Ep 5. Extra Mayo

Easy Money was a TV show that aired on The CW Network in 2008. The show follows the story of a family that runs a loan business in Chicago. The main characters are the Montego family, which consists of father, Cooper (played by Jeff Hephner), his two brothers, Tariq (played by Jay Ferguson) and Devon (played by Katie Lowes), and their mother, Alicia (played by Laurie Metcalf).

In season 1 episode 5, titled "Extra Mayo," Cooper is approached by a young woman named Rachel (played by Meghan Markle), who needs a loan to cover her rent. Cooper initially denies the loan, but after learning that Rachel is a waitress at a nearby café, he offers her a deal. He will give her the loan only if she agrees to bring him extra mayo every day with his lunch. Rachel accepts the deal, and Cooper begins to build a flirtatious relationship with her.

Meanwhile, Tariq is struggling with his personal life. He is in a relationship with a woman who he is not in love with, while his coworker Kelly (played by Marsha Thomason) has feelings for him. Tariq tries to figure out what he really wants while dealing with the pressure of his job.

Devon tries to balance her personal life with her job at the loan business. She is dating a wealthy man named Bryce (played by Nick Searcy), who has connections to some of Chicago's top real estate investors. Devon sees an opportunity for the family business to expand and pitches the idea to her brothers and mother.

As the Montego family navigates their personal and professional lives, they must also deal with the inner workings of their business. An investor, Diego (played by Jesus Ochoa), is pressuring Cooper to lend him money for a potentially profitable venture. Cooper is hesitant to invest, but his family urges him to take the risk.

"Extra Mayo" is a compelling episode that showcases the different challenges the Montego family faces, both professionally and personally. It presents the relationships between the characters and the intricacies of their business, bringing forth a sense of realism to this drama. The episode also highlights themes of ambition and sacrifice and shows how each character deals with these concepts in their own way.

The episode's subplots add depth to the characters and bring forth their personalities. Tariq's struggle with his love life and Kelly's feelings towards him provide a fresh perspective on the characters' relationships. Devon's relationship with Bryce sheds light on her desire to succeed in the business world and the challenges that come with dating someone who is wealthier than her.

Overall, "Extra Mayo" is an engaging episode that adds to the show's overall storylines and character progression. It presents a realistic portrayal of the difficulties that come with operating a loan business while dealing with personal issues.