Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 13 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Goodbye"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello everyone!

OMG I'm so stoked to talk about this episode!

This was Zoey's season finale and, what could have been such a sad send off (even more because we don't know if the show will be renewed or not) ended up being such an uplifting episode with the end that I wanted!

That's right folks, they did it! Clarkeman (yes, I finally know what Zoey and Max's ship name is) is endgame!

I'm sure you'll forgive me but I have to start with the end! OMG what was that?! I mean, not only they really mad us think Zoey would end up alone but they left us with such a big cliffhanger! So now Max hears Heart Songs as well?! I mean... This makes the possibility of an upcoming season so much more interesting, but that really caught me by surprise (not mad though).

Okay, now that I've got my excitement out, let's rewind a bit and get through the whole episode.

We knew that Zoey felt much more than friendship towards Max (even after their 'break up') but, to be honest, we never really saw her 'not working' with Simon either so I truly didn't know what they were going to do with this episode. I knew I wanted Clarkeman to be endgame but I didn't know if that was going to happen. Well, turns out pretty early in the episode Zoey realizes that things with Simon aren't working out and, luckily, Simon felt the exact same way and their break up was fairly simple. Obviously they will still have a deep connection, mainly because of the things they shared about their dads and all of that, but Zoey's heart belonged to Max.

However, it isn't until she learns about what we saw in the last episode (about Max giving her his spot at SPRQ Point) and after a beautiful dream musical number with her dad that Zoey realizes she has to do something about Max leaving otherwise she will regret it for the rest of her life. But, of course, something had to happen and Zoey doesn't go through with her plan. She sees Max and Rose at the airport and, as she's approaching them, she hears/sees Max sing a heart song that she assumed was towards Rose and so she gives up and goes back home.

It's then, in the end of the episode, that Max appears, revealing that he didn't go to New York. Rose realized that he wasn't focused at all and Max realized that he loved someone else - Zoey - who was the person he was singing about after all. And then the plot twist happens.

As Zoey is explaining her feelings for him, she starts singing and turns out Max now hears Heart Songs! And the episode ended like that. Now I wonder - does both of them have powers now? Did Zoey transfer her powers to Max? Did Zoey get rid of her powers and they won't come back to her? There's so many questions now! I really need that Season 3! But, I gotta say - If they end up not renewing the show I won't be mad at how this ended. I will be sad that one of my favorite shows ended but the actual ending wasn't bad - everyone is happy and Zoey and Max are together. It's pretty clear that the writers really thought this through. Not only they pleases everyone, with Zoey and Simon dating for a few episodes, then making the previews episode which changed a lot of people's minds on Clarkeman (people started shipping them) and then they ended with basically everyone happy but still with an interesting twist that, if they get picked up (which I hope they do) will make a great Season 3 - so let's hope that happens!

Well, I guess that's it from me as far Zoey's Playlist goes. I'm sorry if this rant was a bit messy but so many emotions! Let me know what you guys thought of this season finale and what do you think - do you think there will be a Season 3? Tell me everything and I'll see you later this week with more rants!

Love,

Daniela.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 12 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Session"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello everyone!!

I know, I know, I'm late again...I'm sorry but yesterday was hectic and I didn't have time to watch the new episode. But I did today and let me tell you - this episode was so heartwarming! I mean, Zoey's Playlist always his but in this episode we went back in time and it just reminded me of the first season and when I started watching the show... Yeah, it was special. Besides, this episode just made me love Max even more and, from what I've seen, a lot of people became Team Max with this episode so... I'm happy about that!

However, this episode also made me a bit sad with the fact that the season is ending and, from what I've seen people talk about, there's a possibility of the show not being renewed because, apparently, people in the US aren't watching so... That makes me sad... But let's talk about better things and get into this super cute episode!

So, as I said, this episode took us back in time to things that we didn't see happen - when Zoey started her job in SPRQ Point and, therefore, when she first met Max. It was super interesting the way they set this up because all the flashbacks that we got were through Zoey telling them to her therapist. And we learn so much about Zoey and just everyone else, in general.

The core of the episode was really Zoey understanding where her fear of loss is coming from and that's when we learn that, in her first day at SPRQ Point, Maggie has a heart attack and that's when Zoey first faced the possibility of loosing someone. However, the whole process of Zoey getting into SPRQ Point also sheds a light on her relationship with Max and how all that started.

It was super cute because everything started with Max making fun of her suit and then them get paired up for some 'trials' to see who will get the two positions and, in the midst of all of this not only there's the whole situation with Maggie happening but Zoey and Max start getting close to each other to the point that, when Maggie goes into surgery, Max and Zoey decide to do the last task with Zoey remotely, in the hospital, and then, in the end, Max goes there to tell her that she got the job - her and Leif (yes, we also get introduced to Leif's first day and Leif with a bun). It's later on in the episode that we learn that Max was actually the one to get the job and he gave up his position for Zoey - and from what I understood Zoey doesn't know that, which makes everything even more sweet.

After telling all of this to her therapist, the therapist actually says something that I really enjoyed and I think can summarize the show perfectly - "it's as much a love story as it is a loss story". Because it is! Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist started with Mitch's illness being a really big focus on the show and then, when he died, the show became a lot about the love triangle, but at the same time Zoey was still grieving the loss of her father so... Yeah, this is a perfect way to summarize the show.

With only one episode left of this season, I really hope they give us Zoey and Max as endgame. The connection between the too of them is undeniable and as much as I like Simon and he also has a good relationship with Zoey, same with Rose and Max, the deep connection that Zoey and Max is so much stronger - after all, as the therapist said, that whole first day at SPRQ Point was not only about facing the possibility of loss but also her finding her best friend and creating a connection with Max. Besides, it's clear that Max still has feelings for Zoey because he even kept the prototype that they created in that first day so, it's clear that that day meant a lot to him.

Okay, I guess that's pretty much it from me, I just need to highlight something that was really interesting - the way they incorporated the songs in this episode. Because all of this flashbacks happened before Zoey got her powers, the people really sang in certain situations so... That was really cleaver. Not as epic, but the story as the most important thing here so I'm not mad at it, at all.

Now that's it. Let me know what you thought of the episode, if you were Team Simon and this episode changed your mind and yeah... I'll see you tomorrow with a new The Flash rant!!

Love,

Daniela.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 11 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Double Date"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello people!

Zoey's Playlist is back from it's little hiatus and I do not like where this is going!

This week's episode was a mess. Not that the episode was bad - no! It's more the other way around. The episode was great, but everything in Zoey's life is such a mess and I truly felt that. I guess I'll just jump right into it.

The episode starts out with a really important scene, in my opinion. I loved right away that they had an actor from The Good Doctor in there as well as the actress that played Kitty on Glee. That was awesome, as well as the musical number that they sang, but what was important for the actual plot was when Zoey got into her therapist appointment. She was so relatable right there talking about all the things that she has going on in her life - work, family, relationship, all the tv shows she has to watch - I loved that! I've always said this, Zoey is so relatable, I really connect to her struggles (some of them) and I believe that is one of the reasons why I love this show so much. Anyway... So her therapists tell her to just focus on one thing that she can improve on and so she decides to make a day all dedicated to Simon and what he wants to do. And that's when the name of the episode comes in. They start thinking about what to do and Rose appears and says that she and Max are going on a costume run and Simon is on board and, again Zoey being so relatable, she isn't really into it but she agrees because she wants to give Simon a perfect day.

Well, obviously things get a bit chaotic mostly when she hears Perry sing a song about how he's afraid of his ex-husband meeting Mo and, as in true Zoey fashion, she agrees to help him after the run while they're all there at MaxiMo. What Zoey doesn't see coming is when Max reveals that he's thinking about going to New York for a while because Rose has a friend that is interesting in opening a pop-up of MaxiMo. And that's when I say no to this whole thing. I mean, it creates good intrigue and everything makes sense but I just want Max and Zoey back together! And it looks like that won't happen anytime soon. 

Zoey creates a big mess when she acts a bit like she's jealous (but I'll get into it) making Rose uncomfortable, as well as Simon, and Max ends up not being happy with her either. But the thing is, Zoey ends up talking to her therapist about the whole mess and he tells her that it might not be feelings for Max - it can actually be her afraid of loosing someone else, after loosing her father, and then Joan moving away and now she's afraid to loose her best-friend too. And, as much as I want her to still have romantic feelings for Max, I love that they're introducing a different element to the mix and giving Zoey even more depth and just say that the lost of a loved one is such a complicated thing. I love all the layers that the producers and writers put into the show! What I don't love though is that they're killing my favorite ship!

Yes, as I said, Max is not happy with Zoey and he tells her that the need to stop what the have been doing - basically telling her that they can't be friends and that he needs some space from her. Not only that broke me but it was also so heartbroken to Zoey that seeing her leave MaxiMo crying was so heartbreaking to me... I just want Max and Zoey back together as they were in the beginning of this season! Ugh!!

One good thing this come out of this episode though - turns out Maggie does not have a gambling problem and she just wanted to get rid of the money she got from that architect that hired and the hit on her. The problem then was that she kept winning and now she has a ton of money. Luckily Deb was there to make good use of the money and it looks like they're going on a bit of a vacation so... I guess we won't see Maggie for a few episodes.

Anyway... This was a lot to take in and I don't know where this whole thing with Simon, Zoey and Max is going and, as much as I want Max and Zoey together, I just want to see Zoey happy so... Let's hope we get that. Oh, I also forgot to mention that there was a little plot about the phone at SPRQ Point and that Tobin and that other girl finally made out so... that's nice.

I guess that's pretty much it from me... Let me know where you land on all of this thing between Zoey, Max and Simon, and what are your predictions for future episodes - I myself have no idea. Until then, I'll have a few more rants up this week so... I'll see you later!

Love,

Daniela. 

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 6 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Reckoning"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello everyone!

Finally here with the new Zoey's Playlist rant and... Okay, I have a lot of thoughts.

I'm going to be careful here because people might take what I'm about to say the wrong way since we're talking about a touchy subject. This whole episode was about the aftermath of the last episode - Simon exposing SPRQ Point as a not inclusive work place. So this whole episode revolved around that and around racism and... I get it. I understand that this is an important subject and it needs to be talked about but, at the same time, this episode rubbed me the wrong way. One of the reasons why was because when this is airing. I know the climate that we're in is making everyone think a lot more about these issues but, at the same time, it doesn't feel natural. To me, it feels like they had to write this episode otherwise they would be perceived as racists for not talking about the issue. You can't really win here, I guess. If you don't talk about it you're part of the problem and if you do it feels like you're only doing it so you don't look bad, and that's how I saw this episode (and all the shows that decide to talk about this right now). It felt a little out of place because the story of the show doesn't revolve around that. But again, I understand that this is something that needs to be talked about but it just rubbed me the wrong way that they decided to make an episode about racism just like every other show right now.

Then, there's another thing that I didn't quite like and something that I've seen in real life - which is blaming white people for being privileged and seeing racist things in every little detail. But before I get into that, I would like to point out that I'm talking as a white person in Portugal, outside of the US, so my perception of racism might be a lot different from people in the USA. I just needed to let everyone know because I know that things are different in different countries (even though there's racism everyone, I know that).

There's one particular scene in the episode that made me a little mad. The scene between Simon and Zoey in Simon's office when Zoey's going to tell him that he needed to retract his statement. She goes there from a place of both friend and boss and, at this point, we already know that Zoey is a good person so when she says that she sees Simon as Simon, her friend, just that and he tells her that she needs to see him as a black person... I don't get it? I really don't... I've had this conversation in real life but like, I don't see people as their colors. It doesn't matter to me if you're white, black, Asian... I will treat you the same, no matter what. And when black people say that we need to see them as black people, doesn't that defeats the purpose of what they want - equality?! I don't know... I'm truly confused with this and I would like to understand. And once again I really connected with Zoey. Both me and her know that we aren't racist and still we are faced with some things that might be a bit tone-deaf and we get confused. I felt the same thing with the scene with her and Mo.

Zoey goes to Mo for advice on how to tell Simon that the company wants him to retract the statement and Mo goes off on Zoey that she's going to her black friend to ask advice on how to talk to her other black friend. Personally, I didn't see it that way. I saw it as someone who went to her friend to ask for advice on how to talk to another friend. It didn't matter the race. She could've gone to Max but, let's be honest, Mo has always been the one that Zoey goes to for advice so... Why make it about race? 

And then, there's the scene in the stairs when Simon tells Zoey that he's going to quit, in which Zoey just says 'Okay', and that really felt out of character to me. I get it that they wanted to show that Zoey understood that maybe she was part of the problem and she needed to be more understanding and just be there for Simon but... Zoey would maybe say that she would like him to stay but she would support him no matter what. I know that's what I would say... 

I don't know, I just felt that some things were forced and some things didn't make sense but maybe that was the point?! Maybe I felt 'attacked' because I really connected with how Zoey was feeling maybe she was portraying what I've been doing wrong... I don't know...

With all of this said, I would like to reinforce that I still appreciate this episode. I know that it is necessary and it does show us some things that we can change in order to be more inclusive.

Besides that, the episode also gave us some amazing performances and amazing musical numbers and I really appreciated the Tobin story-line in this episode. Not only I loved his solo musical number but I feel like his story in this episode is really relatable and I truly think a lot of people would think the same way and be afraid to speak up because of the consequences. And not only that, but also that people don't want to be the center of attention and if it's not bothering too much, it's better to stay this way than make it worse. But I also liked that in the end he spoke up and he helped Simon not get fired and helped change the structure of the company. 

Also, because there can't be one rant where I don't talk about Max... It was just a little plot with Max and Mo asking Danny Michael Davis for money but it brought Max to the office and that was something nice to see. I would've like to see Maggie's take on all this racism thing, as well as Emily, since she's Asian and she could have a different view... I don't know, but I would like her take on this.

Anyway, this rant was a little bit different but I touched on all the important points, I think. Important messages, some things that I wasn't the biggest fan of but that's okay... I still appreciate it for what it is. There was not a lot more to the story itself so I guess that's it from me.

I would love to know all your thoughts on the episode as well as on the things that I said in this post and please, take it easy on me. All of this comes from a good heart, I promise you. And if I said anything that is offensive first, I'm sorry, and second, educate me, I would love to learn more about everything and understand it a bit better.

Okay, I've rambled enough. The show only comes back in the end of March so, until then, I'll see you with other reviews!

Love,

Daniela.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 2 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Distraction"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello everyone!

Back with a new Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist rant and OH MY! I'm so excited to talk about this episode! We've waited a whole season and it finally happened - Zoey and Max are officially together!

That's right, this episode was mainly focused on Max and Zoey and we even got a Zoey and Max duet!

So, rewinding a bit, the episode starts right where the last one left off - Zoey and Max making out - and that's when her mother interrupts them. The remaining of the episode is really just about them trying to hook up. That's the truth - every time they "plain it", something happens and they can never do it. And those things that interrupt them are the other sub-plots of the episode.

One of them is Zoey and her work. Not much Zoey herself but Leif and his struggles as the new Team Manager. Turns out the guys are constantly messing around and not focusing on the work which leads Leif to do all the work by himself which leads to the SPRQ Point watch to malfunction. Well, it takes a while but Zoey comes up with a solution. With something that seemed really out of place (Zoey meeting with 3 other female programmers in the elevator) she realizes that what the 4th floor needs is more women, and that's what she does - she transfers 3 of the guys to the 5th floor and gets those 3 girls into her floor and well... problem solved!

But Zoey wasn't the only one to have interruptions - Max had this own issues as well which, in a way, also concerned Zoey. We knew this partnership between Max and Mo could possibly be an obstacle for Zoey and Max's relationship, but I wasn't ready for it to be so important right away. This didn't exactly affect them as a relationship, this time it was just a 'c*ck block' but something tells me it's just the beginning. Anyway, so Max wants to sign a contract with Mo, just to be 'formal' and be clear that they have a 50/50 partnership, but that just triggers Mo. Of course, Zoey being friends with both, tries to help but Mo just shuts her down. Actually, that scene where Mo is doing Zoey's makeup and then just tells her to leave as a shock to me! I know Mo is so straightforward and doesn't hold back, but I wasn't really expecting it. Luckily, Zoey doesn't give up and on her second attempt, she encourages Max and Mo to do some trust games and that's when Mo reveals that she had a partnership before in which he screwed up his partner and the thing here is that Mo's afraid he'll do the same to Max. Well, needless to say that Mo comes to his senses and they do go on with the partnership and that's when we see the photo in the banner, in which Zoey has a complete makeover.

Another minor plot is Emily and the baby and the introduction of her sister Jenna. It wasn't a bit part of the episode but I feel like it's important to mention because it will most likely be important in future episodes.

Anyway, with all of this issues taken care of, Zoey and Max finally have a full house to themselves. But that's when another issue arises - Max singing 'heart songs'. This made for the funniest sex scene ever, with Max switching from 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' to 'I'll Make Love to You'. And then, after letting Zoey know that she knows everything that's going on inside his head and he doesn't, that's when they have a duet of 'A Moment Like This' and the production behind this scene! Amazing! The sound design is so beautiful switching between a full on song when it's Max's turn and an acapella version when it's Zoey's. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

And that's it folks! As usual, this was such a fun episode and I just love me some Max and Zoey! However, from what I've been reading, next episode is going to be an obstacle on their relationship already so, we'll see. I try not to see any previous because I like to be surprised but let me know what you thought of this episode and what you think it's going to happen in the next one and I'll talk to you tomorrow with a brand new The Challenge rant!

Love,

Daniela.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist | Season 2 Episode 1 - "Zoey's Extraordinary Return"

Spoiler Alert!

 

Hello everyone!

So here it is, the brand new addition to the blog - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. With the end of Supernatural I thought I should bring a new show to the blog for me to review and, after asking on Twitter, I decided on Zoey's Playlist. I started watching the show actually just last year, during quarantine, but I fell in love with it right away. And it's so weird because it's not my type of show at all but I just loved the story, the characters, the songs... Yeah, I love it so much to the point that I didn't even know if I wanted to review it. You know, when you love a show so much that you don't want to "bother" with analyzing it? No? Is it just me? I don't know, but in the end I decided to review it and with this big ass introduction, I guess it's time to really get into the episode. (Oh, and I know I'm a little bit late).

This episode jumps straight into the story, which was a bit jarring at first. I don't know, I guess I was expecting a bit of an introduction... But we jump straight to Zoey not being her best self after her dad's death. They do address the fact that 6 weeks have passed so it's not a huge amount of time but it's still a good amount of time where things changed, and that's when the story of the episode really starts.

Mo is able to cheer Zoey and, after six weeks, she leaves her rooms, dresses up and goes to work. Once she arrives at SPRQ Point, she's faced with a bunch of changes - Leif was replacing her as the 'supervisor', he also changed the desks to standing desks, hired someone to replace Max - a new character called George - there's dogs in the workplace now, no bar and, on top of all of that, Joan wants to promote her and make her the head of that whole floor (basically replace Joan). I already knew that Lauren Graham was leaving the show so I was curious to know what would happen to her and to the company. We now know.

Anyway, all those changes really overwhelmed Zoey and, on top of that, she got her powers back and had the whole company singing to her. Yeah, a bit too much for a first day.

Oh, I completely forgot to mention one of my favorite parts of the episode - Max and Zoey meeting before she goes to work. Max gives her a shield ring which has a music note reversed so it resembles a Z. OMG, could Max be any cuter? (and well, you didn't know this but I guess it's pretty obvious now that I'm team Max right?) Which leads me to the next scene - Zoey going to Mo's house and being faced with Mo, Max and Simon all hanging out together. And has she arrives and they're watching football, she's met with one of the funniest lines of the episodes - you're going to have to pick a team (or something along those lines) - which just made me laugh so hard. No other show does what Zoey's Playlist does - this shows plays with that ship concept and that you have a 'team' and I just love that about this show. Well, after that follows a music number with Max and Simon singing to Zoey 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' which, again, I loved!

Needless to say that all this stuff has been too much for Zoey to handle so she goes back home and has to deal with more stuff - her grief. She finds some videos that her dad left on his computer and, at first, they are too much for the family to handle but, by the time the episode ends, they come across a video where Mitch is feeling 'fine' and he just tells them to move on after he's gone and, of course (because this is a show) that gives them some perspective and things start getting better. 

For the most part I love this show because it is so relatable. It puts things as they are and, as we see in this episode, it's hard to deal with things like these and Zoey is so relatable and the show openly talks about all this important topics and yeah, I just love that. Of course, things have to move on a bit quicker than they would in real life (I imagine) and so that's the only thing that's not so believable, but I get it (I mean, that and her seeing people singing songs, of course).

With things put into perspective, Zoey decides to accept Joan's offer and, in the very end of the episode, she also decides to address what happened between her and Max before they get the call about her father (the whole make out session and whatnot) and the episode just ends with her kissing Max! I ship them so hard so I was so happy to see her 'choosing' him! However, I'm with people in general - this is the first episode of the second season and they're 'already together' so... Something tells me things won't go smoothly for them. But I'm okay with that, as long as they end up together in the end. We'll see what happens next episode.

I guess that's it for me for this first Zoey's Playlist rant. Let me know what you thought of the episode and in which Team you're on (Simon or Max) and I'll see you soon with another review!

Love,

Daniela.