Smash – “Tech” – Discussion Post (UPDATE: Recap Added)

Here’s your Smash discussion post.  Check out the preview videos and a show summary HERE.  Check back later for a recap!

UPDATE: “Tech” Recap Below

Are you guys as curious about this week’s episode as I am? I don’t know why, but for some reason I’ve really been thinking about all the drama that went down last week. Are Karen and Dev gonna make it through this rough patch they’re in? Because I’m thinking a lot of the commenters are right to suspect something brewing on the side between Derek and Karen. How shocking would it be for the clueless “Cartwright girl” to pull a scandelous move like that and snag the role of Marilyn in the season finale by stealing Ivy’s man–the director. Its got my expectations raised for tonight, so they better deliver! Alright, let’s get movin’ along. *play*

Wow, the writers must have read my mind, because we’re getting right into the action with an opening song. What begins as Tom and Sam singing a duet quickly turns into a big number for Tom. Hmm…the song started out really odd for me, but came together by the end. I don’t know, it just seemed…weird. I guess I’m just glad they had a really neat behind-the-scenes look at the emotions running through a performers’ mind on opening day of a show. See Smash, this is the formula you should stick to!

Oh snap! “Mr. Heartless” Derek just whipped out the “L” word on Ivy like it was no nothin’. I didn’t see that coming. Maybe my secret Karen/Derek relationship theory will never materialize?

Dev gives Karen a call and says he’s thinking about dropping in for a visit. It’s clear that Karen’s not really into the idea.

Now we’re back to Derek working on staging, lighting, and choreography, which seems to be a big focus in the episode. Hence the name, “Tech.” (DUH!) Anyway, Tom jumps in and starts talking to Derek in an unusually cheerful mood. He’s got a new song for Karen and Ivy. (YES!) But Derek is not happy about adding a song last minute. It doesn’t matter though, because they’re quickly interrupted by Ted (the dude playing Dimaggio), who’s jumping ship on the musical to film his new TV pilot. Cue the panic in Derek and the dreaded call to Michael Swift (Julia’s secret lover).

Karen and Rebecca have a little moment backstage where Rebecca admits she’s always nervous for a performance–even if she is Rebecca Duvall. 

Looks like Julia and Frank have made up, as they’re flirting like a couple of sixth-graders while Julia AMAZINGLY flips a pancake. *rolls eyes* Then bad-actor son comes down the stairs and mumbles a terrible line, and I’m reminded of how exciting season two is gonna be when they cut this crap out. Hehe. Oh yeah, and Tom calls Julia to tell her about Michael Swift possibly joining the show again, but he completely chickens out when he hears the joyous family over the phone. (Gag) Looks like it’s up to Eileen to grow a pair and tell Julia what’s up.

Rebecca flips out just as the team’s about to begin the tech version of rehearsals. She’s not completely off base either, because Derek is just mentioning Ted’s absence to her. I love how self-aware Uma’s character is sometimes. She knows she’s not strong enough to carry this show on her own, and she’s doing everything possible to make herself look good. They could’ve wrote the character off as another typical, big-shot celebrity with an ego the size of Texas.

“Umm…that’s usually my thing.” Yes–these words actually came out of Ellis’ mouth as he caught Ivy with her ear pressed against Rebecca’s dressing-room door.

Oooh boy. Dev’s work buddy/slash hottie shows up at his door unannounced with a bottle of booze. He lets her right in. Bow-chicka-wow-wooow.

We cut to Eileen’s office, where she finally tells Julia what’s up with Michael Swift. Julia flips out and insists another actor be cast in the part, but Eileen isn’t hearing it. Neither of them back down, and Julia storms out. Seriously though, in real life there is no way Julia could work with Michael again after the way they both betrayed their families.

And now we’re back to Dev and the flirtacious co-worker girl. They finally cut the crap and start making out, until Dev puts a stop to the smooching. He apologizes to co-worker, but he just can’t continue. Why is this scene/storyline even in the show again?

And to continue the relationship drama, Julia finally tells Frank that they’re trying to bring Michael back to play DiMaggio. He’s not mad, because Julia was honest and said no to Eileen, but he’s not happy either. Looks like Frank is out for now.

When we get back to the tech runs for Bombshell, Rebecca puts on an impromptu Happy-Birthday performance for Derek. Uh…sorry to sound rude, but Uma does not look pretty when she’s all “Marilyn’d up.” The weird singing doesn’t help either. Haha. That’s beside the point, because I love the character of Rebecca Duvall.

While they’re in the middle of rehearsals, Karen goes off stage to find a guilty-looking Dev with a dozen red roses. Sorry Dev, you kissed that girl, and roses won’t make up for it. Not to mention, Karen doesn’t even want you there. Poor fella. But honestly…if my girlfriend was in the dress/tech rehearsals for a broadway show, I highly doubt I’d come waltzing in unannounced hoping to get in some good bonding time.

Ugh, back to being rude again. I just don’t buy this Eileen/bartender relationship they’ve got going on. She looks like a grandma, and he just looks like an older man. Not saying Angelica Huston is ugly or anything. I just think the bartender dude is such a weird, not-believable pairing for her. I get that’s the point, but I don’t think it works.

I guess it’s already time for Tom to have dinner with and meet Sam’s entire family? Seems a little quick for that if you ask me. But I’m a commitment freak, so…yeah.

Aaaaaaand “Evil Derek” is BACK! He sneaks into Rebecca’s dressing room and really starts spreading it on thick, giving her a neck message while he seduces her. Their passion is too much to contain and they really go for it. Gosh, once again, Ivy gets screwed in this situation, and I feel pretty bad for the girl.

Back at Sam’s house, he overhears Tom and his father discussing the logic–or lack thereof–in dancing for a career. He’s pissed off at both of them.

Now we get to watch Ivy catch Derek in the act. For some reason, her and Ellis became best buds in this episode, and he promised to keep an eye on Derek and Rebecca. We see Ivy run into Ellis as she’s waiting for Derek to meet her for dinner. After some discussion, they quickly realize Derek and Rebecca were left alone, and they run up to see what’s going on. Ivy quickly realizes what’s going on, and her world comes crashing down once again.

We can quickly lighten up the mood though, because Dev just proposed to Karen over dinner. *rooooooolls eyes* One thing I will say is this: I think Katharine is getting better and better as the season goes on. As far as her acting goes. To be fair, her performance really has been a trainwreck at certain times, but I think she’s really starting to get comfortable on screen. I think her scenes–like this proposal one–are coming off as a lot more realistic in her reactions and facial expressions. (What little we can pry out of her that is.) Oh yeah, Karen said no to Dev.

Now Tom and Sam get into it over him being and dancer and blah blah. They make up and kiss and you can tell Tom is really really in looooove with Sam. I was so on board with this relationship in the beginning, and then I sorta changed my mind and thought it was a little forced. But now, I think I’m actually starting to feel the chemistry between these two. Wonder what’s in store for next season between them. Or maybe something unexpected awaits in the next two episodes.

Karen runs into the rest of the chorus, and they’re all shacked up in a hotel room drinking, singing, and just having a good time. Even though Karen’s down in the dumps, they force her to stay and enter into a sing off with Ivy. Which never happens, because it quickly becomes a solo performance for Ivy. She’s teary-eyed almost the whole way through as she sings “I’m Goin’ Down”–a song obviously meant for Derek and his cheating ways. The song stops when Dev stumbles in on the party and quickly storms off in a rage. And now cue the big fight between Karen and Dev.

The fight went about as expected. They’re both pissed and finally confront each other on all the crap that’s been bugging them about each other. Unfortunately, the scene ends with a ridiculous line from Kat about not being able to decide to get married during “tech”–particularly to someone who’s cheating on her.

Now Frank and Leo magically forget about the affair their wife/mom had with the male lead of her new musical. So why not let her go work hand-in-hand with him in another state for a few weeks? What’s that? The whole family is gonna come out with Juila? Well isn’t this all just magic and rainbows and butterflies! Maybe Frank and Michael’s wife can braid each other’s hair while they watch their spouses in rehearsals.

The last scene really really got me you guys! Dev’s sitting at the bar (expected). He’s drinking (expected). He’s about to make a huge mistake and hook up with some skank at the bar (expected). Some hot-blonde skank slides up next to him at the bar (expected). That skank is…IVY?! (UNexpected). I don’t know why this shocked me so much, because if I would’ve thought about it at all, than of course I would’ve seen it coming. But even though it’s a little desperate for the story line, I think it really works. The way I know that is because it really pisses me off! How could Dev be that stupid?! And why would Ivy cheat with someone when she was just cheated on?! I was just feeling so sympathetic for Ivy! But that’s when TV shows are good–when you disagree with the characters and find yourself torn up over something you wished they would or wouldn’t have done.

So this was a pretty decent episode people. I think the real star tonight was Derek (Jack Davenport). I thought he did such a great job of portraying the director right before a show’s launch. And that annoying scene there at the end really sucked me in for next week. BAH! We’re almost to the season’s end guys! Are you excited?! Predictions?

See you next week!