Diane’s Desperate Bid for Acceptance at Jack and Diane’s Wedding on The Young and the Restless
Diane, played by fan-favorite Susan Walters, is already married to Jack, portrayed by Peter Bergman, on The Young and the Restless. However, their quickie wedding at City Hall last July is about to be followed by a reception/vow renewal starting on the October 6 episode. Diane, who has been considered the town pariah for faking her death over a decade ago, has very few friends outside of Jack and their son Kyle. But with the upcoming wedding festivities, Diane hopes to change people’s perception of her.
In an interview with TV Insider, Susan Walters discussed Diane’s relationship with Jack and the importance of having Jack’s family and friends present at the reception to support their union. Diane knows that she won’t receive much support, especially given Summer’s snarky behavior towards her. However, Diane is willing to tolerate Summer’s attitude because she wants her in the group wedding photo, hoping that her rival, Phyllis, will see it.
Diane’s desire to be Jack’s wife goes beyond their happiness together; she wants everyone to witness their relationship. She views having the support of Jack’s family and friends as the ultimate validation. The reception was initially intended for everyone to see how fabulous their relationship is, but Diane now wants a photograph that Phyllis will see.
Despite the predictions of havoc and misery caused by Diane’s return from the dead, she hasn’t lived up to those expectations. Walters acknowledges that previous storylines involving Diane’s deceitful actions were not under her portrayal of the character. However, Walters believes that Diane has grown up and is sincere in her desire to have a relationship with her son and the man she loves.
Walters has worked hard to distinguish Diane’s interactions with different characters, particularly her conversations with Ashley. Diane tries to hide her past with Tucker when she’s with Kyle, creating a different dynamic in those scenes compared to when she talks to Ashley.
One significant event that showcased Diane’s character development was when she saved Ashley from choking on a grape at Society. Despite expecting gratitude, Diane felt that Ashley wasn’t overly appreciative. However, Diane believes it was the right thing to do and wouldn’t stand by and watch even her worst enemy choke to death. Walters shared that she knows the maneuver to save someone from choking and hopes she’ll be able to remain calm and take the necessary action if ever faced with a similar situation.
Outside of Jack and Kyle, Diane doesn’t have many allies in the family. Traci, Jack’s sister, wants what’s best for her brother and supports his relationship with Diane. Traci has softened towards Diane since her return and appreciates seeing her brother happy.
Although viewers have learned some details about Diane’s time away from Genoa City, there is still much that could resurface. Walters hints at a story involving Tucker and the opportunity to explore Diane’s choices during her time away.
Walters enjoyed the scenes where Diane faced off against Ashley, Phyllis, and Nikki. She found those moments to be fun and thrilling, as Diane had to hold her own against all three. Walters also admitted that she particularly enjoys scenes where Diane confronts Phyllis, which she considers her comfort zone. The dynamic between the two characters is intense and gives Walters a chance to portray Diane’s passionate side.
Regarding the future of Jack and Diane’s relationship, Walters believes they need to be happy for a while. Seeing them work together as a united front will make it more interesting when conflicts arise. Diane’s complex nature allows for people to have conflicting opinions about her, even if they’re unsure about the sincerity of her love for Jack.
As the upcoming reception and vow renewal approach on The Young and the Restless, Diane hopes to change people’s minds about her and gain acceptance from Jack’s family and friends. Will Diane’s bid for acceptance be successful, or will it further fuel the town’s skepticism towards her? Fans will have to tune in to find out!
