When Mark Grossman stepped into the role of Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless a year and a half ago, he had some big shoes to fill. We’re not talking just about the ones worn by the actors, who proceeded him in the role, but rather him taking on the character’s complex backstory.
Mark Grossman: Performer Of The Week
Grossman has managed to successfully play Adam’s complicated past and his frustrating present while making us root for the guy along the way. Soap Hub bestows Performer of the Week honors upon him for his fine acting.
Last week, Adam felt the walls were closing in on him. His scheme to blow up Newman Enterprises didn’t happen, but clearly, the pressure Adam was feeling led to a meltdown. Given their complicated backstory, who can blame Adam for having a love/hate relationship with his father, Victor (Eric Braeden)?
On paper, Adam may understand why Victor chose not to interfere in his son’s life while he was growing up in Kansas, but clearly, Adam needed his father’s presence especially after his stepdad, Cliff Wilson, died in an accident.
Grossman manages to play all of Adam’s complicated backstory without getting too bogged down in it. Thanks to the ChancComm exposé, Adam has had to deal with hurtful looks from Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) now that she knows Adam kept her from her parents for the first part of her life. It became less easy for Adam to put that all behind him once Billy (Jason Thompson) brought it up again.
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Victor and Sharon (Sharon Case) decided that Adam needed to be committed for his own good, which needless to say did not go over well. Rather than see Sharon and Victor’s decision as an act of love, Adam became further alienated from them. “You’re my son,” Victor told Adam. “Don’t you think this breaks my heart? I will always stand by him.”
Adam found these words confusing as Victor has often pushed him away. Adam further felt like he was losing control after finding out that Sharon was in on this plan to commit him to a facility. “I’m fine,” Adam maintained in that unaware tone people use when they are anything but okay.
Realizing he wasn’t going to convince Sharon and Victor that he didn’t need help, Adam bolted out of his apartment where a BIG police officer restrained him. The physical action took place off-camera (likely due to COVID-safety protocols), but it was actually more effective to keep the camera on Sharon, who was wincing in pain, knowing that Adam was being forced to submit.
Will Adam get help? We certainly hope so. Soap fans love to watch redemption stories. Stay tuned to see what Grossman brings to the table next as Adam fights for his sanity. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for air times.
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