A Critic’s Review of The Young and the Restless: State Of Affairs

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

We’re five months deep into 2021, and we’ve just entered May Sweeps. Time to take a look at the storylines that are working – and the ones that are giving us pause.

Firstly, the less said about the surrogacy storyline, the better. However, credit where’s it’s due, this tale did net us some quality scenes between Nina (Tricia Cast) and Esther (Kate Linder).

We’re also not particularly enamored of all this Adam (Mark Grossman) propping. We get it, deep, deep…deep down inside he’s got a heart. That’s why he couldn’t bear to leave an injured Faith (Reylynn Caster) in a smashed-up car on the side of the road.

But to go the extra mile of having him be the sole Newman family member who could possibly donate a kidney to the ailing young woman…it’s just too much. Especially in light of Nate (Sean Dominic) saying the donor would most probably be a CLOSE relation. And yet, no one in Faith’s immediate family – her father, mother, grandparents, siblings – have her “ultra-rare” blood type. Did anyone even ask Grandma Doris?

And speaking of things we find incredibly far-fetched…has Ashland (Richard Burgi) truly turned over a new leaf? Was a heart attack all that was necessary to instigate a complete change in character?

Surely there’s more to this story. Might Tara (Elizabeth Leiner) have more of an influence than she let on? Might she have actually caused her husband’s medical crises in order to bend him to her will? Only time will tell it seems.

We also wonder what exactly is up with Imani (Leigh-Ann Rose). Her rivalry with big sis Amanda (temporary recast Karla Mosley) has the potential to be a juicy story, so we’re excited to see where YR goes with this one.

And we’re equally invested in what we are hoping is a complete reinvention of the Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) character.

She finally exerted her authority as Newman Enterprises CEO by ordering Victor (Eric Braeden) to keep his distance (Yay!), she tried her damndest to see Adam put behind bars, and she both sincerely apologized for her petty takeover of The Grand Phoenix and she copped to recognizing her own ruthless streak. (Double yay!)

But then she went and called Billy (Jason Thompson) to arrange a playdate. (Boo! Boo and hiss!) Three steps forward, one GIANT step back.

File the following under “things we’re still ruminating on” – Billy (Jason Thompson) and Lily’s (Christel Khalil) love affair, the chemistry-laden interactions between Lola (Sasha Calle) and Nate, and the utter dearth of story potential for Elena (Brytni Sarpy).

Further YR Musings

* Praise be, the COVID 19 necessitated filming restrictions seem to have been lifted – finally! For the first time in ages, we were actually privy to real physical contact between our players – kisses were exchanged between Summer (Hunter King) and Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Billy and Lily, and Sharon (Sharon Chase) was actually able to sit right on Faith’s bed rather than hover beside it or at its foot – and what a difference it made.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.