Recaps
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Abbott Family Drama Leaves Ashley To Make A Game-Changing Decision
Friday’s episode of The Young and the Restless continued the emotional and riveting Abbott family drama that flashes back to when Ashley, Traci, and Jack were kids, and then to the present day; which illustrates how their relationship as kids forever changed their grown-up paths in business, and with one another.
Last week featured some intricate writing and directing and heart-tugging performances by Eileen Davidson (Ashley), Peter Bergman (Jack), and Beth Maitland (Traci). As we head into Monday, it will mark the final episode of Davidson as she heads off the canvas and departs the role that she originally became soap-famous for, and has played on and off since 1982.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
In story, as we flash back to the Abbott house in the 1970’s, a young Ashley tells John about her science experiment. She expresses that she thought that if she worked hard and won a ribbon at the science fair that her mother would love her like she has always loved Jack. Unfortunately, Dina had already left them all behind. Now in the present, Ashley sits with Dina, who is slipping further and further into dementia from her battle with Alzheimer’s for an emotional conversation. Abby overhears their chat and is moved to tears. Ashley tells Dina that she thanks her, and how she must have looked out for her when making the legal documents that gave her the patents to Jabot. Dina can’t recall anything that Ashley is saying. We go to another flashback, where John has to assure Ashley that her mom didn’t leave the family and all of them behind, because of her. When young Ashley cries, John promises to always be there for her, but little do they know a young Jack and Traci are overhearing this. Then, when a young Jack wants to share his feelings with John about how he has been affected by Dina leaving them, John doesn’t let him share his emotions. He instead reminds Jack that he has to be strong for his sisters.
Meanwhile at Jabot, panic is setting in between Jack, Billy, Traci, Abby and Kyle about what this all means for the company if Ashley becomes CEO and has all the patents. Abby tells the group about how much Ashley has felt unloved over the years. Traci tells everyone that not one of them is living up to the legacy that John Abbott has set, and that not one of them should be running Jabot now.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
When Ashley shows up, Jack makes her a very lucrative offer on paper, which Ashley rips up An upset Ashley throws it back at her brother. Abby accuses her mom of going against everything John stood for. “Jack started it!” Ashley yells. Even though the Abbott family tries to reassure Ashley that they love and respect her, (and respect is what she wants from them, and feels she is not getting) she exits needing time to think. Jack doesn’t know how things got this bad. Traci explains that Jack was left to hold the family together after Dina ran out on them. A tearful Traci talks about Jack buying Ashley a cake when she won the science fair. Jack has a flash back to when he and a young Ashley were arguing over who was John’s favorite child However, Jack worried that John wouldn’t always be around, so he promised that he would be there to help Ashley if she ever needed it.
Later, back at the Abbott home, Traci says she knows how much attention John lavished on Ashley; while Jack had no one to comfort him. Finally, Jack admits he was very jealous of his sisters. Next, Ashley arrives firmly telling the group that she will not to take a back seat to anyone. Jack still holds firm about her not being CEO. Ashley then reveals a bombshell, not only is she turning down their offer, but she is taking the patents with her and leaving the family and the company for good, and plans to leave Genoa City! Everyone is stunned.
Kudos to magnificent performances by Eileen Davidson, Peter Bergman, and to Beth Maitland for delivering the “Power Performance of the Week” and reminding us all while she is still such a valuable asset to The Young and the Restless.
So, what have you thought about how Y&R has told the story of the Abbott children’s past and how it affect the present? What did you think about the performances? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, watch Ashley announce her big decision below.
First off let me say,I get Eileen wanting leave.
I’m still crushed though. I’m going to miss her as Ashley. I would prefer they NOT recast the role, maybe periodically she’ll come back.
I didn’t mind the “flashback” to younger Abbott days.
I did feel one thing missing this week though with Ashley’s impending departure,the absence of any flashback scenes with Jerry Douglas (John),Jack,Traci and of course Eileen.
Given Ashley leaving, and Eileen (retiring from the show),it would have been fitting to both the character and actress. I’m disappointed they didn’t do that.
I totally agree, Lisa. Jerry Douglas should have had some flashback scenes, though the actor playing younger John was really handsome and quite good. I was sad at all the Abbott angst, as they are my favorite family, but it made for great drama and superb acting all around. I, too, don’t want an Ashley recast and would love Eileen to make occasional appearances. Hopefully, on the positive side, this might mean more of Traci in Genoa City. Beth Maitland certainly brightens up the screen.
I appreciate the special attention to Ms. Beth Maitland as Traci Abbott during this recent story turn involving the family. Everyone hit it out of the park these recent weeks as the Ms. Eileen Davidson/Ashley Abbott departure comes to pass. The Abbotts for always have been my favorite Y&R family, perfect combination of acting talent, writing for the characters, and role in the Genoa City world. Some characters are supporting and Traci Abbott has become that. Ms. Maitland played all the beats so well. All this backstory attention has me mindful of other actors who played core Abbotts Mr. Terry Lester (the original Jack), Ms. Brenda Epperson and Ms. Shari Shattuck (the replacement Ashleys), Mr. Marguerite Ray, and Ms. Veronica Redd (the Mamies), and especially Jerry Douglas (as John Abbott). Am appreciative that although Mr. Mal young is taking kicks from many on message boards, he and his team gave such careful thought and attention to this legacy family.
Answer: Plot-driven. heavy-handed and WAY out-of-character!
Question: How does one characterize Mal Young’s latest mis-step and mis-handling of Bill Bell’s legacy?
Another swing and a miss, Mal-efocent Young!! Your constant re-writing of Abbott family history to satisfy your plot-driven mess of storytelling is repugnant and hollow!!
I am happy Ashley was given a big send off–it was a good-bye love letter which she richly deserved. However, it did get me thinking–where’s Paul’s good-bye love letter? Is he gone already? No one even mentions his name on the show and meanwhile, Rey has made himself at home in Paul’s office.
That said, I think the acting and writing regarding the complicated, dysfunctional, Abbot family dynamics was top notch all the way. Peter Bergman always delivers playing a tough businessman who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Young John Abbott is soooooo HOT!! Get rid of Cain or Billy…. bring in the young John Abbott actor ( should have looked up his name)… God, he’s gorgeous!!– there’s something about him ……
I will miss Eileen so much!! I wish she would come back to Days as Susan, now that Kristin is burned to a crisp…..or is she??
I hope Traci will stay on? Wishful thinking….
This may sound inconsequential? Granted, it is….but, when was a “Fall Break” become part of any curriculum? I don’t ever remember having a fall-break growing up or on any given-present-day. Is it a Wisconsin thing? Did Mal young just make it up?
Fall Break is definitely a thing. My school had Fall Break growing up. I believe schools often offer a fall break to coincide with Yom Kippur, as it’s the most important Jewish holy day of the year.
Hi, Sonniorsorlita,
Oh, Ok. I guess what stumped me is that Yom Kippur ( which my brother-in-law’s father celebrates) is usually around mid September to early October? ….never the end of October. We just never referred to it as Fall Break. LOL..
Thanks for explaining.
That should read….” When has, not was…”.
Also, perhaps it’s an English custom?
I’d like to add that I think Ashley was so professional, albeit soooo hurt!!
I truly appreciated the flashbacks ( though I agree with the others who would have like flashbacks with Douglas)……a revelation, as it were. We had the pleasure of delving into the characters’s personalities and how their parents’ behwvior(s) affected their psyche.
One would think that as, sort of, the black sheep, Traci would become grow up to be a shrew; an introvert.
However, it was so refreshing to see how she has come be the most mature, fair and level-headed sibling.
Kudos to the writing format—at least we were gifted with the few snippets of yesteryear. I loved it!!
I, also, want to agree with Harry about ‘Paul’—no shining send-off. Perhaps because he is recurring? Is he?
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Emma Wants to Save Anna, Isaiah’s Career is All But Destroyed, Joe Makes an Arrest
The Monday, May 18 episode of General Hospital brought with it a startling discovery, a new reality for one surgeon, a new cop on the scene, and a granddaughter determined to protect her grandmother.
First, Laura (Genie Francis) tells Mac (John J. York) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) that Anna (Finola Hughes) is in worse trouble than she was previously after she had Kevin to check on her while he was in Europe. They head out to update Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).
Meanwhile, Emma gets upset over Anna during a discussion with Felicia and breaks Anna’s favorite coffee cup. Emma is overcome with sadness and cries, trying to figure out how she is supposed to be so happy with Gio (Giovanni Mazza), while Anna is locked away somewhere against her own will.
Courtesy/ABC
BAD NEWS FOR EMMA
Laura and Mac arrive to talk with Emma and Felicia, and reveal how Anna escaped and made it to the border, but she was now in the custody of the French authorities and they are transferring her to a long term mental illness facility, which freaks out Emma just as Gio arrives. Emma runs into his arms. Laura says at this point, Anna needs a strong advocate and she will make a call on her behalf. (But to who?)
At the Metro Court pool, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is arrested by Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) after throwing a punch at Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson). Joe takes Curtis to the station where Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) tells Fitzgerald to remove Curtis’ handcuffs. Now inside the interrogation room, Curtis explains that he believes Isaiah left he and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) dead at the side of the road the night of the accident and provoked him.
BROKEN HAND, BROKEN MAN
Curtis just wants to put it all behind him and says he will pay for Isaiah’s medical bills, but Dante informs him, he is trouble and he needs to call a lawyer. So, he calls Jordan. Meanwhile, Isaiah gets looked at while at General Hospital, and his hand is messed up. He comes to learn he will need multiple surgeries not only for broken bones but two tendons were severed in the process. Isaiah realizes his surgical days are numbered possibility forever, if not for a very long time.
JOSSLYN FINDS ANNA’S MESSAGE
While being held hostage, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) tries again to convince Cassius (Ryan Paevey) to set her free. That leads into the two playing cards and Cassius asking Josslyn how she got into the WSB. Josslyn admits her boyfriend was murdered and she killed the person who was the culprit for retribution. She says she put together all the pieces that he did the crime, and now this line of work gives her purpose.
In the shocking final moments, after Cassius leaves for the night, Josslyn heads to the cot in the other part of the holding room and sees a hand-carved message on the wall from Anna that she was there and help captive on October 31, 2025. We fade to black.
So what did you think of the concern Emma showed for Anna, and the performance of Braedyn Bruner? What are your very initial impressions of Jonathan Bennett as Joe Fitzgerald? Which character is annoying you more in the story … Curtis, Jordan, Portia or Isaiah? Weigh-in via the comment section.
On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.
It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.
Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.
Courtesy/ABC
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.
THE WRONG SUSPECT
Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!
Courtesy/ABC
DINING WITH RIC
At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.
Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.
Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.
Courtesy/ABC
FATHER AND SON
Rocco explained how he followed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.
Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.
Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.
A SHOCKING CALL
Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
‘General Hospital’s’ Tanisha Harper Opens Up About Being a Recast for the Role of Jordan Ashford
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Emma Wants to Save Anna, Isaiah’s Career is All But Destroyed, Joe Makes an Arrest
‘Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall Marks 50-Years as Marlena Evans
‘Beyond the Gates’ Execs Preview First-Ever Cotillion Episodes Juxtaposed with an Unexpected Death and a Stunning Reunion
Patrick Muldoon Laid to Rest in Celebration of Life Attended by ‘Days of Our Lives’ Stars
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
Patrick Muldoon Laid to Rest in Celebration of Life Attended by ‘Days of Our Lives’ Stars
Anthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Trisha Mann-Grant Opens Up About Difficult Scene, Getting Her Son Off the Streets, and Plight of the Homeless
‘General Hospital’s’ Tanisha Harper Opens Up About Being a Recast for the Role of Jordan Ashford
‘Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall Marks 50-Years as Marlena Evans
‘Beyond the Gates’ Execs Preview First-Ever Cotillion Episodes Juxtaposed with an Unexpected Death and a Stunning Reunion
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Detective Fitzpatrick is on the Scene, Nina Has to Silence Jack, Josslyn Needs an Escape Route
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reflects on His Time with TV Parents Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson
-
Breaking News7 days ago‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 day agoPatrick Muldoon Laid to Rest in Celebration of Life Attended by ‘Days of Our Lives’ Stars
-
General Hospital5 days agoAnthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak
-
Beyond the Gates2 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Trisha Mann-Grant Opens Up About Difficult Scene, Getting Her Son Off the Streets, and Plight of the Homeless
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Previews His New Role as PCPD Officer Joe Fitzpatrick
-
Breaking News1 week agoJennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82
-
Interviews3 days agoY&R’s Joshua Morrow Weighs-In on Who Will Save Nick from His Fentanyl Addiction: Nikki? Jack? Sienna or Someone Else? (Exclusive)