The Young and the Restless spoilers tease that Mariah (Camryn Grimes) confided in the right person when she finally opened up about her sexuality. Kevin (Greg Rikaart) is her best friend, which made him the right person to share her heartfelt admission with.
Societal norms aside, on a most basic level Mariah is trying to decide is she loves another person. Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) came into her life unexpectedly. Y&R created a textured character who is as vibrant as she is quirky.
Linking Tessa to Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) from the jump instantly alerted Y&R fans that this new persona was going to have an impact in Genoa City and she has. The Newman family door opened opportunities for Tessa, including connections to various key players, one of whom is Mariah.
After honestly addressing her feelings with Kevin, Mariah also discussed the equally important issue of not wanting to hurt her brother. Noah (Robert Adamson) has developed a positive connection with Tessa in a short time. They have chemistry, which makes Mariah’s emotional road much harder.
In not knowing if Tessa is open to a relationship with her, or if Tessa is bisexual, as Mariah appears to be, Grimes’ character is risking her heart without a guarantee. However, fans of all orientations know that’s how all quests for love go in varying degrees.
Sometimes one loves another person and that person responds. At other times both characters realize that it’s best if they remain friends, as Mariah and Kevin once did. Then, there are also occasions where one’s love is unrequited. That last sentence could be what Mariah is facing, unless the writing staff moves directly into a storyline that wouldn’t be accepted by all viewers.
This scribe wonders how any viewer could ever be an expert on anyone but herself, or himself? Reality indicates that every individual actually only knows the interworkings of one’s own heart. That’s what makes life challenging in our real world, or for those are seen in Genoa City.
This author has seen elements of himself in many male characters, but has never been in Mariah’s position, or in Rafe Torres’ (Yani Gellman) spot. Y&R explored a gay storyline through the Rafe character during the last decade.
Each person’s experience defines seven billion-plus views of reality. That’s why it will be understandable when some people relate to what Mariah is going through, while others don’t want to see her written in this direction.
Some will pound their chest, claiming to be open to all others, and then attack those who express traditional man-woman views. In so doing those claimed progressives will reveal themselves as closed-minded. That personality type merely shifts bias from one group to another, which is wrong.
Some who say they don’t want to see what a percentage of the human race experiences reveal an apparent fear of the truth. Why? Are the Mariah’s of the world less than themselves? No.
Kudos to Y&R for pursuing this particular storyline and for having Rikaart, who is gay, serve as Mariah’s sounding board. That choice was right on a creative level and on a human level as well.
To all soap fans, regardless of who you are, know thyself. Where all others are concerned, listen to their personal life stories and simply try to learn. Then, share your own story as well. In so doing we reaffirm that all people count, equally, always.
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