The Young and the Restless recap (Nov. 21): J. Eddie Peck returns as Cole

On Tuesday, Nov. 21’s episode of The Young and the Restless, J. Eddie Peck (Cole Howard) returned to Genoa City, Wisconsin. Devoted viewers recall last seeing him in 1999, after he divorced Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), left the country, and became a college professor in England.

Peck’s character was introduced on Y&R during the same year Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) arrived in GC in 1980. Cole (portrayed initially by N.P. Schoch) was a child when his mother, Eve Howard (Margaret Mason), claimed Braeden’s character was the boy’s father. But Victor’s assistant was dishonest, as Rick Daros (Randy Holland) held paternity rights. That version of Cole was last seen in 1981.

Soap opera rapid aging syndrome (SORAS) was employed in the early ’90s, with Peck becoming the recast. The young adult aspiring writer was romantically involved with Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) and Nina Webster (Tricia Cast). His first wife was Victoria Newman (then played by Heather Tom).

Viewers recognize that Cole’s return is another part of the show’s ongoing fiftieth-anniversary celebration. Weaving him into the Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) storyline, which was revealed to include Coleen Zenk (Aunt Jordan), is intriguing. Fans are naturally speculating about why Cole, of all people, was lured to Oregon.

What happened today on The Young and the Restless? (Nov. 21)

It proved disturbing for Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) to see Claire at Newman Media. Nikki’s revealed enemy told Victoria she was getting some work after seemingly flying back. But the purpose of her interaction with Victoria was to relay that Nikki supposedly collapsed at the lake house and was taken to the hospital by Jordan. So, Claire’s ominous comments to Nikki about her family soon arriving were not dishonest.

Victor told Jordan that Nikki has Multiple Sclerosis and that she appeared to be recovering. But Jordan will intentionally withhold details about where the hospital is from Victor, who prepared the corporate jet to take the family to Oregon. Meanwhile, back at the lake house, Nikki guzzled the bottle of vodka, allowed it to drop on the floor, collapsed on the bed, and heard commotion downstairs. Cole arrived because he received a faux text that was meant to look like Nikki had sent it. He believed something was wrong with Victoria.

The plan Ashley hopes to exact with Tucker began to play out when she told her brother, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), and Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters), that she wants Tucker McCall (Trevor St. John) with them on Thanksgiving. Jack strongly balked, but Ashley clarified that she wanted a brief get-together where Tucker and Devon Hamilton Winters (Bryton James) are together. Davidson’s character adjusted her plan, hoping to arrange the meeting at the GCAC.

Speaking of one of Y&R’s retro settings revived as part of Y&R’s milestone year, Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) meet at the club. He believed she bought his request to rejoin the Jabot takeover plot, and they met with Tucker in the Neil Winters’ (Kristoff St. John) jazz lounge. Of course, Tucker and Audra believe Kyle is acting on his father’s behest, not knowing that Jack is in the dark and Diane is pushing the ruse. The deceptive games are hard to digest at this point in the plot, and hopefully, this storyline reaches a climax shortly.

Having Tucker text Devon, hoping for another chance, adds to the sad-sack nature of St. John’s character. Nothing has gone right for this man, making fans wonder if Kyle’s later tell to his mother about their plan being in effect will work. Plus, the electricity between Mealor and Silver’s character seems too strong to erase from the canvas. So, this pairing may begin a real romance whenever shady business dealings are over.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more The Young and the Restless news and coverage! New episodes stream on Paramount+.