The Young and the Restless Recap for Monday, December 16, 2024: Sharon unlocks a key memory

At Society, Phyllis was touched that Billy had reached out to her as a friend. He quipped that a perfect single-malt scotch could solve the world’s problems, and she apologized for interrupting his hot cocoa plans with Sally. Billy revealed that he planned to meet up with Sally later. Phyllis asked if it was “a thing,” and Billy informed her he was there because of Sally, who’d suggested he find Phyllis because she’d looked like she needed a friend. He added that he was also there because he wanted to be, but Sally had made it easier. Phyllis was surprised that Sally cared.

Billy implored Phyllis to get over her issues with Sally because Sally was a class act. Phyllis chortled and sarcastically agreed to put it on her to-do list. Billy turned the topic to helping Phyllis get to a better place before she did something extreme. Phyllis asked if he ever got tired of being completely right and everyone thinking they were completely wrong. She complained that people told her she was overreacting and didn’t believe her, no matter what she did. Phyllis groaned that she had to get up every morning, knowing she had to prove herself all over again. Billy said he related to that.

Phyllis huffed that Billy couldn’t totally relate because he was an Abbott, and he had his family as a backup. Phyllis lamented that she’d thought she had it in Lauren and Michael as her best friends, but Michael was defending the woman who’d killed Heather and framed Phyllis’ son for it. Phyllis wailed that it was a knife in her heart. Billy said he was sorry Michael had let her down.

Phyllis contended that she’d been the only one who’d put together that Sharon had killed Heather, but no one had believed her, including her best friends. She surmised that if anyone else had presented the theory, they would have looked into it, but she was never right. Billy empathized because there had been more than a few times when he’d been proven right, but no one had wanted to admit or acknowledge that he’d known what he was talking about. He added that constantly being underestimated and dismissed was infuriating. Phyllis found it sad that people did that with them.

Billy conceded that he and Phyllis had made mistakes over the years, but a lot of other people had messed up just as bad or worse and received forgiveness. Phyllis contemplated how they could fix their bad karma. “Maybe we don’t,” Billy flatly replied. He asserted that they didn’t need anyone’s approval, and if they didn’t care what anyone else thought, their problem was solved. Billy suggested that they put it to the test with their plan to take Victor down.

Phyllis pointed out that she and Billy didn’t have a plan, and she admitted that she’d lied about having ideas when she’d invited him for drinks. Billy proposed that they create a situation where Nikki failed and Chancellor crumbled under her leadership. Phyllis argued that Victor wouldn’t let Nikki fail, and Victor had made it clear that it wasn’t about business. Billy anticipated that they’d succeed if they kept their eye on the prize since they were smart, had a lot of experience, and didn’t take no from anyone.

Billy reasoned that if they didn’t care, then there would be no fear, and Victor or anyone else couldn’t stop them. Phyllis balked at pushing forward without a safety net, but Billy countered that it was time to go to war and not to worry about it. She hesitated to follow him down that path, but he asked when she’d stopped thinking big. Phyllis worried about how it would affect her kids and wondered if Billy had concerns about his own children.

Billy predicted that he and Phyllis would have the best of both worlds, protecting their families while still getting the payback they deserved. Phyllis opted to think realistically when going after someone as powerful and dangerous as Victor, but Billy recounted that she’d said she was all in. Phyllis confirmed that she wanted nothing more than to be part of seeing Victor lose, but she’d scorched her own life by living through her own memorial while lying to herself about it being for the good of her family. She regretted that it had almost destroyed her relationship with her children, and she considered it a miracle they still talked to her. Phyllis added that she’d promised them she’d never do something like that again, and she thought she and Billy should reconsider going after Victor for their kids’ sake.

Billy understood Phyllis’ position, but he believed he could do what he needed to do and still protect his kids. Phyllis warned that there would be no going back, and Billy shared that Jack had said something similar about revenge for the sake of revenge never working. Phyllis suspected that he wouldn’t listen to his brother, but Billy insisted that it was about more than revenge. He declared that Chancellor had been his chance to prove what he was capable of, and Victor had stolen it from him. Billy refused to let it go easily, and he resolved to right the wrong that had been done to both of them. Billy believed Phyllis felt the same way he did, and it was their chance to prove to everyone how formidable they really were.

Claire, clad in her new work attire, arrived at the restaurant and requested a table for one. Tessa observed that Claire looked ready for her new job. Claire explained that she hadn’t officially started yet, but she was taking her new look out for a test run. Claire gushed that she had to pinch herself sometimes since her dream of being part of the corporate world was actually happening. Tessa swore that Claire deserved it. Claire recalled a time when she’d felt like she didn’t deserve anything, but she believed anything was possible, thanks to her family.

Mariah joined them and fawned over Claire’s chic outfit as Ian eavesdropped from the bar. Tessa suggested they have dinner to celebrate Claire’s success, but she noticed Mariah nervously checking her phone. Mariah explained that she wanted to be available in case Sharon needed her. Claire said she’d heard about the charges, but she didn’t want to pry. Ian listened intently as Mariah revealed that they’d discovered her mom’s medication had been tainted, and it was why Sharon had blacked out before the crimes she’d allegedly committed.

Mariah continued that Sharon had contacted Alan to hypnotize her, and Claire described the psychologist as lovely and accomplished. Mariah continued that the session was happening then, but only a small group was present to make it less stressful. Mariah worried that they didn’t know what they might uncover, and Sharon might not be able to handle it. Ian quietly ducked out, peered back in through the window, and grinned.

Tessa insisted that Sharon was incredibly strong, and Sharon had a psychologist and Nick to protect her. Mariah fretted that they might uncover something that made the situation worse, and she wouldn’t be there if Sharon needed her. Tessa encouraged Mariah to trust Sharon and the process. Claire recalled that she was familiar with intense therapy, and it could be painful, but sometimes, it was needed to get through to the other side and find answers. Mariah bemoaned that it didn’t make her worry any less, but she clung to the hope that her mom would recover her buried memories to explain what had been going on.

At the cottage, Sharon thanked Alan for being willing to work with her. Nick asked if Alan could help Sharon remember. Alan intended to do his best, although he expected challenges. Sharon hoped hypnotherapy filled in the blanks, but she admitted that she’d tried it in the past without success. Nick voiced concern that Sharon was getting her hopes up for nothing. Sharon accepted that it might not work, but she was desperate and willing to try anything to recover her memory.

Michael arrived and introduced himself to Alan, who recalled that Traci had pointed out the lawyer in an intense meeting at the Athletic Club. Michael said he trusted any friend of Traci’s, and Alan prepared to start the session. Nick was adamant that Alan stop the session if anything disturbing happened to prevent Sharon from being even more traumatized. Alan assured them that he followed a strict protocol of asking questions carefully and observing the whole time to make sure things didn’t go too far, so Sharon would be safe and supported. Nick stressed that Sharon had been through enough. Sharon insisted that she was prepared for what was ahead – even if it was painful.

Alan coached Sharon to relax and take slow, deep breaths. He explained that he would count back from ten to one, and with each step, she would feel like she was going deeper into a safe and peaceful place. Sharon closed her eyes, and Alan counted down. He instructed her to go back to the night of the accident and tell him what she saw and heard. Sharon flashed back to driving in her car and seeing bright lights from the vehicle behind her, which had been moving fast.

Sharon recalled that it had been a dark pickup truck, but she couldn’t make out the color. With Alan’s prompting, Sharon remembered that the truck had been heading toward town, and she’d pulled over to let it pass her. Nick whispered to Michael that Phyllis had been headed away from town when she’d been run off the road. Michael mused that Phyllis had also said she’d seen a dark truck approaching her.

Sharon recounted seeing the woods and darkness, and everything had been quiet. She suddenly gasped in horror upon hearing a terrible crash, and she panicked that someone had to be hurt. Alan assured her she was safe, and he began to count upward from one to ten to return her to a place of happiness and peace. Sharon opened her eyes and realized that she’d heard the crash in the distance, so she hadn’t been the one who’d tried to kill Phyllis. Michael pointed out that the person driving the truck likely had been.

Sharon exclaimed that it had worked, and she thanked Alan. She preferred to keep going and explore the other times she’d blacked out, especially the night Heather had died. Alan advised that she’d been repressing the memories for a reason, so it was important not to push too hard or fast to get them back. He recommended that she get some rest that night, but she was excited that they might finally get the answers they’d been looking for. Nick urged her to take it slowly since they weren’t sure how disturbing those answers would be.

Meanwhile, Mariah questioned how long hypnosis took. Tessa figured that it took as long as it took, and Sharon would reach out as soon as she could. Mariah received a text message from Nick, who reported that all was well and that progress had been made. Mariah breathed a sigh of relief, kissed Tessa goodbye, and thanked Claire for the advice about therapy. Claire hoped Sharon was okay. Mariah started to think her mom might be, and she headed out.

Mariah arrived at the cottage as Michael urged Sharon to save her strength for what was ahead. Nick informed Mariah that Sharon had remembered that she hadn’t forced Phyllis off the road because the driver of a dark pickup truck had done it. Michael cautioned that the admissibility of evidence obtained from hypnosis could be complex, but two witnesses had seen a speeding dark truck at the time of the accident. He anticipated that locating the truck and the driver would be key to exonerating Sharon on that count. Sharon was encouraged that she could also get to the truth about what had happened the night Heather had died. Nick and Mariah exchanged a concerned glance.

Sharon figured that if she’d remembered the crash that easily, perhaps it would be just as easy to remember what had happened in Daniel’s apartment. Nick recognized that Sharon had taken a huge step that night, and it had given them a lot to work with. He realized that if the truck driver had intentionally forced Phyllis off the road, the driver might also be involved with everything going on with Sharon, including tainting her medication.

Jordan paced in her motel room. She gazed out the window and flashed back to the first time she’d met Ian in prison. With a Bible in hand, Ian commented that Jordan looked like she could use someone to talk to, but she passed. He remarked that it was a beautiful day, and she demanded to know what he wanted. “To help,” he replied. Jordan urged him to move along unless he could break her out or was best friends with the governor.

Ian sympathized with Jordan's wounds and surmised that she had given up hope. However, he assured her there was a way to find the peace she sought. She snapped that peace was overrated. Ian shared that he’d watched her in the yard and seen her inner focus — like she was searching for something. Jordan told him to find another soul to help since they had nothing in common. Ian insisted that their connection was real, and he mentioned his troubled past in Genoa City.

Jordan asked what had led Ian to that “hellhole.” He mentioned the love of a child, adding that things hadn’t worked out as he’d hoped because of unwise choices. He continued that he’d spent time in prison, paying for his mistakes and finding a true path in life. Jordan skeptically guessed he’d been rehabilitated. Ian explained that he’d been ordained a minister while behind bars, and the prison was his parish, allowing him to provide guidance and comfort prayer to those who needed it.

Jordan inquired about Ian’s unwise choices, citing a single source – his inability to overcome his hatred for the Newman family. “The Newmans? Well, maybe we are kindred spirits, after all,” Jordan proclaimed. Jordan ranted that the Newmans ruined lives and walked away unscathed time after time, and Victor destroyed her sister’s life by breaking her heart and driving her to madness. Jordan growled that the Newmans had taken her niece from her, brainwashing Claire and shattering their happy home. Jordan admitted that her anger and rage were beyond what she could handle. Ian patted her hand and suggested he help her let go of her anger as he had his.

In a later encounter, inmates scattered as Jordan approached Ian. She declared it a beautiful day, and he replied that her presence made it more delightful. He recalled that she’d used to shun him. She apologized for being rude when they’d first met, but she’d seen the error of her ways because he’d shown her kindness and wisdom. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes cities,” Jordan quoted, and Ian recognized it as Proverbs 16:32. She called it one of her favorites, and he praised her for becoming an avid student.

Jordan resigned herself to her fate behind bars but still longed for Claire. Jordan snarled that the Newmans taking her niece from her was more than she could bear. Ian said he understood her pain because he’d lost his beautiful, smart, brave daughter to the Newmans, as well. “The Lord helps those who help themselves,” Jordan quipped.

Ian clucked that, technically, that quote wasn’t in the Bible, but Jordan thought it should be. She pointedly stated that it was a shame they couldn’t help one another get their loved ones back, but she knew that was silly because he was an enlightened, spiritual man who’d forgiven and left it all behind. “Of course,” Ian replied with a wicked grin.

Jordan pretended to be reading when Ian returned to the motel. She asked where he’d been, and he informed her that he’d needed to clear his head after their spat. She noted that the fresh air had seemed to help his mood, and he clarified that it had everything to do with fresh possibilities. Ian divulged that he’d witnessed something very interesting — the intersecting of their two worlds, which had crisscrossed in the most wonderful way.

Ian reported that Claire had become friends with Mariah and Tessa. Jordan testily questioned whether Claire had forgotten everything Jordan had taught her since having friends complicated things. Ian intended to exploit the friendship to their advantage, although he hadn’t worked out the details yet. Jordan barked that their plan was just fine, but Ian sternly reminded her that she wasn’t in a position to call the shots.

Jordan ordered Ian not to speak to her like an underling because they were equal partners, and her opinion was as valid as his. He grumbled that they’d had to pivot because she’d bungled her assignment, and Nick had gotten the police involved. Jordan defended that it wasn’t her fault, but Ian declared it was time to move on. Ian pointed out that Tessa didn’t have any idea who he was, so he could easily befriend her with his charm.

Jordan asked how they’d handle her niece, and Ian instructed her to take care of her part by getting Sharon out of the picture. Jordan protested that Sharon had cops crawling all over her, and Ian maintained that it was Jordan’s fault. “It’s time for sweet, tragic Sharon to depart this earthly plane for good,” he ominously stated.

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