User Reviews

Sixth episode of the first season from Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist and the episode titles stay extraordinary as well. Unfortunately I cannot really say the same this time about these under 41 minutes. This series has been struggling occasionally a bit with the issue that there is simply too much happening for the show and episodes to feel genuinely realistic and the already very groundbreaking plot premise that the protagonist hears people sing to express their emotion and nobody else hears this has been almost forgotten if we ignore the three to four songs packed into each episode. At least, one number really had a key role this time as we witness how Zoey's crush's fiancée reacts to finding out about what may have been going on between Zoey and her man. Not that there is really anything going on to be honest. But I thought how she stood up there listening to Zoey and her mother was a bit of a too big coincidence maybe. The other characters have romance relationship issues too. Zoey's best friend, the one you see on the photo here, is dealing with the aftermath of his breakup. And also seems to be rediscovering some feelings for Zoey at the same time. Zoey's friend/neighbor has found a new potential romantic interest and Zoey's mother struggles with the decisions she has been making that make it difficult again to have a life of her own really. In the face of her disabled husband. I must admit this conflict at the very end felt a bit forced and like rushed pseudo drama, especially with the big emotions attached to it from Steenburgen's character. Did not like it. Zoey basically burning down the flower wall with the names of the two fiancés right before that of course had major dramatic symbolism, but also was perhaps one reason why it was all a bit too much in the end. Sometimes less can be more.

I think here we have one of the weaker episodes from season one unfortunately. I am surprised many really liked it judging from the imdb rating. For me, one reason for disliking it is Lauren Graham again. Her song at the bar (a Rihanna number no?) did nothing for me and same is true about the actress. No clue either why all of a sudden she found a great solution in the end together with one of her employees. I cannot even blame Graham there. This entire idea was a prime example of poor writing. As for the music this time, could have been better too. I actually quite like the Destiny's Child song they included, but here it did almost nothing for me. What stayed more memorable for sure was 500 Miles, another song I really enjoy a lot and that I actually only came across not that long ago. But if I had not known it before this episode, I certainly would have checked it out. In the previous episodes, it was really most of the time Zoey observing and listening to how others dealt with their struggles, also in a way for the writers to further elaborate on the supporting characters, but here Zoey is much more at the center of the action again. Which is a good thing I would say. It's just that it all lacks a bit of quality and attention to detail how they went on with the central character's story. Best example would be the calls she did not respond to or Jessica's statement on jealousy relatively early on that was a bit of foreshadowing. All a bit too obvious and not in a good way. By the way, is it just me or is the amount of Jessicas being antagonists in films increasing? Or series. If you can even call her an antagonist. Also I struggled a bit with Zoey being so open about her romance issues when she talks to her mother here. The alcohol maybe kinda explained it and also this was not among the worst aspects from this episode. It was just all quickly too much for way under an hour I must say, already way before they added her father's fall too. Eventually, not so bad that I want to unwatch it, but still a step back in terms of quality if we compare this one to previous episodes. I am still curious about what happens next and will definitely keep watching.