Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning Review: ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ Tackles Systemic Racism with Authenticity

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” addresses systemic racism on multiple levels throughout Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning may very well be the best episode of the series. Before diving into the quality of the episode, it’s impossible to talk about this episode without giving kudos to the three people of color responsible for this episode’s execution. Zora Bikangaga (the writer), Anya Adams (the director) and Luther Brown (music choreographer) combine their talents to deliver the best episode of the season.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning removes Maggie, David and Emily from the story, which allows for the episode to place greater focus on the systemic racism storyline. The only other subplot is on Mo and Max’s continuing quest to secure investors for their restaurant idea. Max is drawn further into SPRQPoint’s orbit by a software error on his website.

John Clarence Stewart is phenomenal in this episode. He fuels Simon’s righteous anger, loneliness and the weight of the entire situation falling on his shoulders. Zoey tries to help but continually makes the situation worse.

The episode goes beyond exploring systemic racism through the eyes of a black man by adding a first-generation immigrant’s perspective through Tobin. Watching the different ways Tobin and Simon work out their feelings is the highlight of the episode. Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning is Kapil Talwalkar’s best episode of the series. He does a great job selling Tobin’s initial denials, later his reluctance at stepping out on the same ledge as Simon.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning places Zoey in a precarious position that is similar to a season one’s episode. Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor featured Mo having a difficult time with her religious beliefs. Zoey attempts to help without having any religious beliefs whatsoever. Where these two episodes differ is the ending. In Zoey’s Extraordinary Neighbor, Zoey helps another neighbor and in so doing, she restores Mo’s faith. In Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning, Zoey finds a solution, but before she can save the day, Simon and Danny Michael Davis find the same solution, which prevents Zoey from being the white knight.

With the non-spoiler details out of the way, let’s dive into the heart-songs and storylines of Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning.

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The Songs in Zoey’s Extraordinary Employee

There are four fantastic heart-songs in Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning. All of the music in the episode comes from black artists and all of the cover versions in the show are performed by people of color in the cast.

The award for the best heart-song goes to John Clarence Stewart as Simon for the 2nd consecutive episode. Here’s a quick breakdown of the songs and the scenes surrounding each musical sequence.

“Black Man in a White World” by Michael Kiwanuka

Zoey organizes an ill-advised company town hall to gather feedback on racism at SPRQPoint. The town hall is horrible and Stewart smashes this rendition of Michael Kiwanuka’s song about standing out. Luther Brown’s choreography is amazing and makes you feel every beat of the song.

“No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige

Danny Michael Davis tells Zoey that she needs to convince Simon to retract his statement. Zoey goes to her other black friend, Mo, to find a way to talk to Simon, a black man. Mo is deeply hurt that Zoey would make this request and sing this heart-song in response.

Alex Newell somehow manages to measure up to Mary J. Blige.

“The Tracks of My Tears” by The Miracles

After an employee casually refers to Tobin as “Slumdog Millionaire,” Tobin laughs it off at first, but can’t hide the sting of those words for long. The original meaning behind the famous R&B song is a man trying to hide his pain from a former lover. In this instance, Tobin is simply hiding the fact that the racists remarks from his colleagues bother him.

Kapil Talwalkar has a strong voice, but is sadly rarely given his own musical numbers. Here’s hoping Tobin will receive more solo outings in the future.

“Tightrope” by Janelle Monáe

Simon, Mo and Tatiana Morris (played by recurring guest star Alvina August) takes the lead in the final heart-song of the episode. After coming up with some immediate solutions to the rampant racism at SPRQPoint, Simon and Zoey return to Mo and Max’s restaurant for a little celebration. The song’s message about keeping things in proper perspective is a smart choice to close the episode.

Simon does feel a sense of relief, but everyone knows there is still plenty of work to be done at SPRQPoint.

SPRQPoint’s Reckoning

The episode picks up immediately after Simon’s press conference where he reveals the presence of systemic racism at SPRQPoint. Zoey talks to Simon in the elevator. She wants to know why Simon didn’t tell her what he was going to say. If you recall, Simon did try to discuss it in the last episode and Zoey identified the problem as a coding issue, not a racial one.

Zoey sets up the episode’s other storyline in the next scene. Max and Mo are still looking for an investor. She heads to Mo’s apartment to discuss the situation with Mo and Max. Due to her newfound friendship with Danny Michael Davis, Zoey offers to set up a meeting so Max and Mo can pitch their restaurant.

The aforementioned disastrous town hall takes place. Simon is justifiably apprehensive. What follows is basically a montage featuring employees explaining their associations with people from other races. Some gems include:

• White male employee mentions he took a knee at a company softball game
• A white female employee says her stepdad is black.
• Another employee uses the forum to turn the subject to eco-friendly initiatives.

Max and Mo’s meeting with Danny Michael Davis is successful, but not without a few hitches. Mo takes exception to a Danny Michael Davis’s comment, but Max is able to make a save. Max has some tech issues to work on.

Danny Michael Davis assigns Zoey the task of telling Simon he needs to retract his statement. Leif, Tobin and McKenzie offer to help Max with his software problem. The Leif, Tobin and Max interactions were honestly really sweet.

Zoey tries talking to Mo about her dilemma, but Mo’s not going to help her with this problem. In short, Zoey relies on MO to do the emotional heavy lifting and it’s exhausting. Mo tells her she’s going to have to solve her own problem. The way Mo cuts right through Zoey hits hard.

There’s a quick scene with Tobin and Simon. Tobin appreciates Simon’s comments, but isn’t willing to publicly endorse them. Small, but smart scene that shows how two people are approaching racism at SPRQPoint differently.

Ladies and Gentlemen: John Clarence Stewart in Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning

Then we get the big scene of the episode. Zoey and Simon meet in Simon’s office. She reluctantly relays Danny Michael Davis’s command from the board. Zoey claims Simon isn’t alone and offers to help him write a statement. Simon that it’s impossible for Zoey to be on his side. He points out that Zoey can’t rewrite an experience she knows nothing about.

Zoey says she understands a little and points out she’s a woman in the tech world. Simon retorts that her experience has nothing to do with who Simon is as a black man in the world and in that office. He points out that there wasn’t a Joan (a boss who overcame the same type of discrimination.) To her credit, Zoey says that’s awful, but Simon responds that it’s the truth.

Simon constantly amputates pieces of himself to make others feel comfortable. Zoey says that when she looks at Simon she just sees Simon, which denies a fundamental part of who Simon is, a black man. Simon ends the conversation by telling Zoey that her request indicates that she is part of the problem and he will not be retracting his statement, period.

There’s a tone to Stewart’s voice that is different in this scene than in any other episode. It’s tough to put a finger on, but the closest emotion is anguish at the realization of everything that Simon has had to strip away in order to conform to SPRQPoint’s work environment. This is just a tremendous scene by two fantastic actors in Stewart and Jane Levy.

Tobin Time

Kapil Talwalkar also gives a series best performance as Tobin in Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning.

Tobin solves Max’s problem and another employee refers to Tobin as “Slumdog Millionaire.” After his heart-song, Zoey asks to speak with Tobin in her office. He tries to deflect, but before leaving he share his thoughts. Tobin explains that he jokes around all of the time to fit in. As a 1st gen, that’s how he’s always fit in because he’s never fit in anywhere. People in other departments are often shocked that Tobin doesn’t have an accent to which Zoey replies that nobody should have to feel this way at work. Zoey encourages Tobin to help Simon. He respects what Simon did, but doesn’t want to stir the pot.

Zoey heads back to her apartment. Mo and Simon are discussing his situation. Zoey apologizes for her blindspots. Simon tells Zoey he intends to quit. Zoey doesn’t try to talk him out of it. It’s impossible to overstate how impressive Levy is with showing Zoey’s embarrassment.

Tobin decides to share his story and experience working at SPRQPoint on social media. The post blows up. Zoey is so happy that she hugs Tobin. They head to Danny Michael Davis’s office to prevent Simon from quitting. Before she can save the day, Simon and Danny Michael Davis tell her they are already aware.

Simon, Tobin, Zoey and Danny Michael Davis meet with the board members to discuss substantive changes. Simon does indeed clarify his statement by getting more specific. Fixing the racism at SPRQPoint starts with fixing the culture and goes beyond committees and donations. Real change comes by being inclusive in the rooms where decisions are being made.

The episode ends on a happy note with a party at Mo and Max’s restaurant.

Final Thoughts on Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning

From top to bottom, this is tremendous television that illustrates the damage of systemic racism.