Ep 3. IRL

Liza, the 40-year-old protagonist of the show, is struggling to keep up with her new job at a publishing company where everyone except for her seems to be decades younger. In this episode, Liza is tasked with securing a popular social media influencer, Montana, to sign a book deal. The book deal itself will help secure the future of the publishing company and Liza's job as well.

The episode begins with Liza meeting Montana for the first time in real life, or IRL as the title suggests. Montana is depicted as being a typical influencer, with a huge following on social media, an entourage of followers that she treats more like employees than friends, and a generally dismissive attitude towards the people around her. Liza manages to impress Montana with her knowledge of social media trends and Montana's own brand, but Liza is soon overwhelmed with the influencer's demands and expectations.

Meanwhile, Liza's personal life continues to be complicated. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she starts dating another man named Josh, who is significantly younger than her. Josh is an aspiring tattoo artist who is also a bartender at the bar where Liza and her friends often hang out. Their relationship is off to a rocky start since Liza is still hesitant to reveal her true age to Josh, fearing that he might not want to date her if he knew the truth.

Back at the publishing company, Montana's outrageous demands continue to escalate, leaving Liza feeling more and more frustrated. Montana insists on having her entourage with her at all times, keeping Liza waiting for hours on end while she takes selfies and tries on different outfits. To make matters worse, Liza is constantly overshadowed by her younger and more tech-savvy co-workers, who seem to have a much easier time navigating the world of social media influencers.

As the deadline for Montana's book deal approaches, Liza is forced to make some tough decisions. She has to decide whether or not it's worth it to keep trying to win over Montana, even at the risk of jeopardizing her job and her sanity. She also has to confront her own insecurities about her age and her place in the world, both professionally and personally.

Ultimately, Liza manages to find a way to connect with Montana on a more personal level, and the two women bond over their shared experiences as women in a male-dominated industry. Montana agrees to sign the book deal, and Liza's job is saved. However, Liza's personal life takes another hit when Josh discovers her true age and they have a tense confrontation.

Overall, this episode of Younger is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by women in their 40s who find themselves suddenly thrust back into the workforce after taking time off. It highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and self-confidence, even in the face of overwhelming odds. It's a must-watch for anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in a world that seems to value youth and newness above all else.