The Young and the Restless recap for Thursday, December 21, 2023, brings Jordan offering to trade Nikki for Claire.
Young and the Restless Recap Highlights
Also in this episode, Nate caught Nikki drinking and he let Victor know. Victoria and Cole realized Jordan kidnapped Claire. Ashley and Jack released the damaging story on Tucker. Kyle told Audra too late about the story and she was furious. And, Billy updated Chelsea on his first days at Chancellor-Winters. Now, let’s dig deeper into what happened.
A Terrible Choice
Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor (Eric Braeden) arrived at the jazz lounge, and while Victor got drinks, Nikki discreetly took a sip from her flask. Nate (Sean Dominic) caught her in the act and expressed concern about her potential relapse into alcoholism. Nikki vehemently denied it and dismissed Nate even though he insisted all he cared about was her health.
Later, Nate tried to talk to Victor (Eric Braeden), which Nikki saw and quickly left. While Victor tried his best to get Nate to leave, he failed. Ultimately, Nate revealed his suspicion that Nikki might be drinking again. Angry, Victor warned Nate to stay out of their family business.
At the mental health facility, Victoria (Amelia Heinle) discovered that Claire was missing. Concerned, she talked to security and called Cole (J. Eddie Peck) to update him on the situation. Cole arrived, and together, they vowed to find their daughter.
Cole and Victoria went to the GCAC to find Victor at the bar. They let him know that Jordan had taken Claire, and Victor immediately wanted to go to the ranch to be with Nikki. That left Victoria surprised.
At the ranch, Nikki received a call from Jordan (Colleen Zenk), who taunted her about enjoying crank calls. Jordan said she had Claire and proposed a trade — Victoria’s mother for her daughter. A drunken Nikki struggled with the impossible choice.
Check Mate
At the Abbott mansion, Ashley (Eileen Davidson) poured her heart out to Jack (Peter Bergman) about the fallout with Tucker. Jack reminded her that once the email was sent, Tucker’s professional life would go up in flames. (Refresh your memory about what Tucker did here.) Despite the worry over Dominic losing his grandfather, Ashley stood firm, urging Jack to proceed. Jack sent the damning email, sealing Tucker’s fate.
Kyle (Michael Mealor) showed up at Crimson Lights to meet Audra (Zuleyka Silver), revealing that his father hadn’t killed the story about Tucker and the impending PR disaster. Audra accused Kyle of using her and immediately called Tucker to address the situation. Kyle defended himself, claiming he just found out about the development and assured Audra that he had begged his father to keep her name out of it.
In his room at the Athletic Club, Tucker finished a welcome email to his new Glacade employees, only to be hit with the news of the PR disaster. Furious, he confronted Jack at the Abbott mansion, and he voiced his disappointment in Ashley for turning their separation into a war. Tucker vowed that he wasn’t done, storming out — promising to retaliate.
Later, Audra confronted Tucker in his room about the unfolding events. She questioned his silence and expressed doubts about Kyle’s trustworthiness. Tucker, still uncertain, acknowledged that Kyle wasn’t the only concern, hinting at Ashley’s involvement in seeking revenge. Back at the Abbott mansion, Jack, Kyle, and Ashley toasted to the demise of Tucker McCall, but Ashley’s mood wasn’t very celebratory.
The More Things Change…
At Society, Billy (Jason Thompson) told Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan) that he was officially done with Jabot. (Here’s how Billy’s first day back went.) He started back at Chancellor-Winters, and he revealed he was ready to defend the company against Tucker. Chelsea worried that Billy might be chasing the same gambler’s high at Chancellor-Winters, but Billy thought it would be different.
They discussed Nate’s return to the company, and Billy couldn’t help but pass judgment. Chelsea, surprised by Nate’s return, reminded Billy of everyone’s past mistakes and the importance of forgiveness. Billy also told Chelsea about Chance being unhappy about Billy mentoring him.