All in the family on The Young and the Restless

On The Young and the Restless, Victor (Eric Braeden) continues to meddle in the lives of his children. Even if it will bring them happiness, he refuses to let them (or, most) be with a member of the Abbott family.

Victor makes the rules on The Young and the Restless

Jack (Peter Bergman) and Diane (Susan Walters) happened across Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Claire (Hayley Erin) at Society. Jack and Diane got caught up on the past few weeks' events regarding Ian (Ray Wise) and Jordan (Colleen Zenk) and, of course, Victor getting shot. The conversation quickly turned to Claire and Kyle’s relationship. Victoria didn't like Jack's remarks about Victor but was reminded of how Victor had turned Kyle against his parents and that Victor’s interference in relationships wasn’t a one-off. Jack reminded Victoria that Victor had undermined Billy by getting his mom, Jill, to remove him from his position at Abbott Chancellor, and had certainly played a role in her marriage to Billy.

Meanwhile, Nick made a case for Kyle to be with Claire, but Victor told Nick that Kyle was not good enough for Claire. It made no sense that Victor was encouraging Summer to be with Kyle, but Victor didn’t want Claire to be with him — and Nick wanted to know why. Victor (unreasonably) argued that Summer (Alison Lanier) is stronger than Claire and that she and Kyle have a child together. Moreover, Victor thinks keeping Summer and Kyle close will isolate Claire, and she and Kyle will break up. Victor isn't above helping things wherever he can, especially when an Abbott is involved; his hatred of the entire family, especially Jack, is legendary. We will see many occasions created for Kyle and Summer to be with Harrison (redding Munsell) and cozy as a family, but Victor will be able to undermine it, even from afar. Even when it is apparent to Harrison that Kyle and Summer are not getting back together, it will still look a certain way to Claire, and Victor knows that can create issues and insecurities.

Damn Abbotts

Nick has tried defending Kyle and telling his dad that he can protect them from the Ian Ward’s and Aunt Jordan’s, but at some point, he needs to realize that Kyle and Claire are adults and must be left to make their own decisions. Where the Abbotts are concerned, Victor is unapologetically adamant that he can’t “stand that lot.” It might be too early to say, but it feels like Kyle and Claire's relationship is doomed before it starts. Victor isn't one to give up or listen to reason regarding the Abbott family, so stay tuned as we watch Kyle's best intentions get steered sideways.

Do you think Kyle and Claire's relationship is going to last the distance? Or will Victor again get his way? Put your thoughts below.

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