Smash - The Coup - Recap
Tom and Derek hate each other, we get that. On tonight's episode of Smash called "The Coup," their past is revealed! Also, a back stabbing conspiracy bubbles behind the scenes. Oh goodie!
Ivy and Julia are having doubts about the fate of the musical. Eileen hasn't returned any of Julia's phone calls, and Ivy is worried she didn't make the cut. Derek and Eileen are working on developing the show into exactly what they want. In a secret cafe meeting, Derek approaches Karen about performing a specially written song called "Touch Me." He's talking to a new songwriter as he desires a new approach to the show. Only thing, Tom and Julia must not find out. I smell conspiracy!
For the first time, Ellis' rat-like qualities come to some use as Tom uses him as his little mole to spy on Eileen. Left in the dark as well, Tom is a nervous wreck. Ellis, of course, reveals that he overheard a phone call between Eileen and Derek about Karen. Oh no he di-in't!
Julia and Michael have a scene in the park where they finally end their sordid (and lame) love affair. Essentially, he quits Marilyn, even thought the whole project is still up in the air. Julia's son, who's been charged for loitering for drugs and failure to obey park signs finds himself in a pickle. Well, not too big a pickle as the whole drug thing was dismissed. He still must appear in court over walking on the grass. Julia isn't too pleased and voices her opinion quite clearly in the court room. Luckily, it wasn't enough to make the situation worse and the whole case is thrown out.
Katie, Eileen's daughter, has come to town to her mother's defense against her money-grubbing father--who quietly dripped $3 mil into her trust fund. She points out that her mother is working on a show and lives in an apartment without any furniture. Katie is a little pistol if ever I saw one.
In a completely unnecessary storyline, we delve into Dev's political world a tad bit more this week. He hates some guy, who begins edging him out of a job. So, to retaliate, RJ (his partner in crime) has uncovered some Weiner-like photos that could put a stop to it. At first, Dev is reluctant to follow through, but soon pulls the trigger. Come to find out, the guy is untouchable and the photos are brushed under the rug. (Again, I hate this storyline...)
In a random performance space in Brooklyn, Derek and Eileen's little experiment--with Ryan Tedder of One Republic at the helm--seems great on paper but it doesn't quite land for Tom, Katie, and Julia. Karen brings the right amount of sex appeal and innocence in a romping bedroom extravaganza with masked figures, white sheets, and prison bars as she performs "Touch Me." Derek wants to open up the creative process in going in a different direction. Julia and Tom freak out over the prospect of working so hard on the workshop only to be outed at the drop of a hat.
Of course, Ellis slithers a poisonous sound bite into Ivy's ear and even brings her to the "secret" show. He's working on borrowed time at this point. He knows exactly how to play with people, and at just the right moment, before things come to a boil, he pops up to play the hero and smooth out the ruffles. When will someone set him on fire? Ivy approaches Karen to tell her that she can't believe she stabbed Julia and Tom in the back like that...
The entire episode has been building up to the big reveal of Tom and Derek's past. In a heated argument that escalates from a little back stabbing to downright hurtful, we find out that Derek, 11 years before, allegedly botched a previous production for Tom. Derek gossiped around town that Tom was crazy and that his talent was overrated. Biting back and forth, the gay card works its way to the surface. Tom blurts out "homophobe" to Derek--which almost results in a physical altercation. Oh my!
To resolve the situation, Eileen has concluded that for Marilyn to work, they need a star to take the show to Broadway. Ivy is relegated to chorus. Tom takes the task of relaying the news to Ivy that she no longer will be playing the iconic role. Needless to say, she's devastated, and as she is grieving in her apartment, the charmingly handsome Derek shows up to comfort her. It ends in another passionate love-making session.
Oh, and a side note, Ellis now works for Eileen.
