Okay, so Simply the Best is a great scene, both in Open Mic and in The Olive Branch. Admittedly, while I liked Patrick in Open Mic right away, it took me a while to be able to watch David in The Olive Branch without my hand half-covering my eyes from vicarious embarrassment... but now I absolutely love it.

But anyway, the ONE complaint that some people seem to have about the Open Mic performance is the fact that Roland and Jocelyn interrupt the song. And I totally get it. That said, I'd always respond that a) it's a long song and there are only so many times the camera can pan back and forth between David's and Patrick's expressions and b) it gave the opportunity for Moira to kvell about how her son is being serenaded by his buttervoiced beau. So as annoying as it is in and of itself, it serves a purpose.

But it actually serves a WAY better purpose that I only just realized, and if you figured this out yourself already then my apologies. But I think it's super cool.

My favorite part of David's performance in The Olive Branch is the last stanza, especially when he ends by sliding down onto the floor and Patrick punches the air. And I was thinking about the lyrics of that part and I realized that they didn't seem familiar from Patrick's performance. Specifically, they are

Each time you leave me I start losing control

You're walking away with my heart and my soul

I can feel you even when I'm alone

Oh, baby, don't let go

Of course, they're PERFECT for The Olive Branch. David has taken time away from Patrick, realized how painful it was, now needs to prove that to Patrick, and these lyrics perfectly encapsulate his emotions.

But they would have been exactly wrong for Open Mic! The whole idea of that moment is for David to focus on his happiness and the positivity about his relationship that Patrick is evoking in him right now and assuring him that he feels as well. A whole stanza about how depressing it is when he leaves COULD be seen as more benign in context, and of course in universe Patrick DOES sing those lyrics, but for the audience it's just not really part of the intended tone of the scene. Plus, saving that particular stanza for the reconciliation gives it even more of a kick, IMO, making it seem perfectly intended for that moment. So how do they avoid having that verse in the Open Mic scene? Have Roland and Jocelyn come. (And why Roland and Jocelyn- because who else would be rude and clueless enough to interrupt Moira at a moment like that? :P)

It's just done so well.