BWW Recap: Liza Tries to Make Fast Cash, Kelsey & Anton Heat Up on YOUNGER

Hola los fanáticos de YOUNGER. ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! While you're presumably celebrating Mexican independence munching on loads of Tostitos and guac, let me regale you with the details of what happened to our favorite Broadway hoodwinker this week.

And this episode is quite a doozie, as we not only witness Liza contemplating a pretty compromising situation, but we're also given further information (in the opening scene, no less!) that reveals she's not the only one with a career-damaging secret to hide.

Yes, that's right. When we open, the girls are out a bar listening to Josh's band, and Kelsey gets a text from Anton. She slips away, reminding the others to tell Thad that she was them all night if he asks. (Hmm... So Thad doesn't know anything about Bjonberg?) Watching her leave, Liza gives Kelsey a suspicious look. Really, Liza?! Judging people about keeping secrets?! I really don't think you have the right to do that. Especially 'cause it's not about to get any easier for you.

While spending the night at Josh's, Liza receives a call from Caitlin, saying her tuition check hasn't come in yet. Liza ducks into the bathroom to take the call, but the walls aren't thick enough, and Josh overhears her calling Caitlin "pumpkin" through the door. Oops.

But regardless... Liza needs $1,800 stat to pay for the tuition. After discussing it over with Kelsey (her cover is that it's a student loan - haha!) they go to Lauren (of course!!), who ultimately convinces Liza to come to the "incredibly creepy" conclusion of selling her "wear-'em-for-three-days-work-out-in-'em-never-talk-'em-off-used" panties on Craigslist. Ew. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

It doesn't help, though, that she's hiding potential buyers' e-mails from Josh, further fueling his suspicion that something's up. It sucks too, 'cause Liza's really and truly not hiding what he thinks she is, and the two instances where he thinks something's up (hearing "pumpkin" through the door, and Liza hiding her e-mails), though they do have to do with the same topic of tuition, are essentially unrelated - and having nothing to do with her cheating!! :-( Oh, well.

Back at work, Diana continues to be given a run for her money. Her clever idea of promoting KALEIDOSCOPE OF LIFE by sending Swedish Fish to bookstores is quickly shot down by Anton, who complains the candy tastes stale and artificial, adding his preference for actual Swedish licorice.

Trout Pout's butchering of the Swedish name doesn't make things any easier. She's totally drowning!! (Has she forgotten of Bjonberg's deep hatred for marketing schemes?) Well, Trouty. Karma's a b***ch.

Anyway, after a too-creepy-to-recap-in-detail exchange with a potential panties buyer, Liza decides the Craigslist thing isn't for her, so Lauren sets her up with another gig as a cocktail waitress. As she strolls out onto the floor to deliver drinks, she runs into.... Charles. Remember... the publisher? From two weeks ago? That had a thing for Liza? That I told you would be back? Yep. That Charles. Once again, oops.

So, he and Liza get to talking, and she learns he's out at the "fabulous bash" to "expand his comfort zones since his divorce." Hmm... point of connection? Well, it has to be disguised, of course, 'cause Charles' doesn't know of Liza's disguise or true age, but yes, it is indeed a point of connection. This can't be good for Diana.

To that effect, when the connection BETWEEN the two re-emerges the next day at the office, Diana notices - and her jealousy erupts.

The main issue for Trout, though, is that she fails to recognize how Charles is feeling; she prefers to hear about what's happening so that she can plot her next move on him, rather than hearing about what's happening so she can sympathize and have a point of connection with him. That's Diana's Achilles heel; and it's something Liza, on the other hand, does really well. And Liza doesn't mean to upstage Diana in this way - she can just relate to how lonely and adrift Charles feels after the divorce. She just has to show that without letting it slip that she actually went through the same thing he did. It's completely unintentionally on Liza's part, but it's certainly not helping the Diana/Liza relationship.

But seriously!? Completely disregarding Charles' personal feelings in favor of hopping on board the next train to "Pound Town" with Charles?! Strike two for Trout Pout.

Kelsey, meanwhile, continues to dodge bullets while working with Anton, as she compromises herself for her author (or does she? I can't really tell) throughout the episode. When out at a candy store picking up real Swedish fish, Kelsey sets the record straight, telling him: "I am not your girlfriend, Anton; I'm your editor." It does seem like Anton's taking advantage of her more than she is from him. He did instigate all the moves in the office scene and called her his girlfriend. But she does meet him when he asks her to, and although she tries to set the record straight, when he leans in for a kiss, she doesn't stop him. Guess that's just how editors and authors interact these days! Talk about mixed messages. You blur that line, Kelsey! Just hope it doesn't bite you later. Which, judging from the promo for next week that shows Anton's wife coming into the picture... I'm sure it will. Wow, this is getting good!

So, let's go back to the office. After almost reaching strike three, Diana redeems pretty much everything she's blown apart this episode when she gives Liza a check for $1800. This is the Diana-Liza relationship that I want to see more of. This one that we saw hints of last week when the boss broke through and asked Liza to run point at the book launch. This one that humanizes her, instead of making her into an icy, DEVIL WEARS PRADA-esque b-word.

It's important to show Diana's soft side because it emphasizes that she actually cares about her younger employees, rather than seeing them as completely useless, social media-obssessed scum (though she still may show those feelings on the outside).

And the fact that we see glimpses of Diana actually showing sympathy and genuine care for Liza will make the revelation of the secret that much better... because we'll have seen that such a relationship could have been possible. However, Diana will be presumably feel so betrayed that any trust/relationship will immediately explode right in front of our eyes. (Or will it? Idk!! So exciting!!) But it's fantastic to show, especially now that we're this far into the season, that Diana does care... regardless of what may happen at season's end.

And speaking of that - and keeping secrets in general - at the end of the episode, Josh confronts Liza about her sneaking around and hiding e-mails from him. So, does she confess? Yes. :-O. But not to what you think. She comes clean about the skeevy Craigslist transaction, showing Josh the e-mails and everything. Josh thanks her for her honesty. (Cue Liza's nervous smile). And ironically, just after he leaves, Liza receives a text message from Caitlin, thanking her for the money. Could you imagine if that had popped up while Josh was browsing through Liza's e-mails?! Like it literally happened two seconds after he left!! Yikes!! That was a close one! So, Liza, guess you live to see another day as YOUNGER.

So, what'd y'all think? Was Liza right to lie to Josh? Has she missed her chance to be "truly honest" with him? Do you support Kelsey and Anton, or do you foresee trouble? And what's happening with Charles and Liza? Will he find out Liza's secret? What will happen to Liza/Diana then?! OMG! So many questions. So little time!!

Leave your comments below, and 'til next time, stay YOUNGER.

Photo Credit: TV Land

To post a comment, you must register and login.