In the January 8 episode of The Young and the Restless, Jack finally gained real leverage over Victor when Matt Clark resurfaced. Instead of waiting, hesitating, or trying to outmaneuver Victor quietly, Jack moved first. By taking control of Matt’s return and placing himself between Victor and the one problem Victor thought he had buried, Jack shifted the balance of power. For the first time in a long time, Victor was forced to respond instead of dictate.
Key Takeaways
- Jack gains control of Matt Clark and immediately uses it to confront Victor.
- Victor loses control of a situation he believed was permanently contained.
- The power dynamic between Jack and Victor quietly but decisively shifts.
What Happened on Y&R
Jack (Peter Bergman) and Diane (Susan Walters) were already uneasy when Kyle (Michael Mealor) arrived with confirmation that security had been tracking unusual activity tied to someone from Sharon (Sharon Case) and Nick’s (Joshua Morrow) past.
That trail led to Matt Clark (Roger Howarth), alive, mobile, and no longer hidden the way Victor (Eric Braeden) believed he was. Instead of investigating further or trying to gain more context, Jack acted. He called Victor.
Jack told him directly that he had Matt and suggested they make a deal. There was no explanation, no justification, and no emotional framing. Just information and the expectation that Victor would understand exactly what it meant.
Jack didn’t posture. He didn’t threaten. He simply placed himself between Victor and a liability Victor had never planned to face again.
MORE: Find out why some Y&R fans are rooting for Matt Clark.
Why It Matters in Victor and Jack’s War
Matt isn’t just a loose end. He is a living record of Victor’s past decisions — the ones that were managed quietly, contained strategically, and never meant to resurface.
Victor can survive lawsuits. He can spin scandals. He can even weather betrayals. What he cannot fully control is a person who knows too much and has a vendetta against his family.
By holding Matt, Jack now controls timing, access, and exposure. He decides if Matt speaks. He decides where Matt goes. He decides when Victor has to react. That’s not leverage built on money or influence. It’s leverage built on risk, and Victor understands that better than anyone.
The Fallout: Victor’s Playing Defense
With Matt in Jack’s orbit, Victor no longer controls the flow of information or the rhythm of the conflict. Jack does.
That changes every negotiation going forward. It changes who has to compromise. It changes who has to explain themselves. And it changes who has to worry about what might come next.
Jack didn’t defeat Victor. He destabilized him. And for Victor Newman, that is the one position he cannot tolerate.
