You know what? This might have been the first, honest-to-goodness solid episode of Smash in weeks. While there were moments that were less successful than others, I didn't want to take a hammer to my tv at any point last night. Progress!
So, THE SHORT VERSION: Movie star Rebecca Duvall shows up, and she's crazy dramatic, with lots of notes for the cast and crew, a drunk boyfriend that barges into rehearsal, and a hypercritical contempt for musical theater... oh, and she sings about as well as Pierce Brosnan did in . She's like a breathy, oversexed water buffalo, every time her mouth opens. She also wants more lengthy scenes, which Julia writes, and everyone seems to like. Karen's still the understudy, and Derek has another fantasy of her as Marilyn, where she sings a GREAT version of "Our Day Will Come" on his lap.
Tom makes a pass at chorus boy Sam, who reveals that he plays for keeps, takes things slow, and isn't that kind of guy. Eileen and bartender Nick flirt a bit more after she tries to end things, and end up canoodling further. Ellis ends up badmouthing Rebecca's assistant to his friend...but does not know how to use call-waiting, and the assistant hears everything and shuns him. And Karen and Dev seem like they're on the rocks...again. Oh, and Julia and Frank go to a parent/teacher conference for Leo, who is failing all his classes, and Julia reveals the affair and tells the whole world it's all her fault. So, that was nice.
Rebecca's throwing a private screening of her new movie, which is supposed to be a comedy but involves her in a fast car holding a very large gun. Ivy and Karen do a little drunken bonding and then reveal that they both still want the part and hate each other. And in a clandestine meeting, Rebecca, Tom, Julia, Eileen and Derek tweak the show to fit Rebecca, which includes key changes, some reshuffling, and hiring her a vocal coach. The episode ends with "Dig Deep," a number about Marilyn attending the Actor's Studio and working on her craft. It's okay, and Rebecca does alright in it, but she's clearly no Karen or Ivy. And then, Rebecca reveals she has more ideas for changes...and the episode ends.
WHAT ROCKED THIS WEEK: I love that they're playing Rebecca as an out and out villain, and Uma Thurman is clearly having a ball. This episode had great focus, solid musical numbers, and made sense, all the way through. More episodes like this, please! It was also fun to see Ellis get spanked down, mid-manipulation. He's a tool.
WHAT MADE NO SENSE: I really want to know what Rebecca's movie was really about. Big gun, fast car, loud music, and it's a comedy. I still don't understand.
NEXT WEEK: Rebecca schemes, someone keels over at rehearsal, and we've got three installments left before the end of the season. See you in seven!
