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Week of November 2 - 6:
As I went through the Y&R recaps for the past week, I realized that the show, while definitely not a hotbed of excitement, has been steadily delivering each day. Whether on purpose, or by some happy accident, the writers are continuing to keep a nice balance in their storytelling, and while there are always grievances to air, I'm generally happy with the show - especially as compared to that other one I watch, which shall remain nameless. Here's this week's breakdown…
Victor/Nikki: I am in such a strange place when it comes to this pair - I dislike the fact that Nikki keeps going back to him even though he invariably treats her like dirt, and yet, I can't help but be drawn to them as a couple when they share a scene such as the one with NuZapato. I suppose that these two just have that unexplainable chemistry that supersedes all reason. Although it felt a little rushed, this would have been a powerful farewell, had Victor, and Eric, truly not been returning.
JT/Victoria: After all the drama over the affair with Deacon, it was odd to see everything between JT and Victoria wrapped up with a bow so quickly - I sense that this has to do with the fact that Amelia Heinle (Victoria) is expecting. Notably, I prefer Victoria as a vixen. Happy, giggly Victoria, when she came back to 'tie up loose ends' was very nearly gag-inducing, saying vacuous things such as, "I think I just saw daddy's portrait frown!" Bleh.
Billy/Chance/Chloe/Mac: So far, so good, with how this is being written, and the teeny twists being woven in along the way. Just as Billy and Mac finally both begin to realize - just a bit - that they're not cut from the same cloth, Chloe finally, and ironically, decides to move on. The kiss between Billy and Chloe was a good illustration of how things have gradually changed - not just in how they see each other, but in how they see themselves, and their respective relationships with Mac and Chance. I predict viewers will be going on a real ride over time as this develops! This week, Chance's brush with death will likely put things more in perspective for Chloe - and will hopefully lead to more scenes with Chloe and Nina!
Halloween Party: Did anyone else think Y&R cheaped out on their costumes this year? Ahhh, budget cuts… Anyway, Delia was adorable as her dad's football - my favorite of the night! I loved the party scenes - as I usually do - Billy took his lumps, and I grew even more intrigued with Ryder after his scene outside the bar. Daniel and Amber were just what a happy couple should be, and I got a real kick out of dour Mac wryly telling Chloe that she was just about mad enough at Billy to hand him over to her!
Abby Gone Wild/Daisy: What a pair these two will make! Abby's obviously not going to be happy until she's gotten herself into some real trouble, and Daisy's going to be pleased to help her find it! On first impression, it appears that Daisy's more than two-faced - she has one face for adults, another for teens, and yet another for the boys! This girl is trouble - mark my words. I actually felt protective of Eden when Daisy blatantly hit on Noah - yowza! As for Daisy working at Fenmore's - looks like Lauren's going to have her hands full! I'm kind of looking forward to it!
Nick/Sharon/Adam: What malarkey is this? Sharon and Adam playing house at Halloween? I fully admit to laughing out loud at Adam's Cheshire cat grin when he thinks he's getting the better of stodgy ol' Nick, but I cannot accept him as a love interest - I know - I sound like a broken record. Anyway, it was irritating watching newly-full-of-himself Nick barrel over to Sharon's and speak to her like she doesn't have a brain in her head - sure, he's right about his brother being dangerous - but if he really respects Sharon, why not give her the benefit of the doubt that she'll figure Adam out for herself? As for Nick sending Adam on a field trip - it's the best move Nick's made in ages - I sure won't miss him!
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Adam/Phyllis: What an intense little scene. Phyllis is one person that Adam is not going to be able to manipulate - he can see this too. It was satisfying seeing someone meet him eye-to-eye and not be taken in by his smooth talk.
Gloria/Jeff: Thankfully they have their money! Hopefully the writers will find a new way to use this pair now - other than scheming. I'd miss their comic relief if they were gone, but I'm so over their plotting!
Lily/Cane/Neil: Once again, really good family drama happening with the Winters this week. The scene where Lily tries to get rid of Devon and Roxy so she can get busy with Cane was cute, and Devon, Roxy, and Neil all shared some really nice scenes in Crimson Lights this week too - they should give Roxy a bigger part! Although I find that Lily and Cane's romantic scenes are sometimes written slightly over-the-top for my taste, what I found very realistic this week was Lily's mention of feeling self-conscious about her baldness when they were about to make love - so glad they didn't ignore that! The mini-crisis in the hospital brought some more enjoyable scenes, particularly between Neil 'Uptight' Winters and Cane - Neil is trying to accept Cane and go with the flow, and Kristoff brought that struggle forward. Daniel Goddard handled his breakdown scenes well too.
Mac the Surrogate: Personality-wise, dull, reliable Mac is likely as good a surrogate as anyone could hope for - just don't think for a minute that her boyfriend Billy will like this idea!
Jack/Emily Peterson: I've lost all patience with Jack this week. Not only has he not changed at all as a result of Colleen's death, he just might be more calculating than ever! I think it would have been much more interesting seeing how a profoundly changed Jack Abbott would have operated! As for his budding romance with Emily Peterson, I think the writers moved in this direction too soon. From the minute Jack convinced her to stay in town, and got the old 'I'm gonna' get lucky' glint in his eye, I knew where this was going - but I didn't think the writers would have a level-headed woman like Dr. Peterson go from despising Jack, to being intrigued by his kiss within a week! Not to mention, how is Jack so easily dealing with that fact that she looks exactly like Mary Jane Benson - his psycho stalker! Does anyone else see a Patty/Emily switcheroo down the road?
Chance/Phillip/Nina: I'm so glad that we're finally able to get back to this - I've been waiting for Chance, who is the type to bury everything deep down, to finally explode - it was good! I also love the friendship between Nina and Paul, and how he called her out on behaving just as Jill did toward her once upon a time - the look on her face was too funny!
Katherine/Jill: I am so happy with the return of Katherine and Jill to the forefront. Their scenes were great this week - touching - but not over-the-top. Nice to have Murphy onscreen more too - he is such a unique character. So, now that Jill's got her shares - let's get her a man! Also exciting is Jill going to Paul to start a search for Katherine's real daughter - I can't wait to find out who it is!
I find I'm interested in the show every day, and the only thing really bothering me, perhaps because I'm a mother, is that Ashley and Sharon continue to live without knowing the truth about that baby - especially since Ashley is obviously still as mad as a hatter! I suppose the writers feel they have us where they want us, though, with everyone on pins and needles for any sign that this might be resolved. On the whole, The Young and the Restless is bringing us interesting and well-balanced goodies every day. Things to look forward to - the imminent arrival of billionaire Tucker, and maybe even a new Malcolm, as the show was reported to have been recasting that role! Stay tuned, as always, to Soaps.com for updates!
What did you think of the Y&R this week? What are you liking, or disliking? Share your thoughts with Soaps.com in the comment section!
-Candace Young
