Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Wiki

I Need Some Balance

I Need Some Balance
◀️ Previous episode  CXG episode gallery  ▶️ Next episodeEpisode information 🔽️
Director: Kimmy Gatewood — Writer: Elizabeth Kiernan Averick
Aired: January 11, 2018 — Season: 4 — Episode: 9 — Nielsen ratings:
Description: Rebecca starts dating again while two of her ex-boyfriends get acquainted.

Plot[]

“
I can't do it! I can't do anything! All I can do is stand here watching two trains slowly collide!
”
— WhiJo


At her house, Rebecca's attempt to watch online porn is thwarted by pop up ads. She goes to sleep only to have a dream about a Broadway inspired hungry cat (♫ Hungry Vagina Metaphor ♫). The next day at Home Base, WhiJo suggests Greg work out his Rebecca and Marco issues at the gym. At spin class, Rebecca tells Valencia she's trying to get back in shape so she can get laid. Rebecca mentions she already has a date lined up with Jason. Over at Mountaintop, Darryl returns to work from his leave of absence and is jealous when he finds his employees fawning over Bert. Nathaniel finds Darryl sulking later and after failing to cheer him up goes to the gym to workout where Greg is as well.

Meanwhile, Rebecca’s date with Jason at Home Base is going well until she starts itching in her nether regions. She excuses herself to use the bathroom and realizes she has a yeast infection due to using cheap sweatpants at spin class (♫ Itchy Vagina Metaphor ♫). At the gym, Greg and Nathaniel introduce themselves unaware they have a mutual acquaintance. Back at Home Base, Rebecca ends the date but assures Jason she wants to see him again in three days. At the law firm, Darryl is upset when Maya chooses to have wine time with Bert over Spice Girls karaoke with him. At Rebecca’s house she takes Josh’s advice to double down on her vaginal medicine to heal up in time for her next date with Jason.

At the gym, WhiJo is horrified to learn that Nathaniel and Greg are becoming friends. That night, Valencia visits Rebecca before her date with Jason and notices her friend smells bad. When Jason arrives Rebecca has Valencia distract him while she goes to the bathroom where she discovers her lady problems have gotten worse (♫ Funky Vagina Metaphor ♫). Unable to resolve the issue she gets Valencia to kick Jason out. Elsewhere, Darryl interrupts Bert’s work whine wine dinner to give gifts to their employees. He then gets everyone to abandon Bert by inviting them to go with him to Disneyland. The next day, Greg and Nathaniel are working out together at the gym as WhiJo and Vic look on.

When Greg mentions wanting to reopen his father's restaurant as part of his graduate thesis Nathaniel offers to help with the zoning laws. They leave before WhiJo can tell them the truth. Elsewhere, Valencia convinces Rebecca to be honest with Jason and after texting him an explanation he makes another date with her. At the law firm, Darryl and Bert's arguing leads to a physical fight which Paula breaks up. That night, Paula calls an inptomptu gathering of the staff and calls in Father Brah to help mediate the situation. After some discussion Brah is able to resolve the issues between Bert and Darryl. Over at Rebecca's house, she and Jason are about to get intimate (♫ Elated Vagina Metaphor ♫).

Unbeknownst to them they are about to have visitors; earlier Nathaniel and Greg agreed to go see thier respective former girlfriends and tell them they want to get back together. They both individually arrive at the house only to realize they are Rebecca's exes. WhiJo quickly arrives and then departs when he sees his friends finally know the truth. Inside, Josh Chan thinks the pair are feral cats and goes to confront them in his underwear. Rebecca hears the commotion outside and is shocked to find all of her exes on the porch. She demands an explanation but Nathaniel and Greg leave as does Jason who has had enough. Later at Il Cabana, Rebecca has a drink with Valencia wondering what just happened.

Recurring themes[]

Songs[]

Episode songs
Hungry Cat song

"Hungry Vagina Metaphor"
Performed by: Hungry Cat
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen, and Adam Schlesinger
A figment of Rebecca Bunch's imagination tells her she needs to get laid.

Itchy Cat song

"Itchy Vagina Metaphor"
Performed by: Itchy Cat
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen, and Adam Schlesinger
A figment of Rebecca Bunch's imagination tells her she has a yeast infection.

Funky Cat song

"Funky Vagina Metaphor"
Performed by: Funky Cat
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen, and Adam Schlesinger
A figment of Rebecca Bunch's imagination tells her she’s smelling foul in her nether regions.

Elated Cat song

"Elated Vagina Metaphor"
Performed by: Elated Cat
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen, and Adam Schlesinger
A figment of Rebecca Bunch's imagination is enthused that she is about to have sex with a Jason.

Nostalgia Cat song

"Nostalgia Cat song"
Performed by: Nostalgia Cat
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Jack Dolgen, and Adam Schlesinger
A figment of Rebecca Bunch's imagination recalls the times when she used to have sex.

Continuity[]

Continuity lists
Narrative
Returning or debuting story elements:
  • Backstory: Greg reveals his father still owns the property where his restaurant once was but chant do anything with it because of zoning laws.
  • Callbacks:
    • ”Even I don't do two classes a day and look at me. I mean, look at me, I'm so good at spinning”. This lines of Valencia’s dialogue, are a reference to a song "I'm So Good At Yoga".
    • Rebecca mentions that she knows that Jason is not a murderer, which is a reference to a song "Sex with a Stranger". This song also plays when they are about to have sex, and Rebecca references a lyric from the song before she goes out to see Greg, Nathaniel, and Josh on her patio.
    • Darryl and his co-workers debate whether it's saucemergency, saucetastrophe or saucepocalypse, which is a reference to a song "Textmergency".
People
Returning or debuting characters:
  • Bert Buttonweiser returns
  • Maya returns
  • George returns
  • Jim returns
  • Jason returns. He was last mentioned in the previous episode "I Will Help You." His last onscreen appearance was in the Season One episode "I'm Going on a Date with Josh's Friend!."
  • Vic, WhiJo's new boyfriend, returns. He last appeared in the episode "I'm So Happy For You."
  • A number of feral anthropomorphic cats based on the musical of the same name appear in this episode:
    • Hungry Cat played by Riki Lindhome
    • Itchy Cat played by Fred Armison
    • Funky Cat played by Todrick Hall
    • Elated Cat played Rebekkah Johnson
    • Nostalgia Cat played by Megan Amran
  • Doggy Dog debuts played by show and music writer Jack Dolgen
Places
Recurring or debuting locations:
  • Rebecca's house
  • Mountaintop
  • Home Base
  • 24 Hour Gym
Things
*Fett briefs

Meta references[]

In the episode, Maya mentions actor Neil Patrick Harris who hosted the Tony awards several times. She referenced a tweet he sent during the 2018 Tony Awards in which he asked derogatorily who a certain backstage interviewer was [1]. This just happened to be star and co-creator of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" Rachel Bloom. She replied to his tweet that same night explaining that they had met years before when her husband Dan Gregor used to write for his show "How I Met Your Mother." The next day Harris issued a public apology on Twitter which Bloom accepted [2].

Episodes[]

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Episodes
veSeason One Episodes
Michael McDonald as Darryl Whitefeather    "Pilot" N/A
Directed by: Marc Webb - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom

New York attorney Rebecca Bunch moves to West Covina to pursue her ex-boyfriend Josh Chan.

1x1 main photo    "Josh Just Happens to Live Here!" October 12, 2015
Directed by: Marc Webb - Written by: Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh MCKenna

New York lawyer Rebecca Bunch makes an impulsive decision to move to West Covina, California.

1x2 main photo    "Josh's Girlfriend is Really Cool!" October 19, 2015
Directed by: Don Scardino - Written by: Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca unexpectedly bonds with Valencia much to the dismay of Josh and Paula.

1x3 main photo    "I Hope Josh Comes to My Party!" October 26, 2015
Directed by: Tamra Davis - Written by: Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca thows a party in order to get quality time with Josh.

1x4 main photo    "I'm Going on a Date with Josh's Friend!" November 2, 2015
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Erin Ehrlich

Greg asks Rebecca out on a date while Josh hopes to land the job of his dreams.

Josh and I Are Good People! main photo    "Josh and I Are Good People!" November 9, 2015
Directed by: Alex Hardcastle - Written by: Michael Hitchcock

Rebecca goes to extremes to prove Greg that he's wrong about her being a terrible person.

My First Thanksgiving With Josh! main photo    "My First Thanksgiving With Josh!" November 23, 2015
Directed by: Joanna Kerns - Written by: Rene Gube

Rebecca gets invited to Josh's family Thanksgiving dinner where she hopes to impress his parents.

I'm So Happy That Josh is So Happy main photo    "I'm So Happy That Josh Is So Happy!" November 28, 2015
Directed by: Lawrence Trilling - Written by: Sono Patel

Rebecca becomes depressed after Josh and Valencia move in together.

My Mom, Greg's Mom and Josh's Sweet Dance Moves! main photo    "My Mom, Greg's Mom and Josh's Sweet Dance Moves!" November 30, 2015
Directed by: Steven Tsuchida - Written by: Rachel Specter & Audrey Wauchope

Rebecca's mother visits; Greg and Heather go to Christmas dinner with his mother and step family.

I'm Going to the Beach with Josh and His Friends! main photo    "I'm Going to the Beach with Josh and His Friends!" November 30, 2015
Directed by: Kenny Ortega - Written by: Dan Gregor & Doug Mand

Rebecca rents a party bus to hang out with Josh and his friends at the beach.

I'm Back at Camp with Josh main photo    "I'm Back at Camp with Josh!" February 1, 2016
Directed by: Michael Shultz - Written by: Jack Dolgen

Rebecca volunteers at a youth camp with Josh; Darryl invites Greg, Hector and White Josh over to his place for a party.

1x11 main photo    "That Text Was Not Meant for Josh!" February 8, 2016
Directed by: Daisy Meyer - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick

Rebecca accidentally sends a text meant for Paula concerning Josh to Josh himself.

Queso    "Josh and I Work on a Case!" February 22, 2016
Directed by: Steven Tsuchida - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna & Rachel Bloom

Rebecca recruits Josh to help work on a case.

1x13 Promotional photo 5    "Josh and I Go to Los Angeles!" February 29, 2016
Directed by: Michael Patrick Jann - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca faces off against her New York rival Audra Levine.

Josh is Going to Hawaii! Main photo    "Josh is Going to Hawaii!" March 6, 2016
Directed by: Erin Erhlich - Written by: Sono Patel

Rebecca is convinced by Paula to chase after Josh who is going to Hawaii.

1x15 Promotional photo 4    "Josh Has No Idea Where I Am!" 3/21/16
Directed by: Steven Tsuchida - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom

While on a plane trip Rebecca has a therapy session with Dr.Akopian.

1x16 Promotional photo 5    "Josh's Sister is Getting Married!" 3/28/2016
Directed by: Alex Hardcastle - Written by: Audrey Wauchope and Rachel Spector

Rebecca is asked to be a bridesmaid in Josh's sisters wedding.

1x17 Promotional photo 6    "Why Is Josh in a Bad Mood?" 4/11/2016
Directed by: Joanna Kerns - Written by: Jack Dolgen

Paula suspects Rebecca of having a steamy affair and Josh is upset when he discovers who that is with.

1x18 Promotional photo 9    "Paula Needs to Get Over Josh!" 4/18/2016
Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna - Written by: Rene Gube

Relationships are forever changed at Jayma Chan's wedding.

CharactersSongsLocationsCast
ve Season Two Episodes
2x1 Promotional photo 10    "Where Is Josh's Friend?" October 21, 2016
Directed by: Marc Webb - Written by: Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca and Josh continue their new relationship as Greg goes missing.

2x2 Promotional photo 1    "When Will Josh See How Cool I Am?" October 28, 2016
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar - Written by: Rene Gube

Rebecca plays table tennis to impress Josh as Greg tries to adjust to his new path in life.

2x3 Promotional photo 6    "All Signs Point to Josh...Or is it Josh's Friend?" 11/4/16
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Wauchope and Specter

Both Rebecca and Paula struggle with a big decision in thier personal lives.

2x4 Promotional photo 1    "When Will Josh and His Friend Leave Me Alone?" 11/11/2016
Directed by: Paul Brigantine - Written by: Erin Ehrlich

Rebbeca tries to reinvent herself in the wake of losing both Greg and Josh.

2x5 Promotional photo 1    "Why Is Josh's Ex-Girlfriend Eating Carbs?" 11/18/16
Directed by: Erin Erlich - Written by: Sono Patel

Rebecca tries to make amends with Valencia.

2x6 Screencap 1.jpg    "Who Needs Josh When You Have a Girl Group?" 12/2/2016
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Jack Dolgen

Rebecca, Paula, Heather and Valencia have a girls night out.

Who's the Cool Girl Josh Is Dating?    "Who's the Cool Girl Josh Is Dating?" 12/9/2016
Directed by: Jude Weng - Written by: Michael Hitchcock

Rebecca and Valencia team up to investigate Josh's new girlfriend.

2x7 Main photo    "Who Is Josh's Soup Fairy?" 1/6/17
Directed by: Linda Mendoza - Written by: Rachel Specter and Audrey Wauchope

Paula has Rebecca look after her son Tommy.

2x8 main photo    "When Do I Get to Spend Time With Josh?" 1/13/17
Directed by: Kabir Akhtar - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna and Rachel Bloom

Whitefeather & Associates gets a new boss.

2x10 Promotional photo 5    "Will Scarsdale Like Josh's Shayna Punim?" 1/13/17
Directed by: Alex Hardcastle - Written by: Dan Gregor and Doug Mand

Rebecca returns to Scarsdale.

2x11 Promotional photo 13 edit    "Josh Is the Man Of My Dreams, Right?" 1/20/17
Directed by: Michael Patrick Jann - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick

Rebecca and Nathaniel get to know each other better.

2x12 Promotional photo 3    "Is Josh Free in Two Weeks?" 1/27/2017
Directed by: Alex Hardcastle - Written by: Katie Schwartz

Nathaniel's father visits the law firm as Rebecca gets stressed out.

Can Josh Take A Leap Of Faith?    "Can Josh Take A Leap Of Faith?" 2/3/17
Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna

Unexpected life changing moments happen on Rebecca and Josh's wedding day.

CharactersSongsLocationsCast
veSeason Three Episodes
3x1 Promotional photo 1    "Josh's Ex-Girlfriend Wants Revenge." 10/13/17
Directed by: Erin Ehrlich - Written by: Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca is looking to make Josh pay for leaving her at the altar.

3x2 Promotional photo 13    "To Josh, With Love." 10/20/17
Directed by: Kabir Akhtar - Written by: Rachel Specter and Audrey Wauchope

Rebecca, unsatisfied with Paula's ideas to build a case against Josh, turns to Nathaniel for help crafting a truly evil plan. Meanwhile, Josh finds becoming a priest is harder than he thought.

Josh Is a Liar    "Josh Is a Liar." 10/27/17
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Michael Hitchcock

Rebecca starts a smear campaign to discredit Josh before he can turn everyone against her.

Josh’s Ex-Girlfriend is Crazy    "Josh's Ex-Girlfriend Is Crazy." 11/3/17
Directed by: Joseph Khan - Written by: Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosch McKenna

Rebecca is confronted by her friends about her recently uncovered history.

I Never Want to See Josh Again    "I Never Want to See Josh Again." 11/10/17
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Jack Dolgen

Rebecca returns to Scarsdale after hitting rock bottom.

Josh is Irrelevant    "Josh is Irrelevant." 11/17/17
Directed by: Max Winkler - Written by: Ilana Peña

Rebecca tries to recover from a suicide attempt.

Getting Over Jeff    "Getting Over Jeff." 12/08/17
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Erin Ehrlich

Rebecca accompanies Paula when she goes back to her hometown of Buffalo.

3x8 Promotional photo 13    "Nathaniel Needs My Help!" 01/05/18
Directed by: Jude Weng - Written by: Rachel Specter & Audrey Wauchope

Rebecca wonders if history is repeating itself as Darryl embraces a newfound superpower and Paula schemes again, this time for good.

3x9 Promotional photo    "Nathaniel Gets the Message!" 01/12/18
Directed by: Kabir Akhtar - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick

Rebecca discovers the powers and limitations of altruism as a new unexpected bromance forms between two other characters.

3x10 Promotional photo 1    "Oh Nathaniel, It's On!" 01/26/18
Directed by: Jude Weng - Written by: Sono Patel

Rebecca navigates major changes in her professional life and Heather gets a new opportunity.

3x11 Promotional photo 1    "Nathaniel and I Are Just Friends!" 02/02/18
Directed by: Erin Ehrlich - Written by: Rene Gube

Rebecca faces some fears in therapy while Paula brings a new friend to work.

3x12 Promotional photo 10 edit    "Trent?!" 02/09/18
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Dan Gregor and Doug Mand

Just as Rebecca tries to be more realistic and practical, Trent throws a wrench into her plans. At the same time Josh and Valencia reckon with their shared history.

3x13 Promotional photos 7    "Nathaniel Is Irrelevant." 02/16/18
Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna and Michael Hitchcock

When Rebecca decides to make amends for her past, she finds some unexpected challenges. At the same time, West Covina awaits an important new arrival.

veSeason Four Episodes
4x1 Promotional photo 11    "I Want To Be Here" 10/12/18
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Rachel Bloom

Rebecca confronts the consequences of her guilty plea while an angry Nathaniel seeks solace in a retreat and Josh searches for answers.

I Am Ashamed    "I Am Ashamed" 10/19/18
Directed by: Audrey Wauchope - Written by: Erin Ehrlich

Rebecca, Paula, Heather and Valencia participate in a séance after a spooky discovery. Darryl takes his parenting duties to an extreme, while Nathaniel is determined to prove to his father he's the best person to run the law firm.

I'm On My Own Path    "I'm On My Own Path" 10/26/18
Directed by: Jude Weng - Written by: Alden Derck

As Rebecca contemplates her feelings about her career, Paula is forced to deal with a big client. Josh tries to get back in the dating game, while Heather and Hector deal with insurance.

I'm Making Up For Lost Time    "I'm Making Up For Lost Time" 11/02/2018
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick

As Rebecca contemplates her feelings about her career, Paula is forced to deal with a big client. Josh tries to get back in the dating game, while Heather and Hector deal with insurance.

I'm So Happy For You    "I'm So Happy For You" 11/09/2018
Directed by: Erin Ehrlich - Written by: Ilana Pena

Heather and Valencia both have changes in their lives which leaves Rebecca reeling. Meanwhile, Paula has to adjust to some good news/bad news from her eldest son.

I See You    "I See You" 11/16/2018
Directed by: Dan Gregor - Written by: Jack Dolgen

Rebecca gets more than she bargained for during a day out with Darryl. Josh lends a helping hand to Paula, while Heather encourages Nathaniel to be a nice person.

I Will Help You    "I Will Help You" 11/30/2018
Directed by: Kabir Akhtar - Written by: Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca takes a trip to visit her mother while back home Josh housesits. Nathaniel helps one of Paula’s clients in an effort to do something good.

4x8 Promotional photo 9    "I'm Not The Person I Used To Be" 12/07/2018
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Rene Gube

Greg returns to West Covina, which forces Rebecca to question things she thought she knew about people she has loved in her life. Meanwhile, Valencia and Josh make some shocking discoveries while at their high school reunion.

4x9 Promotional photo 5    "I Need Some Balance" 1/11/2019
Directed by: Kimmy Gatewood - Written by: Elizabeth Kiernan Averick

Rebecca starts dating again while two of her ex-boyfriends get acquainted.

4x10 Promotional photo 1    "I Can Work With You" 1/18/2019
Directed by: Kabir Akhtar - Written by: Rachel Specter & Audrey Wauchope

Rebecca agrees to help out Darryl by offering to babysit and an unexpected guest crashes the evening. Meanwhile, Paula throws a game night.

I'm Almost Over You    "I'm Almost Over You" 1/25/2019
Directed by: Erin Ehrlich - Written by: Michael Hitchcock

Rebecca tries to stick to her plan for happiness while Nathaniel and Maya bond over their feelings of unrequited love.

4x11 Promotional photo 9    "I Need A Break" 2/1/2019
Directed by: Jack Dolgen - Written by: Ilana Pena

When Rebecca and Greg take a day trip, things don’t go quite as planned. Meanwhile, Paula has an incredibly stressful week.

4x13 Promotional photo 7    "I Have To Get Out" 2/8/2019
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Rene Gube

Rebecca supports Paula in her time of need despite, her own personal challenges. Emotions run high when Greg, Josh and Nathaniel have an unfortunate encounter.

4x14 Promotional photo 5    "I'm Finding My Bliss" 3/15/2019
Directed by: Kabir - Written by: Elisabeth Kiernan Averick and Michael Hitchcock

Rebecca tries out for the local community theater, while Paula is courted by various law firms.

4x15 Promotional photo 1    "I Need to Find My Frenemy" 3/22/2019
Directed by: Stuart McDonald - Written by: Alden Derck & Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca gets a call to help her old nemesis out of a complicated situation. Meanwhile, Nathaniel, Josh and Greg attempt to deal with their competing feelings for Rebecca.

I Have a Date Tonight    "I Have a Date Tonight" 3/29/2019
Directed by: Dan Gregor - Written by: Erin Ehrlich

Rebecca spends time with Nathaniel, Josh and Greg in an attempt to get clarity.

I'm In Love    "I'm In Love" 4/5/2019
Directed by: Aline Brosh McKenna - Written by: Rachel Bloom & Aline Brosh McKenna

Rebecca makes a life-changing decision about her future.

Yes, It’s Really Us Singing- The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Concert Special    "Yes, It’s Really Us Singing: The Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Concert Special" 4/5/2019
Directed by: Marty Pasetta, Jr. - Written by: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger and Jack Dolgen

Rachel Bloom and the cast of the critically acclaimed series perform live versions of fan-favorite songs with incredible staging, multimedia visuals and a live band and orchestra.

References[]

Advertisement