‘Y&R’ Didn’t Do Justice to the legacy of Paul, Chris, Michael and Lauren

The episode of The Young and the Restless that was scheduled to air Monday December 23 will be at least two days later because of the impeachment hearings. Christmas Day is Wednesday so the program might not be shown until Thursday or Friday. Viewers who are expecting great scenes from long time characters Paul, Christine, Michael, and Lauren might find themselves disappointed.

Christine and Lauren showed up first at Society and as they were talking they could hear their spouses arguing as the men neared the table. Paul and Michael were very loudly debating the racketball encounter they just had. Racketball is something that Michael Baldwin engaged in many years ago which gave the scene a throw back feeling. It was as if the two men were stuck in a time warp. The police chief and the DA both are in their 60’s but they were bickering with each other like competitive college frat brothers.

Lauren and Chris looked on in humiliation as others in the dining area were taking notice of their husbands who continued to disagree until the food came. I understand that actors simply go with the script they are given but the writers should have done much better by these fan favorites. The quartet was isolated and their scene did not have anything to connect it with other storylines. Seated not far from them, Chance was thanking Adam for having his back in Los Vegas. Phyllis was lurking nearby eaves dropping and when she knocked something over which made a lot of noise she came out of hiding.

It was wonderful seeing Paul and Michael and their wives, back in action in Genoa City, It was not, however, a good experience to observe them utilized as comic relief. It’s as if the writers were trying to convey to the viewers that these characters no longer fit in, but given the proper material they will shine. I actually felt a sense of empathy for those veteran actors because they deserved so much more than what they had to work with.

Chance Chancellor came back to Genoa City and was immediately put into the thick of things. He has been interacting with Paul, Adam, Abby and Phyllis as well as others and is involved in the front burner action.. Mishael Morgan returned as Amanda Sinclair and she also is fitting in with other Genoa City residents. If a character who had been off the screen for a while and returns as a recast, and a a former cast member coming back as a different character can be integrated into the current drama, then veterans of the CBS show should be doing so much better.

The Williams‘s and Baldwin’s were nit that the only ones whose lines seemed to come out of TheTwilught Zone. Summer and her stepsister Mariah actually we’re on the same page for once. The two are usually at odds with Sharon’s daughter referring to Nick’s adult child as “Snowflake.” Last week Ms. Copeland barged into Jabot to warn Summer away from Kyle now that she and Theo have broken up. On the upcoming episode the two are smiling as they greet their mutual sibling Faith who is back from school for the holidays. As Sharon and Rey look on the three sisters go to the outer area of the coffee house, laughing all the way. Once they are seated,Mariah and Summer their younger sibling to open up about a boy she likes.

Viewers know that they will see much more of Mariah, Sharon, Rey, Summer and Faith in the coming year. What is not known is the fate of The Williamses and the Baldwin’s. Be sure to Tune in to The Young and the Restless each week day afternoon on CBS at 12:30 PM EST.