Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist 1×10 “Zoeys Extraordinary Outburst” is a hard, uncomfortable episode to watch, something very much removed from the usual lightness and heart that this show brings. And yet, as much as I didn’t really enjoy this episode as much as previous ones, there’s a part of me that appreciates this hour, this moment.
I remember that anger. No one really escapes it, not when it comes to grief. And sometimes that anger comes tinged with truth, as with some of Zoey’s words to Simon, and sometimes it’s 100% unfair, as some of what she said to Max, but that’s anger for you. It isn’t really fair or productive or good.
But it’s real.
Women, in general, not just on TV, but in real life, are rarely allowed the chance to be this angry, this destructive. We’re told to conform to some standards of civility, to ‘conceal, don’t feel’ because our full emotions are just not deemed socially acceptable. We can’t be this raw.
And no, I didn’t really enjoy this side of Zoey, and I can assure you the people around her didn’t either. But it was real, and it was needed, and just for that, I’m proud the show allowed her this moment. I really am.
So let’s talk about the love triangle and where we’re going next, as we discuss “Zoey’s Extraordinary Outburst”:
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO
There’s really nothing romantic about the way Zoey and Simon come together this episode. Sure, there’s attraction, and above that, there’s a certain level of understanding for each other, one that’s problematic as Zoey can only really understand him because she can literally read his mind, but whatever, its understanding. And the point is, that understanding feels good because it feels like …like they can both just be with someone that knows what they’re feeling, no words needed.
Except relationships aren’t like that. Words are always needed. Emotions are complicated and they’re all different. People don’t grieve the same way, just as they don’t feel things the same way, and to just think that because someone has experienced loss they automatically understand you is …well, naïve at best.
But Simon (and Zoey) jump very quickly into a relationship that seems doomed to not work because …well, because it’s easy. Or it seems easy. Which could not be farther from the truth.
Credit where credit is due, it’s Simon that takes a step back, Simon that realizes this isn’t good, not just for him, but for her. They have a connection, yes, one that might be worth exploring …at some other time, if the circumstances are still in their favor. Right now all they would do is hurt each other, like they did this episode.
And no one wants that out of a relationship, romantic or not.
So the S/S Zimon sailed and then crashed, very very quickly. What does that mean for Zoey and her other potential relationship?
WHAT NEXT?
Well, it was always clear to me that the Zimon thing was doomed for failure, mostly because it was based on nothing more than shared grief, but also because they were pushing for it too fast. You never want to be the first “ship” that gets a moment in a show, because that means you won’t be the last. I don’t make the TV rules, I just know them.
And, of course, there’s the fact that this episode gave Zoey some closure regarding her relationship with Simon, but left the Max issue wide open. Which means they plan on dealing with it in the two episodes to come.
Now, I’m not entirely sure this season ends with Max and Zoey together and happy – mostly because I’m still bracing for some bad news in the Mitch front, and I have trouble reconciling those two things together, but I do believe this is prime moment for Zoey to look at Max and just …try. Try to be as honest as she said she was going to be, try to not let her fear guide her. Just …try.
That desire to try, as weird as it sounds, might come from losing her father, or from the certainty that she’s losing her father sometime soon. She’s said it before, more than once, she can’t deal with losing both Mitch and Max. But if she’s about to lose Mitch for reasons she can’t control, will Zoey allow herself to lose Max because of things she did?
Methinks the answer is no, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out.
Things I think I think:
- Why are you encouraging Zoey, Mo?
- I fully support the anger about the restaurant not being able to find a way to accommodate the wheelchair.
- Every Max and Zoey convo these days feels painful.
- Weeeeell, those aren’t obvious Max/Simon parallels, of course not.
- Max trying to emulate Zoey was kinda cute.
- Dude, Simon, you’re coming in stroooong. Breathe. You were engaged two seconds ago.
- I really love how the Joan/Zoey dynamic has evolved.
- Oh, this encore is heartbreaking.
- Get off the Simon train INDEED.
- Mo is right.
- Mo is always right.
- This sing-off is a thing of beauty.
- Aw, Max. He just wanted someone to want him.
- Low blow, Zoey. Low. Super low.
- I’m glad Max is taking a stand, putting himself first.
- Simon is the wrong choice, and here’s why should be the subtitle for this episode.
- Zoey’s anger is incredibly hard to watch, which I guess is the point.
- Well, those are good amends, Zoey.
- Now you have to go try with Max.
- Also, THAT song.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Outburst”? Share with us in the comments below!
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.
