Smash (TV Series)

The Read-Through (2013)

Katharine McPhee: Karen Cartwright

Photos 

Quotes 

• Jimmy Collins : You guys didn't come out all the way to Greenpoint just to tell us that, did you?

  Karen Cartwright : No, I also thought maybe we should have a reading today.

  Kyle Bishop : A reading today?

  Karen Cartwright : Derek said it's the best way to hear what you have. I sent out some e-mails to see if anyone was free. A bunch of people responded, and if you're interested...

  Kyle Bishop : Your friends would really come here...?

  Ana Vargas : People like to be a part of a new work. Plus, they've heard your music.

  Jimmy Collins : Yeah, now they can hear your words to go along with them. Thanks a lot, Karen, you're really looking out for us. It means a lot.

• Karen Cartwright : [as they walk along]  Oh, I guess now I know why he didn't call. But why did he kiss me?

  Ana Vargas : Because he was high, he might have kissed anyone. I'm sorry.

  Karen Cartwright : It's not your fault. I'm the one who can't stop thinking about him. Why do I care so much?

  Ana Vargas : Because he's hot and talented. But he's also a player. And after everything you've been through this year, do you really wanna go through that again? Is Hit List really worth it? There'll be other shows.

  Karen Cartwright : Not like this one.

  Ana Vargas : You haven't even read it.

  Karen Cartwright : Then we'll know in two hours.

  [chuckles] 

  Ana Vargas : Okay, look, if it's really that important to you, you need to set a boundary. Let him know you need to keep your relationship professional. He can't just go around kissing you, high or not. Okay?

  Karen Cartwright : [nods]  Okay.

  [smiles] 

• Derek Wills : [on phone]  Karen?

  Karen Cartwright : [her friends are counting on her]  I... I haven't sent you the script yet, because we have to...

  Derek Wills : That's not why I'm calling. We just finished the Bombshell reading.

  [smiles proudly] 

  Derek Wills : It was amazing.

  Karen Cartwright : Really?

  Derek Wills : Yup. Get ready, darling. If we get this right, you'll win every award in town. Hit List can wait. We should focus on Bombshell now, okay?

  [knock on door, Jerry beckons] 

  Derek Wills : Look, I've got to go.

  [leaving Karen not knowing how to break this news to her friends] 

  Jimmy Collins : It's over, isn't it?

• Karen Cartwright : [the two of them on rooftop, she sighs]  If you wanna blame me, you should. I pushed for this. I never asked if you were ready.

  Kyle Bishop : [staring out over city]  I thought I was. That's the problem.

  [shakes head] 

  Kyle Bishop : How can you be so bad at something you love so much?

  Karen Cartwright : This was your first try.

  Kyle Bishop : No.

  [shakes head] 

  Kyle Bishop : I don't have it. You and Jimmy do. You had it from birth. I don't.

  Karen Cartwright : I didn't have it. I had to work for it. Hard. Singing lessons, dance lessons, acting classes. You can't just... expect to wake up one day and write the next great American musical.

  Kyle Bishop : Jimmy could. Wouldn't it have been awesome if I could too?

  [smiling, Karen looks tenderly at him, her hand brushing over his arm]