Zoey’s Extraordinary Failure features the show’s first duet, one of the most relatable breakup scenarios in recent memory and takes a closer look at Zoey’s brother. While Zoey’s failure is an interesting development in the series, the episode doesn’t quite match the emotional crescendo on display in Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is currently streaming on Hulu and Peacock.
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Husband-Wife Duet Leads to Zoey’s Failure
The beginning of Zoey’s Extraordinary Failure gives us some more background on Zoey and David as children. Since David and Emily are expecting their first child, The Clarke brigade is going through childhood memorabilia. Zoey built her first computer and David was more into dolls. It’s nice to see the usual stereotypes inverted.
The heartbreaking Pink hit “Just give me a Reason” is a strong selection for the show’s first duet. Andrew Leeds as David and Alice Lee as Emily are excellent vocal complements to one another. Zoey is quick to recognize that there’s a problem and meets with Mo (Alex Newell) at a casual dining establishment that looks indistinguishable from a Buffalo Wild Wings. During the conversation, Zoey reveals that she doesn’t have much of a relationship with Emily.
Max’s arrival leads to heart song No. 2 for David, which is every teenager’s favorite rebellion song “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)” by the Beastie Boys. It’s not much of a vocal workout for Leeds, but the versatile song selection is impressive. Mandy Moore’s choreography is fun. Special shoutout to synchronizing the pool cues.
During the performance, David receives a call from Emily and lies about working late. Zoey confronts David about his lie, but David asks Zoey to stay out of it, which Zoey agrees to do. Zoey does her best to stay out of it until David blows off his shift with Mitch. She returns to the restaurant and this time David reveals his problem. Given his interest in dolls, passion for musical theater and potato skins, David is understandably terrified of being a boy Dad. David again asks Zoey not to intervene.
Zoey receives a call from Emily the next day with a request to meetup. Against Zoey’s better judgment she agrees to talk to Emily. From the onset of this scene, it’s clear that these women have never spent much one-on-one time together. After some poor attempts at small talk, Emily asks Zoey if David is having an affair. Zoey emphatically denies the affair and that’s is all Zoey should have done but in an effort to try to clear up a messy situation that Zoey doesn’t fully understand, she does exactly what David told her not to do.
Zoey tells Emily that David is scared of being a father. The reaction on Emily’s face confirms Zoey should not have shared this information. Zoey’s decision has ramifications leading to the best scene of the episode.
Brother-Sister Confrontation
David stops by Zoey’s apartment to discuss the conversation Zoey had with Emily on the pier. Zoey confirms that she just wanted to assure Emily that David wasn’t having an affair. However, the information about his fear of fatherhood sort of slipped out.
Turns out that Emily had to be talked into wanting children. Zoey’s interference in their marriage has made it impossible for Emily to have a hassle-free pregnancy. Of course, Zoey has no idea that these problems are going on, which lead to this zinger of a line from David:
Of course not.
You have no idea because you’re not a part of my marriage.
You don’t know everything that’s going on in our heads, Zoey
Simply a fantastic scene between Jane Levy and Leeds here. While I have issues with David lying to his wife, Zoey clearly overstepped. Zoey’s power provides her with insight into a problem or personal issue at hand, but that doesn’t mean she has a firm enough grasp of the situation to help.
Zoey isn’t married or in a relationship and when she went to someone in a relationship, Simon, for advice, she disregarded his suggestion to let the married couple handle the situation.
Anonymous Peer Reviews = Another Zoey Failure
Meanwhile, at SPRQPoint, Zoey’s failure is instituting anonymous peer reviews. None of these go well. We see Tobin, Max and Leif’s reviews. Tobin takes it completely in stride. Max’s review is quite harsh, but Zoey tries to soften it as constructive criticism. Leif is dumbstruck at his peer review.
Michael Thomas Grant makes Leif absolutely pitiful in this episode and his beautiful rendition of “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M draws that reaction out of Zoey. After the heart song, we get some much need background on Leif. He’s the oldest of 3 brothers and despite his considerable accomplishments, Leif pales in comparison. None of this condones his attitude, but it does a solid job explaining his competitive drive.
Outside of Grant’s unbelievable voice and the visual of him curled up inside of a pod chair, there simply wasn’t anything compelling out this storyline.
Groovy Mitch
Maggie’s finishing up the floral arrangement for Simon and Jessica’s (India de Beaufort) engagement party. She reveals to Zoey that she’s been offered another job, but isn’t sure she should take it since it means having to do the job without Mitch. Before Maggie can lament further, Mitch provides some groovy encouragement via The Isley Brothers hit “It’s Your Thing.”
I don’t think Zoey has enjoyed a heart song more. Zoey and Mitch dance around the Clarke residence disco-style in a warm, dorky and utterly charming manner that only Levy and Peter Gallagher could pull off.
This storyline pays off in predictable fashion with Mitch offering Maggie his support.
Relationship Drama
Max breaks up with Autumn in one of the most relatable breakup scenes in tv history. Autumn and Max go running together outside. During this run, Autumn begins talking about Max meeting her parents and out of the blue Max says he want to break up. Keep in mind that Max and Autumn are still in the middle of their run, so when Max breaks up with her, they both have to head back together. Perfectly awkward.
Meanwhile, Simon’s dealing with his father’s first birthday since his suicide. Unlike her brother’s circumstances, Zoey correctly handles the situation. Zoey doesn’t try to offer a solution. She simply – well simply for Zoey – tells Simon she’s close by if he needs her. Later in the episode, she creates a grief kit containing a pillow, hammer, tequila and most importantly Oreos for Simon. Every interaction between Zoey and Simon in this episode just works. There’s sincerity found in these scenes that is difficult to find, so kudos to Levy and for finding the right mixture of ingredients.
The dynamic between the two leads to the best heart song and the final scene of the episode
Heart Song of the Episode
Simon stops by Zoey’s apartment. He found an email from his father before he died. Simon’s wondering if he missed some signs that he should have seen. Here’s the surprising exchange between the two:
Zoey: Simon … It’s entirely possible that you failed to see the signs that your dad was in trouble.
Simon: … I know that’s what I think, too.
Zoey: – But maybe … there’s nothing more you could have done because your dad didn’t want or wasn’t open to your help.
It’s the first line in that exchange that lands hardest with me. With that line, Zoey shows her ability to understand her dynamic in Simon’s relationship with his father. She can’t possibly understand the complex relationship between Simon and his father. Most shows would have just gone with the 2nd line to assuage Simon’s guilt, but Zoey doesn’t do that here. There are aspects of Simon’s relationship with his father she couldn’t possibly know, so she just lays out the two possible options. This heartfelt scene leads us to the steamiest heart song in the series thus far.
Simon bursts into the most flirtatious song in existence: “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” by The Clash. From Zoey’s sultry strutting around her apartment to Simon suddenly busting out his air guitar chops, the chemistry between Levy and Stewart during the song is electric. It’s a perfect cliffhanger to end the episode.
Final Thoughts on Zoey’s Failure
Zoey’s Extraordinary Failure is a good episode that features another strong layered performance from Levy. The standout dramatic scene was the confrontation between Zoey and her brother regarding her unwanted interference in his marriage. However, it’s always problematic when a husband lies to his wife for any reason.
Every SPRQpoint scene not involving Zoey and Simon just felt like a distraction rather than an addition to the episode. However, this should serve as a turning point for Leif’s character.
I’m also really enjoying how involved Zoey is within the musical number. From dancing with her Dad, the sneering disapproval that etches across her face when David lies to Emily to her flirtatious interaction with Simon, Levy rises to the occasion every time.
What did you think of the episode?
The Review
Zoey's Extraordinary Failure
PROS
- Terrific performances from Jane Levy, John Clarence Stewart and Andrew Leeds.
- Diverse song selection capped off by Should I Stay or Should I Go?
- The breakup between Max and Autumn is handled in a realistically clumsy fashion.
CONS
- Despite some positive developments for Leif, SPRQPoint didn't have much of a well ... Spark
- It's difficult to side with a husband lying to his wife for any reason.
- The solution to Maggie's dilemma is easy to predict. However, Peter Gallagher performing a disco musical number mostly covers for the predicability.
