Episode 6 of the NBC series The Big Leap began with a flashback to the childhood of the show's dancer twins Brittney and Simon. As children, the two were preparing to perform in a children's ballroom dance competition. Their mother Tonya made sure they looked their best, before getting them on their feet to perform their traditional prep chant, which included references to dominate and destroy their competition. This left the other parents and children staring awkwardly at them, before Tonya sent them off to the stage.
After the competition, Tonya was shown driving up to an ice cream shop, with the twins in the backseat, looking at their 2nd Place trophy. Tonya's attitude towards her children was highlighted, as she attempted to place an order for twins who had dance talent and killer instinct, bringing attention to their less-than-perfect performance. When the employee instead suggested their special, Tonya remarked that it sounded like something for winners, not for them. She sped off, throwing the trophy out the car window. The twins joined hands in silent solidarity in the presence of their overbearing mother.
In the present, Simon (played by
Adam Kaplan) and Justin (played by
Raymond Cham Jr.) continued their intense rehearsal for the Big Leap reality show performance
of Swan Lake, where they were set to play the major roles of the prince and
the black swan. As they worked on their choreography, it became clear that
their weeks of working together had led to major sexual tension between the
two men. They were praised by the show's dance coaches Monica & Wayne as
their rehearsal time came to an end.
Justin & Simon left the stage walking together, seemingly unable to make eye contact with one another. They didn't get far before Justin brought up some weakness in their performance. Simon quickly agreed, suggesting that they could work on it some more. They were both eager to do so right now and started up the music in the backstage area of the studio. The duo began moving through their routine once again, setting themselves with their backs to one another.
They finally turned towards each other and locked eyes, again highlighting their sexual tension. They moved through the routine, unable to avoid each others' eyes until they gave-in to the tension, leading to a public kiss in the presence of several of the reality show crew members. Justin & Simon were so involved in their first kiss together that everything else around them went unnoticed.
The kiss, however, did not go unnoticed by Simon's twin sister Brittney and
Justin's best friend Gabby, as the two walked into the area at that moment,
seeing the guys kissing. They both looked surprised. The kiss was also noticed
by the twins' mother Tonya, who happened to arrive at the studio at the same
time. She made her presence known, saying it was a beautiful performance,
surprising Simon & Brittney, who called out to their mother and shared a
pleasant reunion while Justin & Gabby watched from afar as Adam looked a
bit unsettled to see his mother. Tonya remarked that she arrived just in
time.
Simon & Brittney headed off to the locker room with Tonya, who explained the reason for her arrival. She reminded them that "their" brand was twins. She shared how unhappy she was to learn that they had been separated on the show. Tonya openly claimed that they were not interesting as individuals and their brand needed to be strong. She wanted to know why they weren't paired together. Brittney explained that the show wanted random pairings for video packages and she was now working with Gabby due to their conflicts, while Simon told his mother that the show put him and Justin together. Tonya brought up the kiss and urged him to end it with Justin now, despite her opinion that Justin was talented and cute. She said that Simon needed to focus on putting him and Brittney first.
Tonya asked about Brittney's attempt to romance football star Reggie on the show. Simon took offense, given her adamance that he not pursue romance, but Tonya said that Brittney was different because if she bags Reggie, they would all be set financially for life. She suggested he find someone famous if he wanted love. Brittney told her mother that Reggie wants to focus on his career, not romance. Tonya was annoyed, but urged Brittney to steal Gabby's spotlight if they were forced to work together. Though Brittney recently discovered the identity of the father of Gabby's son, from an inappropriate relationship, she told her mother she had no dirt on her. Tonya urged her to figure it out, as she shared her disappointment with both of them, leaving them upset.
The Big Leap cast members took part in interviews for the show's video packages. They were asked questions by hosts Monica & Wayne (played by Kevin Daniels). Justin found himself in the hot seat and the hosts asked him about how the show has affected his life. The nervous, introverted Justin said that life was now different, annoying Monica with his brief answer. She urged him to increase his energy. When it was Simon's turn, he was asked who on the cast has surprised him since they started. Seeing his mother watching from afar, Simon smiled and said that his sister Brittney surprised him the most everyday with her natural talent, annoying the hosts as Brittney had said the same about him.
Justin caught up with Simon in the locker room. Simon looked to make a quick exit without a word, but the smiling Justin called out to him, wondering if they should talk about what happened earlier. He brought up the kiss and Simon did his best to dismiss it, saying that it was just for fun. He figured Justin had done that before, tested the waters to see what his options are. Justin said that actually he had never done that before. Simon told him that he should, before leaving. Justin's smile disappeared, replaced with disappointment.
Later, the cast began to gather for the post-show interview special after the premiere episode aired. Simon spied his mother talking with one of the production staff and he pulled her aside, wondering what she was up to. He was unaware that Brittney had learned that Reggie had romantic feelings for Gabby and it was the reason he broke things off with her. Tonya said that Brittney was heartbroken by it all.
Tonya told him that she worked to get the distraught Brittney a question for the post-show Q&A with the cast, which the show hadn't planned to give her. Simon urged her not to do anything crazy, telling her how important this was to him and Brittney. She hugged him, saying that she knows he's upset about Justin but she's doing what's best for the twins because she loves them. They embraced again, but Simon remained unhappy.
The Big Leap post-show was preparing to get underway, with all of the cast present on the stage, including Justin and the nervous and contemplative Simon. Reggie was chosen to guest host the show, while Monica & Wayne were sitting by ready to probe the cast with questions after the premiere aired, giving the show the opportunity to play the video packages they had been building. The first minor emergency saw Wayne unable to find his glasses, which would make him unable to read the teleprompter for the show. The glasses were located and handed off to him, just before the show went live.
Wayne & Monica welcomed the audience to the post-show, with Reggie introduced as the special host. The hosts chatted about events from the premiere before getting to the cast Q&A segment. Simon was selected for a question and he was once again asked who on the cast had surprised him the most. Seeing his mother sitting in the front row, Simon turned to his sister, and regurgitated his sound byte that his twin sister Brittney surprised him everyday with her natural talent. Then, he paused for a second before saying that, despite that, it was Justin that truly surprised him more, catching his mother off-guard.
Justin was also taken aback as Simon explained that he surprised him with his talent, his body awareness, and the way he annoyingly picks up new choreography with seeming ease. Simon said that Justin was undeniable. This drew applause from the crowd, but a look of disappointment from Tonya in the front row. The show continued, until it finally came time for the final question of the Q&A segment. The question went to Brittney, and producer Nick was stunned in the control room, noting that Brittney wasn't supposed to get a question. He was unaware that Tonya had gotten the script changed.
Reading the teleprompter, Wayne asked Brittney how and where she finds her inspiration. Looking for revenge from her broken heart, Brittney then said that she was inspired by Gabby. She then brought up Gabby's affair with her high school teacher that led to her son being conceived, claiming that Gabby's overcoming of her past really inspired her. This brought shock from the crowd and fury from Gabby and Justin, who wondered if Simon knew about Brittney planning this. Simon told him that he didn't know any of that. When the other cast stood up for Gabby, turning on Brittney, it led to a brawl and the show ending in controversy.
In the aftermath, Wayne sat with Monica and Nick (played by Scott Foley) on the set of the after-show which was in shambles. They discussed the controversial end to the episode. Monica & Wayne lamented that their hard work was going down the drain and the only thing people would remember was the stupid fight. Nick shared his sadness with what happened to Gabby, causing Wayne to remark that it was surprising that he was actually being human. They were then informed that the show was trending online, thanks to the drama and the producers were hoping that it would continue, especially with focus on bad girl Brittney, leaving them all disappointed.
Backstage, Simon sat next to his sister quietly, as Tonya urged him to celebrate the fact that Brittney was trending. Brittney herself looked saddened with her actions and public outing of Gabby's secret, especially when she got a gift bag Gabby had left for her before the after-show, which included a drawing from her son Sammy. Simon then noticed Reggie's letter to Gabby, revealing his feelings for her and he wondered if that letter was the reason why Brittney blew up Gabby's life on live television. Brittney extended her hand for him, hoping to get some support but he declined to stand by her in this and left with the letter.
Simon caught up with the distraught Gabby outside in the parking lot with her mother. Simon apologized for his family, calling his sister a mess and his mother a monster. He gave Gabby the letter from Reggie, before leaving quickly. He later arrived at Justin's apartment. He assured him again that he had no idea that Brittney was planning to drop Gabby's bombshell on television. He then explained his history and relationship with his mother and how the three of them were all they ever had. He told Justin about the seeming power his mother always had over them, making them bend to her will in the name of love.
Simon told Justin that his mother made him push Justin away and he did because she's like a cult leader who had this ability to control him. That was his truth and he was sorry. Justin told him that they all have issues. He brought up his past with his father and then told Simon that he read Justin right from the beginning when it came to his sexuality. He revealed to Simon that he's never even hooked up with another guy when he hasn't been drunk. That was his truth. Simon then asked if he had been drinking tonight. Justin said he hadn't. That led the two to a major, passionate kiss as Simon came inside and Justin closed the door.
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