Friday, May 26, 2006
Nicholas was surprised when Sharon told him she still wants a divorce. She insisted on going through with it. He agreed, provided Sharon let him stay and they try to get along for Noah's sake.

Brad told Victoria that he's looking forward to hearing Jewel sing at the Cassie benefit concert. Really, Brad listens to Jewel? He seems more like a Hall & Oates-type guy. Vicky joked that as a newlywed, he shouldn't be looking at other women. He assured her that she's the only woman for him. Victoria hoped Brad and Sharon could work things out, but Sharon soon came crying to Brad about her impending divorce. "I've been so wrapped up in being a Newman for so long, I don't know who I am without Nick," she sobbed. Brad called her "amazing" and said that they understand each other. Sharon reminded him that if they'd slept together when they were on that business trip, they'd be together now. She quickly apologized for bringing that up. Brad believed that they weren't meant to be together and that she'd find a wonderful man. Later, Sharon asked Victoria for permission to bring Brad along with her on a business trip. When Nick found out she's going to New York with Brad, he was annoyed that she didn't tell him first. Sharon scoffed that Brad won't cheat with her on Victoria.... Brad made plans to go to Boston and told Sharon that he doesn't trust himself to be alone with her.

Ashley and Phyllis argued over Phyll's work at Jabot. Phyllis concluded that it wasn't about her work, but because Ashley wanted to help Jack get revenge. Phyll reminded Ashley that she and Jack weren't even together when she slept with Nick. Ashley didn't care; she was just furious that Phyllis hurt her brother. Phyllis refused to keep apologizing. Ashley fired her. After, Phyllis confronted Jack. He was surprised that she was fired and insisted that he hadn't put Ashley up to it. "I don't care enough about you anymore to bother," he replied. Ouch! Phyllis didn't buy it, but saw herself out.

Nikki argued with one of her contacts. Victor again worried that she's working too hard and urged her to bug Jack to join NVP. Later, he invited Phyllis to return to NVP full-time. Phyllis agreed to think about it. After, Victor made a paper snowflake for Nikki. When she left for a meeting, he put the snowflake in a drawer ... which was full of other cut-out flakes.... Phyllis told Nick about her revolving job situation. He wasn't sure she should take the job at Newman, explaining that he's trying to work things out with Sharon.

Jack informed Christine about Gloria's claim regarding John's failing mental health. Jack told Chris that he doesn't want Michael working on John's case. Christine said she could try to get John a medical release. Meanwhile, Glo asked her son to help get John freed. "We can always use the prison laundry," he began. Gloria wasn't amused; Michael also said that they could get John a medical release. After, Chris called and relayed her and Jack's conversation to Michael. The four then gathered together; Christine urged them to work out their differences so they could help John. Jack didn't want them to have to say that John has lost his mind. Michael and Christine planned to work together, while Jack decided he should see John for himself.

Thursday, May 25, 2006
A smug Gloria sauntered around the Abbott home with a copy of the newspaper reporting that Jack is out at Jabot. Somehow Jack's story made the entire front page, indicating that it was a slow news day in Genoa City. After, she asked Ashley if she could do some work at Jabot — so she could make John happy. Ash said she'd consider it, really meaning, "Nope, sorry, Glo."

Jack called Phyllis and asked if they could meet to talk. She eagerly agreed. Meanwhile, he had a tense encounter with Jill. "Remember the nursery rhyme," he warned her. "Jack fell down and broke his crown and Jill ... well, you know the rest," he finished. After, Gloria approached Jill about getting a Jabot job. Jill was more sympathetic than Ashley and promised to make some calls. She then offered Glo the job of fashion consultant. Gloria worried that it was just going to be busy work. Jill warmly assured her that it won't be and that she'd be doing things like going on fashion shoots — and that there would be room to move up. Gloria was so thrilled she grabbed her in an embrace.

Later, Glo visited John in jail and told him her news. She sensed that he wasn't feeling well. He claimed that he was just feeling tired. However, he then called her "Dina," the name of his first wife. Uh-oh. Gloria asked if he remembered Michael and Kevin. "Who?" he asked, going off on how "Dina" abandoned the family. Gloria began to freak out as she watched her husband lose it. She tried to talk with the prison doctor about it, but he was less than helpful. He wouldn't even let her finish asking her question and walked out on her. Yeesh. Yeah, working in a prison probably stinks when you've spent years and years (and money) in med school, but c'mon, show a little bedside manner.

Jack met up with Phyllis and they argued over NVP and her affair. "You don't give a rat's ass about anyone but yourself!" he yelled. Their fight quickly got ugly and Jill eventually asked him to leave. After, Ashley had it out with Phyll for causing an argument at the office. Later, Jack downed a drink as he and Ash discussed his blow-out with Phyllis. She reminded her brother that she supports him.

Nicholas and Sharon watched as Noah ran around their living room pretending to be a certain non-human thing. Sharon suggested he find something to do in his room. Nick then told Sharon about his Cassie dream and how he believes there's hope for them.

Victor worried that Nikki was working too hard and told her that he now plans to put his family ahead of business. After, Nick met with his dad, who again went off on his "family first" campaign. Nick filled him in on his Cassie vision. Meanwhile, Sharon told Nikki how Nick had just suddenly showed up on her doorstep. Nikki wanted to discuss it further, but Sharon was more anxious to talk about the upcoming benefit honoring Cassie's memory. Later, Victor worried that Nikki was overdosing on pain medication. He urged her to relax, but she explained that she couldn't. Vic then gave Jack another call, urging him to take a job. Jack called back, annoyed. Victor said that Nikki needs the help. "She survived years with you. I'm sure a bullet won't slow her down," Jack snarked. "Don't call me again!" he stated, before hanging up on Newman. "I would rather clean toilets than work at Newman Enterprises," Jack told his sister afterward.

Phyllis ran into Sharon at the office when Phyll was looking for Nikki. Sharon told her to get lost. Phyllis stated that she's filling in for Nikki and not working for Sharon. Shar replied that Phyllis has no right to be there given that she slept with Sharon's husband. "I'm not going to apologize to you every time I see you," Phyllis explained. After, Sharon overheard Nick telling Noah that he wants to take him and Sharon on a picnic. When he hung up, she said that Nick needs to stop thinking that things are okay between them.

Gloria returned from the jail and filled in Jack and Ashley on John's condition. "If you don't get John out of that prison he is going to die!" she told them.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Nicholas was greeted by the ghost of Cassie in his office. And, boy, do they have great stylists in Heaven, as she had a new haircut and a fashionable floral blouse. After, Nick flashed back to a montage of scenes from the past year: Cassie's death; the funeral; Daniel running away; Nick and Sharon fighting with Phyllis; Daniel's trial, ending with Nick handing over Cassie's clothing and Daniel getting freed; Nick fighting with Sharon over Phyllis; Victor demoting his children; Noah getting upset upon hearing the news of his parents' separation.

"I'm so sorry," Ghost Cassie said once the flood of images stopped. She then took him back to that fateful night when he'd let her attend the party which ultimately led to the car accident and showed him some scenes from the life that would've been had she not died.

Present-Day Nick and Ghost Cassie (let's call them P.D.N. and G.C.) hovered in alternate universe's Nick and Sharon's home, watching the pair discuss their grounded daughter, and how she'd been trying to clean up her act. "This is weird," said P.D.N. to G.C.

Next, P.D.N. and G.C. paid Present-Day Phyllis a visit (boy, this time-traveling thing/alternate universe thing is confusing. But Phyllis, the apparent sci-fi fan would be proud). A sad Phyllis drowned her sorrows in a way that millions of other depressed women have done before her and will probably continue to do: by eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream. G.C. explained that Phyll had made her own decisions. P.D.N. then flashed back to a montage of scenes from his and Phyllis's affair.

Okay, hang on, folks: G.C. now took P.D.N. to see the alternate universe's Jack and Phyllis — and they were getting engaged! P.D.N. blamed himself for ruining what could've been for Phyll. G.C. agreed that Daniel deserved better from both of them. She explained that before she'd died, she'd tried to tell them that Daniel wasn't guilty for the accident. Nick again flashed back to when he and Sharon wondered what kind of defense Christine could possibly come up with for Daniel. Cassie reminded him how Nick had tried to literally bury the evidence by hiding her clothes. "I was so angry, I couldn't let go," he told her ... recalling how angry he'd been with Daniel back then. "You shouldn't have hated Daniel," G.C. replied. "I know. I made so many mistakes," Nick sighed, adding that he regrets screwing up his budding friendship with the teen. Cassie noted that Daniel is happy. Nick explained that a high school senior shouldn't be married.

Enter the Daniel alternate universe where Phyllis and Jack were seeing off a prom-bound Daniel. Since this Daniel was wearing a bright red (yes, red!) blazer, it's debatable how happy he actually was, given this felony against fashion.

P.D.N. and G.C. continued on their journey by stopping by an unhappy Neil and Drucilla. Nick blamed himself for their problems, noting that the accident and Daniel's trial was the catalyst for everything that happened with Lily. And Malcolm? Was Nick responsible for him and Dru, too? What about the thinning Ozone layer or global warming — is that all Nick, as well?

Anyway, it was time for the Winterses' alternate universe as Devon and Lily joined Daniel in their prom pictures. Devon was wearing a classic black tux and looked absolutely handsome. Lily, on the other hand, donned an electric blue satin dress and a white fur (yes, fur!) wrap. Now if Daniel and Lily were super-quirky and always dressed in oddball fashions, their attire would make sense. But since both dress rather ordinary most of the time, their bright, clashing ensembles were jarring to look at — even in an alternate universe. Then again, since everything is apparently Nick's fault and this was his vision, maybe he's the one who needs to take in some episodes of WHAT NOT TO WEAR.

Next, a seething P.D.N. saw Sharon kiss Brad. "Please don't be mad at her," G.C. pleaded. "I pushed her away for months," he replied, thinking back to some more scenes of him fighting with Sharon. G.C. stated that she never thought her parents' relationship would come to this.

In yet another alternate universe, a happy Nick and Sharon joked around in his office. Victoria — home from Italy and escorted by a hunky Italian guy — paid them a surprise visit. The foursome laughed and chatted as they prepared to go to dinner together.

The pair now stopped by to see Sharon and Noah. G.C. was impressed by how big Noah has grown — but didn't seem to notice that her brother has been recast since she was last alive. P.D.N. lamented not being with his family. And there came the segue to their alternate universe, where the Newmans were one, big happy family. After, P.D.N. sobbed that he doesn't even know who he is. G.C. advised him to stop saying, "What if?" "You didn't see what happened," she explained. "You saw what you imagine would've happened." She then went on to say that if she hadn't gone out the night of the accident, it didn't necessarily mean that everything would turn out so well. "News flash, Dad — you don't have that much power," snarked G.C. She then prepared to leave, but not before sharing a tearful good-bye with him.

Later (in real time), Nick went to see Sharon. "I need to be with you," he told her. "I'm moving back home."

Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Nikki praised Phyllis to Victor. She was shocked when her husband revealed that he'd offered Jack a job at NVP. Vic noted that Jack was suspicious, but he was confident that Abbott would come around. Nikki was touched when Victor brought her a fruit tray and lavished her with affection. They made love.

Phyllis was anxious to have a paternity test done on her baby.... Nicholas apologized to Jack for sleeping with Phyllis. Jack couldn't accept. "Of all the people, why did you have to sleep with her?" he wondered. After, Jack ended up in the elevator with Phyll. She also apologized, but he remained angry with her. Nick then called her; a tearful Phyllis went to see him, grateful to be with someone who didn't "hate" her. Phyllis asked Nick if he'd erase what they did if they could go back in time. Nick responded that it was complicated. Phyllis pressed on, wondering what would happen if they could live in parallel universes with her in one and Sharon in the other (What's with Phyll and the sci-fi?). Nick didn't really answer that bizarre scenario either, explaining that wishing for things won't do them any good. And no, Phyllis didn't turn to any of the old stand-bys like, "Which one of us — me or Sharon — would you rescue from a burning building?" or "Put a check next to who you like better on this piece of paper: me or Sharon."

A dressed-up Daniel and Lily "boycotted" the prom by going to the GCAC restaurant. Gina tried to give them a discount, but they refused and insisted on paying the full price. Colleen, now waitressing there, took her friends' orders. Later, Colleen and Gina helped cap off the special dinner by bringing out sparklers ... which is kind of an odd gift, considering the fact that Gina's last place was burned to the ground. Victoria also came to the restaurant and was surprised to see that Colleen was a waitress there. She offered her stepdaughter work, but Colleen refused.

Sharon confided in Brad about her and Nick's problems and how they're affecting Noah. Brad embraced her and oh, boy, they kissed! Nice going, Brad, who's only been married for about a week. They were almost caught by Brad's new wife, Victoria, who just happened to come into the office. After Sharon left, Vicky informed him about Colleen's new job, then praised him for "being there" for Sharon. Well, that's one way to put it....

Bardwell told Ashley that he'd made a call to the prison and that they were going to keep an eye on John. Ash was grateful, but surprised by the D.A.'s compassion. They started to smooch. After, Jack was furious that his sister was turning to Bardwell for help. He then revealed how Victor had offered him a job. Ashley didn't seem at all surprised and declared Jack a "great catch."

Nick heard the tinkly sound of a music box coming from his office. He went to check it out and was greeted by a blinding light. It was aliens, coming to take him away! No, not really. It was the ghost of Cassie, coming to pay her dad a much-needed visit.

Monday, May 22, 2006
Victor called Jack and gently summoned him to come to his office. Jack hung up on him. Victor told Nikki he wants to bury the hatchet with Jack.

Sharon neglected Noah as she planned Cassie's memorial. Noah let Nick's horse out so Nick would rush home. Sharon and Nick got into it again. Daniel was also there, so Nick thanked him for helping Noah. "How could you do it?" asked a disgusted Daniel, refusing to let the cheating hubby off the hook.

Ashley visited John in prison and was concerned about his health. Later, she asked Will to come over so she could discuss the John situation. "He's sick," she reported. Then she asked if it's possible John could get an early release. Will was willing to make a few calls.

Lauren put the baby crib together. "When you dress windows, you learn a thing or two," she noted, before feeling nauseated from the paint fumes.

Jack berated Sharon for not telling him about Nick's affair with Phyllis, then walked away. Sharon ran after him. "Hey, Jack, no hard feelings," she apologized, explaining that this was too embarrassing to talk about. "I had to find out in the most public way imaginable," he yelled. "Don't blame me because Phyllis screwed you over!" she snapped, stomping off. Jack left and went to see Victor, who EMPATHIZED with Jack (huh?). "Enough," Jack barked, not buying Victor's nice-guy act. "You have nothing I want, believe me," Jack assured. Then Vic offered him — get this — a job!

2005 recaps