The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Christian LeBlanc as Michael Baldwin

On The Young and the Restless this week, Michael Baldwin, played by Christian LeBlanc, wasn't in the courtroom, but at times, he felt like he was on trial. We marveled at the actor's tour de force as he went up against his boss, Victor, and his wife, Lauren.

Christian LeBlanc held court on The Young and the Restless

Christian LeBlanc has always praised The Young and the Restless for writing the complicated role of Michael Baldwin. This past week, the actor turned in some powerful performances as Michael was torn between a rock and a hard place.

Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) probably qualifies as both the rock and the hard place – but that’s neither here nor there. For weeks, Michael has been trying to do the impossible: placate Victor while at the same time making sure he doesn’t sit back and watch his friends, including Diane (Susan Walters), get destroyed because Victor had his feelings hurt over Jack (Peter Bergman) helping Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) stay sober.

LeBlanc plays Michael as the dutiful employee, trying to subtly contain Victor. But there is no containing Victor. "You got that!?" Victor doesn’t always reveal what he’s feeling until he erupts with anger, which is what he did when Michael visited him at the ranch.

We saw LeBlanc have Michael decide that enough was enough and to finally stand up to Victor. Just as he passionately argues in the courtroom, Michael rose to his feet and pleaded his case to Victor as if he were in front of a judge.

"What more do I have to do? You name one area where I have fallen short before I, apparently, had the audacity to question your right to keep another human being as your own personal prisoner?” Michael stated, referring to Victor keeping lethal Aunt Jordan (Colleen Zenk) captive in his basement.

“I have tried! I have followed every order! I have kept every secret! I was there by your side through the whole showdown with Ian!” Michael angrily reminded Victor. LeBlanc clenched and pounded his fists in frustration, a demeanor we rarely see — especially in front of Victor.

LeBlanc kept Michael’s gaze on Victor as he poured out his heart, telling him that he had confided personal matters in his boss. Didn’t that prove his loyalty?

Apparently, no. It did not. Victor promptly blasted Michael for acting as a guardrail. “You’re right. I do see myself as your ‘guardrail.’ Frankly, instead of trying to punish me, you should be thanking me,” Michael said. LeBlanc chose to have Michael hesitate a tiny bit because Michael would know that there was no turning back once a person went up against Victor. LeBlanc played Michael as having a physical reaction to yelling at Victor.

After Michael left Victor’s ranch, we saw LeBlanc decide to have Michael hesitate again before he reached out to Jack. The expressive look on the actor’s face betrayed the fact that Michael knew this could make the decision better or far, far worse.

The Bickersons dine out

There was good news for Michael later in the week. His wife, Lauren (Tracy Bregman), who has her husband’s best interests at heart and wants him to be safe, made an impassioned plea to Michael. The bad news was that Michael only felt more pressure – despite his wife’s positive intentions.

Both LeBlanc and Bregman played Michael and Lauren as being fully aware they were in the middle of a restaurant (the Genoa City Athletic Club). They kept their voices controlled so as not to attract attention, but that didn’t lessen the intensity of the performances.

Michael expressed to Lauren his concern that there could be an epic fallout between Victor and Jack if someone doesn’t step in and try to stop this feud. Lauren’s not opposed to that fight being stopped by someone, but she is adamant that person should not be Michael.

LeBlanc inserted his trademark wit and dry humor into Michael, hoping to diffuse the situation. He suggested he’s more of a “secret go-between” with Victor and Jack.

Michael put his hand out to Lauren after she tried to make her point. But she wouldn’t take it. We can’t say for sure that moment wasn’t unscripted but we do know LeBlanc is an actor who brings “little” moments like that to his scenes, making them more watchable and unique.

LeBlanc brought levity to the dramatic tension between Michael and Lauren by referring to his ill-advised plan in which he sided with Victor the night Ian Ward (Ray Wise) showed up, waving a gun! Michael’s loving wife noted that Michael's plan could have gotten him killed. “It was more of a choice – not a plan. And I wasn’t killed,” Michael dryly deflected.

Michael showed a bit of fear on his face when he inquired if Lauren was giving him an ultimatum or not when she suggested he walk away from Victor. He felt more alone after he realized that Lauren just wasn't seeing his side.

Anger. Passion. Humor. Fear. Abandonment. LeBlanc brought all of these to his role as Michael Baldwin this week, playing each one realistically and grounded in Michael's current dilemma. We’re not sure who’s going to emerge victorious in the Victor/Jack war, but as long as LeBlanc gives performances like he gave this week, the real winners are The Young and the Restless viewers.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.