Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Review: Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor (Season 1 Episode 4)

Having faith in yourself (and in others) is the key on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 1 Episode 4, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor.”

Zoey is struggling with her “powers,” and honestly, the fact that we’re calling them “powers,” is still driving me crazy. I can give it a pass, however, because everything else in the hour is near perfect. 

Eventually, Zoey was going to come to the point where she questions how much she is actually helping those around versus how much damage she’s potentially doing to them.

The pros and cons of the heart songs around Zoey are equal.

She’s helped her mother communicate with her father immeasurably. She’s been a comfort to a friend also dealing with daddy issues. But she’s also been a catalyst for her boss’s divorce and she’s pushed her best friend into a (doomed) relationship. (The jury is still out on THAT decision.)

It’s no surprise when it comes to Mo, and to the sensitive topic of Mo’s heart song, that Zoey would struggle so much with how she helps. 

The use of Mo’s faith in the church as a parallel to Zoey’s faith that she’s on the right path is very well done. For both of these characters, it’s challenging to have faith based on their past experiences. 

There is not enough praise that can be heaped upon the performance that Alex Newell gives in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor.”

From the music, to the heartbreaking childhood church story, to watching Mo hide their true identity, Newell gave us a raw and honest look at how painful it is to be yourself when the world does not accept all of you.

It’s a reminder that we are beginning to see more and more on television, but there are still not enough characters like Mo on our screens to truly drive that message in a powerful way.

An aspect of Mo’s story that I genuinely appreciate is knowing that before joining the church, clarifications were made with the pastor about his beliefs, and that we see nothing but love from Mo’s current church family.

There is a tendency to show stories about the church’s acceptance in a negative light, one where there is not acceptance at all. To show this point of view, one where Mo is greeted with only positive reinforcement from the church family, is refreshing.

It’s an important reminder that there ARE churches and religious groups that look at the LGBTQIA community with nothing but love and respect.

I appreciate that Mo’s struggle is an internal one based on external treatment in the past, and not based on adversity from those around them. Mo is safe. Mo is loved. Mo is in a good place surrounded by good people. No one in this episode is doing any harm to Mo.

This serves as an excellent reminder that not all scars from abuse are physical. Mo’s past treatment is frightening, and it’s something that everyone can learn from.

Our words and actions have weight that doesn’t go away when we do.

Joan is still figuring out how to deal with her recent split from her husband, and it’s taking a toll on her. 

Carbs are the cure for everything. 

I appreciate that Joan continues to confide in Zoey. I half-expected her bond with Zoey to vanish, and for their adversarial boss/employee relationship to return.

I’m really enjoying the somewhat softer side of Joan, and hope to see her relationship with Zoey become more of mentorship, because I love the chemistry between Jane Levy and Lauren Graham.

Zoey bringing Joan a cake to enjoy on her day of rest brought a smile to my face. It’s a subtle way of a girlfriend bringing a bottle of wine and a pint of ice cream to her newly single friend, but because of their non-relationship, the gesture is still able to come across.

Zoey spends much of the episode in search of a sign that she’s on the right path with her “powers,” and the way that she uses heart songs to help those around her.

The hours gives viewers a chance to spend some time with Zoey, to really be in her head while she contemplates what’s right and wrong, considering the effects of how she’s helped and hindered those around her. 

There’s a twinge of jealousy when she discovers that Max’s relationship with Autumn is deepening. And the reminder that she pushed him into it. The moment is brief, and again, I just don’t see enough evidence to support that she has any feelings beyond friendship towards Max. 

When it comes to Simon, and watching Simon and Jessica plan their big day, you can feel Zoey’s longing. Maggie felt it, as well, and shared a story with Zoey about an old flame that she had an affair with. 

I like the world building with Maggie in that moment, imagining her life before marriage and children. It feels almost wistful on Maggie’s part, this moment when she’s sharing something deeply personal that she’s hoping her daughter will learn from. 

Zoey’s confession of why she’s drawn to Simon is quite sad – a fear that if she lets go of Simon that she’ll lose this deeply personal and special link. 

It highlights how lonely it is to be Zoey. She’s alone with her thoughts and her fears; and alone with everyone else’s thoughts and fears.

This is why I really love Zoey’s story with her agoraphobic neighbor. It gives us a chance to scratch the surface on isolation, fear, and feeling lonely, all of which are the things I can imagine that Zoey is feeling.

But it’s surface level scratches.

I’m hoping the show explores that theme a bit more, because while it’s cute right now to watch Zoey use her “powers” in a case-of-the-week fashion, it will grow tiresome if the writers don’t mix it up, and show the darker downside of what’s happening to Zoey.

Bringing back her neighbor to continue to dive deeper into those feelings would add a wonderful layer of depth to Zoey’s situation, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it happens.

For now, I’m pleased to be spending time with these characters, and hope that they’re laying the foundation for something great ahead. 

Music Notes:

• “The Great Pretender” broke my heart.
• Skylar Astin singing opera was just damn impressive.
• Lauren Graham’s “Wrecking Ball,” was very good, but I was more distracted by the throwing of objects, especially after Max did the same in his opera number. I’d hate to be the janitor of that building. The employees just throw stuff on the floor all day long.
• The snippets of “Margaritaville,” and “Kokomo,” got me in the mood for some summertime drinks. How many days until summer, exactly? 
• “This Little Light of Mine” was telegraphed to be the showstopper at the end of the episode, but it felt triumphant all the same. 

What did you think of this episode of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

The TV Musical: How Singing on the Small Screen Became So Popular