Who Wants What and Why on The Young and the Restless?

The actors of The Young and the Restless deliver all their lines as if they understand what’s going on. Maybe they do. Maybe they have access to scenes which were scripted, shot, and never aired, which might explain the current muddle of motivations. We aren’t as lucky. Somebody wants something in Genoa City. But what is it, and how are their current actions going to help them get it?

Young and the Restless: Head of the Family

Victor (Eric Braeden) has a plan. He is going to fake being senile. And this will, somehow, help him suss out which of his three children really cares about him and which one is only out to steal his company out from under him. The writers may think they are scripting a modern-day retelling of King Lear. But we are as confused as the King when he wanders around, lost and alone at the end.

Does Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) know what’s going on, and she’s in cahoots with Victor, or is she just being awful to Adam (Mark Grossman) for no reason other than she’s suddenly decided to assume the role of evil stepmother? Does Victor really think Nick (Joshua Morrow) is out to undermine him, even though his oldest son has made it clear repeatedly that he has no interest in being CEO? Is this Victor’s way of forcing Nick to take the position and thus keep it from Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Adam? What is happening?????

Y&R: All the Factions

Meanwhile, on the Abbott side of town…why did Mamie (Veronica Redd) buy into Chancellor-Winters? Why is she in cahoots with Tucker (Trevor St. John)? What does she want from Nate (Sean Dominic)? What is Audra getting out of this? Why does she need Kyle (Michael Mealor) back to get it? What is Phyllis’s (Michelle Stafford) role in all of this? Why did she do Tucker’s bidding, then turn around and blab to Jack (Peter Bergman) and Billy (Jason Thompson)?

The writers may think this is intricately plotted, nuanced storytelling. But not if we can’t tell the players apart without a program. Are you confused? If not, can you explain it all to us in the comments section below?

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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