Y&R: Delia's Death

One of the main stories on "The Young and the Restless" this month is the death of Cordelia Katherine Valentine Abbott. The girl was perished after being hit by a car. Below are my thoughts based upon what has aired of this controversial plot.

Delia (Sophie Pollano) had an exciting night as she was playing the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz at school. Her father Billy (Billy Miller), mother Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson) and former stepfather Kevin (Greg Rikaart) all attended this event. After the play, she was going back to her father's home to spend the night, while Kevin and Chloe were growing closer once again. Billy's wife Victoria (Amelie Henlie) unfortunately couldn't attend the performance as baby Johnny wasn't feeling well. To make up for it, Victoria decorated the living room in honor of the girl and they would have a special party for her. On the way home, Billy stopped for ice cream. He didn't take Delia in with him, and Delia let her dog Dash out of the car. He ran, so she went after him. Sadly she was hit and was laying on the side of the road.

Once Billy found his daughter, there was a flash forward episode were Billy imagined key moments in Delia's life. Two other actresses played the role of Delia for one day. Johnnie Ladd portrayed her as a teenager and we saw Billy's reaction to her first dating experience. Christina Scherer portrayed the adult Delia, who we saw after graduating from college, getting married, having a baby of her own, and moving away from Genoa City.

The ambulance arrived and once at the hospital she passed away. Billy was devastated, as were Chloe and Kevin when they heard the news. We still haven't seen all the rippling out to the community as while Billy's brother Jack, Victoria's parents Nikki and Victoria all know what happened. We haven't seen the reactions on the US airings of either of Delia's grandmothers: Esther and Jill, or Victoria's brother Nick who also lost his daughter in a tragic car accident.

Watching the scenes with the life of alternative universe Delia who didn't die gave ammunition to those who wished Y&R wouldn't have killed the character. Even though it was Billy-centered, as it was his fantasy, Delia growing up on canvas as a mixture of her two parents could have been interesting. She should not have become the stereotypical female weakling ingenue.

In the long run, I don't know if this death was worth it. As the story develops, I plan to write more about it, as these are just my initial feelings. I do find it sad that another soap kid had to die and I hope this doesn't become a trend on Y&R. (I considered this a trend on GH as on that program one baby and two small kids under 10 perished, and both of the small children died due to auto accidents.)

While I think it was awful that Billy left his daughter in the car unattended with just her dog as company, I thought how that was handled was unrealistic due to how child safety locks work. Delia saying that she would lock herself in made no sense as any car I've been in with a backseat with child locks enabled remains locked even if the driver unlocks his door. If others have child safety locks that work differently then please let me know as I am really curious.

Due to the way the character passed at least it won't be undone. Like Cassie who died as a teen people may be wishing she was back on canvas for years to come. It will be interesting to see what happens with the public reaction as this plot continues through November sweeps.