In case you missed it, here are my reviews of season 3.

I may sound like a broken record, but like the third episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is notorious for shaking up the dynamics of the season, a similar formula exists for the fourth episode of each season. Each fourth episode of each season is associated with drama.

In the first season, the drama caused a rift in Nini and E.J.'s relationship, Ricky's drama was the divorce of his mom and dad, and Ashlyn, Big Red, and Gina try to keep the peace between these characters.

Last season, the drama caused a rift in Nini and Ricky's relationship, Carlos and Gina facing off to see who should be the choreographer, E.J. not getting into Duke, and the supporting characters again trying to keep the peace in these dramatic situations.

Before viewing the episode, my expectations for this episode were pretty low. I figured that with an episode title like "No Drama," the story would be particularly one note. However, while watching the episode, that didn't come up once. However, the season doesn't know what it wants to do with Corbin Bleu, the Disney+ docuseries, the supporting characters, or the overarching story at Camp Shallow Lake. Besides that, I appreciate how the episode shakes up viewers' expectations of the episode through the performances.

So, what's the drama this season? Without giving spoilers, Corbin Bleu comes to film the first readthrough of their production of Frozen for the in-universe Disney+ docuseries. Naturally, this causes a ton of drama, intentional or not. However, what was refreshing about this season's version of the dramatic episodic is that it switches the formula by zooming out quite a bit on the dramatic element.

Speaking of the dramatic element, let's talk about the performances of this week's episode. In previous versions of this episode, I expected my highlights to be Joshua Bassett as Ricky Bowen, Matt Cornett as E.J. Caswell, or Sofia Wylie as Gina Porter. Instead, my favorite performers this week were Dara Reneé as Kourtney Greene, Saylor Bell Curda as Maddox, Adrian Lyles as Jet, and Meg Donnelly as Val. All the other performers had a great moment or two but weren't given enough of those moments to make an impact on me. Kourtney, Maddox, Jet, and Val must deal with the season's common threads of insecurity, finding yourself, and stress. I'm glad to see these performers breaking the mold to create new versions of this story for characters that would usually be relegated to side stories in this type of episode.

As much as I praised Angela C. Tortu's direction in last week's episode, her direction in this episode is a bit of a headscratcher. What should be a dramatic episode of the season feels too goofy to take most of the time seriously, making the emotional moments of the episode land softer than they would've with a more somber tone. This episode should feel as though every dramatic beat is a punch to the chest but ultimately feels as inconsequential as someone lightly flicking a wrist. There's room for play in an episode like last week's, but this is the season's halfway point, and I didn't feel much of anything other than annoyance.

I also want to question Nneka Gerstle's script for the episode. In addition to the tonal mismatch for the episode, there are several other oddities, like plotlines that come out of nowhere, but more importantly, the misuse of Corbin Bleu in this season. If I am supposed to believe that Corbin Bleu coming to record the readthrough is such a big deal, make it one. The Wildcats are obsessed with High School Musical. Make me feel that. While you're at it, tell me precisely what stress this puts on them. Instead, all I see is that this is important for reasons never explained. It's okay if you want to have fan service for fans of the original films like me, but Corbin Bleu, at least right now, is nothing more than a cameo.

Alright, let's talk about the music of the episode. It's…okay?

As much as I tried to like Carlos' version of "Fabulous," it felt severely disjointed. It starts great with some flamenco guitars, but it adds synth beats at one point that confused me as to what vibe music supervisors Francesca Harding and Anna Romanoff were going for here. That, plus the ensemble backing, essentially ensures I'll be hitting skip anytime it pops up on Apple Music or Spotify.

That said, I did love this rendition of "Love is An Open Door" as a duet between Gina and E.J. It is a super fun track that made me enjoy a song from Frozen, a movie I notoriously hate. Matt Cornett and Sofia Wylie play with such a cuddly and fun energy that it's hard not to enjoy. This one is definitely going in my playlist of songs that are currently in my head.

So, Wildcats, I hope you enjoy this episode more than I did. But unfortunately, for an episode that's supposed to serve as this big dramatic moment, all I could come up with this week is that this episode had great moments that are wholly undercut by a severe lack of direction and tone.

★★★

"No Drama" is now available to stream on Disney+. Seasons one and two of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are available to stream on Disney+, as well as two specials and a sing-along version of the first season.

If you'd like to listen to me watch the episode, click below to buy the audio commentary!

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, Matthew Simpson, Thom Blackburn, Aaliyah, and Libby Stephenson, for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!