Ep 3. The Dramaturg

The episode titled "The Dramaturg" starts off with the introduction of a new character named Peter (played by Daniel Sunjata) who is a well-known dramaturg. He has been hired by Eileen to work on the show, "Bombshell", which is in the middle of a troubled preview period. Peter comes across as confident and knowledgeable about the theater, but his methods of working are quite different as he suggests drastic changes to the script and characters that make the creative team uncomfortable.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Tom (played by Christian Borle) struggling with his vision of the show, and Julia (played by Debra Messing) is finding it difficult to deliver on his vision. Derek (played by Jack Davenport) is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress, and he starts to lose faith in Julia as well. Meanwhile, Ivy (played by Megan Hilty) is facing pressure from her mother to step up and take control of her career, something that she is not sure she is ready for.

The creative team is divided in their opinions of Peter, with Tom and Julia believing that they should stick to their original vision, while Derek decides to give Peter's suggestions a try to see if it can improve the show. Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) takes a backseat in this episode and is seen supporting the team from the sidelines, trying to understand what is happening.

The introduction of Peter brings a fresh perspective to the show, and his ideas challenge the creative team to step out of their comfort zones. His insights into the characters and the story are intriguing, and the scenes where he is brainstorming with the team are some of the highlights of the episode. However, his presence also brings tension among the team, especially between him and Julia, as they have opposing visions of the show.

The theme of the episode revolves around change and the difficulties that come with it. The creative team is being asked to make significant changes to the show that they have been working on for months, and there is resistance to letting go of their original vision. There is also a sense of personal change that the characters are dealing with, particularly Ivy and Karen. Ivy is trying to assert herself and take charge of her career, while Karen is trying to figure out where she fits in the chaotic world of Broadway.

Overall, this episode is an exciting and intense installment of the series. The introduction of a new character adds depth and intrigue to the show, while also challenging the dynamics among the creative team. The strong performances from the cast are a highlight, particularly as they confront the difficult decisions they must make in order to improve the show. Fans of the show will not be disappointed by this episode.