotts (Ashley, played by Eileen Davidson, being another), who could talk some sense into Victor Newman.
Traci needs to go over to the Newman Ranch and remind Victor that he is only alive today because of her late daughter, Colleen! Victor's all about family. He might have a change of heart if he's reminded that he only has a heart because of the Abbott family!
Scenes from a Marriage -- or two!
Decades ago, Diane was the other woman when Jack cheated on his bride, Patty. Smilin' Jack just couldn't stay loyal to his young, beautiful, and inexperienced wife. That's what makes Patty's (Stacy Haiduk) role in Jack's (Peter Bergman) and Diane's (Susan Walters) marriage blowing up in 2026 so ironic!
Victor Newman, assuming he's ultimately behind Jack's kidnapping -- we haven't seen the mogul admit to the deed (have we?), could not have timed Diane's arrival on the yacht better.
Fearing that Jack was being kept in horrific conditions, Diane was stunned to see Jack in a compromising position with Patty. Patty certainly didn't help matters by making digs at Diane, painting a picture that Jack had been a willing partner.
Diane ran a roller-coaster of emotions. She went from relief to shock to anger to helplessness to feeling betrayed. Perhaps on some level, she knew that this was all Victor's doing, but Patty's remarks stuck in her head. She wanted to know how much of what had happened was Jack being drugged, and how much of this was his free will.
Diane was incredulous as Patty, who claims now to be rehabilitated, tried taking Jack out more than once in the past. Jack's wife cut loose by slapping him across the face! Next, it was heartbreaking, watching Diane leave the Abbott mansion, a place she had redecorated less than a year ago.
Back then, Diane was so worried that Jack and his family might not care for her efforts. That was her biggest problem at the time! Now, Diane is concerned that she may not be living in the beautifully redone home ever again because she feels she can't trust Jack.
We suspect that Jack is not going to rest until he convinces Diane that he'd been drugged and was helpless. Kyle (Michael Mealor) could play a key role in reuniting his parents. Though we suspect that he'll initially take his mom's side, given that she's the wounded party!
There's the door, Nikki!
Jack and Diane weren't the only couple to see their marriage hit the skids last week. Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) was livid over Victor's role in Jack's kidnapping. In turn, Victor expected nothing else but blind loyalty from his wife.
Whoever said "marriage was death" for a soap opera couple never met either Jack and Diane, or Victor and Nikki! Victor didn't hesitate to remind Nikki where the door was if she wanted to use it! (FYI: It's on the other side of the house from where it was on the original Newman Ranch -- IYKYK!)
Check out our write-up of Braeden and Thomas Scott's dynamic performances as Victor and Nikki had a knockdown dragout battle royale over Jack! Nikki packed two bags and headed off to the Genoa City Athletic Club, taking Victor up on his suggestion (his command, maybe?) to take a hike!
All that was missing was Nikki saying, "I'll send for the rest of my things!"
Nikki v Phyllis
Phyllis was enjoying her time at the bar at the GCAC when she saw Nikki make her entrance by the club's revolving door. Who needs an appetizer when a tasty morsel like Victor and Nikki having a big fight has been served up?
Phyllis smushed in Nikki's face that clearly there were problems in the Newman marriage. Phyllis is in the driver's seat, and she is happy to floor it as she revs her engine up and down the streets of Genoa City. Speaking of cars, the writers threw in a nice throwback when Phyllis asked Nikki if she still had her fancy car, a Ferrari 250 GTO, that Victor had gifted her for her birthday.
Has Phyllis's takeover of Newman Enterprises been legal? No. Has Victor pulled some illegal moves in the past that have gone unnoticed? Phyllis sure thinks so. She is determined to remain on top. Phyllis has allied herself with Lauren Fenmore Baldwin (Tracey Bregman) -- why do we think Lauren will play a key role in upcoming business power players? Otherwise, Phyllis doesn't seem to have many allies. How long can she remain in power?
Nate means business
Check out our Daily YAPP in which we championed more screentime for Sean Dominic as Nate. The actor is one of the show's most underused performers, and every time we see him on screen, we're left wanting more.
Cane (Billy Flynn) has numerous adversaries, but it appears he's added one more in Nate, who is none too pleased that his cousin, Lily (Christel Khalil), is missing!
The Newman brothers roll the dice
Kudos to Y&R for playing that Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and his brother Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) have never been all that close. Interestingly, that's been changing as Adam is re-opening a part of his past, as the enigmatic Spider, to help Nick track down villain Matt Clark (Roger Howarth).
It's a bit curious as to why the action and drama on Y&R sooner or later ventures outside of Genoa City, Wisconsin. We've seen characters travel to Nice, France, and to Los Angeles, California. Now, the drama is taking characters and viewers to Sin City.
Maybe what's missing is the fact that we don't seem to be actually going to these places? Outside of some shots taken from the balcony of Television City, the Hollywood facility where Y&R tapes, showing the backdrop of Hollywood when Claire (Hayley Erin) and Holden (Nathan Owens) were there, we don't really get to see the sights.
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In past years, Y&R has traveled to Bermuda and other locales. Ultimately, though, it's the characters and the story -- not the scenery -- that keep us hooked! And, right now, Y&R has us wondering when Matt will be dealt with? When will Jack and Diane, and Victor and Nikki, reconcile? And how long will Phyllis remain in charge?
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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