The January 17, 2026 episode of The Young and the Restless delivers one of the most intense Saturdays Genoa City has seen in years. With fear gripping multiple families and long-simmering secrets finally boiling over, this episode proves that no one is safe—emotionally or otherwise.

At the heart of the chaos is the aftermath of Dominic’s kidnapping, a crisis that continues to devastate Abby and Devon. The reality of Dominic being taken has settled into something far more terrifying than shock—it’s raw, sustained panic. Abby is barely functioning, consumed by visions of her baby alone and frightened. Every minute that passes without answers feels like torture, and her emotional state begins to unravel in ways that worry everyone around her.

Devon, while equally terrified, is trying to maintain control. He believes panic won’t bring Dominic home, but his calm is cracking. Guilt eats away at him as he reflects on the warning signs he may have ignored. He replays past conversations with Mariah, searching desperately for meaning, clues, or anything that could point them toward Dominic’s location.

Mariah remains unseen, but her presence dominates the episode. The note she left behind continues to haunt Abby and Devon—not just for what it says, but for what it implies. The wording suggests intention, planning, and a disturbing level of emotional certainty. This was not an impulsive act. Mariah believed she was doing the right thing, and that realization chills everyone involved.

As authorities intensify their search, tension rises over whether involving the police will push Mariah further into isolation. Devon argues that understanding Mariah’s emotional state is critical, while Abby rejects any approach that treats Mariah as anything other than someone who took her child. This difference in perspective sparks emotional conflict between them, revealing cracks that grief is rapidly widening.

Meanwhile, Victor Newman is watching the situation closely—and calculating. Though he claims concern, his focus is sharper than that. Victor sees vulnerability, chaos, and opportunity. He quietly begins pulling strings behind the scenes, determined to control the fallout before it spirals beyond his reach. Whether his involvement will help or cause more damage remains dangerously unclear.

Across town, Nikki senses Victor’s ulterior motives and confronts him. She warns that manipulating a situation involving a child could permanently destroy lives—including their own family. Victor dismisses her concerns, convinced that decisive action is the only solution. This disagreement adds strain to their already fragile dynamic, hinting at deeper fractures to come.

Elsewhere, Phyllis stumbles onto a piece of information that may connect to the kidnapping indirectly. Though not directly involved, she senses that someone in Genoa City knows more than they’re saying. Her instincts kick in, and she begins asking questions—dangerous ones. Phyllis’s involvement threatens to complicate an already volatile situation, especially if she uncovers truths others are desperate to hide.

Sharon, meanwhile, is deeply unsettled by Mariah’s actions. As Mariah’s mother, she is torn apart by guilt, fear, and maternal instinct. Sharon refuses to believe Mariah is beyond reason and insists that her daughter can still be reached emotionally. She becomes determined to find Mariah herself, even if it means defying the authorities and risking her own safety.

This decision alarms those closest to her. They fear Sharon’s emotional connection could cloud her judgment, yet they also know she may be the only one capable of breaking through to Mariah. The episode leaves viewers questioning whether Sharon’s love will be the key to saving Dominic—or the spark that makes everything worse.

In another corner of Genoa City, Jack and Diane face their own reckoning. Lingering resentment and unspoken truths surface as Jack begins to question whether Diane is being fully honest about recent events. A tense conversation hints that a long-buried secret may soon emerge, one that could ripple outward and intersect with the larger crisis gripping the city.

Kyle, caught between loyalty and suspicion, begins to see both sides. His internal conflict grows as he realizes that silence may no longer be an option. The episode subtly sets the stage for a choice that could redefine family alliances and permanently alter relationships.

Meanwhile, Adam watches everything from the shadows. Though not directly involved in the kidnapping, Adam senses a power shift underway. Chaos creates openings, and Adam is nothing if not strategic. His quiet observations suggest he may soon insert himself into the unfolding drama—whether as a savior or a saboteur remains uncertain.

Emotionally, the episode is relentless. Abby reaches a breaking point in a devastating scene where she finally voices her darkest fear—that Dominic may never come home. Her grief is raw, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore. Those around her are shaken by the depth of her pain, realizing that even if the baby is found, Abby will never be the same.

Devon, pushed to his limit, makes a decision that could change everything. Believing time is running out, he considers bypassing official channels to reach Mariah directly. The risk is enormous, but so is the reward. The episode ends with the sense that Devon is preparing to cross a line—one he may not be able to come back from.

The January 17, 2026 episode thrives on emotional realism rather than shock alone. It explores how love, fear, and unresolved trauma collide under extreme pressure. No character is untouched. Every relationship is tested. Every silence feels loaded.

As the hour closes, one truth becomes painfully clear: the kidnapping of Dominic is not just a crime—it’s a catalyst. It exposes emotional wounds, fractures trust, and forces characters to confront parts of themselves they’d rather keep buried.

With no resolution yet in sight, Genoa City stands on the edge of irreversible change. The question isn’t just whether Dominic will be found—it’s how many lives will be broken before that moment arrives.

And as The Young and the Restless proves once again, some secrets don’t just come out—they explode.