Something strange happened as I watched Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist 1×06 “Zoey’s Extraordinary Night Out.” I found myself not just vaguely enjoying it, but actually investing. Not just in Simon’s very relatable pain, but in Mo’s brand of friendship, in Zoey’s attempts to navigate a very uncomfortable situation, in Jessica’s anger, and most importantly, in Max.
Who knew?
I have been harsh with this show at times, or at the very least, I’ve been harsher than I might have been in other circumstances. That’s because I actually felt like this show had it in it to be great, unlike other shows I review where I have just completely given up and I’m just along for the ride.
And though Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist had delivered some moments here and there, it had never left me hoping for more, never made me want to re-watch a scene till this episode.
Hallelujah.
So, let’s talk about the romantic troubles Zoey faces, the semi love triangle that was, and the one to come as we discuss “Zoey’s Extraordinary Night out”
SIMON AND JESSICA
It’s been borderline for a few weeks, but last episode finally established that borderline wasn’t just, well, borderline. Still, I waited to see how this episode would deal with it before I gave my opinion, and my opinion is this: Simon, you done fucked up.
Now, I know part of it is …well, unfair judgment. Grief is hard, and no matter what Jessica things, people who have not gone through it just do not understand. Yes, Simon should have probably talked to her more, but that might not have helped him the way talking to Zoey did. The problem is that he then started to see Zoey as the only person who could understand, and well, that also led Zoey to feel the same way about Simon, and that’s a super slippery slope.
Nothing happened between them, of course. But there were feelings, and the lines were definitely blurred, and that’s not just unfair to Jessica, the woman Simon is engaged to, but to Zoey as well.
And hey, I might have thought, before the past few episodes, based on chemistry alone, that I would have rather the show built up to Simon and Zoey, but boy, have I done a complete 180 on this. I’m now full on Team Max, because …
ZOEY AND MAX
Friends to lovers is one of the best tropes that is not a trope in the world, and that’s why so many forms of entertainment mishandle it. It sounds boring, after all, and so many people write it in boring ways. And yes, there isn’t that much excitement in: here are two people who already liked each other and cared for each other deciding they want to turn their relationship romantic, but on the other hand …that’s the ONE trope that actually happens in life, all the time.
How many of you can actually say your relationship is an enemies to lovers trope come to life, after all?
Friends to lovers happens, and it is the foundation of relationships that lasts, because, well, without friendship, without liking each other and knowing each other, no relationship can actually survive. That’s just the way of it. And Max and Zoey already have the foundation they need for something not just good, but amazing.
And that’s without going into the fact that, when Zoey needed someone to support her, not just emotionally but physically, it was Max, her friend, who was there. Max who took charge, and Max who expected nothing in return, who did it just because he loves her, and that’s it. No questions asked.
Now, that’s the kind of relationship that is built to last.
Things I think I think:
- Oh yeah, I forgot where we left off, in Awwwwwwwwkward town.
- Mo’s sass is my favorite
- Why does she have a protactor IN HER PURSE?
- The coffee shop choreography is A+
- I’m so proud of Joan right now.
- Jessica is delightful, and I just …hate this situation for her.
- EVERYONE AGREES YOU DRESS LIKE A THIRD GRADER, MAX.
- Navigating grief is hard, but excluding the people you lost is, for me, never the answer.
- Emotional isn’t always bad.
- WELL, HELLO MAX
- SHIRTLESS MAX IS SUPER INTERESTING.
- Joan doesn’t have any friends, does she?
- I can’t get over Max right now.
- A little mother/daughter bonding never hurt no show.
- The song pick for Jessica is kinda a punch in the gut.
- I feel for Zoey here. She should have stayed away.
- Aw, Max. Following her. Taking charge. Stealing them a scooter.
- “I’m not ready to lose you.”
- Peter Gallagher is so underused in this.
- See, Zoey, Max is the one who’s there when you need him.
- Always.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Night out”? Share with us in the comments below!
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.
