The Young and the Restless: Is Adam Newman Truly Redeemed or Just Victor’s Most Loyal Lap Dog?

On The Young and the Restless, Adam Newman has spent years auditioning for the role of the "Reformed Rogue." But do we believe this hollow performance? No, and here’s why.

The Young and the Restless: Loyal or blind?

He’s got the dialogue down pat—the somber reflections on his past sins, the declarations of devotion to Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan), and the insistence that he’s finally prioritizing his son’s stability over his father’s approval. But as we saw in the December 26 recap, the ink on Adam’s (Mark Grossman) redemption tour is looking awfully smudgeable.

Let’s be real: Adam loves the idea of being a changed man. It’s a grand narrative to sell to Chelsea, who desperately wants to believe she isn't sleeping with the same man who once gaslit her into oblivion. However, the holiday season in Genoa City has exposed a glaring contradiction. While Adam tells anyone who will listen that he’s evolved, his actions suggest he’s still the first person to fetch Victor’s (Eric Braeden) slippers—or in this case, his dirty laundry.

The recent AI-driven smear campaign against Jabot is the smoking gun on The Young and the Restless. Victor barked an order to dismantle Jack Abbott’s legacy using questionable tech, and Adam didn’t just follow suit; he led the charge. Despite his "hesitation," he still pressed the button. This isn't the behavior of a man who has found his moral compass; it’s the behavior of a son who is still addicted to the "Good Boy" head-pat from the Moustache.

Chelsea’s ultimatum on the 26th was the reality check the audience has been screaming for. She sees what Adam refuses to admit: you can’t claim to be "new and improved" while you’re busy sabotaging families on your father’s behalf. Adam’s defense—that he’s doing it for the "security" of his family—is the same tired excuse Victor has used for forty years.

Is he a changed man? Hardly. A truly changed man would have the backbone to walk away from Newman Media the moment Victor demanded he play dirty. Instead, Adam stays, prodding Billy (Jason Thompson) and executing vendettas, all while wearing a mask of "unwilling" compliance. He isn't a victim of Victor’s manipulation anymore; he’s a willing participant who uses the "changed man" label as a shield against accountability.

Trending

Until Adam can say "no" to Victor without first checking whether a reward is attached, he isn't redeemed. He’s just a lap dog with a better vocabulary. Genoa City shouldn't hold its breath for a miracle; the only thing "young and restless" about Adam these days is how quickly he runs to do his father's bidding.

Watch full episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback