The Read-Through

"The Read-Through"

"The Read-Through" is the twentieth episode of the American television series Smash. It was written by Liz Tuccillo and directed by David Petrarca. The episode premiered on NBC on March 5, 2013, the fifth episode of Season 2. In this episode, Julia and Peter prepare for a reading of Bombshell, but Julia worries that she can't trust him, while Jimmy and Kyle prepare for an informal reading of Hit List. Meanwhile, Ivy must deal with comedy movie star Terry Falls who's messing with her Liasons show.

Plot

Julia and Peter feverishly work to finish the new script for Bombshell so they can do a read-through with Eileen, Jerry, Derek, and Tom. Julia worries that she can't trust Peter and that he'll mess with her by writing a new script and take credit for it. The read-through of the script goes very well. Jerry thinks it's a terrific script, but he won't produce Bombshell with that script. He doesn't think a story about Marilyn as told through the men she was involved with would make a good Broadway musical. It turns out Tom feels the same way, as he sent an older draft to Jerry that they both liked. Tom, Jerry, Julia, Peter, and Derek argue about it and decide to let Eileen make the final decision. The episode ends before she announces her decision.

Karen and Ana discuss Karen's attraction to Jimmy and what his kiss (in the previous episode) meant. Ana says that Jimmy is hot and talented but a player and suggests Karen keep their relationship just to business. Karen and Ana meet Jimmy and Kyle and suggest a read-through of Hit List with friends. Things get awkward when a female overnight guest of Jimmy's comes into the room for coffee. The reading is held later in the day and the participants reluctantly tell Kyle and Jimmy that while the songs are great, the dialogue is terrible. Afterwards, Kyle feels bad and they discuss what to do. Karen suggests that they change the script to be all singing and Kyle and Jimmy agree and decide to get it ready for a reading at a fringe festival the following week that Derek had suggested. Jimmy suggests to Karen that they keep their relationship to just business.

Ivy is rehearsing with the cast of Liasons when the star Terry Falls finally arrives (after a week's absence). He seems confused by the tone of the show and starts to play it as a comedy. Ivy talks to him and suggests to him that the show is really a drama. He seems to get it, but the next rehearsal, the producer says he's talked with Terry and says the tone should be more comedic. Ivy plays her part with drama, which seems to shock Terry and he runs out. He later asks Ivy how she can feel so deeply and she tries to give him advice. He suggests that he wants to feel the material as emotionally as she does, so he tells her he has stopped all his medication so he can do better in the role and feel it more. Needless to say, Ivy is worried.

Critical reception

Sara Brady from Television Without Pity gave the episode a C rating.

External links

• "The Read-Through" at NBC.com
• "The Read-Through" at the Internet Movie Database
• "The Read-Through" at TV.com