Victoria went to Italy for Summer vacation, and all Phyllis got was a letter: The Young and the Restless Two Scoops for the Week of March 30th

The Young and the Restless continues to deliver acting that's top-notch, and story twists that are keeping us on our toes! While we were hoping last week would have brought a fan favorite back in the form of a "Summer" wind, we were treated to a woman from Adam/Spider's past, who has been a pleasant surprise.

Like a Summer breeze

Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) delivered a letter to Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) from Summer on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

We had our hopes up that Daytime Emmy nominee and fan favorite Allison Lanier was on her way back to Genoa City, or at least was going to put in a cameo or few day appearance when Victoria Newman jetted off to Italy. The Newman heiress went to see her niece to enlist her aid in bringing down Phyllis (Michelle Stafford), who has made off with Newman Enterprises.

Had you heard Victoria might be going to Europe? First, the trip was on. Then, it was off. Then, on again. The words “Victoria” and “Italy” appeared in as many scripts as “Aristotle Dumas” did a year ago!

There was such a build-up to this journey that we thought more was going to come out of it than Summer’s letter to Phyllis. Don’t get us wrong. The missive was very pointed, and our hearts felt for Phyllis as she read her daughter’s harsh words.

Dear Phyllis, Love, Summer

Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) was sad to read Summer's letter on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

We're not "supposed" to like Phyllis, at times, but we sure understand here. We're rooting for her to win, which is odd because she did take Newman by underhanded methods.

But Summer could have accomplished all of this in an email. Still, the written note has gone out of style in today’s digital world. Perhaps holding the letter written in her daughter’s own handwriting gave the words more of an impact.

The acting, direction, and dialogue were all terrific, but how much of an impact are Summer’s words going to mean?

We suspend a lot in this AI storyline. (Why didn't the AI program turn on Phyllis after she used it as the failsafe program made it turn on Victor when he used it?_ The payoff, of course, is watching the familial and other interpersonal dynamics play out among the characters. Marriages are breaking up. Alliances are being formed. Friendships are being tested. The story calls perfectly for Summer’s presence in Genoa City. Here’s hoping it happens.

Noah's story arc

Noah Newman (Lucas Adams) has a current girlfriend, Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun), and an ex, Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver), in Genoa City on The Young and the Restless | Image; CBS

We’ve written about this in a Daily YAPP, but we’ll write it again here – we’re over the moon that Y&R has committed to Noah Newman. Lucas Adams, his portrayer, is a terrific addition to the cast. The show’s last Noah (we hear he’s doing just great living in Port Charles, New York, by the way – if you know, you know) was underused. Now, Noah is driving storylines, as she should be. He has a love interest in Tamara Braun’s Sienna, and a past lover, Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver), living in Genoa City.

His mother, Sharon (Sharon Case), may not be fully on board with Noah’s choice in girlfriends (shades of Nikki not warming up to Sharon!), but she’s keeping an open mind.

Remembering Martin

Sharon Newman (Sharon Case) and Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) are still bonded over their ordeal on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

It looked like Phyllis and Sharon had called off their truce, but their recent one-on-one talk at Chancellor Park Café indicated otherwise. Case is brilliant in how she plays Sharon, bringing both therapist and friend to her conversations with Phyllis. And we can’t help but think that Sharon is also laying the groundwork to ingratiate herself with Phyllis, as she’s currently in charge of Nick’s family’s company. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Maybe that’s what Sharon is doing.

Jack and Nikki are going up a hill

Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) wants to believe that Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) to be there for him on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

Nikki appeared to be hesitating from going all in on Victor with Jack (Peter Bergman) as her accomplice towards the end of the week. No! These two are the only two capable of bringing Victor down! She knows him better than anyone. Jack does, too, in his own way. It’s going to burn Victor when he realizes his “beautiful sweetheart darling” Nikki has allied herself with Jack.

Jack’s partnership with Nikki will likely delay a reconciliation with Diane (Susan Walters). As marriage can be death for a soap opera couple, we’ll take some conflict with Jack and Diane. For years, Jack was a playboy, playing the field, having flings and affairs all over the place.

Diane, however, is Jack’s OTP (One True Pairing) in our book. Bergman and Walters have terrific chemistry. We know they’ll get back together eventually (rather, we’re hoping) just like Victor and Nikki.

Bar fight

Lily Winters (Christel Khalil) and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) traded barbs with Phyllis at the Genoa City Athletic Club bar on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

The Genoa City Athletic Club could start charging admission if we're going to see sparring matches like the one among Phyllis, Lily (Christel Khalil), and Victoria. Phyllis was by herself, but she held her own as the two women chastised her for her wicked ways.

The Rise of Riza!

Riza (Tina Casciani) and Adam AKA Spider (Mark Grossman) came back into each other's lives after many years on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

Kudos to Y&R for reaching out to Tina Casciani, inviting her to reprise the role of Riza. The character brings an edge to Nick's (Joshua Morrow) and Adam’s (Mark Grossman) journey to Las Vegas. Of course, she’s involved with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth)!