When an angry Victor returned, vile as you mention, the character has been a detestable wicked pig ever since.

I really hope we can get past that, and back to a more rootable Victor, now. I'm not holding out much hope though...

I think MAB did try to make him somewhat more sympathetic, with the Sabrina relationship, but that went over like a lead balloon. I still wish they had taken a bit more time there, it might have worked out eventually. Sabrina was something new for him.

I think the problem is the Victor who was so horrible after Sabrina's death was not seen as being in the wrong, in any way. I think we were supposed to agree with him that Nikki was to blame, and support him as he told her to die. Then we were supposed to be in awe of him as he killed Palin, and was a better man because he was able to have sex with Ashley in Paris.

This team does not do rootable. They want manly men who go around browbeating and abusing and showing how tough they are. They barely even bother to come up with a plausible reason now. It's just supposed to be, "Wow, Victor's going to kick some butt."

I thought the ghost of Bill Sr. himself might have risen from the grave, Jacob Marley-like, admonishing Eric to return to the show before all was lost.

Well, no.

Sabrina was something new for him.

Except for Sabrina was Hope.

I think the problem is the Victor who was so horrible after Sabrina's death was not seen as being in the wrong, in any way. I think we were supposed to agree with him that Nikki was to blame, and support him as he told her to die. Then we were supposed to be in awe of him as he killed Palin, and was a better man because he was able to have sex with Ashley in Paris.

Much like Nick acts like he can cheat as much as he wants & act offended Sharon's moving on & that anything bad that happens to their children is solely her fault not his or his giggling concubine.

Am I the only one who thinks he comes off as sort of a jerk every time he is interviewed? I actually enjoy Y&R more now than I have in over a year, and personally wouldnt have cared if he left. Nikki, I like. Victor, eh..

EB's refusal doesn't chap my hide...and here's why. (I know, on this writer-centric board, I'm in the minority. But so be it).

The Victor of the last 6-12 months prior to his departure was not Victor. Victor was ruthless but NEVER reckless. Bringing Patty to town was a reckless act, and while Victor's quest for revenge was logically motivated (Jack's framing him for murder), bringing on an obsessed psycho didn't seem like Victor's MO. Victor would have hit Jack where it hurt--with Jabot or the Abbott legacy. Or maybe Victor would have brought Kyle to town and mentored him...building a stronger bond with Jack's son than Jack had.

The final months of Victor were all about making him vile, blind, unable to see what he had wrought. This was an unredeemable Victor. As Braeden has said, he's fairly sure Victor was written that way to make Braeden's expected departure easier to take.

Thus, I see Braeden dialing back on the derogation of his character as the actor-preserving-the-throughline of the character when the writing refused to do so.

These long-running shows owe more to their actors than the writers, sometime, in maintaining continuity and the truth of the character. Thus, if Braeden refused to play "chastened" under Phyllis' tongue...works for me. It is about preserving the character.

ALSO, it is a better dramatic choice. Now, Phyllis' rage can fester...and that can drive story in the future. I much prefer that to the way they resolved the Nikki-Phyllis relationship post-LML. LML had Nikki send Phyllis to jail (that was when I realized Y&R had totally gone off the rails), but when MAB took over, there was a quick scene of forgiveness and it was done.

C'mon Mark it was still clearly executed on screen and Victor being wreckless is somethign a viewer still can interpret without Phyllis confronting him, the problem with your assessment was that it may have "benefitted" EB and Victor but it hurt many other characters. The little backbone Nick ever had is completly ripped now, and Phyllis goes after everyoneelse (sometimes justifiably) who hurts her family but Victor? Where is her room to talk against anyone else. The problem here imop is it hurt the overall writing more than it didn't. It's not all about EB's assessment of Victor I don't think that's acceptable what's to prevent the other actors from pulling the samething where it hurts the show?

C'mon Mark it was still clearly executed on screen and Victor being wreckless is somethign a viewer still can interpret without Phyllis confronting him, the problem with your assessment was that it may have "benefitted" EB and Victor but it hurt many other characters. The little backbone Nick ever had is completly ripped now, and Phyllis goes after everyoneelse (sometimes justifiably) who hurts her family but Victor? Where is her room to talk against anyone else. The problem here imop is it hurt the overall writing more than it didn't. It's not all about EB's assessment of Victor I don't think that's acceptable what's to prevent the other actors from pulling the samething where it hurts the show?

Oh, there's no question (given how they wrote Victor) that that Phyllis-confrontation scene would have been deserved and enjoyable.

But let's look at it another way. Eric got away with it. He got away with it when his job was in jeopardy. Maria Arena Bell (and Paul Rauch) allowed it then...and they continue to (MAB wooing him back). So I guess it was okay with them. They agreed with the rewrite. That's ultimately what matters. TPTB accepted that creative vision.

and TPTB still can't plot or execute one decent story....

I actually enjoy Y&R more now than I have in over a year, and personally wouldnt have cared if he left.

Y&R was very lucky not to lose Braeden permanently. Otherwise, who'd be there to fill his shoes, so to speak? Tucker? We don't know him, and wouldn't have had enough time to get to know him. Jack? Sorry, but Peter Bergman fades into the woodwork too easily to be the commanding male presence of ANY show. Take it from one who watched him for years being the typical, bland soap hero on AMC.

Oh, there's no question (given how they wrote Victor) that that Phyllis-confrontation scene would have been deserved and enjoyable.

But let's look at it another way. Eric got away with it. He got away with it when his job was in jeopardy. Maria Arena Bell (and Paul Rauch) allowed it then...and they continue to (MAB wooing him back). So I guess it was okay with them. They agreed with the rewrite. That's ultimately what matters. TPTB accepted that creative vision.

TPTB has shown themselves to lack vision so their acceptance only confirm it, this makes a viewer like my self even more disturbed by this act

Y&R was very lucky not to lose Braeden permanently. Otherwise, who'd be there to fill his shoes, so to speak? Tucker? We don't know him, and wouldn't have had enough time to get to know him. Jack? Sorry, but Peter Bergman fades into the woodwork too easily to be the commanding male presence of ANY show. Take it from one who watched him for years being the typical, bland soap hero on AMC.

I see what you are saying here. I mean, I dont DISLIKE him, and it's not because he was gone that I enjoyed the show, i guess it was somewhat of a coincidence. I just dont think he is that special. There was a time when I really liked Victor back a few years ago, but in the past couple years I havent found him to be that thrilling. And the whole thing with Colleen? Horrible.

I guess I am glad that Victor is back..And I will tune in tomorrow for sure. But, I think Victor has been a little bland. Hopefully this return will bring him some new material.

And I agree. I dont know about this Tucker person...But I like the current actor. VERY curious to see what Stephen Nichols brings to the role. Loved him on GH and DAYs!

I saw the Monday episode today, and I really wish Victor stayed away.

He is such a reprehensible character - basically a comic book character like Lex Luthor. There is no depth.

Truly a pain to watch.

I thought the ghost of Bill Sr. himself might have risen from the grave, Jacob Marley-like, admonishing Eric to return to the show before all was lost.

LMAO

Here's another article about Braden's return: http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/15/exclusive-eric-braeden-aka-the-beloved-victor-newman-talks-about-his-return-to-young-and-the-restless-today/

Apparently Victor is going to be giving payback to a number of people

Apparently Victor is going to be giving payback to a number of people

What a freaking joke. Victor is the Sonny Corinthos of Y&R. I never much cared for EB, but I respect his place as a vet on the show, but I haven't missed Victor and the non stop "Victor is god, everyone must pay" ish at all.

What a freaking joke. Victor is the Sonny Corinthos of Y&R. I never much cared for EB, but I respect his place as a vet on the show, but I haven't missed Victor and the non stop "Victor is god, everyone must pay" ish at all.

Exactly. I really dont like Victor's chatacter, but I respect that he is a veteran on the show. Nikki, however, i do like!