This plasma ring story definitely has its issues. I will never buy into Jacob as an undercover cop. He written cartoonish and not too smart. There's no way he'd be put into something like this for undercover work. However, I do love that this story is mixing it up with a lot of the canvas and will impact many characters. The hospital. The new clinic. Joey's crime ring. Even Smitty/Martin. Execution could definitely be better, but this is what I miss about soaps. Making the show feel like a community instead of small groups of actors each off in their own stories.

I'll take this over Y&R's incessant talk of AI, corporate "takeover", and the "crazy of the month" returning.

original release date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | writers: Michael Montgomery, Skyy Sandifer | director: Michael V. Pomarico

Thoughts:

• Ouch, Bradley... you are a bit frosty with Nicole, who is just doing you a favour by bringing the shoes for Cotillion. Brr.

• I am clutching my pearls... Jacob is snapping at Grayson. I did not know he had that kind of fire and edge inside of him.

• PDA at the country club? Vanessa is being as bold as ever. But I like it. Mile High Club? Never been. Never flown. But I would sign up!

• Hmm... what is wrong with this chosen photographer? Seems like Dani is having second doubts.

• Ah, Olek sounds like a typical male in the industry they work in. Discriminating against the 'older' female models.

• Oh Grayson, careful. Be very careful about mentioning Jacob's marriage right now. You are already in this plasma ring; do not worsen it for yourself.

• I love that Andre and Pamela are rallying around Dani to give her the confidence that she needs to do the shoot with Olek.

• Vanessa is a what? Business 👏🏻 Woman 👏🏻 and we love 👏🏻 to 👏🏻 see 👏🏻 it.

• I love how supportive Nicole is of Bradley. I just hope he takes her up on that offer if he feels like he truly needs it.

• Rashad! OK, Just Rashad, like Cher or Prince. I see you.

• Looks like Joey wants his $10k from Dani over her failed first year... let us see how it unfolds. He is coming up on the one-year anniversary so the clock is ticking.

• Ugh... you can tell how heartbroken Vanessa is to turn down the offer given to her by Pamela. I would be heartbroken, too, but she has a long-term game plan at play right now. Ugh. Douglas' death has not been dealt with because she is handling Joey. The poor dear.

• I adore that Dani is rubbing her younger man in Nicole's face in such a playful way! 🤣 That is hilarious.

Notes:

• Montgomery's experience as a continuity producer continues to be beneficial in his role as a breakdown writer. His scripts feel rooted in the history of the show. And Sandifer did a fantastic job with dialogue/script work today, as well.

• Pomarico's direction was tight today. He gave some amazing shots of the actors that felt very complementary. And I love that we continue to get alternative/new angles of sets we have had since the beginning.

• Ernestine Johnson (Shanice) and Keith D. Robinson (Ted) have electric chemistry; I know it feels like they tested Robinson with some other female co-stars on the canvas, but he and Johnson just hit on day one. So I am glad they are sticking with them.

• I notice they keep Jon Lindstrom (Joey) and Cady McClain (Pamela) separate in scenes. Coincidental? Possibly. But it is very apparent.

Have Smitty/Martin always had a front door or was this new today?

Always enjoy seeing Pamela! I wonder how Cady feels acting with Jon's onscreen lover haha. I'm going to hope and assume Cady and Jon are amicable.

A slow week so far, for me...