So here's the thing. Smash shot twelve episodes before the premiere even aired, which makes tonight's lucky number 13, "Tech," the first episode created since the series debuted. Think about that for a second: I've taken swipes at this show, as has every other tv critic out there, and usually, freshmen shows get the chance to retool in response to criticism or appeal at some point. Eighty percent of the season was in the can, though...that had to be rough on the creative team, seeing the mixed reviews and knowing there was no chance to tweak in response until, well, now.
And it shows, because this episode is easily the strongest since the pilot, and while some obvious beats certainly hit, the whole episode is a neat little romp through the on-stage birth of "Bombshell," as we watch our characters work through teching the out-of-town premiere in Boston.
THE SHORT VERSION: Everyone’s off to Boston, framed in a fun mash-up of “Another Openin’, Another Show” and “Let Me Be Your Star,” brought to us by Sam and Tom flirting over a piano. I like these two together. When we get to Boston, tech rehearsal is in full swing, made difficult by Rebecca’s ridiculous stage fright. Derek’s switching between coddling her and the tough love approach, using Ivy and Karen as stand-ins (and occasional costume-changers). Meanwhile, back in New York, Dev hooks up with RJ and then realizes he needs to propose to Karen, and flees to Boston. And Ted, the actor playing Joe DiMaggio, quits when he gets a TV pilot.
Eileen and Tom agree that it’s time to call Michael Swift back into the role, and Julia and her family freak out as she pulls a Rachel Berry and threatens to quit. Eileen pulls rank and makes the call. Tom meets Sam’s family in Boston, including his MD brother, and there’s all sorts of uncomfy conversation about the hard life of a dancer. It’s also Derek’s birthday, and the newly-confident Rebecca sings a very Marilyn-y “Happy Birthday” and feeds him some cake, which Ivy notices. Oooh.
Dev shows up and proposes to Karen, and she says, in what will be a response for the ages: “I’m in tech.” They fight, yadda yadda yadda, Dev comes clean about the RJ kiss, maybe they kindasorta break up. And then Derek proves he’s a cheatin’ dog by shtupping Rebecca in her dressing room. Ivy, you ain’t paranoid if he actually is humpin’ around.
There’s also a plaintive ballad of mistrust from Ivy, set up as a “sing off” in a hotel room party with Karen. So that was weird…and then Dev and Ivy meet in a bar, and look like they’re gonna hit it off (bowm chicka bowm bowm), which is SUPER WEIRD.
WHAT I LIKED: With the passable exception of Ivy’s “I’m Goin’ Down,” this episode had no random insertions of song—the whole script was driven by character and plot moments. And the opening song was a beautiful entry into the excitement of actually seeing “Bombshell” staged. Characters made sense, and you really felt the palpable ramp-up to the finale in a couple of weeks.
WHAT RAISED AN EYEBROW: Who had the bright idea to dress Frank and Julia in matching plaid. I mean, I'm colorblind, but not THAT colorblind. And Rebecca and Ellis are now tag-teamed as the least-likable characters in prime-time. And back to Julia for a second…you know, I really hope that, when we get to Season 2, they find a point for her other than to show how infidelity wrecks a family and how professional women can’t make up their minds. It’s a storyline that would’ve been tired in the eighties and there’s nothing left to beat in that dead horse now.
NEXT WEEK: Rebecca eats a peanut. Things get nuts. And we race towards finaleland! See you in seven, kids!
