The Starter Wife Episode 1.5 Das Booty Call

After her writing workshop, Molly makes Zach a proposition he can't refuse: since she doesn't have a place in her life for a romantic relationship right now, she suggests that the two of them pursue a purely physical relationship. Zach readily agrees to a "booty call" for the next afternoon. But the following day, Molly chickens out when she sees another woman leaving after her own afternoon delight session with one of Zach's older, sleazier neighbors. Their next attempt is off to a great start until Molly sees that Zach has read her new script called, "Wife Begins Again," and has covered the margins with his critiques. With her attention now officially diverted, she rather spend the brief time they have together grilling Zach on his notes than sealing the deal.

Kenny corners Lou Manahan on the treadmills at the gym, trying to convince his old boss to buy worldwide distribution rights for "Blood Canal," even though Lou has already financed the whole movie. Kenny casually throws in that he would hate to be late on alimony payments to Molly, whom Lou has spent the last several minutes asking about, so Lou wearily agrees to take a look at the script.

During a "nooner" of her own with David Shea, Joan convinces David to play the President in the reshoots of "Blood Canal," clearly having been pressured by Kenny to get Shea to participate or risk having their affair disclosed. But later, when David can't perform-in the scene that is- without the crutch of alcohol, Joan does some directing of her own, helping her paramour to find the inspiration he needs to nail the scene.

Rodney goes over to Felix's house expecting a quiet night alone with the actor only to find the entire male side of Felix's family camped out in front of the flat screen. Felix quietly apologizes to Rodney for the last-minute invasion but Rodney decides to go along on the group's night out, even if it's going to be a tour of the Valley's strip clubs. Finally, Felix manages to get rid of his family by shipping them off to Chicago to see the baseball playoffs. He and Rodney are about to have some love in the afternoon but are interrupted by Felix's girlfriend. To avoid getting caught, Rodney leaps out the window but doesn't count on Felix's two vicious guard dogs chasing him up a tree, where he sits in his boxer shorts waiting for Molly to come rescue him.

Now that Devon's team is in the playoffs, the pressure's on. Liz decides that she's going to go surprise her husband in his hotel room in Chicago wearing nothing but her Jimmy Choos to help encourage him. Devon is surprised alright, but not in a good way. He accuses Liz of not trusting him, which hits a little too close to home, so to speak. He then infers that having Liz around is "bad mojo" for his playing, causing her to storm out. Likely distracted by his fight with Liz, Devon gives up a season-ending homerun in the playoffs while Liz sadly watches the disaster unfold on TV from the distance of their living room.

As Molly is leaving to go over to Zach's place, she gets a call from Lou, who is actually outside her door_with an engagement ring. Molly almost has a heart attack, until Lou explains that it's not for her. He's met the woman he wants to marry but would like to get Molly's feedback on his proposal. But it soon becomes clear-especially after she says "yes" to his practice proposal and they kiss-that Lou still isn't completely over Molly. And now Molly isn't so sure she made the right decision letting him go_

After Lou leaves, she sits for a minute with what just happened but decides the best response is to go see Zach as planned. After Molly and Zach finally complete their mission, Molly has to leave to relieve the babysitter, which Zach has no problem with. As she's getting dressed, Molly sees a text message come up on Zach's phone from another woman asking if he's up for a booty call with her. Molly slips out of his apartment more confused than ever.At Destinies, Joan sees Robin heading for David Shea's door, ostensibly to go for a run, but Joan convinces Robin that David is bad news and not good for her recovery. But later, when Robin catches David and Joan sharing a flirtatious moment, Robin calls out Joan on her hypocrisy, clearly damaging any inroads Joan has made with the teenager. Matters only get worse after Joan and Pappy's anniversary dinner when the two exchange presents. Pappy has bought them tickets for a six-month, round-the-world cruise. Joan, filled with pain and rage, tells her husband that she'd like to postpone the trip until she has grown tired of her inappropriate lover and that a better gift would've been if he had made love to his wife. A little while later, she finds herself at David Shea's door, who lets her in no questions asked.

Molly decides to accept Lou's lunch invitation so they can talk about what happened when he came over. Molly explains that what she was saying yes to was not Lou's indirect proposal, but to wanting a full-fledged relationship, not just casual sex, as she has arranged with Zach. Lou is disappointed but now feels freed by Molly's decisive answer to pursue his proposal with his French girlfriend.

Bolstered by her conversation with Lou, Molly goes to Zach's house and tells him she can't do the booty call thing anymore and that she lied to herself about what she wants. But instead of letting her go, Zach says he's down with making a go at a real relationship_as long as he doesn't have to wait three dates in order to kiss her again.