'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' Season 3, Episode 8 'Nathaniel Needs My Help' Recap: Old Patterns, New Schemes, and Healthy Sperms [SPOILERS]

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is back and it’s a whole new year for Rebecca (Rachel Bloom)—though sometimes we fall into old habits and not realize it. Rebecca is in a relationship with Nathaniel (Scott Michael Foster) and she wonders if history is repeating itself with her new romance. Meanwhile, Darryl (Pete Gardner) tries to have another baby and Paula (Donna Lynn Champlin) volunteers to help him find the perfect surrogate. This is the second episode of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” without Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III) in the title but he’s not completely out of the storyline just yet.

‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Old Patterns, New Approach

Rebecca takes a chance at love and a fresh start with Nathaniel. But after sniffing his old T-shirt, Rebecca fears she’s reverting back to her old ways. Dr. Dan reassures Rebecca that people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are capable of maintaining relationships—but she has to be mindful of her actions. This is easier said and done for Rebecca who tries to help Nathaniel mend the bond between him and his father. She plots a scheme to “accidentally” run into Nathaniel’s father during golf and convince him to make amends with his son. Rebecca asks George to help and be her driver/wingman for the scheme. But as she was they were about to go through with the ridiculous plan, they saw Nathaniel’s father get into a car with another woman. Rebecca and George follow Nathaniel’s father discovering him with another family. Rebecca is thrilled with the idea of uniting Nathaniel with his half-sister, and she didn’t consider any other answer or option.

Later, Nathaniel informs Rebecca that the girl is the daughter of his father’s secretary, whom he helps support financially. With a deflated ego, Rebecca is worried Nathaniel would break up with her. She tells Dr. Dan about the incident and informs her she’s falling into old patterns. Dr. Dan informs Rebecca her relationship with Nathaniel mirrors her relationship with Josh. The scheming, the plotting and obsessive overstepping of boundaries in the name of love. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” made sure it was showing how it takes work to get better. It won’t be an overnight kind of thing or a last-minute happy ending wrap up.  After realizing Dr. Dan was right, Rebecca reflects on her actions rather than denying it.

Healthy Sperm and Less Than Perfect Egg Donors

Meanwhile, Darryl strongly wants to have another baby—even though he has no partner—so Paula helps him choose the perfect egg donor. But even with a donor, Darryl still needs to get his sperm checked. While he makes sure his swimmers are still swimming, Paula finds the perfect donor. The only problem was that the donor refused to let anyone take her last eggs. Determined to help Darryl out, Paula breaks her resolution to stop scheming and find the donor. She was eventually able to find the donor, if not for the blackmailing that came with it. The donor agreed to give her last egg if Paula supports her financially for the rest of the child’s life.

Darryl, on the other hand, started out great after finding out his sperm is healthy. He even breaks into a musical number titled “My Sperm is Healthy.” But it soon turned bitter when his egg did not attach to the donor’s eggs. It was a relief for Paula but sad for Darryl. He can’t afford to order another egg but it won’t stop him from trying. Darryl sold all of his weird animal decorations to hipsters so he wouldn’t have to wait another year to have a kid.

Josh is still somewhat relevant

It’s hard for anyone whose parents are kicking them out of the nest. But none of them would dedicate a musical number called “Get Your Ass Out of My House” like Lourdes did with Josh. We last caught up with Josh who was filled with guilt about Rebecca and trying to find purpose in his life. Now he’s cleaning out his room ready to finally move out of his parent’s house. It wasn’t easy because as soon as he walks out the door, he has to figure out his life.

Josh tells his mother that ever since he came back from New York, something in him changed. He always thought he was supposed to be a karate instructor married to Valencia for the rest of his life. But Rebecca came back to his life and changed his perspective. Josh soon realized Rebecca helped him set a higher bar for him to reach. He goes to Rebecca’s place to thank her for helping him realize his potential. Josh’s courage to do the right thing inspired Rebecca to do the same. The show then ends with a cliffhanger where Rebecca goes to Nathaniel and tells him something she realized.
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” continues next Friday, January 12th, with “Nathaniel Gets the Message!” at 8/9c on The CW.