Today’s Young and the Restless recap airs in the USA on Monday, December 18, 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, Billy found himself in a tough spot, Summer decided to pursue Chance, and Ashley struck a deal.
The Genoa City Athletic Club
Tucker is sitting at the bar when Audra approaches. Tucker says he hardly recognizes her without her puppy, Kyle, following at her heels.
Audra says Kyle doesn’t believe Tucker will set Diane or Billy as the scapegoat, and he thinks Tucker is going to set him up to take the fall for the stolen formulas from Jabot.
Tucker thinks that’s an interesting thought.
Audra asks if Kyle is right… Is Tucker planning to set Kyle up?
Society
Diane and Kyle are having an after-meal coffee. Diane asks Kyle where things stand with Tucker.
Kyle says he managed to find out more about Tucker’s plan.
Diane thinks that it’s great that Kyle’s already found out more but wonders if Tucker is aware that Kyle is playing him.
Kyle says Tucker has no idea. Everything is going to plan. He says Tucker is planning to hit Jabot’s profits and wants to make it personal. Tucker is planning to have someone take the fall for it, but hasn’t decided whether it’s going to be Billy or Diane.
The Abbott Mansion
Billy walks into the living room and asks Jack where Kyle and Diane are.
Jack explains that Diane and Kyle went for breakfast at the Athletic Club.
Billy says Mrs. Martinez is making her legendary omelets in the kitchen… Why did they go out?
Jack laughs and jokes that they must be up to something. Maybe they’re planning Christmas or a coup. Who knows!
Billy laughs and tells Jack to keep up his good cheer.
Jack thinks that sounds a bit ominous.
Billy says it’s not easy to say, but… He’s leaving Jabot.
The Newman Ranch House
Nikki stares at the booze tray, lost in thought. She hears Victoria call out and quickly runs over and zips her purse shut to hide the flask inside.
Victoria and Cole enter the living room. Victoria asks how Nikki is.
Nikki assures her she’s fine and says she’s been thinking about how difficult it must be for Victoria and Cole to wait for the results of Claire’s DNA test. She asks when they’ll find out the results.
Cole says they’re going to get back the results today and find out how deep Jordan’s lies were.
Michael walks into the house and gives them an update. He just got back from Oregon, and has news they’ll need to hear.
Victoria asks what the news is; is Claire going to be released?
The GCAC Dining Room
Tucker asks Audra why she cares if Kyle’s the one to take the fall.
Audra says Tucker’s making assumptions about her feelings. She just wants to know whether the plan that Tucker told Kyle is true.
Tucker shrugs and says it was all a lie so that Kyle will tell Jack all about it. He tells Audra she needs to keep her eyes on the prize… Tucker and Audra will be on top, and how they get there doesn’t matter.
Audra says Kyle thinks Tucker is hanging him out to dry, and she can’t convince him to continue with a plan that leaves him nothing.
Tucker says Audra doesn’t know all the details of his plan.
Audra says she doesn’t, but she knows that Kyle won’t go through with it.
Tucker sighs and says Kyle can’t be trusted and doesn’t want the keys to the kingdom. He asks Audra why she “suddenly” doesn’t believe in his plan. He thinks Audra has really let “this kid” get under her skin.
Audra says it’s a mistake to call Kyle a kid and imply he’s naive. She says it’s obvious that Tucker is going to use Kyle and throw him away. She wonders if Tucker is going to do the same to her.
Tucker says she knows him better than that, and she can’t trust Kyle; he’s an Abbott. Kyle’s future is with his family, and Audra’s is with Tucker.
Society
Diane is incredulous that Tucker wants her to take the fall. She asks what the details are.
Kyle explains that Tucker wants him to get the formula for an unreleased product from Jabot, and then he’ll replicate it at Glacade and release it before Jabot can.
Diane understands. She says Jabot would be left with what would be seen as a “cheap imitation.” Jack will be furious!
Kyle nods. Jack will look for a leak, and Tucker wants Kyle to plant evidence pointing to Diane or Billy.
Diane says it takes a special kind of perversity to try to convince a child to frame his mother.
Kyle says he doesn’t believe that’s really Tucker’s plan. He thinks Tucker will make it look like Kyle is the one who stole the formula.
Diane says Tucker’s a creep who uses cheap tricks to get what he wants, unlike Jack, a man of integrity. She says it’s time for Kyle to tell Jack everything that’s happened.
The Abbott Mansion
Jack tells Billy he fought tooth and nail for his job as co-CEO. How could he just leave?
Billy says his mother offered him an opportunity at Chancellor-Winters, and he’s had a chance to think about it and changed his mind.
Jack says Billy belongs at Jabot. He won’t let this happen!
Billy asks if Jack is going to force him to stay.
Jack says he will… Unless Billy gives him a good reason to let him go.
Billy says Jack knows Billy needs to help his mother and be with her at Chancellor-Winters. The only reason Jack kept Billy around was because he was worried Billy would spiral out of control if he didn’t keep an eye on him.
Jack says he didn’t give Billy the position out of pity. Too many people depend on Jabot for that.
Billy says Jack was trying to protect him from himself, but he’s realized that being at Jabot isn’t good for him. There’s too much adrenaline and bluffing going on.
Jack gets that Billy is getting a gambler’s high from working at Jabot.
Billy says it’s like being on a winning streak… Or a losing streak. There’s too much pressure to make a winning move.
Jack says Billy’s worked hard to get his life back.
Billy hopes Jack can understand.
Jack says he’d be selfish not to understand. He asks how things will be different at Chancellor-Winters; the stakes will be high there, too. What changes?
Billy says it’ll be different because Jack won’t be at Chancellor-Winters.
The Newman House
Michael tells Victoria, Nikki, and Cole that he convinced Claire to plead guilty by reason of insanity and asked that she be remanded to psychiatric care instead of being sent to prison.
Victoria says it’s good; Claire will get treatment and care.
Michael thinks that Claire might be able to be cared for in the psych ward at the Genoa City Memorial Hospital.
Nikki’s worried that coming to Genoa City might disrupt Claire’s recovery.
Victoria says it’s good to have Claire close by and away from her memories of Oregon.
Nikki asks what happens if Jordan comes out of hiding and looks for Claire.
Victoria says Victor will do everything in his power to protect them.
Victor walks into the room.
Cole asks Victor if there’s any word on his aunt Jordan.
Victor says there’s not, but there’s something fishy about the way she left everything for them to find at the hotel. She never returned to the motel to pick up her belongings.
Michael’s phone rings. It’s the courthouse. He leaves to take the call in the library.
The Abbott Mansion
Jack asks Billy what he means… How is Jack the problem?
Billy says he always wanted to beat Jack; he always wanted to win and always felt he would never live up to Jack’s standards. Billy says that going to Chancellor-Winters would take the pressure off of him, eliminating the rush of trying to win. He says he’d also be working with Chance, who will be leaving the police department.
Jack says he must be out of the loop. He didn’t know about Chance.
Billy says he will be the “Jack” at Chancellor-Winters and help the new hires.
Jack asks if that’s how Billy sees their relationship.
The Newman House
Victor says he’s noticed Nikki’s hands shaking; has the stress triggered her M.S.?
Nikki says the problem is knowing Jordan is nearby.
Victor hugs her.
Victoria offers Cole a drink or a bite to eat. He declines, and Victoria asks why he’s smiling at her.
Cole says some things never change, which is reassuring.
Victoria says things have changed in ways she’s having problems comprehending.
Cole says Victoria turns into “Miss Etiquette” when she’s upset.
Victoria laughs and asks if that’s how he remembers her. She says when they first met, she was pretty wild.
Cole says she was wild but polite. She’s grown up, but she’s still the same.
Victoria says they’ve both grown a lot since then. Losing a daughter changed them. She asks if Cole thinks that Claire is their daughter.
Cole says he doesn’t know.
Michael walks back in and says the judge recommended that Claire be remanded to the psychiatric unit at the Genoa City Memorial Hospital.
Society
Kyle tells Diane that he’s got leverage with Tucker, so he needs to steal a secret from Jabot to prove his loyalty to him.
Diane says this is why Kyle needs to come clean to his father. She asks what they’ll say when Jack asks why they kept it from them.
Kyle agrees. He says it’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. He asks what’s happening with Ashley’s sale of Glacade.
Diane says Tucker will be the sole owner of Glacade before the end of the day.
Kyle says things are falling into place. Once they have Jack’s support, Tucker won’t have a chance.
The Abbott Mansion
Billy tells Jack that they’ve had some good times at Jabot, but they’ve always had conflicts, too. He says he won’t ever get to the top at Jabot; Billy can’t live up to Jack’s standards, and Jack will never retire. He has to have some freedom to grow.
Jack says Billy’s saying Jack is limiting him.
Billy says Jack has to limit him. There’s only one Jack Abbott, and Billy can’t compete with that. The part of him who always wants to win won’t stay quiet when Jack is in the picture.
Jack asks if he thinks he’ll have more luck at Chancellor.
Billy shrugs. He doesn’t know. He says he’s older and wiser and has to take a leap of faith.
Jack wonders if Billy is just running away.
The Newman House
Victoria asks Michael what happens next.
Michael says Claire is being transported to Genoa City right now under the strict supervision of an armed guard.
Nikki thinks things are happening quickly.
Victoria says everyone will be on high alert. It’s time for the healing to begin for everyone.
Victor says he worries about Claire arriving in town before they’ve neutralized Jordan.
Michael says Victor has his security team on alert.
Nikki says they have to be careful; they don’t know who Claire truly is.
Cole’s phone pings. It’s the lab results. He reads the results and announces that Claire is indeed their daughter.
The GCAC Dining Room
Audra tells Tucker she deserves an answer.
Tucker says she has his heartfelt apologies if he’s ever made her think he doesn’t value, need, or appreciate her.
Audra says Tucker is throwing words around that just sound meaningless.
Tucker says he respects very few people, but he respects her. She’s the only person he actually trusts. He says he loves the way her brilliant mind works… He loves everything about her.
Audra asks why he’s only saying this now.
Tucker says he never needed to. He thought they had their own secret language where they didn’t need to say anything. What they have is deeper than that, and he hopes Audra knows he’s doing it all for her.
Audra asks for him to explain.
Tucker says he wants Chancellor-Winters for Devon. Jabot is the jewel he’s saving for Audra.
Audra tells him not to lie about it.
Tucker says he’s never lied to her.
Audra scoffs. She says that Tucker’s going after Jabot for revenge, not because he’s doing it for her, and the fact he’s making such an effort to pull the wool over her eyes is making her trust him less.
Tucker says he has his concerns, too. Audra seems to be forgetting the rules when it comes to Kyle.
Audra says he’s saying she’s disappointed him, and he’s tried this in the past. It’s insulting!
Tucker says he’s sorry if he’s insulted her; that’s the last thing he wanted to do. He takes her hand and asks her not to be mad at him. She’s one of the few people he actually admires; where would he be without her?
Audra smiles and says she’d like to slap him.
Tucker’s phone pings. He laughs and slaps the bar. “Champagne for everyone!”
The Abbott Mansion
Billy says running away is a life-saving maneuver. Jack’s upset because he thinks Billy is blaming him, but he’s not blaming him.
Jack says it sounds like he’s the problem.
Billy says he’s making a rational decision because it’s the right thing to do. Jack’s not the villain. Billy has a new job, and he’s going to work his ass off! He’s got an amazing woman he adores and his kids respect him; if he loses that, he has nothing else. He doesn’t want to be that guy anymore. He likes who he’s become!
Jack nods. He says he loves the guy Billy’s become, and he’s going to miss him.
Billy smiles. He says he’s not leaving town.
Jack, with tears in his eyes, says Billy’s just going somewhere a bit safer.
Billy says he has a request… Make sure Kyle doesn’t celebrate too hard when he hears that Billy is leaving.
Jack doesn’t say much. He rubs his face tiredly.
Billy thinks that’s a strange reaction. Maybe Jack thinks Kyle shouldn’t be the co-CEO?
Diane and Kyle enter the house. She sees Billy and Jack and asks what’s going on.
Billy says Jack will fill them in on it. He leaves the house.
Kyle asks what that was all about.
Jack says Billy is leaving Jabot.
Diane and Kyle are surprised. Why?
Jack says, “Because of me, damn it. I’m to blame.”
The Newman House
Victor asks Cole if he’s sure that Claire is their daughter.
Cole nods. 97.8% sure!
Nikki can’t believe it… She’s baby Eve!
Victoria’s emotions are raw on her face, flitting from exhilaration to tears and wonder. She thanks Michael for keeping Claire out of prison. Now they have to keep her safe!
Michael says this transition won’t be easy on any of them.
Victoria says they must get to know Claire and tell her the news.
Nikki isn’t sure it’s wise to make such “sweeping” changes to their lives. They don’t need to make any decisions right away.
Victoria says she wants to be at the hospital when Claire arrives. Cole agrees.
Nikki says they should discuss it first.
Victoria says all she can think about is Claire. There’s nothing to discuss.
Michael tells them to go to the hospital; he’ll meet them there.
Victoria hugs her mom and dad.
Victor tells her to be careful.
Victoria and Cole leave.
Michael tells Victor he knows they need to talk, but he has to leave and take care of things at the hospital. He leaves the house.
Victor hugs a traumatized Nikki.
The GCAC Dining Room
Tucker tells Audra she’s looking at the sole owner of the greatest cosmetics company in the world… Glacade! He lifts his mug in a toast.
Audra returns the gesture and they clink their mugs. She’s amazed. They haven’t even developed a single product yet!
Tucker says when they do develop something, it’ll set the industry on fire… As long as Kyle comes through for them.
The Abbott Mansion
Diane asks why Jack thinks that he’s the reason Billy left Jabot.
Jack says Billy was always trying to measure up to him and felt like it was a competition.
Diane thinks that Billy just wants to work with his mother.
Kyle says he gets it… Working with Jack could feel like a poker tournament, he was always trying to outplay him.
Jack asks if Kyle ever felt that he was in a competition with his father.
Kyle says he figured that was a normal father/son thing.
Diane says Jack was Billy’s “trigger.” She says Jack thought Billy could handle it at Jabot, but it seems like he was wrong.
Jack says he needs a moment alone with Kyle’s mother.
The Newman House
Victor tells Nikki she handled the news well that Claire was coming to town.
Nikki’s blown away they have a granddaughter now. She’s not sure how much Victoria or she can take. Claire is the definition of unstable!
Victor asks what Nikki’s scared of.
Nikki says Victoria might need to show she’s stronger or braver than she is.
Victor says it’s up to them to support Victoria and protect her.
The Genoa City Memorial Hospital
Victoria and Cole wait in the corridor. Victoria says Claire must be frightened.
Cole says Claire is here now… And she’s their daughter. He thought it was impossible!
Victoria says it doesn’t feel real yet. She wishes they’d been there to keep their daughter safe. They’ll protect her now.
Cole smiles and says it’s their job.
Claire is escorted into the hospital by a police officer and Michael. She’s surprised to see Victoria and Cole waiting in the hall.
The Abbott Mansion
Jack tells Kyle he’ll let him know when they’re finished talking.
Kyle is taken aback, but he leaves the room.
Diane asks why Kyle had to leave.
Jack says he needs to discuss what’s happening now that Billy is gone.
Diane says there’s nothing to discuss… Everything will go back to the way it should be; Kyle gets his old position back.
Jack says he’s not sure that’s the right thing to do.
The GC Memorial Hospital
Claire says she knows why she’s at the hospital; Michael told her to plead guilty, and she did like he told her to… She always does what people tell her to. Why is she here in Genoa City?
Cole says they want to help her.
Claire figures they want to keep an eye on her. They’re looking at her like she’s some kind of experiment!
Victoria says they want to help her get better.
Claire thinks they’ve come to get her DNA.
Victoria and Cole say they found her DNA at the Lake House and tested it against theirs. Victoria tells her it is the only honest thing Jordan has ever told her. She is their daughter!
The Newman House
Victor says that Nikki’s been reasonable and loving throughout Victoria’s whole life, and she needs to be that now. He says welcoming Claire into their lives won’t be easy.
Nikki figures they have to make an effort if they want Victoria in their lives.
Victor says they should celebrate the occasion.
Nikki says she’d be fine with that under normal circumstances, but this is hardly normal.
Victor’s phone rings. He excuses himself to take the call. It’s from his security team at the motel.
Nikki assures him she’s fine.
Victor leaves the room.
Nikki quickly gets up, reaches into her purse, and takes the flask out. She drains it and looks out the window.
Jordan stands outside, looking in at Nikki.
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