Chemistry (12 Mar. 2012)

The workshop is being shown to potential investors. It's not good timing for either the creative team or Ivy has she has come down with a vocal stress issue, which is affecting her ability ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Attias

Writers:

Theresa Rebeck (creator), Jacquelyn Reingold,

Stars:

Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Debra Messing	...	Julia Houston
Jack Davenport	...	Derek Wills
Katharine McPhee	...	Karen Cartwright
Christian Borle	...	Tom Levitt
Megan Hilty	...	Ivy Lynn
Raza Jaffrey	...	Dev Sundaram
Brian d'Arcy James	...	Frank Houston
Jaime Cepero	...	Ellis Boyd
Anjelica Huston	...	Eileen Rand
Neal Bledsoe	...	John Goodwin
Will Chase	...	Michael Swift
Leslie Odom Jr.	...	Sam Strickland
Thorsten Kaye	...	Nick Felder
Emory Cohen	...	Leo Houston
Geoffrey Cantor	...	Barry Schwartzman (as Geoff Cantor)

Storyline

The workshop is being shown to potential investors. It's not good timing for either the creative team or Ivy has she has come down with a vocal stress issue, which is affecting her ability to sing. Ivy is prescribed steroids to overcome the issue, but since she is hypersensitive to drugs, she has to make the decision to let the stress heal itself without the drugs which means probably allowing Karen to take over the lead for the workshop and potentially for the show, or to take the steroids and face the side effects. Meanwhile, Karen reluctantly accepts a gig that was originally Ivy's to sing at a bar mitzvah. Performing at the gig has an unexpected result for Karen. Eileen is feeling more confident in her life with Ellis now acting as her assistant. Tom continues his courtship with John. And after her passionate kiss with Michael, Julia tries whatever she can to avoid any personal contact with him, with little success.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 March 2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madwoman in the Attic, DreamWorks Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Goofs

Debra Messing's songwriting character would surely know the great Leon Russell first wrote and recorded "A Song for You", even though Donny Hathaway's cover was a hit.

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Quotes

Ivy Lynn: [Getting mad at Derek] I don't need more time with the lyrics. You know what I need? I need to stop sleeping with men who are complete NARCISSISTIC PRICKS.
[Starts to leave. Pauses]
Ivy Lynn: Oh and you're not THAT good-looking.
[Now yelling as she storms out]
Ivy Lynn: And you're not that good in BED either!

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Connections

References History Is Made at Night (1937)

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Soundtracks

"Shake It Out"
Written by Florence Welch and Paul Epworth
Performed by Katharine McPhee

User Reviews

Great Chemistry ***1/2

I never thought I'd give chemistry 3.5 stars here, but I did.

Will Karen have new doors open to her as a result of singing at a Bar Mitzvah? Michael and the lyricist can't seem to keep away from each other as they rekindle their affair from 5 years back.

What is most disconcerting is the effects that the medicine that Ivy is taking to combat an inflamed throat is having on her. She is now subject to violent moods and her outburst at the end that Dexter isn't good in bed is certainly not going to serve well as the series goes on.

As always, the musical numbers are well-staged. They are fast paced and an absolute pleasure to watch.