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

My Mom, Greg's Mom and Josh's Sweet Dance Moves!

My Mom, Greg's Mom and Josh's Sweet Dance Moves!
◀️ Previous episode  CXG episode gallery  ▶️ Next episodeEpisode information 🔽️
Director: Steven TsuchidaWriter: Rachel Specter & Audrey Wauchope
Aired: 11/30/2015 — Season: One — Episode: 8 — Nielsen ratings: 1.00
Description: Rebecca's mother visits; Greg and Heather go to Christmas dinner with his mother and step family.


Plot[]

“
I can see right through you. You are a mom pleaser. A Level Five mom pleaser. You will say anything to make that woman happy.
”
— Paula


At her apartment, Rebecca is preparing for a visit from her mother Naomi. When her mom arrives she immediately nags her daughter about giving up a high paying job in New York for West Covina (♫ Where's the Bathroom? ♫). In order to please her mother, and perhaps finally receive a treasured family heirloom, she lies about how succesful her new life is in California.

Meanwhile Heather joins Greg for a Christmas dinner at his mother's house with his stepfather and half-siblings. At the dinner Heather points out how unfair Greg is being to his mother about having left him and his father years ago.

Elsewhere, Josh Chan meets a student from his alma mater named Nguyen who gives him a chance to relive his high school years as part of a Fillipino dance group. While he enjoyed performing again he realizes it's time for him to look towards the future and not dwell in the past. On the last day of her visit Rebecca's mother finds out she had been lying to her.

A few other things come to light including Rebecca's true reason for moving and her belief that her mother hates her. Rebecca's mother responds that all her worry and nagging are because she loves her daughter too much not because she hates her. While she disagrees with her daughter's recent actions she's proud to have raised her with a strong resolve.

Greg thanks Heather for helping him rebuild his relationship with his mom. The two then have a moment and share a kiss. After her mother leaves Rebecca bumps into Josh. The two commiserate over having both matured over the holidays. Everyone then comes together at the end to celebrate Christmas in California (♫ California Christmastime ♫).

Recurring themes[]

Songs[]

Episode songs
Where's the Bathroom? main photo

"Where's the Bathroom?"
Performed by: Naomi Bunch
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger
After a flying all the way from California to New York Naomi needs to pee.

California Christmastime

"California Christmastime"
Performed by: Rebecca, Josh, Greg, Paula, Heather and Darryl
Writers: Rachel Bloom, Adam Schlesinger
Rebecca and her friend's song about special Christmas time is in California.

Continuity[]

Continuity lists
Narrative
Narrative plot points:
  • Relationship developments:
  • Backstory:
    • Rebecca's history with her mother is explored. Rebecca always believed Naomi hated her and treated her harshly because she was a reminder of her father. Naomi tells her she raised her that way to toughen her up and that she always loved Rebecca.
    • The Garfinkel ring's history is explored. In 1901 the was brought over to America by a mother who was fleeing her home country with her daughter. It was a family heirloom passed down from one generation to the next when the daughter came of age.
    • Greg's history with his mother is explored. She divorced his father and didn't fight for joint custody, something she always regretted. Greg resented her for this and treated her and his step family poorly because of this.
People
Recurring or debuting characters:
  • Rebecca's mother Naomi Bunch makes her first proper appearance on the show.
  • Calvin Young returns in this episode.
  • Greg's mother Shawna and step family Staurt, Mason and Lilly are introduced in this episode.
  • Nguyen, a high school student and of Josh's, makes his only appearance on the show.
Places
Recurring or debuting places:
Things
Recurring or debuting things:

Production[]

Cast[]

Episode cast
Main cast
Featured

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.

Advertisement