Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip Review: ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ Meets Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

The last episode (Zoey’s Extraordinary Employee) and this episode (Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip) both feature Zoey making conscious decisions to do something that is outside her norm. Last week Zoey decided to be happy, this week she decided to take an easy-breezy approach to life thanks to some drug-induced influences.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip does a great job of mixing the comedy of Zoey’s drug haze with the more serious Max and Simon storylines. There’s also a pretty clear message that Aiden’s method of letting things come and go may work for him, but is a detriment to Zoey and those around her. The performance of the night award goes to and recent Golden Globe nominee Jane Levy. She’s hilarious throughout the episode, yet only Levy can make you tear up while Zoey is high, slurping down popsicles and talking to Danny Michael Davis.

After being heavily featured in the last episode, David and Emily take a backseat to Maggie and Jenna, which seems to be the latter’s swan song for now. I like the way this story ended but didn’t much care for the journey. Maggie’s decision to fire Jenna was entirely justified, but the specific things she said just seemed immature.

Danny Michael Davis is a character that I just don’t like. He’s essentially Jean Ralphio from “Parks & Recreation” with a powerful title, but the genius of Ralphio is he’s ultimately a friend to Tom, and while he’s annoying, pretty harmless. Danny Michael Davis is a criminal, CEO of a tech company and a character on the show that nobody in the main cast has any relationship with. Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip didn’t leave me wanting more of the character. I wanted him to sell SPRQPoint, which is against the interest of Zoey.

With the non-spoiler details out of the way, here’s a deeper dive into Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip. “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” airs on NBC and is available to stream on Peacock.

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The Songs in Zoey’s Extraordinary Employee

A shorter setlist than usual, but all four heart-songs hit the sweet spots. If there’s any justice, Mandy Moore will earn another Emmy for Outstanding Choreography in Scripted Programming for her work in this episode alone.

In fact, the two best heart-songs of the entire 2nd season take place in Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip. The award for best heart-song must go to John Clarence Stewart as Simon for his version of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” Here’s a quick breakdown of the songs and the scenes surrounding each musical sequence.

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

Zoey catches up with the young man she used to babysit. Aiden expresses his philosophy on keeping your options open by never having a plan or strict goals via heart-song. Felix Mallard does a good job with his rendition but is easily the weakest song of the episode.

“Starships” by Nicki Minaj

After the drugs kick in, Zoey, Danny Michael Davis and Aiden go for a walk, which triggers this heart-song with Zoey taking the lead, while Danny Michael Davis and Aiden offer backup. Jane Levy’s face when the song begins is priceless. The camera work and her facial reactions are reminiscent of Levy’s rendition of “Crazy” from last season. A very smart song given that the remaining heart-songs are quite heavy.

“Numb” by Linkin Park

“Numb” is a perfect song for this story. After the investor presentation to Max’s father ends poorly, Max launches into this Linkin Park song all about living up to high expectations set by a parent. Skylar Astin’s performance is terrific and he really channels Max’s longing for fatherly acceptance. Moore’s choreography is beautiful, but the musical arrangement by Craig Wedron and Bo Boddie is symphonic perfection. This is the 2nd best heart-song of the season. Unfortunately, the best musical performance is coming up next.

“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Nina Simone

Before taking the podium to address the problems with the facial recognition app, Simon closes out Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip with this breathtaking heart-song. The song represents the difficult decision Simon has to make. Does he defend the company or address SPRQPoint’s racial diversity problem? John Clarence Stewart is a tremendous singer and his dance moves in this song are majestic instead of flashy. In short, this may be the best heart-song in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s” run.

Recap and Opinions on Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip

Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip begins moments after the last scene in Zoey’s Extraordinary Employee. Zoey is reacquainted with a handsome young man she used to babysit. I was worried about how this subplot was starting in the last episode but was pleasantly surprised with how Aiden was used.

Felix Mallard does a strong job playing this stoner wannabe rocker who lives in his parent’s house. He encourages Zoey to embrace her rebellious side, go with the flow and essentially stop carrying about the things going on around her.

Catching up with Max, Mo, Simon and Maggie

Zoey meets up with Mo to announce she’s taking a personal day. Max is also in Mo’s apartment. Mo and Max are trying to get investors for their restaurant. Max’s father is coming to town and they don’t have a good relationship. However, Max is hoping that with Zoey’s presence, he can win his father’s approval.

Meanwhile, Simon and reporter Tatiana Morris (returning guest star Alvina August) are having a phone conversation. Apparently, Danny Michael Davis is now out of house arrest and makes a grand entrance at SPRQPoint. He quickly relates his prison term to Nelson Mandela.

R&D uncovered a problem with the chirp. Apparently, the facial recognition app’s error rate is 10 times higher for people of color. Danny Michael Davis asks Simon, a person of color, to handle the situation. This racism storyline is the emotional crux of the episode and looks to be continuing in next week’s episode.

Zoey attempts rebellion her way by making a list. In response, Aiden offers Zoey hallucinogenic drugs, which she eventually accepts. Danny Michael Davis calls her and despite Zoey saying she’s taking a personal day, he’s able to locate Zoey and decides to come over to Aiden’s house.

Before Danny Michael Davis arrives, Zoey receives a phone call from Simon. He wants to talk about the conversation he had with Danny Michael Davis, but in an effort to get off the phone before she starts tripping, Zoey brushes him off and gives orders to her team to fix the software issues.

Max picks up his father and they have an awkward car ride. Essentially, Max’s father wants Max to move back home, while Max values the life he’s building in San Francisco. Chip Zien is quite good in the role.

Maggie is meeting with Roger to discuss the landscaping project. Roger responds to Maggie’s rejection from the last episode by being a jerk. Jenna defends Maggie. The Roger character is easily the most shallow character in this show.

Danny Michale Davis arrives and immediately recognizes that Zoey is high. He joins Aiden and Zoey on both a literal and metaphorical trip

Popsicle Time on Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip

Max and Mo are talking about the investor meeting. Simon calls and asks Mo to dinner with Tatiana to discuss a work issue. Mo brings up presenting to Max’s father, which he agrees to since Max’s father likes Zoey and she will be at the presentation.

Leave it to Jane Levy to turn a drug-induced popsicle session into the most tear-inducing scene of Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip, then still make you laugh a line later. Zoey’s on the comedown from her high and tells Danny Michael Davis about her dad. Specifically, that popsicles were one of the few things her dad could keep down. Danny Michael Davis shows empathy, then mentions that SPRQPoint is the only thing he cares about. Zoey then declares she’s done carrying since it’s the worst.

Max and Mo present their concept to Max’s father and Zoey. It doesn’t go well.

Time for the Waterworks

Max is angry and pissed that everything is difficult with his father. Zoey offers some truly awful advice to Max about not carrying so much about his approval. Max rightfully calls Zoey out on her BS. Essentially saying Zoey cared more about her father than anything else, now she expects Max to not care about the relationship he has with his father. From the heart-song that precedes this scene to the end of the episode, Skylar Astin is tremendous.

In response to Roger’s attitude, Jenna vandalized Roger’s vehicle. Maggie defended Jenna by quitting the project but is still firing Jenna for what she did. Maggie has every right to fire Jenna for her actions.

Back at the Clarke residence, Maggie reveals to Zoey, David and Emily that she fired Jenna. Zoey’s attempts to try not to care are over after this scene.

Back at Mo’s, Simon reveals to Tatiana and Mo that SPRQPoint wants to use him to defend an app that can’t identify people of color. Mo thinks Simon should quit. Tatiana thinks Simon should keep his head down and wait to get real power in a few years. Great wring and acting in this scene.

Max meets his father at the convention center. Max’s father offers to invest in Max and Mo’s restaurant but doesn’t really believe in the concept. Max explains that money and support aren’t the same thing. Phenomenal scene.

Zoey helps Maggie through her conflict with Jenna and convinces Danny Michael Davis to refrain from selling his shares in SPRQPoint. Maggie and Jenna makeup before saying goodbye.

Mo supports Max in his decision not to take his father’s money.

No Misunderstandings

Simon delivers his remarks on the facial recognition error. He points out that the error will be fixed. However, he makes it clear that the reason this embarrassing oversight occurred was due to a lack of diversity in positions of power at SPRQPoint. John Clarence Stewart is terrific at selling the agony of this decision. The truth is even if Zoey had listened to his plea earlier in the episode, Zoey wouldn’t have been able to help with his dilemma.

Final Thoughts on Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip

Zoey’s Extraordinary Trip is the best episode of the season so far. The Maggie-Jenna story was the only element that faltered in an episode that ran the gamut of comedy and emotional storytelling that makes “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” such a deep show.

What are your thoughts?