Miss last night’s episode? Here’s what you need to know about SMASH’s “Publicity”
AIRDATE: 4/23/12 WRITER: Theresa Rebeck DIRECTOR: Michael Mayer SYNOPSIS: As the cast and creative team attempt to adjust to the unique rehearsal style of one Rebecca Duvall (Uma Thurman), the movie star takes a special interest in her understudy Karen. An interest that boyfriend Dev doesn’t quite understand or appreciate. Also not helping the process is Ivy’s new allegiance with the duplicitous Ellis and Julia’s son Leo. The latter of which decides that now would be the opportune time to go “missing.” NOTABLE QUOTABLE: Much to Dev’s chagrin, “Boyfriends can be a problem on the way up,” was Rebecca Duvall’s advice for her new best friend/understudy Karen. LESSON LEARNED: Ivy’s singular need to reclaim the role of Marilyn has its limits. Which is our way of saying that we can’t be the only ones to have naturally assumed that Ivy’s effort to enlist Ellis’ assistance would end up with Rebecca Duvall going into anaphylactic shock courtesy of a peanut-laced rehearsal smoothie?! Also, Karen (Katharine McPhee) can wear just about anything and look smashing (See: Last night’s ludicrous Bollywood number, pictured above). CRITIQUE: For all the crazy that last night’s episode delivered — and believe you me there was an awful lot of it courtesy of an insanely over-the-top Bollywood number, a serious speed bump on Karen and Dev’s road to happily ever after thanks to Rebecca’s inexplicable meddling, and the continued antics of Julia’s son Leo — SMASH deserves credit for one thing: Managing to end their episodes on just the right note. Case in point, Ivy’s spine-tingling rendition of “Second Hand White Baby Grand” that pretty much had us ready to forgive creator Theresa Rebeck for another disappointing instalment. GRADE: C-
SMASH airs Mondays at 10PM on NBC (CTV Two in Canada). Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv