R.I.P., [Spoiler]: Young & Restless Is Marching Toward a May Sweeps Funeral

We see what you’re up to, Young & Restless. You’re playing off Cole’s cough as but a bug. But his “cold” is sure to turn out to be something far worse — fatally worse.

It’s the ol’ bait and switch. The show has told us over and over again that Amy is dying. But now that she’s in an experimental treatment program, you watch — she’s going to be miraculously cured, and it’s going to be Cole that kicks the bucket.

Honestly, we understood why the show brought the long-gone character back, in order to ground the newly introduced Claire in some real history (rather than the retconned story of Eve’s never-before-mentioned sister, Crazy Aunt Jordan™). We even got why the powers that be felt that they could justify pairing Victoria with her ex; after conniving Ashland and Nate the Snake, Cole would have felt familiar and safe to the beleaguered exec. She needed a dang break!

Now, though, J. Eddie Peck’s character has served his purpose. He’s helped Claire over the hump of getting to know and feel a part of her newfound family. He’s given Victoria a moment of calm. So it’s time for her to move on to a love interest who is more dynamic. And at this point Claire needs something to shake up the status quo. With Summer no longer a factor — Allison Lanier is out — it won’t be her making waves in Claire’s romance with Kyle. And don’t we all predict that Victor’s scheme to weaponize Audra will blow up in both of their faces?

While you’re here, check out our brand-new photo gallery, a massive May preview spoilerpalooza. Although Cole may not want to peek, given our hunch about what lies in store for him.