For a series that claims to love Los Angeles, it’s curious — and telling — to see its protagonists happier, or at least numbed, on the opposite coast, in New York.

Maya is spiraling over the “break” she and Dylan decided to take in their relationship. Neither Tallulah nor Alani can calm her down. Intensity has always been her trademark; now, paired with anxiety, it only makes things worse. Against their agreement to avoid contact for a week, Maya breaks the rule and sends a message. The response? An emoji. For someone who craves constant validation, it’s fuel on the fire.

Seeing Tallulah as the voice of reason feels strange — but don’t worry, it doesn’t last five minutes into the episode. At Antoine’s atelier, she expects modern dresses, color, and humor. Instead, she’s put in a long, elegant black gown: everything that contradicts her youth and personal brand. When she argues, Antoine reminds her she’s not a model — she’s “the influencer who steals things.” With Maya fully consumed by Dylan — ignoring her friend and venting to models instead — Tallulah does what she does best: she steals the piece Antoine refused to give her.

Meanwhile, Maya remains in full verbal overdrive, talking nonstop about Dylan, convinced he’s having an affair with Claire. Not even the models, trying to shut the conversation down (“you should enjoy the break like we’re enjoying ours”), manage to get through to her. Her solution? Text Ben for a restaurant recommendation. Tallulah, clearly uncomfortable, rushes out of the atelier. She claims she “loved” the classic dress — but we know the escape has another reason.

Back in Los Angeles, Dylan is spiraling too, sorting expiration dates in his kitchen when Charlie shows up unexpectedly. He admits he regrets inventing the seven-day no-contact rule and that Maya’s message felt cold and distant. When Charlie learns Dylan replied with nothing but an emoji, he panics: Maya needs constant reassurance — an emoji will be received, exactly as it was, as an attack.

Dylan considers replying again, but Charlie stops him. Maybe — he suggests — Maya’s behavior is emotionally manipulative. If Dylan doesn’t respond, he doesn’t care; if he does, he’s not respecting the break. It’s a trap. Dylan confesses he’s exhausted, constantly tiptoeing around triggers, with no room left to be authentic. The conversation turns into a warped reflection on relationships and emotional dependency.

At dinner with Alani and Tallulah, the topic is still Dylan. Maya rationalizes that she “has to be with other people” to get back to him. The two agree, with arguments so painfully millennial–Gen Z that it’s hard to know where to begin. The chosen candidate for this plan is, of course, Ben. He approaches the table; Alani compliments the fact that he’s wearing a wedding ring. Ben calls Tallulah “a small fish in a bigger pond,” offending her instantly. With zero subtlety, Alani announces that Maya is single. Ben, dining with his wife, suggests visiting Maya’s hotel the next day. Nothing about this feels like it will end well.

Back with Charlie, Dylan lists everything that irritates him about Maya, with Charlie pretending to be her. The conversation soon veers toward Andrew, Charlie’s ex. But one thing is clear: Dylan is emotionally tedious even to those trying to help him — his fantasy is watching a Vietnam War documentary instead of going out with other women.

In New York, Maya and Tallulah wake up shocked to realize they got tattoos while drunk. The panic escalates when Tallulah realizes the stolen dress will make the tattoo even more visible. At the same time, Alani discovers her father has a mistress.

Charlie tries to help Maya with Dylan, but misunderstands her call. Maya isn’t calling to talk about her boyfriend — she wants to vent about Tallulah. That only leaves Dylan even more upset.

Maya’s “affair” with Ben begins in a disturbing and unsettling way. He offers her a job, but before that — instead of sex — he tells her to masturbate. And Maya obeys. “That’s how you work,” he says. “You like it this way.” It’s toxic, bizarre, and disorienting. We feel just as dizzy as she does.

The “girlfriend” of Alani’s father turns out to be a stalker who stabs him. Even so, the scene plays out so absurdly that Alani seems more relieved that her father was attacked than bothered by the idea that he had a mistress.

Charlie shows up in New York with a better dress for Tallulah — the black one definitely won’t work. Maya tells him about Ben and says she doesn’t want to work for him, despite the incredible salary. She asks about Dylan, and Charlie assures her he loves her. Maya decides to call. On the other end of the line, Dylan is with Claire. At last, Maya gets the confirmation she seemed to be seeking all along: the betrayal.

While in New York, Charlie visits his ex-boyfriend, and the two get back together.

The stalker’s attack shuts down city streets and delays Maya and Tallulah, who have to take the subway to the event. Against all expectations, everything finally seems to be falling into place — which, in this series, usually means the next collapse is already on its way.