Ep 3. The Parent Track

Sydney to the Max season 1 episode 3 titled "The Parent Track" centers around Sydney's dad Max and his attempts to bond with his daughter. After finding out that Sydney has been spending a lot of time with her mom and her friends, Max decides to take Sydney to his favorite pizza place which is a bit run down but holds some memories for him. With Max being out of touch with his daughter's interests, the two of them struggle to have a conversation and find common ground.

Meanwhile, Sydney's best friend Olive overhears her parents talking about their own relationship troubles and becomes paranoid that they might be getting a divorce. Olive confides in Sydney who then encourages her to talk to her parents about her concerns. Olive's dad, however, overhears their conversation and is quick to reassure Olive that everything is okay between him and her mom. Olive's parents realize that they need to communicate more openly and decide to take a couple's therapy to work things out.

Back to Max and Sydney's outing, their chit-chat doesn't go as planned as Max tries to impress Sydney by showing off his knowledge of the Beatles' history which doesn't interest her at all. When their pizza orders arrive, Max realizes he has forgotten his wallet and cannot afford to pay for their meal. Sydney, seeing her dad's distress, offers to cover the bill with her own money which makes Max realize how much he has neglected their relationship. He apologizes to Sydney for being out of touch with her life and promises to make it up by getting more involved.

At the end of the episode, Sydney and Olive are hanging out, impressed by Max's efforts to be more present in Sydney's life. The girls discuss how their parents' problems have brought them closer together and they hope to see them work things out. The Parent Track highlights the importance of communication and being present in the lives of your loved ones, especially children who need their parents' attention.