Speechless – J-I– JIMMY V-A-L-VALENTINE

By: Taylor Gates

Jimmy (John Ross Bowie) wants to do something special for Valentine’s Day, but Maya (Minnie Driver) reminds him that he promised he wouldn’t make any grand gestures this year, as they are trying to save money and not go into debt. Jimmy is tempted with chocolates and jewelry at every turn during his shift at the airport, and he ends up buying several large boxes of roses.

Maya calls Jimmy, saying how proud she is of him for not spending money. However, when she gets to his office, she sees all of the flowers. Maya is shocked, but Jimmy’s coworker announces that he’s Jimmy Valentine and she would expect nothing less. Jimmy says that he doesn’t think this stuff is a waste of money and that he’s a proud Valentine’s Day sucker. This gives Maya an idea: they can profit off of the other suckers by selling the roses at a higher price.

Their plan works like a charm, and they make loads of money. However, it’s clear that Jimmy is sad about the whole thing. Jimmy’s coworkers tell Maya that Jimmy isn’t necessarily conflating love with spending money–buying gifts is just his love language. Maya realizes they’re right and gets over the intercom to tell Jimmy to join her on a private helicopter. He thanks her for letting him spend money on ridiculous things to show love. Money comes and money goes, but what they have is forever.

JJ (Micah Fowler) is hanging out with Izzy (Kayla Maisonet) when she gets notifications that someone with the username “Maya DiMeo Secret Account” is liking a ton of her pictures. Maya, who is recklessly scrolling through while on the toilet, has not only accidentally hit the “like” button, but is live streaming her doting commentary about Izzy with Jimmy. JJ speeds home on his wheelchair, knocking on the door and begging them to stop.

He calls a family meeting, saying he understands their curiosity but needs space. JJ asks Kenneth (Cedric Yarbrough) for his helping making the date special. Kenneth is ecstatic, having avoided plans with Melanie (Sarah Chalke) in hopes this would happen. Kenneth helps set up the garage so it looks like a fancy restaurant, and although Izzy is impressed, she thinks it would be weird if Kenneth stayed through the meal.

Kenneth and JJ assure her it will be fine, but things are immediately awkward when Kenneth relays that JJ thinks she looks lovely. Kenneth wants to leave, but JJ tells him he can’t–he’s his hands and his voice. This touches Kenneth and gets him to stay. The date continues awkwardly, especially considering Kenneth and Izzy have nothing in common, but JJ insists on Kenneth staying there.

While Kenneth and JJ are having another one of their many private sidebar conversations, Izzy gets up to leave. Although she appreciates the effort they went through, the whole thing has just been too weird. Kenneth and JJ have a heart-to-heart with Kenneth telling JJ there are some things he just has to do and figure out on his own. JJ understands, asking Kenneth to help him go win Izzy back again.

They show up at the dance and talk. JJ tells Izzy that going on a date with him must have been the weirdest date she’s ever been on, and she admits it’s the only one. JJ admits he made Kenneth stay and was nervous about being alone with her. She tells him she was also nervous, and because neither of them knows what they’re doing, they’ll figure it out as they go. The two almost kiss but are interrupted by Maya and Jimmy’s helicopter.

Ray (Mason Cook) announces that he needs a date ASAP–he bought tickets for a couple’s cruise a few months ago but has yet to find a significant other. Dylan (Kyla Kenedy) offer to come with, wanting to enjoy a free meal. Ray is excited to bond with his sister, but when they get there, Dylan admits a guy she likes is on the boat and she’ll be spending the night with him.

Ray is furious, vowing to Dylan that he’s going to ruin her night with Connor (Ricardo Hurtado), the social media celebrity, she has her eye on. When Dylan and Connor begin to hit it off, Ray pretends to be Dylan’s boyfriend and scares him off. Dylan lures Ray into a coat closet under the guise of doing a photo booth with him in order to win Connor back.

Dylan finds Connor, who is hanging out with four other girls and recording it. Hurt, she realizes he never really cared about her–she’s just his content. Meanwhile, Ray tries to climb out of the closet by sticking his pants through the ceiling. Unfortunately, the janitor has taken the broomstick locking the door, and the closet opens to a restaurant full of people seeing him in his underwear.

He runs out just in time to see Dylan confront Connor and Connor push her to the ground. Ray punches Connor in the face before Dylan takes his camera and throws it into the ocean. The two promptly finds themselves in boat jail. While there, Dylan thanks Ray for always defending her even when she makes it hard.