In this episode of Grown-ish we get real with social media. As in, we see the backfire of putting your whole life out there. Last we heard of Zoey (Yara Shahidi), she was still in turmoil over her relationship with Cash Mooney (Da’Vinchi). But all that uncertainty is all out the window (sort of). Zoey and Mooney are the new “it” couple of the school and everyone knows it. They practically post their love all over social media. And now that Mooney is big man on campus, he’s also big man on social media too. With a great following comes great consequences like dealing with internet trolls which, to be honest, you should always ignore.
Yet, Mooney didn’t ignore the haters. After his latest post of him and Zoey, the comments went off about how this person already slept with her, she’s fat, she’s ugly, etc. Twitter finger Mooney came to her… “defense” and without thinking commented “#virgin.” Yeah, he did that and put Zoey’s personal life on blast to all the 155 who happened to catch the comment before Mooney deleted it. As you guessed it, this episode focuses on the backlash of social media.
Of course Zoey is furious with Mooney. Who wouldn’t she be? Who goes out there and tells the world their girl’s sex life? As a response, Zoey decides to ghost Mooney altogether. No texts, no calls, no nothing. Even the sisters were saying drop him. After seeking solace from everyone, little Luca (Luka) comes in out of nowhere with one of my favorite but cliche lines: why do you care about what everyone thinks? But it was also this moment when Luka fills Zoey in on her boyfriend drama. The guy she’s exiling is actually going through a rough time. Rough as in, his dad is pawning off Mooney’s items for some fast cash.
Zoey runs off to Mooney to make up for her ghosting as he’s getting ready to visit his shady father. He doesn’t have time to deal with both dilemmas. So, as any other supportive significant other would, she hops in the car to accompany him during the drive. Cue the awkward silence. I don’t know about you but I can’t stand quiet car rides but these two can handle it. (Cue the flashback of Zoey giving her dad the silent treatment for about a week. Skills, girl. She did not break face.)
But, it’s OK, the silence ended and things got really serious between the two. Mooney admitted that Zoey was good for his brand. YEAH, HIS BRAND. Zoey hopped out of that car as anyone else would have done and Mooney runs after her to explain himself. He comes from nothing whereas Zoey comes from so much. A well-established family, she has her head on her shoulders, and she’s “pure.”
This all but too real moment lets Zoey realize she doesn’t know if she’d be with Cash if he wasn’t the big man on campus. They ultimately see that they fill each other’s blanks. Zoey lives for being center of attention and we know this from Black-ish when she was miss popular at her high school. And let’s not forget her dad is Andre Johnson who loves to be over the top. And Cash wants to have something to cling onto that’s better than his current lifestyle.
After all is said and done, they make it to Cash’s dad’s house and he’s drinking outside. Zoey’s now about to witness firsthand that Cash wasn’t lying. Sitting outside drinking publicly, Cash’s dad ungratefully takes the money. It’s clear to Zoey that he doesn’t come from the same lifestyle as she’s accustomed to. She sees the real him.
But her friends don’t see that. How can they? All they see and hear is Cash this, Cash that from Zoey, but they don’t know the serious things he’s going through. And it’s not like anyone puts their dirty laundry out there for people to know. This causes everyone to drag Zoey after she shows up late to Vivek’s sad birthday party. (Sad because literally no one came through, poor Vivek!) This is the moment Zoey claims to have blacked out. She couldn’t take everyone dragging her and Cash so she goes OFF on every single person in that room. Like, we see, not just hear, her rant about everyone’s flaws. I related to this so much. You know that moment where you want to snap at someone but you can’t? You hold it in? She lets those angry thoughts run. Let it run girl, let it run.
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My friends would ditch me right then and there but since it’s TV, her friends heard her and understood it. They took it without even fighting back. How do I find friends like that? Asking for a friend. As Zoey walks back to her dorm, she runs into Mooney. They both agree that despite all their hiccups they revealed in the car ride, they’re willing to be together. And scene.
Phew, did you catch all that? Because there’s a bit more which I’ll try and skim you through.
Nomi (Emily Arlook), as we remember, was dating fellow bisexual Dave in the last episode and we find out she broke up with him this episode. Why? Because it’s weird for her to imagine the idea of him kissing another guy. To somewhat quote her directly, “Two girls kissing? That’s hot. Two guys kissing? That’s not hot.” Double standard much, Nomi? Kind of ironic when Nomi just went off on her last girlfriend who lowkey dissed Nomi for being bi. The thing is, women and men can identify as bi. It’s not a one way street and this is something Nomi is coming to grips with.
Props to Grown-ish for getting much more addictive after each episode.
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College Grown-ish Tips We Learned:
- This should be a given but do NOT put someone’s personal business out on social media. Ever.
- Not everyone is living the best life even if you are the big man on campus or anywhere for that matter.
- Practice your silent treatment. It could get you pretty far.
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