8.6/10282 votesLoading...#1 - Bombshell
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 5/14/2012
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.
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Theresa Rebeck
8.5/10155 votesLoading...#2 - The Tonys
Season 2 Episode 17 - Aired 5/26/2013
On Tony night, the awards might not provide the answers everyone is looking for. As Jimmy faces a final reckoning, Tom, Julia, Derek, Karen, Ivy, and most of all, Eileen wait to see if the ceremony will confirm their place in the Broadway pantheon once and for all.
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Joshua Safran
8.2/10133 votesLoading...#3 - Opening Night
Season 2 Episode 12 - Aired 4/20/2013
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?
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Noelle Valdivia, Bathsheba Doran
8.2/10146 votesLoading...#4 - The Phenomenon
Season 2 Episode 14 - Aired 5/4/2013
Tom takes legal measures to dissolve his partnership with Julia. Karen contemplates beginning a sexual relationship with Derek following her fall-out with Jimmy. But all comes to a screeching halt with the news of Kyle's death. The one person who isn't yet is Jimmy, who is no where to be found. Derek and Scott have to figure out what to do about this evening's show. Julia wants to do something special to remember Kyle which she hopes will be supported by the Broadway community despite Kyle not yet having done anything on Broadway.
Director: Roxann Dawson
Writer: Joshua Safran, Jordon Nardino
8.1/10113 votesLoading...#5 - The Producers
Season 2 Episode 13 - Aired 4/27/2013
An off-the-rail Jimmy threatens Hit List's future, as Karen, Derek, Ana and Kyle join forces to try help him before things take a turn for the worse. Tom and Julia's partnership is at breaking point just as Ivy, Eileen, and the entire Bombshell team are running themselves ragged to outshine their competitors.
Director: Tricia Brock
Writer: Becky Mode
8.0/10390 votesLoading...#6 - Pilot
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 2/6/2012
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: N/A
8.0/10233 votesLoading...#7 - The Workshop
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 3/19/2012
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
Writer: Jason Grote
8.0/10122 votesLoading...#8 - The Dress Rehearsal
Season 2 Episode 11 - Aired 4/13/2013
As Tom and Julia race to ready "Bombshell" for previews, Tom's eagerness to prove himself may not be the best thing for the show. An on-stage mishap forces Ivy to make an important decision, while tension rises at "Hit List" as Karen becomes suspicious of Derek's motives towards her.
Director: Mimi Leder
Writer: Julia Brownell
7.9/10262 votesLoading...#9 - The Cost of Art
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 2/27/2012
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.
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: David Marshall Grant
7.9/10212 votesLoading...#10 - On Broadway
Season 2 Episode 1 - Aired 2/5/2013
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.
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Joshua Safran
7.9/10114 votesLoading...#11 - The Transfer
Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 5/11/2013
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.
Director: Holly Dale
Writer: Justin Brenneman, Julia Brownell
7.8/10199 votesLoading...#12 - Publicity
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 4/23/2012
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.
Director: Michael Mayer
Writer: Theresa Rebeck
7.8/10111 votesLoading...#13 - The Nominations
Season 2 Episode 16 - Aired 5/26/2013
It's a crucial moment for both shows as Tony nominations loom, but keeping your eye on the prize can be hard. As Tom crosses an influential Tony voter and Ivy copes with some very distracting news, Derek's past has repercussions for the entire "Hit List" team.
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Bryan Goluboff
7.7/10200 votesLoading...#14 - Understudy
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/9/2012
When the show's new star gets stuck in Cuba, Derek puts Karen in as understudy; Tom and Julia celebrate their anniversary.
Director: Adam Bernstein
Writer: Jerome Hairston
7.7/10131 votesLoading...#15 - Musical Chairs
Season 2 Episode 7 - Aired 3/19/2013
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.
Director: Casey Nicholaw
Writer: Becky Mode
7.7/10120 votesLoading...#16 - The Bells and Whistles
Season 2 Episode 8 - Aired 3/26/2013
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.
Director: Craig Zisk
Writer: Noelle Valdivia
7.7/10119 votesLoading...#17 - The Parents
Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 4/2/2013
After Leigh Conroy joins the cast of "Bombshell," Tom finds himself struggling to diffuse the years of tension between her and Ivy. Jimmy and Karen's connection is threatened by both Ana's newfound success and an unexpected visitor. Derek learns more about Jimmy's past just as the public sees their first piece of "Hit List."
Director: Tricia Brock
Writer: Jordon Nardino
7.7/10118 votesLoading...#18 - The Surprise Party
Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 4/6/2013
With Liza Minnelli in town, Tom plans a surprise for Ivy in an attempt to find a balance between their work life and their friendship. Relations between Karen, Jimmy, and Derek explode just as Hit List's rehearsal process nears its close. While Richard asks Eileen to spend less time at work and more time with him, Julia finds herself also pulled away from Bombshell by an unlikely source.
Director: S.J. Clarkson
Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky
7.6/10194 votesLoading...#19 - Hell On Earth
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 4/2/2012
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.
Director: Paul McGuigan
Writer: Scott Burkhardt
7.6/10175 votesLoading...#20 - Previews
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 5/7/2012
"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.
Director: Robert Duncan McNeill
Writer: David Marshall Grant
7.6/10154 votesLoading...#21 - The Fallout
Season 2 Episode 2 - Aired 2/5/2013
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.
Director: Craig Zisk
Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky
7.6/10138 votesLoading...#22 - The Song
Season 2 Episode 4 - Aired 2/26/2013
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."
Director: Michael Morris
Writer: Bathsheba Doran
7.5/10283 votesLoading...#23 - The Callback
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 2/13/2012
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.
Director: Michael Mayer
Writer: Theresa Rebeck
7.5/10217 votesLoading...#24 - Let's Be Bad
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 3/5/2012
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.
Director: Jamie Babbit
Writer: Julie Rottenberg, Elisa Zuritsky
7.5/10177 votesLoading...#25 - Tech
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 4/30/2012
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.
Director: Roxann Dawson
Writer: Jason Grote, Lakshmi Sundaram
The Best Episodes of Smash
Every episode of Smash ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Smash!
A songwriting duo tries to create a hit with a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
Genre:Drama
Network:NBC
Best Episodes Summary
"Bombshell" is the best rated episode of "Smash". It scored 8.6/10 based on 282 votes. Directed by Michael Morris and written by Theresa Rebeck, it aired on 5/14/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Tonys".