Ouch, that hurt! Mindy Kaling’s Not Suitable for Work delivered a gut-wrenching turn in Episode 7 (“Does Jon Hamm Cry?”) when Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III finally discovers the devastating truth that crushes his romantic dreams: AJ Pascarelli isn’t crushing on him—she’s secretly dating Bill Gibson, his mentor and boss. Here’s the complete breakdown of how Davis’ world completely fell apart.
Not Suitable for Work Setup: Davis’ Misplaced Hope
Throughout the episode, Davis operates under a dangerous assumption. When he encounters AJ’s aggressively Bostonian mother Amy outside their apartment building, she casually mentions that AJ has been crushing on someone from the office. Davis, being Davis, naturally assumes she means him. He even decides it’s finally time to make his move—cue the flowers.
This assumption seems reasonable enough until Josh and Kel deliver the crushing truth: AJ isn’t interested in Davis. She’s been sleeping with Bill. Davis’ face drops. The romantic fantasy he’d been building in his head shatters instantly. Rather than anger, Davis responds with genuine heartbreak—a surprisingly vulnerable moment that shows layers beneath his charming exterior.
The Hilarious Catalyst: AJ’s Birthday Disaster
The chaos begins when Amy shows up unannounced for her daughter’s birthday. Wanting to make the day special, Amy crashes Fisher-Stassen during a critical $50 million Spanx deal call and begins singing “Happy Birthday” with a cake in hand. It’s the episode’s biggest comedy set piece—awkward, mortifying, and peak television.
AJ’s response? She berates her mother, saying she doesn’t understand the difference between having a “job” versus a “career.” The cruelty stings Amy, who finds solace in Davis, who is genuinely kind to her despite his disappointment. This kindness leads to Amy’s revelation about AJ’s workplace crush—the very revelation that blindsides Davis.
The Steak and Tears Intervention That Backfires
Josh and Kel attempt a “Steak and Tears” intervention—a macho tradition where bad news is delivered over steak while emotions flow. But Josh receives his own devastating news: his father is leaving his mother. This shifts the dynamic entirely, forcing Josh to finally confront what he’s avoided all season: his father is genuinely awful.
When the focus finally turns to Davis, Josh and Kel deliver the Bill news before Davis can confess. The scene is surprisingly touching. Davis doesn’t explode; he simply breaks down, processing the reality that his mentor is dating the woman he loves.
Character Development Across the Board
While Davis spirals, other characters experience major shifts. Josh finally stands up to his father at work. Kel is sleeping with Kate while his roommates deteriorate without his household management. And Abby loses her most important client, Austin, when he hires a new stylist, leaving her genuinely alone for the first time.
Episode Comparison Table
| Character | Major Development | Emotional Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Davis | Discovers AJ-Bill relationship | Heartbroken |
| Josh | Father leaves mother | Angry/conflicted |
| Kel | In relationship with Kate | Happy but absent |
| AJ | Dating her boss secretly | Complicated |
| Abby | Loses Austin as client | Devastated |
With only two episodes remaining, the stakes have never been higher. For more on Mindy Kaling’s work and comedy analysis, explore American television comedy series evolution to understand the broader context of workplace comedies like this one. For comprehensive episode breakdowns, check our Not Suitable for Work complete episode guide and best Mindy Kaling shows 2026 on TechnoSports.
