"Who's the Boss?" is the eighth episode of Reboot.
Elaine informs Hannah and Gordon that thanks to a corporate shakeup, the executive who greenlit their show has been replaced with Tyler Griffin (Peter Gallagher), who was responsible for its cancellation the first time around. Bree is blindsided by an interviewer telling her that her ex-husband Anders is not only marrying the assistant he cheated on her with, but also having a baby with her; to save face, she claims that she and Reed are back together. She attempts to warn Reed only to find that Nora, ever suspicious of Bree, is in his trailer for a surprise visit.
Zack encourages Clay to sign the papers on his first house. Elaine tips him off about the potential cancellation but makes him promise not to tell anyone. Concerned that this might be a bad financial decision for Clay, Zack unsuccessfully attempts to discourage him.
Gordon and Hannah meet with Tyler, who promises not to cancel their show but subtly threatens to screw it over in revenge for Gordon sleeping with his wife. Gordon blows him off rather than apologize; Hannah angrily reminds him of all the people reliant on the show for work. Gordon visits the set before going to meet with Tyler again.
Reed argues with Bree about the relationship lie. He returns to his hotel room and comforts Nora before proposing to her. Bree calls him and admits she had done it because Anders had known she had lingering feelings for Reed, but hangs up when he tells her he's engaged.
Gordon tells Hannah that he made a deal with Tyler to quit the show instead of apologizing or risking cancellation. A heartbroken Hannah reminds him that he'd rather leave than do the emotionally intelligent thing. A dejected Bree pays a visit to Clay.
Tropes:
- Innocently Insensitive: The new Hulu management sends Clay a bottle of good liquor, not knowing he's trying to go sober and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Irony: At the beginning of the show Hannah refused to work with her estranged father — she wanted to be the sole showrunner so she could stick it to him. She gets her wish here, but only after they had begun to mend fences and develop good working and personal relationships. To her, it feels like a retread of his first betrayal when he walks out rather than do the mature thing.
- Lonely Together: Upset that Reed has rejected her love confession, Bree visits Clay, who's also miserable and alone after the purchase. He lets her in, commenting that he probably shouldn't be alone either.
- The Missus and the Ex: Reed's ex-girlfriend Bree meets his current girlfriend Nora. Nora has spent the season paranoid that Bree and Reed are rekindling their relationship and is cold upon meeting Bree.
- Off the Wagon: Teased. Clay is two months sober, but is stressed by his purchase of a new house, fearing he's "domesticated". The new Hulu management sends him a bottle of good liquor and he spends time staring at it, obviously considering drinking it. Before he can make a decision, he's interrupted by Bree.
- Screwed by the Network: Invoked. Hulu network president Tyler subtly threatens this fate for his rival's reboot: he tries to poach one of their main cast for another show that films abroad, then suggests slowly slashing their production and promotion budgets.Tyler:... which we are all hoping will not lead to the show's slow, painful, lingering death.
- Tertiary Sexual Characteristics: The group of sitcom writers discuss the croque madame and the croque monsieur sandwiches:Hannah: So the female version of the sandwich has an egg. That's really reductive.
Selma: What do you want it to have? Lipstick and a push-up bra?
