Smash review – 2×07: ‘Musical Chairs’

This week on Smash: two major exits, a show closing, a new song, and the beginning of a cringe worthy love triangle. On the bright side, it’s the end of the dreadful Terry Falls (Sean Hayes) storyline. Let’s bitch!

After my complaints last week about Ivy’s (Megan Hilty) storyline, it’s frustrating to see that nothing has changed. But the silver lining here is that it’s over. In what seems like the narrative equivalent of a sweep under the rug, the whole Dangerous Liaisons debacle is shut down faster than a revival of Taboo. After trying to turn things around to make the show a serious piece, the cast fails to make it interesting for the poor viewers during previews. Sensing a major flop, Terry goes to Ivy to see what can be done. Unfortunately Ivy is no longer interested in helping the show, but is looking for a way out. And honey, so am I.

Seriously, when the director announces to the cast that the show will end its run and Ivy exits onto the street with a smile and step as light as a feather, I am right there with her. Thank god we are free of this aggravating story! Admittedly, I will award bonus points for the amusing musical number (I will admit I giggled a little. Slapping boobies always makes me smile).

Meanwhile the bombs keep going off over at Bombshell as we get two more major exits this week. Seems like this show is losing people faster than a Carnival Cruise ship. (Ba-da bing!) Eileen (Angelica Huston) enlists the help of her daughter Katie (Grace Gummer) and Julia (Debra Messing) to get the show back from Jerry (Michael Cristopher)…annnnnd it works. All it takes is the threat of losing his daughter and the show.

Jerry has been a frustrating character since season one. While he makes for a great villain, I was never really sure what he wanted or what his motivation was. Luckily this week we get a scene between Eileen and her daughter looking at an old picture. It’s a great moment that reveals him to be blinded by love and unable to find a way to keep it. It’s unfortunate that we get this at the end of his storyline and by the end of the episode Eileen is back as producer of Bombshell.

The other major exit is Karen (Katharine McPhee), although everyone had to know this was coming. After realizing that she and Tom (Christian Borle) just aren’t working out, she decides to leave the show and join her new friends and Derek (Jack Davenport) on Hit List. I think we all had a moment here, as the sky opens up and the angels sing. It seems that Smash showrunner Safran heard us after all.

And what of this other show you say? This week Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) and Kyle (Andy Mientus) are asked to clarify the show’s major theme by Scott Welker (Jesse L. Martin). Of course Jimmy gets in a huff, because he’s the resident tough guy (P.S. I’m over it!) Luckily (?) he comes to his senses once Karen returns to the show. He even asks her out for a date, at least until he’s cock-blocked by none other than Derek. Are the writers really going to pursue a love triangle between Jimmy, Karen and Derek? Yikes! On the plus side, the wind machine is back as we get another number from the show.

Things that made me go hmmmm:

• Are they alluding to a hook-up between Julia and Scott? What happened to Peter (Daniel Sunjata)? The girl is boy crazy this season!!!
• Wouldn’t Ana be pissed after getting the boot once Karen comes back to the show? I would cut a bitch if that happened to me.
• Was Nikky Blonsky only on for two episodes? Times are hard when a Golden Globe nominated actress only gets two lines. Ouch
• Was Karen especially awful this week?

What did you guys think? Are you happy that the Terry Falls debacle is over? Happy that Ivy is back as Marilyn? Did you enjoy the new song? Are you excited over the possible love triangle? Sound off below.

Smash airs Tuesday nights at 10pm EST on NBC.