The Young and the Restless Performers of the Week: Christian LeBlanc and Susan Walters 

Michael Baldwin, played by Christian LeBlanc, and Diane Jenkins Abbott, played by Susan Walters, have been longtime pals on The Young and the Restless. So we knew we were in for a treat when Diane sashayed her way into the Genoa City Athletic Club to confront Michael over his association with Victor (Eric Braeden), her husband Jack's (Peter Bergman) nemesis.

Diane knew she had to hit Michael full-on to get some answers, so Walters brought confidence and strength to this episode from the get-go. LeBlanc is fully aware that Michael doesn't need to be in a courtroom to play lawyer. Michael used his legal maneuvers to try to place Diane. The good news for viewers is that they didn't work!

LeBlanc and Walters played their characters' histories, alliances, and strengths in these moments. Neither of them tried to "win" their scenes, but they worked at making their characters' intentions shine. The volleying between Michael and Diane was electric. That's why we chose these two dynamic stars as Soap Central's Performers of the Week for Y&R.

Susan Walters and Christian LeBlanc did some serious cross-examining at the GCAC

Old friends don't need to mince words, so Diane wasted no time in asking Michael about his role in the Victor/Jack feud. Michael, ever the effective attorney, deflected Diane's concerns. Susan Walters used her body language to communicate to the viewers, "Oh, this is typical Michael!"

But this is the beauty of Michael and Diane's dynamic, as well as all of the long-running relationships between veteran characters in Genoa City. They know each other so well that they can figure out when the other is not being 100% honest.

Michael made a joke about how he didn't have a literal hatchet on him because it would ruin his suit! "Ha, ha, ha, very funny, Michael," Diane replied. Next, he played the whole "attorney/client confidentiality" card, but Diane wasn't interested in hearing it. She was coming to Michael as a friend — not a lawyer.

After each character said what he or she was feeling, we watched the other actor process the response. LeBlanc showed us in Michael's eyes when the attorney believed whether or not he was making inroads with Diane.

Walters chose to have Diane stand in the early parts of these scenes. That indicated Diane's strength. She wasn't going to let Michael dilute her concerns.

Diane has some great cross-examination skills of her own, pushing her line of questioning. Michael, though, is a lawyer for a living. He shot back at Diane: Why would she even think he would be doing that? LeBlanc learned a long time ago that Michael going on the offense was the best defense for his character. The actor never lets us forget that he plays one of the most savviest lawyers we've ever seen on soaps.

Objection Sustained

Walters and LeBlanc may have dropped the loudness of their voices (they were in public after all) but, both actors didn't take down the intensity of the moment either. These two talented veterans know that actors can play intensity without screaming at each other.

Diane and Michael found common ground, agreeing that Jack never should have risked his life to help Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott). Diane dialed it down half a notch by taking a seat next to Michael at the bar as she introduced the topic of Victor meddling in Kyle's (Michael Mealor) and Claire's (Hayley Erin) relationship. "It's Victor," Diane noted. "He's not going to just sit around and do nothing."

Michael objected, saying Diane was making assumptions. "Michael, I know Victor," the ex-Mrs. Victor Newman said. Walters brought a knowing history to that line delivery. She showed us a new side to her character by adding that she'd "love to do nothing more than stop that bastard in his tracks!"

It was appropriate that Diane and Michael's showdown, brilliantly played by Walters and LeBlanc, took place at the Genoa City Athletic Club because watching these two go at it was like viewing a tennis match with two expert players at the top of their game! Bravo!

There's usually a moment in a scene where one person can try to leave. The other person in the scene stops them either physically or with words. That moment occurred when Diane grabbed Michael's arm as he started to go. Jack's wife reinforced her stance -- she would do anything to protect her family from Victor.

"I care about you!" Michael blasted back, almost insulted that Diane didn't think he cared about her. "You! You are my friend!" Michael didn't deny his allegiance to Victor, noting he'd done a lot of him. Diane said that she believes Michael's done more for Victor. LeBlanc had Michael's face betray a look of "you have a point there, Diane." Still, he didn't back down.

Michael said he was in an impossible place -- torn between his support of Victor and his fondness for Diane. She got the final word in (for now) by beseeching him to do the right thing when it comes to a choice between the Abbotts and the Newmans.

Walters had Diane concede that, sure, and Michael may be in a tough spot, showing that Diane does care about her pal, but she didn't let up. Walters played Diane's strength for her family and understanding of Michael's position at the same time.

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The Jack/Victor feud on Y&R isn't just about the two power players. It spills over into numerous other relationships on the canvas as evidenced by these dynamic scenes enacted by two of daytime's most talented performers. Bravo to Susan Walters and Christian LeBlanc!

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