Over the last few weeks, the Newman family has had it’s share of up’s and downs.  Little did we know that a recycled storyline is on the horizon as this family is torn apart and divided even more.

Families……they’re at our beck and call when the pieces of our worlds shatter around us. They provide us with a shoulder to cry on, a warm embrace and even laughter when we think the world is dark. Families add that little something extra when it comes to the holidays, weddings and other family gatherings. But when misunderstandings, hurt, anger, pride, etc start to creep in, a family can become divided.

Case in point, the Newman clan on CBS’ The Young and the Restless. Ever since the characters of Nikki Reed and Victor Newman were introduced, viewers have tuned in and watched their love story unfold. We gasped at the revelation that Victor was indeed father of little Victoria (thanks in part to his vasectomy not taking), relished in their lavish wedding fit for royalty, rejoiced as they welcomed their son Nicholas into the world, and cried (and in some cases cheered) each time these two parted ways. We knew no matter whom they were paired with, that eventually Victor and Nikki would find their way back to one another’s arms. 

However, the tragic events that have occurred over the last few weeks raises this diva’s eyebrow and leaves her wondering whether or not a reconciliation is indeed in the cards for these two at some point down the road. Nikki was hurt by the lack of support Victor gave her when she announced her bid for the vacant Senate seat, and the hard feelings between the two began to grow as Nikki found her way into the bed of current hubby, David Chow. Their relationship became even more strained when their pregnant daughter Victoria lingered in a coma and Victor and Nikki battled over her fate and the fate of unborn child.

But it was one line Victor recently spoke that makes me think (and feel) that it might just indeed take a LONG, LONG time before these two find their way back to each other’s arms. Unless you’ve tuned out over the last few weeks, then you are very well aware that Victor’s current wife Sabrina died from the injuries she sustained in a car crash. To make matters even worse, the car that crashed was driven by Nikki’s current hubby, David Chow (who kicked the bucket immediately). “It should be you,” and the scenes with Eric Braden and Melody Thomas Scott still stick out in my mind as Victor coldly told his ex-wife, that she should be the one wearing the toe tag and lying in morgue of the Genoa City Hospital, not his wife Sabrina. 

A lot of times, the death of a loved one can bring estranged families closer together. However, in Victor’s case I think it will only push them further a part. Unless you have just begun to tune into Y&R or have lived on a deserted island with no TV for the last few months, then you are well aware of the tension and animosity that has been brewing between Victor and his son Nicholas. Tension even began to rise between Victor and his daughter Victoria, when she awoke from her coma to discover that Victor had fired Nicholas from Newman and it only continued to escalate as Victor’s relationship with her BFF Sabrina, who was visiting from Europe continued to blossom. 

The only person (other than Sabrina) that Victor could even rely on was his son Adam, who was learning all about his new family and siblings and quickly discovering that he had inherited his biological father’s ruthless side. I may be in the minority here, but I am one viewer who has been hoping that Bell and Sheffer would explore the sibling dynamics between Adam, Nicholas and Victoria. Let’s face it, these three along with Victor’s other daughter Abby Carlton are the future CEO’s of NVP and Newman Enterprises. I would LOVE to see Nicholas and Victoria joining forces to keep their half-brother away from the company. Who knows, Adam may extend an olive branch to his half siblings only to find that they are somewhat skeptical of what his motives exactly are. 

Even the recycled story of Victor “dying” that is currently playing out will only drive the siblings and this family further apart. This week, Victor decides to leave town only to be presumed dead (hmmm I wonder whose farm he will end up on this time) and Nikki hits the bottle and the pain killer’s once again, not only to cope with Victor’s death but to also cope with the shambles her life appears to be in at this point. I am all about drama but I can’t help to wonder why Y&R keeps insisting on recycling storylines from years ago? 

We all remember what happened the last time Victor was presumed dead? His son Adam is a constant reminder of that. Many of us also remember the emotional storyline surrounding Nikki’s battle with the bottle and pain killers the first time around. While each of these produced some memorable and good storylines, I don’t want to see them hashed out once again. 

Instead, I would rather see the Newman clan wrestle with the aftermath of Sabrina and David’s death. Would Victoria and Nicholas be torn between supporting their grieving mother and their grieving father? Who would each of them console and how would the added tension affect their own marriages and families? Would a differencing of opinions among the two siblings cause an even bigger rift between the divided family?

And then there is Adam. Could you imagine Victor’s thoughts/emotions if Adam and Nikki formed a mother/son relationship during this aftermath? Perhaps Adam is the only one that could convince Nikki to enter rehab for treatment of her addictions. Who knows Adam may be the one to bring the Newman clan back together. Whatever happens, I am hoping that with autumn just around the corner that some exciting and must see TV is on the horizon for Y&R. 

The Newman’s….a family divided and I thought my family was bad. 

What do you think about Y&R lately Which parent should the Newman children console during their grieving period? Click on the link to the left and send me your thoughts.