03x01 - Happy Campers

[bunniefuu]

Last season on High School Musical:
The Musical: The Series...

Who is ready to go from amateur thespians
to statewide award winners?

I didn't actually expect to become
a theater kid for real this time...

You are looking
at East High's newest Beast.

- I got Belle! I'm Belle!
- But there was something in the air.

There's somethin' in the air

About to go off right now
Lighten up all around

I feel it comin'
Somethin' in the air

And we all just wanted a home.

I guess I feel a little bit like
a square peg in a star-shaped hole...

- Is this where you tell me we're moving?
- Just to a smaller apartment.

Welcome home, roomie!

- Things didn't always go to plan.
- I didn't get into Duke.

Honey, what happened?
Did the bus get stuck in the ice?

No, um... I couldn't go back.

- I don't know what's going on with you.
- I did not come home for you.

I won't be confined

To your point of view

But when there was trouble up north...

- The plan is simple.
- Dance-off.

Through a mist, through a wood

Something's lurking
that you don't see every day

We found our way east.

But these are the moments
That I'm gonna remember most, yeah

Just gotta keep going And I

Are we breaking up?

I gotta be strong

By showtime, we were on fire.

Fat and lazy
You walked in and oops-a-daisy

It's a guest! It's a guest!

Sakes alive Oh, I'll be blessed

We may have had
some rivals along the way.

What's wrong?

- My harness is missing.
- What?

But this summer's
all about second chances.

EJ! Can I kiss you?

Hey, Lily.

And love is an open door.
Did I just make that up? It's pretty good.

Let's go. Let's go.

Last one in's a rotten egg.
And that's no yolk.

Ugh! He's on a dad joke kick 'cause
he's taking us all on a road trip.

That is completely false,
and I just have one question.

What's orange and sounds like a parrot?

A carrot.

Is he okay?

Just for a final headcount,
who's not here?

Big Red's gotta work.

- Sebbie's gotta milk.
- Nini's with her moms.

And Ricky's with...

We don't say her name.

And why are you all coming to the world's
greatest camp for two weeks?

Because there's a secret celebrity!

Oh. I was actually looking for

"Because we all love each other,"
and something, something "Wildcats!"

Yes.

- Gina, come on.
- There she is.

Okay, braids!

Gina!

What'd you wish for?

Well, if I told you that,
then who knows what could happen?

- Let's go!
- Whoo!

Summer.

- Summer.
- Summer.

- Summer.
- Summer!

What time is it?
Summertime

It's our vacation

What time is it?
Party time

That's right Say it aloud

What time is it?

Time of our lives Anticipation

What time is it?
Summertime

School's out Scream and shout

Finally, summer's here

- Good to be chilling out
- Yeah

I'm off the clock
The pressure's off

Now my girl's what it's all about

- Ready for some sunshine
- For my heart to take a chance

I'm here to stay Not moving away

Ready for a summer romance

Everybody ready Going crazy

Yeah, we're out

Come on and let me hear you say it now
Right now

What time is it?
Start the party

What time is it?
Start the party

What time is it?
It's time to party

That's what this summer's all about

What time is it?
It's summertime

It's time to start
Start the party

Let's celebrate Come on and sing

What you waiting for now?

What time is it?
It's party time

Start, start, start the party

Let's go and have the time of our lives!

Camp Shallow Lake, y'all. My second home.

- Don't you have a second home?
- No, my second second-home.

Come on.

Seriously, I came to this camp an athlete
and became an athlete-actor.

You come to Shallow Lake one way
and you just become something else.

- It happens to everyone, though.
- Wow. And I thought this was a vacation.

Are those Wildcats I see?

- What's up, Rocket Man?
- How you doing, Gadget?

- What language are they using?
- I don't know.

Ready for a good summer?

- Yeah, dude.
- Yeah.

All right, it's five minutes in
and I already miss Seb.

Oh, and I miss Biggie.

Remember how we said
we weren't gonna do that?

This is our Wildcat summer adventure
and we're going angst-less.

I just feel naked without my angst.

All right. I'm just gonna need to collect

your phones, snacks
and all electronic devices.

Basically, anything that brings you joy.
I'm only half kidding.

But, you know, it's actually pretty great
once you get past the withdrawal.

You'll have so much fun,
you won't miss your phone.

- Hey, it's only for two weeks.
- But Sasha doesn't know that.

Sasha is your phone.

I just got her, Carlos. She's too young
to understand what any of this means.

- Don't look back.
- Mama loves you!

Oh, don't do that.

Richie, have you seen my cocoa butter?

- Have you tried the kitchen?
- It's a skincare product.

Well, it sounds delicious.

Hey. I know you're hungry, but we will be
on the road to Jackson Hole soon, okay?

Ugh, I can't wait.
I'm literally #JacksonGoals.

Sorry. Road trips and dad jokes.
It's a thing.

You are funny.

So, yeah. Lily.
We've been hanging out a little bit.

She's really nice when
she's not around the French kid.

Or I think she will be soon.

The point is,
it's been kind of a downer year

and I'm just trying to go with

whatever has the best sh*t
at making me feel free.

And, yes, summer camp sounded sweet.

But jet skiing in Jackson Hole
with Lily from North High

and her parents just makes sense.

I think it makes sense.

And four tubs
of industrial-strength sculpting gel

guaranteed to hold
your "hurr" in a hurricane.

It smells like a tree.

- Are you ready to go?
- Yes, yes.

Right after we do
just a couple more TikToks.

Okay. Now remember, I just happened to be
dancing perfectly in front of you, right?

And you're all, like, "What?"

Okay. Places.

- Nini!
- Surprise!

I thought your moms were gonna
bring over the summer stuff.

- Well, I was in the neighborhood, so...
- Come on in.

- It's so cute.
- You're so cute.

- Is everything okay?
- Yeah. Just got this big trip coming up.

Sounds like you do too with Mr. Bowen.

Well, I'm a Utah girl, so a week-long
Caribbean cruise just makes sense.

You know, your face doesn't match
the words you're saying.

It's simple. He likes me, I like him.

He likes the open water, I like him.

Yeah, sounds like a work-in-progress.

What about your trip?

Uh, yeah, my moms
are taking me to Southern California,

which is where they met,
and apparently where I was born.

- Really?
- Yeah.

But hey. Maybe a road trip with two
-year-olds that love true-crime podcasts

and stopping at every Panera Bread
along the way is just what I need.

It's gonna be fine.

You know, your face doesn't match
the words you're saying.

- Yeah.
- I'll make tea.

Wow.

- It's not bad, right?
- Yeah, it's everything you promised.

It's the best summer ever.

And just wait till you meet
the celebrity guest.

Okay, since you refuse
to give any clues at all,

I'm just gonna go ahead
and assume it's Gloria Steinem.

- I'm going with Oprah because Oprah.
- Legally, I'm obliged to say Greta Gerwig.

It's all going down
at the amphitheater tonight.

You guys are gonna be all
"Damn-phitheater."

He's sorry.

It's just hitting me now that you two
are gonna be a thing all summer.

Well, as a thing-in-law,
I have never been prouder.

Okay, so, basketball is over there.
The pool is behind me.

And if you all follow my gaze
to the south here,

you will see the Camp Shallow Lake
barn and playhouse,

where young EJ has played such roles as

Danny Zuko, of course, the dentist
from Little Shop, and the Music Man.

Speaking of rotten eggs, yes,
I know what you did last summer.

And that concludes the tour.
Now, if you'll follow me this way...

Yes, it's my first camp,
my first boyfriend,

my first time really going out
for the lead in a show.

It's my summer of firsts
and I am so excited.

First mosquito.

Boys' bunk, girls' bunk, mountains, ocean,
and sometimes there's bears.

Got it.

Okay, I will see you all tonight
for the big announcement. One more thing.

- How many days has it been?
- Ten minutes.

- Ugh!
- Mmm.

- Oh! This is deeply round.
- Six sides is some next-level feng shui.

- And some zero-level privacy.
- Wait. Okay.

Should we spread out our bed assignments
or do the new-girl cluster?

- I want the top bunk.
- I want the top bunk.

- I want the bottom.
- I want the top bunk.

- I want that one.
- Okay.

Wow.

Guys, I can't believe
so many of us showed up for this.

Yeah. I mean your boy EJ
talked a pretty big game.

I was expecting, you know,
more a Four Seasons-y vibe.

He gets so excited when he describes camp.

And the only reason
I never joined him is 'cause

I spent the last six summers
LARPing in Minnesota.

Live-action roleplay? Anyone?

Oh!

We're gonna learn a lot
about each other this summer, aren't we?

My best character is
a sewing wench from Gondor.

Okay. I'm gonna check out the restroom.

Ooh! And now I've done that.

Come on, Kourt.
This is gonna be a great summer.

This guy I know promised.

I'm glad you've got someone here,

but Howie's off to college,
Nini's on the road,

my mom's a little too old for camp.

And we'll be right beside you every day.

Yes, my ladies in the Honeycomb.

- Once again, I'm Maddox.
- I thought your name was Gadget.

Ooh! No, yeah, it is also Gadget.

Yes, my camp name.
Everyone gets one. It's super fun.

Oh, um, that is actually my bed.

Yeah, I made some deep memories
in that one over the years.

I actually knocked out my two front teeth

in that bulletin board during
a massive pillow fight.

It is all yours. All good. I am out.

Oh, thanks.

So, lot of new faces.
Couple of non-Wildcats in the corner.

Who's got secrets?

So, what's on your mind?

Okay, so, you know how
I'm working with Gina's brother?

I do. Fancy music producer.

Yeah. And he wants me
to write a song a day.

Okay. How many have you written?

I mean, I just have one
and it has no words or title yet.

I just feel like I'm missing a spark.

Okay, I'm going to be your teacher
for a second and go through my list.

- Are you sleeping?
- Mmm-hmm.

Hydrated?

- Is anyone ever truly hydrated?
- That is wise.

Honey, is there something else?

Honestly, it just feels like
these last few years

have been leading up to
something really good or big,

but I can't name it
or put my finger on it.

- Like a song with no title?
- Yeah, I guess.

And, I mean, California's really
pretty and it's big. And I like big.

But I'm missing camp for this.

And it's a camp
I've had so many memories at.

And, look, my moms gave me
the choice and I made it.

I guess I'm just not sure
I made the right one.

- Is anyone ever?
- Yeah.

And I'm excited to go home or,
you know, whatever this is,

but right when I'm about
to start creating stuff that's mine...

I guess I'm just wondering if this
whole trip might be way too disruptive.

Well, as someone who has been through
a few thousand curveballs...

I can say that
if you're looking for a spark,

sometimes "disruptive"
isn't such a bad thing.

Hmm.

Yeah. I'll try to remember that.

And I am going to use these
every single day out there on the sea.

- Well, thanks, Miss Jenn.
- Mmm-hmm.

All right. It's time to hit the road.
Thank you.

- See you later.
- Be safe.

And take big risks.

I think we're ready to hit the road.

- You mean it?
- Yeah.

Hey, I know it's a leap of faith
to skip out on the big camp thing

and spend a couple of weeks
on the lake with me.

I want you to know
that I don't take it lightly.

- I don't either.
- We're all in this together. Okay?

You can bet on it.

You know you don't have to
talk in song titles, right?

What song titles?

Okay.

Oh! Hang on. I gotta find my keys.

I think I dropped them
during TikTok number nine.

Okay.

Sorry.

Is this my Beast harness?

- From opening night?
- Yeah, I can explain that.

Okay. Explain.

Oh, you mean now?

New dude, catch.

Okay. Constant danger and I live here.

- What's your name?
- I'm Carlos. I'm a friend of EJ's.

I choreograph,
and I just peed a little bit.

- And you are?
- Johnny, but everyone calls me Crash.

- Hey! First crash of the summer.
- Guilty, my dude.

- Carlos, I am so glad you found the bunk.
- I'm so glad that you are glad.

Just pick a bed, take a load off.

I'm actually the CIT for this bunk, so...
That's counselor in training.

I'm gonna need everyone
to follow all of the rules to the letter.

I'm just kidding, you guys. I'm, like,
six months older than some of you,

and this is my last chance to be a kid.

So, good vibes only this summer, okay?

New kid, right? You must be Jet.

- Okay.
- I'm EJ. This is Carlos.

Yeah, I'm actually good without talking,
but you do you.

- That's my bed.
- Okay.

I'm scared.

- How could I be so stupid?
- Okay. I mean, you're not that stupid.

I had actually convinced myself
that I was wrong about you.

Kinda seems like you were.

- Come on, Richie...
- It's Ricky.

All is fair in love and w*r,
and musicals, right?

I mean, Zackey Roy taught us that.

Yeah, well, Miss Jenn taught us
to trust the process.

Or at least, our fellow humans.

Okay. So maybe this is our process, right?

I steal things and you get mad,
and we laugh and laugh.

- Plus, jet skiing.
- Bye, Lily.

- What? Richie, come on.
- At least say Richard.

Racing toward the horizon
To see the rearview moon

I'm chasing pavements
Escaping the life I knew

Give me empty pages
Just give me something new

I'm making up for the time
that I lost on you

And I'm never gonna turn this car around

And I'm getting lost
Don't care if I am found

Breaking away from the broken hearts
No more mistakes, no more empty starts

I'm finally, finally free
Finally, finally

New state of mind on the interstate
Nobody taking my life away

I'm finally, finally free

Finally, finally me

Building up from the bottom
Now there's nowhere to go but up

And I'm not gonna stop till I get enough

And I'm going down a road
that I don't know

Yeah, I'll let it take me
anywhere but home

Breaking away from the broken hearts
No more mistakes, no more empty starts

I'm finally, finally free
Finally, finally

New state of mind on the interstate
Nobody taking my life away

I'm finally, finally free

Finally, finally me

Finally me

Finally free

Finally, finally, finally me
Finally

- Hi.
- Gina Porter from the Honeycomb, right?

- I'm local.
- I still can't believe you're here.

And it's all about to get
just a little bit more exciting.

Okay, who is this famous person

and why is isn't it one
of the Real Housewives?

You guys, I don't wanna oversell it.

To me, a celebrity is someone
who gets a bunch of questions

about their skincare regimen.

And I just learned
that I am a celebrity.

Well, I may need a couple of tips because,
go figure, bonfires make me jumpy.

Oh, Kourt, what are we doing
out here in the boonies?

Something about a once-in-a-lifetime
experience that I really hope is worth it.

- We'll work hard to maintain...
- The lifestyle to which we're accustomed.

Finer things club,
we're bringing it to camp.

Ugh! I just wish I had Internet
so I can google some camp life hacks.

I might know a way.

Did you happen to you bring
your lucky V. Hudge phone?

Ooh!

Hey, Maddox. I mean, Gadget.

- Do you know where I can mail this?
- Oh, yeah. I'll take it.

Ooh! It's, like, a special sealed letter.

I'm going to the office later.
That's where they go.

Great. It says "Do not bend," by the way.

- Someone special?
- Very.

We are deeply in love,
and I will be writing to him every day.

- Yeah, okay.
- Is that funny?

Oh, no. It's just a camp thing.

You know, a lot of people
come in saying that,

and then by the end, life has other plans.

- That's not me.
- Oh, I didn't say it was.

Oh, I hear... Gina's calling me.
I really... I have to go.

Uh...

Hi, Jet.

Mmm-hmm.

- Are you planning to sit or...
- Just taking in the view.

Okay.

- He's staring at a tree, right?
- Mmm-hmm.

- What was that?
- I'm just glad you saw him too.

What's up, new campers?

We love you, Gadget.

I thought I'd sing a little song.
Maybe one or two of you wanna sing along.

Welcome to the Shallow Lake
of your dreams

Where the days are full
and nights are serene

On the way back to your yurts
don't forget the lake is dirt

If you fall in no one will hear you scream

At Shallow Lake, at Shallow Lake

We dive right into
every friendship that we make

At Shallow Lake, at Shallow Lake

Each year we come from near and far
to sing our hearts out in a barn

The stars of Shallow Lake

One, two, three.

- At Shallow Lake
- CROWD: There is no lake!

- At Shallow Lake
- It's all a fake!

When you eat the tacos
that's your first mistake

- Big mistake
- At Shallow Lake

- Shallow Lake!
- At Shallow Lake

Don't go too far into the woods
or you'll be gone for good

Under the stars of Shallow Lake

Shallow Lake! Shallow Lake!

Shallow Lake

- EJ, that was really cute.
- Yeah, we sing it every night.

- I'm just kidding. We don't.
- What's next, the blood sacrifice?

Now, give it up for the Wood!

He loves some noise! Yeah!

- Dewey!
- All right, all right, settle down.

Settle down!

For those of you who don't know,
I'm your camp director, Dewey Wood.

- Dewey Wood?
- Yes, he would.

- Dewey Wood?
- Yes, he would!

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet.
It's another summer. Let's have fun.

Friendship is magic.
Be careful what you flush. Okay?

Now, I know the reason
we have many new faces here

is because of the exciting news.

This summer, Camp Shallow Lake has been
selected for a very special opportunity,

and to tell you all about it,
here comes a very familiar face.

- Are you ready?
- What did you do?

Mr. Corbin Bleu.

Light 'em up.

Oh!

Yes. What, what? What, what?

Oh, I am so excited to be here
at Camp Shallow Lake.

Wow!

You guys, I can't wait to tell you
about what we've got planned this summer.

My pals at the House of Mouse have
given us the keys to the Magic Kingdom.

And that means you guys are gonna be
the first camp on the planet

to premiere a global blockbuster
which became a Broadway sensation.

Does anyone have a jacket?
It suddenly got cold in here.

I suppose.

We're gonna put on Frozen!

Oh, it's a bit.

- Wait. Really?
- Oh, my God.

- Best summer ever.
- Very excited.

Are you telling me
that I get to meet Corbin Bleu?

And there's more.

So, this camp was chosen by
Disney Theatrical's licensing agent, MTI,

to do the first ever production
of this Frozen script

in advance of the release
of licensing rights

to high schools everywhere.

Well, that rolled right off the tongue.

And this camera is gonna be
following us all around

because we're also making
a documentary about the show,

and it's gonna premiere on Disney+.

And it's gonna break the Internet.

It's very meta, you guys.

Hang on. Is that camera
gonna be here all summer?

Well, not in the yurts.

Wow, I just realized why that health form
we filled out was, like, pages long.

- I think I signed a release.
- I knew I should've read that thing.

And hey. I know there are some
real live Wildcats out there.

And I look forward to signing headshots
for you all later this summer.

'Cause it's all going down
at Shallow Lake.

- So watch this space.
- Okay.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- I don't remember how to breathe.
- I don't remember how to worry.

I'll see all your beautiful faces later.
Thank you.

Corbin! Corbin! Corbin!

- Oh, my gosh. Carlos, are you okay?
- It's better than Greta Gerwig.

- Where did he go?
- One sec. One sec.

Nailed it, my dude. You were born to host.

Feeling good. Feeling good.

I think we got
what we need for episode one.

Excuse me. What's with the chopper?

Dewey, right? We'll be back in a few days.
We'll get sh*ts of rehearsal and whatnot.

More atmosphere. It's gonna be fire.

We were under the impression
that you'd be directing the show.

Man. I should've been filming.
That's hilarious.

"Hi. I'm Corbin Bleu. I have time in
my schedule to direct a camp musical."

I love it, though. I love it.
You're great. I love it, man.

Friend, I'm gonna be directing,
producing and hosting

the show about the show, okay?

I'm not directing the musical.
That's crazy.

This way makes sense. Don't you guys
have someone who could do it?

No. Our director of years
quit this morning

when he heard you guys were coming.

- sh**t him a text.
- He's on a boat to Alaska.

Oh. That sounds far.

Anyway, good luck.

Yeah, I mean, all of our
other counselors are sports folk.

We can't even carry a tune, but...

What am I gonna do? Think, Dewey, think.

Rocket Man.

Uh... Me?

- You know the program.
- Hold on.

You know every inch of this camp.
You know a lot of those loud new kids.

Mr. Wood, this was supposed to be
the greatest summer of my life.

Then make it happen, Mr. Director.

Bye, Salt Lake.

Hey. What did I miss?

Uh, small change of plans
in the celebrity arrangement.

But nothing is gonna ruin
our perfect summer together.

I'm the guy who shows up, remember?
Nothing's gonna get in our way.

Who said anybody would?

Excuse me.

Do you have room for one more?

Group hug?