Better Than the Movies

As Liz gets ready, Joss questions Liz’s outfit and is suspicious when Liz reveals she is going to the game with Wes. Joss assumes Liz is developing feelings for him, and Liz pretends this is true to explain why they are spending more time together. After Wes arrives, Liz scolds him for being too charming with Joss and Helena. He is pleased that she is wearing his suggested outfit. 

Wes drives to his friend Adam’s house where they all pile into Adam’s minivan. Wes arranges for Michael to sit by Liz. On the way to the game, Michael tells Liz she looks like her mother and asks if her daisy tattoo is for her. Liz admits it is—the daisies refer to a line from You’ve Got Mail. The group picks up Laney, which upsets Liz.

At the game, Wes makes a bet with Liz about how many shots one of the players will make. This makes the game more enjoyable for Liz. During half time, the group sneaks into an empty basketball court. Liz sits on the sidelines and soundtracks the impromptu game with a Beastie Boys song; she realizes music makes the sport livelier. Michael shows Liz how to shoot and suggests she give Wes a chance because he claims to have feelings for her. Liz tries to dissuade him when she is suddenly struck in the face by a stray basketball.

Liz’s nose bleeds heavily. Wes uses his shirt to staunch the bleeding and walks Liz to a nearby hospital. Liz is once again surprised by his kindness. On the way, they analyze Michael’s behavior, and Wes seems frustrated at Liz’s inability to read signals. He leaves Liz at the hospital with her father and Helena, and Liz wonders why he seems angry. Joss texts Liz to make shopping plans again, but Liz claims to have to work.

Michael texts Liz once she is home, but she finds it hard to flirt with him. She calls Wes, who assures her he is not angry. He claims Michael approved of her look, but Liz is conflicted about Michael liking her new appearance. As they chat and Liz shares her love for playing Adele, she realizes she feels more comfortable talking to Wes. After they say good night, Liz stays up looking at old photos of her mother. Wes tells Liz via text that she should add Adele to their playlist.

The next morning, Liz’s father reminds her to complete the dorm paperwork for UCLA. Liz has procrastinated because she is apprehensive about leaving home. She asks about her behavior as a child, and he confirms Wes’s dorky memories of “Little Liz.” Later, Michael visits Liz at work to get a copy of a Bridgerton novel, and Liz is impressed by his love of romance. He asks Liz again to give Wes a chance, suggesting Wes and Liz carpool to the movie night Michael is having at his house. Liz agrees but worries the scheme is getting too convoluted.

When Liz visits the cemetery later, she runs into Wes, who is jogging and does not realize she is talking to her mother’s grave. Liz is angry that he followed her and races home despite Wes’s apologies. At home, Liz’s father suggests she go prom dress shopping with Helena. Liz promises to invite Helena even though she has reservations.

Wes texts Liz another apology. Liz feels guilty for lashing out at him when he reveals he also talks to his grandmother’s grave sometimes. When he tells her that he is in The Secret Area, a hidden location behind his house they used to play in as kids, he dares her to sneak out and join him.

Liz sneaks out because she discovers she wants to spend time with Wes; she feels like they have a new, shared connection. She is impressed when she finds that Wes has transformed “The Secret Area” into a paradise with a firepit and small waterfall. Liz and Wes debate continuing their ruse with Michael, and they agree to call it off at Michael’s get-together.

After Wes apologizes again for the cemetery incident, he shares a memory of Liz’s mother from their childhood: He once scraped his knee, so Liz’s mother pretended to cut herself, too. She asked for his help to make him feel like a hero. Now, Wes believes every cardinal he sees is Liz’s mother, as cardinals represent those who have died. Liz reveals that she is afraid of moving forward and forgetting her mother. When Wes assures her that this is normal, she feels relieved. He also suggests she try to fit Helena into her life without replacing her mother.

Wes goads Liz into trying a cigar and is surprised when she does. As they chat, she tells him a girl named Alex is rumored to have feelings for him, but he tells her Alex is not his type. He claims he prefers someone with more substance, and Liz admits she expected him to react differently. That night, Liz goes to bed content.