Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Josh is the Man of My Dreams, Right?/Is Josh Free In Two Weeks? - Double Review: "Did the Devil Winds Create These Plots?"

Ugh. That's been my sentiment with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend for most of the back half of season 2. I have just found myself really annoyed by the story-lines that have been presented. Don't get me wrong, I still find the show to be genius and subversive, but I also really hate the way things have been going. Sure, I love the brilliance that was "Remember That We Suffered" and I was thrilled that Bex was finally realizing that Josh isn't the man of her dreams in that very same episode and then came that awful proposal. Once that happened, I knew that everything after it was going to be a chore to get through and I'm just really hoping the finale is going to set things right.

Josh is the Man of My Dreams, Right?
This episode centered around the dreaded Santa Ana winds that were blowing through West Covina and end up making things get really weird, which is why they are called "The Devil's Winds". I loved that they actually gave the Santa Ana winds a face and a song and that he was so prominent throughout the episode. I love that the show takes standard Rom-Com tropes like a wind that spreads through and makes things crazy but also makes us confront our truths and really lambastes them. (It doesn't hurt that the wind guy is hella cute) By the end, it did get to be just a little bit to much all the "whees" and "Weird" sang at such a high bitch, but the "You Stupid Bitch" saved it and basically summed up my thoughts on this whole Josh-Rebecca-Nathaniel plotline but just a little more harsh than I would said it. The Devil Winds blow through and cause what should be a celebratory time for Rebecca turn into a time for longing for Nathaniel. Rebecca is staring to realize, like most of the viewing audience, that the passion with Josh, just really isn't there because he can't give her goosebumps. Josh blames her weirdness on the incoming Devil Winds that happen to blow into the office and opens Rebecca's top while in a team meeting with Nathaniel present.

Both Nathaniel and Rebecca end up having the same dream about having sexy times, and when Bex goes to Paula for advice, she tells Bex to just avoid him. Bex tries, and almost succeeds until she gets stuck in the elevator with Nathaniel. Gary Greg George is still in the office and doesn't try to help the twosome because they can't remember his name. Rebecca panics because this is the exact opposite of what she should be doing. Nathaniel says they should have sex because they can't deny this physical attraction much longer and once they do it, they can both move on. (It's not about love like most rom-coms would have you believe) She does end up kissing him, after the elevator starts working again and then decides to head home and tell a sleeping Josh about their new wedding date, which won't be as far as they both originally thought. Bex bribed someone else on the waiting list and now their wedding is in two weeks. Meanwhile, the Santa Ana winds brought Paula to two revelations. One, she is pretty awful to Darryl who just wants to be her BFF(and that's all he better be!) and two she misses Scott. It's a nice parallel between Paula and Bex here. Bex is rushing into her wedding, while Paula throws caution to the winds and decided to let Scott come home. Honestly, i just wish we got to see some the energy Darryl puts into his relationship with Paula into his relationship with White Josh. Again from a creative standpoint, I enjoyed this episode but I honestly found myself annoyed at much of the story. I've just about had it with the Josh and Rebecca romance and I just hate how she can never really make the progress that she wants. It just doesn't gel with me that Bex would risk her emotional sanity for someone like Josh. It's interesting how Josh and Rebecca came together at a wedding, so I'm betting they'll come apart at one as well, I just hate everything it's taking to get there. B-

Is Josh Free In Two Weeks?
I don't even know what to say about this episode. Rebecca goes crazy trying to DIY the wedding that's coming up in 11 days and Nathaniel poops his pants and takes a nap. Seth Green is a delivery man who has to deal with all of Rebecca's wedding crazy and Valencia ends up as the Rebecca's wedding planner. Meanwhile Josh finds that planning a wedding with Rebecca is pretty much like planning a wedding with Valencia and there's a cute church basketball coach he seems to be sharing some vibes with. All of this happened in this episode and none of it really felt organic or earned. It seems like the show needed an episode to stall up to the wedding so they decided why not throw all for this together. I get that we are meant to see Bex's anxiety about having the perfect wedding and not having her parent's support, but the execution seemed off. I honestly felt this plot could've been tacked onto another episode. Nathaniel getting sick and Darryl convincing him to take a nap which ends up being seen by his father who happens to think naps are for the weak ending up leading to Nathaniel flying in Bex's father who had declined her wedding invitation. (This is really convoluted) On the one hand, I really hope that Scott Michael Foster is announced as a season 3 regular after the finale airs. I just think to do something like this, just for him to disappear like Greg would really be a severe blow for Rebecca and I also think he's starting to gel with the cast.

I'm glad that Valencia and Rebecca made up and I appreciate that Heather was there for her. Valencia seems to be having a real crisis of her own in terms of her future, but it seems like planning weddings is something she might be good at, so maybe she makes a career out of it. While I found the Patrick of it all just a tad bit weird, I did enjoy seeing Seth Green again and it's nice to know that even though she's busy, Paula is still there for Bex and that she lit a fire under Naomi's butt to support her daughter. I just felt this episode was another lackluster delivery in a string of lackluster deliveries. I did let out a squeal of Joy when Trent was revealed at the end of the hour. I'm begging you Trent, please put me and Rebecca out of our misery and stop this wedding. C

Grading the Songs
Santa Ana Winds - I hope that he's back. Because he's the wind and kind of a narrator. A

Let's Have Intercourse - Scott Michael Foster can sing to me anytime. I may hate this weird triangle thing, but I like this song. B

You're My Best Friend - Poor Darryl. I just want so much more from him, but this song speaks to my soul. A

Man Nap - Honestly, I didn't get the hype everyone has for this song. C

(Tell Me I'm Okay) Patrick - A real highlight from an otherwise so-so episode. Though, I'm only like 43% sure.

Period Sex- Okay, it's not in the actual episode, but it's on the episode soundtrack on itunes and I've waited forever to be simultaneously grossed out and amused. B

What did you think of these episodes? Are you excited about the finale and what do you think will happen? Sound off below.


The season 2 finale of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Can Josh Take a Leap of Faith? airs 2/3/17 on the CW.

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About the Author - Winston Mize

I always have the most trouble coming up with a blurb to describe me. Which is really weird for someone who wants to make a career out of writing. If you think I'm awkward online, it's just because you haven't met me in person. I'd like to think I have other interests outside of TV, and maybe I do, but TV is the one that gets me most excited. I live a pretty boring life so TV's the way I get my fix, and I'd love to chat about it with you. I'm also always looking to guest on podcasts and become a podcasting sensation, so if you've got the opportunity, I'm in there like swimwear. You can check me out with different previews of various shows or read my reviews of iZombie, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Legends Of Tomorrow here on the site. If you're a fan on One Tree Hill you can check out my podcast about as well by checking out our twitter page @OnlyOthPod.

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