It may be the understatement of the decade to say that The Young and the Restless has put Sharon through the wringer. First Ian and Crazy Aunt Jordan™ messed with her bipolar medication, which left her seeing visions of late tormentor Cameron. Then the tag team framed her for Heather’s murder. Then they also framed her for an attempt on Phyllis’ life and chained her in the Sewer of Doom.

Now — whew — Jordan has sipped her last cup of tea, and Ian is headed for his last stand. What’s on the other side for Sharon? The show wants us to believe that it’s a reunion with Nick. The powers that be have laid it on thick throughout Sharon’s travails, having her make out with visions of her ex and even allowing “him” to give her the strength to rise like a phoenix out of that damn sewer.

But perhaps Young & Restless is going to pull a fast one on us. Suppose it’s led us to expect a “Shick” reunion when, in fact, it’s about to reintroduce into her life another man from her past: Dylan. It’s been eight years since Sharon’s husband left her to enter the Witness Protection Program. In that time, maybe the danger has passed and it’s now safe for him to return to the woman he never stopped loving.

With former portrayer Steve Burton now back on General Hospital as Jason, of course, he couldn’t reprise the role. But there is a plethora of other actors who could step in as a recast. Greg Vaughan, currently off Days of Ouf Lives as Eric, would make a terrific Dylan. (Never mind that he once played Young & Restless’ Diego; that was an eternity ago!) Ryan Paevey (ex-Nathan, General Hospital) has hinted that he’s considering a daytime comeback. And we can’t fathom why Cody Ryan McLaughlin (ex-Shiloh, General Hospital) hasn’t been snapped up by another soap already!