Smash Episode 2.10 The Surprise Party

It's tech rehearsal, and the tension between Ivy and Tom is thick. Not only is Tom's inexperience a strain on everyone, but he still has yet to grasp the impact hiring Leigh has had on Ivy. When Tom insists Ivy has poisoned everyone, especially Sam, against him, Julia corrects him. The Sam situation is all Tom's fault. Julia's depressed because her son is off looking at colleges without her. Tom tells her she's not needed, so she heads over to "Hit List," as Eileen ushers Richard into the theater. After yet another negative article in the Post, Eileen's intent on damage control. For his part, Richard was hoping Eileen might be willing to unplug from work for a date. Claiming she loves a challenge, Eileen proposes dinner together that night.

It's hot and heavy in the costume closet at "Hit List," though Karen's starting to feel weird that Jimmy wants to keep hiding their relationship from the rest of the cast. Jimmy pulls himself away to give Derek another payment on his loan. But Derek smells a rat - why do Jimmy and Karen seem to be avoiding each other in rehearsals? Kyle interrupts, excited to have spied Richard in the lobby. Because of Richard's interest in their play, Jimmy and Kyle have found a way to give The Diva another song in the second act, but today, Richard's come to see Karen and Jimmy perform the song "Original."

Backstage at "Bombshell" Sam and Ivy gossip about her birthday party, scheduled for that night. Ivy admits she didn't invite Tom, since she was hoping to just kick back, forget "Bombshell" and score some birthday booty. When Tom spies an incoming flower delivery for Ivy, he's gobsmacked - how could he have forgotten Ivy's birthday!? After a second thought, he decides this is just the opportunity he's been looking for. Now he can remind Ivy how much he loves her, and when she forgives him, everything can go back to the way it used to be. When Eileen asks Tom what he has in mind, he picks up his phone and tells Suri to call Liza...

Richard congratulates Derek on "Hit List" - it just keeps getting better and better! - especially Karen. Is it true she found "Hit List"? And are she and Derek together? It could be a great story for The New York Times! Inside the theater, Julia discusses the "Hit List" book with Scott. The Diva character is problematic and Scott wants to know how to fix it; in fact, both Derek and Scott want to hire Julia as dramaturg. Kyle's game to work with Karen. He'd prefer to wait for Jimmy, but Scott tells him to get started. On a coffee break, Karen laments Jimmy's top-secret approach to their relationship to Ana, who thinks it's a red flag. Jimmy and Karen are both adults; they should be able to be professional and public at the same time.

Tom approaches Ivy backstage to wish her happy birthday. When she claims she has no plans for the evening, he insists she's having dinner with him. Ivy scuttles over to complain to Sam, who smooths everything over. They'll get Ivy's party started and stock it with straight guys while she's at dinner with Tom; she can come afterwards. Meanwhile, Eileen calls her publicist Agnes to leak Tom's plan to surprise Ivy with Liza Minnelli at dinner. Agnes suggests Eileen move her dinner with Richard to the same restaurant and promises to discreetly tip off a few reporters so they can get some positive press out of the event.

Karen stops another make-out session in the wardrobe room to announce she doesn't want to hide anymore. Is Jimmy ashamed of her? He's not, but he's not prepared to go public. Karen storms out, telling him to let her know when he's ready. While working on "Hit List" with Julia and Scott, Kyle quickly picks up on the romantic tension in the air. Did they used to date? Julia's surprised to learn Scott would have pursued her if she wasn't married way back when... That night at Table 46, Eileen's date with Richard is going great - she hasn't mentioned work all night! At the same restaurant, Ivy's trying to duck out to her party when she spies Agnes with reporter Michael Riedel... and that's when Liza makes her big entrance!

Ivy's stunned when Liza makes a beeline for their table to introduce herself. But why is a photographer taking pictures - is this a PR stunt Tom set up for the show!? Tom scrambles to convince Ivy this isn't the case; the only person he told about the Liza surprise was... Tom bolts for Eileen's table, demanding to know if she tipped off Agnes. When Eileen admits she did, Richard walks out, drawing the attention of Michael Riedel, who's delighted to see "Bombshell" is imploding once again. Ivy's about to bail, but Liza won't hear of it. Yelling across the dining room, she orders Ivy to sit down and listen to the song Tom wrote for her, "A Love Letter from The Times."

It's late at night and Derek has had a few when he finds Karen working alone in the theater. Sensing something's up, Karen asks him to be honest with her. Derek starts by saying he cares about her... and that's about all he can get out. That's when Karen drops her bomb: she's sorta seeing Jimmy and it's complicated. Saying, "Good for you," Derek makes a quick exit. After dinner, Tom apologizes for bungling things with Ivy's mother, and she admits she may have overreacted - friendship healed. Nevertheless, Ivy doesn't invite Tom to her birthday party with the rest of the "Bombshell" cast. Right after she hops into a cab, someone from the restaurant runs out to give Tom Ivy's forgotten keys.

When Kyle steps out for a minute, Julia admits she may have had an inkling Scott had a crush on her years ago. He admits he was mad at her for so long that he forgot some of the best times of his life were spent just like tonight, working with Julia. At her party, Ivy tells Sam it's time to lighten up on Tom; he didn't ruin her birthday after all. Moments later, Tom shows up, having tracked down Ivy to return her keys. That's the moment when a cake is brought out and everyone starts singing. When Ivy spies Tom, the room goes quiet, so he gives her the keys and leaves, wounded.

During rehearsal, Derek's irascible nature comes to the fore. He's bored to death with the scene Jimmy and Karen are playing. Annoyed, Jimmy explains he's trying something different. Karen suggests taking a break, but Derek forces them to run the scene again. Disgusted, Derek yanks Jimmy's arm, calls him an amateur, and then makes a snide comment to Karen about her so-called "boyfriend." In that moment, Jimmy realizes Karen told Derek about them. He accuses Derek of being angry because he told Jimmy to stay away from Karen - which is news to Karen. When Karen tells Derek to stay out of her life, he agrees. Saying, "I'm done," Derek stalks out of the theater. Karen turns on Jimmy for lying to her - all this sneaking around was because of Derek? She thought Jimmy was more of a man!

Ivy runs out of the bar after Tom to explain it's not what it looks like. She loves Tom, but they can't be friends right now; he's her director and these two roles must be mutually exclusive. Neither of them should have to worry about the other's feelings. When Tom confesses to missing Ivy desperately, she corrects him: their friendship has just changed - for now. Tom didn't ruin her birthday, he gave Ivy the best birthday ever. Back at Manhattan Theater Workshop, Kyle has figured out how to expand the character of The Diva - which will mean reducing Karen's part... Once again, Derek assures Kyle that neither Karen nor Jimmy need to be consulted.

Ivy runs out of the bar after Tom to explain it's not what it looks like. She loves Tom, but they can't be friends right now; he's her director and these two roles must be mutually exclusive. Neither of them should have to worry about the other's feelings. When Tom confesses to missing Ivy desperately, she corrects him: their friendship has just changed - for now. Tom didn't ruin her birthday, he gave Ivy the best birthday ever. Back at Manhattan Theater Workshop, Kyle has figured out how to expand the character of The Diva - which will mean reducing Karen's part... Once again, Derek assures Kyle that neither Karen nor Jimmy need to be consulted.

It's after midnight when Karen finds Jimmy on her doorstep. He's genuinely contrite and wants to do whatever he can to make up for his making a mess of things. How about they go on a real date, in public, right now? He gives Karen his coat, and she takes his hand, then chooses not to mention what she finds in his pocket - a baggie of drugs. After her party, Ivy sits alone at the bar, delighted when Derek shows up to wish her happy birthday.