The Young and the Restless: Why we need a "Who shot Victor" mystery

Billy Flynn, Eric Braeden, and Peter Bergman on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
Billy Flynn, Eric Braeden, and Peter Bergman on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

It's been a while since The Young and the Restless has featured a mystery storyline with a veteran fan favorite. Since so many characters are furious with Victor, wouldn't it be entertaining if we had a "Who Shot Victor" mystery? Just think of all the possible suspects.

The Abbotts vs Victor on The Young and the Restless

All of the Abbotts have a reason to shoot Victor on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
All of the Abbotts have a reason to shoot Victor on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Jack's (Peter Bergman) kidnapping has given all of the Abbotts a reason to go after Victor on Y&R. Kyle (Michael Mealor) has recently voiced his anger in his conversations with Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Claire (Hayley Erin). Diane (Susan Walters) chimed in during his talk with Victoria and emphatically asked the same question he did: when will any of the Newmans hold Victor accountable for the horrible things he does?

And we all know how enraged Jack is at Victor for kidnapping him and stranding him in the middle of Lake Michigan with crazy Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk). He isn't going to take this lying down! He would be the most obvious suspect, since he and Victor have been archenemies for decades.

Kyle probably wouldn't be the shooter, because he wouldn't want to do anything to hurt Claire. He knows how much she loves her grandfather, Victor. But it would make sense if either Jack or Diane, in a fit of rage, lost control and shot him.

Lily lost out on Chancellor again -- because of Victor

Lily feels foolish for trusting Victor again on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
Lily feels foolish for trusting Victor again on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

We saw how frustrated Lily was, throwing her hands up to her face, when Victor blindsided her and refused to give her Chancellor Industries yet, as he had promised he would do. It was part of the deal she had made with him when she went along with his fake kidnapping scheme.

Now, she feels like a fool for believing him again. She thought he would give her Chancellor Industries a few years ago, but then, he gave it to Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott).

Lily is probably the last person we would suspect as the shooter. But in the soap world, almost any character can be driven to kill if they feel like they've been pushed far enough.

Phyllis and Cane would be probable suspects as well

Phyllis and Cane both have a motive to shoot Victor on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
Phyllis and Cane both have a motive to shoot Victor on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Right now on Y&R, Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) is riding high, running Newman Enterprises after changing the name to Summers Conglomerate. But she knows that Victor isn't going to stop coming after her. She knows he will do whatever he can to reclaim NE. So, as damage control, perhaps she would shoot him to prevent that from happening?

Cane (Billy Flynn) was so angry at Victor for the fake kidnapping of Lily and the twins (Mattie and Charlie) that he wanted to hire Holden (Nathan Owens) to target Victor by using his friendship with Claire. Plus, Cane discovered that he has zero assets left in Arabesque because Victor used the AI program to destroy the company. So, Cane would probably be one of the likeliest suspects to shoot him. He would be right up there with Jack as a prime suspect!

Y&R could use the excitement of a mystery at the moment, something in the vein of the seventies prime-time soap Dallas' "Who shot J.R.?" Since so many characters are angry at Victor, what better time than the present? Maybe the shooter could turn out to be a character who isn't even on this list of suspects!

Perhaps a shooting could be the catalyst that would motivate Nikki to reconcile with Victor. The thought of losing him would make her realize how much she misses her life with him, and so, she would make up with him and move back to the Newman ranch.

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

Quick Links

Edited by Michael Maloney