Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2, Episode 9: Best and worst moments

After a rough couple of episodes, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2, Episode 9 got the series back on track. Let’s break down some of the best and worst moments from “Zoey’s Extraordinary Mystery.”

This show is at its best when it focuses on what made it a fan favorite in the first place, and that’s exactly what Episode 9 did. Rather than spending an entire hour on trying to figure out who wants to bone whom, this story took us right back to what really matters: Zoey, helping people after hearing their hidden emotions through heart songs.

The catch, of course, was that the heart songs were kind of…off. Everyone was unknowingly singing and dancing through everyone else’s emotions, and it was up to Zoey and Mo to figure it all out.

The musical elements definitely provided some heartbreak, but it was the good kind of angst instead of tacky, manufactured drama. And just like the series’s best stories always do, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Mystery” provided plenty of comedy gold.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2, Episode 9’s funniest moment

Watching Simon (John Clarence Stewart) perform “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)” was an absolute delight. Just the way he committed himself to all of that goofy, exaggerated movement was insanely good.

It turned out that this was supposed to be Perry’s song, which he always had to act out, complete with all the silly gestures we saw from Simon, for his kids. But we can’t say as we were upset that a glitch gave the silliness to Zoey’s latest boyfriend (or whatever) instead.

Stewart is so wonderful as Simon, and the character has so much potential that’s getting wasted. It was a breath of fresh air to be reminded that he’s here for more than just a trope.

Zoey gets some tough love from a psychic

Honestly, this part needs to just be dropped here as a full quote because we can’t say it any better ourselves:

"So, let me get this straight: The only way that you can identify a sad person is if they stand in front of you, singing a sad song, spelling out how sad they are?"

Zoey, sweetie, you’re so terrible at figuring out your own feelings, it shouldn’t be any surprise that, so far, you’ve learned nothing about how to connect with people outside of heart songs. And yet, your lack of growth continues to be pretty shocking. We’re tired of beating a dead horse on this, though, so let’s let Nova continue delivering the message:

"We can’t just rely on our gifts, ok? Sometimes, the thing you need to see is gonna be right in front of you. And all you have to do is open your eyes."

And that’s that on that.

Speaking of Zoey being terrible at feeling: Is Zimon doomed from the start?

This obviously falls under the “worst” part of the Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2, Episode 9’s best and worst moments. And yeah, we kinda feel terrible for everyone involved—except Zoey—at this point.

Nothing says, “this guy is the one for me” like making a pact with yourself, mere weeks into your relationship, to make sure it’s based on a huge lie. Simon really thinks that he and Zoey have this great connection, that they’re super in tune with one another.

The problem is, the only reason it seems like Zoey can read Simon’s mind is because she…kind of, sort of, actually can? He has no idea and thinks there’s just this strong, “meant to be,” sort of dynamic there.

And maybe, with some honesty and Zoey being remotely willing to share, that would be the case! But as it is? Nothing about Zoey “coming clean” with Simon at the end of the episode—on everything but her biggest secret—makes for a good romance. What she’s doing is grossly immature and outright unfair to Simon, who truly deserves better.

Most heartbreaking heart song: “Anyone” by Demi Lovato

This moment’s kind of a two-for-one. First, there was the gut-wrenching performance from Max (Skylar Astin) at the beginning of the episode. That alone would have been one of the best parts of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Mystery.”

But then.

When Zoey finally figured out that it was Emily who wasn’t being heard and went to talk to her? Wow.

It’s difficult to find words for how utterly heartbreaking that moment was or how perfectly Alice Lee delivered…There might not even be any words that exist. But if they do? They apply here.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist has always been so good showing us the big, emotional stories that connect with us in profound ways. We can’t wait to see more from Alice Lee as Emily, especially as she works through her pain.

People don’t talk enough about how isolated new moms can sometimes feel. It’s supposed to be a happy time, but that’s not how it always works out. If this show is going for a representation of what it’s like to have postpartum depression here, this was a good start. (Please don’t mess it up.)

Maggie visits MaxiMo’s

Any moment that involves more of Alex Newell as Mo (a Mo-ment, if you will) is a good one. And adding Maggie (Mary Steenburgen) to the mix? Yes, please. We would like to sign up for more.

Sure, the only reason Zoey bothered to spend time with her mom was because she thought it was Maggie, not Emily, who was feeling lonely. But honestly, considering Zoey is supposedly “manic” (bad choice of words there, by the way) because of grief? This is the type of mistake that we’ll allow.

Besides, the best part of Maggie’s trip to Mo and Max’s restaurant was hearing Maggie say she knows she can spend a night out on her own. Now, if only her daughter understood the concept.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.