Deep Cuts

Percy spends more time hanging out with Zoe as Joe focuses on assembling his band. When all three are together, Zoe will prompt the group to make themed music lists, such as favorite album title or worst album title. Percy prefers these conversations to the ones she would have with her co-workers at Amoeba because her friends aren’t trying to perform coolness.

Percy continues to help Joe with his songs, though her feedback doesn’t always help. On one occasion, Joe presents a song called “Funny Strange,” which Percy critiques as a rehash of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” When Percy claims that Joe relies too much on great hooks to balance the song out, he walks out on her. They do not talk again until Joe delivers a revised version of the song, committing to the weirdness of the original version. Percy never apologizes for her critique, but she worries that she is failing in her obligation to do what Joe wants.

Joe unveils the name of his band—Caroline—without asking for Percy’s feedback. She is befuddled by the choice until Zoe reveals that Caroline was the name of Joe’s mother.