Too much Cash never hurt anybody, or did it?

Zoey (Yara Shahidi) has a new man! Following the events of last week’s Grown-ish, Zoey and Cash (Da’Vinchi) have made their relationship official. They’ve been dating for a little while now and Zoey is embracing every minute of being Cash’s girl. When some rude comments are made about Zoey underneath one of his posts, Cash takes it upon himself to come to her rescue – only it doesn’t end well. He outs Zoey’s virginity to his followers and before he can delete it, a lot of people see it and have already begun to comment on it. Zoey decides they need a little break.

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When Zoey finds out that Cash’s dad has been auctioning off his things for money, she puts her anger aside to be there for him. Unknowingly to her, she ends up taking a trip with him to see his father. During the car ride, the two finally discuss Cash’s outburst on social media. He says that broadcasting her virginity wasn’t a mistake – he did it because having a girl as pure and innocent as Zoey is good for his brand. Zoey takes offense – as one would, but eventually, they come to an understanding that they both don’t really know what’s happening. They like each other and they think they’re making each other better because of the different experiences they’ve had. Once they open up more to each other, they decide that they’re just going to let people say what they want and a deal with it as they go.

This week’s installment got emotional and dug deeper into Cash’s background. The writers also let Nomi (Emily Arlook) have a needed discussion with her, now ex-boyfriend. Let’s see what our roundtable had to say about the episode!

Analyzing this new relationship and this continued bisexuality discussion is our Grown-ish roundtable!

Jeria (@jereyea) – Student, Stan, and Tweeter

Aima (@ASAPAIMA) – Music lover and poetry trash

Ryan (@legendarylevy) – child actor, TV & movie buff

Miya (@MsMiya_) -Writer, Film Enthusiast, Singer.

Chi (@polyhansen) – college student, free writer, pop media enthusiast, practice in promotion and sales.

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1. Were you surprised that Zoey and Cash’s relationship took off like it did?

Jeria (@jereyea): I was very surprised that Zoey and Cash’s relationship took off as fast as it did. There wasn’t much leading up to it, and the way that last week’s episode, I wouldn’t have thought they’d be together that quickly.

Aima (@ASAPAIMA): I was so so surprised didn’t really think it would happen.

Ryan (@legendarylevy): I saw them getting together so it wasn’t too much of a surprise for me.

Miya (@MsMiya_): Yes! I was super surprised because of how the last episode ended but I’m happy for Zoey.

Chi (@polyhansen): I was definitely surprised! I liked Cash at first, but after Starboy he seemed a little fishy then to see them together….and flourishing in this episode was shocking. I’m excited, but also nervous.

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2. Luca pointed out that most athletes’ girlfriends usually have to deal with a lot more and all she had to deal with was getting called a virgin. Do you agree that athletes’ girlfriends have it rough in college?

Jeria: I agree that girlfriends of athletes have to deal with a lot worse things, but Zoey shouldn’t have to deal with her boyfriend, someone that claimed to care about her to spread anything regarding her sexuality on the internet.

Aima: Yes they do like they are always being asked about their significant others life and they also have to care for their significant other and the stress they are under.

Ryan: Being a girlfriend to an athlete you have a lot of different things you have to deal with that makes it difficult. Athletes have busy schedules, and due to games, workouts, and training, they can be tired a lot. Being a girlfriend of an athlete you got to be patient, understanding and supportive of your significant other. Also, girls are athletes as well being a boyfriend to a female athlete can have its own challenges.

Miya: I personally wouldn’t know, but outside looking in, I do believe that being an athlete’s girlfriend comes with responsibility and it’s not easy.

Chi: In reality of it, college athletes cheat on their significant others 90% of the time. If we’re keeping it real, so in that case…. absolutely.

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3. Nomi said that she can’t be with a bisexual guy because if he’s into guys how can she ever be enough for him. Do you think this is one of the big reasons a lot of people are standoffish to getting into a relationship with a bisexual person?

Jeria: I agreed with her ex when he said that it was all insecurities. The main reason that people are often standoffish for a relationship with a bisexual person is that they’re not okay with themselves. You can make the same argument that you can’t be enough in a relationship with your heterosexual partner as well.

Aima: I think that might be a turn off for people but I think that people need to understand that just because your significant other likes another gender, doesn’t mean they are going to leave you.

Ryan: I can understand that sort of. Most people are worried the other person will leave them for someone else, so him being bi makes Nomi worried x2. Like the guy said Nomi may have some insecurities about herself.

Miya: It’s hard to say because I do not know of any stories like this but it’s possible that they can feel that way.

Chi: This could be a reason; however, I agree with him; that is based on the individual’s insecurities.

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4. Social media has been a huge part of the show so far. Even with all the problems, it’s already caused for Zoey and friends, do you think it’s going to become an even bigger issue for Zoey and Cash’s relationship?

Jeria: I think with dating an athlete, social media will definitely be the downfall of their relationship. They both are overly concerned about how others perceive them, and the negative comments might get to them both.

Aima: Social media could be very good or very bad. Social media exposes people’s relationships – the good and the bad parts.

Ryan: Social media is in everyone’s everyday life. I definitely think it will become a bigger issue in the future for Zoey and Cash.

Miya: Yes! Definitely! One Hundred Percent. I believe that the more and more their relationship grows, the harder it’s going to be on Zoey because her relationship will be in the public eye.

Chi: Social media is a dangerous place for relationships, there is such thing as posting too much and when that happens things can get messy, and don’t even get me started on creeping that goes on. It’s so easy for someone to get caught up on social media, so to answer that, I think it can only become a big issue for them if they let it.

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5. Cash’s reasons for liking Zoey as a virgin was a little more serious than initially perceived. What are your thoughts on the reasons he explained for liking Zoey?

Jeria: Cash liking Zoey for her virginity is a bit of respectability politics. Him only liking her because of her virginity, in a way, makes it seem like she will and should be more respected for her virginity than if she was more sexually out there.

Aima: I think he is trying to use her for his own gain and for his own popularity and I think he’s just dating her for the sake of it.

Ryan: Although it is alternative motives for liking Zoey because she fits with her brand, I see it just like someone trying to find someone who has the same religion. The problem with Cash’s reasons is what if Zoey stops being good for his brand?

Miya: I wasn’t shocked that he made that comment on how her being a virgin was good for his brand. But I do believe he gave valid reasons for liking her as a whole and that her being a virgin just added to it.

Chi: I think Cash is young and has a lot going for him so he is going off of what people are telling him. I don’t think he really knows what he means when he is referring to his “brand.” So, when he said that I think it was based on what other people tell him or have told him in the past, when he further explained it I think that’s was genuine and how he really felt. Even though I still don’t trust him.

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6. Zoey learned more about Cash’s personal life this week. It definitely affected their relationship. Do you think Zoey’s going to stay in this relationship with Cash for a while now?

Jeria: Zoey is going to stay in the relationship despite the red flags because knowing where he comes from, she’s going to believe he needs her. She feels like if she leaves him, she’ll be like everyone else.

Aima: I don’t think so. I think he will mess up and Zoey will realize that he is, in fact, using her and she will tell him BOY BYE!

Ryan: Zoey is being a good girlfriend and being there for Cash. She is seeing the real Cash and understanding he’s not just a star athlete. I think Zoey has good intentions and they seem to want to work together to make it work as we could see from the scene at the end of them being truthful to each other. With effort and communication, this could last.

Miya: I hope so. I would like to see a relationship on the show that goes through the rough patches but in the end, they are still together.  So I do believe Zoey will stay with him in the long run.

Chi: Seeing the vulnerable side of someone you’re dating is an eye opener for anyone, I think since she has a better understanding of who it is, it built an even better connection between them. She’s in it for the long run, still not sure about Cash.

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7. How do you think the writing has been so far on the show? Are they really grasping how college students think and feel in these situations?

Jeria: The writing in the show has been pretty good, definitely relatable, but it moves a little fast and seems rushed sometimes. Also, there are often so many time jumps that force us to fill in the missing pieces.

Aima: The writing is amazing, the plot is so good and relatable; I really do love it.

Ryan: The writing has been pretty awesome. I love the topics, as they do relate to college life. I like how they introduced the college bar as a location they hang out and can’t wait to see what other locations they introduce.

Miya: I feel like maybe 75% of what is on this show is realistic and something I either experienced or can see happening, and the other percentage is what makes TV magic what it is.

Chi: They are grasping onto these college concepts in an optimistic way, which is appropriate for a TV show, I just hope people watching understand that everything is not as smooth and easy as portrayed. And definitely, don’t sell drugs in college! Other than that, the writers are hitting topics that should be talked about and I LOVE it.

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We’re still skeptical, but we’re not cashin’ out just yet!

We were definitely surprised that Zoey and Cash decided to be in a real relationship. That was a shocker! We’re still not sure about Cash. We understand his train of thought and where he’s coming from when he admits his feelings to Zoey, but something is still not clicking with him. His explanation for doing what he did definitely has some holes that make us not so trusting of him. We think he’ll eventually not want Zoey once she isn’t seen as pure to him – which is bound to happen because people change. It seems like Cash will be sticking around for a little while longer, so we will be keeping our eyes on how this situation unfolds.

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Nomi and her ex-boyfriend discussed her issues with him being bisexual and we’re all pretty much in agreement. The majority of the time that people say they can’t be in a relationship with a bisexual person is because they have some insecurities. Nomi’s excuse could be used in a heterosexual relationship but because of her views on male bisexuals, it makes it seem like her viewpoint couldn’t apply in another situation.

The writing on the show has been spot on so far. It’s written in a relatable fashion and it’s giving people a chance to have a discussion whether they think the character’s views are right or wrong. The writing does seem rushed at times, which makes it hard to always understand how the characters get into their situations – this could be solved with hour-long episodes, just saying. So far, Grown-ish is killing it with its audience and we’re sure the writing will only grow from here.

Next week, Zoey gets a visit from her mom after she starts to rethink her position in college. We’re excited to see Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) come and chat with her daughter. The episode looks like a fun one!

grown-ish returns next Wednesday, January 31st at 8/7c on Freeform.