Best and Worst of "The Young and the Restless" in 2010 Part 1

For the most part, it was a good year on "The Young and The Restless," save some bad recasts and one putrid storyline that continues to fester. Here are some of the things "The Young and the Restless" got right in 2010.

Best:

Best Break Up: Nick and Phyllis
There really was no other way this couple could have gone but to break up. But it was fascinating to watch. Nick's (Joshua Morrow) unending fixation on ex-wife Sharon (Sharon Case) did more than cause a strain on his marriage with Phyllis (Michelle Stafford); it yielded baby Faith. Phyllis had taken more than she could bear and finally walked out on Nick. In a heartbreaking and gripping scene, Phyllis laid out to Nick exactly why she was throwing in the towel. She veered between anguish, frustration, rage, bitterness and in some small measure, relief to finally be out from under the weight of Nick's continued betrayals. Nick made a few lame attempts at wooing her back, but in the end, all he could do was stand there and take it - as well he should have. Based on that scene alone, let's give Stafford the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress. Done and done.

Best Transformation: Jana
Jana (Emily O'Brien) was nice enough. She loved her husband, Kevin (Greg Rikart) and together the New Age lovebirds ran the only coffee shop in town. And then Jana was kidnapped and held prisoner for weeks, during which time, an aneurysm in her head burst. She had surgery but it was too late. Suddenly, Jana was sleeping with one of her captors and was creepily remote during scenes with loved ones. Though she's seen the error of her ways, she's finding she can't quite mend fences and it's not a bad thing. Jana's become sly and slightly off-balance and oh-so-much more interesting to watch. Will Daisy (Yvonne Zima) turn over her baby to Jana, which Jana only wants so she can get Kevin back, who really, really wants custody? Who knows, but this new and improved Jana is far more interesting than the Jana of old.

Best Stunt Casting: Tristan Rogers
Sure, movie stars (and yes, I use that term loosely) Eric Roberts and Sean Young made splashes in Genoa City in 2010, but "The Young and the Restless' " best move casting move of the year? Bringing bonafide daytime royalty, Tristan Rogers to town. As Robert Scorpio, Tristan Rogers was part of both the Luke and Laura years and the late 80's capers that kept "General Hospital" fans glued to the tube, not to mention being one half of too many super couples to count. As the mysterious Colin, Rogers is the latest Aussie to torment Cane (Daniel Goddard) about his mysterious past. As a bonus, he's giving Jill (Jess Walton) some long-overdue lovin'. Though there's been no word on how long his stint will last, let's hope he's got lots of shrimp to throw on the Barbie.

Best Return: Deacon Sharpe
Did anyone much care about Deacon's (Sean Kanan) first trip through Genoa City? No, not really. He was a day player in that awful double doppelganger/Terroni art whatever story and was the catalyst for the dissolution of J.T. (Thad Luckinbill) and Victoria's (Amelia Heinle) dreary marriage. He was also indirectly responsible for the bust up of Amber (Adrienne Frantz) and Daniel's (Michael Graziadei) own comatose union. No one really noticed when he was arrested and shipped out of town. Well, what a difference a few months make. Deacon came back on the scene and was immediately boinking recently separated, Phyllis next to a dumpster. Things really got interesting when he crossed paths with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) and became involved in the nefarious plot to plunge her back into alcoholism. Nikki doesn't know Deacon was involved in her downfall and in the meantime, finds herself inexplicably drawn to the bad boy, even having sex with him at the ranch. Suddenly, we're all kinds of interested in this character.

Best Storyline: Nikki's Descent Into Alcoholism
Forget how completely preposterous it was; recovering alcoholic, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) was unable to smell or taste the liquor mysterious bar maid, Meggie (Sean Young) was lacing her smoothies and tea with, all so Meggie could get the once and future Mrs. Newman shipped off to rehab and out of Victor's (Eric Braeden) life. What was so compelling about this story was the insidious way Meggie wormed her way into Nikki's good graces and used that confidence to snatch away her sobriety. Nikki's fall led to bust-up No. 787 with Victor, drove her into Deacon's arms and forced her to pick herself up yet again. Nikki was back-burnered for most of 2010, but this intriguing tale put her back in the spotlight, where hopefully she'll stay a while.

*Bonus: Biggest Breath of Fresh Air: Billy and Victoria
Yes, I will jump on the bandwagon and cast my vote for the inspired pairing of fun-loving Billy (Billy Miller) and stick in the mud, Victoria. "The Young and the Restless" has a curious lack of romantic duos to root for, so whenever this show strikes couples gold, we take notice. Billy and Victoria have made their unorthodox coupling work and more importantly, have been enchanting to watch.