Grown-ish Review: Back and Forth (Season 1 Episode 13)

On Grown-ish Season 1 Episode 13, “Back and Forth,” Zoey finally makes a big decision, but not without the help of her female crew.

Exactly what a season finale should look like, all the main characters from episode one make an appearance to cap what has been a delightful run.

“Back and Forth” as the title, couldn’t be more appropriate. Everything comes full circle, with the story revolving around Zoey once again, a reflection of the pilot episode and a continuation of Grown-ish Season 1 Episode 12. The bit of difference is that we have Cash, who was not part of the picture in the pilot.

During my review of Grown-ish Season 1 Episode 12, I opined that Vivek could be helpful in resolving Zoey’s relationship dilemma, and while he didn’t get to interact with Zoey this episode, he rightfully contributed in the boys’ circle.

When we also consider how Vivek contributed to saving their clown-ish, lackluster teacher, Charles, we can agree that he needs to be around more often.

He is fun, lively, brings a unique voice to issues and he is the only one of the three main male characters that does not display any romantic interest in Zoey.

Speaking of Charles, his storyline needs to continue next season because he embodies the comical side of this show in a way that is both charming and annoying. He doesn’t get featured in every episode but when he is, it is pure comedy.

How do they get to learn anything from a teacher like that, anyway? Well, even their Dean is a whack job, and going ahead to extend Charles’ employment is true testament of that fact, among his many indiscretionary acts.

Unlike the pilot, we don’t get to see all the characters in the same room at the same time, but we get a montage of them paired off, all while trying to figure out Zoey’s situation.

It is true that the essence of going to College is to acquire knowledge but that is just a fraction. As Grown-ish has proved over the course of this season, college students are as engrossed in other extracurricular activities as they are in academics, if not more.

For instance, Zoey and her female friends practically skip class to talk about Zoey’s big decision, each making arguments for their choice candidate. In slight contrast, the boys involved in the conversation are themselves in class, though still very entrapped in Zoey’s nest.

By the way, all that banter relating Zoey to Cocaine makes for a very hilarious, educational and entertaining take on the subject. It is truly amazing to consider the similarities between those two circumstances, even their teacher, Charles, is dumbfounded. Well, he is academically dumb, so, no surprise.

At this stage in their lives, and as anybody who has been through this phase can admit, matters of the heart have the potential to overshadow every other event.

I love how the show has tried to mend the rift between Aaron and Ana, having them meet alone, and Ana advancing Aaron’s interest to Zoey. It is such a delight to see that their friendship is still intact.

We also get to see how far young people are willing to go for the ones they love and how immature those actions can be. Cash is ready to ditch the NBA, Aaron is risking expulsion plus jail time to buy Hamilton tickets, and Luca has turned his room into an art gallery of sorts, all because of Zoey.

The choice of Luca as her final pick is one that is not surprising and one that fans are ecstatic about, and rightfully so, because Luca is someone who challenges and admonishes her. Over the course of a few episodes, we have seen them spend time together and there is no denying that they have a special connection.

Out of the three guys also, Luca is the one that doesn’t do anything outrageous to prove his love for Zoey; he uses his artistic skills to create something simple, yet beautiful and real.

Come next season, we’ll see how that relationship plays out, how it affects the group and how Aaron deals with the rejection.

A part of me would have preferred that she dated someone outside the group, but then again, you don’t choose whom you love and secondly, such relationships foster group dynamics, especially conflict.

The show has gone on hiatus and in an alternate universe, Zoey and Luca are probably enjoying their honeymoon phase.

I hope they don’t do a time jump but explore the relationship in bits, but knowing that the characters are still not so grown, hence “Grown-ish,” the longevity of that relationship remains a question.

What did you think of this episode of Grown-ish? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Grown-ish airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Freeform.

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