Ever since The Young and the Restless’s Nikki was first drugged and hooked up to an IV of vodka in some sick revenge plot by her presumed-dead granddaughter new character known now to most as Aunt Jordan, Melody Thomas Scott has been mesmerizing as Nikki has navigated her unusual situation. The week of January 8, she blew us away as Nikki once again couldn’t resist the bottle, earning her Daily Drama’s spot as Y&R Performer of the Week.

Nikki’s Struggle

After her ordeal at the Oregon lake house, Nikki returned to Genoa City with the sobering knowledge that she had fallen off the wagon and it was not her fault. Her body had been exposed to alcohol on an incredible level and craved more. AA meetings, talks with her sponsor, and Victor (Eric Braeden) removing the vodka from the Newman living room have not helped.

Nikki has a flask of vodka in her purse at all times and the knowledge that her daughter Victoria (Amelia Heinle) was taking her newfound daughter Claire (Hayley Erin) to see crazy Jordan (Colleen Zenk), Nikki ran off to the Genoa City Athletic Club and drank to her heart’s content. However, when she ran into Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) she was desperate for her not to tell Victor.

Scott played Nikki’s panic and desperation with a sense of self-defeating tragedy as Nikki slurred her words and tried to sober up with Lauren in a suite with a big pot of coffee. Her confusion when she woke the next morning and couldn’t remember how she got there was palpable.

Nikki’s Heartbreaking Moment With Victor

When Victor came to get her the next morning, our hearts broke as Scott portrayed Nikki’s embarrassment at Victor seeing her disheveled and weak, or at least what she thought of as weak. Nikki expressed her shame at not being able to stay away from alcohol and we saw a broken woman, but one who knew she had her husband to lean on and to help her get better.

Nikki was ready to begin another day with the determination to beat her addiction once again. We know we will get more masterful performances from Scott as Nikki’s struggle looks to take on a whole new level in the coming weeks and we can’t wait to see how she breaks our hearts next.

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