Zoey's Extraordinary Employee

**Zoey's Extraordinary Employee** is the fourth episode of Season 2 and the sixteenth episode overall of NBC's musical dramedy *Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist*. It aired on January 26, 2021.

## Episode Summary

Zoey tries to "choose happiness" but finds it is easier said than done. David re-evaluates his priorities. Mo and Max face their first real challenge as business partners.

## Plot

Mo brings a tray of Mo-hitos that he designed for the cocktail menu at the restaurant to the Clarke family, who are seated in Maggie's living room. Zoey declines hers, noting that she has just started sleeping again. David says whatever will get her over the breakup with Max, to which Zoey maintains that it was a pause, not a breakup. Emily insists that Zoey is single and reminds everyone that she is Team Simon. Mo gives the family the green light to try his drinks. They all take sips and remark that the drink tastes heavily of alcohol except Jenna, who gulps down her entire drink and then reaches for another. Mo walks back into the kitchen while David mentions that he and Emily should get going so he can work on his opening arguments. Zoey asks if he is going to trial, and David downplays the trial while Emily emphasizes that if he wins, it'll be his hundredth. Zoey and Maggie seem eager to watch, while David seems more unsure.

Zoey walks into the kitchen, where Mo thinks over other possible cocktails, including a Mo-Tai, a Mo-tini, and a Le-Mo-n Drop. Zoey asks if every cocktail has to be a pun on his name, and Mo replies that it is brand awareness. Zoey wonders how Mo can be so upbeat after the family heavily rebuked his drinks. Mo says that unlike some people, he doesn't want to wallow. Zoey asks him to explain how and wonders if Mo says it out loud. Mo explains that he wakes up every morning choosing to be happy. Zoey says she wishes it was that easy, and Mo insists that it is if one consciously allows happiness in. Zoey resolves that it is a choice and says that from this point forward, she chooses to be happy.

The next morning, Zoey walks into SPRQ Point with an upbeat, animated attitude, greeting people happily as she walks through the lobby. She joins George on the elevator, who greets her before sighing loudly. Zoey asks if everything is okay, and George mentions that it is his abuela's birthday. Zoey wishes her a happy birthday, but George clarifies that she died a while ago after a long battle with cancer. As they exit the elevator, Zoey tells him to have a great day for his abuela. Simon rushes to catch up with Zoey and asks if he can talk to her. He mentions that he has his first interview that day as company spokesperson with Tatiana Morris. Zoey remarks that Tatiana, a reporter from *Wired,* is really good, and Simon says that she is known for asking tough questions and that he's already sweated through two shirts thinking about it. Zoey awkwardly replies that nobody is more charming than Simon and that he'll do great, and he smiles.

Zoey walks into her office to find Leif sitting in her chair. He tells her she might want to sit down, and she wonders how she can do that if he's in her chair. Leif relinquishes the chair, and Zoey takes her seat. He informs her that she has to fire 10% of the fourth floor by the end of the day due to budget cuts. Zoey denies having heard anything about layoffs and notes that Pam from Business Affairs usually gives her a heads up. Zoey insists that she is in charge and that today is a happy day. Suddenly, her phone dings with a text. Leif asks if the message is from Pam, and Zoey confirms that it is.

Glancing over the fourth floor with Leif, Zoey remarks that having to fire one of the coders is the worst. Leif suggests firing Yasmeen, insisting that she doesn't pull her weight and has an attitude problem. Leif protests that she can't fire him or others who contribute greatly. Tobin walks up to Zoey and compliments her outfit, and Zoey deadpans that that didn't sound calculated at all. Tobin continues to bother Zoey, and she taunts him on whether or not he will be fired. Leif asks Zoey what she'll do, and she clarifies that for other departments she'll talk to managers. For the coders, Zoey wonders if they can measure job performance, and Leif says he'll get Yasmeen on it and that he'll miss her. Zoey tells Tobin to stop looking at her and go away.

Outside the estate, Maggie and Roger walk together as she explains her plan for the flowers and topiary in the garden. Roger says it sounds cool and asks Maggie if they have a good topiary guy, to which Maggie replies that she is the topiary guy. Maggie explains that she is a one-stop shop, and Roger says he is impressed and flirts with Maggie. Jenna eyes the two from afar, and after Roger walks away, she walks up to Maggie and comments on Roger's flirting. Maggie seems unconvinced that Roger was flirting and denies it, but Jenna insists that she has more recent experience.

At their restaurant, Mo mentions that they need a font with whimsy but not too much bravado for the menu. While working away at his desk, Max suggests Cambria, which Mo rejects immediately. Max maintains that he's more of a crunch-the-numbers-so-they-can-pay-their-rent kind of guy, to which Mo suggests that they unpack his poor mood and talk about him and Zoey. Max insists that it just wasn't the right time for him and Zoey and redirects his attention to his work. Mo notes how Max has buried his head in paperwork and asks what he is looking at, to which Max replies that they are old leases. Mo rifles through the papers and notes that the place has changed owners multiple times during the last few years. He insists that the location is cursed and that they need to have a cleanse, which exasperates Max.

While sitting in the courthouse, Maggie and Jenna continue discussing Maggie's interaction with Roger. Zoey walks in and asks Emily, who is cradling Miles, if she is late, to which Emily replies that the trial is about to start. Zoey asks Emily if she has ever fired someone, and Emily wistfully replies yes. Zoey asks for advice, and Emily tells her to be direct. At the front of the courtroom, the judge tells David he can begin. David begins his opening arguments but starts stumbling over his words. After a pause, he starts to sing "I Want To Break Free" restlessly. The judge tries to get David's attention, but he is pulled away again by the sound of Miles whimpering. David turns to look at his son and starts singing again. When the song stops once more, Emily nods at David, and the judge once again tries to get his attention. However, David sings once more. Finally, the judge asks if David needs a break, but he declines and begins delivering his arguments. Zoey looks on with concern.

Zoey approaches David as he sits on the steps outside the courthouse and hands him a cup of coffee. She remarks that it was fun to see him in action, but David insists that he has done better. Zoey remarks that it seemed like he wanted to get out of there, and David is surprised that she noticed. He tells Zoey he thinks he's unhappy and that the doesn't want to continue his job. David says that Mitch taught him that life is short and remarks that he would rather spend time with Miles. Zoey asks what's stopping him, and David says responsibility, guilt, and being scared to tell Emily. Zoey suggests that he talk to Emily and says that David deserves to be happy, which is what she is trying to do. David asks how that is going, and Zoey says she'll let him know after she fires half her workforce.

Maggie speaks in Italian on the phone, after which Roger asks if he heard her say 'starflower.' Maggie confirms this and says she thought they would look beautiful against the fence. Roger remarks that he sees them all the time in Big Sur, and Maggie notes that that is where she got the idea and that she has to go back there. Roger proposes that they go and take a drive down the coast in his Porsche and get dinner, and Maggie asks if he is asking her out. Roger shrugs, and Maggie reminds him that her husband just died. Roger says he lost his wife in a divorce, but Maggie insists that it is not really the same thing. Roger apologizes, but Maggie tells him to just forget it. They both laugh awkwardly before Roger walks away.

Back at SPRQ Point, Simon ends a phone call and walks outside his office to tell Tatiana he is sorry to keep her waiting. She says it's okay and that she was just beating her high score in a game where you get to be a shark and eat people. They sit down in Simon's office, and Simon mentions that it is his first interview as company spokesperson. Tatiana assures him she'll go easy on him to avoid ruining the sanctity of the first all-Black meeting at SPRQ Point. Simon insists that they've had a few of those and that SPRQ Point prides itself on its diversity, but Tatiana scoffs and replies that she saw so many white people in the lobby that she thought she had stumbled into a cooking class. Simon smiles, and they both laugh. Tatiana asks if he's ready and starts recording on her phone. She asks Simon how SPRQ Point is going to bounce back now that they're in obvious free fall, and Simon looks nervous.

Emily is playing with Miles when David walks in, and she asks how the rest of his day went. David sighs and says he wants to quit his job, and Emily asks if it went that badly. David clarifies that he means it and that he wants to stay home with Miles, especially with her going back to work soon. Emily seems taken aback and asks David if he doesn't want to go to work at all, and David says yes. Emily picks up Miles and asks where this is coming from. David says he's been thinking about it a lot since Mitch's death. He says life is short and he doesn't want to spend it doing something that doesn't make him happy anymore if it means missing out on time with Miles. Emily says she knows David has been through a lot lately but reminds him that they had a plan. David says her points are valid but asks if he can change his mind. Emily says yes but reminds David that his decision affects all of them. She asks if they can refrain from making any sudden changes right now and walks away, leaving an upset David alone.

At SPRQ Point, Zoey begins firing a series of employees, including Frank, an HR employee who broke his hip at the company volleyball tournament after getting the game-winning spike. After she fires a man who seems unfazed, Leif walks into Zoey's office. She asks if he has the productivity report and if he knows who she has to fire. Leif shows Zoey the productivity report on his tablet, which shows George performing significantly worse than the rest of the programmers. Zoey glances over at George unhappily, knowing what she has to do.

Later, Zoey sits at the Pudding Bar and speaks on the phone with David, who expresses resignation at Emily's reaction to him wanting to quit. He wonders if it is irresponsible to quit right now. As Zoey eats her pudding, she tells him that she can fire him if it helps since she's getting pretty good at it. Zoey hears music and looks over to see a jovial Simon singing "Juice." He pauses to tell Frank he's sorry about him getting fired and then continues his song before sitting down across from Zoey. She says she assumes the interview went well, and Simon excitedly raves about how well his conversation with Tatiana went. Zoey says she's glad it went well and that it's nice to have some happiness around the office. Simon says he heard about the layoffs and asks Zoey if she's doing okay. Zoey notes that she only has one person left to fire and looks over at George, who is serving himself some pudding. Zoey walks up to George and asks if she can see him in her office. He finishes pouring his pudding and says once second.

In her office, Zoey says George's name a few times and looks at him uneasily while pacing. She says what she's about to say might be difficult for him to hear, and George says that if he can deal with his abuela slowly dying for two years, he can deal with anything. Zoey sits down next to George and reminds him about SPRQ Point's budget cuts, to which George replies that he is aware and offers Zoey his whipped cream to use at the Pudding Bar. Zoey thanks him and says that after assessing the programers, she noticed his output was lacking. After beating around the bush, Zoey tells George she has to let him go. He stands up abruptly with hurt in his voice and says that SPRQ Point is like a second home to him and Zoey a sister. Zoey maintains that she can't let go of someone who is technically doing better than him, since that wouldn't be fair. George sadly nods and says that that makes sense. He explains that coding has never come easy to him but quietly says that it is okay.

At the restaurant, Mo holds burning sage above his head and asks the spirits to bless the restaurant with the success of Beyoncé. He waves the sage in the air and walks behind Max, who looks a little perturbed. Mo announces that this is a karaoke cleanse and that the songbook is officially open. Zoey walks into the restaurant and spots Max sitting at his desk, poring over his work. She walks up and greets him, almost saying that she hasn't seen them since their pause. She asks Max how he is, and he wryly notes that this is his office now and asks what she thinks. Zoey offers her place up for Max to work at, insisting that it wouldn't be weird before asking Max if they're going to be weird moving forward. Max says she's being weird right now, and Zoey excuses herself and walks away and walks up to Mo at the bar. He asks how she is, and she says that she is falling apart after having to fire George at work and is teetering in the edge of insanity. Zoey insists that choosing happiness is impossible, so she chooses drinking. She takes a sip from the Mo Tai on the bar and says it's great. Mo notes that the drink is very strong and tells her to pace herself. Zoey tells him to keep 'em coming and burps.

As Zoey drinks at the bar alone, Mo walks up to the stage and announces that since nobody has sang karaoke yet, he'll go first. Mo shushes everyone and calls Max up to perform his first number with him. Max looks surprised and not entirely comfortable with this request, returning his attention to his work. Mo persists and starts singing "Opposites Attract." When Max's part comes, Mo looks at him and holds the mic out in his direction, beckoning him up to the stage. However, Max stays at his desk. Eventually, Max reluctantly takes off his jacket and joins Mo in the duet onstage. Zoey dances from her seat at the bar. As Max and Mo continue singing in the background, Simon and Tatiana walk up to Zoey at the bar. Zoey says to Simon she guesses the interview went better than she thought, but Simon clarifies that Tatiana is his friend. Tatiana introduces herself and asks Zoey if she needs a drink to catch up to her, to which Zoey replies three before taking another sip of her drink. Simon starts explaining that Zoey had to fire people at work but adjusts the story, remembering Tatiana's presence. Tatiana tells them not to worry and that she is off the clock. She seems intrigued by Mo and asks who he is. After Max and Mo finish their duet, Max walks off in annoyance.

Mo walks up to Max and asks what his problem is. Max indignantly replies that the problem is the party, the noise, and the fact that he has been working his butt off while Mo has been drinking with his friends. Mo angrily insists that he is doing his part. Max retorts that it feels like he is the only one who actually cares about the restaurant and walks away angrily. Mo looks after him, upset, and then walks back inside.

At the Clarke home, Jenna walks in while Maggie is drinking wine on the couch, announcing that she finished all the succulent orders and is going to call it a day. They hear rock music playing from next door. Jenna asks what's going on, and Maggie groans in frustration and says that the neighbor's kid just moved back home and is starting a garage band. Jenna asks Maggie if she is okay, sitting next to her on the couch. Maggie explains that Roger asked her out and says she feels terrible and that she betrayed Mitch by flirting with Roger. She says it felt so nice to be desired by someone and to feel normal again. Jenna reassures Maggie that she doesn't have to beat herself up about it and that she deserves a little happiness. Maggie agrees but says she wishes it didn't come with massive amounts of guilt. Jenna says she's sure flirting with a hot architect is the worst thing Maggie has done, but Maggie insists that Jenna doesn't know her past. Jenna says not yet and pours herself a helping of wine, starting a game of "Never Have I Ever." She takes a drink after admitting to spending a night in jail, and Maggie also takes a sip. At Jenna's surprised expression, Maggie shrugs and says she was protesting, and she was naked. Jenna laughs.

Zoey drunkenly talks to Max and says it's not like she murdered George, unless anyone has ever died from words. Max says he's pretty close. Zoey apologizes and grabs his forearm with both hands, bowing her head in embarrassment. Max says he's sure George will bounce back, wryly commenting that after leaving SPRQ Point, he is now starting a business venture with someone whose main contribution so far has been summoning the Otherworld. Zoey says whatever Mo is doing is working because she's feeling devilish, and she slams Max's laptop screen. Max firmly reminds Zoey that she's drunk, and Zoey agrees and unbuttons the top button of her collared shirt flirtatiously. Zoey continues her drunken flirtation and starts grabbing at Max, who seems bothered by this. Mo rushes over and pulls Zoey away, telling her that it is time to go. Zoey drunkenly reaches at Max as Mo walks her out and also thanks Simon for coming and tells him he is handsome. Simon looks back at Max in bewilderment.

As Mo walks Zoey upstairs to her apartment, she admits that maybe choosing drinking wasn't the right way to go, yelling at one of the other apartment doors while Mo shushes her. Zoey turns off the hallway lights as she stumbles forward drunkenly, and Mo asks if she says that because she came onto Max and Simon or because she tipped the Uber driver $100. Zoey insists that the driver had cute water bottles and asks Mo if she was really that bad with Max and Simon. Mo says she was but insists that they'll forget about it as long as she doesn't do anything else stupid, like drunk dialing. Zoey says she promises, but Mo seems unconvinced. Zoey walks into her apartment and sits down on a bench next to the door, pulling her phone out of her purse and dialing a number with a hazy smile on her face. She starts whispering into the phone and laughs.

The next morning, Zoey walks into SPRQ Point wearing sunglasses, apparently hungover from her night of drinking The coders greet her as she walks through the bullpen, and she replies unenthusiastically, but is taken aback when George greets her. Zoey turns around and asks George what he's doing there, and he confusedly says she called him last night. Zoey asks about their conversation, and George says she said she just wants everyone to be happy and that they should forget the whole thing happened. George says that Zoey started breathing heavily, so he stayed on the line with her to make sure she didn't die on his watch. He asks Zoey if everything is okay, and she says she'll get back to him on that.

Zoey rushes into the bathroom while on the phone with Emily and asks for more advice. Emily tiredly says she was finally getting an hour of uninterrupted sleep, but it's all good. Zoey asks what to do when you accidentally fire a man and then rehire him. Emily remarks that that's never happened to her or most people, and Zoey clarifies that she did it but doesn't know how to undo it since George is so sweet and delicate. Emily tells her to think of it like she's doing him a favor and giving him the chance to find something that might make him happier. Zoey says she's right and remarks who wouldn't want to break free from a job if it isn't the right fit anymore. Emily gasps silently and contemplates a picture of herself with David.

With George seated in front of her in her office, Zoey steels herself and says that she is sorry about last night, but she thinks some things were misconstrued in their conversation. George asks if she's firing him again, and Zoey loudly says no but then clarifies that she is freeing him. George seems confused, but Zoey says that his job is confining him, and he deserves to work somewhere where he'll thrive. George interrupts Zoey and starts singing "Stronger" while defiantly packing up his belongings into a bin. When he finishes singing, he thanks Zoey for the opportunity and walks off. Zoey nods appreciatively.

Mo walks into the restaurant, sees Max at his desk working, and informs him that he is just there to return the karaoke machine to the rental place. Max says okay quietly. Mo sighs and asks how his business plan is coming, and Max says good now that he can take a look since the sage smoke has cleared. Mo walks up to Max and says he was going to give this to him when he was in a better mood, but since he doesn't know when that was going to happen, he hands Max a business card. Max asks what it is, and Mo says it is the number for Tatiana Morris, who would like to do a piece on him in *Wired.* Max seems surprised, and Mo explains that he chatted Tatiana up all about Max at the party last night. Max is incredulous, and Mo remarks that it could be some real national exposure if that fits with his business plan. Max says that's pretty amazing, and Mo murmurs his agreement with satisfaction. Max apologizes to Mo and clarifies that with everything that happened with Zoey and the restaurant, he thought Mo was blowing off his responsibilities. Mo insists that he cares about the place just as much as Max, but he just has a different process, and Max needs to respect that. Max says okay and nods. He asks how much longer Mo has on the karaoke machine, and Mo says another hour. They gleefully look through the songbook together.

Zoey rests her head on her hand in the meditation room at SPRQ Point. Simon walks in and says he didn't mean to interrupt, and Zoey clarifies that she is just in there for the dim light and illusion of calm, gesturing at her sunglasses. Zoey asks why Simon is in there, and he says similar reasons. Simon recalls how last time they were in there together, Zoey sand to him. Zoey tells him not to worry and that she's not in the mood. Simon laughs and says that firing people can do that to you. Zoey says she's been trying so hard to be happy, but the universe keeps throwing obstacles her way. Simon says life will do that to you, but you can feel all the emotions at the same time. He emphasizes that though Zoey has a massive hole in her heart that she can't fill, eventually that hole will scar over, and she can wear the scar like a badge of honor. Simon says their scars remind them of all the battles they fought and survived and tells Zoey to trust and allow the emotions to be there. Zoey smiles and quips that Simon should really think about becoming the company spokesperson. Simon laughs softly.

At the Clarke home, Maggie, Jenna, and Emily cheers and clink their glasses together. Zoey walks in, and Maggie asks how she feels about a lychee daiquiri, saying that Mo inspired her to try some of her own recipes. Jenna and Maggie joke about their drinking the night before, and Zoey looks slightly put off. David walks in and says he's sorry he's late and that he had a long day. Zoey asks if he lost, and David clarifies that he won his case handily. Maggie says that's great and that they should celebrate his hundredth win. However, a downtrodden David says maybe another time and that he is going to grab the baby so they can go home. Emily watches as David picks up Miles and holds him outside while looking at the moon, singing "I'll Stand By You" and approaching him slowly. After the song ends, Emily walks up to David and tells him he should quit since she is anxious to get back to work and he is unhappy. David asks what about the future, and Emily says they can still buy a house and figure out the rest of their plans as they go. David leans down and kisses Emily, and she leans on his shoulder as they gaze at the moon.

Back in the kitchen, Jenna tells a story about a sommelier pulling Maggie into a vat of grapes, and they laugh uproariously. The conversation is interrupted by loud music, and Maggie complains about the kid next door. Zoey remarks that she didn't know Aiden was home and asks what he's been up to. Maggie says she doesn't know and that she's going to go talk to him. Zoey insists that she will since she hasn't seen him in years, and she is happy to give him a smackdown and not hear any more of Maggie's story.

Zoey approaches the neighbors' garage as Aiden and his band play "Sex And Candy." Zoey strides up to the garage and sees him playing the guitar and singing, his long hair flopping over his face. Suddenly, a light shines on Zoey, and the band stops playing. Aiden puts his guitar down and approaches Zoey, brushing his hair out of his face. Zoey seems surprised by his appearance as he approaches her, smiling. Aiden remarks that Zoey grew up, and she says he did, too. He asks what she's doing there, and a flustered Zoey replies that they were making a lot of noise and starts rambling about David and his baby. Aiden says they can be done and asks if Zoey wants to come in and hang out. Zoey says she'd be happy too and smiles as she follows him into the garage.

## 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

* **Harvey Guillén** as George
* **Jee Young Han** as Jenna Kang
* **Felix Mallard** as Aiden

### Co-Starring

* **Jarrett Carlington** as Jarrett
* **Kai Alan Chiu-Sheffer** as Miles
* **Melanie Hidalgo-Cruz** as Yasmeen
* **Beta Chan** as Cass
* **Hunter Golden** as Grumpy Guy
* **Andres Joseph** as Karan
* **Thomas Miller** as Young Guy
* **Kane Nelson** as Kane
* **Patti Kim** as Judge
* **Billy Mustapha** as Billy
* **Golnas Nikbakht** as Lawyer
* **Robbie Segulam** as Frank
* **Elizabeth Weinstein** as Middle-Aged Woman
* **Brandon Nomura** as Client
* **Levi Wall** as Brock

## Gallery

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Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist 2x04 Promo "Zoey's Extraordinary Employee" (HD) Jane Levy series