Character Driven-plots Win Audience Over While Y&R Is Still the Soap That Takes Itself Too Seriously

This week’s Y&R rants and raves on our favorite dark soap…

Michael’s confidence

I found Michael’s confidence over the Sutton Ames case sexy. Christian LeBlanc is probably the best actor on Y&R and he gets so little screen time. I’d love to see more of him. In turn, Amanda really did come off as confident as well, which was amazing to see since this criminal case is a little outside of her wheelhouse. When Victor interrupted their discussion, she had that same frightened look that Mishael Morgan had as Amanda a week previous. It was perfect and perfectly telling that she’s still extremely intimidated by The Black Knight. I miss Mishael Morgan but Karla Mosley is doing a kick-ass job. It’s rare when you enjoy the temporary recast almost as much as the original! Why Bold and Beautiful ever let her go is beyond me.

I have no thoughts on Sutton’s case yet. Truthfully, this story isn’t exactly my cup of tea, and it’s difficult to get excited when we don’t know the players and none of this happened real-time.

michael vs amanda young restless
CBS



Kyle and Summer’s wedding

Finally, something we can rejoice about instead of all the dark storylines on Y&R. I’d like to see Kyle and Summer elope on a beach somewhere, but it looks like we have to wait until fall to get the wedding at all. It’s likely to be huge and predictable. At least we get an engagement party, but with Ashland and Tara lurking around Genoa City, who else thinks something will ruin their night?

I loved that Kyle picked Mariah as his best woman. I love their friendship. But who will stand up for Summer? Does she even have friends? I’m not being facetious. I truly can’t recall if she does.

mariah kyle jabot young and restless
CBS

Devon and Nate’s pointless conversation

I was baffled when Nate told Devon he thought Moses would somehow care that Amanda stayed overnight. He’s sixteen and his own hormones are coursing through him. It’s doubtful he cares. And it’s none of his business considering it’s his brother’s house and his brother is a grown-assed man with sexual needs. The weird thing is, this conversation seemed to only be Nate really telling Devon he was jealous that he was back on track with Amanda while Nate’s own sex life is suffering because he won’t take Elena back. Here’s a thought. It could have made more of an impact if they were playing a game of basketball together while they shot the shit. Does anyone remember that they used to do this all the time?

nate jealous devon young restless
CBS

Billy and Lily are moving in together

Does anyone care about this? No? I didn’t think so. I only like them when they’re having sex because it’s been so long since we’ve had love in the afternoon on our soaps. Otherwise, it’s a hard cringe. She’s too good for him. Why do we need them now moving in together? How is she not turned off by him? Why does she have so many sparkly Solid Gold Dancer dresses in her closet?

lily dance billy young restless

Chloe the pushover

Chloe returned to see how Chelsea was doing. She must be a glutton for punishment. All she got was more of Chelsea whining to her supposed BFF about her horrible life. Chelsea’s supposed to be such a good con-woman but that was a dumb move going out and showing such a shockingly fast recovery. Way to go in letting people see how she’s right back on her feet, walking and talking without much issue as if she just pulled a muscle at the gym. She is at least smart to be worried about Victor taking Connor from her.

I love that Victor’s on to her and scheming against her and that Rey and Nick both are doubtful that Adam poisoned Rey. The only thing better would be to have Rey and Victor team up against her. I am ready for this story to end.

chelsea scared sees chloe young restless
CBS



Two peas in a pod

Chelsea and Abby are similar creatures in that they think the world revolves around them. When Mariah returned from her trip, Abby didn’t want to spend time discussing poor Faith’s condition. Instead, all she wanted to talk about was her baby. Even Nina noticed. I am dying for Nina to set this narcissist straight on how to act. Life does exist beyond her own little bubble. Honestly, Mariah is just as bad. She barely mentioned her sister in passing. She should be sitting at her sister’s side. So should Summer, who instead is sitting at a table at Society planning her own wedding.

Instead, Moses, a kid that Faith has known for two hours has spent more time at her bedside than her own family.

abby missing chance young and restless
CBS

Sharon overlooked telling her husband her kid is sick

Rey was annoyed that Sharon didn’t tell him about Faith being ill. She should have. Some disagreed because he’s “just” her step-father. I couldn’t disagree with that sentiment more. No matter who you ship Sharon with, Rey is still her husband and Faith’s step-father. For someone who claims she wants to work on their marriage, she’s not showing him that at all. Not that I care since I want them to break up but at least the guy showed up! I was surprised to enjoy Rey’s chat with Faith in the hospital, too. I enjoyed it more than her scenes with Nick. Both men have been so tense lately and probably need to smoke a big fattie to relax.

Highlight: Rey’s visit with Faith was adorable. He actually smiled! Give us more of that.
Strange encounters: The Sharon and Adam reunion scene after his return from Kansas was unusual. There was no hug. Again, this feels as though the show teases the Shadam lovers with a possible reunion one day and then shuts them down the next. Sharon Case weighed in on this on Twitter.

Unpopular opinions

Let me preface this by saying that there are always good points and bad points with each character. Usually. Except for Abby right now. It’s why I am team drama more than anything.

I’m not the biggest Nick fan. He doesn’t do much for me in any storyline, in any scene. He seems to often be thinking of pizza, you know? His character has never been wildly exciting and that’s okay. Not everyone can be interesting but at least stop thinking about pizza during scenes.

I’ve hated Adam. I’ve liked Adam. I’ve been on that rollercoaster of liking and loathing and the reason is that he’s an intriguing character. Adam is written better, he has better lines and he’s got a wider range. He never thinks about pizza.



Tornado scene

I wasn’t intrigued as others were watching this tornado story scene. It had way too much dialogue for my taste and only lasted an episode. Nick looked like a dumbass. He didn’t seem to care that there was a tornado going on while he tried in vain to convince his brother to go back to Genoa City. Dude’s never seen The Wizard of Oz one single time? Nick was like, “Who cares if you saw a cow being thrown through the air if the neighbors are all dead. Let’s go. We need to fly through this mess and put our lives and the lives of the pilot at stake. Faith needs a new kidney!” Meanwhile, Adam had a bottle of wine and a glass and was hunkering down, waiting for the weather to subside so they could actually get to the plane and take off.

I did like that Adam gave the firemen Billy Boy’s name and that he and Nick shared a laugh over it. That was the highlight. Once the men returned to Genoa City, I was honestly not sure if Nick was lying to Rey that he’d let him arrest Adam or if he was intent on sending his brother up the river even though he promised to help him escape. Sometimes it’s harder to get the nuances when recapping, but I want to have faith in Nick here. He’s the ‘good one’. But here’s what my friend Jennifer said… Read what she said about Nick’s outfit too…

nick adam yelling young restless
CBS

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