This week on Smash, we found out who got the part of Marilyn Monroe … except, maybe not.
By the end of “The Callback,” the coveted role went to Ivy (Megan Hilty), which wasn’t really a surprise given that Tom (Christian Borle) couldn’t have been more obvious about wanting her for the part if he was waving a “Team Ivy” flag around. I love Tom personality-wise, and I get that Ivy is a friend of his, but his cheerleading was getting kind of grating! However, we’ve already been tipped off by the producers that who is first named Marilyn might not necessarily remain Marilyn. Plus, it would be an unwise move for the show to let its cat out of the bag in the second episode. I’m expecting Karen to make a comeback: the question is when, and how.
Ivy seemed the clear winner this week, though, because she also ended up in bed with Derek (Jack Davenport). Whether or not that had anything to do with her getting the part is unclear right now, though my gut wants to say no, given that Derek seemed to favor Karen. Part of me wants to groan at the hopeful-actress-sleeps-with-director subplot, but the other part of me reminds the first part that this is a more soap-type drama, so what did I expect? And to be fair, I had a crush on Jack Davenport in high school, so I’d probably sleep with Derek, too. I’d hate myself in the morning, but there you have it.
Speaking of Derek, some of you were unconvinced that he’s more than just a temperamental perfectionist. You got a really great glimpse at his softer side this week, in his interactions with Eileen (Anjelica Huston). Derek was willing to leave a production of My Fair Lady that he’d spent years on in order to remain with Eileen and the Marilyn musical. It’s obvious that Eileen and Derek have a history together (perhaps she gave him his own big break years ago?) and a deep respect for each other. I’d love to see that explored; not only does it humanize Derek, but Davenport and Huston make great scene partners.
Karen wasn’t totally blameless this week either. We saw her stand up boyfriend Dev (Raza Jaffrey) at an important dinner when rehearsal ran long. Now, the first time she went to call him, she seemed chagrined when Derek caught her; maybe she was worried about being in trouble. But even so, considering this is the guy she loves and she knew how important the evening was to him, she should have stuck her neck out anyway and at least texted him! I felt so bad for him, knowing that her absence not only worried him but also reflected badly on him professionally. I’ve seen how good Jaffrey was on Spooks, so I’m really hoping that we see Dev become more than just “Karen’s supportive boyfriend.”
We’re starting to see all sorts of storylines develop, whether it’s Ivy and Derek’s ongoing affair (because that preview certainly didn’t make it look like a one-night stand!) and what that’ll do to the production when it gets out (you know it will), or Karen adjusting to life in a smaller role, or what’s going on between Eileen and her ex-husband, or Julia (Debra Messing) trying to balance her desire for a new addition to her family with the demands she puts upon herself as a playwright. Smash‘s second episode made me think about its third, fourth and fifth. That’s what makes me think I’ve found a good show.
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Feb 14, 2012 @ 07:54 EST5EDT
While I wasn’t too let down from the pilot, I am disappointed in TV shows that repeatedly make it so easy to guess the next line of dialogue. I did that about 5 times in this episode. Predictability is NOT a good thing. The best shows I watch on TV surprise me, and defy my expectations and predictions. So far, this series hasn’t done that once.
I agree that Tom was way too much on Ivy’s side, to the point of it being unprofessional. I was glad to see Julia attempt to balance it out a tiny bit while they were both waiting, Ivy with her entourage of cheerleaders, and Karen by herself. And Ivy sleeping with Derek right before he sides with her and gives her the part really does nothing to dispel my opinion from last week that Derek is an a*hole. Sure, he was nice in his scenes with Eileen, but she is financing a show where he gets to be director and choreographer, and break new ground, as opposed to another “My Fair Lady” revival (no offense to that show, though–maybe the best Broadway musical ever). And am I the only one bored to tears with Julia’s husband and family issues? I like the personal stories of nearly all the other cast members (I hope Tom gets one, besides Ivy cheerleader and half-charming, half-creepy assistant), but Julia’s family bores me completely.
By the way, I had to use your post to determine the names of every character. Not one has stuck in my head yet.
Also–why are so many songs already written when we’re only on episode 2? And most of the book, too? All they’re left with is figuring out the timeline and where the songs will go. I would’ve loved to have seen more of the songwriting process. One of the things that feels the most natural on the show is the working relationship between Tom and Julia, and they’ve fast-forwarded past most of it without letting us see it.
Derek can be an a**hole. He’s mercurial, talented, driven, controlling, snarky, sleazy. He’s all those things. And yet, that’s not all there is to Derek. If you don’t see beyond the snark and sleaze, you don’t yet know him. He also has a softer side, usually only in evidence with Eileen. I, too, would love to see more about their relationship and backstory.
And yes, I’d have slept with Derek as well. And also hated myself for doing so. *sigh*
As for the show itself, I agree with Scott that everything feels rushed. Things are happening too fast and we are not being given more insight into the writing process and the professional collaboration between Julia and Tom. We haven’t really seen Derek the choreographer at work. We haven’t seen enough about casting, rehersals, costumes, backstage clashes, etc.
Still, I do love the show, despite the soap opera cliches and the rushed process. For me, if not a smash, Smash is still a hit.