The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that Abby’s (Melissa Ordway) questions to Dina (Marla Adams) will expose Ashley’s (Eileen Davidson) paternity, again. John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) was revealed not to be biologically connected to Ashley in the 1980’s, but Abby never learned that family fact.
Hopefully, Y&R’s new head writer, who’s also its executive producer, Mal Young, doesn’t decide to change history. Having Dina betray John’s trust through her affair with Brent Davis (as played by Bert Kramer and Jim McMullan) fit the storyline at the time and fits it now.
It makes sense that Dina left her husband because she was unfulfilled. Abandoning the responsibilities she chose to create through her family, Adams’ character swallowed whole the false bill of goods that destructive forces have popularized in the western world since the 1960’s.
Whenever she learns about Ashley’s paternity, Abby may initially react the same way toward Dina as her mother did three-plus decades ago. She’ll feel scorched, but will also gain an infinitely deeper understanding of the pain Ashley has endured since that time.
On the upside, Madame Mergeron has been fully truthful with Ashley and Jack (Peter Bergman) since arriving in Genoa City. She’s admitted her completely damaging mistake of having had an affair with a golf pro (Brent) and not putting her children and husband first.
Dina deserves full credit and also respect. Her humble admission and sincere attempt to reconcile with her family has earned Ashley and Jack’s trust. She’s also told Ashley that she didn’t and doesn’t plan to tell Abby who Brent really is.
Abby is sure to need time to work through this issue whenever it’s revealed. However, her own complex family situation contrasts with the historically traditional Abbott family structure that was shredded by Dina’s me-first impulses. Abby has also acted in her own self interest on many occasions through the years. So it’s possible that she’ll demonstrate resilience in a shorter time span than would normally be expected.
Victor was acting coyly when Abby shared her recent Dina conversation with him. While he wasn’t living in GC during the years that Dina had her affair and later left her family, The Moustache surely was fed, or sought that tidbit long ago.
Deep Y&R fans might recall if Victor ascertained, or was told information about that Abbott family tragedy in the 1980’s. Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) would have seemed likely to have filled him in, be it on-screen, or off.
An evolving series of Abbott family flashback scenes, which are meant to have taken place sometime in the 1960’s, are beautifully set. The invented retrospectives add backstory to current characters that hasn’t previously been relayed to the audience in this fashion, as other actors are playing younger versions of the Abbott’s.
It will be interesting to see if Brent is shown present day, or in retrospect himself. With whatever happens, Abby, Ashley, Jack, Traci (Beth Maitland) and Dina seem likely to resolve these matters of the heart. Doing so would project the power of redemption to all audience members. CDL is a leading source for everything linked to The Young and the Restless. Check back regularly for Y&R spoilers and news!