The Young and the Restless introduced both Matt Clark and Phyllis Summers in the same year, 1994, but the two never crossed paths all that much. That all changed today when the two met at the bar at the Genoa City Athletic Club. Sparks flew between them, which was ironic since Phyllis was once wed to Matt’s nemesis, Nick Newman.
The Young and the Restless, when Phyllis met Matt
Matt (Roger Howarth) doesn’t know who he is, but thanks to a business card belonging to the Genoa City Athletic Club, he showed up at the establishment, hoping to find a clue to his past. Ironically, he may have found the key to his future.
Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) doesn’t have many friends these days, but she’s also a woman who puts walls up around her. She tends to push people away, too, which she did with her ex-lover, Cane (Billy Flynn). He got in a dig when he left the GCAC, calling the fiery redhead “poison.” Matt overheard. He didn’t know much about Phyllis at this point, but he was intrigued. In fact, he was nearly mesmerized by her.
Phyllis became aware that Matt was staring at her and called him out on it. “I would think someone like you would be used to it, at this point,” Matt demurred. “Hand to God, you have ‘main character’ energy.”
Rather than act outraged, Stafford chose (brilliantly) to have Phyllis respond as slightly flattered, but still, she kept her guard up. The banter continued between them. “I’m not trying to be smart or an ass,” Matt claimed. Phyllis responded: “Okay. It comes naturally then.”
Phyllis opted to bring this total stranger into her world by telling him about Cane’s attempt to reinvent himself over the last year. She showed her disdain for Cane by telling Matt that Cane revitered.
Matt met a Phoenix
Phyllis’s former hotel, The Grand Phoenix, got a shoutout when Matt asked her if she was for or against reinvention. “There’s your answer,” Phyllis said when she told him what her hotel was once called.
Matt confessed he couldn’t remember who he was. “What I wouldn’t give for a memory wipe right now,” Phyllis mused.
Just then, Nick (Joshua Morrow) entered the club. How will he not be able to spy Matt at the bar in Friday’s episode? He’ll have to, right? Or maybe Phyllis will inadvertently end up shielding Nick’s adversary from being spotted?
We figure Matt won’t have memory loss for very long, which is too bad. Once he recalls who he is, he’s going to distance himself from one of Nick’s exes — or maybe he won’t.
Amnesia is an overused gimmick on soaps, but when it’s used to its fullest advantage, we say bring it on! Matt’s not knowing who he is made for a fun interaction with Phyllis.
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Edited by Michael Maloney