So I’ve decided to recap Reboot, a new comedy now on Hulu. I’ll be recapping one episode nearly every day to get through the first 5 before the 6th comes out on Monday, and after that I’ll post right on time with the releases.

This is episode 3, and I’ve finally noticed that each of the titles of the episodes are named after famous sitcoms! To be honest, I haven’t really watched enough of these to say if the names relate to the episode, but if someone knows, they should let me know in the comments.

Zack found out about Clay and his mom– which was inevitable since he had sex with her multiple times in Zack’s trailer– and he wants to talk about it. Clay would rather do anything but talk, including admit to a man he hasn’t seen in years that he fucked someone he’s not supposed to. He doesn’t get out of the conversation, but Zack’s conversation isn’t what Clay thought it would be. Zack is happy that Clay “likes likes what they did”, because Zack’s mom doesn’t handle casual situations well! Since Zack interprets Clay as genuine (which is appalling, he was clearly trying not to melt into the floor), he high fives him. His tv dad and real mom are dating! A dream come true! This “dating” thing is news to Clay but he rolls with it, because what else can you do.

Bree’s kindness to Timberly didn’t go unnoticed, and the two women make plans to go out for dinner and drinks later that night. Bree hasn’t been on a first date in 15 years, and Timberly thinks she needs to get out there. Watch this space!

In the writing room, Hannah has brought on three new writers. Unfortunately, Gordon assumes that they are diversity interns, creating the first of many awkward conversations. Gordon sticks his foot in his mouth constantly, asking if any of them are “part Eskimo”. He clearly doesn’t realize why what he’s saying is wrong, and continues with the privilege of every entitled white man!

The writers all agree that Bree and Timberly’s characters on the show need to bond, but they don’t agree how to do it. Gordon wants a hot pizza delivery driver to show up, but Hannah wants to do something that passes the Bechdel test. Gordon… doesn’t get it. It’s so clear what the difference is between older white male comedians and a younger, diverse audience. It’s honestly really similar to Hacks in the way it pits one generation against the other, but the execution is so different here!

Gordon feels outnumbered, so he brings in three old writers to match the three younger ones that Hannah had. They’ve all been making sitcoms for decades, and Gordon is sure that’s exactly what they need. One thing they definitely are is old fashioned, making politically incorrect jokes from the jump.

A scene that the writers actually did get around to writing has Reed and Bree in bed together. Reed was worried that Bree wouldn’t be able to handle such a risqué scene, but it turns out it shouldn’t have been Bree he was worrying about. As they’re marking the scene where Reed is on top of Bree, he gets a boner. He tries to balance getting off of her and covering himself up, but Bree and Clay catch on and proceed to make the situation as uncomfortable for him as possible. They take five (a hard five or a soft five?) for Reed to get himself under control.

The next day, there’s a producer intervention to discuss the matter of the erection. The producers clearly don’t care that deeply and mostly seem like the whole thing is a drag, and it’s all played for comedy because Bree thinks it’s hilarious. This is all perfectly well and fine because Bree was more amused by making Reed uncomfortable than she was by Reed getting an erection on her. They have a history that makes the whole thing make sense. HOWEVER this is borderline sexual harassment and could cause a deeply unsafe set so I’m glad they addressed it instead of letting it go.

Reed reminds everyone of his committed relationship, but Bree makes it clear that she’s not even really sure if Nora is real. Regardless, Reed will have to use a vajoga and wear a modesty sock the next time he films scenes, for Bree’s safety on set.

In the opening episode, Reed says that Step Right Up is the funniest script he’s ever read and yet he didn’t laugh once. I feel that way most of the time with Reboot. The jokes are often little quips thrown into a scene that overall is not all that funny. All of these actors are so good at getting in hilarious little jabs without interrupting the momentum of the scene.

Clay is still hooking up with Zack’s mom while also somewhat trying not to hook up with Zack’s mom. Her personality is such a hilarious mix of sexual and mommy– I don’t want to be into it but it’s making me just as confused as it’s making Clay! He doesn’t want trouble with her, and so he doesn’t know how to break it off properly, but Reed’s HR situation gives him an idea.

He asks someone to pretend to be from HR and declare that the relationship is not allowed according to the employee conduct handbook. The man is a terrible actor, but Zack buys it instantly. Even though Clay’s job is “in danger”, Zack thinks that Clay has a tough decision to make. Unsurprisingly, Zack’s mom knows that the whole thing is fake and confronts Clay later to say that she’s not mad, just disappointed. Luckily, Susan just wants to fuck! She broke the window on that car from the inside while having sex! She just told Zack it was a breakup fight because she didn’t know what else to tell him! Susan is here for the forbidden sex-fling and Clay is into it. I ship!

Zack and Clay actually have a bonding moment, about choosing a career over Zack’s mom, and Clay lets his guard down enough to invite Zack out for a hamburger. It’s honestly been really fun to watch Clay try to be a good person. Even though we didn’t see him at his “worst” there’s something in me that really wants to root for him.

Back in the writer’s room, the old people and the young people still can’t get along. They keep pitching things that the other side of the room shoots down instantly. They work all day and still can’t come up with anything, so Hannah pulls what’s becoming a bit of a character trait and quits. Fortunately, she trips over a garbage can on her way out and all of the writers come together laughing at her. It appears that they can work together after all!

Bree was all tough and laughing when it was Reed’s HR situation, but when Reed and Bree actually kiss to practice the scene, Bree breaks down sobbing and runs out of the room. Timberly follows her to comfort her. Later that night at the bar, the two women drink and bond over Bree’s past relationships. Timberly says that half of the guys in the crew want to bang Bree because she’s so hot! She hypes Bree up to have a good night out and then…

Cut to Bree in bed! (there was a scene in between but I already wrote about it so that I can end with this)

Reed is also in bed– a separate bed– and he’s calling Bree to see if she’s okay. Bree says she’s doing better, so much so that she doesn’t care about Reed’s love confession enough to reply or make fun of him. She’s in a really good place right now. That place? In bed. Naked. Next to Timberly!! When I tell you I screamed!

I honestly still kind of ship Reed and Bree, but this plot twist was so deeply fun, and I cannot wait to see where it goes.

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