A Critic’s Review of The Young and the Restless: A Perfect Illusion?

When it comes to The Young and the Restless, every fan has their own opinion – and Soap Hub is no different. For five days we sat and watched the good, the bad, and everything in between, and now we offer you a handy review, and a cheeky critique, of YR’s week that was.

The Young and the Restless: A Critic’s Week In Review

Are appearances really deceiving? Could Ashland’s (Richard Burgi) warning to Jack (Peter Bergman) that he couldn’t trust Tara (Elizabeth Leiner) actually have merit? Is she the true Big Bad hiding behind the obvious villain? If so, color us intrigued.

And, truth be told, such a heel turn would actually go a long way in explaining that exchange between Tara and Summer (Hunter King). You know, the one in which the former seemed to delight in telling the latter that she might be sticking around town for the long haul.

It would also clear up a big source of confusion: why is Ashland suddenly so ineffectual? The man we were so thoroughly warned about weeks before he made his appearance, was painted as the type who would have sent a fleet of commandos into The Grand Phoenix, endangering every guest’s life, all to simply retrieve his errant wife and son.

He most certainly wasn’t described as the type who would stand around in hotel lobbies and make empty threats to all. And to cower to a woman like Phyllis (Michelle Stafford)? …Well, that proves how smart of a man he is. Perhaps he did his research and is well aware of her affinity for running troublesome pests over with rented cars. Or maybe he didn’t want to wake up to find marine life sharing his sleeping quarters.

Further YR Musings

* Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) continues to spiral down her own personal rabbit hole…and it’s a thrilling watch. It is, however, a little hard to watch Adam (Mark Grossman) triumph while his ex is so obviously suffering.

* Did we miss the explanation for Malcolm’s non-appearance at Neil’s memorial? Where were Traci (Beth Maitland) – who really should have been on hand to comfort Lily (Christel Khalil ) – and Victoria (Amelia Heinle)? Neil proved to be a source of great comfort to the latter when she was pregnant with Cole Howard’s baby – heck, they were even ENGAGED to one another at one point.

And while said engagement was initially one for convenience’s sake, it was beginning to blossom into something more…and then the hate mail began pouring in…

Though it was nice to see the show honoring Neil – and Kristoff St. John’s – memory, where were all the relevant flashbacks? We got a handful between him and the younger Winters, one apiece featuring his relationships with Malcolm, Ashley (Eileen Davidson), and Nick…and we do believe that’s it. Nothing with Neil and Nikki (Melody Thomas) nor Neil and Jack.

And there was a lot less Dru (Victoria Rowell) than one would expect – though kudos for keeping her memory alive via the cache of jewelry once owned by Mrs. Winters now passed on to Sharon (Sharon Chase). The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.