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Post by JenniferH on Mar 26, 2012 13:34:06 GMT -5
On Tonight's episode --
The team deals with the aftermath of the workshop. Ivy remains in the dark about her fate, while Derek recruits Karen to help him steal the musical from Tom and Julia. Eileen must face up to her ex-husband, Jerry, when their daughter Katie pays a surprise visit from India.
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Post by janedtwo on Mar 26, 2012 22:06:47 GMT -5
Intense episode. One of the things that I love about the show is that the characters are multi-dimensional (with a few exceptions), and that I don't feel forced to choose between Ivy and Karen. Or between anyone, really. Or that even a character that I want to slap most of the time -- Derek! -- I don't really hate. In fact, the only one I really can do without is the weaseley little assistant. He can go any day.
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Post by JenniferH on Mar 27, 2012 0:40:09 GMT -5
I actually think I'm beginning to like the direction of Ellis, shockingly enough. He's determined to succeed in show business any way he can, and I'm kinda getting a kick out of how he's maneuvered himself. And I never will not love Julia's utter loathing of him, LOL!
Derek, I still love. I think I stan he and Julia so hard. Even if they're wrong, I don't care, I can not not love them.
I was disappointed in Karen tonight because for the first time I did feel that Katherine McPhee played her very bland. She was so blank, and I gotta say I kinda detested that song as even potentially being a part of the musical, BUT, I loved what Derek said to Tom about the other side of Marilyn, because too true.
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Post by eolivet on Mar 27, 2012 5:35:57 GMT -5
Tom is my favorite character on "Smash," and this episode just increased my love for him. He is, in my mind, the most well-rounded and sympathetic of them all. His scene with Derek was fantastic, and the one with Ivy where he broke down in tears...wow. Ivy isn't my favorite, but Tom made me feel for her. So happy the show has introduced me to this marvelous actor!
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Post by JenniferH on Mar 27, 2012 10:42:51 GMT -5
If you're into musicals at all (and I know you are), Christian Borle (Tom) played Emmett in the Broadway version of "Legally Blonde." And he's AMAZING! If you can get a copy of the MTV's showing of the musical, you can see him in action. Again, AMAZING!
ETA: I'll try and set up character/actor threads tonight.
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Post by janedtwo on Mar 27, 2012 20:01:21 GMT -5
You know Karen is always a little bland. But I think it's deliberate. She is that girl, who simply not a drama girl in life. Like she said to her bf, singing and cooking is what she's good at. The whole theater drama is overwhelming her, and she has no clue how to navigate it. Perhaps she's Ivy in 10 years: Savvy but also a bit bitter. Still hopeful, but clear-sighted. But now? She is bland. She is an innocent, in other words, and that's what Derek is picking up on. I get that Ellis is trying to succeed, but his constant, incessant snooping and ass-kissing is just so, so off-putting. Yes, that other alternative song was awful. It didn't suit the musical, and it didn't suit Karen. But that was sort of the point: What sometimes happens when the shows are chasing the audience with what they believe the audience is looking for. To be honest, the actual "Marilyn" the musical that they are rehearsing and putting on is pretty pedestrian. The musical numbers are, I mean. I actually like the story and the approach they are taking with it. But the numbers are like samplings of everything traditional Broadway has ever produced. I get that that's the style, but ... meh. There are occasional memorable notes or steps, but not much. I can see why the Workshop viewers invited to take a peek were underwhelmed. It wasn't because the actors were not up to par. Ivy was fine, and the lead guy (I forgot his name) was fantastic. But the numbers themselves just aren't.
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Post by JenniferH on Mar 27, 2012 22:36:44 GMT -5
Aww, well, I ADORE traditional Broadway and other than the Baseball entendre number and the 20th Century Fox one, I really, really, REALLY love all of the songs from the Marilyn musical. A LOT!
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Post by janedtwo on Mar 28, 2012 0:16:10 GMT -5
Aw! That's funny, because I actually like the 20th Century Fox one. It's light, and the tune is memorable. The others? I can't remember a single note after an hour passes. Heh. I do love traditional Broadway, but there's a gulf of difference between a great classic and a pale copy sound-alike. And, sadly, these numbers are kind of that for me. Oh, well, to each their own.
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