Is Mariah Being a Hypocrite on The Young and the Restless?

Last week on The Young and the Restless (YR), Sharon convinced Mariah to confess to Tessa how she really felt about her — and demand that Tessa come clean about her own emotions in return.

Soul Baring
In a beautifully written and acted scene, Mariah (Camryn Grimes) admitted that she loves Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) as more than just a friend. An equally emotional Tessa pushed back, begging Mariah to leave matters as they currently were.

All Or Nothing
This got Mariah’s hackles up, as she accused Tessa of only wanting Mariah in her life on her terms — as a friend, but not a lover.

When Tessa insisted she wasn’t interested in anything more, Mariah stomped off, as both women wept.

What’s Good For the Goose….
But is Mariah being fair… or a hypocrite? After all, Mariah is mad at Tessa for still wanting a relationship with Mariah — just not the relationship Mariah is interested in exploring.

Except, isn’t Mariah demanding the exact same thing from Tessa? Tessa wants to be just friends not lovers, and Mariah can’t accept that. Mariah wants to be lovers, not just friends, and refuses to accept Tessa’s crumbs.

Same Difference
Sure, the same-sex aspect of this couple makes it something fresh and original for Genoa City.

But the dynamics are pretty familiar. Stories of friends where one wants more and one doesn’t are a soap opera — and romance novel — trope.

Usually, one is afraid of losing the friendship if the romance goes wrong, which is exactly what Tessa was saying.

And, for the record, was exactly what Mariah was afraid of before embarking on her current fling with Devon (Bryton James).

Just because Mariah thinks she’s in love with Tessa doesn’t oblige Tessa to reciprocate, and the fact that Mariah would rather just pull the plug if she can’t get her own way suggests maybe she doesn’t understand what real love is about.

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