High School Musical: The Musical: The Series 2X1: New Year's Eve

Okay, I had no idea what was going to happen for S2. It seemed like this should have been a limited series. Then they were all like, we're gonna be HSM 2. And I was, like, cool. Makes sense. But now we're doing Beauty and Beast. Which fine. But what makes this HSM?

So Jenn runs into her high school boyfriend while she and Carlos are out shopping for HSM 2 costumes. Because, you know, it's a period piece. Huh? (Will report back after I watch this on Friday). It turns out, he's some big director and his old high school gave him a bunch of money to put on a play there and help them win a Menken (Yes, I had to look that up. I so did not remember what it was called.) After this encounter, Jenn decides that she needs to win a Menken. And scraps the whole HSM 2 idea.

Ricky is at home with his dad and we find out that they are moving into a small apartment after the holidays. I assume it's nearby. And probably fine. They are just two guys, they don't need a giant house. But, it's still not fun to get moved out of your house. After this conversation, Nini comes over and we find out she STILL hasn't told Ricky about moving to Denver. Honey. The longer you wait the worse it's gonna be.

She tries to tell him a couple of songs while they are exchanging presents, but he keeps shushing her (in the nicest possible way) so he can sing her the song he wrote for her. Which is all about how the song is the second best gift because she is the first. It's really sweet, but makes it very hard to tell him that she's living.

Everyone is over at Ashlyn's NYE party (seriously, where are her parents?) and they all seem to know that the spring show is HSM 2 even though Miss Jenn won't announce it until midnight. Turns out, Gina is living here full time. Love that for both of them. (However, it really looks like Gina is into Ricky- I thought she was pro E.J., but I guess they are just friends 🤷‍♀️). But Nini still hasn't told Ricky and she's leaving tomorrow.

Red ends up having to work at his mom's (?) pizza place since they are shorthanded. Ashlyn is wondering if maybe he's not going to come, but then he texted her to order pizza so he can come over. So everyone is there for midnight. And ready to countdown. Right at midnight as Ashlyn and Red; and Ricky and Nini are kissing (maybe other people too, but those are the ones I remembered), Miss Jenn barges in to tell them that they are not doing HSM 2, but Beauty and Beast and they are going to win a Menken.

Everyone starts gushing about how wonderful Nini is gonna be as Belle. And Ricky tells her he's in, if she's in. Which is when she really can't put it off anymore and blurts out that she's moving to Denver.

Do we think Gina is gonna make a move on Ricky while Nini is gone? Do we think Nini is actually going to go? Do we think Little Mermaid director and Miss Jenn are gonna end up back together? I hope not. He seems very self centered.