The Young and the Restless spoilers (Jan. 29 – Feb. 2): Jordan threat renewed by fire

On Friday, Jan. 26's episode of The Young and the Restless, Ashley was joined by Traci on her trip to Paris. Tucker's pitch did not persuade Audra to create a personal bond, with Nate finally appearing willing to give into her pursuit of him. Cole updated Victoria on Claire's progress while Nikki continued to struggle.

Let's look at the spoilers at a glance:

• Monday, Jan. 29: In keeping with the soap's milestone-year theme that runs through March, Victor and Jack's rivalry is back on. Nikki's recovery is the focus. Summer has moved on from Kyle, and now sees an opportunity for new love with Chance. Audra awaits eventual doom at Newman Media.

• Tuesday, Jan. 30: Victor learns there was a fire at the facility where Jordan was jailed. The ongoing, seeming revival of Nick and Sharon continues. Diane said the right things to Nikki at Crimson Lights but remains concerned about Jack's closeness to her.

• Wednesday, Jan. 31: Nick receives Victor's attention, which he generally hopes to avoid. Victoria and Cole don't tell Claire about the fire. Kyle did not return to the Co-CEO spot at Jabot and felt like an underling.

• Thursday, Feb. 1: Ashley and Traci are in Paris as they attempt to resolve the honeymoon mystery blowout. Daniel's decision to recommit to Heather remains in limbo. Kyle and Tucker clash again.

• Friday, Feb. 2: Victor learns that Jack is helping Nikki. Billy provides support for Chelsea. Adam is surprised by Sally.

Jack did not want to keep his sponsorship of Nikki from Victor, but she disagreed. The viewer's wait for resulting consequences is short-lived as Victor inevitably begins to learn the truth while Diane keeps eyes on her rival. Meanwhile, no one can blame Summer for turning her interest to Chance. Whether she pursues him in a serious relationship might be tied to Audra's ability to connect with Nate, while Zuleyka Silver's character counts the days until Nikki fires her.

Daytime fans notice that fire is again used as a plot device. More recently, wildfires were accessed as an emotional topic that caused Lily to leave Genoa City, with Christel Khalil's maternity leave being the real-world reason for this sudden change. Jordan's whereabouts are in doubt because a fire at the facility where she was forcibly housed, meaning incarcerated, likely enables beloved As the World Turns icon Colleen Zenk's run to persist on The Young and the Restless.

Just as Nick and Sharon appear to be flirting with each other, so too is the writing staff teasing fans of this one-time couple. Committed fans of both actors and the characters they play are guarded, needing to see a completed remarriage ceremony after two failed attempts in past years. Nick will decide, no matter if his father injects his opinion.

Cole picked up on the remnant chemistry between Nate and Victoria. J. Eddie Peck's character has yet to project renewed romantic interest in his ex-wife. But their miraculously restored parental bond with Claire provides a miles-wide runway for a soft landing if one or both of her parents opt to revisit old feelings.

Ashley and Kyle share an interesting similarity. Both people have allowed Tucker to push their buttons. Ashley loves Tucker but wants to protect herself and the Abbotts from him. Kyle knows Tucker's history and has been unable to avoid being riled by him. Michael Mealor's character saw Audra as a potential easy replacement for Summer, which is partially why Tucker enrages him.

Eileen Davidson's character is on the verge of wrapping this part of her storyline, as the Flop in Paris is screaming for a full resolution. Alternatively, Kyle's conflict with Tucker was not misunderstood and represents another reflection of Jack's battle with the man who wronged Ashley and Diane.

Devon cannot see that he has become overly involved in many other people's lives. Since the era when Mishael Morgan first left the show when Hilary Hamilton died, Bryton James' work evidences a solid actor in the prime of his career. The complexity of James' performance, within the scene where Devon was equally frustrated and appreciative of Daniel's admission about Heather, reminded fans of the consistency of this actor's efforts through the years. James has five Daytime Emmy nominations and one win (2020). Viewers should agree that he should be part of the nomination list, if not earn another statute later this year.

Finally, Billy and Chelsea, along with Adam and Sally, were all in a recent couple's scene together at the Neil Winters' Jazz Lounge. Telegraphing both pairs as future married couples is an unmistakable wink. But daytime is about drama; nothing should ever be easy and predictable in Genoa City.

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