BWW Recap: Liza 'Shows Us Her Oates' in Episode 2 of YOUNGER

It's episode 2 -- the second of the Series Premiere double header -- and the overarching plotline for the series is starting to take shape! Of course, Liza's still struggling, but progressing in de-aging herself and keeping up with all the young adult slang and mannerisms - you can really see how hard she's trying!! (That curtsey to Josh was particularly funny, however incorrect/inappropriate it was). In fact, when we open up, she's looking at an intricately designed web chart - trying to keep up with all the details of her guised life - and has a friend deleting her current Facebook page.

Caitlin calls and says she's staying in Mumbai 'cause she's found a beau, Arjun, who wants to take her to Goa, against Liza's wishes.... and yes, that's all we hear of him for now (except for a little bit we see later in the episode; more on that later), but I have no doubt this will come up again and develop into a bigger plot point, especially with her mom dating a guy behind her back who's essentially the same age!

Josh shows up and asks if she's stalking him - guess we know how the date at the end of the pilot went. They acknowledge they're neighbors (sounds like that might get her into trouble later...) and plan a second date.

And then, of course, there's the reason for this whole ruse: work, and it's not much easier there, as Liza must come up with a way to promote Joyce Carol Oates to the 16-34 demographic - something she knows very little about. To Bing she goes! (Side note: I love how Liza Bings everything. It's like a go-to, running gag that seems funny 'cause it's all she knows to do, but makes all the sense in the world 'cause it's what most millennials do anyway).

While out to lunch with Lauren (the girl from the pilot who commented on Liza's junk in the locker room), Liza gets an idea, thanks to Lauren's sudden and surprising choice of a Twitter pic. (Hilarious quote by the way; Lauren: #lunchwiththegirls. Liza: And I don't think she means us. :-D).

She pitches to Diana that they promote the book by releasing it on a Tuesday and capitalize on the Topless Tuesday buzz (Side note: now I'm a guy, is that really a thing?), by having people take topless pictures using the hashtag #ShowUsYourOates, to advocate for the themes of female empowerment in Oates' literature. Silly, yes, but it works pretty well - that is, until Liza finds a photo of Caitlin on the beach in Goa with the forbidden Arjun, a sign bearing "#SHOWUSYOUROATES" plastered against her breasts.

This is where it gets interesting. Liza must be a mother and reprimand her daughter, but must be stealthy so as not to alert anyone that she is a mother, and risk her secret of leaking out. The way she handles it is pretty smooth, and it's not that big a deal to be worried over, but it's a great hint (and I can totally tell) that it's gonna just get harder from here. But then, I wonder (see "big deal" comment), is this too much, too soon? No, really. Should she really be this protective of herself in just the show's second episode? I'd think maybe she'd get more worried as situations become more dire - not just when she texts her daughter discreetly - out of plain sight of anyone else. And it's not like anyone knew it was her daughter.

Or perhaps, her downfall will be that she'll get more comfortable as she continually gets away with things, and then the situations will get complicated, but she won't be bothered to deal with them... and then, the trouble will start. Do you know what I mean? I guess only time will tell.

And speaking of getting too comfortable, Josh and Liza's relationship is starting to heat up. They share a steamy kiss mid-episode, but Liza says she can't get involved 'cause "all about work... no time for a personal life." Hmm... well, yes, sure that's true, because she did just start and her boss is down her throat 24/7, but you can totally tell she's hiding the real reason she feels like she can't get involved. Perhaps it has something to do with her nervousness about fooling around with a 26-year-old. But again, is this too much, too soon? So, that's that, BUT, despite stating that such a kiss would "never happen again. Ever", she returns at the end of the episode for a second helping... so she's willing to go forward with this relationship.

She *almost* runs into trouble, too, with Josh, when her friends from her adult life spy her in the street and offer to set her up on a blind date with a Chipotle owner named Richard. The date is age-appropriate and she's her real age with him, so there's no hiding anything here. The catch? She doesn't like the guy (don't worry... he's not that into her either), and she all but solidifies her "age-inappopriate" attraction to Josh, as she ends the date early, ditches Richard and runs toward Josh for the aforementioned second kiss. So, she's more attracted to the 26-year-old than the person her own age? Who she doesn't have to hide anything from?

And so, the guy who believes she's so into him will eventually find out that, despite the fact all those feelings she has are indeed geniune, she's actually 40 and she's lied to him this whole time? Yep. This smells like trouble. Liza even says it herself: "[He's a] sweet kid who would take tattoo needles to his eyes if he knew how old I was." But anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. One episode at a time.

And finally, this week, we're introduced to what looks like a season-long arc for Kelsey, which revolves around her nabbing a book deal with a Swedish author she idolizes. Sounds sweet to me, even if Thad isn't that interested in her job as much as he is in her... well, you know. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out, and how Liza's "motherly" advice to Kelsey to get the ball rolling continues to play out in terms of Kelsey's perception of who -- and how old -- Liza really is.

In closing, I just want to say how fantastic I think it is that this show is so New York-centric, and that Starr incorporates the city into the series! The skylines that grace the screen as we time-lapse, Liza and Kelsey's walk to work shot along Central Park West, and of course, the #ToplessTuesday lunch that takes place in Bryant Park. And yes, they're eating from one of my favorite places in the world - of course I recognize those containers! Chop't for the win! It's really special to see, and I'm glad Starr is utilizing his surroundings, and shooting in the actual locations that the series is set in (and not just on a soundstage!) A+!

So, that's all for this week. A very plot-driven episode, setting the wheels in motion for the season to come. And a fantastic 2-part premiere overall. Can't wait to see what this show has in store for us next week!!

'Til then... stay YOUNGER, y'all.

Photo Credit: Twitter / TV Land

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!