This week’s The Young and the Restless recap for December 26-28, 2023, details a battle to the finish (for now), a desperate woman, and a romantic vow renewal. It might have been a short holiday week in LA but it was certainly an eventful one.

Nikki And Claire Save Themselves

Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) made her way to a remote cabin on Jordan’s (Collen Zenk) orders, but clearly should not have been driving because she walked in the front door drunk and slurred her words throughout most of her showdown with Eve Howard’s craved sister. She even happily took another swig of vodka when she got there.

At least Nikki remembered her purpose because she demanded to see Claire (Hayley Erin). However, Jordan wasn’t ready for that yet. She had to taunt Nikki for a while before wheeling a drugged Claire out from the back room.

Surprisingly, Nikki went into concerned grandma mode and whacked Jordan over the head with a bottle. She tried to rouse Claire before Jordan got back up and lunged at her. As the two women struggled, Claire got hold of the gun and tearfully told Aunt Jordan that she destroyed her life.

She could have grown up with a family who loved her and built her up rather than tore her down. Jordan tried to talk her way out of this mess but soon the cops arrived thanks to Nikki. She may have been drunk, but she was smart enough to leave her purse between the couch cushions with the address of the cabin.

Cole (J. Eddie Peck) recognized it as a place he stayed as a child, so Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nick (Joshua Morrow) called the cops, headed out there, and found Claire and Nikki safe and sound. Jordan was now behind bars, but how long will that last?

Devon Goes Off, Audra Freaks Out

When Tucker (Trevor St. John) paid a visit to Devon’s (Bryton James) office he was stunned that his son didn’t want a friendly chat. Instead, he told him he never wanted to see him again after learning of the statutory rape scandal. He read Tucker for filth, told him he was tired of trying to figure out what he was up to, and then banished the man from Dominic’s life.

Audra (Zuleyka Silver) was alarmed when gossip show host Clarence insinuated that more people helped Tucker cover up statutory rape and the name could be revealed soon. She still blamed Kyle (Michael Mealor) for the leak and didn’t trust him. Kyle played innocent, but also tried to get Audra to join his side against Tucker.

When Tucker showed up, Kyle continued his act of trying to get a perfume formula from Jabot, while Audra wondered if she should become TeamKyle. Maybe Tucker was just using her after all.

Tucker And Ashley’s Confusion

When Tucker and Ashley (Eileen Davidson) met up at the GCAC, she was shocked to hear he was considering leaving Genoa City. Ashley implored her ex to try to make things right with Devon, but Tucker told her it would be to no avail.

The subject then turned to their fight in Paris, with Ashley bringing up Tucker’s violence and telling him that she would never allow him to frighten her again. Tucker seemed genuinely confused by Ashley’s accusations. He insisted he did not smash a glass or throw a chair. A glass might have fallen over when he left, and the chair might have tipped, but he didn’t purposely do anything.

Later, we saw Tucker and Ashley both flashback to their version of events. Which one is correct? (Our bets are on Ashley’s version.)

Phyllis And Heather Come On Strong

Danny (Michael Damian) saw nothing unusual about Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) asking to talk to him alone in his and Daniel’s (Michael Graziadei) apartment. That’s when she oddly tried to seduce him in the middle of the day, pulling him in for a passionate kiss and then telling him he didn’t know what he was missing.

Danny responded at first and even kissed Phyllis again, but finally pulled away while telling Phyllis he couldn’t ruin another good thing with Christine (Lauralee Bell). Right on cue, Christine arrived just as Phyllis left. Danny told Christine that Phyllis had come onto him, but he left out the part about him kissing her as they agreed to try for a future together.

Meanwhile, Daniel spent the evening watching movies with Heather (Vail Bloom) and Lucy (Lily Brooks O’Briant). He also didn’t seem to have a problem when Heather moved in for a kiss as the clock struck midnight.

Michael and Lauren’s Repeat Performance

Michael (Christian Le Blanc) and Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman) dined at the GCAC as Kevin (Greg Rikaart), Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson), and Gloria (Judith Chapman) decorated Society for their vow renewal. When Phyllis happened by, they tried to invite her to the event but she just lamented her life, said she’d spend New Year’s Eve alone, and then changed things up when Tucker came along.

They pretended they had plans and even kissed but when Tucker wanted to make real plans, Phyllis ghosted him and made her way to Society.

That’s where Michael and Lauren rang in the new year with a soapy romantic vow removal that brought tears to our eyes.

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