The July 28 episode of The Young and the Restless marked the dramatic end to the Aristotle Dumas and Murder In the Maze storylines, and what can we say? It was a mixed bag. Let’s discuss, shall we?

The Good, the Bad and the WTH?

On one hand, we appreciated that the show went all in; those train-car sets were especially cool. And we love a big reveal like the one that Cane pulled off (even if it didn’t really make any sense that Lily’s ex was suddenly 15ish years younger and no longer Australian).

On the other hand, we’ve gotta ask: Is a murder mystery still a mystery when it’s obvious from the start who the killer has to be? There was only one real suspect — the weird new expendable character. Case closed. And why was Cane sure that someone was going to try to off him? Everyone that he trapped on that mountain was pissed at him — who wouldn’t be? — but never homicidally so.

We’re also curious about what we were told would be “massive, like nothing else in daytime.” Maybe “massive” describes the gamble that Young & Restless took — and we’ve gotta always applaud a big swing. But “like nothing else in daytime”? The hedges maybe?

Two-for-One Deal on Legacy Characters

We were also befuddled about the fact that the show bumped off Damian after retconning Amy’s history, recasting and reintroducing her just to give Nate a half brother. For what, a few months? Seems like a lotta work to bring on a character for whom the show had no long-term plans.

More: Young & Restless’ latest exits [PHOTOS]

As for killing Chance… why? Just… why? He wasn’t exactly in the thick of things story-wise, so wouldn’t it have been just as easy — and perhaps shrewder — to have him leave town so that he could be brought back in a few years?

Then again, we do always say, “Shock us, dammit!” And it was a shock that Young & Restless would send Chance to the grave rather than, say, Peoria.

What’s Next?

Obviously, Cane is going to continue his pursuit of Lily — and may even have a leg up, considering how willing he was to trade places with her as Carter’s hostage. But is anyone really clamoring for a “Lane” rematch with a recast Cane? We’d still rather the show try Lily in a romance with Nick, but after the July 28 episode, it’s pretty clear that it’s gonna be “Shick” all the way.

Beyond that, we have in store more business shenanigans, with Billy betting big on Cane as his best chance to reclaim Chancellor. Personally, I’m not a fan of corporate intrigue; I just don’t care which Genoa City suit is sitting in which corner office. But perhaps this will be the storyline that surprises me.

What’s your take on the story of Cane’s return and the murders in the maze? Drop your thoughts in a comment as you pay your respects to Chance via the below photo gallery of his prematurely ended life story.