A Critic’s Review Of The Young and the Restless: Character Assassination

 

The author’s opinions are his and his alone. They’re suitably scathing, fairly humorous, and normally bang on target.

By Garren Waldo 10 hours ago

When it comes to The Young and the Restless, every fan has their own opinion – and Soap Hub is no different. For five days, we sat and watched the good, the bad, and everything in between, and now we offer you a handy review, and a cheeky critique, of Y&R’s week that was.

The Young and the Restless: A Critic’s Week In Review

Yes, it’s true. Trevor St. John is The Young and the Restless’ new Tucker McCall — a character who is supposed to be Jill Abbott’s (Jess Walton) exact age and a contemporary of Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson). St. John is neither of those things. And he looks far too young to be Devon Hamilton’s (Bryton James) father. (For the record, there is only a 15-year age difference between the actors).

Also, why is everyone reacting to Tucker as if he’s Y&R’s answer to Stefano DiMera or a Cassadine out to find another hamlet to freeze? Sure, Tucker slept with Harmony while he was married to Ashley, but he wasn’t some serial cheater like he’s been made out to be. And yes, there was a little corporate raiding here and there, but nothing too untoward. Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) has gotten away with far worse.

In point of fact, Tucker was on fairly good terms with his fellow Genoa Cityites when he upped sticks, so what gives?

It’s not like I expect Josh Griffith to hew to Young and the Restless cannon — why start now? — but give me an explanation other than this is the direction we want to take the show/storylines therefore the past is what we say that it is.

Further Y&R Musings

* Against my better judgment, I am loving the ‘Fight for Johnny Abbott‘ arc. Finally, something with real dramatic potential, rooted in show lore, and wholly relatable.

* If Allie Nguyen (Kelsey Wang) was as enamored of Tucker as she first made out, why did she seem so surprised by the revelations that he was Devon’s father and Ashley’s ex? Shouldn’t those be fairly well-known facts?

* Is it just me, or was Tuesday’s airshow nothing but unnecessary exposition from start to finish? Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Summer Newman Abbott (Allison Lanier) recapped their vow renewal, a skewed version of Tucker’s past was delivered, and, in case you didn’t know it, Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) spent the episode expressing just how very much they hated Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters). What a waste of 36 minutes.

* I’m not sure if it’s the writing for the character that needs to be addressed or if Rory Gibson needs to be told to perk it up or pack it in, but something needs to be done about Noah Newman and stat!