A Critic’s Review Of The Young and the Restless: Rooting Value & Bad Business

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 Y&R’s week that was.

The Young and the Restless: The Critic Ponders

I know that I’m not wrong in thinking that, once upon a time, The Young and the Restless used to really value the character of Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle).

And look, I’m not sitting here trying to convince anyone that Victoria was treated as some kind of above-reproach, Patron Saint — she’s got a history when it comes to going after attached men (hi, Cole Howard!) — but she was written as having some discernable rooting value.

I can’t say that I’ve found myself rooting for the character in quite some time — not in the past few months, the past few years, or maybe even this past decade. In point of fact, I’ve actually come to actively root against the character, and I can’t help but think that’s not what Josh Griffith or indeed, any head writer from the past 10+ years intended.

And when it comes to Vick’s despicable, desperate, and downright sad pursuit of Nate (Sean Dominic)…well, I’m at a loss.

Further Y&R Musings

* My above disparagement notwithstanding, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give Victoria her props for outright nailing the big issue with Victor (Eric Braden) acquiring McCall Unlimited and handing it off to Adam (Mark Grossman). Yes, it does serve to only make Adam beholden to Victor. Yes, it does make Adam an “emotional hostage.” Yes, it is bad business practice. And yes, it most certainly is bad parenting.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention just how convincing Heinle and Joshua Morrow [Nicholas Newman] are as snipping, snapping siblings.

* How do you have Victor accidentally stumble his way into finding out that Devon (Bryton James) and Abby (Melissa Ordway) are in a situation and not have him trot out his signature, “Well, I’ll be damned?!”

* I get that the scene was supposed to be all Michelle Stafford’s [Phyllis Summers], but let’s be real, it was all about the majesty that is Tracey Bregman [Lauren Fenmore Baldwin].

* I have to commend The Young and the Restless — yes, you read that right, stay with me here — on their decision to cut their losses where that pitiful Audra/Noah/Allie was concerned, and for the scenes in which they practically apologized for attempting it in the first place.

* Thoughtful? Principled? Adam clearly doesn’t know Devon as well as he thinks. Devon is only those things when they suit him.

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

The best place for true soap fans to be is our Facebook groups. Have you joined? If you love soap spoilers, gossip, and fans as dedicated as yourself, check out Days of our Lives Fans, General Hospital Exclusive, The Young and the Restless Fans, and The Bold and the Beautiful Fans.