A to Z - Episode 1.04 & 1.05 - D is for Debbie & E is for Ectoplasm - Review

Firstly, Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you enjoy my Double Review.
D is for Debbie
Written by Laura Gutin Peterson & Directed by Michael Patrick Jann

Andrew asks Zelda is she's ready for the game today but replies that her Aunt Debbie just passed away. At first I thought this was just a cover for her to get out of going to the game but little did I know she wasn't lying. Last weeks episode was all about Zelda's Aunt Debbie was actually more of a mother to her than her actual mother.

Zelda felt that since Andrew and her have only been dating for 3 weeks, that it wouldn't be appropriate for him to come to the wedding but much to her surprise, he shows up with some flowers. As our narrator indicating at the beginning of the episode, this episode was all about showing your true nature as opposed to the lovey dovey face you put on during the honeymoon phase of your relationship.

Not only was Zelda worried about how the two would be around each other at a funeral but also the interaction of his mother and uncle with Andrew which surprisingly went rather well. Andrew even attended her uncles's unusual mediation gathering, Ben Feldman is such a genuine guy and it definitely comes across on screen. Andrew is willingly to try anything because he really cares about Zelda and he's a family guy so wanting to know where Zelda comes from is in his nature.

Cristin Milioti did a great job of conveying her emotions during this episode, she did however go full on lawyer during the eulogy which was slightly strange but understandable, all people grieve in different ways and as Andrew said, it doesn't always hit you straight away however just as he uttered those very words, the tears came rolling down. A nice contrast between Zelda and her some what hippy family was that she was more proper and organised, this was well reflected in the way the character dressed, the way he hair was done and the way she spoke during the eulogy after her uncle flaked on her.

Cristin Milioti is really good at transitioning from calm and collected to terribly sad and distraught.

In other news, Stu and Stephie were vying for the attention of Tyler Ward, a popular youtuber whom Stephie feels a spark with and whom Stu needs for work purposes since Lydia questioned his work earlier in the episode. During this encounter between Lydia and Stu we uncover that he's also the Head of Products and Innovation, this was something I didn't expect, his character is so silly that I wasn't expecting him to be the head of something but Stu does have this resourcefulness that makes this position of employment believable. However Stu and Stephie are unsuccessful in their entrapment of Tyler Ward but thankfully Stu's job is safe.

I really liked the scene where Stephie told Sttu to sit down with her after he brought her a Meat Tray, I can definitely see their friendship grow, slowly. The episode ends with a joyful and uplifting song sung amongst family and friends during which we learn that Zelda can play the piano. The ending where Zelda wrote goodbye on a lantern was particularly beautiful and complimented the ending very well.

E is for Ectoplasm
Written by Theresa Mulligan Rosenthal & Directed by Eric Appel

Last night's episode featured Andrew and Zelda's one month-a-versary a great milestone between these two awesome people. I must say the way Andrew and Zelda look at each other is so remarkably genuine, their is so much chemistry between the two of them and they play so particularly well together, more so than other comedies.

Halloween traditions are a plenty between Zelda and Stephie & Andrew and Stu. Zelda and Stephie have a tradition of dressing up as Laverne & Shirley, the characters of a show that filmed in their house whilst Andrew and Stu are obsessed with the Ghostbusters! However our favorite couple want to throw a Halloween Party to not only celebrate the holiday 'Trick of Treating' but also their one month-a-versary instead of carrying on with their Spooky Traditions but the friends have a "fat chance" of coming.

In order to cheer up their friends Andrew and Zelda ask Stephie and Stu to meet them to discuss the party over coffee. The "human" thing to do would have been to be given a heads up, Stephie doesn't really want to be 'Laverne' on her own. Stephie and Stu offer to spruce up the invites which to them were lacking but much to our couples surprise was a more 'Zombie Murder to Happy Couple' Type Card, a slightly funny if not offensive card.


However trying to please their friends of whom take control over the party and end up fighting over small details instead of bothering to ask what the happy couple would like but like the good friends Andrew and Zelda are they don't complain until they do and cancel the party.

Back at Wallflower, it seems their algorithm may be killing people as their once golden couple is no more, this couple was supposed to be the highlight of the party the company is throwing. Lydia thens lightbulbs an idea, Andrew and Zelda could be the golden couple she was looking for. Lydia really only wants them to impress the reporter Emily.

During the party, Zelda begins to feel to a bit suffocated by the attention and Denish and Lora are thrown in nerd jail. Stephie bluntly told Zelda she was looking for a sexy single to replace her and Stu had already replaced Andrew with Ray Parker, Jr. I really liked this bickering, it was fun to watch but I felt bad for the friends, I was sure that if there friendship was strong enough, they'd pull through.


Funnily enough the Reporter, Emily finds out Andrew and Zelda have only been dating a month unlike the 5 years Lydia had informed her off and then fell Magnum P.I from the ceiling, guess Lora was right about the idiocy.

Lydia throws the gang in detention, of sorts, where Stu says he feels like he's being replaced, this was the main reason behind Stephie and his motivations for sabotaging the party indirectly. Stu reveals that all the Wallflower Contacts had listed their significant other as their best friend and wondered what would happen to him as did Stephie. I thought this was an honest representation of friends feeling left out and as a result lashing out on their friends, it's in human nature to be jealous. Stephie and Stu were just seeking the comfort and reassurance of their friends to which Andrew and Zelda happily obliged and thus we saw the return of Laverne and Shirley & The Ghostbusters!

Before the episode closes, our narrator informs us that Andrew and Zelda aren't yet best friends but something different before closing to the theme of the Ghostbusters!

I'm really enjoying this show, the two leads convey so much emotion, the way Ben Feldman looks at Cristin Milioti you'd think he was in love with her, just genuine acting right here. I've also been noticing that this show has a beautiful location it shoots on, it really appeals to the vibe of romantic comedies. Please feel free to leave a comment on your thoughts of the show so far and anything else you'd like to add.

Watch A to Z Thursdays 9:30|8:30c on NBC.

About the Author - Nirat Anop

Nirat watches a lot of TV Shows, some of his favorites are Sleepy Hollow, The 100, Orphan Black, Once Upon a Time, Outlander, Teen Wolf, Gotham, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Arrow, Sherlock, Doctor Who, The Legend of Korra, and The Goldbergs. He was born in South Africa and now lives in New Zealand. He's a University Student. He will be reviewing Selfie, A to Z and Fresh of the Boat this season. He's also the backup reviewer for Daredevil, Agent Carter, Gotham and Galavant, so you may see a review by him for either of these shows. Feel free to follow him on Twitter, Tumblr or Google+

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