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The writing is on the wall at The Young and the Restless, and it is not subtle anymore. Nikki knows what Victor is doing. She knows the danger Jack is facing. She even knows that her silence could cost Jack his company. And yet, when it mattered most, she backed down. That hesitation may be the final domino that sends Jabot into free fall. This is not a case of Nikki being unaware or manipulated. She is fully conscious of what is at stake.
Nikki knows that Jabot could completely flatline because of what Victor has put into motion. Nikki previously openly aligned herself with Jack and threatened to leave Victor. She made it clear she understood the severity of Victor’s power play involving Cane’s AI program. Then Christmas happened. Suddenly, Nikki cannot bring herself to stand her ground. After choosing comfort with Victor, she is potentially causing Jack everything. Nikki is not confused. She is afraid.
Jack is running out of options
Jack shutting down Jabot to prevent Victor’s attack is not a power move. It is desperation. Temporarily halting operations could save the company from immediate damage, but it also risks something far worse. Buyers may take their business elsewhere. Partners may decide Jabot is unstable, and once that perception sets in, it will be almost impossible to reverse.
This dark reality is why Tuesday's episode hit harder than expected. Jack officially lost hope. It's clear he knows that Nikki won't be coming through to him. Billy tried to warn his brother that this many happen, but out of all of his available lines of defense, Jack was sure this was the one that would come through.
With Nikki unwilling to challenge Victor, Jack is forced to rely on Phyllis as his primary line of defense. Phyllis is brilliant, loyal, and relentless, but she is also an unstable wildcard. She could choose not to fully hand over the brother to Jack and his family. Viewers know that she wanted Jabot in exchange for giving Victor the program in the first place, and despite her assertions of selflessness, there's no sign that any of this had ever change. Phyllis looks out for Phyllis above anything.
This feels like a regression for Nikki
Nikki's change in loyalty in the most recent episode comes close to undermining the character's growth over the last few years. This would've been far from the first time that she called out Victor's bad behavior and walked away from him. She could've stood up to him and stood firm if she wanted to. The stakes are higher than ever, and it seems as if she is allowing fear of Victor's wrath to dictate her actions.
Nikki knows exactly the kind of threat Cane's AI program poses to Jack and Jabot. She's also well aware of how ruthless her husband is and how he's responsible for the damage to Jabot's public perception. Nikki knows all of this is happening, and she still cannot push past holiday feelings and do what's right.
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This is backsliding, and the character is rapidly regressing. If Jack does lose it all, Nikki will undoubtedly be forced to shoulder some of the blame. Phyllis could do even more damage to the Abbott family if she regains possession of the software, and since Nikki is the closest to the man with the tools to end everyone, choosing not to save the day is a misstep that could prove unforgivable.
Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.
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