Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist: One Memorable Night

Last time: Zoey learned a lesson about accepting failure when her idea for anonymous peer reviews blew up in her face (though that was mostly Joan’s fault) and Leif ended up moping over his criticism. She finally got him to stop though she’s not sure he heard the notes he should’ve. And then she got into a fight with David after revealing a couple secrets to Emily she shouldn’t have. But really, it was a no-win situation as David was lying to his wife and hiding his own fears about his impending fatherhood because Emily hadn’t wanted to have children in the first place.


But you all know how I feel about that particular storyline.


She also failed in her plan to stay away from Simon after needing some advice regarding the David/Emily situation. Zoey then learned his father’s birthday was coming up and he wasn’t handling it well. She comforted him while trying to keep some boundaries but those were blown up when he visited her at her apartment at night and the two shared a moment.


Meanwhile, Max broke up with Autumn, Maggie decided to keep running her business without Mitch and Mo just wanted to sleep in.


I think I’m getting there on shortening those.


We still have no word on if Zoey is getting a second season. Hopefully she is and I will keep my fingers crossed for it.

Tick-tock on the clock/But the SPOILERS don’t stop


We open where the last episode ended – Zoey’s back against the door and Simon really close to her. Like close in a way that makes everyone’s skin crawl now after ten (?) weeks of quarantine. After a few moments, Zoey tells him he should leave. She reminds him that his engagement party is the next night and he agrees he should leave. He thanks her for listening and then heads out as Zoey lets out a relieved breath.


Zoey heads out the next morning and Mo is waiting for her. He says he saw Simon going into her apartment late that night. Zoey confirms he did and then says that he left about ten minutes later. Mo asks if anything happened and Zoey is like “No, he’s engaged.” He rolls his eyes and says he just wanted to know if Simon sang to her. Zoey admits he did and that it was “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” And Mo confirms that song is just asking for trouble.

(Mo is intrigued)

Her phone then buzzes and Zoey panics, showing Mo that Jessica is texting her. She wonders if she knows about Simon’s late night visit and Mo advises Zoey to ignore it, that answering Jessica can’t lead to anything good. He stuffs her phone back in her bag and pulls out a protractor, giving her a look as Zoey takes it back.


Zoey and Max meet up and he tells her about his breakup with Autumn. He thinks it went really well and that they parted on good terms. In fact, it went so well, he’s pretty sure he would at least get nominated for an award for good breakups. As they wait on line to order their coffees, Zoey hears Autumn singing “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi.


She does not need Mo to tell her that’s not a good sign.


They approach the counter and Autumn says she’ll get Max’s regular. But he decides to prolong the encounter and starts rambling about all the different options and how he might want to try something new. As he keeps talking and talking rather than just getting his usual and getting out, Autumn resumes singing with her fellow baristas serving as her back up dancers. There’s even a point where she throws a coffee in Max’s face but only Zoey can see it. He’s curious about why she’s smiling and she just places her order and encourages him to do the same, though he continues to hem and haw through the rest of the song.

(Haven't we all wished we could do this?)

When they get their coffees, Max is surprised to find that his has “Max…imum Asshole” written on it. Despite Zoey just wanting to leave, he goes back to talk with Autumn. She tells him that their breakup did hurt her. Autumn may have understood why he was ending the relationship but it didn’t mean that she didn’t have heartbreak over it. Max’s heart may not have been in it but hers was and she needs time to heal. He was super callous to go in there and pretend like it never happened and Autumn was right to call him out on it. Though maybe the dig at his wardrobe was a bit unwarranted. Zoey ushers Max out of there, insisting that he’s not an arrogant asshole but not contradicting Autumn’s comments on his wardrobe.


She also notes that they need to get a new coffee shop.

(Aftermath of a truth bomb)

At work, everyone is talking about Simon’s engagement party. Zoey is surprised to learn that Tobin and Leif were invited too. Apparently they helped him with something and bonded with him over that. Zoey looks apprehensive about the party as Joan comes out and tells everyone that since the watch was a big success, they need to find their next project. She wants to find something innovative and fresh and snaps at them to get to work before pulling Zoey into her office.


Joan asks Zoey if she has plans for that night and Zoey says that she was going to go to Simon’s engagement party but doesn’t think she will. Joan was invited as well but says she didn’t want to go either. But she does want to celebrate because she just signed her divorce papers. She tells Zoey she’ll send a car for her and they can get some drinks that night.


Zoey calls her mother, who is finishing up with Jessica and Simon’s party preparations. Maggie will be at the party too but feels guilty leaving Mitch, even though his friend Paul is coming by to spend the night with him. Zoey assures Maggie that she deserves a nice night out and Maggie says she’s looking forward to spending time with her. Zoey then says she’s not going to the party as a work thing came up. Maggie then asks if she’s heard from Jessica, who asked for her number. Zoey panics again and asks her if she knows what Jessica wants but Maggie doesn’t.


Meanwhile, Max is outside the coffee shop and is practicing a speech to Autumn. Mo spots him and Max tells him about the breakup, which Mo says explains the rude name written on his coffee cup. (Okay. Max I can get, but Mo? I think Autumn might be going a bit too far now). Max tells him about what Autumn said and Mo once again only contests the “arrogant” part. He says that Max needs to get some “Mo swagger” and Max asks if he means “more” or “Mo”. Mo just answers “yes.” He tells Max to throw away his jacket and then to follow him.


Zoey pops into Simon’s office and asks if he told Jessica about the night before. He says he didn’t. She reveals that Jessica has been texting her and Simon tells her not to answer it, that he will handle it. Zoey then also says that she thinks it’s best that she doesn’t go to his party and he understands. She asks him to have a pig in a blanket for her and then asks if there will be pigs in a blanket. Simon says that he is throwing a classy affair so of course there will be pigs in a blanket. Zoey is pleased before leaving his office.


As she returns to her desk, she waylaid by Jessica. Jessica asks to speak with Zoey and says it’s about the party. She wants Zoey’s advice on a surprise for Simon and Zoey is relieved, babbling that she didn’t respond because she was in “so many” meetings. Jessica understands and then says that she’s putting together a slideshow of pictures of her and Simon, including pictures of them as a couple and pictures from their childhood. She’s just concerned about including pictures of Simon’s father and wants Zoey’s opinion. Zoey says to include them – to honor Simon’s father and the role he played in Simon’s life.


Jessica thanks her for her help and then says that Simon is right, Zoey is just good at this topic. She offers sympathy for what Zoey is going through with her father and Jessica says she doesn’t know how she’s handling it. She says if it were her, she’d probably have jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge already. There’s an awkward pause and Jessica catches herself. She says that she tries but she always has a habit of saying the wrong thing. Jessica then says that Zoey really is so easy to talk to and she says she’s surprised. She admits to usually being so jealous of other women but she doesn’t feel that way with Zoey and Simon. It offers Zoey a little relief but she still tells Jessica that she won’t be able to make the party, saying she has something to do with her boss that night. Jessica understands and thanks Zoey again for her help. 

(Jessica is so sweet here)

We meet Mitch’s friend Paul, who seems to be a fun-loving guy, as he reminisces about a fishing trip with Mitch and the kids. When Maggie comes in, he promises her that he’s got everything covered and that Mitch is in good hands. He tells Maggie to have fun at the party and to not worry about anything.


Zoey goes over to Mo’s and gets his approval for her dress. She reveals that she’s going out with Joan instead of to the engagement party, which Mo is going to as well. Max then pops out of Mo’s bathroom and is surprised to see Zoey. Zoey is surprised to see him and notices how good he looks shirtless (which is proof that he does weight training like he told Autumn in last week’s episode). He explains that Mo is giving him a makeover and is going to be his wing man at the party. Zoey tells them to have a good time and Max jokes about her staring at his chest.

(Hello, Max!)

Zoey and Joan go to a bar and Joan says they’re just going to have a couple drinks. But then she starts singing “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha and Zoey realizes that the night was probably going to be more hardcore than she thought. And Lauren Graham looks like she’s really enjoying dancing around the bar, flirting with guys and dancing on the bar. Zoey enjoys seeing that side of her but she’s still nervous about what her boss has planned for them, especially when Joan orders two dry martinis and two shots. When Zoey says that she could do some shots, Joan then doubles the order of shots.

(Joan is going the full Coyote Ugly)

When we next see Joan and Zoey, they are tipsy if not drunk. Joan says she couldn’t stay home anymore and reveals that she used to be the fun one before she met Charlie. Now he’s the one out at parties and dating models while she sat at home. She wants to be fun again and Zoey assures her that she’s fun – dance on the bar fun, even! That bolsters Joan though she says no one at work thinks she’s fun but Zoey points out that she’s at work, they don’t see the fun side of her. But she could show it a bit more. That gives Joan an idea and she says they are going to go to Simon’s engagement party after all.


We then go to Jessica and Simon’s party and the flower wall looks lovely. Mo and Max notice that Jessica has a lot of cute friends of both sexes and one catches Mo’s eye, though he is hesitant to approach him. And Maggie checks in with Paul, who assures her that everything is going well with Mitch and to stop worrying.


Joan and Zoey arrive at the party and find Leif and Tobin. They are surprised to find their boss drunk and she tells them to get their asses to the bar, leaving Zoey behind.

Paul and Mitch play poker as Paul recounts some noodle incident that involves him and someone else ending up naked. He then gets morose, saying it’s not fair that Mitch is dying. If anyone should go first, Paul thinks it should be him – given his wild lifestyle of booze, drugs and fast times. He wishes he could change places with Mitch and doesn’t know what he’s going to do without his friend.


Zoey briefly connects with Mo and Max, confirms she’s drunk and insults Leif’s outfit before finding some pigs in a blanket. As she eating them, Simon and Jessica find her and are thrilled she made it after all. Jessica thanks her for her help with photo show and that it was a big success. Simon thanks her as well. They excuse themselves as Zoey watches the show, seeing all the pictures of Jessica and Simon happy. It makes her realize what she can never have and she fights her way to the garden. Maggie spots Zoey and asks her what’s wrong. She gives this answer, which I am going to be stealing:

Zoey tells her mom that Simon did come over the night before and they had a moment. And she says she has such a connection with Simon and she wishes things could be different. Being here reminds her of what she can’t have and she’s just not in a good place to handle it. Maggie comforts her and says that they should get a picture and then go. Zoey agrees. As they walk away, the camera pans up to reveal Jessica standing in front of an open window with an expression that tells us that she heard everything.

(Uh oh)

Back at the Clarke residence, Paul tells Mitch it’s time for bed and they get ready to head upstairs.

Zoey and Maggie take a picture in front of the flower wall. Maggie asks if Zoey wants a ride home but Zoey wants to check on Joan before she becomes an HR issue.


Joan’s already an HR issue, Zoey. Trust me.


Zoey enters the kitchen and finds a drunk Joan there, who proudly shows her the cherry stem she tied with her tongue. But she does seem to be okay so Zoey feels okay leaving her. She meets back up with Mo, who points out a man and asks if Zoey knows him. Zoey doesn’t and says that he’s part of Jessica’s “I Do” crew. Mo asks if that’s what Jessica is really calling her bridal party and Zoey confirms it is. And that they have matching jackets that say “Say Yes to the Jess.” Mo kinda wants one. Zoey starts to say her goodbyes when Simon asks everyone to join them in the garden. She gets dragged out with the others.


Zoey and Mo meet up as Simon starts a speech to Jessica. As he speaks lovingly about her, Jessica starts to sing Destiny Child’s “Say My Name.” Guests join in on the dance routine as she sings about her suspicions about Simon and Zoey. When she’s done, Zoey tells Mo that they have a problem.

(Say her name, Simon)

Zoey explains what she saw but can’t understand why Jessica was singing it. Mo, though, reminds her of one of the only two rules they’ve managed to establish: 1. If the person is singing it, that means they are feeling it. Zoey then chimes in with rule 2: If Zoey hears it, it becomes Zoey’s problem to fix. Mo, though, doesn’t think this is for Zoey to fix. He then spies Jessica’s friend and is still hesitant to approach him. Max decides to help Mo and drags Mo over to the bar while Mo yells at Zoey that rules were meant to be broken.


Max drags Mo up to the bar and introduces himself to Jessica’s friend before introducing Mo. He informs the friend that Mo not only tailored his suit but also the entire ensemble Mo was wearing. The friend is impressed and introduces himself as Eddie. Mo gets his swagger back and starts flirting as Max walks away, job done.

(Enchantee)

Zoey approaches Simon and asks if he’s sure Jessica doesn’t know about the night before. He assures her she doesn’t but Jessica interrupts to reveal that she does – she overhead Zoey talking to her mother the night before. She demands answers and both assure her nothing happened. Simon says he needed to talk to Zoey about his father and Jessica explodes. She says she is trying to be patient and understanding about what he’s going through but it’s hard when he shuts her out and goes to his coworker instead.


Simon tries to convince Jessica to hold this conversation until later and Zoey tries to excuse herself. But Jessica is fired up and wants a public spectacle. She wants everyone to hear about what’s going on between Zoey and Simon. Jessica then tells Zoey to stay away from her fiancé. Zoey declares that she’s done with everything and tries to leave. But she accidentally knocks over a lamp and the flower wall goes up in flames. As everyone watches, Mo declares that it looks better that way. Eddie doesn’t know what to make of it.


Everyone stares at the ruined flower wall and can I say that I’m impressed that it didn’t set anything else on fire? And concerned that no one apparently called the fire department? Or evacuated? They just stood there and watched it burn? Zoey tries to apologize but Jessica just tells her to get out before she burns something else down. Distraught, Zoey goes to find her stuff and go.


Meanwhile, Joan is spending time with Leif when someone says hi to her. She panics, not sure who it is when he tells her that the person is Karen from accounting. Joan greets her back and then says that she meets so many people, she can’t keep them straight. She wishes there was something that could help her with that and Leif runs with it, suggesting something you could wear in your ear that will tell you about people you meet so you don’t look like a fool in front of them. Joan loves it.

(Meeting of the minds?)

Zoey is frustrated because she can’t call an Uber (well, she says a car but we all know what she means). Max meets up with her and says that the Wizard game just got out but he thinks she can get an electric scooter. I’m not familiar with San Francisco so is mass transit not a thing? Is it not a viable option where Simon and Jessica live? And are car services not a thing either?


She then gets a call from her mother, who says that Mitch fell while Paul was helping him up the stairs. Maggie’s not sure if he’s in pain or not but they are taking him to the hospital to be checked out. And it looks like Paul has an injury he needs to have tended to as well. Maggie asks Zoey to meet her at the hospital and Zoey agrees. Max asks if everything is okay and she says she needs to get to the hospital but there are still no cars. He helps her into her coat and promises to get her to the hospital.


They leave Simon and Jessica’s place and Max starts to sing The Proclaimers’ “(I Would Walk) 500 Miles” as they try to find someway to get Zoey to the hospital, fighting off basketball fans. Max finds one about to take an electric scooter but he threatens the guy to get it for Zoey. But Zoey is concerned that she’s in no state to ride it so Max offers to ride it with her. They get on together and head down the street as he continues singing.


We then cut to the Clarke household. Maggie thanks Max for bringing down a bed for Mitch since he can no longer do the stairs. She feels so guilty about leaving him but Zoey tries to comfort her, saying the doctor was surprised they hadn’t had a fall with him before now given his condition. It does little to soothe Maggie and she says her goodnights. Zoey once again thanks Max for being there for her and they share a hug.

(Aww)

At SPRQ Point, Joan and Leif are busy putting together their new idea. And at Simon and Jessica’s, he tries to talk to his fiancée. Jessica is tired though and just wants to go to bed. She tells him they’ll talk tomorrow and asks him to clean.


And as the episode ends, Zoey hears Max still singing “(I Would Walk) 500 Miles” as he leans against a streetlamp. Quite an interesting image. Is it a way to show that perhaps Zoey is looking at him in a different light?


Hmm…


Zoey certainly had a busy night! From getting drunk with her boss to inadvertently ruining Simon’s engagement party, she definitely crammed a lot into only a few hours. Hopefully she doesn’t have to go to work the next day and can just sleep it all off.


Poor Jessica. Simon put her and Zoey in a hard place, though it’s not surprising she also lashed out at Zoey. She’s a bit easier to be angry at than the person Jessica plans to spend the rest of her life with. I just wish the writers didn’t put in that bit about Jessica usually being jealous. That just vilified her a bit and no one needed to be vilified (except maybe Simon. Don’t go sneaking around your fiancée's back, dude!). Her anger was justified and as I noted, it made sense to direct it to Zoey – though we did see a lot directed toward Simon too.

And Jessica ultimately isn’t a villain. Not everyone handles grief well or can understand it. While Simon is starting to open up to her more and more, it doesn’t mean she has the tools and resources to help him. They probably need some counseling before the wedding if they want to have a successful marriage.

(Though I think it’s pretty clear these two are not going to make it to the altar).

It looks like Simon might be free just as Zoey is starting to see Max as more than her best friend. Mo’s makeover helped him exude more confidence and he used it to help get her to her father. Maybe they could become more than just friends.

We’ll have to see.

Next time: Zoey tells Max about her powers