Schmigadoon! Review: Cross That Bridge (Season 1 Episode 3)

Schmigadoon! Season 1 Episode 3, “Cross That Bridge,” is an improvement on its first two episodes, allowing for moments of better, smarter comedy and hinting at some exciting things to come.

It’s still not wholly clear what the overarching message of Schmigadoon the show or the mission of Schmigadoon the town is but it’s clear that at least part of this show is poking fun at the narrow standards of morality that were celebrated in classic musicals (and sometimes still linger in society today).

From start to finish, there’s reason to chuckle (though not quite guffaw). All the songs, but especially Aaron Tveit and Ann Harada’s numbers, are chockfull of word play and jokes, and generally reward those who listen closely.

Ann Harada’s ode to her husband, Mayor Menlove, is particularly wistful and heartbreaking. “He’s a Queer One, That Man O’ Mine” is clearly played for laughs but there is something to be said for the depth of her devotion and the example it could set for Melissa (Cecily Strong).

While the mayor’s secret (or not-so-secret) love for men exists, he simultaneously makes Florence feel appreciated, treasured, and respected. Can Melissa really say that for herself?

Melissa’s journey is particularly interesting on this episode. Similar to the first two episodes, we get another glimpse into Melissa and Josh (Keegan-Michael Key)’s relationship and this flashback once again doesn’t reflect well on Josh. Unwilling to embarrass himself or be a good sport, he leaves Melissa on a wedding dance floor by herself, and her discomfort and disappointment is on full display.

This is fairly consistent with what we’ve seen of Josh thus far during the timeline of the series. He is, undoubtedly, a lazy partner, and a selfish one to boot.

After rushing to Melissa for help getting out of his oops-engagement with Dove Cameron’s Betsy, he spends the rest of the episode trying to find a way out of Schmigadoon (just for himself) by experimenting walking across the magical bridge with every townswoman.

(As an aside, “Cross That Bridge” the song from which this episode takes its title, is the best song of the episode and potentially the best song on the series thus far, even if it also demonstrates just how much of a schemer Josh is).

Upon discovering this, Melissa is livid, especially as she’s been spending the day trying to work out a game plan for the two of them as they’ve lost their lodgings. 

But should Melissa be surprised? Not really. This selfishness is all very consistent with who Josh has show himself to be, and with every flashback and new development, it becomes more and more unclear why Melissa’s stayed with him for three years.

Does she not understand what it means to be truly cherished? Perhaps not. I’m not saying you should be expected to commit to someone after you’ve slept with them, but consider the situation with Danny (Aaron Tveit) at the top of the episode. After one night, he’s pledging commitment and marriage and brainstorming how he’s going to steal and scrape to provide for Melissa and their family (look, I didn’t say the guy was perfect).

Josh presents a stark contrast. After years, he still won’t commit to much of anything with Melissa (it’s a shock he even agreed to attend the couples retreat that led them to Schmigadoon).

And yet, Melissa keeps coming back to Josh. She shouldn’t feel obligated to be with Danny whatsoever but she’s so clearly uncomfortable with someone showing her that much care and adoration, and she shouldn’t be (especially because that seems to be what she wants out of a relationship. But she really cannot handle it).

When it comes to finding true love in Schmigadoon, how much of the next few episodes will be focused on finding love with another person versus loving yourself enough to demand the kind of life and respect you deserve? I wonder. 

The latter would be a less expected, and certainly more exciting direction to go than getting Josh and Melissa back together (because seriously, who really wants that at this point? Who?)

A lot appears to be coming around the corner, and you can feel the anticipation; that kind of edge of your seat feeling is exactly what Schmigadoon! should be leaving us with, so perhaps there’s hope for this show yet.

Stray observations:

• Cecily Strong is over here making history as the first human to push away a tank-top clad Aaron Tveit while he’s holding bacon and professing his love. Girl, you are brave and you are bold.
• Kristen Chenoweth is musical comedy royalty and plays unpleasant harpies well (Good Christian Bitches anyone?) but she has to get more screen time soon; otherwise, it will be a total waste. Perhaps part of the problem lies in the fact that this cast is almost too stacked? We never seem to have enough time for someone to be properly showcased.
• It’s a shame Ariana Debose is still not going to factor in until the fourth episode of the season, though based on how she’d teed up here, it’s clear that the show’s trying to amp up the build-up for her arrival. I have no doubt she’s worth the wait, but is her character actually going to offer a huge turning point to Josh? And if that’s the case, I repeat, how is that going to be accomplished if she’s only around for half the season?

What did you think of this episode of Schmigadoon!? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Schmigadoon! is available to stream on AppleTV+. New episodes premiere on Fridays.

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