The Young and the Restless begins with Michael (Christian LeBlanc) and Lauren (Tracey Bregman) sitting down for breakfast at GCAC.  Michael is still preoccupied with Gloria, who is MIA along with Jeffrey, but Victor's case is more troubling to Michael these days.

At the coffeehouse, Kevin (Greg Rikaart) and Colleen (Tammin Sursok) are working the phones, trying to get all of their friends to come to their Free Jana Hawkes rally outside the courthouse today.  But Heather (Vail Bloom) interrupts them and tells them to save their cell phone minutes because after extensive review of Jana's case, the D.A. has decided to withdraw all criminal charges against her.  Kevin is overjoyed and gives everyone a hug.

David Chow (Vincent Irizarry) comes home to Nikki's (Melody Thomas Scott) to find her reviewing the items in the lawsuit that was just served to her.  Victor is demanding everything, including her rights to NVP, David's entire salary and NVP profits from the last six months.  Nikki wants to fight back.

Nick (Joshua Morrow), who was fired by Victor on yesterday's episode of The Young and the Restless, is at Newman cleaning out his desk.

Nikki is taking the lawsuit rather well.  She is actually amused by the ridiculousness of all the terms in Victor's lawsuit, like handing over her jewelry and couture gowns.

Heather tells the Free Jana crowd that it was a pragmatic decision to let Jana go.  There are too many holes in the case, and she doesn't want to pursue something she's not going to win.  Amber (Adrienne Frantz) deduces that this means Heather doesn't actually think that Jana is cured of her craziness.  But Daniel (Michael Graziadei) thinks that the real reason is that Heather actually has a heart underneath her tough exterior.  Daniel wants her to admit that she did a good thing, but she refuses to acknowledge that it was a moral decision.  Kevin pats himself on the back for succeeding in his campaign and rushes off to the state pen to bring Jana home.

Lauren offers to take Gloria off of Michael's hands so that he can worry about Victor.  Michael doesn't want Lauren to get involved.

Nikki goes over to Victor's (Eric Braeden) to discuss the lawsuit, but neither backs down.

Kevin brings the great news to Jana (Emily O'Brien) who is crying tears of happiness.

Lauren and Michael are done with breakfast when Heather comes into the GCAC for a cup of coffee.  Wait, wasn't she just at the coffeehouse?  Couldn't she get coffee there?  Michael wants to talk about the partially reconstructed surveillance tapes.  Michael wants Heather to drop the charges against Victor and grandstands that she doesn't have a chance.  Naturally, Heather doesn't back down.

Nikki wants to make Victor a business proposition.  She'll drop her lawsuit if he drops his counter-suit and buys back her share of NVP.  Victor looks at her portfolio and deems that she's overestimating her projected profits and undervaluing costs.  He tosses the dossier into the trash, asking, "Why would I pay for something I can take?"  Ooh, snap!  Victor says that he wants to leave her where he found her: with nothing and at the strip club.

Jana, dressed in street clothes finally, is given her personal effects back.

Michael tells Heather that he thinks she's bluffing, but she says that he'll be receiving another statement of evidence by the end of the day.

Nikki confides in Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) about her lawsuit and her money woes.  Katherine suggests that one option she has is to take it to court right away and have a judge settle it.  Great.  That's the last thing The Young and the Restless needs: more courtroom scenes.

Nick, carrying all of his belongings out of the office, leaves the Newman offices for good.  He runs into Katherine on his way out.

Everyone is all gothed out at the coffeehouse, in honor of goth-girl Jana.  As Jana and Kevin enter the shop, everyone yells Surprise!  Jana's reaction is very subdued, but happy.  Adrian (Eyal Podell) stares warily at Jana because he's afraid that she's still a grade-A nutcase who is going to off all of Genoa City in their sleep.

Katherine tries to reason with Victor.  Of course, her doesn't want to take her advice.  How many more scenes like this will we have to see?

Jana tries to explain to Kevin that she's happy to be free, but she's confused and needs time to adjust to the outside.  Amber reads updates on the web that the Faces of Jabot contest has narrowed down the entries to just eight women.

Katherine, frustrated by Victor's stubbornness, offers to help Nikki.

Michael goes to Victor's office and tells him the news that the D.A. now has an eye witness who saw Victor entering the GCAC gym shortly after the timestamp on the surveillance tapes, looking agitated and stuffing something into his gym bag.

Next on The Young and the Restless: Jack plans a surprise trip for Sharon, Nikki and Victor discuss their lawsuits AGAIN, David's loan sharks continue to breathe down his neck.


-Debbie Chang, BuddyTV Staff Writer
(Image courtesy of CBS)

Want to catch up on your favorite soaps? Miss yesterday's episode? BuddyTV offers daily live thoughts and recaps of your favorite daytime soaps so you never miss a moment. Also let your voice be heard by posting your own thoughts below to share and interact with your fellow soap fans.