BWW Recap: Liza Discovers an Author with a Secret, Michael Urie Returns on YOUNGER

As far as YOUNGER episodes go, this week's installment was pretty HUGE for both Liza and Empirical... in so many more ways than one! Our favorite 40-year-old-posing-as-26 makes a shocking discovery about one of Empirical's esteemed authors, before acquiring their book as her next project (so, good news there!) Bad news is she's still waffling between Josh and Charles, and Radha really enters the picture this week, shaking things up and making it clear to Liza (But don't worry... she's not scurred!) Plus, there are new developments and similarly shocking discoveries made between Maggie and new belle Malkie (including a visit from the ex... dun dun dun), and Josh is desperate to get Liza get kinky in public places. Ooh! All topped off with a stellar guest appearance by one of our favorite Broadway alums! What more could possibly want?! It's all ahead (or behind, depending), so if you're intrigued, please read on!!

The A-Plot: Despite all the hype surrounding last week's P IS FOR PIGEON launch (and the week before, for that matter - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the continuity here BTW) the title isn't putting out the numbers Empirical had hoped, nay, needs to stay alive. And with Bryce gone (while I'm screaming for joy 'cause IMO the guy with a jerk), and his money gone with him, Diana's not sure what to do next.

Desperate to get the company out of its rut, Charles announces he plans to conVince Edward L. L. Moore to write a new CROWN OF KINGS book.

At the same time, Kelsey is in pursuit of Aubrey Alexis, an erotic romance novelist who's penned a surefire bestseller. The only problem? The price of the book is quite steep, and Alexis refuses to appear in public for negotiation. Wah wah.

Turns out Charles isn't faring that well either, as Moore declines the offer to write another book, suggesting Charles goes with one of many "new authors yet to be discovered." (Hmmm.... remember that line. It's an important one).

On his way out, Moore has another encounter with Liza and drops another hint, which sends Liza immediately into Kelsey's office where they delve through the similarities between CROWN AND KINGS and their new Aubrey Alexis manuscript to reveal (yes, yes, yes, it is what you think!!) that Moore and Alexis are one and the same.

P. S. LOVE the "Finkle is Einhorn, Einhorn is Finkle"-esque reveal (was that not what they were referencing?). Incredibly hilarious and a total ROFL moment!

Armed with new confidence, and fueled by their newfound discovery, Liza and Kelsey rescind their original declination of the offer to publish the book. Unfortunately, they find themselves facing exactly that dilemma when it's revealed the book has been sold to another publisher. Ruh roh.

Desperate to hang on to "Empirical's biggest moneymaker" ("We cannot let him go to another publisher, even with a book written under a pseudonym," screams Kelsey), Liza comes up with an idea. (And yes, you totally know what's coming as she says that. Time to strap on that fur bikini again, so to speak!)

The good news is, it works. And after a night of wining and dining Mr. Moore (I mean, did you honestly not see where that was going?), coupled with a HILARIOUS conversation with Charles persuading him to take the chance and the technical element of doubling their initial offer (blah blah blah), Liza secures the team Aubrey Alexis' first manuscript. Yay!

I'm excited to see where this will go. Will this be another Jade debacle? Another BABUSHKA disaster? Another Bjornberg trainwreck? Only time will tell, but we know, at least for now, Liza's got the upper hand, having secured yet another title for the literary institution. Barring this one doesn't crash and burn (though something tells me it will, but that's what makes the show so fun, isn't it?), she may be able to use this to her advantage when they all eventually find out the truth. (Yes, I know I've said that about everything she's done so far, but she's also gaining their trust with every passing day).

What's interesting about this one, too, is that Liza (and Charles, Diana, Kelsey, etc.) are rallying together to make sure this secret doesn't get out. The relationship between publisher and author goes a bit deeper here than the previous ones, in that way... and, of course, even deeper than that when you consider Liza's going through the same thing.

It's why the speech Moore makes to Liza about how as he liberated Aubrey, Aubrey liberated him is so poignant. It's sort of in a way what Liza is going through with her 26-year-old persona, no? She's learning more about herself, she's pushing herself in ways she never knew she could, and she, too, feels liberated and broken free from her "40-year-old mom" image.

And it's why this creepy, hands-y old man and Liza can actually share a tender, real moment together (which, of course, Moore breaks immediately with some stupid sexual comment). I can already tell it's a bond and partnership like none Liza has ever had before. I think we should all stay tuned... as this is clearly just the beginning.... #WhatComesNext

The B-Plot: Maggie and Malkie's seemingly blossoming relationship hits a bump in the road this week, when, while out a bar, they're visited by Malkie's ex, Sarah, who totally still has feelings for Malkie (and worse, Maggie totally knows it, too!)

Sarah invites Malkie to an exclusive night at her spiritual spa - "we'll light some candles [and] splash around [naked]," she says, with a suggestive eye toward Malkie. For reasons unknown to us (and apparently Maggie), she's not invited.

But, not one to be intimidated by the ex, Maggie unabashedly invites herself to the gathering anyway (with Liza tagging along, yielding hilarious results).

But things take a turn when she enters the pool, and one of the ladies spots the cross tattoo on her back - proof that she's not Jewish, and therefore, is supposedly contaminating their pool.

Wah wah. So, you can guess what happens then... and it ain't pretty.

Luckily, Maggie and Malkie make up, and all is well, with Malkie vowing to never leave her girlfriend out of any event from that moment forward.

As I said last recap, I'm happy that Maggie's found someone for herself beyond Lauren and I'm excited to see where this relationship goes.

For a storyline, it's pretty standard though, and, for obvious reasons, nothing too central yet. I'm hoping Malkie becomes more of a presence in later episodes, rather than just being a side-character. Which, I mean... not that she shouldn't be... it's obviously Liza's show... but then again, she is Maggie's girlfriend. (Maggie, Liza's roommate, who spends an awful lot of time with her when she's not at work).

I'd love to see a future storyline wherein Malkie somehow gets dragged into the Empirical nonsense. Or, at least visits Maggie at home and discovers something about Liza... and then Maggie has to explain/save face. That'd be a way to make their relationship more interesting - and more centralized to the main plot, rather than these one-off storylines.

But again, I totally get they're setting a foundation for their relationship. 'Til next time...

And Then, of Course: There's Radha. I mean doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell that she's BECOMING increasingly jealous of Liza - it's all right there in her face in that first scene as she walks up the stairs, saying "Hello, again," with that tone of "stay-away-from-my-man-and-his-kids." Like it's Liza's fault she's better with his daughters (and they seem to like her more), she shares Charles' love of literature, and overall, she's just known Charles longer.

(I wonder, since she's a new one, if Charles was dating Radha around the time of his kiss with Liza. Hmmm...).

So, Radha's out to get her, natch. Which would seem expected and not that much of a big deal... but Charles spouting lines layered with double meaning like, "Every now and then, something really unexpected comes along" makes it all the worse/better (you choose), as it hints that he'd prefer to be with Liza, too, rather than Radha. (Not to mention, poor Josh, too, is completely oblivious to everything!!)

Liza... I, for one, hope you win this one, but this girl truly ain't playing. Like... more so than Annika Bjornberg! Seriously, watch out!!

Broadway Babies: HOW TO SUCCEED's Michael Urie has finished his coffee break (hehe... get it?) and returned as Redmond, this time working as Aubrey Alexis' assistant. (Guess the whole Jade thing didn't work out too well for him either, did it?) He's in full form in this week's installment, providing most of the comic relief and delivering the best of this week's snappy one-liners with verve. Here's hoping we see more of him, which is definitely possible now that Empirical's signed once again with one of his authors!!

Line of the Night: I mean, seriously! Michael Urie kills me in this episode! He's got a ton of one-liners, but my absolute fave has to be "Look, Nancy Drew, and.... leggier Nancy Drew," as he gives Liza the side-eye. LOL!

Charles' guess of "Chelsea Handler" in the scene between he and Liza was also pretty funny. Dang, this cast is top-notch with their delivery!! Gotta love it!

So... what are your thoughts? Where do you think Liza and the gang are headed next? Let us know in the comments below... and we'll see you next week! 'Til then, as always, stay YOUNGER.

Check out a sneak peek of next week's episode titled 'Ladies Who Lust':

Photo Credit: TV Land

Matt Smith is a writer and theatre enthusiast based in New York. For more information or further inquiry, including additional writing samples, please visit mattsmiththeatre.com.