Okay, here’s the weekly discussion post for SMASH. Let’s see what Uma brings to the table this week. Anyone else guessing she’ll turn into Beatrix Kiddo and kill every last character in the show? Talk about a MAJOR retooling of season 2. Haha!

Anyway, I’ll have the recap added hopefully late tonight or first thing in the morning.

UPDATE: PUBLICITY RECAP ADDED

*play* We get right to rehearsals this week. Derek asked Karen to come a little early to confess he has been seeing what a great Marilyn she could make in the show.  ”I really see it,” he says to Karen. This really catches her off guard, and you can see she’s somewhat suspicious of Derek’s compliments. She probably should be.

Later, Tom, Julia, Derek, Eileen, and anyone important meet up to discuss Rebecca Duvall being difficult at every turn. She’s now lobbying to throw out the entire musical number “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and switch it with an all-dialogue scene. The meeting ends quickly when Tom shouts to Derek that, “He’s the director…SO DIRECT!”

Now we’re back to good boyfriend Dev who’s just sunshine and rainbows for Karen whenever she needs anything. And what’s this? Karen gets excited to tell Dev she can’t go to dinner with him tonight because she has big plans with the movie star Rebecca Duvall. Karen squeals gleefully, accompanied by a little “happy dance” and some jazz hands. This may be the most expressive I’ve seen Katharine Mcphee be since the show began.

Next thing you know, Rebecca has twirled Karen on stage to sing “Light Up” by Leona Lewis (I think?). Anyway, the song was pretty good for Kat. Nice and dramatic ballad, but not too over the top. Moving on…

We’re back to rehearsals where Tom and Derek announce to Rebecca that not only did they leave in the musical number, but they added one as well. Haha. Before Rebecca can try to pry her way out of this mess, Derek informs her it will be a “second Marilyn” singing the song. As Ivy’s face pops up in everyone’s head, Rebecca insists that Karen is perfect for the song, and Derek agrees…

Cut to a night out on the town for Karen and Rebecca who are now celebrating and suddenly becoming BFFs for life. The down side to living the high life of a famous celeb? Those scum-bag paparazzi. Dev shows Karen the shots of her going all around town with Rebecca. All Karen can do is gasp, “Wait, am I in trouble?” in response to Dev’s unhappiness. Karen’s rolling around in all her new clothes, still going on and on about how great this is. I’m just still in shock Kat has been allowed to show some type of emotion instead of no personality at all.

Oh boy, Tom and Julia are having a jolly ol’ time playing the piano and writing hit show tunes when suddenly, scary ex husband comes in to get his son Leo. Julia thought Leo was with him. He thought Leo was with her. Oooooh boy… Looks like someone finally hid Leo’s body in a place where it can never act again. *Cut to commercial*

Yeah, so Leo is missing, and I don’t care. So I’ll let ya know how it turns out in the end.

Back in the land of Bombshell, where they make musicals, Rebecca is teaching the stage director how to make her smoothies instead of actually rehearsing. Eileen solves the problem by sending Evil Ellis to make smoothies. When he arrives, he–along with Ivy–hears Tom teaching Karen one of the new songs. It’s good. Ivy compliments Karen afterwards and has a big smile on her face that sorta makes it look like she actually wants to gouge Karen’s eyes out.

It’s been three days since Leo went missing, and Tom confesses to Sam that he’s really worried. He breaks down a little.

Oh God…what’s happening? Oh no…this Bollywood number. My brain can’t actually process what it’s seeing. How in the hell did this scene get in this show. Who wrote it? Who cleared it? I just keep picturing the looks on all the actors faces when they saw the set that day, what they were wearing, and finally heard what they were singing. I don’t know…maybe I just had some fun, campy thing fly right over my head there, but I’m gonna go ahead and call that what it was: STUPID!

Julia takes desperate measures and sneaks up on one of Leo’s classmates, begging him to tell her where Leo is at. Finally, he tells her Leo’s been staying at his place to get away from his horrible parents. Ugh… This is so dumb.

Leo eventually returns home, and the parents decide not to lay into him. He needed the space. Blah Blah. They’re still a broken family, but leave this episode on a happy note.

Now let’s talk about the good stuff. Evil Ellis managed to swipe a phone from one of the chorus members to text Karen and tell her she wasn’t needed today. NO! They’re setting it up so that Ivy will have the opportunity to steal Karen’s new part in the show. I knew Ivy was smiling way too nicely at Karen earlier.

Oh, and did I mention Derek finally snapped? Yep, he lost it alright. He got right up in a paparazzi’s face and smashed his camera on the ground. He then proceeded to explain to Rebecca that this is gonna be a big show on Broadway, and some movie star like her isn’t going to ruin it! Rebecca salutes and is put in her place. We move back to rehearsals where everyone is ready to start–except for Karen, who was betrayed by Ellis and Ivy.

Now we end the show with Ivy singing the new ballad. It was finally Karen’s time to shine in front of everyone, but unfortunately, Evil Eillis strikes again. That being said, Ivy does a great job as always, and the song is the best part of the show. Of course the ever-impossible Rebecca Duvall pipes in when Ivy’s finished to get the last line, declaring she does want to sing after all. She really liked the new song, and it looks like she’s ready to face her demons. AKA: star in a Broadway musical when she can’t sing to save her life. Cue the drama for the next few weeks. I’m secretly excited. :) Let’s give this show a little boost, eh?!

As far as the episode overall? Meh? I’m tired and wanna go to bed. What does that tell you?

 

UPDATE: A commenter informed me the song is actually called “Run.” Sorry, I’ve heard the song plenty, just wasn’t sure of the exact title. It’s originally by Snow Patrol, but covered by Leona–and now Kat. Here’s Kat’s version from last night’s episode. Wow–I really think it’s great! Agree?