On Katy Keene season 1, episode 4, much is revealed about Josie’s love interest, Alex, and his family… and it’s not what I think anyone ever expected. Meanwhile, Pepper organizes a film shoot at The Pepper Plant.

Katy Keene season 1, episode 4 brings a familiar face (but new character) to New York City with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s Lucifer appearing as the designer that Lacy’s and Katy are trying to impress and convince to be exclusive to their company. And from his interactions with Katy, it seems like someone else might be calling him “Daddy” soon enough… Any way, elsewhere, Josie’s life continues to revolve around the Cabots, as Alex and Xandra create even more problems for her and drag her into more of their “sibling” rivalry.

As for the others, Pepper’s shooting a porno, while Jorge struggles with his insecurities around Bernardo. Plus, we get our first group number! (And, no offense intended, but I see why Lucy Hale isn’t singing more often… her five lines of this Christina Aguilera hit outsold everything Josie and Jorge have sang thus far.)

‘Katy Keene’ season 1, episode 4 review

Katy Keene season 1, episode 4 is a crazy episode filled with ridiculous antics and complications, but honestly may be my favorite so far. Katy and Pepper continue to exceed my expectations, while Josie’s finally stepping up and becoming the character I was hoping for her to be post-Riverdale, though it doesn’t look like what’s dragging her down is coming to an end any time soon.

After this episode, I’m much more excited for the rest of the season. The previous episode was a little dull, and I’m still not particularly a fan of how early on they’ve broken up Katy and K.O.’s relationship. If it made way for Katy to focus more on work then maybe I’ll be all for it, but it doesn’t seem that way… I’m honestly having Life Sentence flashbacks here with Lucy Hale’s Stella and her love triangle.

I love how ridiculous this show is, quite like Riverdale, but in a less deadly way. These four are just experiencing a ridiculously dramatized version of life, but dealing with (mostly) every day issues that don’t result in, well, murder or anything of the like. It’s relaxing, fun, and often funny, even amid all of the frustration over certain plot developments or the characters’ choices. However, can the writers just stop pretending it’s anything like real life?

Katy and Pepper

Katy’s story on Katy Keene season 1, episode 4 had me a bit surprised. I mean, what other reaction are we supposed to have to Katy waking up, half-naked, in the Lacy’s display window? (If this were the real New York City, I’d have to guess someone besides Gloria would have given Katy quite a startle during the night, right?) After two episodes revolving around her relationship with K.O., it was nice to see her focus back on Lacy’s and moving forward with her career.

I mean, excluding the obvious romantic tension between her and Guy, of course. I wonder if he’ll be sticking around, and I’m really hoping not. I don’t want Katy Keene to follow the same path as Hale’s short-lived Life Sentence, introducing another love interest for Katy before we’ve even had a chance to get to know her or K.O. (or anyone, really). Breaking them up made at least a little sense, but immediately introducing someone else for her would have made it all for nothing. We’re here to watch Katy work and be with her friends right now, everything else can wait.

As for Pepper, her life is absolutely hilarious and I love how clever she is. Shooting porn at The Pepper Plant without a permit, not really knowing what was going on, and bargaining for a couch instead of full payment are all things I couldn’t really see anyone else doing, which is why I love it and Pepper so much. She’s a free spirit, yet she’s one of the most manipulative characters I’ve ever seen, even though this show is much more lighthearted than I usually tune in to.

I’m craving more of Pepper within every episode, and I hope we start to explore a little more of her life soon. The Pepper Plant is her dream, but what’s her reality? What is life like as a gossip columnist in New York City? What’s her background and how did she meet her friends? I’m desperate for more.

Josie and Jorge

Finally, Katy Keene season 1, episode 4 introduces us to the future Josie we’ve been dying to see, though it seems doomed to be short-lived. I’m so tired of Josie’s story revolving around Alex Cabot and his twisted family. She’s an aspiring musician trying to make it in New York City, struggling to pay rent, and making new friends in an unfamiliar place. The story options for Josie are never-ending, and that’s just getting her acquainted with New York.

Her career has been, unnecessarily, tied in with Alex, and she’s now going to be making an EP as long as she keeps him, basically, on a leash. So, remind me, what’s supposed to be relatable about this? It’s definitely not the fact that we thought Alex and Xandra were twins, only to discover they’re actually former-lovers-turned-step-siblings… big yikes. It’s definitely not being discovered by someone with power to potentially make your dreams come true on your first day in New York City. Working at the record store was the only normal thing about Josie’s life, but even that’s been taken over by Alex.

That said, it was so nice to see her stand up for herself and, at least for a moment, put a stop to the madness. She’s been dragged around by these two for far too long, and it’s about time she gets self-respect and puts herself first. At some point, you just reach a limit, but I don’t understand why Josie let it go on for this long. In the first episode, maybe, but Alex being the person to help her achieve her goals didn’t seem realistic after that.

Someone, please, separate these two. Josie should be her own character, just like everyone else. And Alex is the worst love interest on this show, but we’re getting more of him than K.O.? Criminal.

As for Jorge, it was nice to see him mellow out a bit and attempt to settle in his relationship with Bernardo. The insecurity of being with someone, anyone, is incredibly real, and addressing the added insecurity of what a “man” is supposed to be in a gay relationship is very, very important. Pair that with daddy issues, and I think it’s safe to say that everyone can find something to relate to with Jorge’s story (even if you’re relating to Bernardo).

Until this episode, Jorge didn’t feel like a real person, so it’s nice to see him open up a little bit and to realize he’s not just the walking personification of every gay trope ever written. (That said, I absolutely hate characters that go out for a night with their friends and ditch their friends for their man, like Jorge did. Let’s not have that happen ever again, thanks.)

‘Katy Keene’ season 1, episode 4 final thoughts

Katy Keene season 1, episode 4 probably left me more excited for the next episode than any of the previous episodes have. This one really felt just right for the show, and I’m happy to see the show settling down and showing the day-to-day lives of these characters, not focusing on momentous moments, like proposals and breakups. This group of dreamers needs to be relatable, and for the first time, they kind of were (at least, as much as they probably will ever be).

Lastly, please give me more of Lucy Hale and Julia Chan singing (and solos, please), I beg of you.

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