“You have to be willing to have uncomfortable conversations,” the actor tells EW.

And there’s a cost to it."

So you see Simon moving through that."

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Sergei Bachlakov/NBC/Lionsgate

He resonated with that and a lot of these conversations found their way into the episode."

“And I think that’s necessary.

You have to be willing to look at everything that’s coming up in you.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Sergei Bachlakov/NBC/Lionsgate

Because even with the best of intent, there are blind spots.”

“That reinforces stereotypes and narratives and archetypes that aren’t helpful.”

In fact, she’s forced to face her own uncomfortable mistakes as she learns and grows from them.

“It’s very intentional across the board creatively,” Stewart says.