Ep 12. Fake Love

Zoey Johnson has been through a lot in her time at college. She's had to navigate the ups and downs of adult relationships, handle academic pressure, and figure out who she really is as a person. In season two, episode twelve of "grown-ish," titled "Fake Love," Zoey takes on a new challenge: learning the difference between love and infatuation.

The episode begins with Zoey and her friends noticing that their classmate Aaron is acting strangely. He seems distant and distracted, and they suspect he might be going through a break-up. Zoey, always eager to help her friends with their problems, decides to investigate. As she tries to uncover the truth about Aaron's relationship, she starts to see some of her own patterns reflected back at her.

Zoey has always had a bit of a problem with falling for the wrong guys. She's attracted to the cool, charming types who seem to have it all figured out, but who often turn out to be shallow and self-centered. She's also prone to jumping into relationships before really getting to know the person she's with. As she talks to Aaron's ex-girlfriend and checks out his social media accounts, she starts to see how these behaviors can lead to heartbreak.

Meanwhile, Zoey's roommate Ana is dealing with her own romantic problems. She's broken up with her boyfriend and is trying to move on, but finds herself falling for a guy who might not be as into her as she is into him. Zoey and Ana have a heart-to-heart about the difference between love and infatuation, and Zoey starts to wonder if she's ever truly been in love.

As Zoey tries to sort out her feelings, she also has to deal with the fallout from her latest academic scandal. She plagiarized a paper earlier in the season and is now facing the consequences. She's been put on academic probation and has to attend a workshop on integrity. While there, she has a moment of clarity about the similarities between cheating and fake love. Both are shortcuts that ultimately lead to disappointment.

In the end, Zoey realizes that she needs to be more discerning in her romantic choices. She can't keep falling for guys who only want to use her for their own ends. She needs to look for people who truly appreciate her as a person and are willing to build a real connection. The episode ends with her reaching out to someone unexpected, someone who's always been there for her but who she's never considered as a romantic partner before.

Overall, "Fake Love" is a thoughtful exploration of the difference between infatuation and real love. It's a reminder that relationships are complex and messy, and that it's important to take the time to really get to know someone before committing to them. Zoey's journey in this episode is relatable and engaging, and the show continues to showcase its sharp writing and strong performances.