#like these kind of asks not 'ricky is the reason you hate nini this season' cause i think i made it plenty clear

[petruchio]

i think the world needs your hsmtmts analysis

i was waiting until i watched this weeks episode to answer this ask and my current answer is that it’s a bad show with bad writing and insanely amazing and talented and appealing young people acting in the dumbest storylines a human being could ever think up. ok im being unfair. but let me talk about it i guess

season 1 was remarkably good young peoples television, the stories were tight, the actors were extremely appealing, it handled a lot of topics in a way that felt pretty well-thought out (for a disney show. like for example in s1 i thought rickys family situation was given the appropriate complexity and informed the story and the character in a believable way) also every single song in s1 slapped so hard it was insane. wondering is still in my top 50 songs of all time on spotify bc that song went SO hard. the main problem was that the narrative was concluded when ricky and nini got together. that was the driving force behind all of season 1. so they already had an uphill battle going on from there.

season 2 was one of the worst pieces of television ive ever suffered through. the stakes were all over the place, the ending was a complete garbage fire, and as olivia rodrigos star rose, it became a problem because she was kind of… the main character. she was the whole center of the show. the whole season just felt like everyone was running around with their heads on fire trying to figure out what to do now that everyone knew that her and joshua had dated and broken up and she’d released a smash hit of an album about it, and the only shining lights in that season were seblos and portwell, again mostly just bc the actors are so appealing. (and watching the villains of s1 get redeemed through liking each other… it was great. i loved it.)

season 3 just feels like it’s retreading ground that doesn’t need retreading? like oh now ej is an asshole again! for no reason except that he’s only acting that way because the writers don’t know what to do with him because he got too appealing last season and now we don’t have a villain! ricky is in love with gina again because we invented that lily girl and then everyone hated her so we wrote her out! nini is just… gone because olivia rodrigo is on the sour tour but we did have one random episode with the guy from modern family in it and we just haven’t addressed it since! like it’s better than s2 by a long shot but it still doesn’t feel like there’s any drive to the narrative, except the ricky/gina thing which, like i said, just feels like an unnecessary retread to me.

the only thing that’s not a retread this season is this sibling storyline that is BORING MY TEETH OUT because WHO CARES. why are we wasting so much screen time on siblings we don’t care about who we have no investment in? who cares about them? also have any of the writers ever had a sibling? sometimes they’re annoying! that’s the whole thing about siblings!! it’s not some unforgivable roadblock it’s just like. a normal part of being in a family. i cannot bring myself to care in the slightest about either of these characters.

i think another problem in s3 is that there’s no villain. like maybe corbin bleu is the villain? or the documentary is the villain? maybe they’re trying to make ej the villain again? even in s2 we had that lily girl. but this season there’s no real antagonist so it doesn’t feel like the story is going anywhere. so they’re doing a documentary. okay? why does it matter? why do they care? there needs to be some kind of stakes if it doesn’t work out. i mean last season the stakes changed episode to episode and the ultimate conclusion to them was “nvm<3” but at least they *tried* to have stakes? this season things are just like, happening.

also in s1 the musical was like, central to the story and this season it’s like. oh yeah we’re doing frozen btw but you can’t see any of it which is the same thing they did last season with batb and it’s annoying to me. because if they wanted to draw parallels (which it seems ? like they’re trying to do, but they’re lazy about it) they’d do what they did in s1 and do 1 original song and 1 musical song in each episode and tie the stories together. but instead they’re like. no <3

also i love kourtney. i feel like i never talk about her but i love her. ashlyn too. i wish they still had arcs that impacted the central narrative but i guess the problem is there IS no central narrative anymore. maybe that’s the whole problem — the show just feels unfocused. like what are they trying to say anymore? we’re just spinning our wheels. where are we GOING? why does it matter? what justifies this narrative? it feels like even the writers don’t know anymore.

ok that was more of a rant than an analysis but anyway the point is im ANNOYED and i feel like all these crazy talented kids are being wasted in these storylines and it bums me out because i loved s1 SO MUCH and i just feel like the show isn’t doing justice to it’s own characters.

i mean not to go here AGAIN but im going to do the glee comparison bc tbh it’s true. basically go read my glee s1 essay about why glee s1 is the only good season of THAT show and it’s basically the same thing. bc so often with these shows they have a good and coherent narrative purpose in the first season, and then in the subsequent seasons they just spin their wheels doing fanservice and having fun with the characters people latched onto, but they don’t actually write a good STORY. and that’s what’s missing from hsmtmts. it’s not good characters, or good acting, or good writing on a micro scale (we’ve had some bangers of lines this season!!) what’s missing is a good, justified, truly plot-driving story that keeps people hooked AND develops and explores all the characters at the same time

#answered #anonymous #hsmtmts #anon: talk about hsmtmts #me: word explosion #99.999% of my followers who don’t give a fuck about this stupid show: please shut the fuck up. please #long thoughts

[27emailsicantsend]

I’m a little bit nervous of not getting Ricky explaining his season 2 behavior. Do you think we’ll see him talk about it? If so, what do you think he’d say? Do you think this is something he’d tell Jet or Gina during a love confession?

Gosh, this is such a good ask because I am having a tough time answering it. I think we will absolutely get some sort of confession or explanation about Ricky’s behavior in general over seasons 1 and 2. I don’t even think it would be to Gina right away. I think Gina is going to find out his feelings through the doc (on purpose or on accident). Then maybe there will be some scene in s4 that is kind of like Nini and Ricky’s where he finally explains everything he feels and gina reciprocates (which is why it is also DIFFERENT from theirs because only Ricky spoke about his feelings in that scene… months later after Nini spoke about hers. Gina and Ricky would be same time, same place, same page).

I think the whole line of “you don’t know the whole story” wasn’t just throw away dialogue. To me that seemed really intentional there was more, especially because Ricky not only left Jet without more context, but the audience. That just didn’t feel like he was saying it haphazardly because Jet wasn’t with us seasons 1 and 2. And like I said before, everything in this show is intentional because of the time constraints. So for Jet to bring it up TWICE that Ricky likes Gina tells me Jet is going to get the full story. This is why I think a flashback will happen. Not only to parallel Gina’s hidden reason for hurt feelings, but to also save time and dialogue. Why explain what you can show?

Now the content of the confession/flashback to Jet? I hate to say it… I hope I don’t sound ridiculous… but I am a chocolate truther 😔🍫 the accusations are true. This is what I think the the flashback most likely is. There is just too much evidence in Ricky’s expressions, the amount of times it’s been brought to up, the reaction of the other friends to it (including Nini- Ricky’s EX who was VERY upset about it) to just be some weird idea that was thrown in and dropped just because? Like just for the drama? Nah, that’s not how Tim operates friend! However, someone pointed something out on here that really got me thinking:

They noticed in the scene when Ricky talks to Miss Jenn about if he’s happy, he looks out the doorway. He also says something about “no one should tell you who you can and can’t take a chance on” and I believe mentions giving his dad a second chance. Then we get the song later about second chances? I think Ricky might have been told by someone not to try and get close to Gina again even though she moved back. It was too late. He was with Nini now. And why keep hurting Gina? Just let her move on. Which might have been another reason we saw him pull away even as a friend in S2 more and more. Because he recognized he just keep hurting her while he was with Nini after Gina’s confession.

What I think could happen is both the chocolates and the hypothesized scenario being mixed together. Potentially this could be Big Red since he’s been aware of Ricky’s feelings for both Gina and Nini since the dance. “Why would you give those chocolates Ricky? Doesn’t that seem a little… romantic?” And then Ricky doesn’t deny it. He just says he wants a second chance with Gina because of all of the confusion and hurt getting together with Nini and thinking she was leaving. Ricky misses having Gina in his life (which might be perceived as friendly but the audience knows it’s more). He brought the chocolates as a way to get a second chance with her. Maybe he even contacted her mom to ask if he could bring those chocolates for her so Gina knew her mom was trying. Ricky wanted to make amends with Gina. However, in this flashback Red is low key calling Ricky out about the chocolates being romantic. Ricky, ashamed because he knows deep down there were undertones to this gesture that he couldn’t deny, acts out of avoidance. Nothing will go bad or wrong or change if he just acts like he never gave her the chocolates in the first place. So to not get caught about his feelings, Ricky ends up pretending like he never got Gina the chocolates when she texts him. Which would then explain why he walked away when Gina was going off about liars at the movie. He lied to her about the chocolates.

I think the confession/flashback to Jet and Gina finding out Ricky’s feelings will happen this season. I think gina finding out will be a cliffhanger for next season (I explained this in more depth in another ask a few down from this one on my blog… long story short I think she will see it, this will be the thing Ricky does that scares him, and then we won’t hear about Gina’s reaction until S4). Then I think in S4 when we find out Gina’s reaction to the confession in the doc is when we also see Ricky confess fully all the reasons he loves her. ❤️

#ricky x gina #high school musical the musical the series #rina #gina porter #ricky bowen #hsmtmts #asks #send me asks #theory #season 3 #season 4 #chocolates truther #chocolate theory #big red

[silentroadtocabinvenus]

HSMTMTS REWATCH - TAKE TWO 1x1 The Auditions

"I'm waiting for the right time to tell him." Something Nini continues to do in season 2 which made things worse. Also, considering she feels like she has to wait for a good time (before he walks up, that is) is because she knows he'll upset because she knows it was just a pause to him, and because she hates being in conflicts (shown in later episodes)

She states how she knew it was a pause "I didn't want to take a pause" and while knowing it wasn't an official break up yet ended up dating someone. From Nini's perspective I get where and how this could've happened but we're not at the flashback yet so I'm not gonna talk about yet.

She clearly has grown to stand up for herself when she tells Ricky she's still talking, but she only seems to ever do this to Ricky and not anybody else, which is shown later on as well.

The flashback: The video was clearly up for a while and she knew Ricky hasn't watched it yet and decides to show him herself. Now I understand her being scared to properly sing it to him, but she could've at least simply took a video and saved it to her phone to show him.

Nini's perspective in flashback: She just put her heart out there not only to Ricky, but also online where some people saw it. Ricky then proceeds to only say freeze (in this flashback) so at this point we are given why Nini is upset and it is a valid reason.

"You kind of dumped me." She says this after her previous statement of not wanting to go on a pause. This tells you that she was aware that Ricky thought it would only be a pause. (Can't really get more into this until the next flashback) But I can say considering the pause happened very quickly before her summer away (4 weeks as Ricky states) It gives us a bit of what Ricky is thinking. She told me she loved then quickly started seeing someone else while she was gone. To Nini, it happened because he asked for the pause and didn't say I love you back which broke her heart and EJ was there. To Ricky, it feels like the I love ended up not actually meaning anything, but again without Ricky's perspective being shown yet we can't get fully into it, and us as an audience isn't supposed to try understanding his side yet.

Her saying "But it's a breakup now" is her basically admitting, okay yeah maybe you were right about it being a break but that's not the case anymore. Which comes across as her kind of understanding that she started dating someone without fully being out of a relationship. I came across someone saying how they thought Nini Lowkey cheated when she first started dating Ricky and watching this makes me kind of think the same thing. Even that intent wasn't there. But also she could've thought it would hurt Ricky after she got hurt... So who knows maybe subconsciously it was there.

I still get a little annoyed when Kourtney snaps at Big Red because he wasn't trying to get in the middle of it he was trying to get her to stay out of it as well.

"I feel good about this-" "-Everyones on the same page" You didn't really give him a chance to say anything, you know he's upset/confused, and she somehow has a good feeling about it? She's either in denial or thinks everyone automatically agrees with her.

Gina in the background really looking at Kourtney and Nini leave, sensing the drama

I might have realized it before, but never clued in that Ashlyn was sitting beside the kid he got hit with the shirt

Carlos really out here skipping class

Natalie watching Nini and EJ really wanting to know the drama

The way EJ talks about Nini and their summer together, it's clear (or at least how I see it) that he was unaware that Ricky even existed. Maybe he saw him in passing, but that's really it. I don't think he even knew that Nini had an ex until Ricky's audition. He just thought Nini was cute for quite a while, and when she showed up at his summer camp took his shot and lucked. He doesn't know about the break up, how previous it really was, and the fact that he was just a rebound. He doesn't even notice how Nini was watching Ricky while he was walking because he felt like everything is okay.

Nini's scene with her family and Ricky's scene with his dad being right next to each other show the differences with where they are at this point. We learn that Nini has a supportive and strong family that love each other. Then we learn Ricky's mom is in Chicago and doesn't want to talk to either of them. Ricky then decides to fight for his relationship with Nini because his dad (and his mom) isn't even trying to do that.

He then goes to Big Red where he admits that musicals confuse him, but he's going to do it because Nini enjoys them and he wants her to see him as someone different then the guy that made a mistake. That's obviously not his actual wording, though. Big Red doesn't think he can pull it off and says this to him as well. Very different from Nini's experience through out the episode.

The Auditions: There's a lot I want to mention about the auditions, and they are a lot is linked to EJ. Right off the bat, EJ feels confident and comments that he's bummed that there's no actual competition there. As of right now in season 3, we know that EJ is actually one for traditions and rules. We also know that once he has a plan, he sticks to it, and it's hard for him to cut away from it even if a second plan was made as well, this shows in season 1. Before he says this, we see scoping out the room. We know that he's a theater kid before this and has been the lead multiple times. So him thinking he'll get the lead again after looking around probably means he's sees familiar faces (minus Gina) that's he's beaten the lead for before, which makes him feel even better about his chances. I think he says this as more of a confidence boost for both him and Nini then a genuine comment. He has it all planned out. He as Troy, Nini as Gabriella, another showmance. He's planned his outfit, prop, and audition to be perfect (another thing we see EJ struggle with when directing in season 3). He wants everything to be perfect and everything go according to plan and he feels like that could happen (right now that is).

The Getcha Head In The Game foreshadowing

Back to EJ's audition. Perfect vocals, perfectly know the lyrics, charm, outfit, and prop. He's confident, and the overconfidence kind of shows. He's so focused on everything being perfect and coming across as perfect that he doesn't fully connect to the song because he doesn't really let himself for one second let go and actually feel the lyrics he just sings them. He don't see him do the acting part of the audition, but I assume it's the same way. He perfectly knows the lines, but doesn't know the emotion behind them. But up to this point that's worked for him probably because in the end he was probably always the best audition regardless.

"My mom always says if you can't be good at something, it's not worth doing.-" Gina saying this shows more insight on where she is coming from for this audition. She wants this to go very well and is trying her hardest for this as well. Out of all the characters we've only the girls perspective so far with his talking head scene.

EJ reassures Nini and supports her. He then goes on to say "She's 100% real and that's why he loves her." See in this moment I don't think he meant it as being in love with her. I think he does love her as a person. But this line also shows once again he isn't aware of Ricky and Nini once being a thing. We talk about Ricky kind of loving the idea of Nini (which I do think he does a little bitbut he genuinely loves her). Here though, EJ has only known her part a month, it's cannon he's never had a valentines day single up to this point. What he feels for Nini is probably very different to what he felt for other girls, and if he did really think he was in love with her in this moment i think thoughts feelings could've confused because he never had them. (I'm not being Anti or going against the EjxNini ship btw)

Nini pauses and we get the other part of the flashback. Keep in mind this flashback is from Nini it's from she remembers, Ricky isn't in the auditorium yet. She remembers him calling it a temporary pause. Obviously hearing this broke her heart because she had just said I love you, and she has every right to feel this way. I just want to point how remembers him using the words temporary and how it would just be for out of town. Again her feelings could've been really high in this moment and going into camp probably as well. But it kind of proves a little bit even if it wasn't her intentions she did kind of half cheat on Ricky while she was gone.

Ricky's perspective: It's mentioned that his mom was already in Chicago so any thought of it just being a recent thing from earlier in the episode is completely debunked. (Also in present time his mom has been living in Chicago for over a year now). His mom even texted him, and it's pretty clear right away she doesn't really do that. He says she's been working forever. Obviously the whole working thing at this point is a lie and I think it this flashback Ricky is aware of it. The last time he probably heard anyone say the words "I love you" was probably from his mom before she left, now Nini is leaving for a month as well. (Maybe that is how long his mom originally said she'd be) The Only difference is he actually knows Nini will come back and until then he has time to work through things and have his panicked brain and his heart to be in the same place (Something that happens in season 2 as well). He could've explained all this a lot better, and he clearly made a mistake. He knows this as well.

Now we get back to the auditorium. EJ has no reaction to Nini being off in her own world or and has no worries about another guy possibly being in the picture. Once again, he has nothing bringing down his confidence or ruining his plans, it all comes down to Nini's audition for him, and she was supposed to be the very last audition. Then a Wild-Ricky wildcard comes in (I regret nothing). EJ was not planning for another person to run into the auditions. He didn't get the chance to scope him out. He's never seen him before, never seen him audition or even be a random student extra on stage. He doesn't know how he performs and what his strengths or weaknesses could be like he saw with the auditioners (he was the last Troy audition before Ricky came in). Ricky was not a part of the plan, he's a random kid who showed up late, and that immediately bothered EJ. His reaction when Ricky comes in isn't him being mad or jealous towards his girlfriends ex it's more of annoyance. It could also be because he came in when Nini was going to perform at the very end of the auditions. This puts a small damp in his plans and comes across as if Ricky didn't have a plan at all, another thing that could've bugged EJ. He then finds out that Ricky only knows the Troy stuff, so ontop of that he now finds out this new kid is trying to compete for his role and he still has no idea how well this kid can perform or act. He cheers very loudly for Nini, I feel like the cheer would've been genuine, but made it extra loud and made sure to say babe. At this point a lot of people know he and Nini are dating, but this feels like he's overcompensating and making everyone know she's his girlfriend, aka this new kid he has no idea about, so he's making sure he knows to stay away, still unaware of whats going to happen. This cheer then causes Miss. Jenn to spill her coffee and cause a quick power surge. Before he could even think of anything to do Ricky gives Nini a spotlight and he immediately gets up and joins looking mad at Ricky for being the one to do it.

Nini does what both Gina and EJ failed to do and that was genuinely feeling the song, granted it made her go over the time though and that is a mistake that you can't always make.

After Nini's audition though and he see's him Ricky looking at each other while he starts going on stage EJ doesn't look mad he looks more confused and wondering whats actually going on. This time Ricky is the one to look more annoyed at EJ putting his arm around her.

Big Red comes up and i feel like he was actually at the auditions from the beginning but hiding off so Kourtney and Nini wouldn't see him. He did up showing up to support Ricky and when he couldn't find him probably stayed around to see I he would show and to watch the auditions as well

EJ looks so confused when Ricky is doing the Chad lines. He truly thinking wtf is happening who is this kid?

Everyones kind of watching and not really knowing how to react or slightly judgy if you pay attention to the background characters. Big Red is kind of just there seeing it all happen and probably doesn't know what exactly to do because he doesn't really know musicals either.

I think Ricky at this point knew that his audition was going bad, so he just took the moment to say his feelings and play the song. I would like to point out that Nini at this has taken the song off her main and put it in her archive's and she probably did that before she went to camp because EJ has no idea about the song here. So Ricky taught himself the song mainly by memory on a different instrument. Ricky was totally a music kid from the beginning. Miss. Jenn knew something was going on with him and Nini by the end of his monologue.

Kourtney sliding away from Big Red sitting down by her seemed kind of uncalled for, but she's being supportive of Nini and completely understand that.

This was when EJ finally figured out that Ricky and Nini totally knew each other. He looks between Nini and Ricky a few times and he goes from confused to confused and mad. He then looks over at Ashlyn who is kind of openly enjoying it. His look here is harder to decipher but it looks more like insecure look compared to the other ones. At this point this random kid comes in wanting to audition for his part, puts a spotlight on his girlfriend, makes a monologue to her, and now is singing to her. But also he's not doing bad like he was at the beginning, he's actually doing good he actually has talent, and all his plans are completely changed and disrupted.

Nini was getting into the performance, but when Ricky choked and got too shy to sing the final words to her in front of everyone, that's what shook her out of it. To her, it seemed like he still couldn't say it.

Ricky just dips pretty much after his audition he's legit the first one to leave. He went there to just say what he wanted to say and that was pretty much it. His original audition went bad but at least he got his feelings out.

Even in the confrontation in the hall, you can tell Nini was getting into the conversation and it would've gone well if it hadn't been that exact moment everyone showed up

At this point, everyone is surprised Ricky actually got the part, including Ricky. Miss. Jenn gave him the part because he managed to quickly save his audition, showing if he were mess up his lines or if a scene was just not working out he can think of the top of his head it fix it. (Except for when he's having a panick attack but that's for later) He improvised a monologue that actually had heart and was the only to emotionally connect to what he was saying compared to everybody else, and his song proved he can connect emotionally while singing as well, which other then Nini no one managed to do that.

EJ's plans were completely ruined at this point, he finally had something not come easy to him and on top of that he see's this guy have a history with his girlfriends. He doesn't just hate Ricky because of the love triangle, he feels threatened by Ricky in other aspects as well, and he hates that he was such a wildcard he wasn't expecting.

#hsmtmts #ricky bowen #ej caswell #gina porter #ashlyn caswell #nini salazar roberts #portwell #rina #big red #redlyn #carlos rodriguez #seb mathew smith #kourtney greene #jennifer jenn

[zaine-m]

Episode 3 of watching all the hsmtmts episodes, we're really starting to get into the drama between Gina and Nini. Nini's still being pretty annoying but it's getting better.

previous -- next

Season 1, episode 3 thoughts under cut:

EJ, your actions become less forgivable every day

4 months ago, are we already 2 months into school? Or did I get the time line confused

Okay so we're on the same day as the last episode

Ricky is doing such a great job of reaching out

Ashlyn has such a great moral code

The look if anger on EJ's face, he has changed so much over the past 2 seasons

Love the music while Nini's looking for her phone, it's the exact right amount of stress

Miss Jenn going from, the students shouldn't have their phones to if you knew anything about technology

Mr mazzara is so proud of himself for figuring out her little secrets

Gina's outfit is so sparkly

"Did you know that there are things that are only on TV at a certain time" They act like we're idiots. HSM was only ever on TV at a certain time

Did Miss Jenn not get concerned that Nini, who she knew was missing her phone was supposed to get the new info by text. But like Gina did a good job slipping that past her

Ashlyn, please never say Hashtag again

Don't call my baby freakish

Also if you're really concerned talk to a teacher about this

How much time do you think Sofia Wylie had to spend upside-down, she clearly looks uncomfortable in the cutaway. Like, let her come down.

Also I feel like we never got to see that kind if extreme flexibility and stuff again. I guess it's hard for her to both learn the lines, songs and complex dance moves but I hope we get more of it in season 3

Ricky is trying to go through this so confused, he has no idea what's happening between them

The way Gina so casually handles Nini being rude like that, it really shows how much she's used to working with people who hate her

Like Nini take a lesson from Gina on how to not make your drama everyone else's problem

Gina acts so innocent, I love her

Yeah Nini, and all the rose did was sit there, not sing a whole fucking song about wanting to leave that has nothing to do with the plot. But I guess sometimes you want to add things to a musical

normally they're pretty good with computer screens but honestly what is the presentation Nini shows to Kourtney

Also Kourtney get a life, or just other friends

Okay, so you do understand there are mature was to handle things. You jus decided to take the asshole route

Why are you asking for advice if you already did the thing

Big Red admitting he has no pride and Ricky admitting he isn't the bigger person

But at least Ricky works on it and does the right thing

Why the fuck is she smiling like she thinks this is cute. You're being an asshole omfg, why do you know care about how you hurt anyone but yourself. Why is this show acting like she's all innocent but when Gina does it she's horrible

"You're better than that", no she isn't. She's the one who decided to do this, no one pressured her into it. She really isn't better than this. God dammit make her take reasonability for her actions

god "you're Nini" what has she really ever done to make this other characters think that she's the saint like figure they make her out to be

At least EJ clearly works on this fake outward persona of a perfect person which makes her think that that but no she's just naturally amazing. She's such a Mary Sue

And now he takes responsibility for his actins, how he hurt people and owns up to it. Like a good person, something Nini will never be

That scenes becomes easier when you think of it as only to develop EJ's character

He's kinda missing the point but he's getting there

Why can the 4 students not do both, is Miss Jenn pushing them that hard

Okay this scene, Gina works to actually get the attention taken away from her and onto Nini and calls Nini "the sweetest girl in the world" and how does Nini react to this, stealing her water bottle

Kourtney, you aren't any better, you can't just steal stuff from people you don't like

I really hope he sings a billion sorrys in season 3 for the rest of the wildcats to see

"I am not even a nigh light, cause what I did wasn't so bright"

"I would definitely do it again. No wait, that's not right. I mean I wouldn't do it again"

Ashlyn's little, please don't step on the table

"Nothing else to rhythm with sorry" "there are words that rhythm with sorry"

Ashlyn being proud of him either way. I miss them!!!!

Why did Miss Jenn cast the like this

They miss a lot of small words in the captions

They're having so much fun with trying to hit eachother with the ball. I swear all the dynamic in the first season were so fun, now they're all so boring

I swear we never see Ricky have as big of a smile as when he says "back at you, dude"

"infinity plus one" Ricky acting like a child

The way you can clearly see the ball not actually hitting EJ

Mr.Mazzara's genuine concern for EJ

His evil smile until he realises she can't see the picture properly

The way that Mr.Mazzara calls Carlos young man then Carlos says "Is he bothering you" like he would be able to do anything about it

tbf Carlos, you do need friends your age

An accepting community, where only the best are allowed in and there's constant drama and a kid was just hit in the face with a basketball

I love how when they enter, the kids are singing the meanest, stay in your box, don't hangout with people outside your friend group song. And it's all like wow, it's a such a welcoming community/gen

Nooo, you were so close to doing the right thing

Ricky walking in on EJ shirtless. Like no Ricky you did this on purpose so you could see his abs

Again with these caption, Disney has to get someone better to make these

Nini, she was respecting, you were the one who didn't respect her

Nini talks like she isn't there, stop calling Gina a freak

There's a difference between not being a doormat and being an asshole. To not be doormat, bring up this issue to her or a teacher and make her apologize, to be an asshole, do something to hurt her without actually making sure that she was the one who stole your phone

The way that Gina so sneakily avoid lying by saying she didn't have her phone, not that she didn't take it

And Nini doesn't even fucking apologize after that, you are just the asshole

Someone give Ricky a hug

EJ, you couldn't even forget about the last 48 hours properly

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts season 1 #anti nini #hsmtmts fandom #hsmtmts watch through

[defultuser]

yes yes yes! i second everything you said about natalie/stage managers. put some respect on her name!! and she's super funny, i just hope she doesn't graduate at the end of the s2 school year because i'd love to see assistant director!nini and natalie doing more behind the scenes theatre work :') -ay

in season 1 natalie is said to be a sophomore, like ash and carlos. so i don't think she's going anywhere soon.

while i doubt it will turn into anything, there have been a couple of lines that show miss jenn not really caring about the crew this season "they're called grips" so maybe mr mazzara could offer to join (officially), to help her with the stress of productions and also improve their tech department.

(natalie hunny i love you but any good stage manager would have put a crash mat down before testing that harness, where's your health and safety training)

the promo photo shows her at the cast party and so i really help we get to see more from the crew.

lbr here you have 4/5 cast members also in crew from them alone you could have an episode dedicated to the crew, just one episode, it can be as filler as you like but please, there is so much off screen work that we deserve to see

#hsmtms #hsmtmts speculation #natalie bagley #mr mazzara #miss jenn #please keep the asks coming #like these kind of asks not 'ricky is the reason you hate nini this season' cause i think i made it plenty clear #what i don't like about nini at the moment and its not rini #hsmtmts

[xo-alie-xo]

PORTWELL LONG GAME OR RINA SLOWBURN.

You can only choose one poison.🍷

Listen up my Wildcats.🐱

We all ship each character with happiness. No matter how much you love to hate them, a majority of us simply adores the characters and want the best for them. Then comes relationships and it's okay to ship our favorites.⛴

I'm a diehard Rina shipper and I know in my heart that they are series endgame. The set up, the natural chemistry, their mutual understanding, the surprises and angst literally put me on chokehold. So I'm 100% a Rina shipper till the end. I'm here for the slowburn and their development rather than one shots. They are worth the pain. 😭❤

Let me start with Ricky Bowen now.

Ricky shouldn't to be with Gina because he's hurting her mentality. He's not insensitive on purpose. Like when he tried to stop Big Red from telling her his message to Nina because he KNOWS it'll hurt her.

If you think, that Ricky didn't understand clearly when Gina confessed, think again. He shushed her. Kept their thing a secret from everyone. He knows he feels some type of way and she feels something too. But this boy is so used to safeguarding his childhood norms and has very little adaptability. Hence, he pretended to ignore everything between them because his home stability was falling apart and he clinged on to Nina, his constant childhood love.

He's a traumatised 16-17 year old boy that needs to heal and grow. This episode was heartbreaking because he had to accept that he had to let Nina go because their once upon a time fairytale had become toxic.

People change. I'm not the same person I was when I was 16 lmao. Being together as childhood lovers means growing together and accepting each other's growth. Which Ricky couldn't. He clutched to the idea of Nini. Even his love confession. It was sooo sweet but all he did was focus on their history.

This boy needs time to heal and maybe seek professional therapy. It would be so DAMN HISTORIC if Disney decides to take psychological issues seriously and show how he's dealing with his anxiety, pills and psychotherapy. He needs to breathe before he can be with any girl for that matter. He's hurting and isn't trying to hurt anyone on purpose. Including Gina.

Him asking her for advice on Nini was a dumb, insensitive move. But he's trying to find a way to build some supportive friendship that they shared in early season one.

As for now, this boy needs to get his own grip on life and heal.

As for our Queen Gina

In Gina's confession, she focuses on their future. She basically said, "I wouldn't quit on a possible future of us being together despite obstacles. Because I never quit. But moving away isn't in my control." Ricky deep down knows this, encouraged her to say it, teary eyed, despite right after getting back together with Nini. Gina is his future. She went to his new house. And I also have this feeling that when she was given a chance to stay, she stayed partly because of Ricky. She left a chance to be with her mom because she prioritised their relationship. Because she never quits. 💪🏼

But she came back and found out Ricky has gotten back together with Nini.😭 What she doesn't know is Ricky got together with Nina before her confession, and after Gina kept dodging his messages. She's hurt and questions why she returned because she isn't particularly close to anyone. Hence, she was so silent at the after party. She thinks it'll be fine, "she'll live", and finds other reasons to find permanence. Her arc this season has been settling down in East High, despite the pain of losing and being 'betrayed' by Ricky, she finds other reasons to stay. 🏡

This kind of contrasts her with Nina. Nina left her dream school and came to Salt Lake because she missed her established home, and not just because of Ricky. Nina returned and was loved and embraced by Ricky Bowen.💕 Gina came back to a semi new place called Salt Lake because of her promise of a future to Ricky. But she got stabbed and she bled. 💔🗡

Think about her situation. She feels confused, alone, heartbroken, out of place and seperated from her mom. She's broken and hurting too. And she doesn't need more from Ricky's accidental or intentional 'sick burns'. That's the one line where he was such a jerk and I can't defend him here. 😠

Here comes the Caswells.

Her second family. A place of healthy stability. A home that accepted her. Ashlyn, her roomie and her confidante. EJ, the misunderstood boy who saw her value and bought her plane ticket.

Let's get to EJ.

At first, I wasn't too keen on seeing Portwell's development. But then that video chat where they talk about the possibility of her staying and him convincing her. Had me sold for a solid brother-sister relationship. Few episodes later, when Gina's pain seemed to be oblivious to everyone, he was the only one who asked her how she was, and saw her glow. The comfort she must've felt.

Not that she needs a man's validation, but she must be feeling like a second choice and feeling a little insecure because of Ricky. But EJ lifts her up and I genuinely saw her smile. This boy has her back whenever. The man she can lean on and truly sees how special she is. She no longer feels alone now that she has his entire fam and other friends. She genuinely feels a place of belonging and happiness when she's the apple of his eye. Notice how happy she is? How happy this boy is? She's going through her own issues and she has found ground with EJ.

I was very doubtful when they started hinting at a romantic direction. Because EJ would be used as plot device again for a girl to get to Ricky.😤 This man doesn't deserve to be second best to anyone, just like Gina.😑 That's why I'm still hesitant on shipping them at least temporarily. EJ needs to be something even more special to Gina. They need to show each other how special and treasured they are to each other despite feeling like rejects. They are each other's source of comfort.

I'm sure they can keep EJ at East High for the next season. Whether it's the drama club, or the AV club or going to a local college. So he will be there for Gina. I don't know how they can work out a relationship with much distance as Rini's fell out when she moved away. So, if EJ leaves again, it'll again shake up Gina. Her being worried whether he'll date college girls, second thoughts, etc. I don't want them to go through that. And if they do move on to romantic Portwell, make sure it's not plot device for Rina. So you can either have Portwell endgame or Rina Endgame.

Basically I want Gina to be treated so right that she understands she doesn't need Ricky. And when he does ask her out, and he makes her feel like a second choice or a rebound, she says NO. Because EJ has helped regain her self assurance. Eventually I want Gina to confide in EJ about her and Ricky. EJ is jealous but also angry about how Ricky has been hurting her. And becomes damn protective of his 'babe'. Ricky gets jealous of their relationship, restarting Ricky and EJ's old rivalry. But this time, it's not because Gina is his girlfriend, but because she's EJ's best friend who he has a crush on and wants what's best for her.

If it's meant to be Rina endgame

EJ- RICKY, YOU IDIOT! You have no clue how to treat her right. You don't put her first. You mislead her. Get the hell away from her! She's too powerful and beautiful, she doesn't deserve your scraps. I know how she feels for you. I wish I were you. I would treat her like a queen. I don't mind even waiting years till she's ready. She deserves that. You're so lucky you have even a small chance that I may never have. So get your act together, prove you're worth it to win her over. All I want is for her to be happy. Even if it's with someone else. And maybe then I'll stop threatening you to stay away from her.😠

Ricky- .....I don't know what I'm more scared of. Change, or losing the girl I fell for or YOU. Okay, losing her but you're a close second.😬

If it's Portwell endgame.

Ricky- I messed up. Make sure you don't mess up with her. You'll regret it forever.

EJ- I'd rather get hit by thousand basketballs than ever hurt her. I'll be her plus one and her best friend until she's ready to be with me. I know she's ready now too. But I want her to know I'm willing to wait till she graduates before we make it official. I'm in it for the long game.

As for their age gap. I'm 100% sure Portwell won't kiss this season. If they do, it'll be next when Sofia turns 18. They are professional actors who are cast because they are the perfect fit for the role and are expected to carry out the storyline. But I suppose fearing some outbursts, they might delay Sofia kissing anyone till next season. It's so weird because Olivia was maybe 17 when Matt was 21-22 when they kissed in season one. But no one had a problem with that. But for this, they do. Remember, they are professional actors. They are acting! Sometimes, actors are over 10 years apart (but above 18) and act as romantic partners.

As for their characters, they are only two years apart. That's hardly any difference once you're over the age of 18. Age of consent is 16. But adults above 18 are only allowed to have sex with adults above 18. So, age isn't a problem here because EJ is a gentleman and is genuinely interested in her and isn't trying to get in her pants. So age isn't the issue when it comes to dating. It's the maturity. Gina is very mature and gives very sound advice. But I can see EJ being patient enough till she turns 18 just to kiss her because he loves her. 😚

As for the Ashlyn remark, "You look like a kid to me rn". He was JOKING.😂 Don't take things out of context. I tell my cousin sister that all the time. But she's three years younger than me and a grown adult. I don't see her as a kid but it's just a cousin teasing her younger cousin that's she's a little immature. I'm Matt's age and I'm very mature for my age and since I was a teenager, I always matched up with boys a little older than me. Now that I'm in my early 20s, I've dated boys even close to 30. So age is just a number.

EJ dating Gina and giving her quick kisses is fine. But to have a strong sexual element in their relationship (including making out), he'll have to wait till she's 18+. And I'm sure for that he'll wait till she's ready even past her early 20s. Age is really just a number and we can't help who we fall in love with. Trust me, I've been there.😂 So I can see EJ feeling conflicted about his feelings that are clear at this point.

They might not be a perfect fit, but they make each other sooo happy. They deserve a lot more than a short lived fling.😟 They are either endgame or Rina is. You can't have both as a Rina unless you're an EJ hater who wants him to exist as plot device. Nope! He's sooo much more precious than that.

But Jack on the other hand....I'm okay if he's the one to make Ricky or EJ jealous. Because he's just been introduced and it's okay if a character is used, but only once, for someone else to realize their feelings. 💁🏽‍♀️

In short.

Ricky needs help and needs to be on his own. No girlfriends allowed.🙅🏽‍♀️🚫

Needs to give both Gina and Nina space for them to grow on their own too.🌳

Ricky needs to understand the core of his problems and become more adaptable via therapy. Maybe the psychologist will point out his unresolved feelings for Gina, or he will conclude it himself. And in comes Ricky-pining-for-Gina season three.

Ricky needs to fully get over Nina before he moves on to anyone. Same for Gina if Portwell were to happen. No one deserves to be second choice.

Gina isn't Ricky's cushion. She's a living person with strong feelings for him and shouldn't be subjected to share his pain. She already struggles with her own issues.

Ricky needs to stay single till he wins back Gina and prove he's worth it. He needs to show even if another girl wants him, he'll never quit on Gina ever again. Even if he has to watch her be with someone else. *cough parallels*.

It's either romantic Rina then Portwell endgame OR Portwell flirty besties but Rina endgame. You and I can choose only one because my boy EJ shouldn't be used as plot device for a girl to leave for Ricky ever again.

Portwell's age difference can be practically solved and isn't much of an issue unless they get hot and heavy before Gina turns 18 which is impossible considering this is Disney. 🤣🤣

Jack and Gina will be plot device material and purely so sentimental to us OG Andi Mack fans. More than any ship, this is what I'm looking for. Sort of an Andi Mack crack ship for season 3a. It's gonna be soooo funny. 😍😂

I respect everyone's ship. I see what you're seeing. And I'm not going to invalidate your ship. But unless it's done right, I won't jump from the Rina ship. I liked Rini. I like Portwell. I like AU Juffy crackship haha.😂 But as for me, I'm still holding on to Rina slowburn.

Preparing myself for the pain. 😭🔥

(But if I had to pair two characters without Disney getting in the way, it would be Gini. The power duo. Undeniable chemistry. They can be written so well because of their layered relationship and contrasting personalities.🤩 The classic rivals to friends to lovers. But that's a talk for another day lmao.)

Thanks for reading my opinion, Wildcat!🐱❤

#hsmtmts #gina x ricky #rina #ricky bowen #gina porter #ricky x gina #portwell #ej caswell #jack hsmtmts #juffy #jonah beck #andi mack

[beyondd-dazedd]

EPISODE👏 REVIEW👏 hsmtmts season 2 episode 10: get ready for some enthusiastic writing and a little too much looking into details

first off seb doing the intro made my heart happy i love him

ok i know everyone has been saying it but there is no way in hell they’re winning the menkies. unless the writers just go with the main character favoritism route, there’s just no way. however for the sake of comedy, watching ashlyn give us everything in the transformation scene and ricky being an absolute disaster is SO funny to me. like shout out to joshua because that scene made me laugh so hard. also a trio i need more of is kourt, red and ej. i just feel like they would be dramatic gossipy bitches and i love that for them.

normally i think ms. jenn’s reactions are over the top but after seeing the shit show that just occurred 2 mins before... i think her reaction is very valid because oh god.

continuing with the theme of friendship dynamics we haven’t seen a lot of but we absolutely need more of, ashlyn and ricky!! that scene was so sweet and wholesome. i’m so so so glad the writers didn’t fall into the trap of making characters take sides after a break up. i just feel like it’s been done a million times before. but seeing ashlyn being so genuine when checking up in ricky made me so happy. the caswells remain being the superior characters (including gina obvs)

ms. jenn and mr. mazzarra are cute don’t get me wrong but they should’ve spent more time developing that relationship instead giving ms. jenn like 3 random love interests and that’s all i’ll say on that.

i love imagining what characters are saying when they’re just ad libbing. like what could ej, gina, ricky and red be talking about before carlos shows up to start the scene?? my guess is they’re all gushing about how amazing ash is and no i don’t take criticisms on that.

alright i’ll say it. the seblos drama is weak at best. they didn’t spend enough time developing it and kind of pushed it to the background so when it was one of the main focuses of the episode it was kind of like ok?? HOWEVER i did love the resolution to it and the deeper look into their individual characters. (i’ll talk more about this later)

carlos calling ms. jenn mother and everyone immediately knowing who he was talking about sent me omfg. but also who the fuck let these high schoolers try to figure out this transformation scene by themselves?? they collectively have 2 brain cells and they just bounce around between the 9 of them depending on the scene. but playful sleepover competition!! also gina nudging ej when he goes a little too ej 1.0 was everything.

i hate lily and i love sassy red. that’s all.

(im going to talk about the boys/girls sleepovers like they’re each one continuous scene respectively because it’s way easier than switching back and forth)

fun new friendship dynamics!! the boys!! sebbie and the girls! iconic. i know that the show is meant to be in a mockumentary style so we only see parts of the characters lives but i would give my left arm to see the boys getting closer and becoming friends. this is also the first scene where i really noticed ricky’s shirt. ricky is queer disney are just cowards. i’m not a big ricky/ ej shipper but the pretty boy had me feeling some type of way. carlos being worried about seb and their relationship and then red being like well this is why. bc he’s got a spy on the inside was peak friendship. but seriously disney?? just say gay. it’s not a bad word. now imma freak out about PORTWELL OMFG I WAS ALREADY FREAKING OUT DURING THIS SCENE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW WELL I WAS DOING LATER ON. but ej just being like im not ready to put myself out there because of nini i don’t wanna get rejected... again. my heart went out to him. you can really see how much he’s grown as a person. but sure ej y’all are “buddies” also him saying the one thing i’m proud of from my time with nini was letting her go and ricky’s reaction to that hurt me to my core.

alright let’s talk about the girls and seb. first off i love that they’re actually working and the boys are doing fuck all LOL. seb actually talking about how he feels?? good for him. i hate that he thinks that carlos is only with him because there’s limited options but at least he’s talking about it. a moment of silence for ash’s scissor bucket (i won’t make a gay joke. i won’t make a gay joke. i won’t-) anyways... i really thought that maybe ash would know about portwell but it’s fucking EVERYONE. like y’all are that perceptive about other peoples relationships but not your own?? that’s why all y’all have relationship drama. gina not wanting to put herself out there because she’s afraid of getting hurt?? ouch. gina thinking ej is just being nice?? ouch but also gina, sis?? what. also nini reacting that way to the chocolates is so out of pocket. like 1) y’all aren’t dating anymore so what’s got you so pressed? 2) gina made it clear that they weren’t actually from ricky 3) nini you know they had some sort of chemistry before you and ricky got back together so this really shouldn’t be that surprising.

anyways the scene with ricky and carlos broke me. the decision for ricky to not show nini the song was so mature. despite wanting to get her back, he KNOWS that that would only drag her back and that’s not fair to her and he knows it. but his awareness of seblos’s relationship and wanting to help carlos work things out with seb was so wholesome and so sweet and is kind of a big moment of character development for him this season. like he was generally very selfish this season (again i’m a ricky apologist til the day i die but he was so selfish) and seeing him take the focus away from his problems to help carlos out was so sweet. also i need more ricky/carlos friendship moments.

kourt talking about howie learning her love language?? bitch you mean espionage?? i mean me too but that’s so fucking funny

ALRIGHT THIS IS THE PARAGRAPH WHERE I SCREAM ABOUT PORTWELL!!! i am so so so so happy right now about this. the fact that ej asked about risotto but for real was so satisfying and was blatantly like him saying i know we faked being in a relationship but what about it not being fake and omfg that’s so amazing. also gina being skeptical and asking if ash put him up to it and him saying not that i know of?? THE PARALLELS?? also gina this whole season has been talking about signs and finding reasons to stay, finding signs to know if someone is right for her and you can literally see the moment she realizes she said the same thing about the duke sweatshirt to jack. SHE KNOWS THIS IS HER SIGN and that’s so special to me. also ej’s nervous laugh after she says yes?? omfg. let’s look at ej’s character. historically he’s confident, cocky and generally puts on this facade of having his shit together but gina makes him nervous (in a good way). he doesn’t feel like he has to pretend to be confident around her. he’s showing her that he’s just as nervous as she is about this and that is just *chefs kiss* honestly not to be an andi mack stan but ej’s little nervous chuckle and ok after she says yes sounds like he’s letting out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding which seriously parallels tj after the tyrus confession. i’m just saying. ALSO GINA’S LITTLE EXCITED WALK BACK TO THE GROUP AHHHHHH

the seblos song?? i have no notes. it was incredible. frankie killed that shit. it was such a good song. so sweet. so wholesome. also ricky and carlos’s hug was so fucking meaningful to both of them and you can tell. ricky was absolutely beaming because he helped the two of them and it feels like a little bit of season 1 ricky shining through.

WHO THE FUCK LET A BUNCH OF HIGH SCHOOLERS RIG A KID IN THE AIR COMPLETELY UNSUPERVISED?? of course ricky fucking fell. that group shares 2 brain cells. obviously some dumb shit was going to happen

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts spoilers #seblos #portwell #rini #brenn’s hsmtmts shitpost

[mjsparkour]

Okay, I asked you a while back for some fic recs and I am in need of more. Have you read any Gina x Ricky lately? Would love for you to share the ones you've loved

Hey!

I’m so glad you liked my rec the last time, there have been alot of fics that have been written since you last asked so this list was super hard to limit. There are alot in this list alone (17 overall I think). I could always recommend more, Rina writers are just so talented. So here's a list of some of my favorites <3

The Story of Us by peculiarblue

‘gina learns that sometimes things have to fall apart so that they can fall back together, right where they were always meant to be’ This is a complete 2 part chapter fic

Thee Rina bible. It’s everything we could ever want and need. Everything we want s2 to be and more. It’s an absolute masterpiece in every way. So many parts where I nearly died, the angst in the fight scene, the tension before they made up (the dress scene that reminded me so much of that amylaurie scene I lost my mind a little more), them being absolutely gone for each other!!! it’s just perfect in every way.

When Your With Me and Were Alone by orphan account

‘Ricky Bowen remembers everything.’ This is a one-shot three-part completed series.

My favorite series, it’s gotta be. It’s the first of its kind for rina fics. Lore does an incredible job of realistically writing rina’s characterization and reactions to Gina moving and what would happen after. A wonderfully talented writer, utilizing the power of her words while minimalist carries an effect. 

You Know Me Better by This_is_Riri

‘Gina was moving. This would be her sixth move in seven years. She was used to it by now...only this time, it felt different. Post episode 7.’ This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

This one really gets you at your gut. Heart-wrenching for both characters but mainly gina. The vents that happen to both characters, it just makes sense that so much more than their vunerabilities bonds them together. Perfect execution of the mutual understanding trope. 

and I know I’ve kissed you before by ptrprkrs

‘but I didn’t do it right / can i try again, try again, try again? or: 5 times ricky kisses gina + 1 time she kisses back’ This is a complete one-shot.

I love a good five times plus one fic. This one is heartwarming, cheeky and cute. It gives a healthy balance of the inevitable anguish that comes with pining (and not just for the character but for frustrated readers that just wanna put these kids together already) but also the sweet innocence and fluff from first love (or first love adjacent). 

what love might have done by rradioh

‘Ricky follows his gut. Everything changes. Some things stay the same.’ This is a completed one shot.

A good look into what could've been for season one. Reflecting moments that felt like they could’ve easily been placed in the show and showed the subtly of the growth of rinas relationship. It wasn’t something that was thrown into our faces but came gradually and this fic facilitates that growth with key moments that add to that. A Great one-shot.

And the 7th Thing I Hate The Most That You Do (You Make Me Love You) by iknowpIaces

‘It doesn’t help that he really does look good in his costume. God, she hates him. She hates him. She hates him. Then, he has the nerve to smile at her. And Gina hates how that smile alone sends her over the moon.’ This is a completed one shot.

SOOOO GOOD. No one understands, I love the trope where one person has a crush on the other and it's unrequited (or it seems that way) but eventually it's apparent that they're also just as gone for that person as soon as they start moving on, or feeling fine with having their feelings not reciprocated. Then they're both just mutual pining messes, ugh I love it. This fic handles the trope with care and rina just comes together organically. 

lesson in love by finelineholland

“Give me 4 weeks. I’ll help you out. Like… a crash course, if you will. 'How to be the perfect boyfriend for Nini Salazar-Roberts': A class taught by yours truly.” This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

A rom-com in the form of a fic. It’s so true to Ricky and Gina as characters and their dynamic. The writing is really good and gives so much in terms of plot. I really hope it updates soon because I love a good makeover/transformation fic, it gives she’s all that and geek charming in the best ways.  

take me to the feeling by peculiarblue

‘gina meets a stranger at a party she doesn't want to be at, and let's herself fall in love for the night, wherever it takes them’ This is a completed one shot.

Katie does it again. Another classic that makes us fall for rina while they fall for each other under the stars. You can’t help but feel something for them right off the bat because theirs something about the cheekiness of the dynamic and so real. You can’t help but fall for them, a must read.

The Last Time by mytearsricochet

‘this is the one where gina meets ricky and nothing is against them. except for a few misunderstandings, forgotten birthdays, wrong people, and missed opportunities. because as much as love doesn’t care about time, this is the one where time cares about love. and with time, everything falls into place.’ This is a completed one shot.

SO UNBELIAVBLEY UNDERRATED. This fic is too excellent, it's everything rinas could want. it’s an incredibly well done long slowburn that makes you strap in for the ride. With all those teasing moments where they're mutually pining and they're just on the precipice of finding out their feelings for one another only to hold back and stay friends (until the end of course). The end makes you work for it, but so worth it when you get to it. 

10 Days in “Love” by kindredspiritsxo 

‘It was almost the end of high school and nobody had it figured out. Especially Ricky Bowen. His parents had recently divorced, he had no idea what he's doing for college, his longtime girlfriend dumped him the month before and now he's been replaced by one of the most popular guys in school.

To make matters worse, he leaves for Europe in two days for his senior trip. The same senior trip that said ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend were going on. So, Ricky did what any desperate teenage boy would do to try and get his girlfriend back: he devised a plan. A plan that included the help of Gina Porter and playing pretend for 10 days.’ This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

I love a good traveling fic. Sometimes all it takes to get a character to wake up about things going on in their lives or feelings for character b is a good change of scenery. This fic does a great job of utilizing the enviornment to facilitate rinas love story through one of my favorite tropes, the fake dating trope. There's some angst along the way because nothing can ever come easy but it's not without its reward. It gives me major spiderman far from home vibes just solely because of petermjs adorableness and how that energy kinda translates to rina in this fic more so in the beginning before they have this repertoire. 

on the line by peculiarblue

‘with everything in her life finally at a stand still for once the last thing gina needs is one curly haired skater to come in and give her a reason to change again

(or, gina lets ricky back into her life the only way she knows how, at a distance, through daily voicemails, until her heart remembers why she can't love him anymore.)’ This is a completed one shot.

It hurts in the best way possible! that is the best way to describe this fic. Were taken on a journey where I personally wanted rina to just talk to each other in person but the magic was all in the voicemails and the power of their connection. There was a satisfying ending, I couldn't ask for more. If you haven’t read literally everything written by Katie go read it, it won't disappoint.

but everywhere just brings me back to you by ptrprkrs

‘or, ricky is just a little in love with the voice of the girl at the starbucks drive-thru’ This is a completed one shot.

An amazing fic that hits every spot effortlessly, even the ones you didn’t know you had. Like Ricky being a lovesick puppy going to a drive-thru just to hear Gina’s voice for coffee, he doesn’t drink or like. All the while they’d been connected all along. I’m a sucker for any kind of soulmate implications or stories where people are unknowingly connected like that so this ones a real favorite for me. It’s sweet, lighthearted and funny and a great read.

About Love by goldenthread

‘a series of Interconnected one shots and canonical aus for Ricky and Gina <3.’ This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

Here's where I enter some shameless self-promo...I wrote this recently. It’s just some loosely connected one-shots I have of rina based on canon. I write about an alternate first meeting, what would've happened if Gina had to understudy Nini in a rehearsal and (for a future chapter) a babysitting au (for what happened when Gina actually told Ricky the truth, she was babysitting her neighbor's kid when she talked to him at the skatepark). Check it out if it sounds like your thing!

in your eyes by finelineholland

‘you always try to hide the pain, you always know just what to say. i always look the other way. i'm blind, i'm blind. in you eyes, you lie, but i don't let it define you.’ This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

There is something about Rina being written about from an outside perspective that is just so excellent. The story starting with Nini noting the obvious chemistry and their connection and being threatened by it, I don’t know it's just so pleasing to me. Another fic like that one of my favorites (one that I’m pretty sure I’ve suggested in my other rec list), pretend i don’t see it in your eyes by spobylol. Another absolutely excellent read that does not miss once. This story in contrast also writes from rina’s perspective as well which I also thought was well done. 

right from the start I knew by anonymous

‘“Uh.” Ricky really didn’t think this far ahead. To be fair, it’s not like he’s ever thought ahead about anything ever in his life, so this is really to be expected. “We - forget about it? Maybe. Or like - I don’t know. I think I have to figure out how to be like - a person right now. By myself.”

“Same.” Gina says absently. “I’ve spent what feels like my whole life thinking about what other people think of me. It’d be nice to - to be able to try looking beyond that for a change.”

Post-Season 1. Ricky and Nini break up, but that doesn't mean things work out right away.’ This is a completed one shot.

The most iconic love confession I’ve read in a rina fic to date. it’s just so good, a certified rush every single time. The mutual pining hits spectacularly especially when you see just how soon it starts to hit Ricky that he’d made a mistake getting with Nini and him paying for that mistake. The writing only amplifies it. Also Ricky telling Gina he’s obsessed with her? yeah, I automatically added this fic to my list of faves.

If they only knew by goldenthread

‘Ricky Bowen never really bought into the whole soulmate thing (except he did) but life got in the way and now he's sort of pretending to date new (totally not intimidating) girl Gina Porter to win back the one and only Nini Salazar Roberts. Not a single thing could go wrong.

or

The one where Ricky and Gina aren't so good at the whole soulmate thing and they fake date.’ This is an incomplete multichapter fic.

More shameless self promo, sorry y’all but I’m super proud of this one. It’s a soulmate and fake dating au, combining two of my fave tropes into one to make this (surprisingly) long fic. It’s a whirlwind of emotions and a lot of moving parts in the story. I plan on updating within two months then after that there's three more chapters until its finished :) hope y’all enjoy it if you decide to give it a read!

you are the best thing & the worst thing (that’s happened to me this whole year) by tophsgf

‘Gina's roommate Nini is unbearable. What's more unbearable, however? Her very charismatic and totally off-limits sort-of boyfriend.’ This is a completed one shot. 

An amazing fic, I need more people to know about it! I really like fics where the development between Ricky and Gina is gradual, which seems to be the case for a lot of fics but for this one in particular I like its execution. Obviously, at first, he’s with Nini so it’s like the dynamic is at a point of comparison from the start but we quickly learn that thanks to good ole mutual understanding and overall compatibility Ricky and Gina are just right for each other. A fun read that hits all the bases.

#rina #ricky x gina #ricky bowen #gina porter #hsm #hsmtmts #high school musical #high school musical the musical the series #nini salazar roberts #rini #rina fanfic #rina fanfiction #rina fics #gina x ricky #disneyplus #disney

[pluviophile-bookworm]

HSMTMTS 2x11: Let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents... the reason for my next mental breakdown

I can't believe myself, honestly. Oversleeping on the one day of the week that I've got something exciting to wake up for? Oh well, I'm up now and I'd better go ahead and do this before my dashboard has showered me with spoilers. I mean, I have never really minded spoilers, but when it comes to this, somehow I do. Though I do wish something had forewarned me about last week's snap ending (get it, 'snap'... I'll see myself out). I'd better dive in already.

Yes, Mr Mazzara, that's what I've been saying for a while! Ok, maybe I haven't been very vocal about it, but it was in the foreground of my mind that they should have asked for Mr Mazzara's help re: transformation! I'm just glad he pointed it out. Not that he could have done much while he was busy playing therapist for his beloved Miss Jenn. Oh well.

Were those Ash and Ricky doing actual paired-up warmups? That is what they should have been doing for weeks now. That and having actual off-stage interactions, too. But I still subscribe to the theory that the gang had some good rehearsals off-screen — otherwise there's no way they could have been this good on stage as we saw in the previews. I said it last time and I'll say it again — not everything is for us to see.

Wow. The one time our leads are in unison, and it is about both being injured. The East High drama club must be cursed — they can't have one production run smoothly and without what can only be described as pure unbridled chaos.

They don't have any understudies? That explains some things... but also how? But also, I'm so happy Ashlyn is going on. No way she would have missed her first (first of many, right?) chance of being the lead because of some 'minor' injury.

Ricky and Nini still can't talk to each other properly. Oh well. Take your time. It's not like I care about this pairing anymore.

Did EJ just use the word 'dig'? Boy, the boy's got it baaaaaad. Also, what is it going to take for these two to realise they're in love? For all we know, they might have that big kiss we're all dreaming of and still be like 'nah, it's nothing, we're buddies'... give me a break! But I mean, at this point they might just be turning into Redlyn 2.0, where even a kiss doesn't define things. But hey, if they do follow in Redlyn's footsteps, that only means good things in their future, right?

What did that fake French git do to my boy Carlos? He's not supposed to look this inanimate until right before the climax of the play! Well, I mean, at least Seb serving as his interpreter means that Seb gets more lines for a bit. Too bad he can't go on for someone with more lines in the play.

Miss Jenn's 'words of inspiration' were less than inspired... yeah, this show's going down. Or it would, if it depended solely on her. Let's hope the kids do better. I mean, I know for a fact they will... at least for about 5 minutes of the thing. There is still room for things to go wrong and I'm scared.

Oh, my sweet boy... I wish I could jump in there and do something to help him feel less nervous. Thing is, if I were there, I'd probably be the most nervous of them all, even if I were playing Townsfolk #3 or something, and everyone's nervousness would rub off on me, and I would be making things worse instead of helping. So yeah, I'm kind of glad I'm not there.

Ahhhh who called it? @redlyncentral was it you? Ash got flowers for her Biggie! And there's a card whose contents we've yet to see. But that doesn't seem to be helping either. My sweet, sweet Reddy... I hope and pray he'll be alright.

Well this is awkward! Who told Mike to show up and shake everything up right now? Miss Jenn is literally on the brink of exploding, and now she's stuck in this completely unnecessary love triangle. She needs some space. And a quiet place to breathe, thanks Mr M for suggesting it.

'Did we forget to build a mote around the school or...' Yeah, you tell her, Rick! That girl whose name I never want to pronounce (because it makes me think of much nicer people and she's making me hate it) has no business being there. She's not... being given a redemption arc, is she now? Some people just don't deserve it. And if hating her is an unpopular opinion now, well, I never did care much about having popular opinions. I can live with that.

'Lily, scram!' Yes, thank you, Natalie! I've always wanted someone who would voice my thoughts in a way that the characters can hear them. Make this girl a main next season, won't you? (Just so we're crystal clear, I mean Natalie, not the other one.)

OMG Mr M is in the play! In a way... I love that!

I love, love, love the way they did the prologue. 'Repulsed [the prince makes an over-the-top gesture of repulsion] by her haggard appearance [the witch shows off her face to the audience]...' I love this. I would pay a lot for a chance to see their entire play, you know?

Oh dear, somebody give my boy Reddy some sort of... medical aid against all the throwing up! I've got a nice pill that helps me with my bad cases of motion sickness. Hey, so maybe I could have helped if I were there after all. Great, now I feel bad. But also, is all the throwing up an excuse on the writers' part to keep my boy off-screen for the majority of this episode? Because it's a really lame excuse.

Gina's 'Many questions' continues to be a mood. What exactly is Miss Jenn expecting from the kids? Last-minute adjustments? No way. This spells disaster.

Was Carlos on vocal rest or something? Because he shines like the star he is... despite all the very obvious nervousness backstage. I mean, I wouldn't have it any other way, but... oh well, I wouldn't say it's unrealistic. In my personal performing experience, the most nervous ones perform the best. (So... what is that saying for my boy Reddy? Good things only.)

I've already had the opportunity to geek out about Be Our Guest yesterday, but... I mean, just look at them! Carlos doesn't need actual candles to be on fire, Ashlyn is stealing the scene without any lines in it, Gina is absolutely gorgeous, and don't even get me started on EJ and Big Red looking at their girls in absolute awe! This is everything!

Aww, look at them! Gina and Ashlyn dancing together, I mean. They're sisters and it really shows. And I love them both so much.

Kourtney is an absolute show-stealer! I'm still upset about some casting choices (one of them is in this scene, doing his absolute best with the crumbs he has been given), but she is absolutely perfect. I think I'll rewind and watch this entire scene again before moving on with the rest of the episode.

I'd just like to point out that Frankie's voice in his lower register is everything!

'You absolutely dusted that stage'... Not EJ making a pun so punny even I could not have thought of it... boy is absolutely smitten!

Not me tearing up when Jordan Fisher appeared as Gina's brother... like, I knew it was happening — I knew it even before it was announced. And I still teared up because, well, it's emotional in-universe and out.

Awww, my boy Reddy is so in love with Ashlyn... I mean, who wouldn't be... but — not Ricky saying Lily might not be as mean as they thought. Especially not to Big Red of all people. To him, she was just as mean as they thought.

'Side hustle project in the south hallway'? Ooh, what is it, I want to know now!

Why do I feel like things are a bit too awkward between Kourtney and Howie? Not that I'm too invested in their relationship, but if it bothered me, imagine how it must feel for the stans.

No, Ash, you absolutely do not need to add any fancy riffs to the song! Especially not just because L... well, that girl did it. You're unique and lovely and a literal Disney princess inside and out. That girl? She's just a wolf in a sparkling golden dress.

Awww... Big Red literally lowers Ash's blood pressure! Those two are such an amazing couple! (Full disclosure, though, he kind of does the same for me too; the other night I had this horrible nightmare, and I woke up in cold sweat in the middle of the night, and then... ok, getting too personal there.) The point is, if even the fantasy of a Big Red hug makes me feel better, imagine what his actual presence would do for Ash at that moment. Where is my boy? Everyone seems to be looking for him.

Oh... guess they took my advice to give the poor boy something for his vomiting issue. Good for whoever thought of it.

And we're back to the Porter siblings... forgive me if I still can't wrap my head around calling Gina's brother Jamie. I don't know about you guys, but thanks to my lovely new friend Paz he will always be Theodore to me. I guess we can headcanon that as his middle name. Anyway, I love it that they made a joke about the hilarious height difference between him and Gina because, well, it's the only thing I can think about when I look at the two of them. It reminds me of me and my little cousin who has been taller than me since she was 10, and is still growing taller now at 13. But, I mean, it's not very hard to be taller than me, since I'm so, so short... ok, this is not about me. Moving on.

Was I the only one who actually laughed out loud at Ricky drinking from the bowl as the Beast? I mean, that part has always made me laugh in the original movie, but something about Ricky's take on it makes it even funnier.

Meanwhile, my girl Ash is absolutely killing it as Belle. Not me having the very same expression as Big Red while watching her... gosh, I love both of them so much! Also, no offence to the rest of the cast, but Julia really is the best vocalist out there. Out of all of them. I said what I said.

My apologies to Ricky, but his voice is just not it when it comes to playing the Beast. Still, with the other option being him putting on that fake deep voice from the audition, I'm glad he didn't.

Ahhhh Portwell nation you ok guys? Since we didn't get them singing Something There, this is very much the next best thing... and boy, is it good!

Those glances between Kourtney and Howie, on the other hand... what on Earth is happening there?

Ok, so you all know just how strongly I feel about Seb's casting as Chip, and yet... boy had one line and absolutely ate it up! Give him an actual singing role next time, Miss Jenn!

EJ being starstruck by Jamie not because he's a big music producer, but because he's Gina's brother... excuse me while I sob!

Excuse me, what!!!! 'A big brother figure'? Boy, this didn't turn out the way I thought it would... now I'm scared.

Way to ruin things, Jamie! And I don't even mean the fact that his name is not Theodore. It doesn't matter what his name is anymore. He might just have put a spanner in the works of Portwell, and they were just doing so well! Ugh, I'm so frustrated. I wish I'd never boarded — what did I call it — 'the majestic S.S. Portwell'. What if it doesn't set sail now?

And there goes another disappointment... Carlos' 'the orchestra hasn't vamped this much since Bop to the Top' line had nothing to do with Seblos, and everything to do with what might still be the downfall of this show. I am not ready.

No. Miss Jenn did not just say that. She did not just tell Ricky — who, may I remind you, not that anyone's forgotten, just fell off of a high place last episode — to 'jump off of something high'. I realise she's under all the pressure, but that is not an excuse. Well, at least she heard herself.

Oh my gods... Nini — well, Nina, actually — did not just call him 'Richard', did she? That's it, that's the point of no return. And well, I kind of wanted them to reach it.

Told you, didn't I? I told you that-girl-who-must-not-be-named was evil! I always follow my intuition and it has not once deceived me. Redeem that, if you can! Guess what? You can't. We've just reached another point of no return.

Wait, a bloody cliffhanger? I cannot handle this. I physically cannot handle this. If you need me, I'll be sitting on my bed in shock, trying to process everything that happened. I'll need a while to get a grip on myself.

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts s2 #ricky bowen #nini salazar-roberts #gina porter #ej caswell #ashlyn moon caswell #big red redonovich #carlos rodriguez #seb matthew-smith #kourtney greene #hsmtmts miss jenn #hsmtmts mr mazzara #hsmtmts howie #jnk

[redmayniac-roleplayer]

Don't mind me but I just wanted to share a little shower thought, or, we need to talk about Nini and Lily, or even, late April fools Day.

The trailer for the new season of HSMTMTS just came out and it gave me some ideas. By the way, it didn't give me any idea, cause I had some ideas already and it just made me to go Uhnnnnn like 🤔🤔🤔

I've been thinking. Things have been happened that can't be just coincidence. We have a lot of things that can't be explained unless they're all there for a purpose. We have the same scene of both Olivia and Joshua bending back out of the car in Driver's License and Lie, Lie, Lie's videos respectively, to tell just one of them. And these are QUITE SPECIFIC to be said it's just coincidence. Don't you even try telling me that.

The other day I made fun about the fact of how much Joshua's photoshoot for his new song Feel Something was relatable to the whole Driver's License drama, and I got asked what I mean with that post. One shouldn't need to explain a joke, but here it is: It was a joke about the fact that Olivia had just only got her driver's license to be able to run him over, that is, that's what people believe she would like to do after what he supposedly did to her. That's what everyone believes, but I'm making fun, besides other reasons, because I don't. Yeah, telling you about this meme, but not only. There are some other things in store.

But man, really... Why are all of these songs related in some way, but most specially, the aesthetics, the heart of the whole thing, why are they all correlated? i could be here talking about the "coincidences" for a long time, but I won't, you all probably know the videos and music and the whole story way better than me. But I'll just say... why is everyone all of a sudden making things that you can relate between? Joshua lying on the street like that was the last drop for me to think: that's so obvious that it's impossible not to think that there's a plan behind all of that.

Then, the new HSMTMTS trailer came out.

In this trailer we can see a new character to the series (played by Olivia Rose Keegan), whose name is Lily, and she is a blond girl, and is flirting with Ricky while his relationship with Nini is supposedly going through a break, through what we can assume from the trailer.

And yeah, as soon as I saw her and knew her name it came instantly to my mind the lyrics from Deja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo: "Do you call her, almost say my name, cause let's be honest, we kinda do sound the same". By the time Olivia released this song people were like... But, uh, Olivia doesn't sound like Sabrina, what's happening?? It must be about Sabrina!

April fools Day. Everyone would think it was about Sabrina. But it was April fools Day.

Yeah, everyone was just thinking Deja Vu was still about that infamous "love triangle" involving the two girls and Joshua... But now I tell you all: Olivia doesn't sound like Sabrina, but Lily DOES SOUND like Nini.

We all know plots and cast choices are made with a large precedence of time, so we can assume that this character, Lily, was already planned by the time Olivia released Driver's License. And, let's all remember that the original lyrics to Olivia's song were "brunette girl" instead of "blond girl". Everyone keeps wandering what caused the change, but yeah, Disney's marketing logistics could be the one who motivated the change, instead of a real life event, just like it's believed to be, that is, Olivia getting to know that Joshua had left her to date Sabrina Carpenter.

Both Olivia and Josh composed original songs for HSMTMTS, just like All I Want or The Perfect Gift, respectively. And now, taking Olivia's song out of context, that is, out of HSMTMTS, wouldn't you all believe it was based on real life events? So, why the rest of their songs couldn't be also taking part of the marketing scheme for the series? We haven't know what kind of contract they've signed. Everything is possible. Business world is wild.

Just like always, I know absolutely nothing besides making fun of people I like the most and build up theories about things. So I don't affirm anything. But, think for a while about all of that love triangle drama being about Nini-Ricky-Lily instead of Olivia-Josh-Sabrina.

Maybe Disney been just fooled us all and one day we're all going to laugh about it. Maybe everyday is Fools Day.

Just maybe.

I just would like to throw the idea at you, guys. See if it makes any sense. If it does not, it's also ok. But maybe, just maybe, all the drama that have been created and all the hate you guys been sending on Josh and Sabrina and all of that was just the offspring of an illusion. And just like always, there's someone making a lot of money and fooling everyone around, and it's just the owner of a big enterprise company. Nothing new under the sun.

Just maybe.

Possibilities are always infinite.

Everything that's certain is: let people worry about their own lives. Our business is having fun. Cause we're not receiving any profit. Our part in the process is the fun. That's what I meant.

Anyway, I'm open to talk about any of these at any time :)

#hsmtmts #olivia rodrigo #joshua bassett #olivia rose keegan #shower thoughts #april fools day #drivers license #deja vu

[timelessbibliophile]

1/2 I dont mean to start a fight but I just wanted to say Rinis probs in S2 were very much in character and did make sense for their stories/characters if thats the o/ couple you were talking about in a previous ask. Rini were essentially set up for failure by 1.10 b/c they never worked on their individual chara arcs/probs BEFORE getting back t/g by the S1 finale. I could tell they were headed for a breakup by 2.01 when Ricky said they were never breaking up again.

2/2 Saying I love you wasnt enough to fix the probs for now. I admit I was a Rina for all of S1 and half of S2 before converting to a full on PW lol. So maybe I was just always aware of Rinis probs. Again no hate! Just saying Rinis probs in S2 were not a surprise to me. But we can agree to disagree. 😅

That’s valid! I kind of feel similarly, but leaning towards the “it didn’t make much sense but ok” side. I’m mostly thinking of how Rini were together for a whole year before breaking up, that means they managed to stay healthy for 12 months, so when they get back together and absolutely fail the assignment it makes me wonder how they stayed together a year prior.

I’ve said this before and i’ll say it again, good relationships are built on good communication and trust. Ricky and Nini could have that if they just tried a little, most of their issues in season 2 were solely because they wouldn’t say what they were feeling to each other, making the problem bigger than it should be. I know they’re capable of good communication and support because we’ve seen it before. The scene in season 2 where Ricky tells Nini about Miss Jenn’s date with his dad is a good example, he talked about what he was feeling and Nini heard him out about it, and supported him. On the other hand we have Nini going away to Denver and Ricky being proud and happy for her (At first, but again, unnecessary problems were created).

My the unnecessary problems argument is mostly based on how the characters were changed to fit these crafted issues. For example, in season 1 Ricky hadn’t shown to be this needy, “oh you don’t eat the pizza I tell you“, controling boyfriend. Sure, he had to work on things but being controlling of his gf’s pizza wasn’t one of them. I guess you could argue that when they got back together he became this way because he never wanted to lose Nini, but it just feels really out of character. Same as Nini, she seems to support absolutely everyone for everything yet when it comes to her own boyfriend she like pushes him away a little. She’s been supportive before but when he becomes needy and she KNOWS it’s because of the deeper problems he has, she keeps her mouth shut when the best thing would just be to express her feelings. That’s one of the reasons why the Rose Song infuriates me so much, I understand writing about your feelings! That’s totally okay, i even do it too! But this wasn‘t about her, this wasn’t about her and Ricky, this was a completely different thing. She should’ve gone with this to Ricky, she planned to sing this in front of the whole school and all their peers. This wasn’t a song about the rose, this was about her feeling like Ricky thought she was too perfect??? Oh boohoo your boyfriend sees you as the best person ever, let’s all cry about how terrible that is and not even tell him that that bothers you.

The only moment they actually communicate is when they start fighting at the pizza place, but all of that could’ve been avoided if they only talked. I understand their individual arcs couldn’t be done without first breaking them up, but man they (the writers) could’ve at least made them fight for the relationship. It felt like they didn’t even try, and that’s what bothers me the most.

i went on a really long rant here so I’m sorry if I took unnecessary space on your feed but I needed to get it off my chest loll

#Hsmtmts #rini #ask kitty

[hsmtmtsnet]

“Do you see why we love the theatre, people?” an over-serious drama teacher once exclaimed. (Her name was Ms. Darbus and she is an icon for High School Musical lovers.) Well, Disney+ has given us a new reason to love the theatre: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

The Disney+ series, created by Broadway scribe Tim Federle, takes place at “the real” East High—where the original High School Musical was filmed. The students there have never put on a production of High School Musical: The Musical, but the new drama teacher, played by Broadway’s Kate Reinders, rectifies that toot suite. Filmed mockumentary style, the show features confessionals with the teens in the cast and teachers in the halls about the drama onstage and off.

Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo, play Ricky and Nini—the most shippable couple since Cory and Topanga. When HSMTMTS kicks off, the students are just back from summer break and Ricky and Nini are back from their own break. You see, Nini told Ricky she loved him (in the earworm of a love ballad “I Think I Kinda Ya Know”) but Ricky, reeling from his parents’ separation, couldn’t say it back and instead said they should take a pause. Nini went off to drama camp and found a new leading man; but now Ricky wants her back. When Nini sets out to audition for Gabriella in East High’s High School Musical, Ricky decides to win her back by auditioning for Troy.

The new series, which wrapped filming in Salt Lake City in August, has transcended the original—and its musical stage adaptation—with its purity of heart and musical theatre excellence. The cast, including Bassett (now 19) and Rodrigo (now 16), often sing live and give new meaning to no marking full out in showstopping dance routines. Over the course of nine episodes thus far, HSMTMTS has proven ridiculously relatable and sharply witty.

Before the Season 1 finale hits the streaming service January 10, Playbill spoke to Rodrigo and Bassett about life on set, creating fresh characters, writing original music for the series, and what to expect in Season 2.

Did you grow up with High School Musical or was it something that you were actually too young for? Olivia Rodrigo: I totally grew up watching this film. I had High School Musical lunchboxes, and I had Troy and Gabriella Barbie Dolls and the whole shebang. I went back and re-watched all the movies once I booked the role with fresh eyes and a new mature perspective. It’s really amazing. I was just always such a musical kid and so watching Troy and Gabriella burst out into song on my TV was just such a magical experience. Joshua Bassett: I was so young when I first saw it that I do not remember. I honestly started seeing it before I was capable of making memories. Josh, were you always drawn to musicals as a kid, or more drawn to music? Bassett: Definitely both. The music was my favorite part of the musicals, but I did everything from obviously High School Musical [as J.V. Jock #2]. I did Peter Pan, I was Peter Pan, but I also was Chip in Beauty in the Beast. I was the White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland. I was a random tree in The Wizard of Oz. My dad is a musician, so that’s pretty much in my blood. My sister started doing musical theatre before I could even remember. When I was old enough to do it, there was no question. It was like, “Well, of course I’m going to do it.”

In the beginning of the series, Ricky’s friend Big Red says to Ricky, who is clearly a musician—carrying around his guitar—”I thought you hated musicals.” You are the kid who scoffs at musicals, but loves music. Do you think about the gap in people’s minds between music and musicals and how this series might ingratiate them towards musical theatre? Bassett: I love that question because I think there’s a stigma in general about musical theatre, but specifically for guys. A lot of guys probably think, “Oh, musical? That’s lame.” But musicals are pretty awesome. One of my favorite things [was when] two eight and nine-year-old boys ran up to me and they were like, “Oh my gosh. I love your show. I sing all the songs all the time.” I just thought that was the sweetest, most awesome thing—to be inspiring younger boys to do it and not be afraid. What’s really cool is how people can see Troy Bolton, who plays basketball, who’s also in musical theatre, and now Ricky Bowen, who’s a skater and “Oh, he’s too cool for musical theatre,” but he does it for love and then finds out he loves musical theatre just as much.

Was your audition like a musical theatre audition? Bassett: Well, the walls [were] paper thin. There’s like 10 people before me. You can hear them all belting out these insane showtunes. I was just like, “Oh, boy. Everyone’s going to have to hear me sing when I go in there.” [On my final audition] I actually sang three songs in that one: a Bruno Mars song [“Count on Me”] and then I sang a song that I wrote, and then I actually sang a another song that I had written for this girl to ask her to homecoming, on the ukulele. Rodrigo: I went in and did the sides, and sang “Price Tag” by Jessie J, and they had me sing a song with Joshua, to test our chemistry, and we just love each other so much. So it was electric from that first audition. Bassett: “Count on Me” ended up being the song that—once I got the role—they had Olivia and a bunch of girls come in and sing and read for the role of Nini. I was like, “Do you know this song?” She said, “Sure.” We literally stepped inside an office and I stole a guitar from a girl in the waiting room and we just worked out a quick rendition of “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars. She just figured out the harmony in literally one minute in a random executive’s office. Olivia knocked it out of the park and I think that’s when everyone knew it was the right fit. Rodrigo: We really got to know each other after we auditioned, we spent six months in Utah together and that’s really great. He’s my best friend. To be able to work with him every day and sing songs with him, and write with him, and act with him, is just amazing. And he inspires me as a performer as well as just a person. I wouldn’t rather do it with anybody else. Bassett: I don’t want to say it was fate, but honestly, part of me feels like there was something that just got us in the same place at the same time. We just instantly connected on multiple different levels. There was just magic in there. Rodrigo: Funny story. I knew Joshua before, but he claimed that he didn’t remember meeting me, which he did many times, and I still give him crap for it.

What was it like to discover and form these new characters over the course of the season? Bassett: The description of Ricky is basically me. I read it and I was like, “What? Who’s following me around and writing about my life?” The way he operates things and how he has problems with saying he loves people and all that stuff. I definitely can relate to that in my life. Rodrigo: Nini was a character that was so similar to me already. It’s written very authentically. I actually think that the writers though, have taken some bits of my life and put it into Nini’s. If not, then they’re just like psychics and they are just good at writing and doing their job. I was on the phone with my best friend talking about how unconfident I had been feeling and she was talking to me and she said, “Oh, Olivia, you’ve never felt this way before you started dating guys.” Next week, Courtney goes [to Nini], “Oh, you wouldn’t have been this unconfident if you didn’t let guys have such a monopoly over your brain.” And now, Tim was asking me about some experiences that I had with growing up in creativity and he said that he was going to have Nini experience that in Season 2.

Josh, what do you most commune with in Ricky? And, Olivia, for you with Nini? Bassett: He comes up with this outlandish plan to win [Nini] back and to last-minute go and audition for the musical and everything. Obviously, that can tie back to the homecoming thing. This girl that I wanted to ask to homecoming, she rejected three guys who asked her prior. I was like, “Okay. I’ve really got to go big or go home here.” So that night, I stayed up all night and I wrote the song. Then I bought her flowers. Me and my friends drove over to her house. I knocked on her door and sang the song. I just went for it. That mentality is what I definitely connected to with Ricky. Rodrigo: Nini is very confused throughout most of the first season and I was definitely very confused filming the first season, as well. Growing up is just hard. And being a girl in the 21st century, not knowing what boys are good for you, and how to communicate your feelings, and if you’re good enough to have received all these opportunities that you have been given… I think that me and Nini are just sharing these experiences in real time, so it was really an honor to play that.

We grew up with princess movies and women who needed the man to rescue them and then we swung so far the other way with “I don’t need anyone,” so to see Nini negotiating relationships was refreshing. Rodrigo: It’s definitely more realistic. It’s like, “Oh, I don’t need a man.” But it’s like, “Are you really going to do that?” Or is it, “I’m confident with myself and a man”? Is just like to be able to augment my amazingness? What have you learned from inhabiting Nini? Rodrigo: Nini handles tough situations with a lot of grace, and I think that I want to try to be more like her in that regard. She’s always kind to people and always knows what she wants and not afraid to say it. That’s a great thing to be confident in yourself that whatever life throws at you, you can handle it with love and respect.

As a musical series, you guys have experts in Tim Federle and Kate Reinders. What have you learned from working with them? Bassett: Fun fact. Me and my siblings went to New York in I want to say 2016, maybe even 2015. We saw Something Rotten!. My sister saved the Playbill—they save all the Playbills. It turns out we saw Kate Reinders in Something Rotten! on Broadway years and years ago. Didn’t find that out until about halfway through the filming process. Rodrigo: All of my cast members are teaching me about musical theatre. We did a press tour in New York and we all went to Dear Evan Hansen together and Jagged Little Pill. It was Matt Cornett’s—who plays E.J.—his first Broadway show and so all of us kind of got to teach him this is what happens. He was just so in awe. Bassett: One of the really unique things about this show is it feels like we’re in a musical in the sense that we have the same kind of spirit, we’re this team effort. I think that mirrors the theatre community that you don’t often see in Hollywood. I always say Kate Reinders is the mother of the show. She is the emotional backbone for all of us because she has so much spirit in that world. [HSMTMTS] has the heart of musical theatre with the scale of a TV show.

And you guys often sing live! Was that nerve-wracking? Liberating? Bassett: That was a thousand times more liberating. It’s funny. I booked the job and then my first session, I talked to the head of music at Disney and was like, “Are we going to sing live on the show? Because they did that for La La Land. They did a lot of live scenes and stuff, and I just think that it’d be really cool.” I was already pitching the idea. Tim is actually our biggest champion in that.

The chemistry crackles when you guys sing live—just like it did in Episode 8 during that emotional scene where we learn the origin of Nini’s name. What was it like shooting such an intimate moment? Rodrigo: I actually have always been curious about the origin of Nini’s name and Tim had always been coy about like where it came from, but it’s one of his friend’s sister’s names, I think. This bond that Ricky and Nini have is just so sweet and loving and they’re with each other as friends forever. You know they’re friends first and they are there for each other.

What was your favorite scene to shoot in Season 1? Bassett: My favorite scene to shoot in the show so far was in Episode 10. It was one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my acting career. It was liberating and exciting. Tim actually gave me the freedom to improvise. They kept the tape that I improvised on, so I’m expecting a writer credit. No, I’m just kidding. That scene was very special to me. I think people are going to love it. Rodrigo: I love doing group scenes cause I get to hang out with everybody and we’re all just such a big family. There’s so much laughter and love. Filming “Born to be Brave” was amazing and all the other cast members came to watch and it was like 11 o’clock at night but they came on their day off to come watch us film this number and my best friend was in from L.A. She flew in for this number and afterwards it was 1AM and we all went to IHOP. It was one of the most magical days of filming.

What this teaches me is that it is a universal truth that after you do a musical you go to a diner. Rodrigo: They actually make a joke about that as the last episode.

You both wrote songs for Season 1. Olivia, I came across that song that you wrote when you were six and I’m like, “She was writing songs when she was six?” Was it always second nature to you both? Rodrigo: I have old notebooks, just chock-full lyrics that I’ve written when I was super young and you could barely read and write. I love singing and expression and emotion. It’s really cool that I get to write for the show on such a large scale. I can’t believe they let a teenager do that. Bassett: I was constantly creating ... Most of them were just jokes and me and my sisters being goofs, but I was constantly at the piano, coming up with these dumb short snippets of things. Just allowing myself to do whatever I wanted. It didn’t matter. No one was going to hear them. I did not know what I was doing. I could fake it enough, although I still don’t know what I’m doing, by the way.

Olivia, you wrote “All I Want” on your own. Were you given the context of that song before writing it? Rodrigo: We filmed that song as a reshoot, so we filmed all 10 episodes and then Tim came up to me and said, “I think Nini might need a song in Episode 4.” They let me do it because nobody is going Nini like I know Nini.

Do you start from lyrics? Do you start from music? Rodrigo: It changes from song to song. Usually for me they come at the same time. I’ll find the chords that I like and then put lyrics to them and maybe a thought. You wrote “Just for a Moment” for Episode 9 together, but I know you wrote it early on in the season before you knew where the song or the story would go. How was that, writing blind? Rodrigo: We were just shooting in the dark a little bit and it was a strange experience. That was the first time either of us had co-written a song. I would kick out stuff on the piano and send a voice memo to Josh, and he would do the same. We finally decided on a melody that we liked, and then came together and camped out in my apartment for a day and wrote all the lyrics. He wrote his character’s lyrics, and I wrote Nini’s lyrics. We were a little bit stubborn and it was hard to work with each other sometimes. It was such a great learning experience. I’m so inspired by Josh and I learned a lot from him and I hope that he learned something from me.

What skills have you been honing in the songwriting process now, working in a professional environment? Rodrigo: It’s definitely a whole different ballgame, writing for Disney and I’m writing knowing that the song that I write is going to be consumed by people. Writing something with that knowledge is a little bit daunting, at first, and it’s kind of hard to be vulnerable when you know that people are going to listen to it. Bassett: I think the important thing is to just not take it too seriously. I think people put this expectation on themselves. “I need to write a hit. I need to be honest.” Just be honest and be yourself. Don’t put any expectations on the product. Everything will work out.

Looking back at season one as a whole, what is most important for you to carry in to Season 2? Rodrigo: We filmed Season 1 in such isolation and we didn’t really know what was going to happen to the show. We knew that we felt super passionate about it. After seeing the response, I love seeing people really resonate with the themes that I find really important, like LGBTQ representation, truthful teenager stories, with people that might not look like she’s the average movie star but actually look like a real teenager that one would see at their high school. Bassett: I think what’s really neat about this cast is that you would not believe the hidden talents that everyone in this cast has. It is mind-blowing. Every single day on set, we’ll find something out about someone. Like, “Wait. You do this, too?” So I think as Tim and the writers found that out more, I think they’re going to write more things that cater to us as actors that we can incorporate into our characters. I’m really excited to help shine the spotlight on everyone else.

As the next chapter of the High School Musical anthology and canon, what does that feeling and what do you hope the impact of it is on other kids now or other audiences in general? Rodrigo: High School Musical and musical theatre, in general, has always been a safe haven for people who have felt like outcasts or felt weird or different. This show acts as just yet another place for people to feel they belong and for people to feel represented. I think that’s a really lovely thing and I’m really happy that we get to portray that.

#joshua bassett #olivia rodrigo #articles #hsmtmts promo #long post

[pluviophile-bookworm]

HSMTMTS 2x10: New and a bit alarming... ok, very alarming

I don't even know at this point if I'm more nervous or excited for this episode. I've done my waiting and, well, whatever lies ahead, good or bad, or a little bit of both, I just can't wait anymore, even though I haven't been so scared to press play since... well, since last week. Guess I should just go for it, then:

Ooh, shady Seb doing the recap! We love to see it. Like, seriously, I'm anxious about the Seblos fight, but shady Seb is kind of my new favourite Seb.

I just... Ashlyn's acting is top tier. Emotional connection to the material? Superb! Chemistry with her co-lead... well, he'd have to be co-leading for any chemistry to be possible. I love Ricky, and I feel for him with all he's been through, but he's just not lead material right now. And it shows. Especially next to Ashlyn, who is killing it!

Miss Jenn is on the verge of a bloody mental breakdown and I just... wish I could do something to make things better. She reminds me of my mum when a deadline approaches for her to submit an article, and I just feel for her right now. Gosh, I'm feeling for everybody today. My empathy seems to be at its peak and I might just burst from all these emotions this episode is making me feel even before the 5-minute mark.

Ok, but Miss Jenn being stressed means Carlos is stressed for two, which means... this is a really bad time for him and Seb to have personal problems. My heart just can't handle it.

Wow... I never thought I'd see the day! The two leads are actually talking to each other! This is a mid-July miracle!

Why does everyone keep pretending their HSM was good? It was a flaming hot mess! A child could see that.

Miss Jenn needs a lot of work on her 'gracious face'. I, like Carlos, have quite some notes. Only mine aren't exactly, how do you say... verbally formulated quite yet.

Did Carlos just refer to Miss Jenn as 'mother'? Because yes.

I've been in a couple of local theatre productions in my day, but none of them had actual physical sets — we relied on the audience's imagination quite a lot — so I wouldn't know what a good set is made of... but even I can tell that plywood and Elmer's glue = not good.

Kourtney is a multi-tasking icon and we love her. I feel like I don't say this enough, but she deserves all the love.

Ooh, shady Seb is... well, shady! 'Quit school and get a job at the pizza shop?' — I mean, you don't see Reddy or Kourtney (or Howie, for that matter) quitting school in order to work at the Slices! Those kids juggle it all and, as someone who's never had to balance school and a job all at once, they have my deepest admiration.

Still, I think they should have thought about 'inventing' something re: transformation earlier than this point. The personal drama has taken up too much of their time.

Why does everyone keep inviting people over to Ashlyn's? I mean, it's not like I've ever heard her complain, but the girl needs some rest! And her house is not a public space.

Oh, so they're making this into a contest? I mean, I have never been a fan of competition, but to each their own. And Redlyn are hosting! This is going to be so beautiful! (You know, unless the boys try to sleep — see my post from yesterday about Reddy's background noise machine)

'I'm not worried. But North High should be!' Ooh, I love this look on Ashlyn! See, there's a lead to take notes from! And Ricky should be the first to do so. Take notes about what a lead acts like, I mean.

Oooooh, Big Red claps back! We love to see it. Although, you know, it stems from the fact that he's nervous about coming up with a solution to the transformation problem. 'I get bossy around the power tools' — Yes, sweetie, and I love that look on you. Maybe you should be around power tools more often, if that helps.

Ughhh, look what the cat brought in! Lily (I wish I knew her last name so I could refer to her by it exclusively, but we'll have to make do). I hate that girl. She reminds me quite exactly of the girl who bullied me in seventh grade to the point where I wished I'd die before having to deal with her at school again. She and Lily both bring out my aggressive side, and I hate that about them.

Ricky — 'so good at being a leading man'? I don't know what Lily is playing at here, but Ricky has not shown himself to be a very good leading man this season. He has the potential to be, but he has not fulfilled it by this point. Sure, he supports his friends and they support him, but that's basic decency. Not yet good leadership. No hate on Ricky, just the truth.

'I vaguely remember him' — please tell me this is setup for Ricky leading Lily on and then slamming the door in her face with the truth. The way I see it, he's been given a chance here. A chance to be the supportive, protective best friend Big Red deserves. I just... have a lot of ideas about this and I don't want it to end badly instead.

'I'm just not well-liked here, and I don't know what to do' — well, of course you aren't well-liked, you little— (ok, ok, calm down, breathe, 10, 9, 8...) whatever. I mean, she hasn't even considered basic decency, as it seems. Must be a new concept to her.

'Don't start with me, Carlos!' Wow. As much as I hate it that my two faves' only interaction in so long is so hostile, I kind of like this side of Big Red. I wonder what other sides of himself he's been hiding.

Listen, I don't like Seb being patronised and babied, but... 'Chip, this is your mother speaking: go call your mother!' made me laugh so hard. They're leaning into the on-stage family dynamic and I live for it.

EJ's idea of using old skateboards for the spinning contraption is... a brilliant callback to the fact that Ricky and Big Red were first characterised as skateboarders... you know, before diving headfirst into the theatre thing. And it feels like it might actually work.

Miss Jenn's excitement at seeing Mr Mazzara ('Benjamin!!!') is perhaps only topped by the fact that he was halfway home, got a text from her and instantly went back to the school. I mean, these two have something that's really big.

Miss Jenn referring to the kids as 'my children', combined with Carlos calling her 'mother' earlier just warms my heart so much! Those guys really are family. I live for it.

Ok, but... as clear as it is that the Wildcats are very far behind NH in terms of budget, rehearsal time and who knows what else, I hate seeing Miss Jenn resigned to them losing. I want to see her have faith in them, talk about how they will win, and, in her own words, 'trust the process'. I mean, I guess it's good that, as a teacher, she wants to prepare her kids for a possible defeat (and I mean really possible if they don't step up their game immediately, especially some of them * cough* Ricky *cough *), but a team that goes out to the field expecting to lose has a very minimal chance of winning.

Despite everything I've been saying again and again about Nini lately, the fact that she just delivered a very different 'No, Seb' has just redeemed her. See, this one wasn't dismissive or patronising — this was like, 'no, Seb, don't put yourself down' and I love that spin on the catchphrase I'd grown to hate. See, many things can be redeemed. And some simply cannot. * cough* Devil's spawn Lily *cough *. Also, Seb being self-conscious about the fact that Carlos 'doesn't have many options' at East Hight is the perfect setup for In a Heartbeat — meaning they will either have a chance to talk about their issue, or they have a telepathic connection, in which case, what kind of soulmate stuff is that?

'You're my sister; he's my cousin' — yeah, Ash, putting it like that makes it sound a lot weirder than it should, but I do get what you're trying to say. This is not a drill! Ashlyn is a Portwell shipper (heck, maybe even the captain of that ship) — but I feel like we already knew that.

'Why'd I never hear about this?' — and there it goes. Within the same scene, Nini was redeemed and then made aggravating again. What does she care if Gina thought Ricky sent her chocolates? He didn't. Because he and Gina can't be anything but very good friends. And I feel like good friends is what Gina needs. Maybe that's why I wanted EJ to be that for her initially (or it was because I'm aroace and don't tend to notice romantic attraction between fictional characters — or real people for that matter — unless it's explicitly stated to be there). But I've been on board of the majestic S.S. Portwell for a few weeks now and it's finally about to set sail.

Yeah, Nini, get a root beer, calm the heck down and get over it!

'Your other clockwise!' — Why does this even need to be said? How many 'clockwise's are there? I absolutely understand why Big Red gets the way he gets around power tools. I'd be on edge too, if the people I was trying to work with didn't know what way clockwise is. Still, I feel like by the time I'm 30, nobody younger than me would have a reason to know what way clockwise is, and I don't know if I feel bad or neutral about it.

Oh, so there's no telepathy involved in Seblos' problem resolution — it's been Redlyn's good communication all along. I might have known.

Ooh, Portwell is being discussed on both sides! PORTWELL NATION HOW WE FEELING

Nini? Why is everything about Nini? There's no way everything is about Nini. In all seriousness, though, EJ's worries about letting the next girl go seem valid in regards to Gina, given that she explicitly stated (though not within earshot of EJ or anyone who could have tipped him off) that she needs someone who will show up and stay. But they'll figure it out. They'll find a way. I know it. They will, or I will riot, and I know I won't be alone in that.

Ooh, Howie is giving Kourtney the original blueprints! Looks like Reddy isn't the only one who has a spy on the inside.

Ahhh, Ricky! Not 'Let You Go' again. I haven't cried to it in three days and I was not ready to break that streak. But... wait, this is where Carlos approaches Ricky to ask him for help with writing a song for Seb, isn't it? I am definitely ready for this.

Oh, is it... is it Ricky who suggests Carlos write a song for Seb? Now that is what a good leading man looks like.

'I'm adjusting to being called bro' — me too, Carlito, me too. But... this scene must have been so emotional for Josh, given that he hadn't come out yet. I remember him crying during The Climb and... all I'm saying is I want Ricky to come out at some point, too.

Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh... they were just talking about love languages and that's when Carlos shows up? Cinematic. Wait, there's Portwell too? This is what dreams are made of.

My oh my oh my! Risotto! For real this time. I might have just teared up. (Full disclosure: I did.) I've only had Portwell for about three weeks, but if anything happens to them, I will... you know how the meme goes. [side note: Wait, when I said 'for real this time', I was not expecting EJ would say it, much less word for word. Am I... writing this show now? It's usually my dad who predicts people's lines in TV shows]

'Not that I know of'... excuse me while I hyperventilate! These two are literal soulmates. They might share a brain, too, for all that I know. Portwell nation you ok guys?

I love that Ricky helped Carlos out with this song and is supporting him through it, but... I just might have preferred for him not to be there. I kind of need Seblos to have this moment to themselves. But, you know, with the way they feel about each other it might as well be like they're alone in the universe, let alone the room.

Ok, but Frankie's voice... brings out feelings in me that I didn't know I was capable of. Make of that what you will. Also, I'm not sobbing my eyes out, you are.

Ahhh Reddy my sunshine my sweet boy I love you but why did you have to cut Seblos' moment short? They were going to kiss, I know it. Oh well, they probably will, later on. Off-screen probably, but who cares? Not everything is for us to see. At least Carlos and Ricky had a moment there... Carlos calling Ricky 'bro' made me more emotional than I expected. It's like Miss Jenn says in s1: 'They're best bros, and that's a sacred thing... for reasons I will never understand'.

Ricky's acting sounds like a cat about to spit up a hairball, and it's so funny... in a scene that is supposed to be arguably the most dramatic of the entire play, that is not a good thing.

Oh my, oh my... you did not! You did not just end the episode with Ricky taking a fall from who knows how high. I was not ready. This episode was entirely too much for me. I will need 10 to 15 business days to recover from this, and we all know there aren't that many. But in the meantime you'll find me obsessively listening to In a Heartbeat for hours on end. Seriously, this episode is too much.

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts s2 #ricky bowen #nini salazar-roberts #gina porter #ej caswell #ashlyn caswell #ashlyn moon caswell #big red redonovich #carlos rodriguez #seb matthew-smith #kourtney greene #hsmtmts miss jenn #hsmtmts mr mazzara #jnk #seblos #portwell #redlyn #jenzara

[pluviophile-bookworm]

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Rewatch pt. 1

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Rewatch pt. 1

I realised earlier today that I have nearly no memory of season 1, so I thought it necessary to fix that. And since I'm obviously not going to get any work done today, here we are!

Now, I did post my thoughts on episodes 1 and 2 way back when they were new, but I will still be commenting briefly on them from my present perspective - it might even be interesting to compare my thoughts then with my thoughts now.

Ok, now, without further ado, it's time to dive into season 1 of HSMTMTS! (Gosh, I'm excited like it's my first time watching!)

1x1: I think I kinda... remember why I had the opinions I had way back when

Wait... were those Ricky and Big Red bumping into Miss Jenn on their way in? I never noticed that the first time... then again, I didn't know them the first time. This is exactly what rewatching is for.

And here we go again... well, I guess, here we go for the first time — Ricky is totally ignoring the amazing friend he has because he's obsessing over Nini. Will he ever learn? Anyway, from a writer's point of view (not that I am really a writer), this is a really good Establishing Character Moment for Ricky.

And here goes the Rini awkwardness... why did I ship them again? I genuinely don't remember.

'Did I talk about Nini the entire time? Absolutely!' — I mean, it's like you don't have a personality beyond her, Rick. Get a grip!

This rewatch is making me realise the superiority of the season 2 soundtrack... putting things into perspective, I guess.

Listen, I was all for Kourtney 'dismantling the patriarchy', but, first of all, she didn't really do much dismantling in retrospect, and second of all, she has no right to talk to my boy Reddy like that! No one has.

I still don't get Carlos' thing about the HSM sequels. I mean, I heard it was supposed to be a joke about how they don't really take place at East High, but... in-universe, what are his reasons? I mean, I think, nay, I know he would have loved I Don't Dance.

Also re: Carlos, I can totally relate to the fact that he basically attached himself to Miss Jenn's side because he had no friends and she gets him... I was like that in most of my school days, including an embarrassingly long period in my last year at school. It's sad in retrospect, but back then I was having the best time.

'Is there somewhere you're supposed to be?' — 'Broadway.' — this was the moment I knew I would be a Carlos stan. Even if I'm feeling kind of conflicted about it now, in light of his recent actions...

I mean, you'd forgive me if during Nini, EJ and Kourtney's conversation I was paying attention only to Seb and Natalie in the back, right? Because that's what I was doing.

I can't with Ricky! Like, Big Red is literally discussing Ricky's problem, not even bothering to try talking about himself this time, and Ricky is still snapping at him. Like, we get it, you've got issues... but it's not Reddy's fault! It's just weird... there's something that draws me to Ricky (guess it's the relatable fact that he's got issues and he talks about himself all the time — though please tell me I'm not quite like this), and yet if I were rooting for him right now, I'd have to be doing Big Red very dirty. He's done nothing to deserve being ignored like this.

'The one person I go to for advice'... oh please, Ricky! If there were just one person you go to, then who is sitting beside you and listening to you moan and sigh right now? Gosh, I feel bad admitting it, but I hadn't really given Big Red much thought until 1x3 — and now I can't stop thinking about him. Guess the writing wants us to forget there are characters other than Nini and Ricky and maybe EJ at this point.

'But we hate musicals' — forgive me, Reddy, but I've got to laugh here. You? Hate musicals? Try again, dearie. I mean, look at me — back when I was watching this for the first time, I wouldn't have given Big Red a second thought (because the script didn't really seem to want me to) — and now he's literally one half of my patronus visualisation, quite literally helping me survive and stay sane (or as sane as I can be). This is what rewatches are for.

The way Big Red words the plot of HSM... it makes me feel like he's hinting at Ricky and himself and Nini. Gosh, the poor boy is just trying to make himself heard without being pushy about it... maybe he should be a little pushy.

I just realised that neither Ashlyn nor Gina has been given the slightest amount of focus yet... they do not deserve to be ignored. Shine a bloomin' spotlight on them, please and thank you!

We've got to appreciate Gina's character development, though. S1 Gina would have chewed Lily up alive. I kind of wish we could have seen something like that, but... I love Gina 2.0.

Ahhhh it's Ashlyn time! You know, I didn't want to slip into personal stories too much in this post, but... the way Miss Jenn seemed to stare into her soul just reminded me of my favourite uni exam I've ever sat. So, personal story time, I guess: It was my first semester and the exam was one of only two oral ones we had (fortunately; I hate, hate, hate oral exams); it was in British Modernist literature and each of us would be given a work to talk about. I was really nervous because I hadn't had time to read up on everything we'd covered, so you can imagine my relief when, as soon as I walked into the exam room and my favourite prof ever just kind of... looked me in the eyes and, much like a Sorting Hat, as if reading my thoughts, said 'Lord of the Flies'. Now, you don't know this about me, but that is literally my favourite book we did that semester. I was in my element. I absolutely aced that exam. In the other oral, Literary theory, I didn't do nearly as well. So yeah, end of personal story. The point is, I don't know what Miss Jenn did just then, but she totally nailed Ash's casting!

Also, I just noticed that, when asked about playing the piano, she was like 'I dabble.' I remember her saying that about something in early s2, though for the love of all gods I can't remember the context of that. And, well, does she ever dabble — in everything!

Ok, but Nini would have made a very fine Kelsey, all things considered. Just saying.

I said it back then, and I'll say it now — I love EJ, but he's way too polished and technical to be Troy. Ricky, on the other hand, didn't even need to act — he was being Troy at that moment. Too bad the same method did not work for the Beast... and yet he still got the part somehow. Oh well, he's still got time to get a grip on himself and deliver. I hope and pray he does.

'Troy would have arrived on time' — ermmm, Carlito? Did you and I watch the same HSM, cos I don't think we did. Troy literally rushes in after Mrs Darbus says auditions are closed. And then he gets the lead. So I'd say that was pretty in-character on Ricky's part. Idk, maybe you need to watch the movie again? 38th time's the charm, or something...

Miss Jenn needs to stop spilling her coffee all over the place.

Ricky's audition speech is so emotional, it makes me laugh instead of cry. Go figure.

And I just remembered why I loved Ricky. It was because of this scene. Like, you can really peek into his soul. If I were Nini, I would have got back together with him right then and there. Hey, I just realised why I was a Rini shipper. It all boils down to Ricky's audition, I guess.

'She thinks I'm a Chad?' — Iconic. Absolutely iconic. But why did I just have a vision of Seb going like, 'She thinks I'm a Chip?'... yeah, I will not shut up about this.

#hsmtmts #hsmtmts: the rewatch #ricky bowen #nini salazar roberts #gina porter #ej caswell #big red redonovich #ashlyn caswell #carlos rodriguez #seb matthew smith #hsmtmts miss jenn #kourtney greene #jnk

[pluviophile-bookworm]

HSMTMTS 2x9: so dreaded, so exciting, 'Sword!' (yeah, I went there, I've been thinking about this scene - you know the one - since yesterday for some reason)

After two computer malfunctions and a very tough, very sleepless night, here I am with a third attempt to write this post. The universe is against me today. Is Mercury in retrograde or something? Ugh, I just want to get this over with already. And I haven't even managed to see half the episode yet. You better like this cursed post because it's taken me two hours at this point, and will probably take another to finish - and that is if nothing goes wrong this time. Please bear with me. This is my reaction to HSMTMTS 2x9, take 3. Let's hope and pray it's the last one.

I'm normally [unpopular opinion alert] a very spoiler-positive person (it's the combination of anxiety and ADHD and a bunch of other stuff, I suppose), but for this one I've been refraining from looking at the tag all morning, so by now I'm simply bursting with impatience. But before we dive in, I need to get some stuff off my chest.

Some pre-watch thoughts and feelings (let's see how well they will have aged by the end of the episode):

Seriously, what is with whoever writes this show? I know it's impossible, but I feel like they've been toying with my emotions specifically all season. Like:

Ah, so you were a Rini shipper last season? Great, now we'll make them obnoxious and borderline toxic to the point where you actually want them to break up, but then their old chemistry will be back just for the breakup scene so that you can cry your eyes out over the one couple you couldn't stand - even though you can't seem to relate to a single song from Sour, we'll make you feel like you do for a hot second. At least it will remind you that you loved Ricky.

So you say Redlyn own your heart and soul? Great, we'll make you dread something going wrong with them for a week straight, and mess up your sleep schedule beyond repair over it. You're welcome!

We heard you said Rodfini give you life? Perfect, how about a big Seblos fight? And would you like a side of questioning your choice to stan Carlos with that? Because what is life without a little anxiety, a bit of doubt of your ability to read people, and a pinch of existential dread, right?

Ah, so you claimed not to ship Portwell romantically, is that right? Brilliant, we'll make you ship them and then we'll use that to torture you, too.

You've been excited about ABF and Asher Angel guest-starring ever since they were announced? Magnificent! We'll make you hate ABF's character to the point where you can't even look at him, and we'll make you call him names you thought yourself incapable of uttering. And as for Asher, you'll be left waiting for him until the last third of the season, and then you'll dread the possibility of hating his character, too. Do you love us yet?

Oof! Right then, I've got that out of my system. Time to dive in.

Miss Jenn playing around with the backgrounds is, like, 90% of the people who had online school this year, and honestly, I love that for her.

Wait, why is Nini first on this call? Are they going through with the Rose thing? Cos like, the song is nice and all (and, might I add, much more to my taste than nearly all of Sour, don't @ me), but if they use it, it will get them disqualified. They’ve been told that! Gosh, please let me be wrong about this.

We get it, Carlito, rich and fancy and over-the-top is kind of your thing, but have you stopped for a second to think about how others will feel about this? Especially Seb, whom you claim to care about. Seriously, though, I love Carlos and would not hesitate to die for him, but I’m getting the feeling that, unlike my other favourite (you know the one), he wouldn’t do the same for me. Oh well, he’ll figure it out. He’s just a kid. Give him time.

Wait, Milky White? Is that an Into the Woods reference I smell? Cool! If I had a cow, I’d totally name her Milky White (or Gertrude, but don’t ask me why). I just hope they don’t have to, like, take her to the market and exchange her for magic beans, if you catch my drift.

Ahhhhh, Caswell cousins content! We love to see it!

‘You guys are watching, like, old old movies’ WTH, Nini (or is it Nina)? Scary Movie is literally younger than me. But what do you know about it, you 21st-century baby! Ugh, I don’t know why I’m being so hostile today... must be the lack of sleep. Hope it doesn’t influence my reactions to the episode so dramatically as to make me forget how much I love this series. Because I do.

Yay! Big Red is here! I can finally smile. And did Ash just say they’re soulmates? Because yes they are! Ahhh my heart is going to explode.

‘Nini, have you heard from [Ricky]?’ Yikes, awkward... but of course, Big Red can be counted on to save the day here, too.

Ok, so that was a cool cold open. Time for some nice in-person scenes, though. I did not spend all of three semesters doing online school just to have the characters of my favourite series do the same.

Wow, Gina is really embracing that French accent thing! And I really don’t want to think about, erm, ‘Napoleon over here’ right now, but I really think the fact that she’s doing it better than him will be another piece of evidence towards my theory of fake-French!Antoine... ugh, I said his name. Oh well. Back to Gina. Too bad the French thing didn’t work out for her.

Ahhhh, Portwell with Ash in the background! And Ash is going to paint EJ’s nails! I feel like he’s going to end up loving that, despite what he says right now. But seriously, I just love how comfortable these two are with each other. Can you blame me now for shipping them as friends? Well, I mean, it’s obvious they will be more than friends, and somehow, despite the amatonormativity of it all, I’m here for it.

Wait, was that Asher? That was Asher, I’m 100% sure of it. And Gina said ‘a sign’ and then looked at him, even from the back... what am I supposed to think and feel here? I’m confused. Moving on.

Ahh, poor Ricky being a burrito... good thing that breakup scene last time reminded me that I love him, because the entirety of the season before that was very good at making me forget that.

Wait, did she say ‘the Bean’? As in, that Bean? The infamous Bean? LOL.

‘So the only time you two talk to each other is to gossip about me’ Boy, did I feel that. I once got my hands on my dad’s mobile and I... kind of went through his texts with mum. Yep, all about me and my brother. At this point I feel like they’re only together because of us. But this is getting too personal. I’m here about the episode, not to rant about my family. Moving on.

Yikes, looks like Nini’s got writer’s block all over again. Am I supposed to feel sorry for her? Because I kind of don’t. I mean, no hate towards her, none at all, but that entire scene just felt awkward and unnecessary. And not just because it’s her first time going live. That I can understand. What I don’t understand is why the writers can’t seem to do anything creative and interesting with Nini. Olivia is being wasted there. Idk, that’s just how I feel. Again, no hate.

Ahhhhh it’s Asher! And well, he’s not Jonah, but I kind of really like him as Jack. I wonder if that will last.

So is it just me, or is anyone else not quite sure how to feel about Ricky’s mum? I mean, their interactions seem kind of awkward and strained, but that’s how it’s supposed to be given their recent history, and yet something just doesn’t sit quite right with me.

‘You there, Muse? It’s me, Nini!’ Ah, so it’s Nini again? I didn’t get the memo. Gosh, this episode is kind of really underwhelming. The most exciting thing so far (but not nearly as exciting in practice as it was in theory) – Asher and Sofia’s on-screen reunion. The second most exciting thing? The thought of Ash painting EJ’s nails. Everything else? Kind of ‘whatever’. Is this what I tossed and turned about all night? Totally not worth it. This episode better get, like, 300% better right this instant. It’s just not worth all the frustration and excitement and dread so far.

Looks like my prayers from just now have been heard! That improv scene was hilarious! Guess it was lucky that Miss Jenn had them do improv before this moment. But I need to know more of Jack’s backstory now.

Ok, so that was awkward! So Kourtney is talking to Howie again, I guess. And I guess I know now what Carlos did that was all public and no subtle. Still, what’s wrong with posting photos from your holiday? Guess I don’t exactly know yet what Carlos did to piss the others off so much.

Great, now I’m tempted to google butterfly faces. Good thing I’m not eating anymore. *** Ughhhhh this was a mistake! Please don’t ever look a butterfly in the face if you want to stay sane. Don’t be like me.

Ahhh the Duke sweater! ‘Is that your boyfriend’s?’ Well, not quite yet, it’s not... *screams in Portwell*

Oh, now we’re talking! But seriously, Ricky? The ‘my friends think’ card? Why don’t you just say ‘I think’? It’s clearly something you’ve thought about a lot. I feel like I’m going to love this scene or cry over it or both.

Ooh, therapy. It’s not just... basically the entire fandom... who says it now. Please tell me that means Ricky will be going to therapy at some point. Says the girl who is currently firmly refusing to go to therapy in favour of hyperfixating on HSMTMTS and getting back into the good old practice of having imaginary friends... yeah, I’m one to talk.

My, my, my! Seb has really had it now. I mean, it was about time, but... not quite like this. My heart is starting to do some weird stuff, I can feel it. I might need to lie down.

Ok, so as much as I envy North High for getting to see so many shows on BWay – basically living out my dream – stalking East High on Instagram and being shady about them taking a well-deserved break... just goes beyond all limits. I mean, if you’re so into Broadway shows, you should know as well as I do what happened the last time a certain founding father did not take a break. Maybe you’re the ones in need of a break here.

Nini on the call with the Caswell cousins, though... ‘I’m obsessed with both of you’ – first relatable thing she’s said or done all season. And EJ playing with old toys is pure gold.

Oh, so Jack’s dad is a pilot. Makes sense, I guess. I’m kind of intrigued by this guy. Just as long as he doesn’t try to come between Portwell before they’ve had the chance to happen, you know...

Ashlyn might need to stop swooning over Nini’s songwriting or Big Red might get jealous... I mean, I would not have pinned him as the jealous type before 2x7, but ever since then... I guess insecure + dating a girl like Ash = the jealous type. And although that looks good on him, I’d bet anything it doesn’t feel particularly pleasant on his side. So... wait, why am I talking about Big Red? He hasn’t even got anything to do with the scene at hand. But then again, there’s been so little Big Red content in this episode that I seem to be trying to make up for it. Still. Stay focused.

Ooh, so Big Red did edit that video! Is there anything my boy can’t do? Ok, now I feel like he’s even more criminally underappreciated than he was before. But let’s look at the video. I’m curious to see the whole thing because that sneak peek from yesterday simply hasn’t been enough.

That was... really, really cool! I love how they took the ‘when they go low, we go high’ line from last time and run with it. Now if only they were putting as much effort into BATB... North High wouldn’t know what hit them.

Hmmmm... I guess Gina and Jack could be what I originally wanted Portwell to be... really cool friends. Unless it’s one of those ‘airport magic’ things. Oh well. It probably is. Was that all we’re seeing of Asher here? I did not wait 2/3 of the season for this. Though it was nice.

Ooh, Ricky’s solo song... why is there more Rini chemistry in this song than there was in all the season? Not counting the breakup scene, of course. Also, I feel like it’s just as much about him and his mum as it is about Nini. Some say music is the best therapy. I think they might be right. And no, I’m not crying. You are.

The granola bar, though... this episode might have been very underwhelming in the first half, but... it delivered in the Portwell front, and the music was *chef’s kiss*, so I’m willing to let it slide that the advertised Seblos ‘big fight’ was not touched upon nearly enough. Maybe next week...

Ok, now that we’re done watching the episode, let’s see how my feelings from the beginning have aged:

The Rini breakup: apparently, along with reminding me that I love Ricky, it has rendered me unable to look at Nini. What’s up with that? If this is some sort of tactic along the lines of ‘Olivia might be leaving the show so we’re making you hate her character so that you won’t miss her’, it’s not really working. Because I don’t want to hate Nini. Believe me, I don’t.

Redlyn: ok, so there’s nothing wrong with them whatsoever - we even got a ‘soulmates’, which I loved - but first they’re being swept under the rug, and then the antis come at us with that ‘their relationship is underdeveloped’ nonsense. Individually, though, I liked them in this episode (even if there was a significant shortage of Big Red), and Ashlyn collaborating with Nini again was cool, but... what I really wanted to see was her painting EJ’s nails. Did she even get the chance to actually do it? Maybe next week.

Seblos: I’m still failing to understand exactly what Seb thinks Carlos did wrong (please enlighten me if you did catch that, I’m kind of slow), but he (Seb) does have reasons to be mad at him (Carlos)... and at other people, too. Still, if you want to have a fight between two people in a relationship, you could do much better than whatever this episode was. Maybe next week. I notice I’m saying that a lot. Guess I’m putting a lot of hopes on 2x10. I just pray it doesn’t disappoint.

Portwell: boy, am I happy that my frustration on this front did not age well! What I mean is, apparently they’ve decided to bless us, not torture us for once. Even a rather disappointing episode like this one had to have some sort of silver lining. And Portwell is it.

Asher as Jack: well, luckily I didn’t hate him, but... it’s kind of the opposite problem. I loved him and now they’re taking him away from me. Guess I just can’t win here. Oh well. At least he didn’t have the screen time to get in between Portwell...

All in all: 2x10, my hopes and prayers are with you!

#hsmtmts #nini salazar-roberts #ricky bowen #gina porter #ej caswell #ashlyn caswell #ashlyn moon caswell #big red redonovich #carlos rodriguez #seb matthew-smith #kourtney greene #miss jenn hsmtmts #jack hsmtmts #olivia rodrigo #joshua bassett #sofia wylie #matt cornett #julia lester #larry saperstein #frankie rodriguez #joe serafini #dara renee #kate reinders #asher angel #hsmtmts season 2 #hsmtmts s2 #jnk