Y&R 12-26-2025 || The Young and the Restless Full Episode FRIDAY, DEC 26 CBS — SPOILERS

On The Young and the Restless episode that aired Friday, December 26, 2025, tensions and emotional drama dominated Genoa City as the holiday truce quickly unraveled and several key characters faced tough decisions.

Genoa City Morning — High Stakes & Hard Choices

• Michael Baldwin wrestles with guilt and conflict over Victor Newman’s direction and the dangerous AI program, confiding in Lauren Fenmore about the dilemma of helping Victor versus betraying his conscience.
• Lauren urges Michael to carefully weigh crossing Victor’s trust — stressing that if he helps the Abbotts or Diane, Victor’s wrath could be severe.

Kyle and Claire — Emotional Turning Point

• Kyle Abbott makes a life-changing decision, choosing to step away from his relationship with Claire Newman to focus on his own path amid the chaos.
• Claire, frustrated and defensive, ultimately throws a drink in Audra Charles’s face after Audra provokes her — a dramatic clash reflecting personal frustrations boiling over.

Jabot and Power Struggles

• At the GCAC (the social club), Adam Newman defends his actions and contacts with Victor’s media strategy, but Sally Spectra confronts him over how his choices hurt Jabot and betray the Abbotts’ trust.
• Chelsea Lawson later gives Adam an ultimatum, warning that if he continues to use Newman Media as a weapon against Jack and Billy, she may have to walk away — forcing personal and professional consequences.

Jack and Billy — Strategy & Allegiances

• Jack Abbott and Billy Abbott continue to plot how to counter Victor’s growing influence, with Sally offering valuable intel that could help Jabot fight back.
• Jack and Billy discuss whether Nikki Newman can truly be trusted or if alliances will shift again in the corporate and personal warfare.

Themes of the Episode

This episode balanced personal clashes with corporate battles, weaving emotional week-after-Christmas drama with higher stakes for key families and relationships in Genoa City.