Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Midseason Report Card: Best Song, Biggest Surprises and More!
Christine Laskodi
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They say love makes you crazy...
Rebecca Bunch is still trying to figure out her love life and her purpose in West Covina, California when we see her again on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 2, after exposing her secret to Josh Chan.
During the Emmy-winning show's second season, Rebecca has already experienced breakups with both of the men in her life, as well as the show's biggest separation – Rebecca's friendship with Paula.
What have we loved so far in Season 2? What were our favorite songs? Which 'ship reigns supreme, and which story left us in tears? Who deserves an Emmy, like, right now? Check out our mid-season report card for Crazy-Ex Girlfriend!
Need a refresher before Crazy Ex-Girlfriend returns? You can catch up on every episode and watch Crazy Ex-Girlfriend online right here at TV Fanatic!
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend returns on Friday, January 6th with a two-hour winter premiere.
1. Smartest Song: The Math of Love Triangles
Filled with math puns and adorable lil' ol' Rebecca, this song was an automatic classic for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Not only did we learn that math can be totally sexual (90 degrees is REALLY erect), but we also got a glimpse into Rebecca's very misguided belief that she was the center of a love triangle with Josh and Greg. Rachel Bloom slayed this homage to Marilyn Monroe, and we're still humming it months later.
2. Episode That Had Us Reaching for Tissues: When Will Josh and His Friend Leave Me Alone?
This episode was book-ended with heartbreaking surprises. The hour began with Greg's shocking departure, as he confessed to Rebecca that their romance was a “sh*t show” in the style of Frank Sinatra. Just when our eyes had dried, the hour ended with Paula choosing not to tell Rebecca that she chose to have an abortion, a major step backward in the decline of the show's central relationship. Now that we're thinking about it, we might need a tissue all over again...
3. Favorite 'Ship: Darryl and White Josh
Darryl and White Josh remain the most stable and loving couple on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, already working through their first fight with ease and excellent communication. White Josh even got to meet Madison, Darryl's daughter, a huge step forward in their relationship. What will the rest of Season 2 bring WhiteJoshFeather? We don't know, but we hope it's as awesome as they are.
4. Just Hand An Emmy to Donna Lynne Champlin
Donna Lynne Champlin's performance this season has been nothing short of delightful. Each week, she adds a new layer to the already complex Paula, giving her dimension unlike any other character on the series. Paula's journey from sidekick to showstopping lawyer has already been filled with moments that made us cheer and shed a tear. Especially poignant were the scenes between she and Steve Monroe, who plays Paula's husband, Scott, as they had a real dialogue about their choices following Paula's surprise pregnancy, and the support they lent to one another following Paula's decision to have an abortion. Who do we call to start engraving Champlin's name on an Emmy?
5. Choreography That Killed: Dinosaur Ballet
This dance number, induced by some serious drugs, gave Gabrielle Ruiz and Vincent Rodriguez III a chance to show off their amazing ballet skills. As Valencia gently tip-toed across the room, the story of her relationship with Josh dying played out, complete with Josh in a handsome Triceatops mask. The lovely ballet paired perfectly with Rachel Bloom in her own hilarious Triceratops costume, bowling over Josh Chan and ripping out his heart. Choreographer Kat Burns deserves major props for telling us a heartbreaking and hilarious story through dance.
6. Most Dramatic Song: You Go First
Maybe it's just the way we feel watching characters singing in front of a window in the rain. Or maybe it was just the killer hair-band-lady-power-ballad. Every aspect of this song and its live action performance was filled with angst that could only be properly captured with Tina Turner wigs and hardcore keyboard playing.
7. Best Cast Upgrade: Gabrielle Ruiz as a Series Regular
We wondered how the series would incorporate Josh's other ex-girlfriend following their breakup in the Season 1 finale. As it turns out, Gabrielle Ruiz's Valencia thrives as Rebecca's new best friend, and watching her become a softer and kinder person has been a real treat this season. Neither Valencia nor Rebecca needs Josh Chan – both ladies coming to that understanding together is a perfect way to bond them together forever as #besties.
8. Favorite New Character: Sunil
Sunil, Paula's new BFF from law school, immediately won us over with his very astute observations about Rebecca and Paula's friendship, as well as his killer friendship bracelet crafting skills. Sunil's dark backstory adds an uncomfortable layer of comedy to every conversation he has with Paula. Will the writers ever address why his wife killed herself? Or why she prepared for her suicide so thoroughly? We're just waiting to find out!
9. Surprise Return: Trent
Trent was a fantastic joke last season, coming in to help Rebecca in her schemes to win Josh Chan's heart, but also revealing his longtime love for the West Covina transplant. While we had some mixed feelings about Trent returning to lose his V-card to Rebecca, his return was certainly shocking and we can't help but wonder if we'll see him again.
10. Story That Broke Our Hearts: Rebecca and Paula's Fight
Rebecca and Paula's friendship is the heart of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which is why their fight sent shock waves through the show. Though tension had been building between the self-absorbed Rebecca and her constantly giving BFF Paula, it still came as a shock when the ladies finally got it all out in the open – and gave their friendship a backseat for a while. Though Rebecca has moved on with her new girl group, and Paula with her new bestie Sunil, we hope this fight ends soon, because West Covina isn't the same when Paula and Rebecca aren't sharing doughnuts in the breakroom!
11. Cast Member Who Should Sing More: Vella Lovell
Vella Lovell's Heather surprised us all this season with “Paula's Stuck in the Bathroom,” an homage to the infamous “Trapped in the Closet” rap opera by R. Kelly. Not only did Lovell completely slay this song, but it showed us the value of increasing Heather's role on the series in Season 2. She is the comic relief (and reality check) that Rebecca desperately needs during this second chapter of her life in West Covina.
12. Song That We Need to Hear in Its Entirety: Period Sex
We've been teased TWICE with little snippets of “Period Sex.” This song, which is most likely grotesquely accurate and hilarious, NEEDS a full version on the show. If not there, perhaps on iTunes? Rachel Bloom – the world is waiting for this one.
