Genoa City saw its share of fireworks on Monday’s The Young and the Restless, as confrontations ignited and bridges were, somewhat improbably, rebuilt. Sharon, finally facing the consequences of her past actions, took center stage. Phyllis, never one to miss a chance for dramatic pronouncements, descended upon Crimson Lights, laying the full weight of Sharon’s attempted murder at her feet. Phyllis’s thirst for revenge was palpable, promising retribution if Sharon escaped proper punishment.
Despite Michael’s strenuous objections, Sharon chose to plead guilty, a decision driven, the writers would have us believe, by a sudden desire to atone for her transgressions. One might be forgiven for suspecting a more pragmatic reason—perhaps a shorter sentence?—lurks behind this sudden embrace of accountability.
Meanwhile, the Abbott family saga continued, with Kyle wrestling with the deception perpetrated by Diane and Jack. After the requisite period of soul-searching, Kyle, in a moment of narrative expediency, opted for forgiveness. The prodigal son’s return to the family fold was complete with his acceptance of the co-CEO position at Jabot. This plot development felt less like earned reconciliation and more like a hasty attempt to reset the family dynamics.
Jack, never one to be outdone in the corporate scheming department, unveiled a power play of his own. Victor’s Glissade divisions, it turns out, now belong to Jack, acquired at a fire-sale price. Victor’s predictable sputtering aside, this victory felt somewhat hollow, given the contrived nature of the setup.
Elsewhere in Genoa City, Summer’s attempts at peacemaking between Phyllis and Sharon fell flat, a predictable outcome given the depth of their animosity. Claire offered a supportive ear to Kyle, while Victor and Nikki continued their reign of smug superiority, taunting Jack and Diane about their checkered pasts. Nikki seemed to settle comfortably into her new role at Chancellor, with Victor, naturally, hovering in the background. Diane, for her part, offered the usual pronouncements of remorse and sacrifice, all designed to tug at Kyle’s heartstrings. The Abbott family, now seemingly whole again, embarked upon their journey of healing, leaving one to wonder how long this newfound harmony will last.
General Hospital airs weekdays on CBS.
