The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Eric Braeden 

We knew Michael Baldwin quitting his job as Victor Newman's attorney on The Young and the Restless was happening. We knew there'd be passionate yelling and threats. But Eric Braeden gave us a performance today that surprised Michael — and us. And that's why he's Soap Central's Performer of the Week for Y&R.

The Young and the Restless Performer of the Week: Eric Braeden

Victor Newman is a clever man. He needed only to look at Michael Baldwin's (Christian LeBlanc) body language to see that something was amiss. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Victor surmised that Michael was there to quit.

We've seen Victor decimate his enemies, trash portraits of his competitors, and threaten to break people. However, Braeden kept us off-guard — as Victor did Michael — by not immediately flying into a rage. Lulled into a false sense of relief, Michael thought this wasn't going to be as hard as he thought it would be. He was so relieved of that sensation.

Braeden had Victor alternate between logic and passion when giving reasons for Michael to stay. Forget about Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Jabot, Victor scoffed, what about Dumas and his threat to Nikki and Chancellor Industries? As Victor spoke, keeping his emotions mostly in check, it was his eyes that told the story.

The Daytime Emmy-winner Braeden reminded viewers why Victor Newman is one of soap opera's most complex characters as the mogul used both facts and wild speculation as to why Michael was doing what he was doing. "Family does not abandon family," Victor snarled, but Braeden's eyes showed his vulnerability. If only for a second each time, there were glimpses of hurt and fear. Victor's words affected Michael, but he remained firm in his decision to leave. Braeden's brilliance subtly showed the viewer Victor's pain.

You always hurt the one you love

After telling Victor that he was going several times, Michael then asked Victor to let him go. This was when Braeden had Victor surprise us the most. We expected demands, blackmail, bribery, and even threats to follow.

Michael walked out just as Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) came home to give Victor some much-needed support. Victor shocked us by appearing to be resigned that Michael had, well, resigned. "I don't want to discuss it. Don't ever mention Michael Baldwin's name again," a wounded Victor told his wife.

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It was clear within that moment that just as Michael had regarded Victor as a father, Victor, too, had come to see Michael as a third son. Michael's leaving hasn't just left Victor without an attorney. It's left him deeply vulnerable. Bravo to Braeden for giving another compelling performance.

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

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