Summary
Reboot continues to be the funniest series out there right now. This is a laugh-out-loud comedy that subverts and exploits sitcom clichés while addressing deeper messages in a meaningful manner.
This recap of the Hulu series Reboot season 1, episode 3, “Growing Pains,” contains spoilers.
In Episode 2, Clay and Zack’s mother Susan began a rather saucy fling together. “Growing Pains” quickly addresses the consequences of this hook up, with Zack confronting Clay on set the next day. He asks to talk with Clay about this blossoming relationship and the comedian swiftly runs away from his troubles. This simple but effective subplot is explored further in the third chapter, while the writer’s room takes on new members in a battle of the old school comics versus the new, postmodern breed.
Reboot season 1, episode 3 recap
Clay accepts his misdeeds and offers Zack the chance to punch him in the face. Zack isn’t angry by this hook up though and asks if Clay genuinely likes her. He wants his mom to be happy and worries Clay is just using her. Zack warns Clay, stating that those who have used her in the past have soon felt his mother’s wrath. It looks like Clay has got himself into a pickle, involved with a real psycho and the messy narrative is about to get a whole lot worse for him too.
Gordon pitches old fashioned, inappropriate jokes to daughter Hannah, who decides to bring in some new blood in response to this stale atmosphere. She hires three new, hip writers to Gordon’s despair. They try to explain to him what the Bechdel test is and talk about NFTs. Gordon thinks these new comics aren’t funny at all, but Hannah insists that comedy has evolved a great deal since the show last aired.
In retaliation, Gordon brings in three ancient comics of his own to even out the writer’s room. It’s hilarious to have these hugely differing teams debating one another. The old writers want to use offensive, clichéd jokes, whilst the youthful writers talk of meta and modern observations that are much more subtle. They have nothing in common with one another and after a great deal of stress, Hannah decides to quit once again. As she leaves, she trips over a bin and the whole room erupts into laughter. It’s a great moment, the two opposing teams finally bonding, coming together over this hilarious situation. Hannah sits back down as the writers quickly brainstorm new ideas, deciding to blend the old and the new together to create something unique.
Reed and Bree have a sex scene together and Reed worries that it will bring up old emotions. Bree is going through a divorce and Reed believes she’s in a fragile state. Bree finds the whole conversation to be highly condescending and eventually gets her own back. During the scene, Reed gets an unfortunate erection that stabs into Bree’s side. He refuses to get out of bed and Clay quickly broadcasts the embarrassing truth to the whole team.
Reed’s unfortunate erection causes a whole HR scandal and he is given protective clothing so that this doesn’t happen again. Bree finds this hysterically funny and continues to make fun of Reed’s awkward situation. Next it is Bree’s turn to be embarrassed, when they begin to kiss during the next rehearsal, she starts to cry and runs off. This intimate sequence has brought back old memories for Bree and she yearns to be loved once more.
The ending
Clay is having his own personal issues, every time he tries to end things with Zack’s mom, she seduces him further. He hires an actor to play a HR representative and informs the mother that they cannot continue their relationship as it is against the company’s policies. Clay must choose between work and pleasure. Susan sees straight through this fake setup though and admits that she only wanted a fling, nothing serious. They decide to end the hook-up there and then.
Timberly takes Bree out drinking to try and revive her co-star’s fading love life. She tells Bree to indulge in some hot, meaningless sex with a stranger and explains how everyone on set wants her. In another ironic twist, Reed phones up Bree to see how she is coping. He says that the sex scene sparked old feelings for him too. He tries to get Bree to discuss her feelings, but she admits that she is in a good place right now. As the camera pans, it is revealed that she is currently in bed with Timberly.
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