It’s both something satisfying and something equally disgruntling, that “Bombshell” is an example of what Smash should have been all along: a show about people and their individual lives, yes, but moreover how those lives intersect and how all of that turmoil goes into the play itself. Where Smash hasn’t worked is when it develops melodrama outside of the production that exists just for the sake of melodrama, but at least for the season finale, all of those ridiculous ideas have some sort of bearing on this show, which has to go down in just twelve hours without a final number.

It’s not a perfect episode of Smash, however, and the sagging things about it all revolve around Katharine McPhee, in the same way that the entire series sinks in her wake. Because while Karen Cartwright wins the role of Marilyn, she limps the entire way there in this mute shock the whole time, and there’s a lot more emotional energy put in by Megan Hilty and how Ivy feels about not getting the role than how Karen feels about getting it. Ivy’s disappointment predictably turns out to be the catalyst for her coming clean about her tryst with Dev, whose relationship is still sort-of up in the air as Karen hands back her ring. All of this is enough for Karen to hide herself away, so that Derek can save her from herself (shortly after telling a still-stunned Ivy that Karen’s got something that she doesn’t) and get her on that stage. Derek’s determination to have a Karen Marilyn trumps that of Tom, Julia, and Eileen, who all insist that Ivy would be the better last-minute choice, and Ellis believes it so much that—surprise—he was the one who poisoned Rebecca.

All of this is fine, because Bombshell is at the center of it all, and it doesn’t carry the aimless feel of Smash past, the Smash that had Dev punch Derek and put drunk Karen and Ivy in Times Square for a rendition of “Cheers” and portrayed Eileen’s love life as if it was actually crucial or important. Ivy’s approach of Derek and his confession that he sees Karen in his visions was as heartbreakingly perfect as the show might get when it comes to mixing that fine line of personal and professional, even if Ivy’s final moments  went over the top with all of those pills. Yet and still, it saddens me how weak Katharine McPhee is as Karen Cartwright even up until the season finale, and while she pulls off Marilyn Monroe better than she ever has, Katharine can’t bring any of Karen to life nearly as well. Her shock at the Dev reveal was only just there, expressed in that same emotionless face that doesn’t say half as much as it needs to.

“Bombshell” also whips up some casual (though tumultuous) work for Julia and Tom as they put the final song together, the both of whom could use a high note for the finale and are still the show’s most endearing pairing. There’s also a bit of a hint towards Julia being pregnant that’s kinda just dropped and left there: she did have sex with Michael recently, and the show finds it crucial to note after she pukes that the last time she did so, she was carrying Leo. But that wasn’t turned into a cliffhanger, curiously enough, as it might have been one of the more interesting things Smash has done this season. A Julia pregnancy would certainly splinter Julia/Frank yet again, and I might be an asshole, but the two of them angry is far better than the two of them playing nice.

Needless to say that Smash’s finale doesn’t fix everything, but it rightfully puts the focus on the production, which seems to be a success as it heads to Broadway for Season 2. Plus, Ellis was fired, and there’s all the hope in the world that he won’t return. I haven’t hated Smash’s first season even if I’ve loathed it for doing a lot of terrible things, but “Bombshell” is a reminder of the show’s potential, and I’m looking forward to new showrunner Josh Safran’s attempts to improve upon it.

SumOlogy: Finally, the show pulls it together.

Grade: B

Leftovers

Jack Davenport has grown on me tenfold as Derek, and he’s really one of the show’s secret weapons when used correctly. I hope they can utilize him next season as someone more layered and less creepy.

Leo sure as hell weaseled his way into this episode, but thank heavens he was only reduced to a line and a half.

If Ellis appears in Season 2, I'll be pissed. They actually found a way to write him out, and he's widely considered one of the worst characters on television. Why keep him?

I wondered how Derek would have felt about Ivy sleeping with Dev. Are we still in a universe where Derek has actual feelings for Ivy? I kind of wish we were.

“Would you stop talking about Marilyn? This is me. This is my life.”

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Follow Terron R. Moore on Twitter: @cityfitch

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