Smash Review-- Musical Theatre, Possible Side Effects Include: Bankruptcy, Alcoholism and Insanity

Last week’s nearly-devoid-of-action episode left us with the promise that this week “the dish [would] hit the fan.” From what I was able to deduce, that means the following:

Dish Hits The Fan

Dish•Hits•The•Fan [dish-hits-thuh-fan]

phrase

1.)    Episode beginning with Ivy and Derek in bed, and ending with Ivy yelling at Derek.

2.)    Episode beginning with Ivy yelling at Derek and ending with Ivy and Derek in bed.

3.)    Episode in which Julia tries to avoid Michael and ultimately ends up having sex with him.

4.)    Episode in which angry Ivy is annoyed by saintly Karen.

5.)    Episode in which Eileen discovers a new drink that will probably end up in Jerry’s face.

6.)    Potential occupational hazard, if one works in a Greek restaurant in the Deep South.

7.)    Pretty much what happens on every episode of SMASH

            That’s right, it’s another typical week in the land of SMASH, where scripted, unscripted drama completely overshadows theatrical drama. We begin at Ivy’s place, (because who wouldn’t choose her quaint little flat over Derek’s amazing pad) and learn she’s as much in denial about the condition of her voice as she is about the state of her romantic life. Meanwhile, Eileen’s busy drumming up interest among potential investors, who apparently would rather spend time in Nantucket. (At this time of year? How dreary.)

            We head over to the rehearsal space (a.k.a. love shack) where the musical’s script is receiving more adjustments than the seating chart at a celebrity wedding. Derek is decidedly not happy with Julia, who has been too busy rekindling an old affair dealing with family troubles to finish the script. "Look, there is no discernible story, linear or otherwise between pages seven and 32. That is not a gap; that is a black hole. And if you don't fix it this week, we're all going to get sucked into its tidal force. And all we'll be left with is Marilyn: The Red Dwarf." Eileen’s new BFF, Ellis, overhears the exchange and darts off to play tattletale. Rehearsal begins, and Ivy battles on, but her voice cracks just as Eileen arrives. The production team is forced to make do without Ivy as she heads off to see a doctor.

            When rehearsal ends, Karen drops her bag, spilling, which leaves her conveniently obscured behind the piano. The camera pans out and