Zoey's Extraordinary Dreams

**Zoey's Extraordinary Dreams** is the third episode of Season 2 and the fifteenth episode overall of NBC's musical dramedy *Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist*. It aired on January 19, 2021.

## Episode Summary

Zoey is haunted by bad dreams that start to affect her personal life. Jenna helps Maggie find her creative spark again.

## Plot

Zoey wakes up in a dark, empty version of her parents’ house singing “Nowhere To Run,” unable to escape. She awakens with a gasp. Max wakes up next to Zoey and asks her if she is okay and if she had a bad dream. Zoey says yes and admits that the dreams have been going on a few weeks. Zoey explains that in the dreams, she is alone, stuck in the house, and no matter what she does, she can't make it out. Max proposes that Zoey might feel trapped living in her mom’s house. However, Zoey explains that Maggie is all alone in the house. Max encourages her to consider her own independence and privacy. Zoey mulls over the idea, and Max encourages her to bring up the idea of moving out to her mom and see how it goes.

Emily looks at Miles in his crib and expresses anguish that he waited until daylight to fall asleep. David, lying down on the floor with his head on a pillow, quips that Miles doesn't respect them and that he is a sadist, which he must get that from Emily's side of the family. Just then, Jenna bursts into the nursery and loudly says good morning, much to David's chagrin. Jenna kneels next to Miles' crib and facetiously asks if he is asleep because his room is so boring. Emily insists that the room is cute and mentions that Jenna could have gotten them art from Miles' registry. Jenna says she was going to wait and see what they needed and proposes that she do a photoshoot with the whole family and make a gallery wall. Emily says it is a great idea and lies down exhaustedly next to David as Jenna leaves.

Max looks at the puzzle Zoey and her mom are working on and picks up a piece, but Zoey puts it back into the pile and says that it’s strictly a Maggie and Zoey project. Maggie walks in, and Zoey says she looks nice, and Maggie mentions that it is a big day for her. After she walks off, Max says she seems like she's in a good move and suggests that Zoey talk to her about moving out. Zoey walks into Maggie's office and asks if she is ready for her big landscaping pitch. Maggie expresses nerves since its is her first presentation without Mitch, and she really wants it to go well. Zoey encourages her mother and starts asking her about moving out, but as Maggie heads towards the door, she turns around and starts singing “Someone You loved.” After the song ends, Zoey wishes Maggie good luck, and she leaves. Zoey returns to the kitchen and tells Max she can't go back to her place yet because Maggie just sang to her. Max reminds Zoey of what she is going through, but Zoey maintains that until Maggie feels better, there is no way she is leaving.

At SPRQ Point, Zoey walks into Simon's office and asks how everything is going. He says he is getting a lot of requests for comment on the SPRQ Point Watch fiasco and then asks about Zoey, noting the large coffee cup in her hand. Zoey says she is tired and mentions that she has not been sleeping. She tells Simon about her horrible dreams, and Simon says he also had a lot of bad dreams after his dad died. Zoey asks how to make them stop, and Simon says they didn't stop for a while but reducing stress can help with sleep. Zoey mentions her excess of responsibilities since taking over the fourth floor, and Simon suggests she delegate some of her tasks.

Zoey walks into the bullpen and tells the programmers that she has been taking on too many projects. She asks the team to take on some more responsibilities and hands out folders with tasks to Leif, Mackenzie, George, and Tobin. When Tobin enthuses over his assignment to start a company softball team and specifically addresses the male programmers, Zoey reminds him that it is a co-ed league. Mackenzie says she played softball in college, and Yasmeen says she threw shot put in the Junior Olympics. Tobin relents and says all the girls are in.

Maggie walks onto the estate where she is giving her landscaping pitch and meets with a man named Roger, who welcomes her to the desolate-looking backyard. Maggie remarks that the yard does look a bit unfinished, and Roger admits that it is a disaster. He says he is glad she is joining him and that he has heard a lot about her and Mitch's projects, expressing his condolences. Maggie shows Roger a sketch of her concept for the yard, which takes a classic, simple approach. Roger seems unimpressed, admitting that they design is a lot safer than he was expecting. Maggie appears wounded by this statement, but Roger encourages her to try again at thinking up something more special.

Zoey arrives at her mother's home and notices Emily, David, and Jenna gathered in the living room. David tells her that they brought Maggie dinner, but she said she was too busy to eat and that her meeting was bad. Zoey walks into Maggie's office and asks how the meeting went, and Maggie tells her it was bad. She says that Roger hated everything she said and did. Maggie expresses frustration at herself for playing it too safe and notes that for forty years, Mitch was the person off of whom she bounced all her ideas. Zoey offers for her mother to bounce ideas off her instead.

Later, Zoey and Maggie sit in the kitchen while Maggie explains that they can technically do whatever they want with the property since it is a spec house. Maggie says they need to focus on the overall concept and names a few possible themes. Zoey pulls out a book and explains that she wants to brush up on the themes, but Maggie insists that it's not just something she can study. Zoey points out a picture in the book and asks if they can do it, but Maggie informs her that it is of Versailles. As they continue, Jenna walks in and says she found a bunch of paints in the closet and started experimenting. Zoey tells Maggie she feels like she is not much of a help. She starts wondering if she should call Mo, but then Jenna sings "One Call Away," apparently eager to offer her help. Zoey stands up and interrupts the heart song. She says that Jenna should clearly help Maggie. While Jenna appears enthused, Maggie looks slightly overwhelmed.

Zoey walks into SPRQ Point, where Simon notices her and asks if her coffee drinks are getting bigger or if she is getting smaller. Zoey asks if she can tell Simon something that has been on her mind and tells him that her and Max have been hanging out a lot. Simon asks if they are together, and Zoey says she is not sure they discussed labels, but Simon says Max told him they were together. Zoey seems surprised and asks Simon why he didn't say anything. Simon says he thought she knew. Zoey asks Simon if he is okay with it, and Simon warmly says he is okay with anything that makes Zoey happy.

Meanwhile, a real estate agent shows Max around a desolate restaurant while Mo yells at Eddie on the phone in the background. The real estate agent notes that the space is a little rougher than some of the other ones they saw but also cheaper since the other tenants left early. Max examines a window and asks if it leads to a kitchen, and Mo snaps his fingers from afar and asks why they need a kitchen if they are not even cooking food. After Mo finally gets off the phone, Max asks him if everything is okay. Mo remarks that the place is soulless and looks like a crack house. Max excuses himself and walks over to Mo. When the real estate agent mentions that the building has a current liquor license, Max expresses interest, especially when the lady emphasizes how long it can take to get a new license. After consulting with Mo, they decide to rent the place, but not before Mo makes a host of sweeping suggestions for renovations.

Jenna opens the doors to Maggie's greenhouse, and Maggie double-checks if she is okay to help and says she doesn't want to take up too much of her time while she still has photo wall prep. Jenna says she doesn't need prep time since most of her art is improvisational. She asks Maggie to stand up and leads her through a few quick exercises to loosen up. Maggie interrupts Jenna and reminds her that she is a landscape architect, noting that she is not sure how any of Jenna's methods will help. Jenna explains that she wants to get Maggie in the right headspace. After helping Maggie free associate, she grabs her pad and starts drawing.

While sitting at her desk at SPRQ Point, Zoey finishes her coffee drink and drifts off into her dream once again. She sings "Nowhere To Run" and struggles to escape her empty parents' home just as before. She wakes up abruptly when George walks into her office and says her name. George informs her that he has officially turned the snack bar into an Egg Bar because he loves hard-boiled eggs. He gives her an egg and walks off.

At the Clarke home, while cooking, Max asks Zoey if she's sure Maggie wants to miss dinner since he is kind of famous for his tajines. Zoey says that Maggie apologizes and explains that she and Jenna were so in the zone that they wanted to keep it going over drinks. Max says that's good news, and Zoey says she hopes to bring up moving out after Maggie shows the architect hew new designs. Max asks Zoey if she has talked to Mo recently and explains his belligerent behavior with the restaurant. Noticing that Zoey has zoned out, Max says her name, and she says she feels like he should talk to Mo. Max explains that he was hoping to talk to Zoey about it first but then agrees. Max asks Zoey if she is still having the dream. Zoey confirms this and then explains that Simon says it is pretty normal after a parent dies. Surprised by this, Max asks if Zoey and Simon talk about that kind of stuff at work. Zoey pauses, eyebrows furrowed slightly, and notes that Max and Simon also talk about stuff. Max asks if she means because he told Simon they were together and reminds Zoey that they're friends. Zoey silently stares at Max with an unintelligible expression on her face. After she blinks noticeably, Max asks if he sang to her. Zoey dodges the question while Max tries to pry information from her. Max says that that's not fair and says people can have a lot of thoughts without meaning them, imploring Zoey not to read into the song. Zoey insists that she is not reading into it and that it's fine, but Max yells that it's not fine because Zoey has a secret window into his brain. As Zoey continues to evade opening up, Max says he is going to get some fresh air and leaves abruptly.

At SPRQ Point the next day, Mackenzie comes into Zoey's office and asks a very tired Zoey if she has seen the softball jerseys yet. Mackenzie shows Zoey the jerseys, which say "Brogrammers" on them and have a logo with a baseball bat in an unfortunate place. Tobin comes into the office and asks if Mackenzie is complaining about the jerseys, staunchly defending them. Zoey insists that the name is not inclusive and the logo is problematic. Tobin and Mackenzie continue arguing while Zoey asks them to calm down. George enters the office and says they have a problem, noting that they Egg Bar is starting to smell. After Tobin, Mackenzie, and George start talking over each other, Zoey interrupts and tells George to get rid of the eggs, Tobin to get rid of the jerseys, and everyone to leave her alone, sending them all out of her office.

At the estate, Maggie tells Roger that he was right and explains that though her first design was fine, the newer one is much better. Maggie describes her new design, a modern enchanted forest that is very full, lush, and wild and full of overgrown flowers and topiaries. Roger marvels at the design. Maggie says she knows that it is not a typical Mitch and Maggie design but says that it is 100% her. Roger says the design is totally perfect and compliments Maggie on a job well done. Maggie smiles with pride and says thank you.

Back at SPRQ Point, Zoey seems to have drunk 3 shots of espresso and is also munching on some dark chocolate-covered coffee beans in her office. In the bullpen, the Brogrammers mess around, which leads to George hitting a baseball through the window of Zoey's office, shattering a hole in the glass. Zoey perturbedly storms into the bullpen and asks what is going on. Tobin passive-aggressively says that they guys wanted to try out the jerseys since they won't get to wear them for real. Zoey confronts Leif and asks him why he is letting the coders screw around like this. Leif tries justifying his actions by saying that he thought it was healthy to let them play for five minutes and notes that they called him "Coach." Zoey says she doesn't care and inadvertently walks backward into the cardboard boxes for the jerseys. She turns around and kicks them angrily as she yells that she told Tobin to send the jerseys back. The Brogrammers look on in fear as Zoey yells at them, grabs the jerseys off of Mackenzie's desk and throws them angrily into a box. When she holds the box out in front of her, the bottom opens, and the jerseys fall out. Tobin says he'll take care of it, and the Brogrammers start singing "It's The Hard-Knock Life" as they take their jerseys off annoyedly. After the song, Tobin presents the sealed box of jerseys to Zoey and says you're welcome. Right as Zoey steps into her office, the rest of the glass from the window completely shatters and falls apart. Zoey sighs exasperatedly.

Later, Zoey slowly and exhaustedly walks into her mother's greenhouse while Maggie works. She hugs Maggie and says she has to pass on doing the puzzle tonight since she is so groggy. Maggie explains that she also has to pass since she has a lot of work to do thanks to Roger loving her new design. Zoey praises Maggie and notes that it seems Jenna helped. Zoey grabs a small ship from the table as Maggie explains that Jenna helped her realize she could find a path without Mitch. Maggie notes Zoey's exhaustion and asks if there is anything she can do. Zoey brings up the topic of moving back to her place but insists that she doesn't want Maggie to feel abandoned. Maggie promises she won't and says they probably had Zoey stay a little longer than they should have. Zoey agrees and notes that she is not a kid anymore, though Maggie says it has been special to spend time with her. Zoey leaves Maggie to do her work but asks if she can take Mitch's ship with her. After Maggie agrees, Zoey walks away sadly.

In the morning, David and Emily are lying on the couch together in Maggie's living room, Emily resting her head on David's shoulder. He prefaces his statement by asking her not to take it the wrong way and then says he is not sure if he can handle Jenna much longer. Emily agrees, and David says that the photo wall idea has taken her to another level. As they discuss how they can drop hints for Jenna to leave, Jenna walks in with Maggie and announces that the latter asked her to work on the house with her. Maggie explains to a surprised David and Emily that Jenna has been so helpful and that she has a great eye. Jenna insists that she does not want to overstay her welcome, but David and Emily reluctantly agree though they do not seem enthused.

Zoey is asleep on the couch at her apartment. Max comes and sits next to her with a piece of cake we made as a peace offering after their earlier fight. Zoey wakes up abruptly and thanks Max for the cake. He asks her if she's good and says he is pretty excited they have a place to theirselves. Zoey agrees and remarks that moving back to her apartment was the right move. She says she hopes she'll get some good sleep that night. Zoey leans her head on Max's shoulder, and he lightly kisses her forehead. Max turns on the TV as Zoey drifts off to sleep on his shoulder.

Once again, Zoey wakes up in her dream, though this time she is trapped inside her apartment instead of in her parents' house. She continues to sing "Nowhere To Run," eventually opening the door of her apartment to see herself on the other side, wearing the same dress she wore when she danced to "True Colors" with Mitch on the night of his death. Zoey abruptly awakens with a gasp, and Max worriedly asks her if she is okay. Zoey wordlessly walks over to her apartment door and opens it, finding the hallway empty. As Max continues to ask if she is okay, Zoey slams the door and admits that she is not. She tells Max that she is still having the bad dreams, but when he asks if she wants to talk about it, she exasperatedly says she wants them to magically go away. Breathing heavily, Zoey says she is going to get ready for bed. Max stands silently, unsure what to say.

Simon walks into SPRQ Point and sees Zoey sitting by herself on one of the swings. He asks her if she slept there last night, but Zoey says she laid awake at home making apology friendship bracelets for all the programmers. Simon asks if she is still having the bad dreams, sitting on a swing next to her. Zoey says yes but admits she is not sure if the dreams or being unable to open up to Max about them is worse. Zoey says Max hasn't lived through this, and Simon says he knows. Zoey says she thought she would feel better by now after trying to reduce stress and moving back to her place, but no matter what she does she can't stop having the dreams. She explains that in her dream the night before, she finally made it out the door but she couldn't escape because there was another her blocking the exit. Simon remarks that she literally couldn't get out of her own way, and Zoey says it sounds so obvious when he says it. Simon gently reminds her that her dad just died and looking for any other reason why the dreams are happening or trying to make them stop is crazy. Zoey says Simon is very comforting, and he quips that they are part of the same sad club now. He reassures her that talking to him isn't nothing and that moving back to her place is a good step forward. Simon tells Zoey that the more she can do for herself right now, the better. He holds his hands out, and she takes them.

Back at her apartment, Max washes dishes and tells Zoey about Mo and Eddie's breakup while she sits nearby and plays with Mitch's ship. Zoey murmurs absentmindedly. Max looks over to see Zoey enthralled by the ship and asks if she is even listening to him. Zoey says she is, and Max asks why every conversation lately seems like him struggling for her attention. He asks if it's him, work, or her dad and mentions that it doesn't make him feel very good. Zoey abruptly stands up and says she is sorry it's making him feel bad. Zoey struggles to continue her thoughts though Max implores her. Zoey gives up and says she has a lot of work to finish, and then she walks off. Max stands in disbelief before beginning to sing "Say Something." Throughout the song, Zoey averts her gaze from him and stares intently at her computer. When the song ends, Zoey asks Max if she can say something, and he says sure. Zoey starts explaining that she knows he wants to know what is going on with her, but she is feeling a hundred things at once. She says they both thought her moving back was going to make the bad dreams go away, but it didn't. Zoey says that she doesn't feel right right now and there is nobody to blame but also no way to fix it. Max sighs and asks if she thinks they rushed into their relationship. He admits he might have pushed her when he knew it was probably too soon after her dad, but he wanted to be with her so badly that he was willing to go for it. Zoey says she wanted to go for it too, but she is barely ever present and it's not fair to him. She says maybe she does need more time, and Max says they should put things on pause for a bit. Zoey nods, and Max pulls her into a hug. He says if they both force their relationship before she is ready, they'll destroy it. When they pull apart, Zoey and Max are locked into a long stare. Zoey asks what now, and Max shakes his head unsurely.

## Cast

### Starring

* **Jane Levy** as Zoey Clarke
* **Skylar Astin** as Max Richman
* **Alex Newell** as Mo
* **John Clarence Stewart** as Simon Haynes
* **Mary Steenburgen** as Maggie Clarke
* **Michael Thomas Grant** as Leif Donnelly
* **Kapil Talwalkar** as Tobin Batra
* **Andrew Leeds** as David Clarke
* **Alice Lee** as Emily Kang

### Guest Starring

* **Jee Young Han** as Jenna Kang
* **Harvey Guillén** as George

### Co-Starring

* **Morgan Taylor Campbell** as Mackenzie
* **Rob Stewart** as Roger
* **Amanda Lisman** as Gina
* **Melanie Hidalgo-Cruz** as Yasmeen

## Trivia

* Max's hidden song to Zoey in the kitchen marks the first time in the series in which the audience has not been able to watch one of the heart songs Zoey sees.

## Gallery

* Pictures
* Videos

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Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist 2x03 Promo "Zoey's Extraordinary Dreams" (HD) Jane Levy series
## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/samantharobot/status/1351750038771306499?s=21