HSMTMTS Review: Most Likely To (Season 2 Episode 8)
The students of East High may be banned from rehearsing in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 2 Episode 8, “Most Likely To,” but that doesn’t mean they aren’t living their own real-life love stories in the meantime.
One of the most engaging parts of HSMTMTS has been the attempt to decode parallels the show draws between the chosen musical and the actual lives of the characters involved.
“Most Likely To” finally lifts the curtain and provides answers to this season’s most asked question: Who is the Beauty, and who is The Beast of East High?
The reveal comes in a way that feels both surprising and painfully obvious, which only makes HSMTMTS that much more impressive for its storytelling choices.
There is a Beast for every Beauty.
This season has been so focused on romantic entanglements because every pairing parallels a story the musical is trying to tell. Each couple embodies a different aspect of what Belle and Beast mean to each other, and how they impact one another’s lives.
It’s a brilliantly meta take, one that unveils itself through a series of spectacularly small but impactful moments. It’s something HSMTMTS always critically understands — a show is only as successful and memorable as the moments it’s able to make.
There are so many good moments in “Most Likely To,” it’s hard to pick a favorite. There isn’t a single beat that doesn’t resonate perfectly within the overarching narrative of the season, while still holding true to the emotional stakes of every scene.
Those stakes are sky-high across the board this episode, and HSMTMTS maintains a balance between highs and lows that ultimately leaves your heart splattered across the floor by episode’s end.
The biggest and most crucial moment of the hour is between Ricky and Nini, who finally call it quits after a season of never quite landing on the same page.
It’s a crushing moment; Rodrigo and Bassett turning in performances that truly feel so personal, it’s hard to watch. From their tension-filled — and very public — argument, to the intimate moment they share in Nini’s treehouse, their downfall hits every emotional chord.
There is an element of disappointment as a viewer — we did wait all of season one to see these two find each other again, after all — but the breakup is filled with such precise continuity, it’s hard to hate HSMTMTS for its choice.
Ricky has been resistant to change from the pilot; his parent’s divorce has left him holding on to anything that feels safe and comfortable.
Nini’s character trajectory has been solely about finding herself and doing things her own way — not exactly a compatible partner for someone who wants to feel protected within their relationship.
It’s a parting that feels organic to the characters, but “Rini” fans need not fear too much; while these two do in fact call it quits, they clearly still love each other. With a little work and time on their own paths, the story is left wide open for the opportunity to reunite later.
Ricky and Nini aren’t the only two facing problems in “Most Likely To.”
Howie and Kourtney are faced with the new reality of being star-crossed lovers with trust issues. While it all feels slightly too dramatic from a birds-eye view, it does ring true to high school romance, where every problem feels insurmountable in a life or death kind of way.
If nothing else, the issues between them give us the introduction of Kourtney’s mother, and a show-stopping vocal performance of “If I Can’t Love Her” by Roman Banks.
Whenever HSMTMTS gives its cast a chance to sing live, the results never disappoint.
The unease from “The Field Trip” also leaks over into “Most Likely To” for Big Red and Ashlyn, but their narrative takes a surprise and pleasant twist. This isn’t about a love triangle at all. Rather, it’s Big Red’s fears around not being enough for Ashlyn’s grand future plans.
It’s a moment that gives Big Red — and Larry Saperstein who plays him — an opportunity to play with more complex material, and Saperstein proves he’s up to the challenge.
Saperstein isn’t the only one gifted with a more meaningful arc in “Most Likely To.” HSMTMTS allows Ej to follow through with his Duke drama, and Matt Cornett to showcase the range of his talent.
Ej Caswell has been one of HSMTMTS’ greatest achievements. His growth has been exceptional, going from a self-serving and selfish kid, to a kind and thoughtful individual who recognizes both his failures and privileges.
The show doesn’t shy away from that conversation, either. It uses Ej’s growth (and previous mistakes) as a tool to highlight the concept of white male privilege, and does it through his growing relationship with Gina — a woman of color.
The topic is approached with finesse; never feeling like an after-school special, it reads more like a subtle commentary HSMTMTS wants you to know it’s starkly aware of.
The scene wouldn’t land as effectively without the chemistry between Cornett and Wylie, who have become the most surprising duo of the season; a true force of positive energy in a sea filled with romantic angst and confusion.
Gina and Ej come from different worlds, but their relationship highlights how compatible two people can be when they stand to learn from one another. Their friendship is not only a well-paced and possible blooming romance, but a breath of fresh air in its lighter, more comedic moments as well.
The same goes for Ms. Jen and Mr. Mazzarra, who may be the adult romance of the show, but it doesn’t make them any less captivating.
St. Cyr and Reinders play the relationship with such endearing innocence, and much like EJ and Gina, the two are proof of why opposites can sometimes attract. Their friendship has made them both better — and more likable — characters along the way.
“Most Likely To” doesn’t just prove why Beauty and The Beast was the right musical choice for the Wildcats of East High; it’s a blueprint on how to create a teen dramady with the utmost expertise — one that will make you laugh, cry, and invest in its characters for seasons to come.
Random Thoughts:
- Cash Caswell? Really?
- Ej placing the Duke sweatshirt over a sleeping Gina is just the sweetest moment.
- Gina running in during Ej’s talking head is flawless comedy and a perfect flourish.
- The camera becoming more of its own character this season works so well.
- Did Ashlyn stop a kiss between Portwell?
- The ‘Gaston” performance was incredible!
- Remember kids, keep your head up, and your chin down, always.
What did you think of this episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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High School Musical: The Musical: The Series airs Fridays on Disney+.
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Kat Pettibone
Kat Pettibone is an aspiring TV writer, artist, and poet. As a Pacey Witter Fan Club lifer who never missed a TGIF, she has dreams of becoming your generations small screen Nora Ephron. She's also an avid lover of coffee, dogs and all things spooky.