Hey there all you fans of ABC Family’s Young & Hungry! Are you ready to talk about this week’s episode? I know I am. Technically not a whole lot happened but that doesn't mean there still isn't tons to discuss. Let's get started...
How apropos that this episode aired on April Fools day because this has got to be a sick joke. Just kidding, I actually kind of, sort of liked it, a little.
This week's episode was written by Jenny Lee whom we haven't seen since episode 1x03: Young & Lesbian. I was actually expecting to see her write next week's episode since SPOILER: the character of Logan is returning. We found Andy Cadiff in the director's chair. His last outing on the show was episode 1x07: Young & Secret. I enjoyed this combination. This was a character building episode for sure which is great because this show definitely needs a lot of that at this stage in the game. The directing was subtle and competent. Some shots weren't framed as well as I would have like (I make all of my own screencaps and gifs so scene composition is something I'm really into as of late) but still fairly solid.
The setup for this week was a bit a much for me and left me shaking my head about Josh, yet again. Here's the cliff notes version of what went down: When Gabi returns from her three week vacation, she discovers via Sophia that Josh tried to stop her at the airport from going to China with Cooper. But he's moved on and is dating a woman who just happens to be a pretty great cook. When Josh doesn’t ask Gabi to be the chef for an important client dinner, Gabi decides a “cook-off” is the best way to keep her job. Meanwhile, Yolanda makes a date with the hot building window washer.
Meanwhile back at Josh's place, Elliott is primping and Yolanda is faux-working out to catch the eye of the building's hot window washer. Oh yeah, and Josh has just finished transferring everything from Gabi's old phone to the new one sans that awkward one no one will ever here (yeah right, "ominous" foreshadowing is "ominous").
Turns out she had every right because not one minute later, Josh allows Jilly to cook an important meal instead of her. The decision came across as very vindictive if you ask me but hey at least it lead to some Gabi and Sophia bonding time. Or should I say the Gabi venting power hour... We learn that Gabi is indeed happy with Cooper and that this freak out is strictly about her job security.
The next day as Gabi and Jilly are prepping their perspective pot pies, Yolanda is heading out on her date with the window washer. Turns out he's deaf. But he still hot so she goes.
Meanwhile, Josh concocts a plan to make sure he picks Jilly pot pie and not Gabi's with the help of Elliott, of course. But they blindfold him despite his protests. But he still manages to pick Jilly's. A defeated Gabi goes home.
Yolanda returns home from her date with the hot window washer a little early. Turns out he's a cheapskate and that is a major turn off for her. But she doesn't want to dump him because she doesn't want him to think that she's prejudice against the deaf and tries to come up with a way to kick him to curb nicely.
The only thing I can safely gather from this episode is that Josh needs therapy. The character of Josh is really rubbing me the wrong way with all of this bed hopping. I'm going to need to see a whole lot more personal growth and maturity from him before I can ever be OK with him and Gabi getting serious. And no offense to Johnathan Sadowski but the way he played Josh in this episode felt really off and disconnected from what was actually written. Josh gave me a creepy 'Psycho' vibe in this episode. As for Gabi, I was a little annoyed with her when she discovered that Josh did show up at the airport. Cooper is a great guy (even though let's be honest, long distance relationships suck and rarely work out). But I also liked that Gabi stood up for herself even though it fell on deaf ears and she lost out because of Josh's incessant need to squelch the tightness in his trousers. Sophia continues to be one of the best things about this show providing the voice of reason and the occasional nudge. I actually liked seeing Elliott and Yolanda being semi-nice to each other. Though I could care less about their respective love lives. But you know what be awesome to see in the next episode? Gabi and Sophia passing the Bechdel test, or hey maybe the writers could even aim that goal towards Elliott and Yolanda. Just a thought.
I truly hope Josh realizes that yes, it is much too soon for him to have a "girlfriend" and spends a least two or three episodes working on himself or his business. I also want something a little more meaty for Gabi. I'd love to see her improve upon her craft and take this job a little more seriously and be more professional, just for a little while and see where that goes. I also want to get Sophia a little more fleshed out so hopefully these things are in the pipeline and the writers can find humorous ways to go about it because there wasn't a whole lot of funny in this one. Only a handful of sitcoms in the history of sitcoms could go long stretches leaning toward a more serious approach (M.A.S.H.,Frasier, HIMYM)and unfortunately Young & Hungry is to new of a show to upping the dramatics at this point.
Bring back the funny and lightheartedness ASAP, please.
Grade: B-
Character of the Night
• Jilly
Best Character Interactions
• Yolanda and Elliott
Most Memorable Moment
• The voicemail Josh left for Gabi plays at the most inopportune time.
• Gabi grabbing her apron right off of Jilly.
• Gabi and Jilly both suggesting chicken pot pie.
Line of the Night
• Josh: While you were gone there was a phone virus that swept the country. People everywhere were talking face to face. It was horrible.
• Gabi: It was amazing. Everywhere we went they treated us like royalty. Of course they all thought I was Carey Underwood.
Scene of the Night
• Josh reveals that he knew which potpie was Gabi's only it wasn't because of which colored dish.
Style Watch – I am loving Gabi's style this season. I guess being a personal chef pays well enough for not to have to wrestle in the bargain bins anymore.
Burning Question
•Do you think this season's running gag is getting a look into who 'the help' is dating? How do you feel about it if that turns out to be the case?
Show’s hashtag: #YoungandHungry
Young & Hungry airs Wednesday nights at 8PM EST on ABC Family
What did you think of this episode? Could you believe that Josh had yet another lady in his bed so soon after his failed engagement? Are you happy that Sophia told Gabi about the Josh situation? Please be sure to leave a comment below as well as share this article if you enjoyed it.
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