Sally Spectra: You’ve Got to Have Friends, Especially at the Hospital: Two Scoops for The Young and the Restless, October 5

The Young and the Restless charged ahead with Sally’s and Billy’s respective pre-wedding parties the week of October 5. The arrival of Braxton Hicks (no, that’s not a new character on the show) contractions prompted both Sally and Billy to leave their bachelorette and bachelor parties and go to the hospital. They found out who their true friends were that night!

Party Planning

Sally and her pals at her bachelorette party | Image: JPI

First, we have to give Y&R props for the big positives. The show was keenly aware that in real-life characters like Sally have friends at work and such, but if those pals aren’t integral to the show’s storyline, we never see them – nor should we. However, it was explained that Sally’s Marchetti gal pals came down with a bug that was going around, so they wouldn’t be at her party.

Also, Victoria pointed out her presence at the party was unusual as she was the groom’s ex-wife. Sally has a welcoming aura about her, so it wasn’t awkward at all that Vicki was there.

Who out there has a best friend who isn’t just a little bit jealous that their bestie has another pal? We’re talking about the rivalry between Audra and Chelsea, who had things in common with Sally (for better or worse) that Audra doesn’t. Both women, deep down, were united in making sure Sally’s party went well. And that was accomplished (well, until “Braxton Hicks” arrived). It was nice to see Chelsea and Audra meet each other halfway once the dessert debacle (thanks, Ashley!) was resolved.

Another great touch at Sally’s party was seeing the friendship between Lily (who is concerned about a cancer resurgence) and Traci. Lily’s bestie was Colleen, Traci’s late daughter. Lily’s mother, Drucilla, is presumed dead, so Traci and Lily fill a void in each other’s lives. Nothing will ever take the place of Colleen or Dru, but it’s nice that they have each other.

Y&R truly pulled on the heartstrings when Sally opened the “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” gifts. Coco presented gifts from her and Sally’s great aunt, Sally (the late, great Darlene Conley). Coco presented a pair of earrings that were pure Spectra. Audra lent Sally her grandmother’s traditional rosary beads. Chelsea gave Sally her “blue” gift, which was from Jill.

Jill sent a note along with a brooch gifted to her from Katherine. “The old battleaxe would have loved you, Sally,” Jill wrote. Can’t you hear Jess Walton’s Jill referring to Kay as the "old battleaxe?"

Continuing between shows isn’t always pulled off seamlessly, but we felt the B&B presence at Sally’s party.

The women didn’t have a market on historical references. Across town at the Abbott mansion, Jack lovingly referred to his and Billy’s late father, John Abbott, and Billy’s late daughter, Delia. Weddings are a perfect time to think about loved ones no longer with us.

Sure, it was a false alarm, but Sally’s pals and the guys at Billy’s bachelor party didn’t know that. How could everyone not have gone with Sally and Billy to the hospital? There’s nothing like a family and an extended family showing up at the hospital to support a loved one.

Kudos to Courtney Hope for turning in a tour de force when Sally was at the hospital, and, understandably, fear overtook her as she couldn't help but be reminded of when she lost her daughter with Adam.

At least, Coco (kudos to Y&R’s casting director, Greg Salmon, for finding Ashley Campbell, who is perfectly cast as Sally’s sister!) and Audra went to the hospital.

Weren’t the other women concerned, though? Victoria used the party ending early to hook up with Kyle. It’s curious why Jack didn’t go with Billy. He’s his brother! Nobody likes to think that Sally’s going to have another tragedy, but everyone has to be aware of her ordeal, losing baby Ava.

Of course, maybe the reason all the guests at their parties didn’t come to the hospital was that the hospital sets just aren’t big enough? Billy thanked Jack and Kyle for “all they did,” but true brothers would have accompanied their sibling to the hospital. Three can ride just as cheaply as one in a ride share.

Rivalries Y&R Us

Y&R has no shortage of rivalries. One of our favorites is the one between Diane and Nikki. It doesn’t quite make sense that Nikki feeds to Jack and Dianethe launch plans for Vibrante as it’s poised (Nikki wishes!) to be a competitor of Jabot’s.

We laughed out loud – and Jack winced – when Diane quipped that she thought there weren't any strippers coming to the bachelor party! She was referring to, of course, Nikki and her time as a stripper at the Bayou. Burn, baby, burn!

The conflict between Diane and Nikki hits all the right levels as the two are competitors in business, and also, Diane is over Nikki’s friendship with her husband Jack, who also happens to be Nikki’s former husband, not once, but twice! Throw in the fact that Diane was once married to Victor, Nikki’s true love, and there’s all kinds of great history to play here.

The Unclean Getaway

We’re not sure why Matt Clark wasn’t arrested by the police when he was living in Genoa City. Just how much power does Victor Newman have? And isn’t Christine due a win at the district attorney’s office? Holding Diane for even a millisecond in Jack’s stabbing was bonkers, as A) Patty had a history of violent crimes and B) Diane had an alibi in her son, Kyle.

Why was there even a question as to whether or not Matt Clark would be “allowed” to live in Genoa City or if he’d be respected by his former enemies now that Matt claims he’s a new man? He should be in jail for trying to kill Noah (twice), raping Sharon (years ago), and trying to blow up Sharon, Noah, Nick, and Adam in Las Vegas.

It might have been better to have watched Patty and Matt drive off into the sunset so that someday they could be brought back again. Or fake a crash that wouldn’t really be a crash, so that everyone back in Genoa City believes that they’re dead, which would give viewers and Nick, Sharon, et. al. some closure.

Instead, we have Matt once again in front of a mirror, analyzing his life and his decisions. Spoilers indicate we haven’t seen the last of Matt. When will his victims be able to get a good night’s rest? No, seriously! When?