Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Review: Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning (Season 2 Episode 6)
Simon finds himself at a crossroads on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 6, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning.”
The episode, which serves as the mid-season finale, tackles systemic racism and the bias that’s occurred within SPRQ Point. It does so in a way that’s seamless and that fits well within the world of the show.
The new tech, the Chirp, isn’t recognizing people of color in the same way that it recognizes white faces, and with Simon having just taken on the role of handling such PR issues, he’s the one who has to try to brush it all under the rug.
At the end of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Episode 5, Simon spoke to the press, starting with a classic speech about how everything is being resolved, but ending by calling out the company for its racism and lack of diversity.
He’s obviously nervous about what comes next, and we get to see him continue to look inward. He even nearly quits the company altogether, refusing to retract what he said to the press.
There are so many layers to what his character is navigating, and it’s powerful to watch — all of that paired with incredible musical performances that only enhance the storytelling.
I’ve said it before, but music allows for such great opportunities to dive into thoughts and emotions that would be harder to convey with just dialogue. That helps Zoey understand the people around her, sure, but it’s conveying something more to the audience as well.
Tobin also has a powerful heart song that drives Zoey to call him in for a talk, though he’s resistant to speaking out in any way at first.
His song reveals what he’s hiding deep down. This guy isn’t one to show much emotion — something we’ve seen before — so when he does, it’s even more palpable.
Zoey has a lot to learn from both of these men, and some of her other friends and colleagues as well.
Zoey has already been on this journey of trying to better herself, and she’s lucky enough to have a solid group of friends who aren’t afraid to call her on her crap. It works well for the story that she’s the one trying to do better in this case — and failing in a whole lot of ways.
The “town hall” she holds backfires big time, and she finds that she only continues to say the wrong thing or respond in the wrong way.
The episode also takes a pause on exploring Zoey’s grief over losing her father, as well as any romantic struggles — those have been put on the back burner for now, which is a great thing.
Instead, the episode focuses most of its energy on this one story. We see Simon’s internal struggles, Zoey’s attempt to learn and do better, and how the rest of the company reacts as well.
The handling of the issue once it is brought to light is grossly mishandled. The bigger picture then goes beyond the glitch and the culture that caused it. It also becomes the way such things are dealt with and pushed aside, intentionally or unintentionally.
From Zoey’s lack of awareness to Danny Michael Davis’s blatant disregard and the disregard of the board altogether. I dare say even Zoey is forgiven a little too easily.
This is ultimately a feel-good show, however, so it’s not surprising that this all gets resolved fairly quickly and with a happy ending.
Other thoughts:
- Max and Mo’s restaurant storyline is secondary, but it’s still connected. Thanks to the SPRQ Point disaster and Danny Michael Davis’s guilt, they get the investment they need to finally be able to move forward. I can’t wait to see how that all comes together.
- I really enjoy seeing Max back at SPRQ Point, and the reaction that McKenzie has to him is so fun to watch.
- Danny Michael Davis is growing on me. This friendship he’s developing with Zoey has the potential to be interesting.
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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 returns Sunday, March 28th 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.
7 comments
I watched Zoey’s extraordinary playlist for the first time last night.
I thought that the subject matter was handled very well. I came away with this thought: People would like to be recognized for their uniqueness and at the same time treated equally in-spite of their differences.
I’ve loved this show since it got started but didn’t care for this episode at all. I got really tired of Zoe being treated like an outcast by people who are supposed to be her friends. She couldn’t do anything right even though she did and said nothing wrong. If they keep this up, I’ll stop watching.
I have been a fan of this show from the beginning, but this episode…ugh…my thoughts exactly.
this entire show is about zoey trying to help others through trial and error. In this episode, it REALISTICALLY portrays a white/uneducated person’s take on racial issues, the journey that zoey goes through is a lesson that many many people can learn from.
I thought the episode did an excellent job of representing differing perspectives while honoring the experience of BIPOC in places of business. If the episode made you uncomfortable, check your privilege.
I do hope they don’t make this a “one and done” episode because it isn’t that simple. If they do that, I’ll be considering whether I’ll continue to watch going forward. Accurate representation is important, and that requires input from the ones who are experiencing the thing the art is trying to express.
Just my opinion – a 59 year old white lady in California.
Shaming white people, telling them to “check their priviledge”…just because they’re white? That’s racism at it’s worst! How is that suppose to help close the divide? You won’t as long as you choose to fight racism with racism.
because ‘white privilege’ is very much a real thing in the world. it’s not racism, it’s the literal truth. Black people will always be the oppressed and no amount of “shaming white people” can be counted as racism.
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