The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) will remain semi-retired and mellowed out. Yes, on occasion the old Moustache will be twirled. But Sally Sussman’s vision of an amiable Victor will persist indefinitely and that makes sense of many levels.
Writing a character in one direction, especially on a soap opera, can be viable. But a legacy character like Victor eventually needs to walk on a different path in order to keep the audience interested and avoid one-dimensional caricatures. In this instance it makes sense to have Braeden’s character accept life in his mid-70’s as most other men would, which includes other real world captains of multinational companies.
Braeden’s recently released memoir “I’ll Be Damned” offers deep insight into the man who’s played this iconic Y&R character since 1980. Coincidental or not, the life space Victor has arrived at in 2017 fits with a self-reflective man in the later stages of his life. Combine that undeniable point with the unexpected death of the son (Adam, most recently played by Justin Hartley) with which Victor had a troubled relationship and this turn is right.
Recent tender scenes separately showed Victor with Faith (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and her mother Sharon (Sharon Case). In each instance the warm-hearted side of Christian Miller (Victor’s real name before he rebranded himself) was evidenced as it hadn’t been in many years.
Niktor has been together, separated and divorced on many occasions through the course of Genoa City’s history. However, a number of months have now passed where Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor have expressed genuine love for each other as only two lasting soul mates could.
Y&R seems to have moved away from the relentless petty, personal wars that Victor and Jack (Peter Bergman) were often engaged in. The writing staff also appears to have ended the nagging father routine that put Victor in a negative loop with Nick (Joshua Morrow), Vickie (Amelia Heinle) and Abby (Melissa Ordway). The links between both changes is that Victor has lost his taste for fighting. He wants to make amends with and value his family, while also avoiding emotional triggers.
Surely Braeden and Victor are feeling the weight of their years on earth. While no one knows what tomorrow brings, it is always wise to interact with everyone as though there were no tomorrow. In so doing one can achieve inner peace. And when it comes to Y&R’s lead male character, Victor can move away from the anti-hero role he’s filled for what seems like forever.
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Romance is in the air next week on #YR pic.twitter.com/CCK8gCpDHr
— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) February 10, 2017
