SkimIt
Rebecca Duvall throws wrench after wrench into the gears of "Bombshell" and Smash wears its Bollywood hat for no reason whatsoever in an episode that ultimately feels inconsequential.
Checking Out the Competition
Ms. Duvall (Uma Thurman) invites Karen (Katharine McPhee) to a night on the town, and Karen is so excited that she "eeks" like a pre-teen at a Justin Bieber concert. Little does she know that Rebecca only invited her out so that she could set Karen up with a band and watch her sing to get a sense of what she's up against talent-wise. And yes, Karen's rendition of Snow Patrol's "Run" sounds fresh out of the Auto Tune booth.
Grow Up, Mom and Dad
Julia (Debra Messing) gets a message that her son Leo (Emory Cohen) is staying with Frank (Brian d'Arcy James), and Frank gets a message that he's staying with Julia. And ... looks like we've got a runaway on our hands. But the panicking parents soon learn that Leo is hiding out in his friend's bedroom because he's sick of Mr. and Mrs. Houston acting like childish imbeciles. Way to get things done, Leo!
A Bollywood Moment
Karen's new friendship with Rebecca leads to our budding diva landing a little ballad of her own in the show, which leads to a dinner date between Karen, Rebecca and Dev (Raza Jaffrey). And as Karen's well-being becomes subject for argument during dinner, she suddenly enters into a daydream featuring the entire cast performing an elaborate Bollywood dance number. Is Bollywood almost always fun? Yes it is. Was this scene necessary in any way? Absolutely not.
The Real Talent Returns
Ellis (Jaime Cepero) conspires with Ivy (Megan Hilty) to weasel Karen out of her new song by convincing her that her rehearsal has been cancelled. Without someone to sing the tune, Derek (Jack Davenport) asks Ivy to fill in -- who would have guessed? Even though it was a low blow on Ivy's part, it's always a delight to hear Hilty actually sing like a true Broadway performer because, well, she is one.
While Uma Thurman's presence felt a little awkward last week, her role is really starting to shine as one of the only Smash characters who isn't constantly tortured by their personal demons. And who's with me in stating that Anjelica Huston and Thorsten Kaye are just too flippin' cute together?
Best Lines:
"I think you'd make a brilliant Marilyn. I see it, you know, in my head."
-- Derek instilling confidence in Karen.
"Did he join you for tequila shots in the meat packing district?"
-- Dev being snarky after Karen announces that she met David Bowie.
"I will not have my stage manager hijacked so she can make smoothies."
-- Derek on Rebecca's obnoxious habits.
"Um... do you have something without peanuts in it?"
-- Rebecca's moronic question to the waiter at an Indian restaurant.
"That secondhand white baby grand still has something beautiful to give."
-- Ivy indirectly telling the production team through song that she deserves to play Marilyn.
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