Picture – Amy Davidson (Edie Falco) is in her kitchen unloading groceries when her task is interrupted by a chiming cell phone. Quickly tending to the intrusion, she learns from a TMZ alert that 29-year-old Pete Davidson (self) has passed in an automobile accident. Doubtful, she quickly scrolls through her digital phonebook and tries to contact Pete. After a terminated service message, she quickly tries another number which delivers a full mailbox alert. An Internet search confirms her worst fears. Pete can be seen sleeping with his eyes opened as normal.

A Hotel – Upon waking, Pete discovers his phone charger has shorted and his phone is dead. When he arrives at reception area, two hostesses are watching TMZ’s shocking announcement. He asks for a wireless phone charger. They inform him of his death.

Al Gore Climate Change Benefit – Pete and his friend/assistant, Evan (Philip Ettinger) are backstage. Relieved to learn that her son is still alive, Amy questions how anyone could get away with creating fake news. She smoked her first cigarette in 20 years. He reminds her that cigarettes are not really cigarettes. She asks what could be more important than their conversation. He tells her that he is saving the planet before disconnecting the line. Al Gore (self) is giving a speech on energy conservation.

Pete responds to a chiming phone to learn that someone is still using a photo he doesn’t particularly care about. Pulling up a full-blown enhancement of the image reveals a squinting Pete with a backward hat and a cheesy grin. He expresses his distaste over the photo to Evan as if he can do something about it, although he’s tried multiple times. Joining him backstage, Jon Stewart (self) joins him backstage. Joining him backstage, Jon Stewart (self) warns against mentioning global warming because it is a touchy subject.

Pete expresses his enthusiasm and pleasure in being involved in an important cause like climate change. The unappealing photo rears its ugly head again on the teleprompter behind him. Putting it next to a dapper Jon Stewart doesn’t help matters.

Green Room – Pete’s every effort of deleting his unappealing photo only entices the culprit to put it back up. Evan points out that the username is “ImAScatman76.” Pete tells him that he loves that song before expressing his desire to have the photo removed when Jon approaches. He admits to being relieved Pete is still among the living. Upon revealing that Gore is drunk and doesn’t even recycle, Pete suggests he run for President. Jon’s lack of enthusiasm becomes more apparent when Pete says he will step up if he doesn’t. They discuss the requirements of being the President before they part ways.

Pete’s Home – While going through a pile of Pete’s donation clothes, Amy asks Evan how long since they saw each other. He reminds her of him and Pete being on the road before claiming to have spent time planning his girlfriend’s birthday party. Amy says ever since he started dating her that his visits have been more sporadic. She tells him that nothing is more important than family. He suggests six years is long enough to get engaged. She tells him about Pete’s former engagement which turned out to be a debacle. She stresses the importance of focusing on his job. He claims to have spent most of the night trying to get Pete’s squinty-eyed picture taken down.

At Therapy – Pete and his therapist, Glen Rossi (Charlie Day) discuss his fake death announcement. Dr. Rossi says it must have felt good to see his family and friends relieved he is still alive. Pete explains how it was stressful for his mother. He can’t help himself but bring up his squinty-eyed photo. Rossi suggests his disgust isn’t about the photo but his lack of control. Pete rants about his failed attempts to do nice things that always get public scrutiny. Rossi assures him that public figures are always the target of scrutiny. Pete admits to being sensitive and upset when people push it, only for them to push it even further. Rossi tells him to only blame himself. If you actively go out looking for things to upset you, you will likely not like what you find.

Amy’s Office – Amy’s status as a guidance counselor is revealed for the first time, as she counsels two young female students, Luna (Abigail Doaghy) and Iz (Lenique Vincent). Luna wants to pursue the marketing side of artificial meat. Amy questions how good they are with computers and finding someone online.

Dog Park – Joe (Joe Pesi) says this is the life when a visitor complains about their smoking. Joe gives the man a piece of his mind. Pete tells him about the fake death announcement. Joe reminds him of his being the one who is dying. Pete says an online troll posting his unappealing photo. Pointing out a small dog harassing a big dog, Joe explains the best tactic in dealing with the online troll.

At Home: Pete and his crew of misfits Evan, Crillz (James A DeSimone), Derek (Derek Gaines), and Dave (Dave Sirus) are killing time by chopping away at fresh fruit with various weapons. Pulling out his handgun, Crillz asks for the pumpkin. Evan informs them of Amy locating Scatman. Pete grabs his weapon before heading out to the troll’s address. After Berating Evan over the address, she goes after Pete to find her car blocked by Crillz’s vehicle. Forcing Evan to call her an Uber, Amy soon intercepts an armed Pete before he blindly charges into some psychopath’s home. She forces him into the car where they discuss Scatman and how to deal with him from here on out. She suggests giving the man’s information to his attorney. The topic instantly turns to food. As they pass the time trading popular mock detective comments, a delivery driver (Latrisha Talley) brings their food. While they eat, she questions what will happen if he encounters the man. Pete says he’ll probably just grab the weird sword he brought and approach the man.

Amy suggests his fake death announcement impacted her so badly because it is how she will learn of his real passing someday. She assures him that he will never understand what it is like to be a mother. She looks over to find him sound asleep. Preparing to leave, a convertible pulls up in front of the man’s house. Pete takes off with the intention of confronting the man to see Dr. Rossi with an armload of takeout. After a bit of a heated back and forth, the doctor admits to being “Scatman” but swears it is for his own good. Pete about his choice of therapy. Rossi comes clean about not having a medical degree. He questions if a plaque on his wall would make others feel good while doing nothing for him. Pete tells him that he will never see him again. Rossi says there will be a charge since he already has an appointment before agreeing to take the photo down.

Rossi assures Pete that he is there for his clients until they die but some still commit suicide. Pete asks if he is behind the fake death announcement. Rossi stresses the importance of him to stop caring what others think. Their conversation is interrupted by Amy who seemingly returned to find the car abandoned. Pete realizes the doctor is good at what he does. She asks him what happened. He tells her it doesn’t matter anymore because he can only control himself.

Driving Home – Steve Miller’s “Jungle Love” sparks a flashback for Amy. She says it was her father’s favorite son. In a flashback, Scott Davidson (Joshua Bitton) gathers young Pete (Preston Brodrick) and Casey (Loulou Lazarus) for a family photo. Scott encourages Pete to not squint. After snapping the shot, it is compared side-by-side with the photo that plagued Pete the entire episode.

 

Bupkis Review 

Although the photo concept isn’t the cleverest thing in the world, I felt the cast and crew did a good job of portraying it uniquely. For that reason, the episode deserves a hard 6. Everyone has that one photo that embarrasses them and the story of Pete’s was rather clever. The death announcement was also a unique concept and it was fun to see how impactful social media could potentially be on someone with a very public life.

Everything else, other than the therapist’s and grandfather’s advice seemed useless but fulfilling. Overall, the episode was very enjoyable and had some actual funny parts. It deserves a 6. Get more Bupkis recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising is scalable to ensure cost efficiency.