Amanda Watches Soaps

Alright everyone....I’m here! 

It seems like nothing big has happened recently in Y&R and yet so much is happening. 

Abby opened her new restaurant and everyone in Genoa City leveled up with a new location they can visit now. Of course everything is going wrong, starting with the fact Abby is running around in a glittery, silvery jumpsuit while she’s supposed to be “working” on the final touches. Has no one in GC actually worked before? Back to the story. Food is missing, fire alarms are going off, and nerves are rampant. This was a chance for Arturo (who surprisingly has turned up after a seemingly well-planned exit) to be the knight in shining armor (but not as shiny as Abby). I assume we all know at this point the actor who plays Arturo has been fired from Y&R. So this storyline seems...odd now. I’m not sure where they’re going with this, since Abby keeps brushing him off. Especially when it’s revealed he may be the father of Mia’s (now) real baby. To wrap up, Arturo was there for no reason but to fix problems and honestly added nothing to the story. 

The main story I care about is Kyle, Summer, and Lola. I’m team Summer and Kyle (Kyler, Summle?) all the way. I started watching regularly after Summer returned, so I hadn’t invested any time in Lola and Kyle. But I really like Summer and Kyle together. They’re so cute! So imagine my frustration when Kyle just won’t let go of Lola and give Summer the happy life she deserves. The story picks up when the semi-newlyweds attend the restaurant opening, although both with different motives. Summer continues to play nice with Lola, suggesting they go to the opening to support their friend and even bringing a good-luck gift. Kyle brings his own gift, a necklace that Summer previously found and believed would be her’s. It’s HEARTBREAKING when Summer realizes Kyle is truly there to support the woman he loves (but claims to be over). 

For the past few episodes Kyle and Lola have been sneaking around, but it’s tonight that they finally get caught! By none other than Nick! Oh my gosh!! Nick happens to stumble upon Kyle giving Lola a quick kiss and loses his damn mind, demanding Kyle annuls their marriage. Summer, of course, defends her husband and pushes her father away (as she has already with her mother). The couple returns home and Kyle finally admits he’s not over Lola and the marriage was basically a sham. Summer and Kyle really have it out. Naturally, Summer is hurt and Kyle can’t seem to say anything. We’re left hanging with where their marriage will end up, with Kyle asking for a divorce and Summer clearly not ready for that. 

Meanwhile the Newmans are dealing with a fairly bland storyline (so far). Victor is up to some shady business in Las Vegas, which Victoria only knows about since she also ran away for Vegas. The patriarch has been lying to his wife and daughter regarding his whereabouts and continues to do so, claiming he’s closing a business deal. Victoria’s been around the block and doesn’t really buy that excuse, but Victor isn’t biting and sticks to his story. I hope the reveal is good because honestly this build up is boring. 

And finally the gut punch we all saw coming but couldn’t prepare for ended the episode. It was finally revealed how the writers would handle the character of Neill Winters after real life actor, Kristoff St. John, tragically passed away. Devon, who has been busy enjoying the fruits of his (or rather everybody else’s) labor at the opening of the restaurant, returns home to find out what’s keeping his father, Neill. Devon is shown coming down the stairs, crying, signaling something tragic has happened. He returns to the restaurant to inform the rest of the family what has happened. We, the audience, are left without much details, as the conversations between characters take place silently while solemn music plays over their reactions. The raw emotions convey what we need to know. Neill has passed away somehow. Over the course of this week’s episodes more will be revealed, with the characters given time to mourn Neill and Kristoff’s deaths. 

It was a rather uneventful episode today. But Phyllis did provide some much needed entertainment. 

Today’s episode mostly focused on the Abbott’s. Jack is still battling with literally everyone outside of Jabot to keep his company afloat. We’ve got the ever-present Ashley trying to undermine Jack in order to absorb Jabot into her own new company (and then of course become CEO of Jabot). There’s also a disruption with Lauren, owner of Fenmore, who wants to buy out her company’s share in Jabot. Jack needs Fenmore’s department store in order to launch his new comprehensive lifestyle brand. 

Phyllis also enters the picture, with photographic evidence Jack’s son, Kyle, is cheating on his blushing new bride, Summer. One might think that Phyllis wants to protect her own daughter and demand Jack deal with his son, maybe talk some sense into Kyle to stay away from Lola. But no... Phyllis uses Summer, her own daughter, as a pawn in her scheme, threatening to publish the photos exposing Kyle’s infidelity. This would, of course, give Jabot even more bad press (especially with their core demographic...women). Jack and I are both shocked at Phyllis’ end game. Poor Summer. No wonder she was screwed up.

Anyway, Jack informs Kyle of the plan afoot. Instead of negotiating with terrorists, Kyle decides to come clean to Summer, knowing the worst she can do is leave him, which would definitely free him up to be with his love, Lola. I, personally, love Summer and Kyle together, so I’m rooting for these crazy kids. Instead of having a reaction, Summer is actually sensible. She forgives Kyle (something he wasn’t expecting) and explains that this proves they’re just meant to be together. And Kyle actually....believers her? The audience is led to believe that maybe Kyle is actually falling for Summer. Oh dear...what will become of Lola? 

Then the best part of the episode.... 

Jack gets the pleasure of meeting Phyllis at her hotel room to deliver the news that her plan has failed. Kyle is taking the blame with Summer and therefor, Phyllis doesn’t have a leg to stand on with blackmail. Finally at her breaking point, Phyllis goes on a tyrant in her room, smashing a mirror, throwing furniture around, and screaming. A true iconic actress meltdown. I loved it. As does Jack, as he listens from the hallway. 

Hi everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated the blog! Everyone’s probably forgotten about this but that’s okay. I’m reviving it anyway! I might not be able to update every day, but we’ll try to at least get a weekly post up. 

So lot’s of things have happened in the Y&R universe since we last talked...

The most exciting (and fulfilling for me) was Sharon and Rey finally being together! I really ship them together and it was satisfying to see Rey finally leave Mia. But, of course, it isn’t that easy. Mia had been faking a pregnancy this whole time, partly to avoid jail and partly to keep Rey attached to her. This fake pregnancy was really working on multiple levels for her. Until we found out that she actually IS pregnant! What!? Yes so it turns out Mia is pregnant, but we don’t know who’s baby it is. My money is Arturo. So now Sharon and Rey can’t be in a loving, trusting relationship because Mia keeps interjecting herself and this “baby.”

Switching gears to another Rosales family, Arturo is officially off the show (well the actor was let go, anyway). They wrapped his story in a compact episode that saw him confessing to Abby he’d cheated on her with Mia the same night he told Abby he loved her. If his character had been sticking around, I really think the two lovebirds could have sorted things out. But since Art was already being shown the door, Abby exploded, calling off their engagement and kind of going off the deep end into loony lake. Art is gone and Abby is “happily” single (by her definition), throwing herself into preparing for her restaurant opening. 

The final Rosales member, Lola, has awaken from a month-long coma, which Mia put her in (although the only one who knows this is Rey). Lola has been gifted a new kidney via Summer, who also had a side agreement with Kyle that they would marry and attempt to to create a loving relationship, despite the obvious that he’s still in love with Lola. Personally, I love Kyle and Summer. They’re both rich, have known each other forever, and Summer truly seems to love and care for Kyle. Not that I’m not a fan of Lola, but I have no attachment to that character. And Kyle seemed to really be evolving into the role of loving husband, fooling almost everyone, including himself. But today that was tested when he agrees to have dinner with Lola, admitted he’s never stopped loving her and explaining why he had to do what he did. Lame. Thankfully he comes to his senses before he can sleep with Lola, realizing he actually is a decent person who can’t cheat on his wife. Kyle, get yourself together and realize you love Summer. Thanks. 

Lola and Kyle haven’t been alone in their extra-marital escapades. Phyllis has hired a private investigator to follow the two around while she whisks away Summer to a spa (although Summer quickly realizes she can’t leave Kyle that long as newlyweds). Clearly Summer isn’t as confident in her relationship with Kyle as she makes everyone believe. But...turns out everyone is right in this situation. Phyllis now believes Kyle is cheating on Summer. That’s not gonna end well. Not only does Phyllis hate the Abbotts for ousting her as CEO of Jabot, she now hates one of them for cheating on her daughter. There’s about to be a Phyllis vs. Abbott showdown. 

Also apparently Victoria has flown off to Vegas to “escape” her stresses in GC. Her story was kind of boring to me this week, so not much to report. Something is going on with Victor, he’s been secretly making trips to Vegas as well to meet with some high-stakes poke player. They’re really building up this twist so it better be good. Also can we talk about how Victoria always talks about being a mother and how hard it is and yet she’s literally never there for her children??? She literally left them mere weeks after being released from prison. Mother of the year. 

Jack and Ashley are also in a fight for Jabot. It was nice seeing Ashley again, since she left not too long after I started watching. I love Jack and he’s not to be trifled with. If anyone can figure this mess out, it’s Jack. 

Hello all! 

I finally managed to catch today’s episode of Y&R! 

I haven’t been able to watch the past couple of episodes, but I feel like that just adds to the excitement of trying to write a recap of a show I’m not super familiar with. I also didn’t take notes this episode as I did the first, so we’ll see how that goes.

Alright let’s get into it!

So Arturo and Abby are a hot and heavy item it appears. Good for them. I actually think they’re really cute together. But of course here comes Mia (who I found out is the name of New Girl. Guess we’ll use her real name now) who I guess is literally only on this show to cause trouble. Anyway, she meddles in Abby and Art’s relationship, mentioning to Abby how Art helped fix the heat and insinuating a lot more. 

Abby may look dumb (let’s be honest) but she knows how it works. Of course she doesn’t believe Mia (who would??) and tells Art all about it. Of course he tries to put Mia in her place but things get twisted and nothing can be easy. Also I guess Mia and Ray are renewing their vows. Wow that’s such a good idea. Actually I hope it happens and then like Sharon shows up and confesses her love to him or Ray realizes he loves her. That would be such a soap opera thing to do and I would be living.

Also we all know they’re just setting up Abby and Art to get married. Weddings are breading grounds for drama.

Onto the next big storyline of the episode.

I don’t really know who the girl in jail is or anything about her family. So she’s Jail Girl and her husband is Jail Girl’s Husband (creative). 

Last episode I saw, I did manage to catch the kissing scene with Victoria and a random guy (who happens to be Jail Girl’s Husband). So that obviously means he’s cheating on his wife with Vic. Classic. 

Billy, who of course was on the path to being in a relationship with Victoria, walks in on them (of course!). Poor Billy!! Vic really screwed up on that one. Now a scorned lover of sorts, Billy does the only logical thing one does in a soap...tell the husband. So great. Now two relationships have been screwed up. I believe Jail Girl and Billy are friends, that’s what they say anyway. She’s devastated obviously. But at least she’s in jail, so she can’t do anything too rash (like make out with Billy for revenge). 

Also in the episode before this, Phyllis mentioned to Victoria how Billy had tried to get with her before. So is Billy just a slut? Or a gold digger? Either way. That’s why Vic was making out with Jail Girl’s Husband. Revenge on Revenge here! 

Finally we have Sharon and Phyllis, one half of the team covering up JT’s murder. Phyllis is super paranoid, like annoyingly so. She’s convinced the Newman family will close their circle, leaving the other two girls on their own and possibly taking the fall for a murder Nikki committed. Honestly it seems very likely, Soaps thrive on backstabbing. And the Newmans don’t just let things go. I feel sorry for Sharon because she seems like a halfway decent person and kind of innocent (I know she’s not). Phyllis is just gotten really annoying lately. Anyway, now they’re forming an alliance which is something I would do. It makes sense but if Nikki and Vic get wind of it, which they most certainly will, that’s not gonna go over well. 

Also I guess Victor is getting out of jail now. Yay.

Things are really starting to heat up with several story lines and I can’t wait to see what goes down. Hopefully I can keep up better. 

Until next time!

A couple of things.

Since I wasn’t prepared to actually be noticed (lol) I actually started this at a horrible time. I’ve gone out of town and haven’t been able to catch our Soaps live (They are recorded!). So hopefully next week we can get in the full swing of things!

Secondly, this is a sideblog for me. I’m not sure how the icons appear on your dash, but my main blog is wonderfullyroyal. So if that domain replies to you it’s me haha! 

Anyways, thanks to everyone for the feedback! See you next week (no spoilers!)

First of all, I’d like to discuss the intro. I believe fully this show could be improved by also adding the character names to the corresponding actors during the intro. I need to memorize names and faces!

So here we go into the episode, picking up with Nikki finding someone placed the murder weapon she used to murder JT (which I assume was months ago), in her house. I, personally, was shocked! Nick runs in (apparently he’s in the house, just hanging out) and we’re treated to a real delight. Nikki gives a brief rundown to Nick of the events leading up to Nick’s death. This is good news to me because I wasn’t watching the show then, so Nikki is basically explaining it to me as well. Thanks Nik!

Meanwhile, we go across town (maybe not all the way across. I don’t know this place. We go to a new location, okay?) to who I call “The new kids on the block.” This is Ray’s house (the cop/detective). He, of course, isn’t there, but his wife (who’s name I can’t remember and have dubbed “New Girl”) and his brother, Arturo (who’s basically the only name I can remember) are. New Girl arrived into town about the time I casually started watching the last 30 minutes of the show. So we’re both new, but she seems to have picked up the show a lot quicker than me.

Anyway, before the new kids on the block came to our fair city, they had their own share of drama. New Girl cheated on her husband with his brother (a classic in the Soap world). So now there’s that tension. PLUS Ray almost had a thing with blonde girl #1, Sharon and his wife, New Girl, isn’t convinced he’s not still into Sharon. Take a breath. I guess New Girl’s heat isn’t working and Arturo has come to fix it and now she’s seducing him. This is a super condensed version of what happened, but it’s the basics.

So where’s Ray? Well he’s sharing a very small motel room with Sharon because their car almost slid off the road during a particularly treacherous night. New Girl has found out about this through various circumstances and now she’s convinced Ray is cheating on her. Which is why, I believe, she tries to kiss Arturo.

Yeah, woah!

You should know at this particular point I really want Blonde Girl #1 Sharon and Ray to get together. They’re both good looking. Needless to say I’m not a fan of New Girl.

Alright so let’s check back in on Nikki and Nick. This murder mystery has me more involved than an Agatha Christi novel. Who has access to the house? Who’s blackmailing everyone? Is it JT??? It was at this point I wondered how many people have murdered or been murdered on the show. For supposedly a “small” town, the murder rate has got to be suspiciously high.

Also, Victor is in jail. That’s it. That’s where he is (shrug).

I guess it’s the next day because suddenly it’s daylight outside and also everyone changed clothes. Cool.

I made a mental note that Arturo is dating Abby, Blonde Girl #2. I feel like they may be getting engaged soon. In fact I thought it would happen today but then things appeared to take a turn for the worse before coming back up in the end. Their conversation (although short, but spread out through several scenes) was a true rollercoaster ride for me today.

Speaking of Abby, she is a complete mystery to me. I don’t really know any of her background so she’s someone I’ll have to pay attention to.

Ray comes clean to his wife, New Girl, about spending the night with Sharon and claims he’s done with the drama. But oh Ray, you’re never done with the drama. Obviously they can’t stay together and be happy because they’re on a Soap so I can’t wait for that to implode.

Final Thoughts:

If Abby and Art don’t get engaged soon they will have wasted all of our times.

One episode of this show is like a complete movie. I’m trying to keep up and remember who is who. I feel some big twists coming.

This murder mystery/blackmail situation is really something else. Can’t wait to see how they tied this up.

Hello and welcome to my new blogging adventure.

There’s always been a stigma around the words “soap opera.” Soap Operas are shallow, unrealistic. Plots involving murder, affairs, surprise pregnancies, people coming back from the dead, children aging seemingly overnight, and (gasp!) secret twins! If this were a primetime show it might be described as thrilling or exciting. But soap operas are just outrageous. It’s been a running joke in society to poke fun at those who watch the Soaps. But couldn’t we argue that Soap Operas gave us our first true fandom. Magazines have been published detailing what’s next for your favorite characters through actor interviews. Today we have websites, branching off the success of its forefathers in print, to continue the gossip of what your favorite characters have in store. Articles dissect each characters motive and speculate about their fate. For a short time, there was an entire television network dedicated to syndicated episodes of fan-favorite soaps.

My grandmother watched them since the beginning and my mother joined in as a teenager. Their soaps of choice included the Guiding Light, Bold and the Beautiful, occasionally All My Children, and of course, the Young & the Restless. As a result, the Soaps have been part of my life since I was born. If you were in the living room in the morning to mid-afternoon, the TV was on whatever Soap Opera it was time for. In fact, I remember being a child and being able to picture Victor Newman’s face as clearly as my own father’s face.

My mom watched them almost religiously in the afternoon when she took on the stay-at-home-mom role while I was growing up. I usually played dolls on the floor, creating my own Soap Opera.

Fast forward many years. She’s retired and I’m a recent graduate. So we both find ourselves in front of the TV quite often. As daytime TV is limited, I settle for her favorite soap opera (and one of few who survived) the Young & the Restless. Although times have changed, with more women entering the workforce and our TV lineup now including thousands of channels, somehow this soap opera (amongst few others) have managed to cling onto their space in the daytime TV world. Sandwiched between talkshows (only good if the host is funny), local TV news programs (boring), and gameshows (my other personal favorite), soap operas seem to offer a bit of dramatic flair to the otherwise plain-on-purpose daytime lineup.

I just started watching the Young & the Restless within the last couple of weeks, and let me tell you, those storylines are no joke (literally). People can make fun of Soaps all they want, but I’d like to see them keeping up with eight different storylines in one hour-long program (most likely 48 minutes with commercial breaks). This is the Agatha Christie of daytime TV.

Despite my earlier claim of Soaps being on TV during my youth, I’ve never actively watched them until now. I didn’t try to keep up with storylines and character development. Now I’m jumping in to this well-established, extremely long running TV program completely blind. There’s no way humanly possible to start the series from the beginning and catch up. This bothers me because I’m of the generation where I basically can’t watch a TV program unless I’ve started from the beginning. I thought I could possibly maneuver around this by doing a quick Wikipedia read (as I’ve done with most things I’m interested in). I soon found out that even a synopsis of these characters was a novel to read. There have been 11,000+ episodes since the premier, and most of the main characters have been there for years (like 30 years). Needless to say, they’ve had their share of storylines.

I can barely remember everyone’s names (from my Wikipedia read) let alone relationships to each other (both family and romantic). So that’s where the blog comes in. I’m sure there are others out there who have decided at one time to start the Soap Opera, only to spend weeks (if not months) catching up. This is half the fun. Instead of knowing character names you have to rely on looks (blonde girl #1, not to be confused with short blonde girl #2).

For this blog, I will be bringing you on my journey of watching the Young & the Restless for the first time. I’ll be recapping each episode as I see it. Maybe not in the most professional or glossy way, but with humor and real touch. I’ll be writing for the casual fan, but mostly for myself.

Try to keep up and I’ll see you in Genoa City.