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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.