SMASH Recap: “Tech” (Episode 13, Season 1)

Things with the “Bombshell” production have moved along enough that they are in “Tech” and what that means is that the entire ensemble and production team heads to Boston for a trial run. Putting the musical on stage outside of New York, working with the costuming, set dressing, lighting and oh so much more.

The various perspectives from all the key players is shown as they all prepare to head to Boston and the overwhelming emotions for each of them especially the ingénue Karen, the uptight director Derek and the big star Rebecca.

The only person out of this menagerie of players who seems to be calm and edging toward happiness (after quite an upheaval in her life) is Julia, who is at home in bed with Frank, who came back to the family about a week ago. Emotions are still tender, but Julia – in telling Tom about Frank being back – believes they are on the road to recovery.

As for Ivy, she joins Derek prior to the beginning of staged rehearsals, looking over the mock set that he has at his “perch” in the audience. She gives him a few tips and he utters those three little words that she so wanted to hear (“I love you”) but she hears them in one fashion (as any woman in love would hear them) and Derek, of course, meant them only in passing (but she doesn’t figure that out until later – but more on that shortly).

But, the euphoria of being in Boston for “Tech” is deflated quickly when the leading man comes to Derek and Tom with great news (for him) and really bad news (for them). It seems he has landed a pilot that will be filming in Las Vegas and he has to leave the production. This puts all of them on edge, making it necessary for Derek to yell that they have to get Michael Swift back (as you may recall he and Julia had an affair years earlier, which was reignited during “The Workshop” almost costing Julia her marriage and Michael left the production). This news, of course, does not sit well with Julia; but everyone else is on board for his return.

After some intense moments between Tom and Julia as well as Eileen and Julia, the final decision comes down to two rather unlikely people: Frank and Leo, Julia’s husband and son. They tell her that she has to go – even with Michael being brought in – and at least for the next two weeks (Spring Break) they will be right there for her.

Meanwhile, Tom and Sam set out to pay a visit to Sam’s family – who has found that he is in Boston for “Tech” and insists he come home. Tom is excited to meet Sam’s family, but Sam seems less than enthusiastic. As it turns out, Sam’s dad is not supportive of Sam’s choice to be a dancer especially in light of his brother being a doctor. Sam’s mom (and even his brother), on the other hand, seem to be in Sam’s corner; but that doesn’t necessarily help when Sam catches Tom and his dad talking about what kind of future Sam can have in dance because eventually he could succumb to an injury or simply have to eventually deal with old age; then where will he be? Sam and Tom seemingly make up over that “misunderstanding” because Sam simply explains that he has accepted what will come from his decision to pursue the theatre life.

In other storylines, Derek is doing everything (and I mean everything) to keep his big star Rebecca happy, including coddling her, pushing her to revel in her “divadom” and finally screwing her in her dressing room when he is supposed to be on a date with Ivy to celebrate his birthday. This latest transgression doesn’t go over well with Ivy and God only knows what she’ll do in retaliation.

Dev and Karen are still having their troubles, which first start with Dev wanting to come see her in Boston. She doesn’t want him there because “civilians” aren’t supposed to be there during “Tech”. This pushes Dev to nearly cheat on Karen with the pretty reporter RJ; but before Dev can let that get out of hand, he puts a stop to it. Then he shows up in Boston and, of all things, he proposes to Karen. That doesn’t go any better and eventually he admits to the make-out session with RJ, which just sends Karen over the top. As you can imagine, the two broken-hearts (Ivy and Dev) meet up at a nearby bar and that can only lead to trouble.

“Tech” is the 13th episode of the new series Smash on NBC. The next new episode of Smash will air Monday, May 7 at10/9c.

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