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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Abbott Family Drama Leaves Ashley To Make A Game-Changing Decision

By Michael Fairman

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Photo Credit: JPI Studios

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.

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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: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback

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Alley Mills

The Friday, October 30 episode of General Hospital came to a conclusion with a one-two cliffhanger. The first, as Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) finished rehearsing their song at the Cats Eye Lounge, a woman’s feet where seen entering the club.

When the camera panned up it revealed a well-dressed Heather Webber (Alley Mills) applauding and yelling “bravo!” at the two young performers, but with Trina absolutely shocked to see her!

While General Hospital fans knew two-time Daytime Emmy winner was rejoining the show as the supposed reformed “Hook” killer (after cobalt poisoning due to her hip surgery played with her mind), what is Heather’s ‘state of mind’ now?

Trina

Courtesy/ABC

For months, GH has been teeing up the mystery of who is stalking Trina, with someone adding clippings of Trina to their “obsession” board.

Many viewers have felt that it will wind up being Heather who is seeking revenge on Trina, since Heather’s daughter Esme Prince (Avery Pohl) went overboard a boat and into the Siene in France, and is believed to be dead, after Spencer (last played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) saved Trina from her.

Speaking with TV Insider about her GH return this fall, Alley Mills shared on her first scenes back: “That was so fun because I love working with Tab, but I’ve never worked with the other kids before. I’ve seen them on TV, but I have never met them before, and they’re really talented, and they definitely got in Heather’s face. And the blessed Shawn Reeves, the wonderful costumer, put me in this fabulous outfit.”

Alley Mills

Photo: ABC

With Heather soon to mix-up with the residents of Port Charles, Mills added that Heather now has some wealth to boot! “It’s been an uphill battle, and she just hopes that people will understand and forgive her,” explains Mills. “But with the wonderful voice of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte (co-head writers, GH and this year’s Daytime Emmy winners for Outstanding Writing in a Daytime Drama), she just has so much spunk.”

Mills added, “I love the way they write her (Heather). She doesn’t really have a ton of boundaries and social awareness and softness. But she just won’t let people get her down. She’s like one of those dolls outside the gas station. You throw them down, and they pop back up. I feel like Heather is kind of like that now, but in Gucci.”  

So, were you stunned to see Heather Webber dressed quite elegantly and showing up at the Cat’s Eye Lounge? Do you think that now more than ever Heather is Trina’s stalker? Let us know via the comment section. But first, you can check out when Heather makes her presence now below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?

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Chase and Willow

Any hopes for a last minute reprieve were dashed when filled with sorrow, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers in front of a judge in the Dominican Republic on the Monday, October 26 episode of General Hospital.

The judge asked if they really wanted to go through with this, as a teary-eyed Brook Lynn and Chase both hesitated to sign the court documents. They admit that neither of them wants to get divorced, but they both came to the conclusion that too much mistrust has permeated their relationship, and too much has happened between them to stay married.

With that, Brook Lynn decided to put her pen to paper first. She signs the divorce papers. Next, Chase follows suit. They look at each other with tears in their eyes that their marriage is officially over. When the judge went to filing their divorce papers, Chase and Brook Lynn agreed to split custody of baby Phoebe straight down the line 50/50.

Josh Swickard

Courtesy/ABC

THE END OF THE ROAD

Next, the judge returned and gave each a copy of their paperwork. Chase says to Brook Lynn that he thinks that they should each fly back to Port Charles separately, and that he would take another flight home. Chase says goodbye to Brook Lynn and exits. Now alone looking at the empty room, Brook Lynn utters,“Goodbye, Chase.”

Later in the episode, as Brook Lynn flies back home to Port Charles alone, she listens to the message from Tracy (Jane Elliot) telling her she is doing the right thing by divorcing Chase.

Cut to: an emotional Chase who went to the beach. He looked at his wedding ring. Mourning the loss of his marriage, Chase buried his ring in the sand, at the same time Brook Lynn was removing her wedding ring on the airplane.

The drama won’t stop from here for Brook Lynn, because as teased in the GH video spoilers preview for the week, Jude (Wil Traval) will come calling wanting to see his “daughter,” and potentially staking claim to baby Phoebe!  As for Chase, now that he is a free man, will he begin a relationship with his ex-wife, Willow Tait (Katelyn McMullen), with whom he has been completely duped? Stay tuned.

So, were you happy that Brook Lynn and Chase actually ended their marriage? Were you hoping that the two would reconcile at the last minute and realize love can conquer all, or do you think they were being adult about the situation that they couldn’t get out of their own way and feelings to make their union work? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the scenes from Chase and Brook Lynn’s divorce and its aftermath below.

 

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Hesitate to Sign Divorce Papers, Elizabeth Reveals Aiden’s Leaving For Paris, Willow Flashes Back to Her Crimes

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Brook Lynn and Chase

As the week came to a conclusion on the Friday, October 23 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) wrestled with becoming an empty-nester, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Monet (Blythe Howard) conspired to keep Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Ric (Rick Hearst) at legal bay, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) frozen relationship thawed, but how much?

Let’s take a look! First, in a moment that was written to bring Liz and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) closer, the GH head nurse is wistful over the fact that she just learned that her talented bakery chef son, Aiden, secretly earned his GED and got into a prestigious pastry school in France and to top it off received a scholarship to attend the school.

Liz is concerned that allowing him to go wasn’t the smartest move because of his young age. Dante suggested that maybe it’s her fear of being alone that is causing her to feel hesitant for Aiden to go abroad. He shared a story about the support her received from Olivia when he moved away from home for the first time; that he understood mothers and sons are close, but she needed to let him go build his own life.

Elizabeth

Courtesy/ABC

After coming to terms with it, she revealed that Aiden is leaving in four days and had to make cupcakes for the Halloween party, Dante offered to help her do the baking. They smile. So, what this means to GH fans? All of Liz sons: Cameron, Jake, Aiden are all now officially off the canvas!

WILLOW VS. LULU

At Miller & Davis, Willow strolls in to meet Monet to go over their strategy in their meeting with Ric and Lulu. While discussing their next move, Willow flashes back to the night she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison) twice in the back, and then later, how she first stuck a needle in his neck to use the paralytic drug that kept him in a locked-in state for months.

Willow

Courtesy/ABC

When Ric and Lulu arrive, the four end up in a stalemate. Willow refused to drop the lawsuit, and Lulu refused to retract the story on her. Willow’s stance is that Lulu had been manipulated by the Quartermaines, who wanted to take her children away, so Michael can have sole custody of them. Lulu fired back that she was doing her job as an investigative reporter to expose crimes perpetrated by a congresswoman.

Now at an impasse, Ric and Lulu tell Monet and Willow they will see them in court as now a judge will hear the case. Not what Ric wanted that to happen, but now he tells Lulu, they will figure out a way to bring Willow down.

DIVORCE BLUES?

Finally, Chase and Brook Lynn head to the Dominican Republic to get a quickie divorce after how their lawyers dredged up awful things about both of them in Port Charles. While on the plane, the two discuss that they still want each other to be happy.

Once in front of the judge in the Dominican Republic, he asked if the two were mutually consenting to this divorce, but instead, the two sang each others praises.

This left the judge to ask if the two wanted to go through with ending their marriage and he left the room. Later, when he returned with the divorce documents to sign, Chase and Brook Lynn stared at each other hesitating to sign on the dotted line.

So, what do you think will happen next? Will Brook Lynn and Chase end their marriage, or decide to try to make it a go? Is it upsetting to you that all of Elizabeth’s sons are off the canvas? Should the soap recast them all, like they did with Alexis’ daughters and restart the story of these young men? Do you think now will be the time that Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed, and she will lose her kids and her seat in a congress? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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