Zoey's Extraordinary Memory

**Zoey's Extraordinary Memory** is the seventh episode of Season Two and nineteenth episode overall of *Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.* It aired on March 28, 2021, following a six week hiatus.

## Episode Summary

Zoey's effort to recreate a cherished memory with Mitch is thwarted by Leif. Max and Mo have their big restaurant opening.

## Plot

While at a stargazing spot with her father, a young Zoey carves her name on a rock with a knife. She helps Mitch spread out a blanket, and they drink orange soda and eat PB&J sandwiches. As they watch the meteor shower, Zoey looks up at her dad and asks why he's looking at her and not at the stars. Mitch replies that seeing her have the moment is the moment for him.

In the present, Zoey lays in bed and looks at an article on her computer entitled “Leodons Meteor Shower Visible Outside San Francisco For First Time Since 1999.” She looks over at a photo of her father on her bedside table and shuts the laptop.

At the Clarke home, David rinses out a baby bottle while talking to Miles about legalese. Zoey walks in and says hi to Miles, and David asks what she's doing there. Zoey says she's picking up Mitch's old telescope and explains that she wants to go see the Leodons meteor shower in honor of the time she and Mitch saw it together 20 years ago. She asks David if he wants to come, but David says he is busy. Zoey resignedly says it's fine and that she'll just go recreate the memory by herself. David suggests that she find a friend to go with, but Zoey says she feels like she's been relying too heavily on her friends. David says he gets it and that he's going a bit stir-crazy.

They hear knocking at the door, and Aiden walks into the kitchen and asks Zoey if she wants to watch his band practice later. David not-so-subtly mentions that he used to be in a band, and Aiden points out David's disheveled appearance in response. David walks out of the room to fix his shirt, and Aiden repeats his invitation. Zoey says she can't because of work. When she hears music playing, Zoey walks into the other room to see David spiritedly singing "Drift Away." After the song ends, they walk back into the kitchen, and Zoey proposes that David come by to check out the band. Aiden agrees and tells David to come by any time.

In the midst of MaxiMo being set up, Max walks around frantically and worries about all the things they still have to figure out before their opening. Mo lights a drink on fire with a blowtorch when a man walks into the restaurant looking for Max. Mo repeatedly flirts with the man, but he maintains a no-nonsense focus on fire safety at the restaurant. The man says he's the fire marshal and blows out the drink. Mo protests that the drink was his Mo-lotov cocktail and says it's a pun because his name is Mo and it was on fire. The fire marshal deadpans that he understands how puns work and maintains that the drink is a code violation. He gestures at the drapes hanging from the ceiling and asks if they are chenille. Mo says yes and thanks him for noticing, but the fire marshal notes that they are also a violation. Right as the fire marshal says that the only thing more reckless from a fire safety standpoint would be a bunch of indoor tiki torches, Max emerges from the kitchen holding just that, and Mo laughs and gestures for Max to go back into the kitchen. Mo asks for the fire marshal's name, and he introduces himself as Fire Marshal Haskins. Mo proposes that they start upstairs.

Zoey walks by Simon's office and sees him on the phone. Simon motions for her to come in. After he finishes his phone call, Zoey notes that he seems busy. Simon mentions that due to a lack of Black executives, every media outlet suddenly wants to talk to him. Zoey mentions the meteor shower to Simon, but he explains that Tatiana asked him to do a panel on activism and technology. Zoey turns to leave but first asks if he is going to wear those pants. Simon says he was going to and asks why, and Zoey teasingly says she's not sure they're fancy enough for a fancy-pants event. Simon chuckles and asks if they can hang out at Max and Mo's opening, and Zoey says yes. Simon coyly asks if his regular pants are good for that, and Zoey stammers out a response. Simon levels Zoey with a flirtatious look, and Zoey looks down nervously and walks away.

While looking at the food bar, which is stocked with a variety of rices from different worldly cuisines, Zoey mentions that SPRQ Point must be feeling guilty. She asks Mackenzie if she would like to come with her to see the meteor shower, mentioning that she saw her screensaver of *Apollo 13.* Mackenzie clarifies that she just likes Kevin Bacon but says since Zoey's her boss, she'll go. Zoey says she can just go by herself, but Leif walks up to her and excitedly asks if she is talking about the Leodons. Zoey says maybe, and Leif says he’ll come. Tobin reminds Leif that they have their axe-throwing team to worry about, and Zoey encourages them to do that. Leif insists that he's been waiting to see the meteors for years, and Tobin resignedly agrees to go. When Tobin asks who's driving, Zoey seems surprised and slightly annoyed that they want to come, but resigns to the fact that they are her only option.

Zoey drives her car with her father’s telescope in the passenger’s seat and Leif and Tobin in the backseat. Leif picks through the PB&J sandwiches and orange soda in Zoey’s picnic basket and sarcastically asks if it’s a picnic for a five-year-old. Zoey dismissively says she has very immature tastes. Spooked, Tobin asks where they’re going. Leif holds up his phone and tries giving Zoey directions, but she insists that they are going to where she wants to go. Leif’s phone buzzes with a call from someone named Kaia, and Tobin encourages him to pick it up, but Leif coldly says she can leave a message. Zoey derisively says now she knows what hell feels like. Leif and Tobin continue to irritate Zoey for the rest of the car ride.

With Miles slung over his chest, David walks in on the band practicing in Aiden's garage. Aiden invites him in and introduces him to the band, and David asks if anyone is on keyboards. Aiden says that the keyboard was his dad’s and he just messes around with it sometimes. David casually runs his fingers over the keyboard in a smooth melody. Aiden tells him he’s welcome to come jam with them if he wants, and David suggests they start now. The band starts playing, but David notes that his chest just got warm and leaves to change Miles. As he walks out the door, he excitedly whispers to Miles that he's going to be in the band.

At MaxiMo, Max addresses the waitstaff. After he finishes, Max walks over to Mo and Perry and remarks that the inspection is really thorough. While Perry explains, Mo looks annoyed. Perry points out several code violations, all of which exasperate Mo. Perry also says they have to eliminate three tables to allow egress to the front door but says he can live with them on that platform. Max agrees that Perry’s right about safety being first but sheepishly asks if they can negotiate. Perry sarcastically tells Max to let him know when he finds a way to negotiate with fire. He says no permit until all the fixes have been made and hands Max a paper. After Perry leaves, Max turns back to Mo and says he told him they need to allow egress. Mo tells him to hush.

While Tobin and Zoey lay out a blanket, Leif complains about how old Zoey's telescope is. Zoey starts saying it was her dad’s but instead says it was a gift. Tobin asks how old the blanket is, and Zoey frustratedly asks them to stop complaining about everything. The men acquiesce, and Tobin goes up to the telescope and starts looking through it. Leif looks at his phone and sees a voicemail from Kaia. Tobin is initially unimpressed by the view but then exclaims that he thinks something is happening. Zoey tells him to let her look, but the beginnings of a heart song pull her attention. She turns around to see Leif dancing and singing “Tainted Love.” After a bit, Tobin yells Zoey’s name to tell her she’s missing out, breaking her out of the heart song. Zoey frantically pushes him aside and looks through the telescope, dismayed to see that clouds are blocking everything. Leif says his app says there’s not going to be visibility for the rest of the night, which upsets Zoey. In the background, Tobin says that was the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen, and Zoey blinks back tears and dejectedly eats a PB&J sandwich.

The next morning, Zoey opens her door to see Mo holding up two dresses. Mo asks which he should wear, and Zoey answers unconfidently. Mo walks into the apartment and starts ranting about how many code violations the fire marshal found the day before. Zoey gives a halfhearted reply, and Mo pointedly tells her to act like she cares. Zoey apologizes and explains that she went to see the meteor shower the night before with Leif and Tobin and Leif sang a heart song that made her miss the entire thing. Mo asks why this is such a big deal, and Zoey says it doesn’t matter. Mo asks what song it was, and Zoey says it was something about love, but either way, she has to follow up and help Leif. Mo asks Zoey whether she can watch a recording of the meteor shower. Zoey says the whole thing is visible again tonight, but tonight is all about his restaurant, and Danny Michael Davis can’t make it, so he’s sending her a speech to read to them. Mo says they can find somebody else to read it if she really wants to go. Zoey exclaims that that’s true and exclaims happily.

At SPRQ Point, Leif is looking at an article about the Leodons when Zoey walks up to him and asks how he’s doing. Leif dejectedly mourns missing the meteor shower and being cut from the axe-throwing team by Master Hansel. Zoey tells Leif she noticed he seemed pretty distracted by Kaia calling him, and Leif nods to the side for Zoey to walk with him. As they walk to the food bar, Leif tells Zoey that after Joan, he had a really hard time putting himself out there. He explains that he met Kaia online, and they texted for two months before deciding to meet in real life. Leif says they decided to go to Marlowe B’s, a molecular gastronomy restaurant, and while they waited for their table, Kaia got a text and said she had to go because her grandma had a stroke and died. Zoey says that’s terrible, but Leif insists that she just made up an excuse and bailed. Zoey notes that Kaia called again, which means the universe is giving him another shot with her. Leif asks why Zoey is being so nice to him, and she says people have been bending over backwards to be nice to her the past few months, and it’s her turn to return the favor. She urges Leif to call Kaia and make plans to meet her at MaxiMo.

Outside MaxiMo, a throng of people are gathered, mingling while they wait for the restaurant to open. Inside, Mo walks into the kitchen and urgently asks Perry if he'll hurry up and sign the permit, pointing out that they have people waiting outside. Perry insists that he's doing Mo a service and walks away.

Zoey walks up to MaxiMo and overhears two hipsters complaining about the wait. She urges them to wait and tells them she'll go find out what's causing the holdup. After Zoey walks into MaxiMo, she looks around the restaurant and smiles. She sees Max rushing down the stairs and asks what time he thinks they'll open, but Max continues rushing around and says he has no idea. Mo emerges from the kitchen holding the fire permit, and the waitstaff cheers. Max, Mo, and the waitstaff start singing "Let's Get Loud", and patrons flood into the restaurant and join in while Zoey takes in the scene. After the song finishes, Zoey watches the restaurant kick into gear and smiles.

As deliveries come in to the restaurant, the servers bustle around, plating the meals and delivering them to their tables. Zoey sits at the bar and looks at a countdown to the meteor shower on her phone and then over at Leif on his date. Max walks up to her, and Zoey expresses excitement for the restaurant. Max asks if she ordered a meal that needs to be assembled in a laboratory, and Zoey clarifies that she's helping Leif recreate a date. Max pointedly says that the meal came with an instruction manual and asks if Zoey wants their opening night to be their last. Zoey apologizes and goes off to assemble the meal herself. Max looks extremely stressed, and when someone says his name, he reluctantly turns around. However, he is surprised to see Rosanna Williams, whom he attended camp with as a kid. She clarifies that she goes by Rose now, and Max asks what she's doing there, mentioning that he thought she lived in New York. Rose coyly asks if he's been keeping tabs, and Max clarifies that Instagram keeps tabs. Rose says that she saw his post about the opening and decided to stop by since she is in town for work. Max asks if that means she's keeping tabs too, and Rose says she prefers the term stalking. Mo yells for Max to come meet the grand dame of the San Francisco drag scene, Ivana Prenup. Rose notes that Max is busy and tells him to come say hi when he has a chance. Max says he will and looks after her as she walks off.

David awkwardly walks into Aiden's garage and asks if it's a good time for a jam session. Aiden agrees and asks if there's anything he wants to play, and David says he can play lots of stuff. Aiden suggests they play "Watermelon Sugar", and the band starts playing. David struggles to keep up at first but gets the hang of the chords after a bit. After the song ends, David exclaims happily, and Aiden tells him that rocked. David asks if that means he's in, and the band members all look at each other awkwardly. David says that he thought this was an audition, and the band members say that they're a trio and point out that David is older and a dad. Crushed, David awkwardly leaves.

Mo pins a flower to Zoey's blazer and asks why she's still at the restaurant and not stargazing. Mo points out Leif and Kaia and says they're doing alright and encourages Zoey to go and text him Danny's speech so someone else can read it. Zoey starts walking out, but Leif stops her at the door and excitedly says that Kaia's grandma actually died. Zoey says wonderful and that she's going to go, but Leif asks if she can do a drive-by and see what Kaia thinks of him. Zoey hesitates as she looks up at the sky and her phone, but she agrees.

Zoey walks up to the table and asks Kaia how her meal is tasting. Kaia says it's amazing, and Zoey subtly mentions that she and Leif are a cute couple. Kaia insists that she's just networking and that he isn't her type. Zoey asks if she's not into him at all, and Kaia says that he works at SPRQ Point and they have a new diversity initiative, so she's taking advantage. Believing Zoey to be a waitress, Kaia asks if she can get a refill on her cosmopolitan, and Zoey exasperatedly picks up the glass and walks away before Leif returns to the table.

Zoey sits at the bar and rests her chin on her hand, lamenting that she just wanted to recreate her memory with her father, but she can't leave Leif like this. She turns to Ivana Prenup, who is sitting next to her, and apologizes for being a burden. Tobin and Mackenzie walk up to the bar, and Tobin says he came by to see how Leif was doing on his date and to get some of the discounted food Max promised them. Mackenzie asks what drink she can buy Tobin, and Tobin asks if she's trying to get him drunk. Mackenzie says she's trying to get herself drunk but hates doing it alone. After Mackenzie walks away, Tobin raises his eyebrows and asks Zoey if she saw that. Noticing her downtrodden demeanor, Tobin asks Zoey what's wrong. Zoey says Leif's date isn't going well and tells Tobin that Kaia's just networking. Tobin worries about Leif, mentioning that it took him a month to get back on solids after Joan dumped him. Tobin says he has to warn Leif, but Zoey says it's her fault and heads to Leif's table.

Zoey sits down with Leif, and he asks her to tell him everything Kaia said. Zoey blurts out that Kaia's not into him and that she's just looking for a job. Taken aback, Leif notes that Zoey was the one who told him to go out with her again. Zoey says she's really sorry and that Leif is a great guy who doesn't deserve to get hurt again. Leif accusingly asks Zoey why she is trying to hurt him. He stands up and walks away, and Zoey looks dejected.

Max walks up to Rose's table and greets her and her friends. Rose introduces Max to her colleagues, one of whom compliments the murals. Rose explains to her coworkers that she and Max went to camp together and that he was her first kiss ever. Max clarifies that it was only in a skit about water safety, but Rose insists that it still counts and that she tried to drown herself during color war so he'd give her mouth-to-mouth again. A waiter comes by to collect the payment for their meal, and Max says that it's on the house. Rose thanks him, and Max says that it's camp pride and tentatively wishes her a good trip back. Rose explains that she's actually in town for a couple of months for work, and she and Max agree to make plans to hang out.

While standing on the mezzanine, Zoey watches the timer on her phone tick down from ten seconds. Simon walks up to Zoey and greets her, flirtatiously remarking that he left an event to come see her and that she looks amazing. Zoey laughs and asks if he's tipsy, and Simon says yes but also doubles down on what he said. Mo approaches and compliments Simon's appearance, and Simon mentions that Zoey asked him to dress nice and asks how he did. Zoey coyly says she's not mad at it, which Mo takes notice of. He asks why she's still there, and Zoey says she missed her window. Max walks up to the group and tells Mo he thinks now's a good time to speak to everybody. Simon tells them to take a moment and acknowledge what they've done and says he's proud of them. Mo says Simon is drunk and he loves it, and the group laughs. Max

Max taps his glass and asks for everyone's attention. He says they wanted to make a quick toast to everyone who contributed to the opening. Mo adds that they wanted to create a space that celebrated inclusivity and thanks everyone for being there. Cheers and applause ring out from below. Max thanks Zoey for helping them form their partnership and get Danny Michael Davis as an investor. Kaia turns to Leif asks if Zoey works at SPRQ Point, and Leif says she's his boss. Kaia says he has to introduce her, and Leif looks disappointed. Mo turns to Zoey and asks if Danny sent her his speech. Zoey says that it just came in on her phone and starts reading the speech. As she reads, Zoey notes that there is a lot of celestial language in the speech. When she reads that Danny is watching the Leodons, her demeanor slowly shifts until she finishes the speech blinking back tears. Zoey apologizes for getting worked up and congratulates Max and Mo before rushing away.

Outside MaxiMo, Zoey dejectedly looks up at the sky while blinking back tears. Mo and Max walk out after her, and Mo asks if she's okay. Zoey insists that it's their night and she didn't want any attention on her, and Max asks what happened. Zoey explains that the meteor shower meant a lot to her because she saw it with her dad. Mo asks why she didn't say anything, and Zoey says she didn't want to be a burden. Max reassures Zoey that she can come to them anytime about anything and that they're there for her. He suggests that they go look at the meteors, but Zoey says it's their night and explains that they missed the meteors anyway. Max acknowledges that they can't recreate that memory but notes that there are still stars in the sky and proposes that they go make a new memory. Mo encourages them to go, and Zoey smiles. Max wraps his arm around Zoey's shoulder, and they walk back inside together.

Leif sits despondently in front of a wall painted "life is good" when Tobin and Mackenzie walk over and slump down on either side of him. Tobin asks if he's alright, and Leif says he's not and mentions that Kaia was just using him to get a job. Mackenzie says there are so many more important people than Leif she could've used. Tobin reassures Leif that dating is brutal and praises him for going for it. He also tells Leif that he agrees to try stargazing again. Leif prods Tobin to admit that he sees the appeal, and Tobin says he bought a telescope that morning.

David walks into Aiden's garage while the band is hanging out. Aiden greets him, and David says he thought about what they said and even though he's a dad, many famous rock stars are, too. David insists that he's a good keyboard player and says that when he shaves, he looks younger, adding on that he could get them some gigs. Finally swayed, the band agrees to let David join, and he reacts excitedly. Aiden says they'll do a trial period, and David says that's cool and that he'll see them at practice.

While Zoey drives, Leif sits in the passenger seat holding her telescope while Simon and Max sit in the backseat. Max receives a message from Rose with a picture of him from their camp days, and he chuckles. Zoey glances over at Leif and says she's sorry about his date. Leif says it's okay and that he's just mad he spent all that money and is still hungry. Max sarcastically says he's so glad it came in forty-five different containers, and Simon offers Leif a PB&J from Zoey's picnic basket, which he accepts. "Give A Little Bit" starts playing on the radio, and Zoey remarks that her dad loved that song. Max jokingly grumbles about Zoey bringing up her dad again, and Simon quips that his dead dad loved music too. The group laugh and sing along to the radio, and Zoey smiles.

Back at MaxiMo, Mo tells some departing patrons that they're always welcome. Perry walks in, and Mo asks why he's there and pleads for him to not take away their permit. Perry says he stopped by to see how their opening night went. He then pulls out a statue of Saint Florian, patron saint of firefighters, out of his jacket and gives it to Mo. He tells Mo that the statue will watch over him and protect his business from harm. Mo thanks him, and they exchange looks.

Zoey runs her hand over the rock where she carved her name as a child and smiles. She walks over to her friends, who spread out the picnic blanket and all sit down together. They grab orange soda and sandwiches from the picnic basket while Leif sets up the telescope. Leif looks into the telescope and tells Zoey to check it out. Zoey looks off to the side wistfully, and Simon asks what she's waiting for. Zoey says she's good and that seeing them have the moment is the moment for her.

## 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 (credit only)
* **Michael Thomas Grant** as Leif Donnelly
* **Kapil Talwalkar** as Tobin Batra
* **Andrew Leeds** as David Clarke
* **Alice Lee** as Emily Kang (credit only)

### Guest Starring

* **Morgan Taylor Campbell** as Mackenzie
* **Katie Findlay** as Rose Williams
* **Jacky Lai** as Kaia
* **Felix Mallard** as Aiden
* **David St. Louis** as Perry Haskins

### Co-Starring

* **Alyssa Biller** as Alyssa
* **Kai Alan Chiu-Sheffer** as Miles
* **Jaylee Hamidi** as Hipster #1
* **Nathan Houle** as Mitch Acting Double
* **Scarlett Jando** as Little Zoey
* **Andres Joseph** as Karan
* **Robert Kaiser** as Ivana Prenup
* **Jeremy Lacombe** as MaxiMo Bartender #1
* **Jonny Kolotylo** as MaxiMo Bartender #2
* **Jacob Machin** as Hipster #2
* **Ildiko Susany** as Ildiko
* **Levi Wall** as Brock

## Gallery

* Pictures
* Videos

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Zoey Is Moving to a New Night - Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

## Trivia

* After having the first six episodes of Season Two air on Tuesdays at 8/7c, the show moved to the 9/8c time slot on Sundays.

## References

1. ↑ https://tvline.com/2021/02/04/zoeys-extraordinary-playlist-season-2-return-date-moving-sundays/