Ep 13. Goodbye, My Friend

In "Goodbye, My Friend," the thirteenth episode of 30 Rock's third season, Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) tries to maintain her sanity after losing a friend and confidante. As she deals with her grief, she must also navigate a series of complicated workplace situations at her job as head writer for a sketch comedy show. Meanwhile, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) tries to fix a problem with his mother's house, and Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) is forced to confront his mortality in a surprising way.

The episode begins with Liz receiving the news that her old friend and former roommate, Jenna's (Jane Krakowski) stalker has died, leaving Jenna distraught. Liz tries to console her, but finds that she is struggling with her own sense of loss as well. She tries to distract herself by throwing herself into work, but finds that her usual coping mechanisms are not working anymore.

Meanwhile, Jack is having his own problems to deal with - specifically, a rodent infestation in his mother's house. Despite his initial reluctance, he decides to take on the problem himself, with predictably hilarious results. He also begins to realize that his mother is getting older and may need his help more than ever.

Back at work, Liz finds herself in the middle of a workplace drama when the show's new cast member, Danny (Cheyenne Jackson), becomes romantically involved with Jenna. Liz tries to put a stop to the relationship, but finds that the situation is more complicated than she thought. She also finds herself having to deal with the fallout from Tracy's latest outburst, which involves him claiming that he is going to die soon.

As the episode unfolds, Liz's emotional state becomes more and more precarious, and it becomes clear that she needs to confront her feelings about her friend's death. She seeks out the advice of her therapist, Dr. Kaplan (Marcia Jean Kurtz), who helps her to see that she needs to let herself grieve. With Dr. Kaplan's help, Liz is able to come to terms with the loss of her friend, and finds that she is better able to handle the challenges of work and life.

Overall, "Goodbye, My Friend" is a poignant and funny episode of 30 Rock that explores the theme of loss in a fresh and insightful way. The show's talented cast and sharp writing make it a standout episode in what is already a beloved series.