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A lost voice, a sexual encounter and a melt-down. Review: Smash – “Chemistry” (@NBCSmash)

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  • March 13, 2012

  • 8 mins to read

Review: Smash, S1, E6 – “Chemistry”

Air date: Monday, March 12, 2012, 10/9c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

While I still enjoy watching Smash, the show is beginning to drag a bit. I know—or at least I’m pretty sure—certain things are going to happen and I’m getting tired of waiting for them. I implore the writers to pick up the pace a bit before you begin losing viewership!

Ivy's voice cracks during rehearsal

There’s only one week until the workshop and everyone is stressed out. Derek (Jack Davenport) is angry with Julia (Debra Messing), Tom (Christian Borle) is angry with Derek (as usual), and Ivy (Megan Hilty) is on the verge of losing her voice. “Chemistry” deals with the chemistry between Michael (Will Chase) and Julia; Ivy and Derek; Eileen (Angelica Huston) and Ellis (Jaime Cepero).

When Ellis helped Eileen with her computer last week, it seems an unholy alliance was formed. In “Chemistry,” Ellis wastes no time reporting everything that goes on in rehearsals to Eileen. He’s quite the little snitch who, apparently, will do everything he can to get ahead in the cutthroat world on Broadway. At this point, not only is his personality beginning to annoy me, his look is also. From his curly hair and round face, to his choice of clothing and perpetual smile, he’s irritating to watch. I suppose that speaks volumes about Cepero’s acting skills.

Karen belting it out at the bar mitzvah

Karen (Katharine McPhee) has a smaller role in “Chemistry” than she’s had in past weeks as Ivy’s voice problems are the main focus in this episode. Still, Karen stands out when she substitutes for Jessica (Savannah Wise) at a bar mitzvah gig that was originally Ivy’s. Despite her unpreparedness (she doesn’t even know the words to “Hava Nagila”), Karen scores an invite to call a very successful music executive. I suspect it’s due to the beautiful rendition of Florence + the Machine’s “Shake it Out” Karen performs. I continue to be amazed by McPhee’s voice—what a range she has—and could listen to her forever. I can’t wait for her to take over Ivy’s role as Marilyn if, indeed, that’s what happens! But even if it doesn’t, I would think this phone call will lead to something big for Karen.

Tom warns Derek not to push Ivy as she’s close to the edge. You have to wonder if Ivy has some issue we don’t know about since she’s reluctant to take the Prednisone her doctor has prescribed for her inflamed vocal chords. Tom does seem to know her better than anyone. Though Derek is sleeping with Ivy, you have to wonder why he’s so inconsiderate of her feelings. You can tell by the look on Ivy’s face that she knows he doesn’t think about her welfare yet she stays with him. At first, I was thinking she takes the Prednisone to do what’s best for the musical; then I realized she does it to keep Karen from taking over her role. Or is she just pulling a what-would-Marilyn-do? Another person who will do anything to get ahead on Broadway.

Michael verbally seduces Julia

Michael (Will Chase) is really pushing Julia. “I want to see you…I can’t sleep Jules.” She does her best to avoid him, but there’s a definite attraction between them. I think she bites off more than she can chew when she accepts Michael’s invitation to meet him. Despite her protestations to the contrary, they end up having what appears to be some hot and heavy sex. I don’t want to blame Frank (Brian d’Arcy James) for his inattentiveness when Julia tells him she’s going out for a walk to clear her head, but what man doesn’t even look up from his book when his wife leaves wearing silk pajamas? And with the…ahem…warm welcome Julia gives Frank when he returns home, why aren’t they making mad passionate love? Apparently, Julia and Michael don’t care about the people they’ll hurt if this relationship becomes public because if they did, they wouldn’t continue down this path. Or is the attraction between them so strong, it overrides that fear when they’re together. They’re both married with kids, and Leo is already acting out after having seen Julia and Michael kiss. You know this is going to explode in their faces. Marital affairs always do, especially when there are as many people watching them as Julia and Michael have. I do have to take a moment here and comment on Chase’s body. I am a red-blooded American woman, after all. OMG, that man is ripped!

The happy couple at the cocktail party

There is one portion of “Chemistry” which truly offends me. John (Neal Bledsoe) invites Tom to a cocktail party he’s hosting for his friends. I’m disappointed that the casting director goes with the traditional stereotype of a gay man when picking actors to attend the party. I think the least that person could have done is pepper the party with a mix of gay actors. The laughter of the two men Tom talks to is condescending at best but when Tom explains how he and John met and their response is, “Alicia set you up?” Oh stop!” In my mind, I immediately pictured a bent wrist or a little pinky finger rising up around the actor’s glass. How offensive can these two men be? I can’t blame the actors, though, as it’s not just the casting director I have a quibble with. That would include the writers for the sappy dialogue and the director for allowing this scene to play out the way it does.

I know I should feel sorry for Ivy when she has an utter melt-down during rehearsal, but damn if that girl doesn’t finally put Derek in his place! “I don’t need more time with the lyrics. You know what I need? I need to stop sleeping with men who are complete narcissistic pricks! Oh, and you’re not that good-looking. And you’re not that good in bed, either!” I stood up and began cheering her on! I can only wonder now whether this outburst is going to have a negative effect on her going forward, and whether she’ll actually stay out of Derek’s bed.

Huston is a wonderful dramatic actress but she stretches her chops a bit when Eileen, Ellis and his friend Zack (Hale Appleman) hit The Bushwhack, a dive bar. I found myself laughing out loud when Eileen picks up a rifle to play “Big Buck World” and scores a direct hit! I imagine she’s shooting at her ex-husband Jerry (Michael Cristofer) instead of the bucks running across the screen. Things seem to be going Eileen’s way now, and I just love her declaration at the end of the episode. “Watch out now, it’s my turn.”

Tune in to Smash, Mondays at 10/9c, only on NBC.

All photos courtesy of Patrick Harbron / © NBC Universal Media. All Rights Reserved.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!