I really hate the way the writers are constantly dropping storylines. Today it dawned on me that they never finished the business with Amber and the money. What about the guy who was shadowing her every move trying to get the money he said belonged to him?
What about Daniel's porn addiction? How did he miraculously cure that? Did he take the same cruise that cured Nikki of her pill addiction?
This storyline with Victoria is dragging on waaaaay too long. They should have filmed scenes of her waking up before she ever left for maternity leave. They could have shown them during Christmas, then said she left to recover.
I'd like to post some strengths, but off the top of my head I can't think of any.

I think all of those stories were terrible, made the characters look foolish, and I'm glad they dropped them. For me, if a storyline does damage to a character, then I am more than happy to pretend that story never existed. If the show wants to do the same with Daniel's porn addiction, then I thank them.

Victoria had no decent storylines while she was awake, so if they want to keep her in the coma, that's fine by me. She usually seemed comatose anyway. Amelia Heinle is dull, dull, dull.

Right now I'd say Y&R is the best American soap, although that says more about the other soaps than about them.

Strengths:

Peter Bergman, one of the best actors on daytime, gives all he has to Jack. He's become the heart of the show, whether Y&R fully recognizes that or not.

The pacing is much improved, and we are seeing more dimensions to the characters. Heather in particular is finally being fleshed out with her family and her job, as we see more than just the ice queen/Legally Blonde clone who barks at Paul.

The Fisher/Baldwins, in spite of annoying Gloria, are a very dramatic family who also bring a lot of humor and fun. Ted Shackleford is a great addition to the cast and he is keeping Gloria in check.

Michael and Lauren are the best couple on the show and one of the best in daytime. They are one of the few genuinely sexy couples on daytime right now. I hear some people say that Lauren should be "freed" from the family, but if she is, she will go right back to the backburner.

Katherine, Jill, and Cane are all interesting characters with interesting relationships, even if the writers don't explore those relationships. He's revitalized the family.

I'm enjoying the sight of Victor pushing everyone away, even if the story will probably end with Victor saving the day. Eric Braeden has finally woken back up and he's giving some fantastic performances, especially his recent scenes where he fired Nick and said he knew what it was like to be all alone, he grew up in an orphanage.

Wow, Carl, you came up with way more than I ever could! I will agree with you on Eric Braden. He's been phoning it in for so long--the Bobby Marsino/Nikki kidnapping story was THE WORST--but the last few days, he's been his old mean self.

I'd like to know where this business of Kevn and Jana and goth came about? I know she mentioned being fascinated with serial killers but I don't remember any mention of goth.

I don't think Cane has "revitalized" the family much for the very reason you mentioned, they don't have any significant story lines together. He's helped, though. The best the writers were coming up with before was that ho hum fighting between Katherine and Jill.

I think they need to bring back some of the old characters, like Phillip and Nina. I can't believe they didn't even bother when it was brought out that Phillip Sr wasn't really Jill's son. I also think one of the biggest problems with the show is that the writers don't seem to know character history.

BTW, I'm watching an old Big Valley right now and Katherine is on! LOL!

Cane/DG is what brought me back to Y&R. I find DG to be the most exciting addition to daytime in quite a few years. He clearly is intended to revitalize the Chancellor family but he could be doing so much more. It's bizarre to me how many topics they have left unexplored. Namely, his past, no one talks to him about his father - wouldn't he want to know about Philip? And wouldnt Kay and Jill want to know more about him? Has anyone told him about his brother?

Also, we are talking about a guy who has went from having nothing, no responsibilities, and no family. What about the pressure to perform as the newly appointed Chancellor heir? The show alluded to this once or twice that Kay was riding Cane hard in his new position and he was feeling some of the strain. Why isn't that explored?

Even since before Clear Springs they have ignored some of the tension that should still be prsent in this family.

Never mind the fact, that Jill should have much more to do than mourn a man (even though JiMin was hot) she barely knew.

Overall though, the show has recently become much more watchable. I couldn't stomach scenes with the Newmans even a month ago. Monday? I was delighted with Nikki v Victor - even though I think they are both twits. I'm seeing less Phylis (always a good thing) and Sharon finally grew a brain. Now if they would just send Gloria packing we might have a party.

I love the way they have completely forgotten about Victoria. No one is concerned that she's been in a coma too long, they've stopped calling in specialists, and heck she's not even hooked up to machines. Although how they're feeding her is beyond me!