Ep 2. Valerie Triumphs at the Upfronts

Valerie Cherish's second episode kicks off with a bang: we see Valerie gearing up to present her new TV show, "Room and Bored", at the Upfronts. Valerie is nervous and excited to be presenting her show in front of major network executives. After her brief and somewhat awkward presentation, Valerie is elated to find out that the network has picked up her show. This is a major triumph for Valerie, who feels validated by the industry after years of struggling to make it in Hollywood.

As the episode continues, Valerie jumps into the filming process for "Room and Bored". We see her interacting with her co-stars and trying to navigate the dynamics of being the show's lead. Valerie's co-stars are a mix of seasoned actors and up-and-comers, and she clearly feels a bit out of her element around some of them. However, Valerie is determined to make her show work, and she throws herself into her work with enthusiasm.

One of the most interesting threads in this episode revolves around Valerie's relationship with Jane, her reality show producer. Jane is clearly feeling frustrated with Valerie's inability to take direction, but Valerie is equally frustrated with Jane's constant criticism. The two women butt heads several times throughout the episode, but ultimately Valerie takes Jane's advice to cut one of the show's storylines. This decision pays off in the end, and the final product is much stronger as a result.

Of course, Valerie's personal life is still a mess. We see her getting increasingly frustrated with her husband Mark, who seems disinterested in her career and more interested in his own pursuits. Valerie also has a bit of a meltdown when she realizes that her new assistant, Jesse, is far too young to remember her heyday in the 90s. Despite these setbacks, Valerie remains optimistic and focused on making her show a success.

Towards the end of the episode, Valerie gets a bit of a reality check when she has a conversation with a network executive. The executive tells Valerie that while he likes her show, he needs it to "pop" more. Valerie takes this criticism to heart, and we see her brainstorming ways to make her show more exciting. In the end, Valerie comes up with a bold and daring idea that she believes will make her show stand out.

Overall, this episode of "The Comeback" is a solid follow-up to the pilot. It continues to explore Valerie's character and her professional and personal struggles, and it sets up some interesting conflicts that are sure to be further developed as the series goes on. While there aren't any major twists or turns in this episode, it's an enjoyable watch, and it leaves you wanting more.