The August 26 episode of Young and Restless was a very special one, featuring the final television appearance of the late Tristan Rogers as Colin Atkinson. The beloved soap superstar returned after a six-year absence from the show for this one-day reprisal, which was filmed just weeks before his death on August 15 at the age of 79.

Father and Son

The episode featured only three characters: Colin, Cane (Billy Flynn) and Phyllis (Michelle Stafford). In the show, Cane  flashed back to his past with his father, Colin and discussed his future plans with Phyllis. After recalling the final days he spent with his late dad, Cane came to a conclusion that left his new business partner stunned. Here’s how it all happened:

Alone in his train car, Cane poured himself a drink and flashed back to being at his late father’s bedside, giving Colin a glass of water. “I don’t suppose you could put a drop of scotch in it,” he joked weakly. Cane politely declined the request and asked him not to try it with Jill, either. “Why do you guys think you know so much about me?” Colin wondered. Cane urged his father to stop talking and drink his water. Back in the present, he looked at a letter from Genevieve, then a photo of Lily on his phone.

By His Side: Cane (Billy Flynn, r.) wanted to take good care of his father, Colin (Tristan Rogers), in the end.CBS

After taking a drink, Cane set his phone against the glass to record a selfie video for his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren. Recent events had shown him that the future isn’t guaranteed, so he wanted to explain some things before it was too late. Cane admitted he knew that Charlie and Mattie didn’t want to talk to him, but he had some things he needed to say to them about why he did the things he did. And even if it didn’t change how they felt about him, nothing could change how much he loves them.

The True Story

Cane explained that he never admired his father and was often either afraid of him or disappointed in him. He didn’t want his own 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Charlie and Mattie, to have a parent that they didn’t believe in, but he knows that he’s let them down. He recalled being inspired by Charlie’s favorite book, The Count of Monte Cristo, to create the alias of Aristotle Dumas to keep his professional life separate from his personal one. He wanted to build Arabesque to create something to leave his kids, but realized now that he was just being selfish because they didn’t ask for any of this.

As he continued talking into the camera, Cane admitted that he created the Dumas identity in case he couldn’t pull it off, but he found the success intoxicating, and Dumas soon took over his life. He realized that the lie had become his reality, and Dumas was the man he needed to be — Cane Ashby would just blow it all up. He knew now that he’d made a terrible mistake and regretted his actions. He missed out on so much of their lives, and when Colin died, he was left on his own and wondering what any of it meant. He realized that Lily and the kids were the only things that were important.

Stay on Target: Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) didn’t want Cane to doubt himself or his plans.CBS

Phyllis arrived and apologized for eavesdropping before urging him to send the video message to his kids because it would help. Skeptical, Cane changed the subject to ask about her research into AI for him, assuring her it would be a helpful tool. Phyllis asked about the paper on the table, and he showed it to her, bitterly explaining that Victor had found out that Colin had called himself Lord Jeremy Edgerton to con Madame DeLeon out of her fortune. She was the owner of the chateau and vineyards and provided the seed money Colin gave him to start Arabesque. Phyllis argued that Colin had likely made this woman very happy, just as he had Jill, but Cane added that his father had given him the money, then told him he was dying, so that took his focus.

Trying to boost his confidence, Phyllis insisted that his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren would come around, but urged him to give Lily the space she wants. Cane worried that he’d become just like his father. “Is that true?” he mused. “I mean, have I become the worst parts of the man?” Phyllis called Colin a great man and talked up Cane, still wanting to work with him on his grand plan for Genoa City. After he thanked her, Phyllis got the hint and made her exit, warning him not to spiral.

Coming to a Decision

After sending the video message to his kids, Cane flashed back to sitting by his father’s bed, trying to talk to him about business and rugby scores before urging him to stick around to see some more zeroes added to their bank account. “I’m tired,” Colin admitted. “I’m too tired.” Cane suggested he stop talking and get some rest, but he worried about his son. He reminded him that Aristotle Dumas was just a name, not a person with a family who needed him. “Wait too long and the mask burns into the skin,” he insisted. Cane promised he wouldn’t let it get that far, and Colin retorted: “Famous last words.”

Next, Cane recalled Colin telling him, “Don’t tell Jill how much I love her. It’ll just make it that much harder when I’m gone.” He then questioned what Cane was planning, asking, “Make it up to Lily in 50 years when it’s your turn to go?” Cane promised that Lily deserved the truth and would hear it from him, but not yet — Dumas had more work to do. Colin insisted that Dumas had served his purpose, and what was important now was Cane and his family. “Then you bury Dumas forever, son,” he added. “You promise me.” Cane reached out and took his father’s hand.

Last Words: Colin urged his son to do the right thing for his family.CBS

Returning to the present, Cane angrily threw a glass against the wall and then called Phyllis to announce that he’d changed his mind. “The plan is dead,” he declared. “I’m not moving forward.”

Let us know what you thought of this special episode of Y&R in the comments below, and share your thoughts on whether or not Cane will really stick to his plan.