Why is Victor suddenly accepting Claire and Kyle's relationship on The Young and the Restless?

On Thursday's episode of The Young and the Restless, Victor did the unthinkable. In a move that was extremely out of character for him, he told his granddaughter Claire (Hayley Erin) and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) that he would no longer stand in the way of their relationship. What was even more shocking was that he actually admitted he was wrong to do so. The Great Victor Newman never admits he is wrong. Even his own wife, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), said so.

What happened yesterday on The Young and the Restless

Victor was in a state of deep reflection on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

On Thursday's episode of The Young and the Restless, Victor was in a pensive mood as he flashed back to his conversations with Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Claire and their declaration of love for each other. After he visited Claire at the tack house, he gave her the shocking news that he would no longer interfere in her romance with Kyle.

Like Claire, we all think this decision is coming out of left field, after all the months he couldn't even bear to hear Kyle's name. Victor doesn't trust any man whose last name is Abbott. He was so determined to break them up that he agreed to fund Audra's (Zuleyka Silver) business Vibrante on the condition that she seduce Kyle away from Claire. So why the sudden change of heart?

Is this the beginning of a kinder, gentler Victor Newman?

Victor embraced Claire as he asked for her forgiveness on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Victor told Claire they had one thing in common: they both grew up without parents and without love. His heart went out to her as she grieved the loss of her father, Cole (J. Eddie Peck). He was trying to guide and protect her because she grew up with no one to lean on. "I tend to go too far sometimes," he confessed. "I'm tough and unforgiving." As tears filled Claire's eyes, she embraced him, and he gently asked her, "Please forgive me."

We couldn't believe our ears when he said those last three words. Is this the same show we've been watching for over fifty years? The one where Victor never asks anyone for forgiveness, not even his loved ones? Has time and age softened his warrior heart? We're not sure what to think of that scene, which felt like it came straight out of the Twilight Zone.

Nope, it was definitely The Young and the Restless

Victor warned Kyle he's keeping an eye on him on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Thankfully, Jack (Peter Bergman) later advised Claire to be on alert, warning her, "In dealing with the Mustache, there is always the chance that another shoe is going to drop." Claire is likely too ecstatic to take his words to heart. But when we saw Victor give Kyle that eagle-eyed look at the end of the episode, we realized Jack is right. This isn't over for Victor. He may be appeasing Claire in order to get back into her good graces, but as he told Kyle, "I'll be watching you." Now, this is the Victor Newman we all know.

And if, or when, Claire and Victor find out what really happened in Nice between Kyle and Audra, Victor will remind Kyle of their contract and order him to fork over five million dollars.

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