The Young and the Restless Recap for Wednesday, December 18, 2024: Kyle makes it official, and Diane finds a friend

fAt the ranch house, Nikki told Victoria that Claire had "proved herself as a Newman through and through," and she couldn’t have been more proud of her. Nikki explained how well Claire did at work, noting that she could anticipate what Nikki was thinking and do it before she was asked. Nikki thought Claire reminded her of Victoria at that age. Victoria was happy to hear it and noted that she wanted Claire to have a full life. They remembered how Jordan had controlled her for so long. Victoria worried that Claire had been fueled by anger for so long that all of these new freedoms would be too overwhelming.

Victoria thought things were moving too quickly for Claire, and it was exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Nikki advised to let Claire do her thing and trust that she’d do the right thing and was on the right path. Nikki shared that Kyle was also looking out for Claire. Victoria worried that Victor would interfere with their relationship. Nikki noted that Victor let Kyle and Summer be together and that Kyle and Claire just seemed right. She was sure that Victor would come around.

Nikki told Victoria that she spent a lot of time worrying about Victoria growing up as well, and she knew that Claire would find her way through just fine. Victoria appreciated her mom’s advice.

Traci was delighted when she came downstairs and saw all the holiday decorating. In the Abbott dining room, she found Jack feeling emotional after he had come across a Christmas ornament that brought up some memories of his mom. He realized he had carried around all of his resentment towards her until just before Dina died. Jack mused that relationships were fragile, just like the ornaments. Jack thought that holding onto the past was a fatal Abbott flaw and that breaking the cycle would have to start with him.

Jack explained that he had a blow out with Billy and how resentful he was. Jack said that all he could think about was the years he’d spent holding on to so much resentment for their mom. Traci agreed that she and Ashley had the same mixed feelings about Dina. Jack said he’d held in and carried around so much anger until right before she died. Traci wondered if this was about worrying that he and Diane were losing Kyle. Jack thought they were back on track but now he wasn’t as sure.

Jack told Traci that Kyle seemed to be doubting Diane again. Jack didn’t want to admit it, but he feared there was a deep-seated anger for Diane. He explained that the way they deceived Kyle may have unearthed a deep-rooted hatred that Kyle had hidden. Jack explained their intentions, but Traci pointed out that Jack wanted to fix something else. Jack said that when Dina left them, he, Traci, and Ashley built walls around them, holding anger and hurt inside. Jack didn’t want his son to go through life feeling the same way. Jack noted that he didn’t forgive his mother until the end of her life, and he didn’t want that for Kyle. “He deserves valuable time with his mother,” Jack said.

Traci wondered if Kyle could see the similarities between his issues with Diane and Jack’s with Dina. Traci told Jack that whatever differences Kyle and Diane had, they would have to figure it out on their own, but he could tell Kyle that he empathized. Jack said Kyle’s anger was justified, just like his anger had been toward Dina. Traci suggested that Jack could guide Kyle to some sort of understanding about it all.

Traci encouraged Jack and gave him hope for the future, then told him she was going to bed. She suggested that he hang his ornament before he went to bed, too. Jack poured himself a drink and had flashback memories of him and Dina.

At Crimson Lights, Diane was a little down in the dumps. Esther noticed and chatted her up, noting that he considered herself the local bartender when it came to listening to people’s problems. Diane said it would take a magic wand for the town to get over all the things she’s done and believe she’s truly changed.

Diane confided in Esther about her family. She said they were the most important thing in the world to her but didn’t know how to prove that to them. Esther advised that she might be trying too hard. Esther noted that Mrs. C. told her that people don’t believe you if you come on too strong, especially when you’re trying to convince them that you’re being honest. She warned that the more she pushed, the more Jack and Kyle would pull away.

Diane thought she was just destined to be distrusted in Genoa City. She thought that no matter what she did, people would throw her past in her face. “Why don’t you try doing the most selfless thing you can think of?” Esther suggested. “I thought I had. I stepped down so my son could have the job he wanted and deserved. Co-CEO at Jabot alongside his father,” Diane told her. Esther said she meant a true sacrifice. “Something that people will find impossible not to believe,” Esther added.

Esther told Diane she was a lot wiser than people gave her credit for. “When you open your heart to people you care about and who care about you, most of the time, things work out,” Esther advised. Diane said she had to think of the perfect selfless act that would give her Kyle’s acceptance.

At Society, Kyle and Claire met for dinner to celebrate her career change. Claire still felt insecure about the job and couldn’t believe he had so much faith in her. Kyle said that Claire amazed him, especially how she'd become so sophisticated and wise after all the stuff she’d been through in life. Kyle told Claire how great she was and how he was sure that she was meant for the position at Chancellor. Kyle said it was her destiny.

Kyle and Claire hung out and talked and laughed. Kyle told Claire he was genuinely intrigued at how she had let go of her past without harboring resentment. Claire credited her therapist but admitted there was anger deep down about being taken from her family and raised to hate them. She said she could manifest it if she fixated on it. “But then, Jordan wins,” Claire surmised. She told Kyle she was robbed of her childhood with the family that actually loved her, and she didn’t want to waste a single minute not being in the moment. Claire told Kyle she tried to keep looking forward and thought Kyle should, too. “As much as I want it to be, I don’t think it’s that easy,” Kyle told her.

Kyle started to talk about his parents but didn’t want to spoil their date. “This is what couples do. They talk about the good and the bad,” Claire said. Kyle noted that she called them a couple. He told her he wanted to be called her boyfriend, and Claire happily agreed to their titles. Claire told Kyle that his girlfriend was there to listen, so Kyle shared that he still didn’t feel like he could trust his mom.

Kyle recounted how Diane hadn’t moved out of his office, and when she and Jack pretended to fight, she said a lot of things that seemed too real. Kyle thought it drummed up a lot of feelings he had buried. Kyle said he and Diane talked about it, but it didn’t end well. Claire told Kyle she was very used to manipulative behavior and didn’t feel he was getting that from Diane. Kyle said Jack just wanted him to forgive and forget and be one big happy family again.

Kyle and Claire came back to Kyle’s. Jack told Kyle he wanted to talk to him about something, so Claire headed home. She told Kyle she’d had a great evening “as a couple” and assured him he would work things out with his mom. Claire went to the ranch house and told Nikki and Victoria how much she loved her life.

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Inside, Kyle asked Jack what was bothering him. Jack explained he’d been thinking a lot about the past, letting go, and moving on. Kyle admitted he and Claire had just been talking about that as well. Jack shared that he understood Kyle’s feelings about Diane because he could relate to them. Kyle knew about Dina but reminded Jack it was a different situation. Jack agreed and said he just wanted Kyle to know that he didn’t judge him and that he was there to talk anytime. “I love you, Kyle. Your mother does, too. We want to be a family again,” Jack said. Kyle told him that he did, too, but he couldn’t just trust his mom overnight as it didn’t have an on-and-off switch. He said he was working on it and thanked Jack for giving him time. Jack asked Kyle to hang the ornament for him and his grandmother. When Kyle asked how it looked while standing next to it on the tree, Jack told him it was perfect.

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

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