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The Best Episodes of Smash

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Every episode of Smash ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Smash!

The Best Episodes of Smash

A songwriting duo tries to create a hit with a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.

Seasons2

  1. Background image for On Broadway
    7.8/10(5 votes)

    #1 - On Broadway

    S2:E1

    Back from a successful run in Boston, Eileen, Julia and Tom are blindsided by both personal and professional obstacles as they seek to take "Bombshell" to Broadway. Karen consults her new mentor, Broadway star Veronica "Ronnie" Moore, as she finds herself on the brink of fame, but her success may come at cost to Ivy. A new talent is discovered in an unexpected place. Meanwhile, Derek copes with a damaging accusation.

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  2. Background image for The Transfer
    7.5/10(6 votes)

    #2 - The Transfer

    S2:E15

    With his sights set on the Tony, Tom pulls out all the stops at a Houston & Levitt tribute night, but can Julia turn away from "Hit List" long enough to help? Ivy is afraid of damaging her reputation when Tom asks her to perform a risqué number. The cast of "Hit List" is rocked by a betrayal close to home.

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  3. Background image for Opening Night
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #3 - Opening Night

    S2:E12

    It's "Bombshell's" opening night. As Ivy's nerves get the better of her, support comes from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Tom and Julia look to their next project. "Bombshell's" success may be in jeopardy as Eileen's issues with Richard come to a head. Jimmy finally opens up to Karen about his past, but is it too little too late?

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  4. Background image for Pilot
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    In the pilot of Smash we are introduced to Tom Levitt and Julia Houstona song-writing duo who had planned on taking a break from the business of Broadway but, find themselves drawn back in when they get the desire to produce a musical based around the life of Marilyn Monroe. When a demo of one of the tracks goes viral the project attracts the eye and ear of tenacious producer Eileen Rand and, although causing a conflict that of director Derek Wills. But the biggest and most important task is to find their Marilyn after, auditioning a range of girls they whittle it down to two but, who do they go for. Ivy Lynn a veteran of the stage who wants to break away from the chorus line to get her break as a lead or Karen Cartwright a fresh talent who is trying to follow her dream of becoming a star.

    Director:Michael Mayer
    Writer:Unknown
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  5. Background image for The Callback
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #5 - The Callback

    S1:E2

    Ivy and Karen jump through hoops for the brilliant but temperamental director Derek Wills as they pursue the role of a lifetime. Meanwhile, Julia and her husband Frank, are frustrated by the red tape of an international adoption process, and Eileen fights to finance her new musical in the midst of an acrimonious divorce.

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  6. Background image for Enter Mr. DiMaggio
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Enter Mr. DiMaggio

    S1:E3

    The search begins for a Joe DiMaggio to play opposite Marilyn - but everyone's first choice, Michael, has a secret. Karen returns to Iowa for a baby shower and must decide what she wants for her future. Eileen begins rounding up investors - but ex-husband Jerry may already have poisoned the well.

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  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Smash

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  8. Background image for The Cost of Art
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #7 - The Cost of Art

    S1:E4

    Karen must learn to advance in the high-stakes world of Broadway, as Derek hosts a party for hot young star Lyle. Eileen tries a sly new strategy for raising funds, while Tom goes on a first date.

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  9. Background image for Let's Be Bad
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Let's Be Bad

    S1:E5

    Karen finds a new use for her acting talents as she joins Dev at a high-powered government party. The drama between Michael and Julia heats up, as Eileen and Tom's ambitious assistant Ellis forge an alliance. Ivy senses trouble in her relationship with Derek.

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  10. Background image for Chemistry
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Chemistry

    S1:E6

    Ivy faces major vocal issues, while Julia struggles to avoid Michael. Meanwhile, Karen books a side gig at a bar mitzvah.

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  11. Background image for The Workshop
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #10 - The Workshop

    S1:E7

    Eileen, Derek and the team present ''Marilyn the Musical'' to would-be investors. Ivy struggles to perform. Karen must make a difficult choice. Julia and Michael face the consequences of their actions.

    Director:Mimi Leder
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  12. Background image for The Coup
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #11 - The Coup

    S1:E8

    The team deals with the workshop's after-effects; Derek asks Karen to help him steal the show from Tom and Julia; Eileen's daughter's surprise visit forces her to deal with her ex-husband.

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  13. Background image for Hell On Earth
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Hell On Earth

    S1:E9

    Julia and Tom must find a title for the recently reinvigorated musical; Ivy and Karen compete for an orange juice commercial; Frank makes a discovery.

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  14. Background image for Understudy
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Understudy

    S1:E10

    When the show's new star gets stuck in Cuba, Derek puts Karen in as understudy; Tom and Julia celebrate their anniversary.

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  15. Background image for The Movie Star
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #14 - The Movie Star

    S1:E11

    The arrival of a movie star turns ``Bombshell'' upside-down; Ivy and Karen try to overcome their history and unite against their new rival; Tom and Sam's romance heats up.

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  16. Background image for Publicity
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Publicity

    S1:E12

    Karen finds herself seduced by the glamorous life of new BFF Rebecca Duvall -- but can Rebecca be trusted? What will Karen's ascent mean to her relationship with Dev? And will Rebecca drive Derek insane? Eileen introduces new beau Nick to ex-husband Jerry, while Julia panics when her son Leo goes missing.

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  17. Background image for Tech
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Tech

    S1:E13

    Ivy worries as Derek grows closer to Rebecca and Karen has to choose between Dev and the show. Ellen and Julia fight over Michael's possible return and Sam brings Tom to a family dinner.

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  18. Background image for Previews
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Previews

    S1:E14

    "Bombshell" faces its first audience just as a major crisis hits Rebecca Duvall. The team of Tom and Julia scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift to his life. Dev seeks reconciliation with Karen, but explosive information about Ivy lurks just beneath the surface.

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  19. Background image for Bombshell
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Bombshell

    S1:E15

    Tom and Julia work to save the show, while Derek makes a decision that will forever change Karen's and Ivy's lives; Ellis tries to save the show.

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  20. Background image for The Fallout
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #19 - The Fallout

    S2:E2

    The creative team behind Bombshell attempt to repair their reputations and mount the show following legal allegations about the source of financing for the show by Eileen Rand and sexual harassment charges levelled at director Derek Wills by several women. Bombshell star Karen Cartwright encounters resistance when she tries to aid new composing team Jimmy Collins and Kyle Bishop working on their first musical.

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  21. Background image for The Dramaturg
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #20 - The Dramaturg

    S2:E3

    Eileen introduces Tom and Julia to a new writing partner in order to fix Bombshell's script; Karen confers with Derek about Jimmy and Kyle's musical that they are working on; Derek tries to get reinstated as the director for "The Wiz" remake with Veronica Moore.

    Director:Larry Shaw
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  22. Background image for The Song
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #21 - The Song

    S2:E4

    Derek calls in help for a special event, but Jimmy's pride might get in the way of a huge opportunity Karen orchestrates for him and Kyle. Peter challenges Julia's pride as they continue to work together. Meanwhile, Ronnie struggles to assert her independence from a powerful mother, as Eileen finds herself at a moral crossroads with huge ramifications for "Bombshell."

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  23. Background image for The Read-Through
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The Read-Through

    S2:E5

    Julia's fears increase when Tom airs his suspicions of Peter. Jimmy and Kyle confront their own crisis of confidence as "Hit List" is read for the first time. Meanwhile, Ivy realizes her triumph might not be all she hoped when she meets her new co-star, Terry Falls, and Karen wonders if she can trust Jimmy.

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  24. Background image for The Fringe
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #23 - The Fringe

    S2:E6

    Derek and Karen reach a turning point, so one of them makes a tough decision. Meanwhile, problems emerge in Jerry and Eileen's partnership; complications arise at the "Hit List" debut at the Fringe Festival; and Ivy attempts to save her and Terry's show.

    Director:Dan Lerner
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  25. Background image for Musical Chairs
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Musical Chairs

    S2:E7

    New circumstances give rise to conflicts as Karen, Tom, Julia and Derek adjust to their new surroundings. Tensions at "Liaisons" are also coming to a boil, ensuring that the show will find its place in Broadway history. Meanwhile, Eileen may have found the key to saving "Bombshell" with the help of her daughter, Katie.

    Writer:Becky Mode
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  26. Background image for The Bells and Whistles
    NaN/10(0 votes)

    #25 - The Bells and Whistles

    S2:E8

    When Ivy brings Sam back to town, Tom finds himself in an awkward situation. Jimmy and Derek clash over their vision for "Hit List," while both Ana and Karen struggle to stand up for what they want.

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Best Episodes Summary

"On Broadway" is the best rated episode of "Smash". It scored 7.8/10 based on 5 votes. Directed by Michael Morris and written by Joshua Safran, it aired on 2/5/2013. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Transfer".