Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Review: Zoey’s Extraordinary Distraction (Season 2 Episode 2)
A surprise duet makes for an incredibly romantic moment on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 2, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Distraction.”
After being interrupted by Zoey’s mother, which is an awkwardly sweet moment itself, Zoey and Max spend the entirety of this episode trying to consummate their relationship. But between a catastrophe at the company and a heart song from Mo, that goal winds up being pretty difficult.
Zoey and Max:
It’s disappointing at first that the two become so laser-focused on having sex. Especially considering their friendship, the fact that taking that step is center stage for them doesn’t ring entirely true. At least that’s the case at first.
But skipping ahead to the end, when they do get their moment, it’s treated with such sweetness and honesty that it allows everything to fall into place.
Max has, apparently, seen someone to help him block out any heart songs when needed. (Sometimes the fantasy element of this show gets me, and this is one of those moments, to be honest.) His strategy? To think about the song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” which Zoey hears loud and clear.
It’s a hilarious scene, only made funnier by Max’s inability to control his feelings. Talk about on the nose (in a good way) — he begins singing “I’ll Make Love to You,” but he switches back and forth as he tries to suppress his emotions.
The back and forth between the two songs is adorable and funny, not to mention it really shows off Skylar Astin’s immense talent. But it’s a struggle that leaves us wondering if this could ever really work out.
The real problem, as Max confesses, is that it’s hard for him to know that Zoey is able to get this extra window into his mind, while he can’t have the same for her.
That allows for a real, honest conversation, and what follows, is that surprise duet I mentioned. As Zoey hears Max singing “A Moment Like This,” she begins singing the song out loud to him.
Not only does this allow Max to know Zoey’s feelings in that moment too — she says she feels the same way — but know he knows exactly what he’s singing too. She’s leveling the playing field, so to speak, and in doing so, she’s making it so the “heart song” is a deep, emotional conversation between the two of them.
It’s so deeply intimate that it feels as though we as the viewers shouldn’t even be watching, and it’s much more intimate than if they were to say the same things in typical speech. It’s really beautiful, and I sure hope it means these two are in it for long haul.
Mo’s Heart Song:
I mentioned Mo having a heart song that caused an interruption for Zoey and Max. That heart song is related to Mo and Max’s new business idea, and the conflict he feels over signing even the simplest of partnership agreements.
As it turns out, Mo is hesitant because he’s seen a friendship blow up over something similar in the past, but admittedly, it was his fault, and not the other person’s. It feels like slightly contrived conflict, there to offer just enough of a hiccup to keep the episode moving.
It also creates conflict for Mo and Zoey, as Mo feels slighted when Zoey comes for a makeover with ulterior motives. One thing I do love is how willing Mo is to be honest with Zoey — even if it means kicking her out mid-makeover.
Then we rush past all of that conflict pretty quickly, in part because Max is so trustworthy and endearing. In fact, it’s everyone’s honesty that puts them back on the same page, and it ends with a cheerful signing from both parties and a heck of a makeover for Zoey.
I do have to say, I’m very interested in seeing Mo and Max’s business partnership move forward. It’s a great way to keep these characters interacting with each other, and the business idea seems pretty fun too.
Other thoughts:
- It’s extremely satisfying that Zoey transfers a few of the “brogrammers” and brings in three clearly very talented women from the fifth floor as one of her first big leadership moves. I’m liking the new dynamics with Zoey and Lief as well.
- Zoey is Simon’s boss now, technically. Wrap your mind around that.
- The drama between Emily and her sister is fun to watch, and Emily’s heart song about it is fantastic.
What did you think of this episode of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.