BWW Recap: Liza's Livin' in a Marshmallow World, & More, on YOUNGER

As we all know from the popular holiday song, it's a marshmallow world in the winter... but it seems like winter's come early for Liza, who's all about the ooey-gooey snack this week, using it to prove a point to her boyfriend about temptation, gratification and happiness (don't you just love when she impresses us with her 40-year-old psychology knowledge?). Of course, that's when she's not involved in her crazy 26-year-old antics, like trying to prevent Kelsey from opening her laptop, lest her secret be blown, or attempting to talk to Charles and figuring out their relationship. Looks like this web is as sticky as the marshmallows!! It's all ahead (or behind, depending on if you've seen the episode or not!) on this week's recap, so if you're intrigued... please, read on:

The A-Plot: Charles is still bitter from Liza turning him down last week. Or, at least, that's what Liza assumes. Turns out (while I'm not shutting out the anger aimed at Liza entirely), his short temper also stems from the fact that he's got a big potential investor coming to scope out the company... one he hopes to sign him as a minority partner. Luckily, it's Liza to the rescue (so, we'll see how that plays out in terms of Charles returning the favor): while out wining and dining him, she entices the "Silicon Valley whiz kid" billionaire, named Bryce Reiger (GREASE: LIVE's Noah Robbins), through her recognition of the artist who did Bryce's tattoo (he's a friend of Josh).

Unfortunately, that means bringing up Josh and the new "whatever it takes, I'm all in" deal she has with him in front of all of her co-workers.... and yes, that means Charles. Oops. (But that's for a different time).

Anyway, that connection, coupled with Liza's familiarity with his digital wallet app, Tap That, and their willingness to join him at his loft party, is enough to seal the deal. "You two get it," Bryce tells Kelsey and Liza. "If it wasn't for you two....I wouldn't even bother with Empirical. But with you, I sense a paradigm shift." So, Bryce has signed on as minority partner, and it's partly because of Liza. Which begs the question, again.... will Charles do something to return the favor?

The B-Plot: Meanwhile, Kelsey meets Chad for another attempt to retrieve Thad's laptop... which yields disastrous results that just get worse and worse as the meeting goes on. (The final shocker MUST have been what Dan was referring to when we spoke late last month!) The good news is that when it's over, she does eventually get back the laptop (so does this mean Chad, and Dan Amboyer, are gone?!), but unfortunately, she's still stuck up a creek without a password. (See what I did there?)

So, when Bryce Reiger invites her and Liza to his loft party, she brings along the laptop, in hopes that "some computer nerd" will help uncover it. She finds one, and they do... and the laptop is opened... so... bad news for Liza. (Her face as the laptop opens and she notices the folder gave me chills!)

Fortunately, with a little help from "Deez Nuts" (don't ask... just watch for yourself!), she's saved from Kelsey figuring out her secret... at least for now. (And to boot, Sutton's delivery of "I know what you mean... I mean, I'm so happy for you" is 100% ROFL!)

But now, I ask this question: how much longer can it stay a secret? Who will *almost* find out next? Hmm....

But Also: Initially worried she now might be in danger of losing her job because of what she didn't say to Charles, she asks Josh to take things slow with her (again), so that she can have more time to "figure things out" (read: talk to Charles).

She compares this test of their relationship to "The Marshmallow Experiment," which essentially proves that those "who delay gratification have better life outcomes and higher self-reported happiness." (Kudos to the writers for bringing in real-life topics to enhance their stories! A+!)

But after she spills the beans at that dinner with Bryce, Kelsey has some advice.... and spurred on by her friend's words, she returns to him by episode's end, throwing marshmallows galore through his window. (Hey, in compliance with the experiment... he waited... so he's earned them!) But that said, I do think he's hoping to get a little more than just marshmallows... ;-)

And Guess Who's Back? Remember that book Liza and Kelsey signed with Dr. Jane Wray (SPRING AWAKENING's Camryn Manheim)? The one who said she'd sign with Millennial if she could use Liza as a case study? Well, the book's finished... and Ellen DeGeneres wants Wray on her show to promote it... with the subject of the case study for the 40-year-old posing as 26! (Gulp!!) Uh oh...

P. S. Sooo glad they brought this storyline back to (hopefully) finish it up. Yay continuity!

So, What Happens Next? On the subject of the Wray debacle, we get a few more clues as to how the Empirical team might handle Liza revealing her secret. While Diana's always been clawing at Liza's heels, there's a surprising admission made from Charles: "I don't see ageism, I see someone who stepped out of the industry and paid the price. She probably wasn't hired because she doesn't have the skills or talent." Wow. Is THAT gonna come back and bite him in the butt!!

If this is truly how Charles thinks about this subject (and we all know how he truly feels about Liza), what the hell happens when he discovers they're one and the same?! Will he really play the legal card with someone he has feelings for? And how will he feel about Liza lying to him all this time? And how will it affect the love triangle?! So many questions. Only time will tell...

As for Liza and Josh taking it slow...

So, here's the thing. These two have definitely hit a Ross and Rachel-esque level of make-ups and break-ups here... and surprisingly, there's always seems to be a well-thought out reason for each of them. Just thought I'd point it out.

Second, if and when Josh finds out that the reason she wanted to "put them on hold" was to talk things out with Charles (presumably an easier task with "the other guy" removed from the picture), won't that make things worse in the end? Like, does she not realize she's hiding yet another secret from Josh? And it will probably blow up in her face when he inevitably finds out the truth? Don't pause it again, Liza. Just come clean with him! Tell him the truth! Break-up, make-up. Break-up, make-up. Jeez, you two really are worse than Ross and Rachel!!

Episode MVP: Kelsey, for sure. It takes serious balls to do what she did... especially after that much buildup and worrying over what it might reveal. Plus, on top of that, she manages to talk Liza into being with Josh!! Such a good friend!! Double brownie points for you, girl! What what?!

So... what are your thoughts? Where do you think Liza's 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 at next week's episode below:

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.