
The episode begins with Valerie recording her podcast, “Cherish the Time,” with Tommy. I initially underestimated him when he first appeared, but he’s doing a good job of establishing himself as a unique character, even though he’s stepping into the role previously held by Mickey – a difficult replacement. The show is clearly aware of how viewers might see this parallel, and it doesn’t shy away from addressing it. Jane arrives late to filming, citing work as the reason. Tommy jokes about still working at Trader Joe’s even if he had an Oscar, and Valerie immediately corrects him, instinctively saying, “Mickey, don’t.” This awkward moment highlights the ongoing comparison between Tommy and Mickey, and it’s a theme that resurfaces throughout the episode.