Y&R Spoilers: Will Jack Abbott and Nikki Newman’s Fake Romance Destroy Both Marriages?

TL;DR: On The Young and the Restless, Jack and Nikki launch a fake romance to make Diane and Victor jealous, but their reckless plan is poised to detonate both marriages instead of saving them.

What Is the Nuclear Option on Y&R?

The nuclear option is Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) faking a romance to force Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) to fight for their marriages. They named it on the April 17 episode of The Young and the Restless at the Genoa City Athletic Club. Then on April 22, after Diane threw Jack‘s heirloom ring back in his face and accused Nikki of wanting him for herself, Jack told Nikki it was time to push the button.

Reading between the lines? This is the dumbest plan in Genoa City history. And that is saying something.

Will the Plan Actually Work?

No, this plan is not going to work. It is going to blow up in spectacular fashion.

Here is why. Diane already lost her mind on April 22 when she walked in on Jack and Nikki sharing scones. Scones. If a pastry sent her storming out with the ring, what happens when she sees Jack Abbott actually leaning into Nikki on purpose? Mark my words, she does not come running back. She runs faster in the other direction.

And Victor? The man threw his wife of forty years out of the ranch in March because she was friendly with Jack. He has been jealous of Jack for decades. Provoking that jealousy on purpose is not a calculated nudge. It is dumping gasoline on a brush fire.

What About Patty Williams?

Yes, Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) is the wild card who could blow this whole thing apart. She is still loose in Genoa City. Victor just paid her a satchel of cash on April 22 for the yacht stunt that started this whole mess. And the woman is obsessed with Jack. He was her first husband, in case anyone forgot.

Don’t be surprised if Patty spots Jack and Nikki playing house and decides she has been replaced. This has all the makings of a Patty meltdown, and history says when she snaps, somebody bleeds. Y&R fans remember she has shot Jack before.

Could Real Feelings Resurface?

This is where it gets messy. Jack Abbott and Nikki were married twice in canon. Once in 1990 and again in 2012. They share decades of history and a deceased child. My gut tells me you do not fake a romance with someone you actually loved twice without something real bubbling back up. The writers know it. The audience knows it. Everybody knows it except Jack and Nikki.

Got thoughts on this storyline? Editor Amber wants to hear them. Drop her a line at [email protected] and tell her where you stand on the nuclear option.

What’s Next for Jack and Nikki?

Here is what is coming the week of April 27 through May 1. Jack Abbott reveals a new plan of attack on Thursday, April 30. Patty is set to push Kyle‘s buttons the same day. And Christine Blair Romalotti (Lauralee Bell) is gunning for Phyllis as Genoa City’s incoming district attorney.

Could this mean a public scene where Diane walks in on Jack and Nikki in something more compromising than scones? Don’t be surprised if it does. If history is any guide, the plan goes wrong the moment Patty catches wind of it. She is not going to stand by while Nikki takes her place.

Something tells me by the end of sweeps, one of these marriages is finished. The question is which one. Is Jack playing with fire to win Diane back, or is he quietly running back to a woman who actually understands him?

Whose side are you on? Are Jack and Nikki playing a brilliant long game, or are they about to torch two marriages for nothing? Sound off in the comments. Genoa City is watching.

Don’t miss our latest The Young and the Restless spoilers for more twists and turns.

WATCH THIS:

@soapoperamag Y&R Fans, if You HAD to Kill a Newman Brother Off… #AdamNewman or #NicholasNewman?! Somebody has to go. The question is WHO. Hit play because this is pure ragebait and we want your brutal honest answer. #YR #YRSpoilers #YoungandtheRestless #YoungandtheRestlessSpoilers ♬ original sound – Soap Opera Magazine