On Katy Keene season 1, episode 2, K.O.’s marriage proposal is interrupted by someone literally stealing the ring from his hands. In a way, the thievery worked out for the best for Katy Keene, our protagonist, though.

Katy Keene season 1, episode 2 puts each of our characters in very rough situations: Katy with K.O., Josie with the search for a job, Pepper’s living situation, and the consequences of Jorge’s outburst at his last Broadway audition. It’s a great episode for developing the characters individually, as we get to see each of them fleshed out a bit — or in Pepper’s case, a lot — more.

Of the first three episodes, this is my favorite because of the special focus each of the four main characters gets, which was missing from the first episode. Not seeing Pepper with her own storyline didn’t feel right, especially knowing what an interesting woman she is. Plus, it was nice to see Jorge’s entitlement catch up to him, if only for a minute.

‘Katy Keene’ season 1, episode 2 review

There are decisions to be made, Katy

Honestly, it feels like the writers are blowing through story ideas with Katy. Already, after Katy Keene season 1, episode 2, we’ve seen Katy passed over for a promotion, her boyfriend propose to her, her struggle to answer, and her answer to his proposal. Plus, she’s gotten a new job, and already decided to go back, part-time, to her old position. That’s, like, a whole season’s worth of content for Katy, so what else could be explored?

I wish the writers would slow down a bit. As much of a whirlwind as Katy’s life clearly is, we, the fans, need some time to adapt. It’s hard to really feel for Katy’s struggle over what to say to K.O. about his proposal when we don’t really know much about their relationship. Everything we’ve learned paints him out to be the perfect man, so Katy struggling with this relationship doesn’t really make sense. I wish we hadn’t started off with a proposal but that it was something the season built up to; if we saw the daily struggles Katy and K.O. had along with all of the amazing parts of your relationship, we’d know what Katy’s answer should be.

As most people following their dreams like Katy would do, her answer was, obviously, no. But, she made the compromise of moving in together, which according to the trailer for the next episode, doesn’t look like it’s going the best. I really do like Katy and K.O. as a couple, so I’d just like, for a few episodes, for the writers to just let them sit and breathe, to see them act like a normal couple and see how they work together. As of now, it feels like their relationship issues (from Katy’s point of view) are just manufactured to cause drama. We need that to stop.

Likewise, at work, Katy’s life is passing her by. She literally was just demoted by Gloria, like yesterday, and now Gloria’s fighting to get her back already, while she’s now working for Francois. Splitting her attention doesn’t do much except distract Katy from the goal she set for herself: To be designing her own clothes more often and be out on her own, away from Lacy’s, in less than a year. As much as I love the pace of Katy’s life and how interesting her story is, there are ways to keep this up without blowing through episodes worth of content in 20 minutes.

Pepper’s mysterious life

I mean, is Pepper any less mysterious after Katy Keene season 1, episode 2? She’s clearly the master of the con, somehow tricking an upscale hotel into building on her bill, without payment, to the point where she’s tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Her life is messier than any of our other characters’ lives, which is saying a lot.

It’s so interesting how she knows exactly which buttons to push to get people to do what she wants. Within one episode, she managed to get a loan (which, ultimately, didn’t work out, but still) and managed to blackmail someone powerful to lower rent on a potential studio for her dreams of an artist’s gallery/venue by $7,000. It takes some serious skills to pull off something like that within such a short time frame, so I’m desperate to learn more about her life.

Though I wouldn’t say she’s my favorite character (at least not yet), she is, by far, the most interesting character because it’s a given that she’s had such an interesting and unique life. Josie’s background is full of murder, so what is Pepper’s?

Josie’s a bit behind on rent

As I mentioned in my preview of Katy Keene season 1, episode 2, the fact that she thought a two-bedroom apartment in New York City cost a total of $1,000 per month is bizarre. What has she been up to for the last few years? Does anyone in Riverdale learn anything about the world around them? Moving past that, I love that Josie is so connected with her music again. It was something that we really didn’t get to see focused on during Riverdale with everything else going on in that crazy town.

And, likewise, I appreciate that Josie is finding opportunities for work that also are connected to music. I’m down to see her struggle to become a pop star, even though she’s already getting above average help from her beautiful and connected beau, but I don’t want to see Josie fall into a job that she has zero passion for (like many of us often do as we attempt to follow our dreams).

As for Alex, I don’t really think I’m a fan of him for much more than his abs right now. He’s trying to make a name for himself, and trying to be in a relationship with Josie, but I’d really just like to see Josie going about her life on her own. She doesn’t need a romantic interest yet, and there are so many things she could be doing to spread her name and music around the city without Alex’s help. I want to see Josie fight for her music; I don’t want to see Alex fighting for her music… at least at this point in time.

Jorge’s rapping skills

Well, first, I wish we didn’t have to witness Jorge rapping for a role in a knock off “Hamilton” musical off-Broadway on Katy Keene season 1, episode 2. Jokes aside, I can appreciate the story that they’re telling with Jorge, even if I’m not his biggest fan. He’s been blacklisted on Broadway for a rookie mistake (calling out someone with the power to cast you), and now it’s even more of a fight to get where he wants to go.

I can respect Jorge’s decision not to leave town for the musical, but it might have been his big break. But being Ginger is important to him, apparently more important than making it on Broadway, so I’m curious about where Jorge’s story is going to end up. I even wondered if they were going to make Jorge question whether he could be transgender in the future, but as they cast a cis man for the role, let’s not go there. The actor has already played one trans woman in his career, let’s not add a second, when trans actors should be playing trans roles.

Nonetheless, while I can’t see where exactly his story is headed, I’m ready to watch it. Being blacklisted should be very interesting to explore, but I hope they actually comment on the realities of the situation; I mean, if he was a woman, he’d likely never work on Broadway again. But as a man, he’s given more and more chances and opportunities, of course. Use your power to tell important stories, Katy Keene.

‘Katy Keene’ season 1, episode 2 final thoughts

Katy Keene season 1, episode 2 is an incredible next chapter of these characters’ story, and I’m very excited for the season to continue. Lucy Hale is giving one of the best performances of her career as Katy Keene, while Ashleigh Murray continues to give life to a wonderful version of Josie McCoy. (And hopefully we’ll see the Pussycats return soon!)

One of the relationships I’m hesitant about is Katy and Gloria’s mentor/mentee bond. Gloria’s treated Katy terribly, for no reason other than pettiness and jealousy, which I’m not so easily going to forgive. Katy seems like a ball of sunshine and doesn’t deserve the nastiness that Gloria and her coworker, Ashley, have delivered unto her over these episodes. Instead of ignoring the terrible things Gloria has done, work to resolve those before putting her in this position as Katy’s “teacher” of sorts.

Katy Keene continues Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW!