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Week of June 22 -25:
Well, for this week's episodes of The Twilight Zone, er, The Young and the Restless, there's not a whole lot to say that I didn't already cover last week. Some storylines rock, and some are duds. We'll take a walk through them, and I'll try not to repeat myself…
Colleen and the Board of Directors: Oops, my bad, this story just disappeared into thin air - as did Colleen. But a little bird told me she's on her way back - more on that when I publish my most recent interview.
The Winter's Family: Whoops! They're also missing in action, but if it means that I never have to see Devon lust after his aunt again, well, then just bring back Neil - thanks. Of course, Lily is still around, but she's behaving strangely too - she's taken to dressing up in disco-era hooker ensembles - perhaps to entice Cane into baby making?! Hmm…
The Cane Conundrum: Well, we were treated to lots of powerhouse scenes with Nina/Jill/Katherine on Monday, but no one in this storyline has been seen since. The empty casket, viles of blood, intriguing looks on Katherine's face, and the disappearance of 'Langley' were all great touches - and explain some things - but certainly not all. Methinks Cane can't reach his 'uncle' because he is on his way to GC - at least I hope so!! Bringing Tricia Cast back has been the best move this soap has made since they hired Billy Miller - jackpot!
Missing Murphy: I would love to see Murphy caught up in the middle of all the current Phillip-centered drama at the Chancellor Estate. Murphy is an excellent character that really enhances every scene he is in - where is he?
Addam's Family: Headed from bad to unbearable. Ashley finally gets some of her old fire back, but sadly none of her brains. Victor, for all intents and purposes, appears to be on a healthy dose of Prozac. Vacant Abby, we're supposed to believe, suddenly has better intuition than her mega-experienced mother, and to top it all off, Nikki Newman now appears to be the smartest of them all?! The Victor I knew would never have been fooled like this! To buy Adam's story that jailbirds stabbed his corneas with needles?! C'mon!! Don’t even get me started on the idea that Rafe would believe Adam suddenly has feelings for him, especially considering the timing! As they're saying in the message boards, when it comes to Rafe, here's hoping he's playin' the player! Oh, and in spite of Adam's little tete-a-tete with his mother's photo - I still don't understand why he's done all of this! Note: I'm liking Estella and Rafe's beefed-up roles - great job!
Adam Actor Switch: Chris Engen did a fantastic job in this role, especially playing the cocky, snarky beats of the character - he will be missed. Michael Muhney got a call, showed up, was handed a script with a front-burner amount of dialogue, and jumped right in - it showed slightly in his very first scene or two, but I am already comfortable with him in the role - he's got the chops to play this character - and he's done just as well as I had hoped he would do. He'll bring different things to the role, but I expected that, and am wholly open to it. Welcome Michael, best wishes Chris…
Phyllis/Nick/Sharon/Jack: To borrow yet another expression from the message boards - this is a hot mess! Great acting by Michelle Stafford when Phyllis found Summer unconscious and called Nick, but story-wise, this is a not-so-merry-go-round that I want to get off! The storyline feels interminable and repetitive. Fans on all sides of the Shick/Phick/Shack/Phack debate feel jerked around, and Jack as a doormat is just so unappealing to me! Heck, even Mary Jane is less fun now that she has attempted murder on a little girl! Get a clue!
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Daniel and the Gang: Another stinker, but wait - there is faint hope that this story might become much more interesting. I'll be blunt - if that's Amber's ex, Deacon Sharpe, throwing whiskey glasses and framing Daniel - I'll be doing the happy dance, and will get on board with this tale in a very big way - heck, I'll even join the Chipmunk Club! If the troublemaker is anyone else - the disappointment and letdown will actually be painful, and the story will continue to tank - 'cause no one will care! 'Michael as family defender' has been done to death, and so has 'fab four get in a fix'.
Victoria/JT: Vikki's still whining about daddy. Thank God Victor gave her the art foundation to shut her up for a while! JT is no fun either as this loyal lapdog - I was looking forward to him having some conflict with Victor, or discovering he still had feelings for Colleen - he needs a shake-up!
Heather: Quite possibly the stupidest Assistant D.A. ever depicted on television - is she ever right?! This character has become so astoundingly one-note, that no one can understand her, or relate to what she's doing whatsoever! She throws everyone that gets charged with anything completely under the bus - even if they're her friend or lover, and she inexplicably continues to date a convicted criminal! It's disappointing that they would bring on the daughter of such an established character as Paul Williams and then not put the appropriate effort into her character development.
Billy/Mac/Chloe: Please make these forced scenes between Billy and Mac stop - what did we ever do to deserve this?! Mind-numbing is one term that comes to mind. I actually physically perked up, and even felt a grateful tear form in my eye (kidding), during Friday's show when Chloe finally knocked on the door of that room at the Club and broke the monotony. Thankfully, she dropped the bomb about Sharon's pregnancy, which should serve to keep Mac away for a bit, but on the other hand it might set off a series of Mac sulking scenes…argh!
So, this was definitely a rant week! In all honesty, I always enjoy the acting, and many of the smaller beats played within the larger storylines - which makes the show remain very watchable - but overall, I feel somehow unsatisfied. The writers continue to pull surprises out of their hats, though, which I like - and which gives me hope. Y&R has all of the ingredients, including fantastic actors, and a richly mined history, to be amazing. But I can't say enough about balance - you need some real happy moments, happy couples (not ones that we all know will only last five minutes, and not ones with no chemistry), and comedy relief - it's not a mystery hour - it's a soap opera. Going too heavily on the negative throws everything out of whack.
What are your observations on this week's The Young and the Restless? Share your perceptions with Soaps.com in the comments section - it's very interesting to realize that everyone sees things slightly differently!
-Candace Young
