Ep 8. Zen and the Art of Pageantry

In season 2 episode 8 of Faking It, titled "Zen and the Art of Pageantry," the gang finds themselves suddenly immersed in the world of beauty pageants after Amy's mom, Farrah, decides to re-enter the pageant scene. Farrah enlists Amy and Karma to help her with her preparations, leading to some unexpected challenges and revelations.

The episode opens with Farrah announcing her decision to compete in the upcoming Miss Magic 24 pageant. Amy is shocked, as she had no idea her mom was even interested in pageants anymore. Farrah explains that it's been a lifelong dream of hers to win Miss Magic 24, and now that she's divorced and her kids are grown, she finally has the time to pursue it.

Amy reluctantly agrees to help her mom, but as they start scouting out potential competition, she realizes that the pageant world is not exactly what she expected. She quickly discovers that Farrah will be competing against her old rival, Joan, who Amy describes as "a cross between a Barbie doll and Cruella de Vil." Amy also learns that pageant contestants are expected to adhere to strict beauty standards and perform a variety of talents, from singing and dancing to playing the harp.

Meanwhile, Karma is dealing with her own unexpected challenge: Liam's new girlfriend, Zita, has just been crowned homecoming queen, and Karma is struggling with feelings of jealousy and insecurity. She decides to channel her emotions into helping Farrah with her pageant preparations, throwing herself into the role of Farrah's personal stylist and cheering her on during rehearsals.

As the big day approaches, tensions run high as Amy and Karma work to ensure that Farrah looks and performs her best. Farrah has several mishaps during the talent portion of the pageant, including accidentally dropping her baton and getting tangled in her streamers. But despite these setbacks, Farrah remains determined to win, motivated by the support of her daughters and the memory of her late husband.

"Zen and the Art of Pageantry" is a fun, lighthearted episode that offers a glimpse into the world of beauty pageants through a comedic lens. It also delves into the themes of mother-daughter relationships, aging, and the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. As always, the chemistry between the core cast members is on full display, with several standout comedic moments and heartfelt emotional beats.