The Young and the Restless Recap, August 19, 2025: Phyllis cozies up to Cane 

Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) tried to get closer to Cane (Billy Flynn) on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) tried to get closer to Cane (Billy Flynn) on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Here's your The Young and the Restless recap for Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Daniel (Michael Graziadei) smiles more when he's around Tessa on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS
Daniel (Michael Graziadei) smiles more when he's around Tessa on The Young and the Restless | Image: CBS

Diane created a romantic Italian-themed evening at the Jabot mansion for Jack to make up for their honeymoon becoming a nightmare at Cane's chateau. Jack suggested they make the most of the lovely scene that Diane had set. He toasted to the quiet moments. Diane suggested that it wouldn't be quiet for much longer as Harrison was on his way home.

"To Harrison and his triumphant return," Jack toasted. Diane noted that Summer got Harrison a small accordion, and he hasn't mastered it quite yet. Jack quipped that they could hope the airline loses his luggage. Jack told Diane that with each passing day, he falls more in love with her, hoping he didn't sound like a cheesy greeting card.

Diane was happy to hear from Jack that Claire and Kyle are looking to move in together. She was glad that Claire was defying Victor in light of his scheme with Audra, and hoped that she'd want nothing to do with her grandfather.

Jack wondered if Claire's defiance would make a difference with Victor, but hastened to add that he wouldn't hold his breath. Jack suggested that Victor watch his back as Cane had plans. Diane wondered what Cane's obsession was. Jack quipped that he'd need another drink if talk was going to turn to Cane. Diane said Cane and Victor aren't just content to destroy each other. Jack concurred that in this case, the enemy of his enemy was not his friend.

Diane didn't see how Cane could almost get control of privately owned companies. Jack shared with Nikki about Cane and Amanda's plan to get her to sign Chancellor Industries over to him. Jack said that the Jabot lawyers have assured him there can't be a takeover.

Jack told Diane that he couldn't wait to take her on a real honeymoon. He said they wouldn't take the same type of transportation (a train), given their ordeal on Cain's caboose. Jack said he'd go anywhere with Diane.

Jack presented Diane with the dessert she'd prepared, Tiramisu. He told her in Italian that he would love her forever -- with help from his phone and translator app. Diane shared her response by kissing her husband.

Meanwhile, Tessa and Claire had gelato in the park. Claire shared memories of her father, Cole, sampling many flavors, then he'd resort to his standby choice. Tessa informed her dessert pal that she and Mariah had split. Claire was stunned. Tessa revealed that Mariah did something, but she wouldn't say what it was. Claire offered to babysit Aria and take her to the zoo. Tessa shared that she'd been talking to someone (presumably, Daniel) who has helped her a lot.

Claire said it was difficult not being able to get in touch with Kyle when he was in France. Tessa wondered if Kyle was being supportive because even though she loved him that he could be a real jerk face at times. Claire said she needed something stronger than gelato. Tessa suggested that they go to the restaurant Society, as she knew the manager.

Cane talked business with Holden on the phone. Daniel overheard Holden saying goodbye to "Cane" and said that they all know now that he's the man behind the curtain, courtesy of Newman Media. Daniel said he knew Cane before he became super-wealthy. Daniel noted that it's better to succeed when you don't hurt people, implying that Cane did.

Daniel said that he and Cane have in common the same ex-wife -- Lily. He admitted that he did things he wasn't proud of, but Daniel didn't care for how he treated Lily. Daniel predicted Cane has some scores to settle. Holden said that he was recently rehired by Cane, but he wasn't at liberty to discuss business.

Daniel and Holden officially introduced themselves to each other. He said he wanted to make sure his mom was safe and protected. Holden nearly rolled his eyes when Daniel revealed his mom was Phyllis. Daniel wanted to know if his mother was making a mistake by allying herself with Cane Ashby.

Daniel said he didn't have enough info to know if Phyllis was in over her head. Holden said that he was trying to figure out where he was going to fit in at Cane's empire. Daniel said that Cane is a different person from when he first met him. He hoped that Cane had changed, too. Holden shared that he suspected "Aristotle Dumas" was a fake name. Holden wondered if Cane had put Daniel up to asking him these questions.

Daniel said his only goal was to protect his mother. He added that if Holden didn't want to share anything, that was okay. Holden said that when he was in Los Angeles, he wanted to open his very own club. Daniel said that he had a stepbrother (Noah) who ran the Glam Club, but it shut down, and that he was running a club in London now. Daniel and Holden toasted to the future.

Then, Claire and Tessa arrived. Holden said to Claire that his night just got a whole lot better. Tessa said she managed Society -- with help. Claire said that Tessa was being modest. Daniel said that Summer was doing "fantastico!' in Milan, as Harrison would say. Daniel added that Harrison has fallen in love with risotto. He added that Summer had met a guy. Claire said everyone deserved to love, prompting Daniel and Tessa to share smiles. Claire said that Kyle was excited about Harrison coming home.

Tessa, Claire, Holden, and Daniel toasted to a drink. Tessa found it strong. Daniel noted it was sweet. Claire said James Bond invented the drink (Vesper Martini) in a book, not a movie. Holden quipped he could drink in any language. Daniel gave Claire condolences to Claire about her losing Cole, her father. He let Holden know that he lost his partner (Heather) last year. Holden said there's nothing harder than losing someone you love, referring to Damian.

He asked Tessa if she had lost someone. She said no one died, but she lost the person she was planning on spending her future with (Mariah). Holden shared that he buried his best friend (Damian). Tessa and Daniel gave their condolences. Tessa said that it was great that they had people with whom they could be sad. Holden lamented that he and Damian had a falling out before he passed away. Claire said that Holden would find someone to rely on.

Meanwhile, Cane composed an apology text to Mattie and Charlie, telling them that he was still their dad. Then, Phyllis showed up with a bottle of bubbly to celebrate. Phyllis opened the 17-year-old bottle of champagne that she claimed she stole from his chateau. Cane felt they had nothing to celebrate. Phyllis said she was up for attacking Newman, Chancellor, and Winters. She added that she just saw Nick, and he wanted to play nice by allying himself with Cane.

Cane reiterated he wasn't in the mood to celebrate. Phyllis imitated Victor's controlling nature. She noted that everyone has been the subject of Newman Media. Cane lamented that his children found out from Newman Media that he'd been lying to them for years. He shared that they won't return his texts. Cane worried his kids won't believe him, moving forward. Phyllis said she knew something about shattering children's hearts. She said she was the expert on that unfortunate topic.

Phyllis confessed to Cane that she let her kids think she was dead, and that they came around and forgave her. She theorized that Mattie and Charlie would do the same. Phyllis pointed out that Mattie and Charlie would be swayed by Cane's billions. He countered that he could not buy their trust. Cane said his kids reached out to him and got his voicemail instead. Phyllis urged Cane to forgive himself.

Phyllis raised a glass and suggested a toast to their kids. She said when she came back from the dead, she had to give her kids time to come around. She believed his kids would do the same. Cane said it was never his instinct to wait. Phyllis said now that she and Cane were connecting on a different level, there was something she had to tell him.

Phyllis told an irritated Cane not to jump to conclusions. She told him about seeing Lily at Society after she met with him, and that's why Phyllis came over to cheer Cane up. Phyllis advised Cane to relax. She patted him on the shoulder, pulled her hand away, and then looked up at the ceiling.

Phyllis started to leave. She awkwardly reached for her purse. Cane stopped her. He wished he could have a memorial for Aristotle Dumas. Phyllis said she respected what Cane had done. He suggested that they were a lot alike. Cane wanted to make one thing clear -- they were not partners. Cane stated: "You are not 'queen' to my 'king.' Phyllis toasted to their mutual admiration.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus

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Edited by Erin Goldsby