Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s third episode, titled “Zoey’s Extraordinary Boss” finally does the thing we’ve been asking of it since the “Pilot.” It makes Zoey’s gift, curse, or whatever you want to call it, about someone other than Zoey, and by doing that, it makes Zoey, and the people around her, more real.
Sure, Jane Levy has been the best thing about this show so far, and that’s not even a contest. Her turn as Zoey is spirited and heart-felt, despite the awkwardness, or maybe because of it. And yet it was hard to more than superficially care about anyone other than her. Sure, we had our moments with Simon and then Max, and Mo is too glorious not to love, but was any of that about to translate into lasting feelings?
If this episode is to be believed, maybe it will. And maybe, maybe, we can even care about someone else.
Lauren Graham had been wasted so far as Joan, not just because she hadn’t gotten her solo, but because during the first two episodes Jon was just a caricature of the hard-ass boss that we often see on TV. In this episode, however, Joan gets not just her chance to shine onstage, but her chance to take control of her own narrative.
Plus, she and Zoey get a chance to bond, which is the added bonus we want.
And then there’s Zoey and her serial-killer brother (never, ever getting over that one, nope. Bones fans get me), who do a really nice thing – and probably a long overdue thing – by attempting to take care of their mom the way she has been taking care of their dad. A disease like the one he has can be very hard on the caretaker too, and we often forget about the toll being the rock takes out of people.
Thankfully, this show doesn’t, and even if it takes a song for her to finally get it, Zoey and the serial killer don’t either.
However, as much of an improvement as this episode is – and I’d say it’s about 50% of one, at least – the show is still far from clicking on all cylinders. We shouldn’t be watching for the music, we should be watching for the people, with the added benefit of some good tunes.
Right now, however, they should be happy they’ve got the tunes to keep us coming back for more.
Things I think I think:
- “I haven’t breathed outside air in over 48 hours.”/”Because outside air is for winners”
- She’s really belting out “(I can’t get No) Satisfaction”
- OUR THREE WEEK FRIENDSHIP.
- Tell it like it is, Mo.
- “He doesn’t believe in labels.”
- Why are there teams? They all get along, can’t we like, make that last? I don’t want ship arguments. Especially because, right now, I feel pretty good about everyone and have absolutely not gone deep into shipping Zoey with anyone.
- Look, whoever can throw together a cheese plate THAT easily is a magician. Like, who even keeps cheeses like that on hand?
- Aw, Joan with a present.
- OMG ARE THEY SINGING JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR?
- That’s the most extra thing that’s ever happened. I love it.
- The choreography too.
- Let’s be real: working lunches are the worst. You can’t even focus on chewing because people want to ask you questions, but you’re hungry and you DESERVE TO EAT IN PEACE.
- I can’t get over serial killer brother. I just cannot.
- “Should have done this years ago” indeed, Joan.
- “Roar” is the perfect song to end this on. Eye of the tiger indeed.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Boss”? Share with us in the comments below!
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.
