In a much needed switch up, we’re taking a bougie field trip out of the office to Greenwich, Connecticut in Episode 7 (“How To Get Away With Burger”) of The Z-Suite on Tubi. In Episode 6 (“Second Shift”), our two leading girl bosses Monica (Lauren Graham) and Kriska (Madison Shamoun) got their mojo back and began preparations for the big Boppin’ Burger Super Bowl campaign pitch. Now, in the second to last episode, the inevitable has happened: generational bonding.
The penultimate episode begins with a different tone than usual. The Z-Suiters are burning the midnight oil preparing their Boppin’ Burger pitch when Clem sees a ghost dressed as a plague physician appear out of thin air– and instead of doing the Sign of the Cross to ward it away, they passively do the macarena– a subtle, chuckle-worthy moment off the bat. Not to fear, this 14th century doctor is real and delivers the message that the trio are invited to George Larson’s (Mr. Boppin’ Burger) British aristocrat themed birthday party in Connecticut.
Kriska, Elliot and Clem arrive at George’s sprawling mansion, and it feels incredible to see a set that’s not the four walls of Atelier. “Nothing good happens in a mansion. Think about it– Clue, Knives Out, the White House?” Following an awkward run in with Monica and Doug after the zoomers inadvertently infiltrated Monica’s apartment last episode, Bennet Buffy (Rhys Darby) reenters the scene and reveals his hat is also in the ring to win the Boppin’ Burger commercial. Plot twist, the slimeball only helped Monica setup Marks & Marks, getting her back in the game and securing her first client as an independent agency, to make taking her down that much sweeter.
George’s wife Ashleigh– pronounced Ash-Slay– welcomes all the guests when the lights flicker off. George lies seemingly dead on the floor and Clem has fled the scene. Minnesota Matt appears out of nowhere in full dress and makeup as an old-timey butler, a legit jumpscare, to announce the beginning of the attempted murder mystery party. “What’s this? A murder? Nay…’tis a poisoning.” I’d like to know how exactly Matt got this gig. Is working birthday parties his side hustle? An attempt at having a creative outlet since he isn’t allowed to create work for clients? Anywho, Matt as Fergus Archibald III instructs the guests to complete a series of challenges to “find the antidote.” Whoever gets to it first wins one on one time with George– A.K.A private time to pitch for the Super Bowl. In a not so surprising random draw, Monica, Doug, Kriska and Elliot all end up on the same team to solve the puzzles. You can see where we’re going from here, no? It’s giving forced proximity trope. The team breezes through the first riddle, but Elliot grows tired of Kriska and Monica’s bickering, leaves the game and Doug follows suit. The women are on their own.
For the latter half of the episode, everyone is bonding. Elliot and Doug try on Ashleigh’s clothes and talk about art history. Clem, who mistook the game for an organ harvesting scheme and sought refuge in a closet with a cheese shiv, buddies up with George’s creepy young daughter. Even Minnesota Matt gabs with Mr. Boppin’ Burger on the floor over their mutual love of Dungeons & Dragons. They’re chatting a little too excitedly, quite frankly.
Kriska solves the last two puzzles correctly, thoroughly impressing Monica and even earning some compliments from her. When the pair get to the antidote, it’s gone. Clem and creepy Clara already stole it to secure the win for team Z– though they aren’t able to fend Buffy off with the homemade cheese shiv, and the cheater steals it. Both groups, X and Z, leave disappointed, but all a bit more endeared to each other while Buffy claims the private time with George. Maybe the real antidote was the friends we made along the way. Oh, and on the way out, it turns out Clara is a ghost– Clem the clairvoyant?
With only one episode left, it’s looking suspiciously like the underdog Minnesota Matt will end up on top. Being rightfully disregarded and occasionally exploited all season, all the pieces are coming together for the Dungeons & Dragons dummy to swoop in, declaring victory at the end. I’d still like to know how exactly the man got this side job. How did the man who can’t talk to clients get introduced to George?
Next week, we find out the fate of our favorite slightly dimwitted group of twenty somethings. Will Monica resume her top dog position in the advertising world, and will it even matter if she’s still canceled in the public eye? Will Doug finally stop saying something along the lines of, “Honestly sometimes I resent you Gen Z’s for having it so easy.” (Seriously, no one has justified that comment with examples of how exactly they have it so easy.)
New episodes of The Z-Suite debut every Thursday on Tubi.
Claire Waheed is a recently graduated freelance writer currently based in Texas. She loves all things pop culture and new adventures.
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