Ep 4. The Song

In Smash season 2 episode 4, titled The Song, the drama continues as the cast and crew of the Broadway musical, Bombshell, race to finish writing and rehearsing the show before its opening night. The episode opens with Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) struggling to stay afloat amidst the pressure of playing the iconic role of Marilyn Monroe. Her vocal coach, Leigh (Donna McKechnie), tries to help her but she remains anxious and nervous.

Meanwhile, Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and Julia Houston (Debra Messing) are rewriting the show's ending to better reflect Marilyn's life story. In the midst of all this, they receive an offer from Eileen Rand (Anjelica Huston) to stage the musical in Boston before its premiere in New York. While Julia is initially hesitant, Tom convinces her that this is a great opportunity for the musical to get extra exposure. However, when Eileen brings in a new musical director, choreographer, and costume designer, the Bombshell team is left scrambling to make sure everything is ready in time for opening night.

Elsewhere in the musical, Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) is struggling to find her place in the show as Ivy's understudy. She's feeling marginalized and frustrated, and she's finding it hard to catch a break. But when she performs a song for the musical's songwriter, Jimmy Collins (Jeremy Jordan), he is impressed and invites her to collaborate with him on a new song. The two are immediately drawn to each other, and a mutual respect grows as they work together.

Back at the Bombshell rehearsal space, tensions are high as everyone tries to get everything right for the Boston preview. With new personalities clashing, and the show not quite coming together, it's a high-pressure environment. But all of a sudden, things begin to click. When everyone sees the show coming together, they become more united and begin to feel a sense of pride in the production.

As opening night in Boston approaches, tensions are at an all-time high. Ivy is struggling to keep up with the demands of the role, Tom's nerves are consuming him, and Karen and Jimmy are rushing to finish their collaboration. But in the end, it all comes down to the music. The show's power and impact are realized in the final moments of the episode when the team comes together to perform the title song, "Bombshell." The cast and crew are left exhausted but elated, with the feeling that they've created something truly special.

In summary, Smash season 2 episode 4, The Song, is full of intrigue, tension, and drama as the Bombshell team rallies to put on a spectacular show. With the added pressure of a Boston preview on the horizon, the stakes have never been higher, but as always, the music pulls everyone together. It's a thrilling episode that showcases the magic that can happen when a talented group of people come together for a singular creative vision.