Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Review: Zoey’s Extraordinary Dreams (Season 2 Episode 3)
Despite a misguided title (those “dreams” are nightmares…just saying) Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 3, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Dreams” adequately takes us through the Clarke family’s grief journey.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist rarely begins with a heart song at all. This hour begins with Zoey’s own heart song, which is an even less frequent occurrence.
It signifies that this is an important episode, and the quality lives up to that expectation for the most part, though there is nothing earth-shattering (in a good or bad way) about it.
I’m not surprised by Max and Zoey’s “break”(up), though it must be nearly a record to have a couple get together on episode one of a season and break up by episode three.
The reasoning makes complete sense, and we’ve known it from the start: Zoey is still grieving her father’s death. She’s not ready for a relationship.
It’s still frustrating to watch, no matter how logical it is. Breaking up couples too quickly is a device many shows use often, and it’s unclear why.
I think it’s meant to keep our interest, but it has the complete opposite effect on me most of the time.
Zoey is not emotionally ready for a relationship — that’s clear. But the fight that is the catalyst to the decision to slow things down is completely baffling.
Max asks Zoey if she can hear one of his heart songs, and she says yes. But unless, all of a sudden, Zoey can hear heart songs without us knowing about it too, she’s lying, and she picks the fight based on one of Max’s insecurities.
I’m not Max’s biggest fan (though Max with a beard is weirdly less annoying than beardless Max), but that is mean and unnecessary. Since they’ve gotten together way back on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 1, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Return,” he has tried his best to support her.
Zoey’s grief has manifested in the form of overwhelming sadness, not necessarily misplaced anger. So, the lie makes no sense, and Max doesn’t deserve it. But Zoey doesn’t need to deal with labels more complicated than friendship right now. Divisive or not, the space is necessary.
It’s good to see Zoey still having heart-to-hearts with Simon. The dead dads club must not be fun at all, but his understanding and experience are going to keep her sane.
Strangely, staying close to him is as important for Zoey right now as keeping space from Max. It’s heartwarming to see that Simon is totally comfortable with being “just friends” and offering so many solid nuggets of wisdom.
The message that grief comes in all forms and sometimes we can’t explain why we are feeling what we’re feeling is important.
Grieving is a difficult process that we’re not meant to experience on a consistent basis.
She’s come a long way since the season premiere, but Zoey still needs to hear that she might not be able to solve her nightmare problem at all right now; they might be happening because she feels trapped in the world without her dad, and there’s no quick fix for that.
The scene where Zoey is trying to help Maggie create a landscape design is proof of her rigid problem-solving process, but there is no list we can check off to “solve” grief.
Maggie is well on her way to taking a few steps forward, and we have to talk about it because Jenna is not just the best thing that has happened to Maggie — she’s the best thing to happen to Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 so far.
I totally sympathize with David and Emily — Maggie is a lot to handle, especially because she’s a grown adult and they have a newborn to take care of.
But she radiates good energy, even though it’s chaotic. Maggie needs someone to help her free her creative energy, no matter how strange the method is. What matters is that it works.
The plot itself is predictable and would be boring without the Jenna element. But just like Maggie’s magical, mystical, garden design will make the grounds of her client’s estate come alive, so might Jenna color and improve the lives of every character she crosses paths with.
She should just officially shack up in Zoey’s old room so that Maggie isn’t alone and David and Emily don’t have to live with her. Abracadabra, problem solved.
Music Notes
- As I said, I’m not a Max fan. But why did his version of “Say Something” make me tear up when I heard it the first time?
- “It’s A Hard Knock Life” is my second favorite performance of the episode.
- But Jenna’s “One Call Away” is so joyous.
- Mary Steenburgen’s version of “Someone You Loved” is also great.
- I think David and Emily live by themselves — have they also moved in with Maggie temporarily? Sometimes they “bring her dinner,” but it appears like they live with her. It gets confusing.
- Tobin’s rejected baseball team jerseys are kinda funny, kinda cringy.
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 Tuesdays at 8/9c on NBC.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.
2 comments
I was irritated by the guys reaction to Zoey’s yelly breakdown…despite loving the Hard Knock Life show. They act as though they never, ever, have got anything they ever wanted at work. Hello…can we please check that male privilege at the door? They were playing softball INSIDE THE BUILDING…they broke her office window. She had a right to be pissed as hell.
No lies detected, they’re ridiculous!
Comments are closed.