The Young and the Restless: Victor’s War Pushes Nikki to the Brink—Will It Cost Him Everything?

On The Young and the Restless, it’s happened: Victor has gone too far. It’s been said before, but this time, right before Christmas, he has crossed a line too far.

If you thought the holiday season in Genoa City was going to be filled with eggnog, mistletoe, and perhaps a temporary truce between the warring factions of our favorite Wisconsin metropolis, you haven't been watching The Young and the Restless for very long. As we saw in the December 19 episode, peace on earth is the last thing on the mind of The Great Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). In fact, if Santa Claus tried to slide down the chimney at the ranch right now, Victor would likely have security confiscate his sleigh and accuse him of working for Jabot.

Let’s cut right to the chase: Victor Newman has gone off the deep end. Again. But this time, it feels different. It feels colder. We are witnessing a version of Victor who has decided that "winning"—or specifically, destroying Jack Abbott—is more important than the woman he has spent decades claiming is the love of his life.

The Ultimatum Heard 'Round the Ranch On The Young and the Restless

The confrontation between Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and Victor at the ranch was a masterclass in marital dysfunction on The Young and the Restless, but it highlighted a terrifying reality: Victor isn’t listening anymore. Nikki, bless her heart, tried to play the only card she had left. She demanded he hand over the "AI program" (because apparently, we are doing high-tech corporate espionage via sci-fi plot devices now) and end the war on Jabot.

Her threat was clear: "If you don't give me the AI program and end this war, I will leave you."

In the past, this would have been the moment Victor softened. We’ve seen this dance a thousand times. He usually grumbles, pours a drink, and mutters something about doing it "for you, my baby." But not this time. This time, he pointed to the door. He screamed at her to leave. He told her he didn't give a damn.

That is the sound of a man who has chosen his hatred over his heart. Victor’s obsession with Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) has always been the third wheel in the Newman marriage, but usually, Nikki can elbow it aside. Now? The obsession is driving the car, and Nikki is being told to tuck and roll.

The Hotel Suite and the Ghost of Grudges Past

What fascinated me most about their argument was the callback to "the night in the hotel suite." Victor threw it in Nikki’s face, screaming about Jack saving her life as if it were a crime. Let’s unpack that. Jack Abbott saved Nikki’s life. It was drastic, yes. It was messy. But she is alive.

Victor, however, can’t see the "alive" part; he only sees the "Jack" part. On The Young and the Restless, his ego is so fragile that he would rather Nikki have been in peril than be indebted to his enemy. It is a level of narcissism that borders on pathology. He frames his current destruction of Jabot as some twisted form of payback or justice, but let's call it what it is: jealousy. He hates that Jack has a piece of Nikki’s loyalty, and he is willing to burn down his own marriage to punish Jack for it.

Michael Baldwin: The Man in the Middle

While the Newmans were imploding, Diane Jenkins (Susan Walters) was busy over at Society trying to locate Michael Baldwin’s (Christian Le Blanc) spine. I have a lot of love for Michael. He’s complex, he’s funny, and he’s brilliant. But his blind loyalty to Victor has always been his Achilles' heel.

Diane made a compelling case. This isn't just about corporate maneuvering or a "media blitz." This AI software Victor is wielding is a weapon of mass destruction for companies. It decimated Cane’s business (remember him?), and now it’s aimed at the Abbotts. Diane correctly identified that this isn't just business; it's Victor acting on his "worst instincts."

She asked Michael to find proof. Michael, to his credit, seemed conflicted. He admitted his loyalty has limits. But does it? We have seen Michael talk a big game about drawing lines before, only to cross them the moment Victor waves a retainer check or threatens a family member.

However, if anyone can stop Victor, it might be Michael—not by fighting him, but by exposing him. If Michael hands that proof to Diane, he is effectively declaring war on Newman. Is he ready for that? I hope so. Because the "Baldwin of old"—the scrappy, morally ambiguous but ultimately heart-driven lawyer—is much more fun to watch than Victor’s lapdog.

The "Worst Version" of Victor

The question posed in the title of this column is whether Nikki’s departure will drive Victor to be the worst version of himself. I would argue he is already there.

Look at the evidence. He is attacking a family company at Christmas. He is alienating his wife. He is putting his employees in legal jeopardy. He is ignoring his son Adam’s attempts to keep the peace (and when Adam is the reasonable one in the room, you know the world has tilted off its axis).

If Nikki actually walks out that door—and she should, for her own sanity—Victor won’t chase her. Not this time. He will lock the gates, turn up the heat on the AI attack, and convince himself that he is the victim. He will sit alone in that cavernous living room, staring at the portrait of Nikki, and tell himself that she betrayed him, rather than admitting he pushed her away.

Danger on the Periphery

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the other danger closing in on The Young and the Restless. While Victor plays war games with software, actual life-and-death stakes are playing out with Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) and Detective Annie (Catherine Kresge). Noah (Rory Gibson) and Sienna (Tamara Braun) are being held at gunpoint in the park because they couldn't stay put at Sharon's (Sharon Case). (Seriously, Noah? Your mother says, "Stay inside because a maniac is hunting us," and you decide it's a great day for a latte and a stroll? The logic of soap opera children never ceases to amaze.

But this physical danger highlights the absurdity of Victor’s corporate war. Real threats are at the gate, literal guns are drawn on his grandson, yet Victor is focused on destroying Jack Abbott’s legacy. It is a dereliction of duty as the "protector" of the family he claims to be on The Young and the Restless.

The Verdict

Nikki drew a line. Victor crossed it. The war is on, and for the first time in years, reconciliation is not on the menu for New Year's Eve. If Michael Baldwin steps up and helps Diane, we might see Jabot survive. But as for the Newman marriage? It might be the final casualty of Victor’s vendetta.

And honestly? If Victor is going to choose hate over love, maybe it’s time Nikki chose herself. Run, Nikki. Run.

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