Ep 6. The Cookie Jar

In the sixth episode of Staged season 1, entitled "The Cookie Jar," David and Michael are once again tasked with rehearsing for their upcoming play, but this time things are a bit different. David, who is still suffering from anxiety due to the pandemic, has brought homemade cookies to the rehearsal as a way to calm his nerves, but Michael isn't convinced that baked goods will help him with his acting.

As they begin rehearsing, tension rises between the two actors as they struggle to stay focused. David becomes distracted by his phone, which is constantly buzzing with messages from his wife and children. Michael, on the other hand, is concerned about the progress of the play, and starts to voice his frustrations.

Eventually, the two decide to take a break and enjoy some of David's cookies. While they're snacking, David reveals that he has been invited to give a speech at a virtual conference for mental health, which makes Michael worry about how the speech will affect their production rehearsals.

As they return to rehearsing, David becomes increasingly anxious and starts making mistakes in his lines. Michael offers some encouragement, but David is still struggling. Things escalate quickly when they start arguing about the performance, and it seems that their project might be in jeopardy.

However, as the episode progresses, they both realize the importance of working together to make the play a success. Their tension subsides, and they manage to come to a compromise that ensures they will be able to continue creating the play that they both care about.

Overall, "The Cookie Jar" showcases the ups and downs of artistic collaboration, as well as the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities in the midst of a global pandemic. With strong performances from David and Michael, as well as some humorous moments sprinkled throughout, this episode is an engaging and thought-provoking addition to the series.