Today’s Young and the Restless recap airs in the USA on Friday, January 26, 2024, and airs one day ahead in Canada. We post our Y&R recaps every weekday!
Last Episode
On the last episode of Y&R, Audra seductively tried to recruit Nate into her scheme against Tucker; Daniel opens up to Devon regarding Heather & Lily.
Crimson Lights
Diane walks into the coffee shop, and Esther says hello, congratulating her on her co-CEO position. Diane is surprised that Esther heard about it already and says she’s working late tonight.
Esther says Diane has a lovely smile for someone who has to work late.
Diane grins and says working late is easier when you do it with the people you love.
Nikki walks into the cafe and smiles at Esther, saying it’s good to see her. She nods at Diane. “Diane.”
Esther says she’ll be with Nikki in a moment. She says she’d like to get a box of cookies for Diane first, and she heads into the back room.
Diane asks Nikki how she’s doing.
Nikki says Diane knows exactly how she’s doing; there’s no need to pretend Jack didn’t tell her everything! She says she won’t let Diane test her tea to see if it’s spiked… She may know the truth, but it’s still none of her business!
Diane is speechless.
Audra’s GCAC Suite
Audra is standing close to Nate, fondling his tie.
Nate asks Audra if she thinks they have potential.
Audra says she does… And she’s rarely wrong about such things. She leans in to kiss him when a knock at the door interrupts.
Nate says she should get it… Maybe it’s opportunity knocking!
Audra says “opportunity” is right in front of her. There’s another knock at the door. She sighs and tells Nate not to move… They’re not finished! She answers the door. It’s Tucker.
Tucker sees Nate and says hello.
The Abbott Mansion
Jack arrives home and greets Ashley. He says he wanted to talk to her about something.
Ashley asks him to email about it; she’s in a time crunch.
Jack asks if she’s going somewhere.
Ashley says she is… She’s going to Paris to get some answers. She hopes taking the jet won’t be a problem.
Jack says the jet is hers when she needs it. He asks whether her trip has to do with Tucker and the “honeymoon that fell off the rails.”
Ashley asks him not to play games with her… She doesn’t have time for it.
Jack says she’s been going through this ever since she came back from Paris; now she’s going back? He doesn’t think she should be giving it any more thought. If she wants answers, Jack has answers. Tucker is a menace and a liar!
Ashley thinks she might be the liar.
Jack says she’s not; they both know that!
Ashley says she’s not sure. This is about proving that she’s telling the truth so Tucker can’t deny it anymore.
Jack says she’s giving Tucker too much power.
Ashley shakes her head. She’s taking her power back!
Jack says she told him that she was purging Tucker from her mind.
Ashley says she couldn’t.
Jack thinks Tucker’s playing a game and trying to keep himself in Ashley’s mind. He says Ashley can’t resist Tucker for whatever reason. He says it’s a weakness and it’s dangerous.
Ashley tells him not to call her weak… She’s not weak! She’s being proactive.
Jack says if Tucker didn’t mean something to her, she wouldn’t give a damn what Tucker’s version of the story is.
Ashley thinks this is what she needs to remove Tucker from her system once and for all. She says she needs to count on Jack, too, but that’s obviously too much to ask. She leaves the house.
Audra’s GCAC Suite
Tucker hopes he’s not interrupting anything important.
Audra says that it’s none of Tucker’s business. She asks what he wants.
Tucker says he’d like a private word with Audra. Five minutes is all he needs.
Audra agrees and arranges to have a drink with Nate later. She says they’ll pick up right where they left off.
Nate leaves, and Audra asks Tucker what he needs to talk about.
Tucker grins and says he knows what he walked in on. He knows the look in her eye. He asks what she’s up to.
Crimson Lights
Diane approaches Nikki’s table on the patio and says she’s not sure what she thinks Jack told her, and she won’t check her tea.
Nikki asks why Diane followed her, uninvited, to her table.
Diane wonders what made Nikki think that Jack had told her anything.
Nikki sighs and says that Diane’s a terrible liar for someone who’s built their whole life around deceit.
Diane says she’s going to be completely honest; Jack cares about Nikki.
Nikki says she knows, and she cares about Jack, too. That’s why she warned him not to talk about this with anyone.
Diane says Jack told her that Nikki went through a terrible ordeal that forced her to revisit places she’d fought so hard to escape. That must have been difficult.
Nikki remembers the last time she saw Diane before she left Genoa City years ago.
She says Diane had pretended to die by the river.
Diane laughs and says Nikki wasn’t innocent that night, either… Nikki had hit her in the head with a rock, and it was hard enough that Nikki thought she’d killed her!
Nikki says look at them now… Diane’s not dead, and Nikki’s not drunk! She expects that Diane probably wondered if she was drunk when she saw her at the counter.
Diane gives her word that she didn’t think that.
Nikki waves it off. She knows how little Diane’s word is worth.
Diane says Jack told her that he was helping Nikki through this rough time.
Nikki asks if Diane is okay with Jack being there for her.
Diane says they may not be friends, but she is Jack’s friend, and he’s always there for his friends. She loves that about him.
Nikki says Jack is a good man.
Diane says he is, and when you love a man like Jack, you take the good with the past.
Nikki asks if that includes Jack’s ex-wife and friend. She thanks Diane for her “sacrifice” and says she’s glad to have Jack by her side.
Esther walks in and asks if she can get anything for them.
Diane says they’re okay, and Esther leaves. Diane sits down with Nikki and says things don’t have to be tense between them. She knows the last thing Nikki wanted was for Diane to return to town and be in Jack’s life.
Nikki says Phyllis was the one who took things too far, but Diane’s not wrong.
Diane says they’ve been able to put aside their differences and find a way to coexist in the same city.
Nikki asks what her point is.
Diane says she wants Nikki to know she’s sorry if she’s struggling with sobriety. She says Jack is generous and non-judgmental, and he’s had his own battles with addiction; it makes perfect sense that he’s there for her.
Nikki says that’s true.
Diane wonders what Victor thinks about Jack being involved in Nikki’s life… She figures it isn’t going over well.
Nikki smirks and says she was waiting for the “real Diane” to show up. She asks if Diane is planning to hold it over her head.
The Abbott Mansion
Jack tells Ashley she’s an intelligent, successful woman who usually has no problem making brilliant decisions.
Ashley says, “Usually?” She tells Jack he’d better shut his mouth if he cares about their relationship.
Jack asks what Ashley’s plans are when she lands in Paris.
Ashley says she will go to the cafe where they had the argument and find some eyewitnesses. She says the waiter will remember the “loud, abusive, ugly American” who was berating his new wife.
Jack says Tucker has made her doubt herself.
Ashley tells Jack not to worry about her. She has to do this to rid herself of Tucker. She needs proof.
Jack asks who she’s trying to prove something to… Herself? Tucker? He asks why she needs to have proof of her recollection. She must be doubting which version is true!
Ashley promises she won’t disappear in Paris. She won’t forget about Jack, her family, or Jabot. She will get the information she needs and will be stronger than ever when she returns. She tells him she loves him and leaves the house.
Traci walks in and asks if that was Ashley she heard.
Jack says Ashley just left for Paris.
Traci laughs and says that was quick.
Jack asks if Traci knew about Ashley’s plans to go on this “wild goose chase.”
The Genoa City Athletic Club
Nate comes down the stairs from Audra’s room. He looks into the dining room and sees Victoria sitting alone at a table. He approaches and says hello.
Nate smiles and says hello. He says he’s been thinking about Nikki and asks how she’s doing.
Victoria says her mother is brave and aware that everyone’s watching her every move.
Nate says that can be hard to deal with in the best of circumstances.
Victoria says she’s not sure how to be there for her mom without making her feel pressured.
Nate says he’s sure she’s reaching out as best as she can. He knows her family’s been through a lot and reminds her that she can always talk to him any time… He’s there for her.
Victoria smiles and thanks him.
Audra’s GCAC Suite
Tucker tells Audra he’s done with Ashley.
Audra doesn’t believe it. He’s said it too many times. She knows how addicts are. “This is the last time, I swear!” She says the urge never goes away.
Tucker says Ashley will never change, and he’s done with Ashley, Jabot, and the Abbotts. He says he wants to put all his energy into Glissade… And Audra.
Audra doesn’t think he’s very convincing.
Tucker says he can handle running Glissade on his own if Audra doesn’t want to work with him, but he doesn’t want to lose her. He scoots closer to her and takes her hand. He says they get each other, and she knows what makes him tick. He knows what sets her on fire, and he thinks she’s the only woman for him. He says it’s theirs for the taking.
Audra says it’s too late. She pulls her hand away from him.
Tucker says they’re just getting started. He knows what he wants, and he wants to be with her.
Audra says she’s flattered, but what about what she wants?
Tucker says they want the same thing; they belong together. He thinks Audra may not want to admit it, but she wants to be with him, too.
Audra says, “In your dreams.”
Tucker laughs. He dreams of them. He says he wants to help her dreams come true. All she has to do is to say yes.
The GCAC Dining Room
Nate asks how everyone else in Victoria’s life is doing.
Victoria says if he’s trying to ask about Claire in a roundabout way, it means a lot to her. She says every day with Claire is a new discovery.
Nate smiles and figures it’ll take some time for Claire to find her way to recovery, but with Victoria looking out for her, she’ll make it.
Victoria says she appreciates Nate’s advice and kind words. She might take Nate up on his invite to talk further.
Cole walks into the dining room, and Victoria introduces him to Nate. Cole smiles as he shakes Nate’s hand, saying he’s heard a lot about him.
Nate says he was about to say the same thing.
Crimson Lights
Diane says she hopes Nikki’s recovery goes well so she comes out of it healthier and happier.
Nikki thanks her and says it’s kind of her to say.
Diane says she won’t betray her or Jack’s trust, either. She hopes Nikki doesn’t mind Jack confiding in her, but they’re equal partners on all things… Marriage, work, and family.
Nikki doesn’t understand… Are they partners at work?
Diane says the press release will be out soon; Jack named her co-CEO of Jabot… Isn’t that fantastic?
Nikki says it’s very impressive. Diane didn’t waste any time!
The Abbott Mansion
Traci tells Jack that Ashley is just looking for clarity.
Jack says he’s worried about Ashley. She’s certain her recollection is correct, so why does she need proof?
Traci thinks Ashley told Jack what he needed to hear so he’d ease up on her.
Jack says he’s trying to protect Traci from herself.
Traci says Ashley doesn’t need them second-guessing her. She thinks Ashley trying to get a third party to confirm what happened is a rational decision.
Jack thinks Ashley is obsessing about it… It’s taken over her life for the past few months! He thinks Tucker has created this confusion to keep his hooks in Ashley.
Traci doesn’t know.
Jack thinks Ashley is making a mistake; what if she’s about to walk into a trap? She doesn’t trust Jack and won’t allow him to do anything. He pleads with Traci to do something so Ashley doesn’t do something she will regret.
The GCAC Dining Room
Nate says he’ll let the two of them be. He leaves the dining room.
Cole sits down with Victoria and asks how long she dated Nate.
Victoria laughs and asks if it was a lucky guess or whether it was writer’s intuition.
Cole says how they smiled at each other let him know they had a history together.
Victoria said they had a lovely time together, but things went bad between Nate and Victor. She says Nate’s a good man.
Cole says Victor must have a long list of men he wants to keep away from Victoria.
Victoria laughs and says it’s more complicated than that, but the outcome was the same. She says they’ve talked enough about the past; tell her about his visit with Claire!
Cole says he’s glad she asked. He has some good news.
Crimson Lights
Diane tells Nikki she was surprised Jack didn’t choose Kyle for the co-CEO position.
Nikki says it is surprising since Kyle’s been with Jabot for years and knows it inside out.
Diane says nothing would have made her happier than to see her son and husband run Jabot side-by-side. She never imagined this!
Nikki says Diane probably manipulated Jack into thinking it was his idea. “Oh, Jack, do you mean it? It’s so unexpected!“
Diane says she wished Nikki well, but Nikki insulted her in return. Is this how she wants things to be between them?
Nikki says Diane’s right… She shouldn’t have said it.
Diane says she has Jack to support her… And so does Nikki. She suggests they keep Jack as their common ground.
Nikki says she wishes Diane well in her new endeavor. She excuses herself and leaves the table and the cafe.
Audra’s GCAC Suite
Audra tells Tucker she’s not the one he wants. She thinks he’s on a rebound and doesn’t want to be the woman he settles for.
Tucker says that’s not what she is to him. He’s been thinking about what’s good in his life and has always been good, and the answer is… Audra. He gets a spring in his step, a smile on his face, and his heart races every time she walks into the room. He doesn’t want to take her for granted anymore.
Audra says he won’t find what he wants in her. She needs to look out for herself. She tells him it’s time for him to leave.
Tucker nods sadly. He gets up and leaves Audra’s room.
Audra waits a minute after he’s left, gathers her belongings, and leaves her room.
The Neil Winters Jazz Lounge
Audra joins Nate at a table. She says Tucker adores the sound of his own voice and gets swept up in his fantasies… Ugh!
Nate says Tucker’s a dreamer. He says that Tucker sees Audra as someone he can depend on, which can be a burden… And a compliment. It’s not an easy thing to walk away from. He asks if this is a pattern with her and former partners; she calls it quits, but they can’t stay away.
Audra laughs and wonders why he’s asking… Is he interested in a partnership? She tells him she has a proposition for him… She asks him to leave Chancellor-Winters and join her at Glissade once she takes control of it.
Nate says Audra’s the dreamer now.
Audra grins. Go big or go home!
Nate says Tucker has replaced Glissade’s board with “lapdogs” that will let him run the company however he wants. How does Audra intend to undermine that from the outside?
Audra says Nate’s right… She can’t pull this off from the outside! She needs a page from Nate’s playbook.
Jabot Cosmetics
Jack walks into the office, obviously pissed off.
Diane asks if there’s trouble on her first day as co-CEO.
Jack says it’s not about business… It’s Ashley; she’s gone to Paris and wants to ask the waiter about the breakup with Tucker.
Diane thinks it’s a good idea. It’s best to have hard proof when dealing with Tucker!
Jack thinks Tucker’s pulling Ashley’s strings. He rants about it for a minute.
Diane asks if Jack is more concerned about what’s in Ashley’s head or her heart.
Jack says it’s both… Ashley has been going over this traumatizing fight in her mind for months, and Jack figures Tucker is taking advantage of her. He can’t understand why Ashley can’t see that Tucker is manipulating her.
The Jabot Company Jet
Ashley sits on the plane, reliving her breakup fight with Tucker and how she’d confronted him about it later.
Tucker had said he’d have done anything for her, and all he wanted from her was love, respect, and commitment, but she couldn’t give it to him. He told her to go to Paris and talk to the waitstaff at the bistro so she could get the truth.
Traci sits down beside Ashley on the plane and smiles at her.
The GCAC Dining Room
Cole tells Victoria that Claire seemed happier than when they last saw her and had mentioned that Nikki visited with her. He thinks it’s good for Claire and Nikki both.
Victoria says Claire liked going for escorted walks around the hospital.
Cole nods. He says Claire lit up when she talked about walking through pediatrics. He loved seeing her smile. He’s worried that seeing the children there with their families might remind Claire of the family she never had but thinks it might help her heal.
Victoria hopes so. She asks if Cole talked to Claire’s care team.
Cole says he talked to “Dr. Henberg,” who told him that Claire was more engaged in group therapy and sleeping less than before. He says it’s baby steps, but hearing that she’s progressing was nice.
Victoria says they weren’t there for Claire’s baby steps, but they’ll be there for her from now on. She says she’s proud of her.
Cole says Claire is getting stronger and on the road to great things, and he and Victoria will be there to catch her if she ever falls again.
Newman Media
Nikki walks into the office and closes the door behind her. She sits down at her desk as Audra knocks on the door and walks in.
Audra starts talking business when she notices that Nikki seems distracted. She asks if she’s alright.
Nikki says she’s distracted… There’s a lot to do.
Audra says she’d be happy to take work off Nikki’s plate.
Nikki asks why Audra thinks she can’t handle her workload.
Audra says she should know better… She’ll leave her to it. She turns to leave.
Nikki tells her there’s no need to scurry off. She says Audra doesn’t need to keep humoring her; she won’t break!
Audra says of course she won’t.
Nikki says Audra’s doing it again! She wishes she’d never admitted to Audra that she had a problem.
Jabot Cosmetics
Diane tells Jack she wants to play devil’s advocate. Maybe he needs to look at this from a different perspective. Ashley got wrapped up with Tucker, but she made her way back from him and deserves credit for it.
Jack isn’t convinced Ashley is out of Tucker’s pull.
Diane says she’s convinced of it. Ashley is getting the facts so she can shove them down Tucker’s throat… And he deserves it!
Jack says Ashley would have a stroke if she heard Diane defending her. He’s worried what this will do to Ashley’s mind… She’s been going over this for months, and what will happen when she gets the answer she doesn’t want to hear?
Diane tells Jack it’s her battle, and in the final showdown between Ashley and Tucker, her money is on Jack’s sister.
The Jabot Corporate Jet
Ashley asks Traci if she’s there to talk her out of going to Paris.
Traci buckles her seatbelt and says she’s not going to stop her. She’s there because she loves her, and so does Jack. They’d never let her do something so important alone, so she’s come to be there for Ashley… Whatever she needs, Traci is there for her.
Next Week on The Young and the Restless
Nikki tells Jack her whole life is spiraling out of control. Jack has an idea to help.
Summer confesses she feels “lighter” around Chance.
Nate doesn’t think Audra quit Newman Media… Nikki must have fired her.
Victor tells Victoria and Nick that there was a fire at the facility where Jordan was being held, and Jordan has escaped.
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