‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ 2×12 Advance Review: “Zoey’s Extraordinary Session”

As much as I often enjoy writing full reviews, there’s something particularly fun about tackling these advance reviews, since it’s fun to find little teases people will enjoy. But I confess that I’m a little jealous of Lizzie, since it’s her turn to write the full review of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist 2×12, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Session.” It’s such a fun, heartfelt, insightful, and overall powerful episode. There’s so much I want to say about it. But I will somehow rein in my excitement and restrict myself to a few teases of this week’s episode. Believe me, however. For everything I’m able to say, there is so much more in store.

This week’s episode is almost everything this show can be. It’s funny and heartfelt. Sweet and surprising. And it’s unequivocally a call back to the show’s roots, telling a story of grief and of love in a way that is – above all else – honest.

While I could gush about 2×12, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Session,” for a while longer, it’s time to get down to business. Here are some teases for the episode to come:

As shown in the promo, Mitch is in this episode. And yes, his presence will do exactly what you think it will do to you. Prepare yourself now.
Which couple’s love for each other do I love more: David and Emily, or Mitch and Maggie? I cannot choose. I will not choose.
The family dynamics in this episode are on point.
Peter Gallagher is a gift in every episode he’s in.
My first day at work was not like this, and I want to sue. My first day of law school was like this, and I want to sue about that, too.
“And also, maybe when you’re done, Dad could swing by here and tell people to stop making fun of my suit,” is something that is said this week, and it hits emotionally in ways I can’t even describe.
Did Tobin learn his unhealthy eating habits from Max, or did they just have something to bond over until Max realized he wasn’t in college anymore?
Yes, Clarkeman is absolutely my OTP, but whatever you’re expecting this week, they’ll probably surprise you. And I couldn’t be happier about it.
The therapist has to learn that he can’t tell Zoey “there’s no such thing as too much” anything because she will take that as a challenge and prove you wrong.
Fruit Rollups can be surprisingly sweet. Hot dogs can be surprisingly disappointing.
How many Kleenex do you have on hand? Because you’re going to want to get a few more.
Leif gets a new nickname, and if you think I will ever call him anything else again, you are kidding yourselves.
I adore Emily when she’s sarcastic and willing to take no prisoners, but when she’s soft, she owns my entire heart.
It really shouldn’t have been possible for me to love Max more than I already did. But this episode proved just how wrong I could be. I can only hope they keep this up, and I’m proven wrong again and again.
Mo may not be the Mo we know, but Mo will always be Mo, all the same.
There is a callback to season one that took me by surprise and made me have to pause my screen so I could sob “I hate this show” in the most “I love this show that has emotionally compromised me” kind of way. I can’t think about it too long even now, or I’ll start crying again.
One of my favorite moments in the episode isn’t about what Zoey knows but what she doesn’t know. And I still can’t get over it.
This wasn’t the episode I expected, but it was very much the episode Zoey needed, particularly this season.