Zoey's Extraordinary Return

**Zoey's Extraordinary Return** is the first episode of Season 2 and the thirteenth episode overall of NBC's musical dramedy *Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist*. It aired on January 5, 2021.

## Episode Summary

Zoey returns to the world after an extended time away and discovers that a lot has changed at work and in her personal life in her absence.

## Plot

Mo sings "Rise Up" to a sleeping Zoey, waking her up. Zoey tries interrupting, but Mo continues singing and opens the curtains, much to Zoey's chagrin. Mo remarks that it is Zoey's first day back at work and urges her to get up. Zoey tells herself she can do this and then asks for reassurance from Mo. Mo encourages Zoey and suggests she wear something bright and uplifting.

Downstairs, Mo informs Maggie that Zoey got out of bed and is getting dressed. Maggie wonders whether it is too soon for Zoey to return to work, but Mo remarks that it has been six weeks since Mitch's death. Maggie expresses concern because Zoey barely interacts with anyone, though she expresses appreciation for Simon and Max's efforts. David and Emily walk in with their crying newborn baby, Miles, and lament the difficulties of parenting. Zoey walks downstairs, and David marvels that she left her bedroom. Zoey cuddles with her nephew. Before Zoey leaves, Maggie pulls her aside and reassures her that everything will be fine.

As Zoey and Mo exit the Clarke home, Zoey mentions that she told Max she would meet up with him for coffee before work and that it's been a couple of weeks since he last stopped by. Mo asks for an update on Max, but Zoey says that avoidance has allowed her to not deal with anything. Mo then asks about Zoey's powers, and Zoey says she hasn't heard a single heart song since her dad died. Mo quips that he hopes Zoey's powers come back before he loses interest in her. He asks Zoey if she misses her powers, and Zoey says that she feels more normal without them.

Zoey and Max sit on a bench by the Golden Gate Bridge, and Max says he wanted to get her something for her first day back at work. When he pulls out a ring box, Zoey is startled, but Max tells her to relax and that he isn't proposing. Zoey opens the box, and Max explains that he got her a shield ring with a musical note on it to give her extra strength. They joke about the ring and its potential magic powers, and Zoey tells Max she loves it. She apologizes for not being available lately and says she needed time to process everything. Max asks if she came to any conclusions, and Zoey declares that life has no meaning. She asks about his time being unemployed, and Max claims to be working on big business concepts. Zoey admits that it's nice to be back in the world and that she can't hide forever. She and Max joke that the ring makes her invisible.

When Zoey walks into SPRQ Point and heads for the elevator, Simon sticks his hand in as the doors are closing and joins her. He marvels at Zoey's presence at work and jokes that he was going to call Missing Persons. Zoey admits that she should have returned more of his texts, but Simon assures her that she doesn't have to apologize and that he is glad she's back. Simon tells Zoey that he is here to help her through anything she needs. Zoey thanks him and says that she just wants to lay low. As they get off the elevator, the fourth floor receptionist starts singing "Hello, Dolly!" to Zoey, with Simon, Leif, Tobin, and the rest of the fourth floor joining in. Zoey watches, overwhelmed by the massive song and dance number.

After the song has ended, Zoey scans the office, noticing a number of dogs roaming the fourth floor, standing desks instead of normal desks, and a new programmer staring at her. The new programmer enthusiastically introduces himself as George and says he is the new Max. George laughs nervously and tries to comfort Zoey, saying that it was tragic what happened to Mitch and that if she needs anyone to talk to or yell at, he is there. Zoey says she might take him up on that and leaves to talk to Leif. Leif welcomes Zoey back, and she asks what is going on on the fourth floor. Leif informs her that he took over the job of manager on an interim basis in her absence and implemented standing desks, hired George, and added dogs to the workplace. A dog barks at George, and Tobin brags that he taught the dog to do that. Zoey notices that the food bar space is now a "no bar" and asks why, and Leif and Tobin explain that SPRQ Point is broke. Joan notices that Zoey has returned and beckons her into her office.

Joan tells Zoey she is glad to see her and that she hopes she took all the time she needed. She explains that SPRQ Point has been in chaos since Danny Michael Davis was put under house arrest. However, Joan notes that though being the interim CEO is not the dream job she had imagined, she can do whatever she wants. She informs Zoey that she wants to promote her to Executive Director of the fourth floor at SPRQ Point so she can have someone in power whom she trusts. Zoey tells Joan that she is flattered but was hoping to ease back into work more slowly. Joan urges her to think about the job and then herds Zoey out of her office.

Back at the Clarke home, Maggie is on the phone trying to obtain Mitch's email password so she can log into his email and retrieve their marriage license. Meanwhile, Emily rocks Miles in her arms, and he starts crying. After she is put on hold, Maggie asks Emily how she is doing. Emily asks whether Maggie means at that exact moment or in a larger context, and Maggie says that sounds bad. Emily admits that she is used to crushing it, but she feels like lately, the baby is crushing her. Maggie asks if David is helping her, and Emily starts to explain, but Maggie abruptly cuts her off and gets back on the phone. Maggie tries solving Mitch's security questions and then goes back on hold. Emily resumes venting and says that it's just a lot. Maggie says the first few months with a newborn baby are tough and that they hand to lean on each other. Emily starts replying, but Maggie cuts her off and gets back on the phone and then hangs up. Emily sympathizes with Maggie and asks if she wants to hold Miles. However, Maggie says she has too much financial stuff to figure out and that she will later.

As Zoey walks into her apartment building, she tells Maggie on the phone that she will return home after checking in with Mo. Zoey hears loud voices coming through Mo's door and finds Max, Simon, and Mo inside enthusiastically watching sports together. Zoey stands in disbelief at the three of them together. Mo, Simon, and Max take turns explaining that they were all very concerned about her after her dad's death, which ended up bringing them together. Zoey stands in bewilderment, and Max says they weren't trying to keep anything from her and that it just happened. Mo notices Zoey's expression and goes off to get her some wine. Zoey turns to Max and Simon, waves awkwardly, and says that she is happy her grief brought them together but also a little weirded out. The men ask why, and Zoey explains that it was disconcerting to see that the two dudes she knew separately are now best buds. Max and Simon say that is valid and explain that they had a number of conversations and do not want to fight over her. However, they immediately start singing "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" at Zoey, which leaves her looking very nervous. After the song ends, Max and Simon continue saying they want to support Zoey, but she runs out.

Mo goes after Zoey and gives her a glass of wine, which she starts drinking right away. Zoey tells Mo that she heard Max and Simon singing to her and that she heard a Broadway song earlier at work. Mo jests that since Zoey's powers are back, she's interesting again. Zoey also tells Mo that she was offered a big promotion of work, and now Max and Simon throwing themselves at her and she is not sure she's ready for any of it. Mo tries to offer Zoey perspective on her situation by remarking that his boyfriend is out at sea and they haven't spoken in eleven days. Zoey expresses that she doesn't mean to be selfish, and Mo says he doesn't want to give her tough love, but she has to stop running away from her decisions.

After Zoey leaves, Mo walks back into his apartment. Max asks if Zoey is alright, and Mo says she's tired and decided to go back to her mom's house. Mo asks Max and Simon if they are hungry and where they should go to eat. Simon suggests Chinese food, Max suggests Mexican, and Mo prefers Italian. Max says that with so many food delivery apps, they could just stay in and order all three. Mo offhandedly says that it's too bad there isn't a restaurant where you can order food from different restaurants. Max says that would be great and looks like he has had a revelation.

Zoey walks into the Clarke home and sees Maggie rifling through papers. Maggie expresses frustration at trying to figure out Mitch's email password so she can close his account. Zoey reminds her mother that she is a professional coder and gets into Mitch's email almost instantly. Maggie tells Zoey to look for a folder labeled "financials." Zoey locates the folder but sees another folder within that is labeled "testimonials" They open the folder and find three videos of Mitch: one for Maggie, one for David, and one for Zoey.

Seated in front of the laptop, Zoey tells David and Emily that she and Maggie found videos on Mitch's computer the night before and that they should all watch them together. Zoey clicks on her video first. Mitch, speaking with a great deal of difficulty and strain, says he made videos for Zoey, her mother, and her brother. He says that Dr. Hamara says his voice might be gone soon while struggling through the words and coughing intermittently. Zoey pauses the video abruptly and blinks back tears. Maggie says she doesn't want to be reminded of this right now and that it's not helping, and David suggests looking at the other videos to be sure. Zoey clicks on David's video, where Mitch has even more difficulty talking. Mitch starts talking about David becoming a father, but Maggie decisively closes the laptop and walks off quickly. Zoey also says she should get to work and leaves hastily. David looks back down at the computer.

Zoey walks into SPRQ Point with a look of uncertainty and blinking back tears. Though she tries swerving and avoiding Joan's office, Joan spots Zoey and calls her in. Zoey tells Joan that she doesn't have an answer to her job offer yet and that she needs more time. Joan reminds Zoey that the clock is ticking and tells her that she needs an answer. Zoey promises she will tell her soon.

David, Miles in tow, approaches Maggie as she sits by herself looking downtrodden. He asks her if she is okay and remarks that it was rough to see Mitch that way. Maggie says it was weird to hear Mitch's voice. David mentions that he was excited to hear Mitch's advice and pointedly glances at Miles. Maggie laments the difficulty in tying up Mitch's finances, and David names the difficulty of taking care of a newborn. Maggie suggests that he put chardonnay on Miles' gums and says that that worked on David like a charm. David asks Maggie if he and Emily being at her home so much with the baby is upsetting her. He notes that Emily mentioned that Maggie hasn't been holding Miles much. Maggie walks away, and David asks if it's because Miles has Mitch's eyebrows. Maggie humorously disagrees and says she loves having them in the house, but she is swamped with getting Mitch's affairs in order. David looks off as he comforts Miles.

Back at SPRQ Point, Zoey looks on as Tobin brags to the other coders about tricking George into believing he was Danny Michael Davis and getting him to bring Tobin a pet tiger. George laughs along with the coders as he shows off his scratch marks but silently winces to himself. Zoey notices a text from Max checking in on her after she bailed so quickly the night before. Right then, Simon walks up behind her and asks if she is okay. Zoey frustratedly wonders why so many people are asking her that. Simon empathizes with Zoey, but she is short with him, and he walks away. Leif walks over and asks Zoey if she has put any thought into his co-manager concept. He asks her to go to the conference room with him, but Zoey says she needs a glass of water. Before Zoey can walk far, she stops at the sound of a song. George starts singing "Don't Cry Out Loud," smiling at Leif and Tobin while they ignore him completely. Suddenly, Zoey yells at George to stop, interrupting and stopping his song. She irately says she has no idea how everything changed so quickly, from the immature hazing, to the dogs, to everybody wanting something from her, and that she can't take it anymore. After Zoey runs off, Tobin tells the office he knew she wasn't ready to come back.

As Zoey lies in bed with tears on her face, Maggie knocks on her door and says she has a visitor. Zoey says she is not in the mood to see anyone right now, specifically Max and Simon. However, Zoey is surprised when Joan walks in and sits on her bed. Zoey remarks that it is nice of Joan to visit her at home. Joan says she was worried when she saw Zoey run away earlier. Joan reassures Zoey that she doesn't have to take the promotion and admits that it was wrong of her to put so much pressure on Zoey while she was grieving. Joan reveals to Zoey that she wanted to have her successor in place before she left for Singapore to head up the entire Asian division of SPRQ Point. Zoey expresses that that is a big move, and Joan decidedly says that she was ready for something new. Joan assures Zoey that whatever she decides will be okay. Zoey tearfully says she'll miss Joan, and Joan says the same.

Max knocks on Mo's apartment door and is taken by surprise when Mo opens the door with a blowtorch in hand. Mo says it is not a good time and that he is making creme brulee for a marginal friend. Max promises he won't take up too much of Mo's time and says he wanted to talk about Mo's restaurant idea. Max proposes that they combine his coding background and Mo's creative flair to create a business partnership. Mo wonders about Max's great unicorn business idea, but Max admits that it doesn't exist and asks if they can brainstorm. Mo agrees after he finishes. Max says he'll stay out of Mo's way, but Mo insists that he helps. Max grabs a blowtorch.

Maggie and Zoey watch House Hunters together, with Zoey's head lying on her mother's lap. Zoey says she feels like there's something wrong with her, and Maggie asks her to elaborate. Zoey says she doesn't know how to exist in the world anymore and that nothing makes sense. Maggie agrees and even admits that she is having a hard time holding the baby. Maggie says that she and Mitch were so excited about being grandparents, and now every time she is near Miles, she feels guilty that he can't experience the joy. Maggie laments Mitch's death. Zoey asks if their processing is normal, and Maggie says they left normal the day Mitch was diagnosed.

David calls Zoey and Maggie into the other room where Emily is also standing with the baby. He asks them not to be mad and says he thought they might want to see something. Maggie says she doesn't want to, but David starts playing Mitch's video to Maggie. Mitch, speaking very clearly compared to the other videos, says he loves Maggie always and forever. He says that there is no roadmap for moving on, but they have to move on. Mitch says he doesn't want Maggie or the kids to squander their time after he's gone. He starts talking about a favorite memory of a summer in Italy with Maggie, but she quickly closes the computer and says that she'll watch it by herself. After seeing Mitch's video, Maggie remarks that dinner is ready. As the Maggie, Emily, and David prepare the meal, they sing "Carry On" together. After the song ends, the family sits down at the table to eat.

At SPRQ Point the next day, Zoey drops a stack of folders down on Leif's desk and announces to him that she will be taking over the entire fourth floor. Notably flustered, Leif says he didn't know that was an option. Zoey tells Leif he will be Manager of Engineering all by himself and that she will still be his boss, just with more power and oversight. Zoey looks over and sees that George is being harassed by one of the dogs. She walks up to Tobin and tells him to stop hazing George.

Later, George walks up to Zoey and says that he knows she said something to Tobin earlier. George offers his gratitude to Zoey for noticing that Tobin wasn't treating him well and speaking up. Zoey says that she could tell it was bothering him and that it was her job as boss to say something. George notes that it is not often that people stick their necks out for one another, especially someone they just met. He emphasizes that for him, small acts of kindness like that are gigantic, and in his mind she is a superhero. Zoey looks down thoughtfully at the shield ring that Max gave her. George asks for a hug, and Zoey pulls him in and tightens the hug.

The instrumental to "Carry On" plays in the background. Max and Mo discuss plans for their business venture in Mo's apartment. Tobin calls George over to join a game of foosball with him and Leif, and George scores a goal and high-fives Tobin. Maggie points at pictures of her with Mitch while holding baby Miles. Zoey steps into Joan's empty office and sits down at the desk.

Back in her room, Zoey is writing in her journal when she hears a knock at the door. Max walks in and says he got really excited about something and wanted to tell her about it. Max tells Zoey that him and Mo came up with an ambitious idea that he thinks could be something, but Mo was Zoey's friend first and Max could tell it was weird when she came over and saw them all hanging out. Max assures Zoey he won't move forward with the partnership if it makes her uncomfortable. Zoey tells Max he should absolutely move forward with it and places her hand on his. Zoey asserts that you always have to move forward and acknowledges that they have yet to talk about what happened the night of Mitch's death. Max smiles, and Zoey says she had time to think about it. Max says he feels like he is waiting for a drumroll or something. Zoey declares that you have to make choices in life and carry on. She leans in and kisses Max, and they pull each other closer.

## 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

* **Lauren Graham** as Joan Bennett
* **Peter Gallagher** as Mitch Clarke
* **Harvey Guillén** as George

## Trivia

* This episode marks a high point in series viewership to date, with 3 million total viewers tuning in.
* Joan's joke about it being cute that Zoey shops at Etsy was improvised by Lauren Graham.

## Gallery

* Pictures
* Videos

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Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Promo (HD) Jane Levy series
## References

1. ↑ https://tvline.com/2021/01/06/tv-ratings-zoeys-extraordinary-playlist-season-2-premiere/
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/austinwinsberg/status/1346631963369644032?s=21