Today’s Young and the Restless recap airs in the USA on Thursday, December 28, 2023, and airs one day ahead in Canada. We post our Y&R recaps every weekday!
Last Episode
On the last episode of Y&R, Phyllis attempted to seduce Danny behind Christine’s back, and Devon told Tucker to get out of his life.
Society
Kevin asks Chloe for her opinion on what music he should have playing at the party.
Chloe says he’ll find the right music; he always does!
Gloria says Kevin should be asking for her advice. After all, she had planned Michael and Lauren’s wedding years ago, which was flawless. She notices some hellebores mixed in with the peonies and says that they need to be careful since the sap is toxic!
Kevin smirks and says nobody knows toxic like his mother.
Gloria says she’s just trying to help. She’s a content creator now, and her followers can’t get enough of her.
Kevin says some people have had more than enough of her.
Chloe tells Gloria they have everything under control, and she thinks everything looks gorgeous with the little amount of time they had to get it all together. She says Michael and Lauren renewing their vows at the stroke of midnight is so romantic.
Gloria asks Kevin when the last time he did something romantic for Chloe.
Chloe says Kevin did the dishes last night with his shirt off… That was pretty romantic!
The Genoa City Athletic Club
In the dining room, Michael and Lauren take a seat. Michael says Lauren is even more beautiful than when they walked in.
Lauren says it’s because she has the love of the most amazing man in the world.
Michael says at midnight, they’ll renew their vows. What more could she want?
Lauren says she doesn’t need anything more. They kiss.
Daniel’s Apartment
Danny and Christine are making out on the couch. Danny says he’s incredibly happy to spend New Year’s Eve with her.
Christine says she wants to apologize for asking him if part of him was still interested in Phyllis.
Danny says he thought they settled that.
Christine says he’s right… They’re in a good place, and she only has him to thank him for that. She says she couldn’t see past the sadness of her marriage ending, but he gave her a sense of peace and hope that she never thought she’d have again. She feels right for the first time in a long while.
Danny says the beautiful girl he fell in love with long ago is sitting with him now, and he can’t wait to see what the future holds.
They kiss again.
The door opens, and Daniel walks in.
Christine and Danny stop kissing and laugh. Christine says, “Happy New Year!”
Daniel laughs. He says he’s obviously interrupting. Maybe they should hang a necktie on the doorknob next time so he doesn’t get in their way!
Danny thinks that’s a great idea.
The Neil Winters Jazz Lounge
As Ashley walks up behind him, Tucker tells Phyllis that he’s been thinking Genoa City is getting a little too “suffocating” for him… Maybe it’s time to kiss the city goodbye!
Ashley says it’s not surprising that Tucker needs to run away now that things are getting difficult.
Tucker tells Phyllis that if they ignore Ashley, she might go away.
Ashley asks what will happen if Tucker leaves… Dominic loves him and would love to see him!
Tucker says it’s hard to stay in a place where nobody can stand you.
Ashley asks Phyllis if she wouldn’t mind giving her and Tucker some time alone. She needs to discuss something with him.
Phyllis smiles and agrees. She wishes Ashley a Happy New Year and leaves the lounge, looking over her shoulder as she leaves.
Ashley asks Tucker if he’s really leaving town.
Tucker asks why she’d care if he did.
Daniel’s Apartment
Daniel says he’ll give Christine and Danny some space; he’ll come back later!
Danny says he and Cricket were on their way to dinner when they got “sidetracked.”
Daniel laughs and says he noticed.
Christine asks Daniel to join them for dinner.
Daniel thanks them and tells them he already has big plans for the evening. He’s going to have a video chat with Lily, and then he’s going to watch a rom-com or three and pig out on junk food! He explains that you have to have the right junk food for a rom-com.
Christine says that sounds fun.
Daniel says she’s welcome to stay… His dad is an expert on rom-coms!
Danny laughs and says eating junk food and watching movies around Christmas is a Romalotti tradition.
There’s a knock at the door. Daniel answers. It’s Heather and Lucy, and they’ve brought movies and junk food!
The GCAC Dining Room
Michael raises a glass with Lauren and toasts to his darling wife, who dazzles him more with the passing of every year.
Lauren thanks him, and they kiss.
Michael sees Phyllis enter the dining room and talk with the bartender. He tells Lauren not to look… It’s their night.
Lauren says Phyllis is their friend, and Daniel wants them to talk to her.
Michael sighs. He calls out to Phyllis and waves her over.
She laughs and sits down with them, ordering a dirty martini with two olives.
Lauren asks if she’s ready to ring in the new year… They have some big news!
Phyllis says she’s not celebrating the new year.
Michael says the new year is coming whether she participates or not.
Phyllis says she’s going to go to sleep and when she wakes up, she’s going to hope that 2024 was better for her than 2023.
Michael says she had a disastrous year, but there’s no reason not to ring in 2024 and raise a glass to better days ahead.
Phyllis doesn’t think downing champagne will change the way she feels. She’s not going to bother.
Lauren asks what happened to the uplifting, changing-things-for-the-better, Phyllis.
Phyllis says she’s still changing things for the better, but sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the universe still kicks you in the teeth.
Lauren asks if she’s talking about Danny.
Phyllis looks aghast. Why would Lauren be asking her about that?
Michael says Daniel mentioned something.
Phyllis thinks they’re talking behind her back. The waiter brings her drink, and she takes a sip, gasping in pleasure and smacking her lips afterward. She asks what her son told them.
Michael says Daniel is worried about her. He says Daniel told them she had a private talk with Danny, and he’s guessing from her mood that it didn’t turn out well for her.
Phyllis says it’s not her they should be worried about… It’s Danny; Christine isn’t right for him! She says the way Christine comes after him with her puppy-dog-eyes is pathetic.
Lauren says Phyllis seems awfully concerned for Danny… Is she interested in having him for herself?
Phyllis scoffs and asks why Lauren would say that… They’re just co-parents and friends!
Michael wonders if Phyllis is falling into her old competitive habit with Christine.
Phyllis says she’s not competitive with Christine. Why do people think “big bad Phyllis” is after “scrawny little Christine?” She says Christine jumped from a not-finished marriage right into an ex’s arms.
Michael asks why that’s ridiculous. He says there are still some emotions between Christine and Danny after all these years.
Phyllis says there’s no flame. Whose side is Michael on, anyhow? There’s no romance between Christine and Danny… Not like he could have!
Lauren asks why Phyllis is pursuing it.
Phyllis says she’s not pursuing anything.
The Jazz Lounge
Ashley tells Tucker she doesn’t care what he does or where he goes, but Dominic and Devon might.
Tucker sighs. This again? He asks what’s wrong with her, saying she blew any chance he had of having a relationship with Devon the minute she decided to destroy his reputation.
Ashley says Tucker never takes responsibility for anything. He brought this on himself, and he knows it! He was coming after Jabot, and he left her no choice. She knows there’s no hope for them but says there’s hope for him, Devon, and Dominic.
Tucker tells her to stop. He says she pretends to be concerned about his relationship with Devon, but then she drops a bomb that destroys anything that is between him and Devon. What makes her think he can trust anything she says now? There’s no reason for him to stay in town.
Ashley says whether he stays or leaves town has nothing to do with her.
Tucker says that’s right; nothing he does moving forward will have anything to do with her.
Ashley says Dominic and Devon need him.
Tucker sighs. Hasn’t she heard a word he’s said?
Ashley says Devon may not want anything to do with him, but he can’t just run away. He has to fight for the people he loves unless being a father and a grandfather means nothing to him.
Tucker gets angry and says that being a father and grandfather means everything to him, but Ashley took a match to that right after she broke his heart.
Ashley asks what he’s going to do now… Is he going to toss a chair or throw a glass of wine like he did in Paris?
Tucker asks what that’s supposed to mean.
Ashley says when he stormed out of the Paris restaurant, she promised herself she would never let him frighten her again.
Tucker says he doesn’t want her to be frightened of him.
Ashley says he was fine with it that night.
Tucker says he’d never be violent toward her.
Ashley says he must figure that throwing a chair and smashing a wine glass in a restaurant isn’t violent.
Tucker says he never smashed a wine glass or threw a chair… What is Ashley talking about?
Daniel’s Apartment
Lucy and her dad sit on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a movie. Lucy says the scene is pretty goofy.
Daniel thinks it doesn’t get much better than this.
Lucy figures they could watch another movie after.
Heather laughs and says that Daniel always falls asleep before the first movie is over.
Daniel protests. He does not!
Lucy and Heather say simultaneously, “Yes you do!” Lucy says he snores, too.
Daniel says he’ll prove it to them. He’s going to stay up for a second movie tonight, but he gets to pick the movie; Die Hard! It’s his favorite Christmas movie!
Heather says it’s not a Christmas movie.
Daniel doesn’t agree. Christmas trees, happy ending… What else could it be?
Heather figures bombs and blood make it not a Christmas movie.
Daniel asks Lucy if it’s a Christmas movie.
Lucy thinks for a moment. “Yeah. Total Christmas movie.”
Heather can’t believe that Lucy’s on Daniel’s side.
Daniel says, “Yippie-kai-yay, darlin’!”
They laugh, and Heather calls Lucy a traitor. She asks if the movie is too scary for Lucy.
Lucy groans and says she was seven when she saw it before.
Heather smiles and says Lucy wanted to sleep between them after watching it and wouldn’t leave the entire night.
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The GCAC Dining Room
Phyllis tells Michael and Lauren that the only thing she’s going to be pursuing is a healthy relationship with the father of her child. She says she’s gotten close with Danny, but everyone else curses her name and walks on the other side of the street. Danny’s been loving, supportive, and caring!
Michael looks over at Christine and Danny, who have entered the restaurant and are standing at the bar. He says Phyllis must be trying to save Danny from himself.
Phyllis says she might be trying to save him from something much worse.
Christine asks Danny if he’s okay.
Danny thinks they should go somewhere else for dinner.
Christine laughs. “Not a chance!”
Phyllis raises her drink to Danny and Christine.
The Jazz Lounge
Tucker tells Ashley that he yelled and made a scene at the restaurant, but he wasn’t violent. He accidentally tipped over a wine glass, and he might have pushed aside the chair as he left.
Ashley can’t believe it. This is what he remembers?
Tucker says that’s what happened.
Ashley says he’s still not acknowledging anything he did.
Tucker says he won’t acknowledge something that didn’t happen. He apologizes for what did occur… Does that not count for anything?
Ashley says it counts for nothing unless he admits to the truth.
Tucker asks if this is another of Ashley’s games… Is she trying to drag his name further through the mud and spread the rumor that he’s violent?
Ashley says everything she said about him is true, and he’s pissed off that he can’t put his own spin on it.
Tucker shakes his head and drains his glass. He says he’s done and tells her to run along to her family that means so much to her; he’s sure she has plans to toast his downfall.
Ashley tells him not to flatter himself; the Abbotts won’t be thinking about him at all.
Tucker says, “Fantastic. Have a nice life.” He gets up to leave.
Ashley asks him if he’s really going to deny that he was violent in Paris… Is she the delusional one?
Tucker just shrugs and leaves the lounge.
Daniel’s Apartment
Lucy, Heather, and Daniel are watching a movie. Lucy makes a comment about Daniel’s dad jokes.
Daniel protests. His jokes aren’t dad jokes!
Heather says they are.
Daniel tosses some popcorn at them, and they laugh.
Lucy asks how things are with Lily and Mattie.
Daniel says Mattie’s been through a lot; she’s lost her mentor and was almost hurt by the fire… There’s been a lot of trauma.
Lucy says that’s awful.
Daniel says Mattie’s withdrawing from school for the rest of the quarter, and Lily will stay with her and help her get through things. He mentions that Mattie is going to be getting some counseling.
Heather says that’s what moms do… They’re there for their children.
Daniel says Lily’s the best mom… Right up there with Heather, in fact!
Heather laughs. Nice save!
Daniel says he’s going to spend next weekend with Lily and Mattie. He might stay a bit longer.
Heather says that’s wonderful, but it doesn’t look like she means it.
Lucy tells them to shush… They’re going to miss the best part!
The GCAC Dining Room
Christine and Danny approach Phyllis, Michael, and Lauren’s table. Christine wishes them a Happy New Year.
Lauren tells Christine her bracelet is beautiful.
Christine blushes and thanks her. She says it’s a Christmas present from Danny.
Lauren compliments Danny on his taste.
Christine says Danny got her a similar one on their honeymoon, but she lost it years ago, and Danny remembered how much she loved it and got her this one. She asks if anyone has plans for the New Year.
Lauren says they do… They’re going to renew their vows at the stroke of midnight!
Christine thinks that’s a great idea, and Danny thinks it’s very romantic.
Phyllis is taken aback; they never told her about it!
Lauren says she tried, but their conversation got hijacked.
Michael says they asked what Phyllis was doing so she could join the festivities. No matter how much she hates the New Year, they know she loves them.
Lauren asks Phyllis if she’s going to join them.
Phyllis says she’d love to, but she has a date.
Michael narrows his eyes and says she said she wasn’t doing anything.
Phyllis says she only said she wasn’t ringing in the New Year… Not that she didn’t have a non-New-Year’s date!
Christine asks who she has a date with.
Phyllis looks around and spots Tucker in the lobby. She says she has a date with Tucker. She calls him over.
Tucker walks over and says hello.
Phyllis asks if they’re still on for later.
Tucker plays along. Nothing’s changed on his end! He asks if he’s going to pick her up.
Phyllis shrugs. She’ll meet him!
Tucker smiles and says he’s really looking forward to it. He says she looks great and kisses her, to her surprise. He leaves.
Danny says he and Christine are going to get a drink in the lounge before dinner and says it was great seeing everyone. He congratulates Michael and Lauren on their vow renewal.
Christine says she’s really happy for them. She leaves the dining room with Danny.
Michael growls that Phyllis can’t spend her New Year’s Eve with that “low-life” instead of coming to her best friend’s vow renewal.
Lauren asks if Phyllis did that to make Danny jealous.
Phyllis says it was real; Tucker has a business proposal, and she’s going to hear him out.
Lauren tells her to do it tomorrow during business hours.
Michael says Phyllis needs to tell Tucker there’s no chance she’d work with him.
Phyllis says of course she wouldn’t work with him.
Michael tells her not to disappoint them.
Phyllis says she’ll try to come to their vow renewal.
Lauren sees the time and says they have a vow renewal to get to. She grabs Michael and they get up.
Michael tells Phyllis that he expects to see her at the vow renewal.
Daniel’s Apartment
Heather turns off Die Hard and says Daniel and Lucy were right… It was definitely a Christmas movie! She looks over and sees that Lucy and Daniel are asleep on the couch beside her.
Heather smiles and snuggles up to Daniel, lying her head on his chest.
A bit later, Lucy wakes up and looks over to see Heather lying in Daniel’s arms on the couch beside her. She smiles and lays a blanket over them.
Lucy gets her phone and takes a picture of her mother and father together. She smiles and leaves the room.
Daniel wakes up after Lucy leaves. He wakes Heather up.
Heather apologizes… She didn’t realize she fell asleep.
Daniel smiles at her, and she leans over and kisses him deeply. He kisses her back.
Society
Lauren and Michael walk into the restaurant. They gasp and look around, saying the restaurant looks gorgeous and they’ve outdone themselves.
Gloria laughs and says it was nothing, but she can’t vouch for the flowers.
Chloe says she’s thrilled that they can be part of their vow renewal.
Michael hugs his brother, Kevin.
Gloria says she can’t believe they lasted all this time. She says Lauren looks ravishing and that her son is lucky to have her.
Lauren kisses Michael, and Kevin tells them to save it for the ceremony.
Gloria holds up a bottle and asks if it’s too early for bubbly.
Kevin says it is too early. He takes the bottle from her and says it’s from Scotty, who’s sorry he couldn’t be there.
Lauren says Finn and Trey can’t be there either, but they send their love.
Kevin asks if Michael has the rings.
Michael digs in his pocket and gives them to Kevin.
Kevin says he’s going to pick out some music and set the mood. Kevin, Chloe, and Gloria disperse, leaving Michael and Lauren to talk.
Lauren tells Michael she’s nervous about the evening, just like she was so long ago.
Michael tells her she looks more radiant than ever, if that’s possible. He asks if she’s ready.
Lauren says she couldn’t be more ready. They kiss and hug.
The Abbott Mansion
Ashley comes home and calls for Jack or Traci… There’s no answer; the house is empty.
She walks over and pours herself a drink, but before she can take a sip, her phone pings. It’s Jack, telling her that they just arrived at the jazz lounge to ring in the new year if she’d like to join them.
Ashley takes a drink and throws her phone on the sofa. She thinks back to when Tucker left her at the restaurant in Paris, and how he’d smashed his glass, threw his chair down, and yelled at her to go to hell.
She looks uncertain as to whether she’s remembering it properly.
Tucker’s GCAC Suite
Tucker pours himself a drink and thinks about his breakup with Ashley in Paris.
He remembers it differently than Ashley. He’d taken a drink, placed the glass down, and pushed the chair, telling her to go to hell, but he never smashed the glass or threw the chair down.
The GCAC Dining Room
Phyllis sits alone at the bar. She grabs her phone and sends Tucker a message. “Thanks for playing along. No obligation attached.”
A minute passes, and she gets a reply. “We can still have that drink if you want.”
She places the phone down and thinks about it.
Society
The ceremony has started. The priest says they’re together to celebrate a vow renewal between Michael and Lauren.
Lauren smiles and tells Michael that the last time they stood her, she said, “I love you today, I love you tomorrow and forever.” They said the vows without knowing what the future would hold, but they knew they’d have each other. Back then, MIchael was a bit of a bad boy, but she knew that there was a magnificent heart that beat for everyone he loves.
Lauren tells Michael she’s watched him put everything on the line for his friends and family, and his belief in them has gotten them through the impossible. She says there were days that she didn’t think they’d make it through, but Michael never gave up on her.
Michael smiles at her.
Lauren says honesty and trust are difficult. Love isn’t a magic wand, but it makes honesty possible and trust a reality. Michael taught her that. She says they’ve loved and lost and laughed and cried until their sides ached. They’ve tangoed, and they’ve raised two extraordinary sons.
Lauren continues and says that Michael is the best father and his sons love him so much. She tells him he’s the love of her life and happily ever after starts every morning she wakes up with him. She loves him today, she loves him tomorrow, and will love him forever.
Michael tears up and says that’s a hard act to follow, but he’d follow her anywhere. He once told her he didn’t have as much faith in goodness as she did. He still has his doubts, but he’s never doubted their love for each other.
Phyllis walks into the restaurant, smiling as Michael talks.
Michael says they tested the hell out of their love, but it’s only made them stronger and made him love her more. He’s in awe of her honesty and courage and her ability to see hope on every horizon.
Michael tears up and says Lauren took a chance on him and showed him the love that he never thought he would have or deserved. He says she’s given him a family, love, and laughter. Their joy lights up every day of his life.
Kevin pulls out the rings and gives them to Michael and Lauren.
The minister says the rings are a symbol of their recommitment to their love and their love.
They put on the rings and kiss.
Kevin starts counting down to the New Year… 10… 9… 8… 7…
As the clock strikes midnight, confetti is thrown, and everyone cheers. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Next Week on The Young and the Restless
Summer asks Sharon if she’s in love with Chance.
Danny confronts Daniel, telling him that Lucy is playing matchmaker between him and Heather.
Victor tells Nikki that he would never leave her. She’s the love of his life!
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