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A Predictable Conclusion. Review: Smash Season Finale – “Bombshell”

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  • May 15, 2012

  • 9 mins to read

Smash, S1 E15 – “Bombshell”

Air Date: Monday, May 14, 2012, 10/9c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

To say I’m disappointed with the season finale of Smash would be putting it mildly, especially after “Previews” showed us what great acting and dialogue this show is capable of producing. “Bombshell” does no such thing. It is filled with predictability and yawn-inducing moments.

Who didn’t know Derek (Jack Davenport) would choose Karen (Katharine McPhee) to play Marilyn?  He’s been hallucinating her as Marilyn since she turned down his sexual advances in the beginning of the season. Besides, she’s the understudy. Isn’t that what the understudy is supposed to do – step in when the star is sick/unavailable/leaves the production because she doesn’t think she’s good enough? Which begs the question, why hasn’t Karen been practicing the role all along? Oh, right. It’s to convey the drama that goes on behind the scenes when something like this happens—except that would never happen in real life.

Julia assures Frank, once again, everything is fine between them

If I have to look at one more scene where Frank (Brian d’Arcy James) has to deal with Julia (Debra Messing) and Michael’s (Will Chase) relationship, I swear I’ll scream. We’ve been there, done that. Get over it. Unfortunately, D’Arcy James has been seriously underused as Julia’s husband, and let’s face it, Emory Cohen, who plays Leo, can’t act worth a damn. I’ve never seen a more rote performance from someone who calls himself an actor. My suggestion to Cohen is that he return to acting school where he so obviously belongs. Actually, I’d be happy if I never had to see Julia’s family again. I suppose that’s not going to happen now that Julia might be pregnant. The only good thing to come out of this is Julia using her own words from her discussion with Frank as the impetus for the lyrics to the new song she and Tom are rushing to finish: “Something good…it’s bigger than the bad.”

Ellis is such a PITA!

It seems everyone except Derek wants Ivy to play Marilyn. As a matter of fact, Ellis (Jaime Cepero) wants it so much, he admits to Eileen (Angelica Huston) he’s the one who poisoned Rebecca’s (Uma Thurman) smoothie to make way for Ivy (Megan Hilty). Ellis has been such an annoyance—I don’t think I’ve ever disliked a character so much in all the time I’ve been watching TV. What I don’t understand is why Eileen doesn’t call the cops. He’s guilty of attempted murder! I suppose it’s because the writers are setting him up for next season where he’ll probably try to sue everyone for stealing his idea. Why, oh why can’t they just leave him out next year?

Thoughts and observations:

Which one do you see as Marilyn?

If I needed the definition for the term “frenemy,” I’d go no further than Ivy and Karen’s relationship. Ivy has spent more time being Karen’s ‘friend’ while undermining her at every turn. So I suppose it’s no surprise that Ivy gives Karen her engagement ring instead of giving it to Dev (Raza Jaffrey). Actually, I feel bad for Ivy; she embodies Marilyn while Karen is merely playing at being Marilyn.

While I appreciate the angst and drama that goes on behind the curtain, Smash asks us to accept the most ludicrous of scenarios when it deals with the costume changes. There is no way in hell any wardrobe department would be able to fix the costumes meant for a much taller woman to fit a shorter woman in such a brief period of time. It just can’t be done.

Eileen, Tom and Julia summon Ivy to step in at the last minute because Karen is nowhere to be found. So when Karen appears after her pep talk with Derek, my heart broke for Ivy. Here she is, the consummate professional ready to step in at the last minute only to be shot down once again. How much can this poor woman take?

Lyle returns Eileen's picture

I feel like Smash threw everything and everyone into the season finale to ensure we like it. Not only does Eileen husband’s Jerry (Michael Cristofer) return, who I dislike almost as much Ellis, but we get Lyle West (Nick Jonas), and Ivy’s mother, Leigh Conroy (Bernadette Peters). I mean, what’s the point? Jerry is still a douchebag, Lyle does nothing more than reiterate what everyone else is feeling about Ivy not getting the part, and Ivy’s mother does nothing more than to solidify Ivy’s failure in Ivy’s mind. Totally unnecessary—all of them.

I hate that there weren’t any Nick (Thorsten Kaye) and Eileen scenes. Outside of Sam and Tom, Nick and Eileen’s relationship is the best.

Memorable lines:

Julia to Michael: “I’m not running away from you. I’m running away from myself.”

***

Tom: “Tell me why we do this again?”

Sam: “Oh, you know…art.”

Tom: “Art. What? Art is a sick compulsion; art is an ego gone haywire; art is…”

Sam: “Art is beautiful.”

***

Bobby to the ensemble: “She took the wig off. In this production, that’s paramount to ‘I quit.’”

***

Derek: “What are you doing here?”

Dev: “It’s none of your business.”

Derek: “Actually, do you know what? It is my business. You know, I don’t really care what’s going on between you two, but you need to back off and let me get her through this. This is who she is. She’s mine now.”

***

Hilty does a great job of conveying Ivy's emotions while Cepero contemplates Ellis' next move

I’ve spent a good deal of time telling you what I didn’t like about “Bombshell.” Now I’ll tell you what I did like. As usual, the production numbers are great. Chase does a fantastic job with “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” and “On Lexington & 52nd Street.” McPhee also does a fantastic job with her musical numbers, especially “I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn’t Love to Howl.” I can’t imagine how difficult it was to walk in the outstretched hands of the ensemble while singing. How in the world did she keep her balance? But her performance of “Don’t Forget Me,” is outstanding, especially as the final number of the season. The woman can sing; her voice gives me chills. On the other hand, Hilty is a fabulous actress. She’s an expert when it comes to emoting. She displays her feelings on her face so well, it’s hard not to appreciate her talent.

I loved, loved, loved when Eileen fired Ellis! As much as I dislike his character, I have to commend Cepero for his portrayal. It’s not easy to make someone that unlikeable that Smash fans take every chance they can to diss him.

The final scene of the episode with Karen as Marilyn

We’re left with a few cliffhangers, so to speak. Do you think Karen will still be playing Marilyn when the show hits Broadway next season? Do you think Ivy takes the pills? If so, do you think she’ll be found before her suicide becomes a reality? I don’t think we should count her out. She may be damaged, but she’s a professional and professionals don’t quit. And last but not least, who’s the father of Julia’s baby—Frank or Michael? Do we care? Will you tune in for the second season of Smash? Let’s discuss!

As Messing tells us at the end of “Bombshell,” you may keep up with Smash throughout the summer on its Facebook page. And, of course, there’s also Smash’s official page on NBC, where you can vote for your favorite musical numbers, shop in the NBC store for the coolest Smash swag and re-watch all your favorite episodes.

All photos © 2012 NBC Broadcasting, Inc. 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!