Goodbye SMASH

Originally posted from my personal site, denisewy.com on May 27,2013

So it has finally come to an end. Just two seasons and NBC have decided to close the curtain for perhaps one of the best musical series on television. (Haters gonna hate, but I freaking love this show.)

 

Photo Credit: NBC Smash

I can still remember the day I finally decided to watch SMASH back in early May 2012. It was after I listened to Katharine McPhee's version of Run by Snow Patrol. By the time I finished the first episode in which Kat and Megan was singing Let Me Be Your Star, I had goosebumps all over my body, and I know right then and there that I'm going to watch the whole series and that it's going to be my number one favorite TV show. A year later, it still is. And if you're wondering, here's my current top 5:

1. SMASH
2. Game of Thrones (I'm reading the book too!)
3. Once Upon A Time
4. How I Met Your Mother
5. Downton Abbey (this would've been 2nd if Julian Fellowes hand't decided to go on a killing spree!)

I guess what I really like about the show, aside from the big musical numbers and awesome original songs is the fact that it's not just focused on being a musical itself. Sure I knew nothing about Broadway, and some may even argue that SMASH's portrayal of the backstage drama isn't accurate, but then again, the show's main goal was to entertain us. It made us laugh and cry, forget about our problems and lose ourselves in this colorful musical world that reminds us that yes, bitches and jerks do exist, and that dreams do come true. (I sincerely apologize for the cliché.) 

The cast 

Regarding the characters and the actors/actresses who played them, it is kinda obvious that Karen Cartwright is my favorite character, that sort of changed when season 2 came and the writers had decided to make her a whiny giggly bitch paired up with Jimmy (played by Jeremy Jordan). 

Don't get me wrong, I love Jeremy, but I hated his character. I do get his tortured, rebel-without-a-cause attitude, but Karen getting head over heels for him wasn't believable. I was actually rooting for Cartwills, or even Dev to come back or whatever. But well, we saw what happened. As for Ivy, I hated her during the first season, most especially in the season 1 finale where she slept with Dev. I do admit she have a great voice and that she had proven herself as the better Marilyn as season 2 progressed. That's when I started liking her character, and I also came to accept that Derek was better off with her. That smexy hot playboy son of a bitch! 

 Perhaps also one of the reason why I loved this show was because of Tom and Julia's partnership. I mean there were a lot of times that I would tell myself that I freaking need a Tom Levitt in my life! (not to be confused with the  British Labour Party politician)

 

I'll miss this couple

Then who would forget Elis? The character we just love to hate. In fact, I even find Jerry more likeable than him. All in all, this show featured an all star cast, even casting real Broadway people alongside powerhouse guest stars such as Liza Minelli. 

The songs

Oh, the heart and soul of this amazing show! As I've mentioned earlier, Let Me Be Your Star gave me goosebumps, but so were the other songs like Don't Forget Me, I Heard Your Voice in a Dream, Broadway Here I come (both the solo Jimmy version and the finale acapela version) and Second Hand White Baby Grand.

But perhaps, the song that had elicited great emotions from me was Jimmy's The Love I Meant to Say. I wasn't a fan of Kyle (Andy Mientus), and though I was saddened by his death (which was unnecessary), Jimmy's performance left me broken in a puddle of tears. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uNpLclbNQc  

The Finale 

 Before the finale came out, it was pretty obvious that Ivy was the one who was going to win the at the Tony's. The spotlight was on Karen during season 1, so it's just fitting that Ivy gets this season, and she actually deserved it. But then, as a die-hard McPhee fan, Karen will forever be my Marilyn. And hey, her version of Don't Forget Me was waaaaaaaay better! (Let it be known that I do love Megan Hilty as well. I really do! I swear!) So despite the fact that I'm happy for Ivy, I felt really sad for Karen.

 

my sentiments exactly

And to put an icing on the cake, as Anna have said, they let Daisy won. Where's the justice in this world?! 

Anyway, I don't want to do a blow by blow recap of the whole finale since that isn't the primary reason why I wrote this post. 

 With all that being said, I'm really disappointed, not to mention heartbroken, that this will be the last time I'm going to see these talented people together. The ratings may not be as high as NBC wanted it to be, but they could've given SMASH a chance to prove itself. A lot of people love this show very much, that a facebook group was created solely for the purpose of saving this show!

In fact, this group is so determined, they went ahead sending emails to NBC executives asking them to reconsider renewing SMASH for another season, and they even reach out to other networks hoping they'd pick it up. I personally wouldn't mind it, as long as they don't change too much and they'd continue to entertain us. 

 

outpouring of love from fellow SMASH fans

I never loved a show as much as this one. In all the series I've watched, including the top 5 list I mentioned above, SMASH was the only series where I went to buy a DVD copy so I'd be able to watch it over and over again. 

I'm very passionate of this show that I urged my friends to watch it (yeah, I can be persistent if needed be) and I'm proud to say that they all loved it! SMASH has become a part of my life. Something I look forward to every week. And now that it's gone, it feels like saying goodbye to a close friend. It's sad and painful. 

I know it may sound selfish to say that I want this series to go on and on forever, seeing the characters we learned to either hate or love. But as it is, all things must come to an end, and it came too soon for SMASH. (Just like Kyle) But for whatever it's worth, I'll forever love this show and I'll continue belting out their awesome songs till the day I become sick and tired of it, which is...never.