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August 17 -21:
This week's episodes of The Young and the Restless were an overall improvement on the previous couple of weeks, but it was still only middle-of-the-road. It has felt like a lull or limbo period - not really bad, but not stellar either! Happily, while there is ranting to be done, there are definitely things to rave about happening on the show as well. Here's the outlook on the week:
Neil/Tyra/Devon: If I may borrow a term from some of the Y&R message board posters - this was a 'hot mess'! Clearly this was a plot twist devised for the sole purpose of enabling Tyra's exit - I prefer the writing to be a little less obvious than this. I've always felt that the character of Tyra didn't click with viewers, so I have no issue with them moving her on, but having Tyra and Devon hook up in order to do it was a disservice to all of the characters, and to viewers who are fans of the Winters family. It was not only high on the yuckster scale, but it was out of character for holier-than-thou Devon. I also thought Neil's non-reaction was strange. Disappointing plot all the way around.
Neil/Lily/Cane: Though I think Neil is way out of line when he tries to tell Lily what she can or can't do, I am a fan of the family drama. Thankfully, Lily's grown as a character and told him where to get off! The Cane/Lily/cancer saga is being told in a poignant way at this point - I'll admit to being a little choked up when he helped her shave her hair off. However, this all seems to be going rather smoothly between them….which makes me wonder what's around the bend. In any case, this is good, classic soap opera.
Ashley/Adam/Victor/Jack and Phyllis/Sharon/Jack/Nick: I'm lumping them together because these are the two storylines that I'm just so not interested in any more. The characters are unrecognizable at times and the current plots have been dragged out beyond the point where I care what happens to any of them. There is something wrong when viewers are on the message boards talking about how they fast-forward through scenes containing all of these heavy-hitting lead characters! Long story arcs are wonderful when they're done right, but when they're not, viewers become fatigued, frustrated, and lose interest all together.
Chloe/Billy/Chance/Mac: I feel like I'm on the verge of really liking this storyline, except that the writing for these characters has been kind of uninspired. That said, I honestly don’t think this is a quadrangle - it’s a triangle. Mac is already starting to realize that too. What I like about this mix, is that I like Chloe with Chance, but I also like her with Billy - it's win/win - and there's plenty of chemistry to go around! What I'm worried about is that they're making the character of Chance a little too 'Dudley Do Good' - he's borderline dull. His mama has a little naughty in her, and he should too!
Colleen/JT/Victoria/Deacon: Love it!! I've been hoping for a JT/Victoria shake-up! Colleen and Victoria having it out was great! How refreshing that Colleen told Victoria the truth - she wants him! And how funny was it when Colleen told Victoria she treats JT like an employee who's failing his performance review?! As for JT and Victoria's argument - I loved that too - so realistic! Then there was Victoria turning to Deacon - hot stuff! She is positively a vixen when she wants to turn it on! This is good character-driven soap drama - not far out or unbelievable, and moving at a good pace. More!
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Deacon/Ryder/Kevin/Gloria/Michael/Lauren: Well, after Friday's episode, it looks like Ryder may actually be Kevin's sibling. That said, I hope Deacon isn't using him the way Clint used Kevin, because Deacon has always been a con, but one with a heart, and that's his charm - I wouldn't want to see the writers destroy that. In any case, the exchanges between Kevin and Ryder left me wondering what else poor Kevin is going to have to go through - jeeze! I am also concerned about how Gloria's going to figure into this, and worried that Michael may not survive another round of "Let's Save the Family." His blood pressure must be through the roof! So glad to see more of Michael and Lauren - but I'd like to see her get a storyline of her own!
Paul and Pattycake: Awesome! Great scene when Patty/Mary Jane finally made Paul realize she is his sister. Stacy Haiduk just does an incredible job at playing her character, with the pleading little girl voice, and the slightly hysterical bursts of laughter. But she didn't upstage Doug Davidson who did a wonderfully soapy job of depicting Paul's sheer horror as the truth sunk in! Doug has handled a lot of emotional stuff lately and has just shone. Bravo! I can't wait to see what happens next!
I absolutely look for great things to write about, and like to end the Rant on a good note. There are many positive aspects about Y&R right now, but the duds are truly bringing me down when they're on. Also, the writing overall has been a little 'blah' the past few weeks. In many cases it’s the acting that is the saving grace - taking a scene from 'okay' to 'really good' or 'great'. I'll keep my fingers crossed where the annoying storylines are concerned, and take the good with the bad, though, because I love the show!
What is your opinion on the current storylines? Be sure to leave your two cents for Soaps.com in the comment section below!
- Candace Young
