A Critic’s Review of The Young and the Restless: Disappointment and Loaded Moments

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. Here we lead with optimism. Unfortunately, we don’t always get what we want. So here’s a review of Y&R’s week that was.

What I’m Feeling This Week: Nostalgic (Jack, Nikki, Victor)

Y&R gave us quality time with the show’s Powerhouse Trio — Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman). Back in the day, I was Team Jack all the way, but more recently, I think the Newmans are providing some of the best drama on daytime.

Like I mentioned last week, I love the Jack and Nikki goodness that we’re getting. And, boy did we get so much more of it this week. On top of it, Jack and Victor shared one super expensive drink. Loaded with tension, sarcasm, laughs, insults, defensive clapbacks, and everything that makes their rivalry so legendary.

Jack Abbott (I’m in the mood to say his whole name Victor Newman-style) knows he’s in a precarious spot when dealing with Nikki. If he even comes sniffing around, Victor’s on to him. So it doesn’t happen that often anymore. But, he’s trying to put aside his delicate reality with Victor in order to help Nikki who’s, well, completely out of control and struggling with her addiction.

Her need to keep the knowledge that Jack is her sponsor away from Victor is totally unrealistic. Her husband has set himself up as her be-all-end-all protector. He doesn’t want her getting help from anyone but him. And this micromanaging tendency of his is making it harder for her to maintain her sobriety.

All of their interactions this week did make me ask some questions:

-Why would Jack Abbott ever step foot in Newman Media even to take Nikki back to her office? Especially after he JUST had a drink with Victor at Society?

-I know Jack Abbott is being as transparent as he can with Diane (Susan Walters), but how in the world does he think she won’t have any feelings about him spending so much time with ex-wife Nikki?

-As for Jack and Nikki, what are they doing here? Did you see that oops and stumble into his arms? I did. And now I’m wondering if Quality Time with Jack and Nikki is going to continue for a while, and if it’s going to get messier and messier. Are we headed into another epic Jack Abbott vs. The Great Victor Newman War?

-Who is Jack poaching to help Nikki with Newman Media? This is another area where these two need to tread lightly. Do they not remember Victor is more of a dictator of Newman Enterprises than a democratic CEO?

-Can nobody read the room here, especially Victor? He’s hovering and smothering — can’t he tell that that’s not what his wife needs right now? She just fired Audra for trying to relate to Nikki with her own tale of woe. While Nikki needs structure at some point, she’s not ready for it now.

Other Y&R Thoughts

The Yikes Award: Looks like MIA Jordan (Colleen Zenk) is already making her presence known by calling Nikki. Her reaction was not good. The anxiety is pouring off her. That means she’ll be pouring a drink or five any second now.

Thank You, Nate: So far, Nate (Sean Dominic) isn’t letting himself get tangled up in Audra’s (Zuleyka Silver) business ventures. I don’t mind if Nate and Audra get together, but I’m not ready for Nate to ruin things with his family so soon after jumping back into Chancellor-Winters. I liked seeing him and Devon get a drink together.

Random Tucker Comment #1: I wouldn’t put it past Tucker (Trevor St. John) to pay off that waiter. He is vindictive and like Audra basically said, his ego won’t let him lose. He may not be going after Jabot (are we sure, though?), but he’ll make sure one or more of the Abbotts pay dearly.

Random Tucker Comment #2: I like Tucker and Audra as occasional business partners with benefits. Not this “I choose you” plus serenade them with sweeping music Tucker and Audra.

Random Tucker Comment #3: They’ve been showing Tucker a lot lately. That is all.

Favorite Line: Chance (Conner Floyd) takes it for this week — it was said during his date with Summer, a pairing I’m still processing. They’re cute, and that’s all I can say about them for now.

“Wow. Phyllis the matchmaker. Uh, was this before she returned from the dead or after?

Chance, Monday, January 29, 2024

More Random Comments:
-Traci (Beth Maitland) continues to be the best sister ever as she and Ashley searched for answers in Paris.
-I can’t even look at Daniel (Michael Graziadei) at this point. I’m so disappointed. It’s like he and Lily (Christel Khalil) had some super-casual thing.
-Please get Sharon (Sharon Case) an office so she doesn’t have to Zoom at Crimson Lights!
-Passive Aggressive Kyle (Michael Mealor) is not fun. But I love that Diane didn’t hesitate to check him on his crap.
-Normally I don’t support people ignoring other people, but Devon (Bryton James) and Nate ignoring Tucker met my approval.
-It would be really great if the show could go at least one month without anyone going off on Adam (Mark Grossman). Consider this a challenge, Y&R.

The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. For an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.

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