DISCLAIMER: This Central Park recap of “Skater’s Circle” is rife with spoilers. You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution. 

Welcome back, park lovers! Central Park‘s second installment blessed us with a wonderful Hamilton reunion via guest star Christopher Jackson. Jackson even had a duet with Leslie Odom, Jr., which sent me down Memory Lane. Now, can we please get Lin-Manuel Miranda at some point this season? Pretty please? Time to make a sacrifice to the Apple TV+ gods, I suppose. Anyway, Bitsy stirred the pot this episode by inviting potential investors to her luxurious penthouse to scheme and be villainous. Cole tried to reunite with his pooch pal Shampagne. Molly dreamed of being a weirdo superhero. Paige endured a yawn-inducing city council meeting. Owen mended fences with a former rival named Glorious Gary. Is he glorious, though? I’d go so far as to say he’s magnificent. 

RELATED: CENTRAL PARK Series Premiere Recap: (S01E01) Episode One

Now, we open with Birdie (voiced by Josh Gad) giving us the low-down on current events. Owen (voiced by Leslie Odom, Jr.) is in a tizzy because he’s heading into an important conference call. It’s during said conference call that he learns of a mugging that transpired in Skater’s Circle. Birdie joins Owen as the two mosey on over to Skater’s Circle. However, it’s completely desolate. Not a soul to be seen. A fellow named Glorious Gary used to hang around these parts but then Owen essentially banished him. Owen’s not a fan of skaters, apparently. Birdie urges Owen to make amends. 

Meanwhile, Paige (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) is at her office. Her editor is now assigning her news stories, which is a step up from fluff pieces. Unfortunately, he wants Paige to cover a boring city council meeting. Cole (voiced by Tituss Burgess) and Molly (voiced by Kristen Bell) are sitting together in the school cafeteria. Molly is drawing a comic book strip wherein she’s Fisti-Puffs, the super-est of superheroes. Cole is lamenting over the loss of his best fur friend Shampagne. Both burst into a rollicking tune about being superheroes – living a life that’s extraordinary. Bell and Burgess sound lovely together in this. Molly vows to help Cole bust into Bitsy’s penthouse so he can reunite with Shampagne. 

Next, Owen pays Glorious Gary (voiced by Christopher Jackson) a visit outside the park. Glorious Gary now works at Larry’s Stereo Repair shop. The pair start bickering off the bat. However, Owen is able to usher Glorious Gary back to the latter’s old turf – Skater’s Circle. 

Birdie (voiced by Josh Gad) in Central Park.

Birdie (voiced by Josh Gad) in “Central Park,” premiering May 29 on Apple TV+.

Then, we see Bitsy (voiced by Stanley Tucci) preparing for a big meeting with potential investors. Helen (voiced by Daveed Diggs) is primping her boss. Bitsy foists Shampagne upon Helen. We see the investors trickle in to Bitsy’s opulent meeting space. Prior to introducing her grand scheme of selling Central Park, she breaks out into an uptempo number about showing her haters what’s what. Tucci is hysterical in this. However, had I not known he was on the cast list, I’d never have guessed Tucci was the voice for Bitsy. But it works. It works so damn well. 

Meanwhile, Cole and Molly are lingering outside Bitsy’s penthouse. There’s a doorman present, because why not? She’s filthy rich. Molly attempts to distract the doorman while Cole sneaks inside. Unfortunately, said doorman finds Cole within and quickly ejects him. No poor people allowed! I guess we won’t get the reunion we’ve been waiting for…

Next, we see Paige sitting in the boring city council meeting. She’s taking notes but inevitably starts snoozing. After a while, Paige hears something quite newsworthy. The city council is at odds over renewing the Central Park contract. Uh oh. Paige’s seat neighbor informs her that the council has 60 days to come to a unanimous decision. She tries to call Owen but he’s preoccupied. 

Meanwhile, Owen and Glorious Gary are skating it out in Skater’s Circle. A considerable crowd has gathered to witness the spectacle that’s about to unfold. Molly and Cole are sitting in the park, gazing up at Bitsy’s not-so-humble abode. Suddenly, Shampagne barges onto the balcony and begins mournfully howling. Cole howls in return and is thrilled that his best canine friend remembers him. This relationship is so pure. 

Then, Bitsy catches wind of the Central Park contract hanging in the balance. Perfect! Now, she can strike while the proverbial iron is hot. This works in tandem with her plan to sell the park. Now, she must get the investors on board with her diabolical plan. 

Owen (voiced by Leslie Odom, Jr.), Cole (voiced by Tituss Burgess), Paige (voiced by Kathryn Hahn), and Molly (voiced by Kristen Bell) in Central Park.

Owen (voiced by Leslie Odom, Jr.), Cole (voiced by Tituss Burgess), Paige (voiced by Kathryn Hahn) and Molly (voiced by Kristen Bell) in “Central Park,” premiering May 29 on Apple TV+.

Next, Glorious Gary and Owen sing a disco-inspired duet. Again, as the kids would say, I’m “all up in my feels.” Is that how it goes? I try to stay abreast of the latest lingo the youths are saying these days. Just so many Hamilton emotions! Unfortunately, Owen has no idea that the Central Park contract may not be renewed. Oh, and that Bitsy might just make him homeless. So, there’s that. 

RELATED: Stanley Tucci and Daveed Diggs Get Animated About CENTRAL PARK 

Now, I love the simple premise behind this show. The plot isn’t convoluted, the music is toe-tapping, and the cast is stellar. I’m not saying Central Park is award-worthy TV but it sure is fun. Relaxing, even. 

Don’t forget to join me next time as I recap Central Park, here on Geek Girl Authority. 

Central Park streams Fridays on Apple TV+.

 

 

 

Melody McCune
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