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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Jack and Nikki Hit Rock Bottom with Riveting Performances by Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

If you caught the Thursday, May 2nd episode of The Young and the Restless, you witnessed an extraordinary episode filled with two unforgettable performances, that without a doubt will be remembered for 2024’s year-end accolades and next year’s Daytime Emmys.

In what at times reminded us that we were watching a two-person stage play or Y&R’s version of the classic motion picture, Days of Wine and Roses, two addicts hit rock bottom.

The episode only featured Melody Thomas Scott and Peter Bergman. The set-up, Nikki has gone on a massive bender alone in a GCAC suite, with booze bottles everywhere, slurring her words, sweating, the works. Jack, who is Nikki’s sponsor, ex-husband and friend, finds her and tries valiantly to get her to stop drinking and to sober up. He wants to get them to an AA meeting, he wants to get her to rehab. Throughout, while she is self-loathing on herself, Jack is reciting to her all the things she has to live for including Victor, her children, her charity work, etc.

Photo: JPI

All of this is falling on deaf ears because all Nikki wants is for Jack to leave, so she can continue drinking and be left alone with her vodka bottles.

At one point, she shoves Jack and says, “You have to want to get sober, but I don’t.”  Nikki throws an empty vodka bottle in disgust and tells him to stop with his damn positivity. She wants him to leave and smugly says,“You really think you can fix me?” She finds another bottle and opens it, but it’s empty. She smashes the bottle on the floor and runs into the bathroom.

Jack continues to plead with her that she is not to blame about Jordan and for Harrison being kidnapped. Trying to distract her, he talks to her about happy times with her family, orders food and coffee and water to help sober her up, but nothing is getting through to Nikki.

Next, Nikki says all his talking is making things worse, as he tries to grab the vodka bottle from her hands, but she won’t let it go. “I’m sorry I picked you as my sponsor,” Nikki angrily says to Jack. That moment stings Jack.  She tells him he ‘failed’. He couldn’t help her and now Victor can say, “I told you so.”

Slowly, Jack is losing his grip, with all the frustration and hurt Nikki has thrown at him. Nikki tells Jack to join the party or get out. Jack says, “Fine. I will.” He grabs a bottle and pours a drink. “Wow, that’s smooth. I see you sprung for the triple-distilled.” Nikki sneers, “Do you really think you can get me to stop by drinking half of my supply?” Jack suggests they order some vermouth. “Let’s see if Ol’ Smilin’ Jack can have fun again.”

Next, in a harrowing moment, Jack dials his former drug dealer, Kieran, to make a delivery to the suite. Jack tells Nikki she’s right. “I’ve been wound too tight for too long. It’s time to get loose!” Nikki is shocked at what she is seeing.

Photo: JPI

Now, Nikki is trying to to get the vodka bottle out of Jack’s hands but he won’t let her take it. Jack pours another drink and says he’s been a failure as her sponsor so to hell with it. “Don’t you try your reverse psychology on me,” Nikki spouts. After doing a toast to their marriage, friendship and Jordan, Jack tells Nikki, everything is not all about her.

He goes into the hell he has been through with Harrison, Ashley, Diane and Kyle and Nikki.  He wants some relief! Nikki reminds him alcohol was never his problem. Jack says he needs something stronger. Just then, a knock comes at the door. Jack pushes Nikki away and a delivery comes from Jack with a bag of pills. Jack says ,”Now, this is what hits the spot.”

Nikki is freaking out, but Jack says he has to remember what it feels like. When he holds the pills in his hand, that gives him comfort. Jack is grateful for their bond. “I would do anything for you.” He says he will go to rock bottom with Nikki, so they can climb out together. Jack remembers Diane was worried that helping Nikki might tempt him back to the pills. He told her there was no chance. He says, “It would help everyone else if they didn’t have to deal with Mr. Uptight.”

Even after all that, Nikki wants Jack out of the room. “Too bad, you’re stuck with me,” Jack says. He pours another drink and takes a pill out of the plastic baggie. Jack puts the pill in his mouth as Nikki shouts, “No!” Jack wonders how it feels to know you’re unable to help someone you care about. With that, he takes a drink to swig down the pill.

Nikki thinks he faked taking the pill, so Jack takes another one “There’s something liberating about just giving up.” Jack sadly says he let her down as a friend, and as a sponsor. Jack now blames himself for her massive bender. As he continues to down the pills, Nikki says she’ll get sober and will have something to eat.

However, Jack says this feels too good to eat. He takes yet another pill. Nikki tells him to give her the pills, because he can’t mix them with alcohol. Nikki’s phone makes a noise, so Jack grabs it and pretends it’s Victor on the other end, and then does his impression of Victor raising his eyebrow. Jack wants to continue his party, as he gets higher on the pills. Nikki says she does need a meeting. Jack pulls her close and says, “Dance with me.” As Nikki, pulls away, Jack passes out on the sofa. Nikki screams and we fade to black.

All we can say is, what towering performances by Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott, and a great script for them to play these scenes in. It was gut-wrenching and raw, and one of the best episodes on the soaps in a long time.

So, what did you think about Jack and Nikki hitting rock bottom? What did you think of Peter and Melody’s performances? Do you think Jack will now be back with a drug habit, while Nikki will finally sober up? Comment below.

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You’ve got to be kidding! What an insult to recovery and those who work hard to stay sober one day at time. Done with Y&R!

Bye bye

I’m sure both actors were great, but I hated that the entire episode was taken up by this storyline. Once (my recording) hit the 20 minute mark, I figured it was a stand-alone, and FF’d through the rest of it.
Can this story end now please since you have Peter & Melody’s Emmy reel for next year? Such an obvious ploy!
Today’s episode better be putting Nikki in rehab for the next month and getting Jack back on track.
Obviously this is JMHO, so please don’t jump all over me!

Honestly, it came across more like a budget dictated episode, reducing the overhead and trimming the cast even more than they usually do from day to day. With a B and C plot thrown in, better pacing would be achieved.

Onyx

I agree! I watched this episode today and it was riveting! I, and people I love, have had issues with alcohol/drugs and I think their performance was spot on. When Nikki called Jack out for still having his dealers number and he called her out for keeping vodka at the ranch, they pointed to their failures of coping with their addictions. Their love for one another was truly felt and I have never seen these two actors nail a scene like they did this whole episode. I hope to see them both get Emmy nominations for this, they deserve it.

I agree with your assessment and it’s too bad some of the other viewers couldn’t appreciate it. They just didn’t get or understand what it was all about, or what message they were giving and I say it was their loss.

The storyline of Jack taking narcotics to save Nikki is VERY IRRESPONSIBLE. How dare the writers glorify this !!! Y & R have sunk to a new low.

Sharon case the most popular actress on this pathetic show no where to be seen ! Pathetic but yet we see these people five days a week. Now wake up call if you have an alcoholic in the home you don’t have booze sitting around. Recovering means recovering you never tempt a alcoholic they are one drink away from it going back again ok anybody with a brain knows that so stay away from these stories you are too ignorant to know anything about this terrible disease

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.

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AEW

‘AEW Dynamite’ Pays Tribute to PAC Following the Death of Benjamin Satterley in Emotional, Moving, Pitch-Perfect Episode

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AEW Tribute to PAC

AEW delivered what would turn out to be an tear-filled, exceptionally done tribute to one of their own, Benjamin Satterley. better known as PAC. on the Wednesday night September 30 edition of their signature show, AEW Dynamite.

When the world learned of Satterley’s sudden passing on Sunday, September 27, it came just one day after what would be his final match at AEW All Out the night before. Now, for the first time his death, the AEW locker room, the men and the women who knew him best, gathered together to give “Ben” as they knew him, the send-off he deserved.

The special episode which emanated from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was filled with emotional speeches, video packages, and matches dedicated to the wrestling favorite, who was one of the greatest to ever do it, and whose life was cut short at just 40-years-old.

TEARS IN HEAVEN

What was so impressive about how AEW produced this episode was they literally broke the fourth wall and allowed their performers to eulogize Satterley and tape them at the arena earlier in the day, sitting in front of the camera and speaking from their hearts.

The same carried through to the matches on the card. Each held significance, and instead of it being babyfaces vs heels, everyone came together to perform for PAC, for Ben, for this special night.

This unity illustrated how close for the most part the brotherhood and sisterhood among professional wrestlers truly is, in the field of sport entertainment, that is often misunderstood for it’s deeper meaning and what these athletes and performers do night after night by putting their bodies on the line.

The show began with a formal dedication from the commentary team led by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Next, they tossed to an unbelievable poignant video package featuring Jon Moxley with the Death Riders and PAC by his side (for what would be for the last time) speaking to the camera after his loss for the AEW World Title at AEW All Out. Moxley’s speech spoke to what it means to be a professional wrestler, and to “do things with purpose and give a shit,” which was a reference to PAC’s own philosophy.

PAC’S FAMILY SEND SPECIAL MESSAGE

A ten-bell Salute followed for Ben as the entire AEW locker room and company took to the stage alongside an empty chair representing PAC. As the cameras panned, tears were being shed by many of the wrestlers and referee Bryce Remsburg was visibly upset.

Later in the night, Renee Paquette struggled through reading a statement from PAC’s family back in the U.K. Paquette was emotional as she shared the words of thanks from the family to all those who showed Benjamin Satterley the love since his passing and what he meant to them.

MATCHES FILLED WITH HUGS AND MOMENTS HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN

As the wrestlers made their way to the ring for their matches, many times they had tears in their eyes. Each wore an armband with the name PAC on it, and often came to the ring in PAC t-shirts, which AEW is selling online to help out Satterley’s family.

Jon Moxley faced Orange Cassidy in the opening bout, with Cassidy visibly upset. In the end, Moxley retained his Continental Championship. However, after the match, Bryan Danielson, who Moxley also most choked out with a plastic bag, splintering their relationship for what seemed like for good, was greeted in the ring by his former friend, who was in tears. The two hugged it out an emotional moment.

Hangman Adam Page was shown next in a video package just overcome with grief over the loss of Satterley. Next, he along with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reunited as “The Elite” took on members of the Don Callis Family, defeating them in a four on four tag match.

Cash Wheeler and Jay White each remembered PAC in two more video packages with both becoming overwhelmed with sadness and emotion. Swerve Strickland and his stablemates The New Level came out with the Trios Titles, something very connected to the legacy of Ben, and laid a PAC tribute towel over them in the center of the ring.

Next, in one of the more heartbreaking moments, Ricochet recalled how he and Pac shared a small room with bunk beds early in their careers as young wrestlers and how much he loved Satterley.

That was followed by a non-title bout between Ricochet and AEW World Champion, Will Ospreay. Before the match, the two hugged and in its aftermath. In tribute to Pac, Ospreay delivered his signature move off the top rope to secure the pin. This was an incredible match by two of the best wrestlers in the world.

MORE MEMORIES OF BEN

The match was followed by Will Ospreay’s tribute to PAC, including memories and the lasting impact Pac had on Ospreay from a young age. Later, Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin spoke to the cameras, In addition, Marina Shafir as the sole woman “Death Rider” shared her memories, before the women’s four way tag-match in which she appeared.

The main event featured The Death Riders with Bryan Danielson joining them to honor their fallen member, PAC against more members of the Don Callis family which included the return of Wardlow.

The show concluded with a video package honoring PAC, and closed out with empty chair placed under a spotlight in the ring as the wrestlers surrounded it, while the audience chanted “Thank you, PAC!”

What did you think of last night’s AEW Dynamite and how the wrestlers and the company came together to deliver this poignant episode dedicated to Benjamin “PAC” Satterley? Let us know via the comment section, but first check out the final video package in honor of the late pro wrestling favorite below.

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