"Rebecca finds herself torn between two men. As the sign she is looking for is seemingly in front of her, she knows she's meant to choose Josh - or is it Greg? Paula finds herself also struggling with a big decision. Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell and Gabrielle Ruiz also star."
Written by Audrey Wauchope and Rachel Specter and directed by Stuart McDonald. Original aired on 11/4/2016.
Songs:
"The Math of Love Triangles" (sung by Rachel Bloom)
- Comically Missing the Point: The song! The point in question being about geometry.
- Dumb Blonde: The Rebecca of the song isn't interested in triangle theorems, only in which man she thinks she has to choose. Bloom sings the song in a faux-sexy, consciously dumb voice, recalling the public perception of Marilyn Monroe's roles.
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Genius Bonus: although the video is as noted below a parody of "Diamond's Are a Girl's Best Friend", Monroe in the film didn't actually sing that song in the dumb voice Bloom uses; but at least one critic noted
that Bloom's delivery is partly modelled on that of Carol Channing, who created the role in the original stage version. - Instead of wearing a blonde wig, Bloom keeps her own brunette hair for the video.
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- Another Genius Bonus: Triangles do in fact have many different centers, but that's not something usually taught in high school geometry.
- Parody: The video borrows and subverts the imagery of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
- True Blue Femininity: Rather than the Pink favored by Monroe, Rebecca wears a jewel-toned blue that shows off her coloring.
"Period Sex" (sung by Rachel Bloom)
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Bonus Material: After many interrupted reprises in the show, Bloom released the full version of the song only on her YouTube channel. It was done this way because it didn't pass the CW's standards and practices. - Musicalis Interruptus: Rebecca starts singing the song, but then gets interrupted by Josh.
- No Periods, Period: Averted, obviously.
Tropes in the episode:
- Butt-Monkey: Maya continues to be completely abused by everyone around her.
- But We Used a Condom!:
- Rebecca and Josh not only used birth control but condoms as well, which is why she thinks that their potential pregnancy is a sign.
- Paula as well was on birth control, and she also has a pregnancy scare.
- Dark Reprise: "You Stupid Bitch" was already an unhappy song about self-loathing, but a slower, sadder instrumental version plays as Josh dumps Rebecca.
- Give Me a Sign: Rebecca is obsessed with signs from the universe in this episode. She is looking for a sign that either Greg or Josh is the one for her.
- Heroic BSoD: Josh has one when Rebecca tells him she's pregnant. When she runs off to the bathroom, the camera lingers on him sitting absolutely still with an expression of blank terror on his face until she comes back.
- Mood Whiplash: Rebecca inflicts this on Josh in-universe, first letting him see that she's bought pre-natal vitamins and making her think she's pregnant, then getting her period and announcing that she's not pregnant after all, and then breaking into a song to suggest that they have "period sex". Josh is so freaked out that he breaks up with her on the spot.
- Previously Overlooked Paramour: GregRebecca: Think about how this story has played out. So I move to West Covina, in love with someone else, and he's the sarcastic, messed up bartender that calls me out on my stuff, and I ignore him, but we have undeniable chemistry. And now Josh and I break up and it's about me and Greg. I mean, duh! It's the other guy! It's the guy who was under my nose all along, that I under-appreciated. I mean, him and me getting together It's the most obvious thing in the world.
- Polyamory: Rebecca meets a polyamorous trio because she thinks having two boyfriends could be a solution to her not being able to choose between Greg and Josh. She gets it explained to her:Polyamorist: What you're describing is a Love Triangle. That's a completely different thing.
- Pregnancy Scare: Both Rebecca and Paula have one, and they react completely oppositely. Rebecca thinks it's a sign she and Josh should be together and is elated, Paula thinks it's all her dreams being ruined.
- In Paula's case, subverted: it turns out that she really is pregnant.
- Shipper on Deck: Rebecca and Greg talk about how cute White Josh and Darryl are together.
