BWW Recap: Jane Krakowski Drops In, and Liza's Ex Pays a Visit on YOUNGER

Another week, another YOUNGER recap. Let's see what ridiculous hijinks Liza gets roped into this week:

After a brilliant CrossFit cold open (that permeates throughout the entire episode, to boot), we cut to the Empirical offices, where Diana and the team are preparing for a book launch party for famed author Annabelle Bancroft (Broadway's Jane Krakowski, Tony-winner for 2003's NINE revival).

Kelsey asks to bring Bjonberg, because he's alone in the US, and by attending, he'll be able to see what to expect for his own book launch. (Yeah, sure... and those are the only reasons why you want to bring him).

Annabelle herself unexpectedly drops by Diana's office; she's upset because she feels the theme and location of her party are outdated. In an effort to appease Ms. Bancroft and make the launch a more "hip" event, Diana elects Liza as point-person for the evening... because, really, who knows more about how to be "young, fun and hot" than a fresh-faced 26-year-old? And that's exactly what Liza- Oh... wait.

Regardless, I'm so glad to see that Diana putting her faith in Liza. It shows a growth in their relationship - and a growth in Diana - that she decides to assign Liza this important job. It also shows progress, and a newfound, established trust, which really helps a boss-employee bond. I just hope they're able to keep that trust. I would hate it to see it broken somewhere down the line by, say, Diana figuring out her whole relationship with Liza has been a lie. But that's for another time.

In a B-story, Liza deals with her husband, David, who needs to her to take the title of their boat, after he loses it in a bet. Liza laments to Maggie about how careless David is; she consistently saves him when he's drowning, but she feels the need to bail him out as a result of doing so when they were married.

Back at work, Liza learns a little bit more of Annabelle's past from Diana: she and Trout Pout used to be close friends, and were wild together for the better part of their teen years. But, when they got older, they took separate paths. Diana grew up and became serious about her career, and as she relays to Liza, "For Annabelle, the party never stopped." Trout Pout goes on to say that she's tried getting her former friend into rehab, but recognizes "There is only so much you can do for people who need help, but won't get it." Hmmm... sound like anyone Liza knows? Cough David cough cough.

With the blueprint of Annabelle's past laid out for her, Liza experiences the author's wild side firsthand at the launch event. After inappropriately flirting with Josh, Annabelle makes a drunken toast to all the guests; then, while running toward her cocaine dealer, she slams her face into a glass door, the action of which immediately becomes a viral video. Liza's, of course, left floundering through all this, and it only gets worse when she discovers Ms. Bancroft passed out on the ottoman in the basement.

So, it's Diana to the rescue, who says she's just helping Annabelle out for professional reasons and not on the basis of friendship. She states, contrarily, "A good friend would stop bailing her out and let her hit rock bottom." Cue suspicious look from Liza. Hmm... another parallel? Cough David cough cough.

Taking a page from Diana, Liza then meets David at the dock and tells him she's done: she just can't keep bailing him out. Just like Diana interfering doesn't help Annabelle, Liza doing it isn't helping David. She acknowledges he'll lose the boat and she's sorry, but she's steadfast in her decision. She says goodbye and walks away.

Can I just say how much I love that the Diana/Annabelle situation parallels the Liza/David situation?! I told you the Diana/Liza pairing would lead to interesting age-centric discussions and bring up interesting topics!

Simply, it just works so well... and here's why. Because she doesn't know of Liza's guise, Diana thinks she's just giving advice to a 26-year-old. But they're really the same age, and Diana's really telling Liza all these things she can relate to directly - and then Liza uses those tips/advice/etc. in the storylines she has as a 40-year-old. Brilliant! And, through all this, Diana doesn't know a thing!! Major props to the writers on the extremely clever ways they get the themes of the episode to correlate in this way. It's really fantastic work!

Speaking of Liza's fake vs. real age, the brilliancy of this episode too is that it juxtaposes Liza's two personas, her 26-year-old "fake life," and her 40-year-old "real life," in a way we haven't seen so far. Maybe it's the way the episode's structured and the way the story's told, but I feel this week's show really helped us see how different these two personas really are. Notice the way Liza looks (sans lipstick, hair un-teased and in a bun), speaks (serious, softer voice) and acts (she's totally the adult "rock" to David's unruly child) when she's with David versus when she's with Kelsey or at work. There's a clear distinction between the two personas, and I think presenting them next to each other in this way helps to get us to notice that more clearly. And because we see how much of a different person she is when she's at work, we appreciate her clear-headedness and sympathize with her more when she's with David.

In a way, too, I get the feeling she's not just re-inventing herself to get a job (despite whatever Maggie said last episode). She's doing it because it's something she needs to do for herself. She's been, again, the solid rock, taking care of David for all this time... and now that he's gone, she can shed some of that old personality and be free to live a fresh life. And she can finally live that life, now that David's gone. Do you know what I mean?

But then, of course, all the shenanigans she gets into after going too far with her freedom and masquerading as a 26-year-old get her back into that same trouble all over again. (But it's okay, 'cause she's on her own; #Independence).

But hey. As Maggie says (in reference to a completely throw-away five-line subplot, I might add, involving her asking an old crush out), "Sometimes life gives you what you ask for, but it's just not the way you pictured it." And Liza's recognizing the truth of that statement with each passing day.

Oh, and speaking of Liza taking care of people.... in the midst of loading hammered Annabelle into the car with Diana, Liza catches Kelsey making out with Bjonberg. So, yeah. There's that. It's happening.

I appreciated the ending, though. After dumping David for good (seriously... wonder if we'll ever see him again) and almost giving a motherly lecture to Kelsey re: Bjonberg, Liza returns to her actual daughter, Caitlin, reminding her that, "I'm not going away. Ever."

In an episode that centered around old, toxic relationships (Liza and David/Annabelle and Diana), it's awesome that we end with a healthy one. 'Cause when things hit the fan - and they certainly did this week - you need to have someone to stabilize you. And judging from the way she takes a genuine interest in her daughter's goings-on, picking up a large cup of coffee and asking for the "long version" of Caitlin's story, Liza clearly recognizes the importance of such a relationship. She's reinvented her work life, and now she's seizing the opportunity to start fresh with her "old" life. Because now she's finally free to be free. Oh, Liza. It's been quite a ride.

So... six down, six to go. We're halfway there - and considering Liza's still dodging bullets re: revealing her true self (dodges this episode include "cuspers,"; "it's my ex- exercise instructor," and of course, the whole scene with Josh in bed - LOVE how the writers slip that in so naturally!), she's definitely living on a prayer in terms of her disguise! Excited to see what she'll have to dodge next week. And judging from the new promo, which hints at Liza talking to Caitlin while locked in Josh's bathroom, a panty mishap (??) and (gasp!) the return of Charles, it all looks much easier said than done. Oooh... this is gonna be good!

Until next time, as always, stay YOUNGER.

Photo Credit: TV Land

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