The Young and the Restless Recap, December 19, 2025: Nikki draws a line with Victor as danger closes in

Here’s the full recap of what happened on The Young and the Restless on Friday, December 19, 2025.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Victor's relentless need to bring Jack to his knees continued to have ripple effects throughout Genoa City. First, Diane met with Michael and Society to discuss the ongoing struggle Jabot was facing. She caught him up to speed about the move they made to avoid an attack from Victor. Somehow Victor caught on to the plan to protect Jabot from the AI attack.

Michael had seen the articles distributed by Newman Media, so he was well versed in their ongoing PR disaster. Diane was worried that public perception would become too grim before they could turn things around for the company. She worried that Michael was their only hope.

Diane acknowledged Michael's allegiance to Victor, but the pair were also close friends. His loyalty to Victor had limits, and it was getting to the point where he couldn't look the other way. However, Michael wasn't sure what he could do to stop Victor's endless crusade. Diane said that AI software was the true threat that they faced. The media blitz was one thing, but the program itself is what would cause the most damage. She asked him to help not only to prevent Jabot from collapsing, but also to prevent Victor from acting on his own worst instincts.

She asked if Michael still had access to Victor, and he admitted he worked with him on a few personal matters. Diane wanted the AI program so she could destroy it once and for all. She knew he used the software to decimate Cane's company. Jabot was next, and everyone was aware. Michael admitted that Victor had the program, so Diane requested proof that he had the software, so she could escalate things from there. Ultimately, Michael agreed to do what he could, to the best of his abilities.

At the Newman Ranch, Victor asked Adam why he was upset since it was supposed to be a joyful time. He explained that they ran into Jack, who blasted them for putting Jabot employees at risk. Victor asked him to pick a side, and Adam admitted he gave Jack the chance to go on the record, but he declined. Victor wasn't surprised. The company was going up in flames, which was an appropriate phrase since Jack told them all to "Go to hell."

Nikki interrupted the men and demanded privacy with Victor. Adam had shopping to do for Christmas gifts, so he was more than happy to give the two time alone to speak. Nikki asked Victor for an update on Matt Clark, but there was no news to report. Victor wondered why Nikki wanted to talk to him without Adam in the room, and she responded, Two things. Jack and Jabot, and your relentless need to destroy them both."

Nikki tried to stay out of it, but she believed her husband had gone too far this time. Victor joked about it being the perfect Christmas present. He returned to the night Jack saved Nikki's life in the hotel suite. It was drastic, but it was effective. Nikki explained how Victor backed Jack into a corner. They could stay destroyed by staying offline, or they could resume their operations and fall prey to the AI program.

Nikki asked Victor if he was proud of himself for destroying a family at Christmas. He screamed about the night in the hotel room with Jack, but she wasn't listening to any of it. She was furious that Jack and his family could lose their program because of the AI program and Victor's vendetta. However, he replied, "and I don't give a damn." Michael phoned Victor and asked for an update on his next move toward Jabot, but he told him it was none of his business.

Nikki questioned whether she and Michael agreed on the future of Jabot. Victor didn't care what anyone thought. Nikki begged him to issue a retraction of the Newman Media expose on Jabot and to hand over the AI program so she could destroy it. He asked if she thought he'd allow her to play into Jack's hand. She said, "If you don't give me the AI program and end this war, I will leave you."

Victor tried to feign ignorance about pursuing Jabot, but he reminded her that he would not listen to threats from anyone, not even her. He screamed at Nikki to leave and reminded her where the door was.

Elsewhere, Daniel asked Phyllis for more details about the plan she had to bring their family together. She promised him that not only was it real, but it was life-changing. Daniel saw things differently. Her plan was rooted in secret plots, endless lies, and the theft of a program. He recalled how his mother faked her death and the pain it caused them. Daniel used that as an example of how Phyllis's schemes never ended well for anyone.

Daniel didn't want to upset Phyllis, but he wanted to at least help her. He refused to let her leave the GCAC, but luckily for Phyllis, Tessa showed up, giving her an excuse to walk away. Phyllis asked Tessa to take a seat at the table, so they could all have a chat about her future as Daniel's close friend and confidant. Phyllis asked how "Aria's other mommy" was doing. It was a bold question, but Tessa actually had some information about her wife, but none of it was promising.

Daniel and Tessa took off to avoid dealing with Phyllis any further. Once they left, she texted someone that she was ready to meet up with them for a conversation.

Meanwhile, Annie and Matt met up at Chancellor Park and wanted to make their mission as quick as possible so they could return to Los Angeles. Matt paid Annie a boatload of money to turn on Detective Burrow, and he was pleased that she had an update on Sienna's location. She uncovered that Sienna was in a suite at the GCAC, and the biggest hurdle was getting past the horde of Newman Security.

Matt was ready to settle the score against the Newman Family, and this time, he was prepared to take down the entire clan. Annie warned him that the Newmans had immense wealth and power. Still, Matt had nothing to lose. He lost everything because of them. He could walk away from their family, but he'd come too far to turn back now. All Matt wanted was revenge against Sharon, Nick, and Noah.

Annie played Devil's Advocate and asked if his revenge plan was worth the risk that it posed. To him, it was. He gave her the opportunity to walk away if she couldn't take the heat, but he had a secret weapon: the fentanyl.

Sharon asked Noah and Sienna if either had heard from Nick, but they hadn't, leaving her nervous that something was wrong. Everyone in the family was under tight security to avoid becoming a victim of Matt's attacks. Nick going radio silent was concerning to Sharon because if Matt had been in Genoa City, he could've made a move against him. Sharon knew that Matt brought nothing but trouble to anyone's life, and she was terrified in Los Angeles, but she wasn't the same vulnerable woman she'd been decades ago. Sharon was able to handle herself.

Sharon couldn't sit around waiting for Nick anymore, so she left the ranch to visit the office. It was the only way that she could clear her head. However, she asked Noah not to take unnecessary risks and not to leave her home for any reason. He and Sienna were the biggest targets, and he would kill both of them if given the chance. Despite promising Sharon that they wouldn't leave, Noah wanted to step out for some air. Sienna, on the other hand, wasn't as certain that it was a good idea.

Noah and Sienna stopped by Crimson Lights, where they were greeted by Esther, who wasn't pleased to meet Sienna. She evidently had already heard of her, and whatever she knew of her, it wasn't positive. They took seats on the patio, and Sienna asked Noah where he saw their future heading. He wasn't sure what was in the store, but he wanted whatever happened to be with the two of them together.

Sharon returned home to retrieve her tablet and was instantly horrified to find the house empty. He texted her that they had gone for a drive, and although she was panicked, Nick arrived at her house, easing at least one of her concerns. Although he didn't encounter Matt himself, he saw CCTV footage that showed Matt and Annie in Genoa City. They got a knock at the door, and it was Detective Burrow, who had arrived in town to help them stop Matt and Annie before they did damage.

Noah and Sienna took their coffee to the park, and Nick called him to warn him, but Noah wouldn't listen. Sienna thought Nick's concern was nice, but Noah thought being in the park was a lot better than being stuck at Sharon's with nothing to do. They started kissing, but Noah was abruptly struck on the back of the head, and Annie pointed a gun at Sienna and ordered her to start walking.

Diane returned to the Abbott Mansion, and the family was divided on how to proceed. Each had pursued a lead that hadn't so far yielded anything. Diane explained how Michael and Victor had become close again, and he was horrified at Victor's recent actions. Jack knew that they couldn't guarantee Michael could come through, and even if they didn't, they had a backup plan. Billy got a text from Phyllis that she was finally ready to meet to discuss her demands.

He raced to the GCAC and asked Phyllis to name her price. She didn't want money or anything for herself. He asked, "Since when?" which almost ended the negotiation. She wanted Summer to be gifted Marchetti, and that was the only demand she had. Phyllis felt like Summer deserved it after all of the hard work she put into it.

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