The Young and the Restless spoilers detailed the buildup to Adam Newman’s (Justin Hartley) death one year ago. Then, before September’s date digits expanded to the ten’s column this infamous Y&R character was seemingly blown to bits in a cabin explosion. That emotionally visual event was later confirmed as having happened because of Chloe’s (Elizabeth Hendrickson) insatiable thirst for revenge. So why haven’t some people been able to move forward?
It’s obvious that some viewers haven’t been able to work through the stages of grief. It was shocking to learn that Michael Muhney was fired in December 2013. It was healthy to wonder why that happened and to be intrigued by the mountains of conspiracy theories that were pumped out by those who weren’t in the know as 2014 played out. But healthy minds accepted Hartley when he was cast as the next Adam and then debuted in November.
Personality types who couldn’t give up the goat held onto their pain and guilt. They became Muhney cultists, or at least projected themselves as such through social media. Their scratched 45 record rants reflected pure anger, which was a red flag. And some have continued to stew, rather than recognize that an employer fired an employee in the real world. End of story, fade to black, onto Hartley.
Executive producer and head writer Mal Young hasn’t publicly confirmed the show’s feelings about when, or if this character will return. So it’s reasonable to believe that Adam will remain dead indefinitely.
All balanced souls understood and understand that Y&R wasn’t a one-man show. No broadcast network soap operas have ever been or are that.
Hartley’s success was undeniable. Many ladies loved his look, which, along with his self-deprecating personality give his version of Adam the initial boost he and the show needed. Hartley then took the character in another direction, which confirmed smart casting, solid scripts and consistent acting.
It wasn’t surprising that Adam’s second death (that time as played by Hartley) stoked the embers among all whose burning hearts were still proclaimed as broken. Now, a year after the recast Adam is believed to have died hope’s jaded child still lingers? No, this scribe wasn’t referring to Signy Coleman, who sporadically and brilliantly played Adam’s mother (Hope) from 1993-2012.
The Adam that Muhney devotees worship remains gone and is apparently not wanted back by TPTB. Meanwhile, the subsequent guy who played Adam, the one who so many accepted, is remembered on the anniversary of this character’s death. A double gut punch is therefore felt by those who still refuse to accept that Muhney isn’t part of the cast and may never be again.
That’s an unhealthy view to take of a soap opera character, or the terrific actors (plural) who played him. It also surely doesn’t represent the solace that escapist entertainment offers.
Regardless of what happens to the Adam character, or doesn’t, this scribe is calling out all who are aware of the type of fans who have been referenced. They need to be confronted and then helped to move forward. Maybe they’ll even come to watch the show again, as they should, because Adam is dead (for now). CDL is a leading source for everything linked to The Young and the Restless. Check back regularly for Y&R spoilers and news!