Here’s your recap for The Young and the Restless episode that aired on Friday, April 17, 2026.
What happened on The Young and the Restless
Chelsea looked through the peephole in her hotel room door and was surprised to see Matt standing there. She let him in, and the two sparred as Chelsea demanded to know where Adam and Nick were! Matt called Chelsea “fiesty” and told her she was wasting her energy since they could be doing so much more.
She asked Matt to take her to Nick and Adam. He said no. Matt called Chelsea a bright woman. She wanted to know if Nick was alive. Matt lied that Nick seemed pretty dead when he brought Adam to see him. Chelsea said, please. Matt said he was like a Vegas magician who would make himself disappear as he walked out the door.
Love in the afternoon
Lauren was surprised to find flowers and champagne in her new office. She read a note from Michael, congratulating her on her new role at Summers Conglomorate. Then, Michael appeared in the doorway. Lauren called him the King of Romantic Gestures. Michael said Lauren’s new role looked good on her.
Lauren told Michael that he didn’t need to go to all this trouble, but she was glad that he had. She opened a gift he gave her. It was a watch without hands. Michael said that it’s to remind Lauren that they have all the time in the world, so she doesn’t have to rush home to see him. “I believe in you,” Michael told his wife. He promised to support her.
Michael said that Lauren working for Phyllis was the bravest thing he’d ever seen her do. He added that he loved seeing a spark in her eye. Lauren and Michael kissed.
Michael ended his makeout session with Lauren. Lauren said she had to thank Phyllis for doing all she had done to give Lauren this chance. Michael said maybe also toast to love, the flowers, and the watch.
Michael played some music, and he and Lauren danced. Michael tried to end the dance, but Lauren wanted to continue. They slowly started to undress each other.
Better think twice
Jack and Nikki met at the Genoa City Athletic Club. They each asked how the other was doing. Jack said Nikki was the only person in his life who understood how he felt. Jack said he was sorry for what Nikki was going through. Jack said he can’t stand being in this position.
Jack said he’s sent every flower in Genoa City (well, except the ones Michael sent Lauren) to Diane’s hotel suite. Nikki revealed that she tried to talk to Diane, but that she slammed a door in her face. Jack thanked Nikki for making a noble effort. Jack wasn’t sure where they went from there. He suggested they throw out ideas. “You start,” Nikki advised.
Nikki told Jack that there were no bad ideas in terms of getting Diane back. Jack suggested calling Sally so her media company could run a story that would rave about Diane, and maybe that would help their marriage. Nikki didn’t like that idea. Jack said he thought there were no bad ideas! Nikki threw out the idea of having her own grandchildren kidnapped and using them as leverage against Victor. Jack gave Nikki and “F” for originality, as Victor had something similar. The two chuckled at the lunacy of it all.
Jack wondered if his novelist sister, Traci, would have an idea. Jack suggested making Diane jealous. Nikki wondered who would make Diane and Victor jealous? Then, Nikki and Jack looked at each other, realizing that it would be each other. Quickly, Nikki and Jack agreed that executing that kind of scheme would backfire given their spouses.
Diane’s revenge
Victor came upon the couple. “Well, well, well,” he said. Jack told Victor he was interrupting a private conversation. Then, Jack spied Diane, and he walked over to him. Diane had nothing to say to Jack, but she did want to say something to Victor.
Diane told Victor that he was right about Jack. Victor suggested that Jack admit defeat and move on. Jack vowed to make Victor pay. Victor told Jack his threats were empty. Jack turned to a smirking Diane and asked how she could take Victor’s word over his? “Oh, are you feeling betrayed. That’s exactly how I felt!” Diane remarked before taking her to-go order and left. Jack told Nikki that he was on the verge of desperation.
Las Vegas to Genoa City
Chelsea called Sharon from Las Vegas. She told him that Nick was missing and that Matt had taken Adam to where Nick was being held. Sharon said that sounds like a trap. Sharon didn’t like that Adam left with Matt alone.
Noah approached Sharon and wanted to know what was going on. She tried to cover, but he persisted. Noah insisted on going to Las Vegas.
Brothers in peril
Adam woke up in the closet after Matt knocked him unconscious. He was next to a bound Nick. Matt checked on his brother’s pulse. Nick started to come around. “Adam?” Nick asked. “Where are we?” Adam freed Nick’s hands. He said that Matt told him and Chelsea that Nick was dead and that he had a serious addiction problem.
Adam and Nick realized it was a good idea for both of them to stay seated on the floor. Adam said that he didn’t believe Matt when he said Nick had overdosed and died. Nick thanked his brother for coming. Nick was glad to know that Sharon wasn’t in Las Vegas. Adam said Matt sounded convincing when he claimed that Nick bought drugs off the street. Nick wanted to know where Matt was now.
Nick recounted to Adam what happened to him and how Matt threatened to keep him on opioids. Adam wanted to know how long Nick had been on opioids. A drugged Nick said that once he had the drugs out of his system, he’d be better.
Adam called Chelsea from a wall phone in the room. He told her where he was and asked her to come get him and Nick, who was alive. He said to be cautious of Matt. Chelsea said that Matt came by and acted like a creep. Adam realized this wasn’t over.
Adam told Chelsea the room was by the ice machine. Adam asked Nick if he was okay. Nick saw some pills in bubble wrap on the floor. Chelsea found the room in which Nick and Adam were being held. Nick picked up the pills and pocketed them.
Safe for now, danger ahead
Chelsea, Adam, and Nick returned to their hotel room. Adam told Chelsea he was worried about Nick. Chelsea wondered if Matt had gotten Nick hooked on drugs. Adam liked to think that this was a one-time instance with Nick. Chelsea wondered if that was true.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Nick examined the pills. He came out of the bathroom. Chelsea asked Nick if he wanted to go to the doctor. Adam and Nick commented that Matt had taken their phones. Nick shot down Chelsea’s idea to call Sharon and let her know that he’s okay. He wanted to find Nick first. Chelsea said that Sharon knew he was missing. Nick insisted that they had to track Matt down before he made his way back to Genoa City.
In an elevator, we see Matt using Nick’s phone to text Sharon. Sharon read the text from “Nick” (actually, Matt), which said that Nick had Matt and she should come to Las Vegas if she wanted to see him go down. Noah thought they should go right away. Sharon texted back: “We are on our way.” Matt said, “I can’t wait to see you, Sharon.”
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Edited by Michael Maloney