The Young and the Restless Recap for Monday, December 23, 2024: Phyllis learns Heather's case might be reopened

At the Newman ranch, Nikki commented to Victor that it was wonderful to have their tree up in their beautiful new house. She marveled that he couldn’t have given her a better Christmas gift, and she still wasn’t over it. Victor assured her that there were more gifts on the way. Nikki cooed that he’d already given her “so much,” although she was tempted to shake a few boxes. He warned that it would be cheating, and she resolved to try to control herself until the next day.

Nikki couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt that joyful, and she and Victor embraced. Victor declared that after everything she’d been through that year, she deserved that and more. They kissed as Claire and Cole walked in, bearing gifts. Cole observed that the place looked great, and Claire teased that her grandparents clearly felt the holiday spirit because they weren’t even standing under the mistletoe. Nikki wished them a happy Christmas Eve.

Cole said he appreciated the invitation, even though he was a sorry excuse for replacing Victoria. Claire reported that her mom was wrapped up in blankets with a pot of tea and the television remote. Cole added that Victoria hadn’t wanted to risk getting anyone sick, so she’d barricaded herself in the bedroom. Nikki instructed Cole to set the gifts down and help her serve the bubbly.

Victor invited Claire to have a seat, and he inquired whether Katie and Johnny would be joining them. Claire revealed that her younger siblings were at parties with their friends, but the kids planned to stop by in the morning. Nikki and Cole distributed glasses of Champagne, and Victor toasted Claire’s first Christmas as a member of the Newman family. Claire replied that the pleasure was all hers.

Cole shared that the holiday had never really meant much to him before, but it meant everything with a beautiful daughter to spend it with. He continued that Claire had given him more joy than he’d ever imagined, and her wit, kindness, and generosity were a testament to her good character. Cole called Claire the brightest light in his life, and he was grateful for every day he spent with her. Claire hugged him. “Cheers!” the group cried as they raised their glasses.

Claire thanked everyone for the love and support they’d given her, noting she finally had the real home and family she’d waited for her whole life. Claire gushed that it felt like her first real Christmas, not just as a Newman. Claire pledged to do everything she could to live up to the trust they’d put in her, and Nikki swore Claire already had. Claire prompted Victor and Nikki to open her gift to them, and Nikki gasped when she unwrapped a family portrait of Victor, Nikki, Victoria, Cole, and Claire.

Claire revealed that she’d had the portrait commissioned, and Victor said he loved it. Nikki called it exquisite and thought of exactly where to hang it. Claire praised her parents and grandparents for being her axis, and she swore she didn’t take for granted that they’d given her a life she’d never dreamed was possible. Cole insisted that Claire deserved all of it and more. Claire called her family the center of her universe, hoping they remembered that every time they looked at the portrait. Victor and Nikki embraced Claire.

Cole hoped Victor didn’t mind that Cole had been included in the portrait. Cole was shocked when Victor insisted that Cole belonged in the portrait as a member of the family. Victor requested to talk to Cole privately, and the men stepped aside. Nikki jokingly hoped Victor wasn’t about to challenge Cole to a boxing match. Claire said she didn’t understand what Victor had against her father. Nikki acknowledged that Victor could be very stubborn, but she thought he couldn’t deny how much Cole loved Claire.

Cole appreciated Victor allowing him into the Newman home for the holiday. Victor responded that everyone was welcome at Christmastime. Cole braced himself for another talk about him staying away from Victoria, but Victor indicated that Cole might be surprised. Victor admitted he was very protective of his family, and Victoria had been involved with men in the past who hadn’t been worthy of her. Cole swore he would never hurt her, and he hoped Victor eventually believed it. Victor stated that he believed it then, but Cole was skeptical.

Victor couldn’t deny the obvious romantic connection between Cole and Victoria or that Cole was a good father to Claire. Victor announced that he wouldn’t stand in the way of any future relationship Cole had with Victoria or the family they’d created. Victor recalled that Cole had sacrificed his position at Oxford to return to Genoa City and put Victoria and Claire first. Victor recalled that he’d been angry when Cole and Michael had gone behind his back to release Jordan from the dungeon, but he was over it, and he considered Cole a good man. Victor told Cole to take good care of Victoria.

Victor and Cole returned to the living room, and Claire asked Victor if they’d had a good talk. Victor called her father a good man, and Claire agreed. Cole handed Nikki his gift to her, and she unwrapped a first edition of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poems. Cole explained that it was one of his favorites, and he thought Nikki would like it because Browning’s work was witty and heartfelt. Cole continued that the poet had been an intelligent woman ahead of her time who’d loved with her whole heart, and he compared her to Nikki.

Victor opened his gift from Cole and discovered a signed copy of Muhammad Ali’s autobiography. Victor was moved, and Cole considered it an appropriate gift because it was the story of one greatest to another. Victor thanked him, pumping his fist in approval. Nikki hoped Claire didn’t feel left out, and she promised Claire’s gift would be there in the morning. Claire asked if Santa would deliver it, and Nikki confirmed it would be at the stables at dawn. Nikki added that “he” was very excited to meet Claire, and she revealed that a beautiful Appaloosa was on the way to the ranch.

Victor showed Claire photos of the horse. Cole remarked to Nikki that owning a horse was every girl’s dream, and she complimented his book gift idea. She inquired about his talk with Victor. Cole shared that it hadn’t gone exactly as expected, but he was starting to believe in Christmas miracles.

Victor asked if everyone was ready to light the tree, and he turned off the main lights. A moment later, the tree illuminated, and Cole compared it to Rockefeller Center. Claire marveled that it was like something in a movie and wished her mom was there. Cole envisioned being together for every future holiday. Victor wished them all a merry Christmas.

At Society, Michael told Lauren what Sharon had remembered during the hypnotherapy session. Lauren inquired whether he thought he could sell Sharon’s account of someone else being in Heather’s apartment in court. Michael conceded that it wasn’t solid proof, but it was a break. Lauren recognized the look on his face and knew he was all fired up. He confirmed that he was excited to build a defense on a not-guilty plea rather than insanity, and he hoped Sharon was no longer eaten up with guilt.

Michael anticipated that the focus of the investigation would shift to finding the real killer. “Real killer? What is that supposed to mean?” Phyllis testily asked as she passed by the table. Michael wished Phyllis a merry Christmas, and Lauren pleaded that she didn’t want to fight. Phyllis insisted Sharon was the real killer and needed to pay the price. Lauren recognized how strongly Phyllis felt, but Phyllis ordered Lauren not to patronize her.

Phyllis maintained that Sharon had done it and was tired of everyone feeling sorry and making excuses for Sharon. Michael insisted there was more to it, and they all wanted the killer to pay for the crime. Phyllis pointed out that he was implying someone other than Sharon was the killer. Lauren sympathized that Phyllis was hurt and justified in her anger, and she knew Phyllis was just trying to protect Daniel and Lucy. Michael lectured that once they got to the bottom of it, what happened to Sharon was out of Phyllis’ hands. “The hell it is,” Phyllis retorted.

Phyllis accused Lauren of implying she should take up crocheting or knitting to distract herself. Phyllis alluded to something else in the works, but she refused to say more about it. Phyllis snapped that it would be the first Christmas Lucy spent without her mother, and she commanded Michael and Lauren to stop defending a killer. Phyllis became nervous that Michael had something planned to get Sharon out of it. Michael suggested that Phyllis let the authorities do their jobs because things weren’t as simple as she thought they were.

Phyllis declared the case closed after Michael’s client had confessed, but Michael referred to pending changes that would lead to the truth. Phyllis asserted that the truth was Sharon had killed Heather, disposed of the body, framed Daniel, and ran Phyllis off the road. Michael bellowed that some of it might be up for debate, but Phyllis scoffed at the idea that Sharon had been drugged and not responsible for her actions. Lauren begged Phyllis to trust Michael. Phyllis spat that Michael was defending her family’s enemy and that he didn’t care about her or her kids. Lauren swore that they’d never stop caring about her, but there were things Phyllis didn’t know about.

Phyllis pulled up a chair and barked that she’d love to hear it. Michael revealed that new evidence had arisen questioning everything they’d thought they’d known about the case. Phyllis surmised he’d drummed up something to get Sharon off the hook. Michael informed her that the police had been informed about the development and that they might reopen the investigation. Phyllis was livid at his ploy to pull the focus off Sharon.

Michael denied that it was a legal maneuver, and he warned that the police might put a squad car outside Daniel’s apartment to ensure Daniel and Lucy were safe. Phyllis ranted that the authorities should have protected her son from Sharon. Michael ordered Phyllis to stay out of it and let everyone do their jobs. Phyllis asked what they knew that she didn’t. Michael refused to say more, but he advised her to stop focusing her attention on Sharon, or she’d regret it. “The hell I will!” Phyllis growled, and she stalked off.

Lauren said she loved Phyllis, but sometimes she just wanted to shake her friend. Michael sympathized that Phyllis was in pain, and Lauren imagined how unbearable it would be if Fen or Scott went through something like that. She reported that she’d checked in with her sons, who were doing well. Lauren contemplated whether it was possible that Phyllis would actually stay out of the case.

Michael hoped Phyllis distracted herself by focusing on her new direction, but he knew Phyllis wasn’t great at letting bygones be bygones, and she had a lot of history with Sharon. Lauren wondered if their mention of new evidence would give Phyllis pause. Michael took Lauren’s hand and asked when in their history of knowing Phyllis had she ever taken a “pause.” “Never,” Lauren replied. Michael chuckled.

At the cottage, Mariah and Faith peppered Nick and Sharon with questions about whether anything that had happened during Sharon’s hypnotherapy session could help their mother’s case. Sharon announced that there might not be a case against her anymore since she no longer thought she’d killed Heather, and she was sure somebody else had been in the apartment the night Heather had died. She continued that she remembered Heather being across the room from her when Heather had cried out and fallen, and she’d felt a presence near her and a gloved hand pushing her down on the couch.

Sharon urged her daughters not to get their hopes up because it would still be an uphill battle to prove she hadn’t been responsible for Heather’s death. Nick explained that there were no other witnesses to prove someone else had been in the apartment. Faith insisted that her mom wasn’t a murderer, so she’d known there had to be another explanation. Mariah called it a Christmas miracle, and the three women hugged.

Mariah felt like a weight had been lifted off all of them. Faith admitted that it had been hard seeing Sharon convinced she’d been responsible, and she credited Nick for continuing to push for answers. Nick commended Sharon for going through the hypnosis and reliving the awful experience. Mariah couldn’t imagine what it felt like for Sharon to know the real killer had touched her in the same room where Heather had been killed. Faith fretted that the killer could have hurt Sharon, too. Nick cautioned that the culprit was still on the loose, and Faith worried about what the killer had planned next.

Faith wondered how the other person had gotten into Daniel’s apartment. Sharon realized that Daniel needed to be made aware of the new investigation since he and Lucy would need to be questioned again. Nick recommended they allow Michael time to get Chance to reopen the case first. Sharon panicked that Daniel and Lucy needed to know the killer was out there and they might need police protection.

Nick objected to hitting Heather’s loved ones with the news on Christmas Eve, and Mariah lamented that it would be the family’s first Christmas without Heather. Nick expected the news to be confusing and upsetting, and Faith doubted anything would convince Phyllis and Lucy that Sharon wasn’t guilty. Nick opined that Heather’s family deserved to have Christmas together without any additional pain or conflict. Sharon hated that Daniel and Lucy thought she’d killed Heather, but she thought giving them an update that evening would just open up the wound.

Sharon realized that it hadn’t even registered in her mind that it was Christmas, and she was sorry she hadn’t done more for her children for the holidays. Mariah understood that the last thing on Sharon’s mind had been Christmas. Sharon exclaimed that her whole perspective had changed since her guilt had subsided, and she felt like she could breathe for the first time in months. Mariah and Faith told her it was all they needed, but Sharon thought they should still do something for the holidays. Nick observed that the cottage could work, and Faith declared that she knew exactly what they needed.

Later, Sharon, Mariah, and Faith fussed over Christmas decorations. Nick dragged in a tree, and Tessa arrived after dropping off Aria with a sitter. Tessa said she’d been happy when Mariah told her the news about Sharon, and Mariah proclaimed that Sharon deserved peace after all she’d been through. Sharon cried that she’d almost lost everything, and the experience had taught her that they really needed to celebrate every moment they had together. Mariah and Faith threw their arms around Sharon.

Faith found her favorite animal ornaments, and Tessa admired a beautiful little angel. Sharon asked to see the angel because she didn’t remember it. Mariah guessed it had been a gift from someone. “A guardian angel,” Sharon mused, gazing over at Cassie’s photo on the mantel. Nick remarked that Cassie always looked out for Sharon and their whole family. Sharon placed the angel on the tree, and Mariah noted that it felt like Cassie was there, smiling down on them.

Sharon remembered that she had another box of Cassie’s favorite decorations in the bedroom and headed upstairs. Mariah expressed relief that her mom was getting back on track, but she recognized that Michael still had to prove Sharon was innocent. Nick was confident that Michael would do it not only for Sharon but also because Daniel and Lucy deserved to know who was responsible for Heather’s death. Faith chirped that she felt like she’d finally gotten her mom back, and it was all they needed that night.

The group finished decorating the tree, and Tessa couldn’t wait for Aria to see it the next day. Sharon thanked her family for cheering her up and making the holidays better. Faith suggested that they video chat with Noah. There was a knock at the door, and Nick found Phyllis there. “Of course you’re here,” Phyllis bitterly stated, and she walked past him and demanded to talk to Sharon.

Sharon voiced surprise that Phyllis wasn’t home with her family. Phyllis spat that she’d just seen Michael, who’d told her about the new information that could reopen the investigation into Heather’s death. “What the hell are you up to?” Phyllis asked. Phyllis snarled that it was cozy and nice that Sharon was spending Christmas with her family when she should be in a prison cell. Nick warned that it wasn’t the time or place.

Faith urged Phyllis to go be with Daniel and Lucy. Phyllis snapped that she’d been with them earlier, giving them some semblance of the first holiday they were spending without Heather because of Sharon. Phyllis raged that Sharon had given one excuse after another, and she vowed to make sure Sharon was held accountable for what she’d done. Sharon blurted out that she hadn’t murdered anyone, and somebody else had killed Heather. Phyllis stared at her in disbelief.

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