A Soap Is Only as Great as Its Villains
Fans had some issues with the showdown at the Newman Ranch. Ray Wise and Eric Braeden are brilliant as Ian and Victor, but an entire episode of them baiting each other seemed excessive. When we finally got to the good part, it was dramatic but played out predictably as Victor took down Ian himself after being shot. Quite a few pointed out that it was rather ridiculous that Adam and Nick stood there doing nothing. Moreover, viewers were irked by the Newmans taking center stage with both Jordan and Ian, when it was Sharon, Daniel and Mariah who were targeted and hurt by them.
Ian shoots Victor and NOBODY rushes him like they all said they would?? 🙄 Of course an injured Victor is the one who lunges at and shoots Ian. It should’ve been Mariah taking Ian down. #YR #YoungandRestless
— C-Shelle ⛄️🎇🥳🎆❄️ (@SoapyHousewife) January 30, 2025
The twist in Ian’s story, with him regaining consciousness in the ambulance, provides an opportunity for the showrunners to right that enormous wrong and give the fans some satisfaction. Sharon, Daniel and Mariah need to team up and square off with Ward whenever he pops up again. I’d also like Daniel to know that it was Jordan who killed Heather. Loose ends.
Daniel not knowing the truth adds to the feeling of letdown from the anti-climactic way Jordan went out. Even Colleen Zenk was disappointed in her character’s sudden exit. Pair that with Ian also being escorted off the canvas so quickly, and it’s left some wondering why we didn’t get to see them do half of the things the audience was hoping for… like framing Phyllis, which would have given us an amazing arc with her and Sharon, or Ian actually kidnapping Tessa and Aria, or even a whodunit.
What was the point of Ian & Jordan if they were both going to bed in 2 months? And why wasn’t there a who killed Ian story? Such a waste #yr
— Absolute Productions (@odaat_webseries) January 29, 2025
That was such a disappointing ending to the storyline they spent the last month building up. #YR
— Meredith Nygma (@SpoonyLupin) January 30, 2025
Also wrapping up his stint was baddie Cameron, who was hella entertaining despite the off-putting bloody shirt and disheveled appearance. Part figment of Sharon’s imagination, part drug-fueled hallucination, Cameron’s zingers were legendary, and Linden Ashby will be sorely missed. Intriguingly, after saying goodbye, Ashby teased a possible return as a whole new character, and we couldn’t love it more. Make it happen!
Bits and Bobs
I’m truly puzzled by the decision to stick Chelsea and Adam together in the Newman Ranch. Adam isn’t making me feel that he genuinely wants Chelsea, there’s no sign of Chelsea fighting a yearning for her ex — there’s zero sexual tension in a situation that should be teeming with it… My heart broke for Daniel sitting on that park bench sobbing in Friday’s episode… So, Claire lied to Kyle about Jordan’s death (not coming clean about her plan to kill her and letting him think Jordan brought the poison). There may be hope for conflict yet… They’re trying to sell us on a change in Billy, but this is the same old story about him trying to find his path that we’ve seen over and over, he’s just putting a more cheerful face on it. Plus, this will be yet another business plot. Billy will start a media company and, therefore, will still be going after Adam and Victor. Absolutely nothing different to see here.
The Tease
The Young & Restless preview showed Nate on the verge of coming clean with his half brother, but Damian is keeping secrets of his own. That’s all I’m gonna say besides, “Be sure to tune in.”
The opinions expressed are my own. Please join the conversation about this week’s Young & Restless using the comment section below.
