HSMTMTS Review: Typecasting (Season 2 Episode 2)

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2 Episode 2, “Typecasting” attempts to bring the same level of excitement as Season 1, but there’s some magic missing. 

When the show premiered, HSMTMTS was such a fresh and energetic take on a classic story. Now, after waiting over a year to find out who would be cast in Beauty And The Beast, the show surprisingly feels deflated in ways it once felt exuberant and special. 

That’s never more apparent than during the musicals casting process. 

Ricky delivers an abysmal audition, but not before the show attempts a rushed, half-hazard explanation for him feeling sheepish about trying out for the musical again.

His hesitation in Season 1 made sense; he had no interest in performing — his motive was to get the girl. In that process, he fell in love with musical theater on his own terms. For him to now refuse to audition feels reductive and regressive for his character.

Mr. Mazarra calls him out for being a flake — he did run out mid-performance as Troy Bolton, after all. But that experience showed him how much performing actually meant to him. It’s an interesting gender role reversal of boy feels unworthy without his girl around, but Ricky should be able to do this on his own by now. 

He ends up auditioning — mostly out of shame thanks to Mazzara — but is unprepared, off-key, and low energy. 

The last-minute decision to perform attempts to parallel his first season audition but fails in execution. Season 1 Ricky delivered an adorably sweet rendition of (then) ex-girlfriend Nini’s original song, captivating the hearts of Ms. Jenn, and viewers alike.

“Typecasting” all but skips over his audition completely this time, with the exception of a few shaky and unimpressive notes. There’s a moment of friendship between him and Big Red that seems to sell Ms. Jen on casting him as The Beast, although it’s unclear what that means to the role. 

When he finally unenthusiastically is cast, he’s not even around to hear the news. Ricky nailing the lead in High School Musical — seeing his name next to Troy at the top of the call sheet — was one of the standout moments of the first season, and propelled the entire narrative forward.

Now, it feels relatively meaningless. For how heavily the show still seems to be focusing on Ricky’s story, his journey towards nailing the lead feels flimsy at best.

When it comes to the role of Belle, things are a little more interesting. The lead felt destined to go to Gina, but “Typecasting” takes a left turn and puts Ashlyn front and center.

Opposed to Ricky’s odd, underwhelming audition, Ashlyn (to the credit of Julia Lester) makes the perfect case for that decision by transforming into Belle with simple ease.

Gina is once again relegated to a secondary role, but because of her sophomore status, it feels like a forgivable offense. If it gives her time to shine as co-choreographer with Carlos, it’s even more understandable.

With the exception of Ricky, the casting choices generally can’t be argued; it makes sense narratively for the characters. The problem really lies in how little stakes are thrown into the process.

Instead of giving us sly winks from EJ to sell us his Gaston persona, or scribbling “PERFECT FOR LEFOU” in gigantic letters during Big Red’s (endearing) audition, the show would have done better to keep the audience guessing until the final call sheet is actually posted.

That type of anticipation would bring audiences into that auditorium, forcing them to hold on with bated breath before all is finally revealed. 

There’s also an obvious presence missing with Nini off at YAC. The directional decisions of her scenes in Denver are clever ones. Muted, dark tones juxtapose nicely against the brighter world of East High, ominously showcasing how the grass isn’t always greener.

It’s a bold move to displace Nini at all, but not necessarily a bad one. Allowing her to follow her dreams to Denver — staying true to herself over her allegiance to a boy, is a choice most shows wouldn’t make for their female romantic lead; especially considering that lead is played by their undeniable break-out star, Olivia Rodrigo. 

It’s unclear how long Nini will stay at YAC, but she’s clearly being creatively suppressed. The show may take her on a leadership journey to shake up the “status quo,” or it might bring her back home to her friends and family at East High. 

Either choice gives Nini agency in her own future, and that’s one thing HSMTMTS never misses on.

While the other male characters get smothered by Ricky’s screentime, Ashley, Kourtney, and Gina are the surprising trio — or tercet — of the season, forging a female friendship that feels authentic and real to the early days of high school.

The girls are learning how important friendships with other women can be, and their dynamic passes the Bechdel Test with flying colors. 

All the interpersonal Wildcat competition is erased this season, focusing more on the conflict of competition against North High.

The choice allows the true authenticity of high school theater to shine through. In a world where musical theater can be considered “other,” the people you meet along the way become a special type of family to help you feel like you belong. 

Newcomer Lily —  a planted mole gaining intel for North High — adds a layer of interest to the story and brings an antagonist straight into the fold without actually tearing apart our core cast.

There are things HSMTMTS Season 2 is doing right. Its female friendships soar, the foundation is laid for interesting conflict, and the music is always exceptional.

Where it needs to improve, is first in loosening its grip on Ricky, to lend spotlight to some other male characters; people like Big Red and Carlos, who are performing in their very first musicals. Or EJ, who is performing in his very last. 

If the show is truly the ensemble it claims to be, Season 2 will expand on everyone’s stories, not just the ones we’ve already seen.

It will also bring back the flawless meta approach from when it first premiered.

The kids may no longer be performing High School Musical, but that doesn’t mean the show itself can’t be a self-aware, somewhat satirical take on the material. There are still a few deadpan glances at the camera and humorous talking heads, but it’s missing the effervescent clever approach in which Season 1 deeply rooted itself. 

There’s nothing wrong with the earnest, sugary sweet tone Disney usually delivers in its teen programs, but the smart, campy way HSMTMTS didn’t take itself so seriously, is what set it apart from all the rest.

Without the nostalgia of High School Musical to help it along, clever satire is what will ultimately hold a larger demographics’ attention in the long run. 

You’ve got the music in you, HSMTMTS, but I’m not ready to bet on you, quite yet. 

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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series airs Fridays at on Disney+. 

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