Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is set four years before the events of Grease and tells the origin story of the Pink Ladies. Episode one, “We’re Gonna Rule the School,” introduces the new key characters while paying homage to the long-running Broadway musical and 1978 feature film.
And now to the recap:
It’s the start of Jane’s second year at Rydell after moving from New York, and she’s entering the 1954-1955 school year with Big Man on Campus Buddy (Jason Schmidt) at her side. Jane (Marisa Davila) isn’t sure why Buddy wants to be with her, given that she’s not exactly popular, and as we meet the couple, they’re parked at a secluded spot making out.
Buddy’s super happy she helped him plan a pep rally, and Jane’s hoping she can use it as a launching pad for a run for student council. Buddy’s seeking reelection as class president, and if she wins they’ll be a powerful team.
And just two minutes in we get the first musical number of the episode. Jane strolls through the drive-in and belts out “Grease is the Word” while wearing Buddy’s letterman jacket, with her classmates as backup dancers.
Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara), a budding fashion designer who’s not into dating, takes over the lead vocals as the T-Birds arrive on the scene. Richie (Johnathan Nieves) is the gang’s leader and his pretty sister, Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells), hands her overly protective brother the car keys and heads to the refreshment stand, followed by a dozen guys. A jock tries to pick up on her, but she ignores him.
“Sorry, forgot I need a teaching license before you put out,” he says before scurrying away.
Olivia picks up the song, obviously uncomfortable among her peers.
The next key player to make the scene is Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso), a wannabe T-Bird who’s more comfortable among the guys than hanging out with girls.
The song ends with Jane entering the bathroom where the popular girls are gathered around Buddy’s ex, Susan (Madison Thompson). She’s sobbing after receiving the news Buddy’s moved on, with her cheerleader minions commiserating.
The cool clique leaves the restroom and Susan appears to have a replacement for Buddy already in mind: Richie.
Jane joins Buddy at the refreshment stand and Buddy makes their relationship official by announcing to the cheerleaders and his football bros that they’re going steady.
Jane and Buddy get all hot and bothered in the car (she’s no Sandy, that’s for sure) while over in Richie’s car he pushes Susan away during a kiss and suggests they watch the movie. Susan’s obviously used to getting her way with boys and seems confused.
Dot (Josette Halpert), one of Susan’s lackeys, spots Jane and Buddy in the backseat and spreads a rumor they went all the way.
The morning of the first day of school arrives and Jane celebrates with an exuberant song and dance number in her room, insisting this year’s going to be different.
Jane wraps up her song – for now – and joins her Puerto Rican mom, Italian dad, and little sister Frenchy (from Grease!) for breakfast.
Jane briefly picks up the song when she arrives at school and busts out in the chorus as she steps into school.
Olivia and the T-Birds also arrive for day one, and Olivia’s decided she’s going to stop worrying about what people think of her. She whips off her jacket and shows off her gorgeous figure while strutting past the boys and through the front door.
Jane’s busy hanging pep rally banners when the gossip going around reaches her ears. She begs Richie to tell her what people are saying and he reluctantly confesses word is that she was treated in NY for her nymphomania, she gave Buddy venereal disease, and she’s pregnant with twins by different fathers.
Jane grabs Buddy to find out what’s going on, and neither told anyone about the drive-in. Plus, Jane reminds him they didn’t go all the way. She also assures Buddy none of the rumors about her time in New York are true. However, Buddy’s worried no one will vote for them if people think they’re “sex deviants.”
Jane believes they need to clear up the rumors before the pep rally. She’ll work on the girls while Buddy handles the guys.
Lunchtime arrives and Olivia works it as she walks through the outdoor tables. A brief exchange of looks with a teacher suggests there’s something to the rumor she’s into older men.
Jane goes from table to table trying to dispel the rumor but doesn’t have much luck and is being treated like a pariah. Meanwhile, Buddy’s being treated like a king.
Lunch also finds Nancy learning her supposed BFFs don’t share her dream to be famous NY designers and just want to hang out with their boyfriends.
Jane doesn’t give up and spots Olivia alone under the bleachers. Although Olivia makes it clear she couldn’t care less, Jane insists she didn’t go all the way with Buddy. Olivia warns her there’s no way to stop the gossip train. Jane refuses to believe that’s true.
Richie blows off Susan, insulting her in front of his friends. She runs to her cheerleaders and jock friends and lies, saying Richie is basically stalking her after one date. The T-Birds, plus Olivia and Cynthia, hustle onto the football field to stick up for Richie. A fight breaks out when a jock refers to Olivia as Richie’s whore sister.
Jane runs up and reveals she saw what happened and Richie’s telling the truth. Susan reluctantly backs down when Jane warns her that her accusation could get someone hurt.
Home economics class gets underway, and Susan makes jokes at poor Jane’s expense. When the teacher leaves, Olivia rescues Jane’s reputation via a song. Olivia weaves a story about a cousin in NY who knows Jane and confirmed all the girls hated her because she was a prude. NYC girls are risqué and sex-crazed; they love guns, whiskey, and are gay adjacent. “So, goodie two shoes Jane and her boring killjoy ways drove the New York girls insane. She killed their fun in every way!” sings Olivia, the center of attention.
Everyone, except Susan, joins in on the chorus, dancing, and singing, “Shake off that good girl act!” as Olivia continues to resuscitate Jane’s rep and her prospects of winning a student council seat. Even Susan’s minions get in on the act as Olivia ticks off a list of Jane’s virtues.
Unfortunately, the teacher returns before the song finishes and Jane, Olivia, Cynthia, and Nancy are sent to Assistant Principal McGee’s office to be disciplined. (The actual principal is useless.)
McGee reminds Olivia that she convinced everyone to allow her to stay at Rydell after her “incident” with Mr. Daniels. McGee believes in second chances – but not third chances. The other girls get stern warnings to stay out of trouble.
Susan’s girls surround Jane and apologize for believing the horrible rumors. Buddy plants a quick kiss on Jane’s lips and heads off to practice, happy their reputations are restored.
The T-Birds are in auto shop discussing how to get back at the jocks when Cynthia asks to join the gang. They laugh but Cynthia’s serious and is willing to earn her way in by getting revenge. Cynthia believes the world is changing and the T-Birds are on the rise. She busts out in a song that suggests it’s down with the phoneys and up with the new cool. “The T-Birds are ruling the new school!”
Cynthia’s plan is to disrupt the pep rally. If it works, Richie promises to give Cynthia his jacket.
Night falls and the pep rally’s about to kick off. A bonfire’s lit, signs are hung, and the cheerleaders warm up before they hit the stage. Jane, who’s also a majorette, is organizing everything and her family’s bursting with pride over what she’s accomplished.
Jane takes a moment away from the crowd and thanks Olivia for saving her reputation. Olivia warns her to not trust the cheerleaders – who are currently watching Jane’s every move – but Jane thinks they’re not all bad. She invites Olivia to join them at the malt shop after the rally but Olivia confesses she doesn’t have fun in school; she’s just hoping to make it out alive.
Nancy’s friends officially dump her for their boyfriends just as the rally kicks off.
The announcer welcomes the crowd and introduces the football team and the cheerleaders. Jane leads the band in but suddenly realizes the routine isn’t going as rehearsed. The cheerleaders start a cheer and the banner which had read “This Year Rydell Goes All the Way” is changed to read “Jane Facciano Goes All the Way.”
The crowd gasps and it takes a second for Jane to realize what happened since she’s standing right beneath the banner. Susan and her snotty cheerleaders planned this and laugh as they point at the banner.
The T-Birds arrive with stolen mascot costumes and grab everyone’s attention. The crowd claps and cheers as the mascots circle the bonfire. The T-Birds pause and drop their pants, flashing the crowd! (Just like the T-Birds did at the dance in Grease.)
Cynthia’s mascot head falls off and she’s exposed as one of the mooners. She embraces the moment by screaming, “Rydell Rangers are losers! T-Birds rule!”
The rally breaks up and Jane runs after the cheerleaders. Susan reveals Buddy told her he and Jane went all the way. Jane’s devastated and can only stand there, looking hurt and confused.
Everyone gathers at the Frosty Palace malt shop and the T-Birds are celebrating their revenge. Cynthia joins them and asks about her jacket, and the guys explain they can’t let a girl into the gang after it just got a little respect.
Cynthia tries to act like they didn’t hurt her feelings and rushes away.
Jane confronts Buddy and gets him to admit he told his big-mouthed friend Neil that they went all the way. It’s just locker room talk, right? Idiot. Anyway, he claims girls are supposed to put up a fight and she seemed too into it. Plus, crushing her reputation at the start of the school year isn’t as bad as it seems. Seriously, Buddy, just keep digging that hole and then lie down in it, okay?
Jane’s walking away when Buddy says he loves her. That’s enough to make her forgive him and they hug. But then Buddy says they need to break up until after the election. Until then, they can secretly date like they did during the summer.
Jane takes off his jacket and hands it back. She’s done being his little secret.
Jane makes it home and her mother accuses her of putting herself in a compromising situation. She reminds her daughter to be careful since they’re trying to fit in in this town.
Frenchy and her BFF Betty (the young Rizzo!) are hiding out under Jane’s bed, and Jane suggests maybe their mom is right and Betty – who’s not supposed to be there – is a bad influence. Frenchy explains Betty’s the only one who doesn’t make fun of her at junior high. Betty even kicked a boy who was bullying her. Now, they’re best friends even if Betty doesn’t want to admit it.
The next day a school Jane admits to Olivia she was right about the “socs.”
The student body’s assembled for the student council election and Jane remains seated in the audience instead of joining the other candidates on the stage. Buddy delivers his speech, apologizing for letting everyone down at the pep rally. If they vote for him, things will go back to normal, and they can all have fun like they did before.
The crowd explodes in applause.
Asst Principal McGee calls Jane’s name to deliver a speech and Jane slowly walks to the stage and whispers that she’s not running anymore. A person yells out “slut” as Jane turns to take her seat.
Jane pauses, reconsiders, and takes the stage. She talks about how Rydell hasn’t been fun for a lot of kids who don’t fit in because they’re considered the wrong “type.” Too many of her fellow students are just busy trying to survive high school.
McGee says she’s done with her speech since she’s not running, and Olivia speaks up from the crowd, endorsing her. Cynthia pops up next, followed by Nancy. They join her on stage to a chorus of boos. McGee gets the students under control and Jane confirms she’s going to run against Buddy for president. The student body reacts with what sounds like an equal mix of boos and cheers.
Cynthia yells “Vote for Jane,” lifts her skirt, and moons the crowd. The other girls follow suit as the crowd cheers. They scurry from the stage, with the audience emptying the auditorium behind them.
The four soon-to-be Pink Ladies drive off laughing in the T-Birds car with Olivia at the wheel.
And it’s time for another new song. This time it’s all about standing up for yourself, speaking out, and embracing your true self. It’s time to show the world – or at least the school – that females are strong as hell and don’t need boys to validate their existence.
The episode ends with Jane declaring, “We’re going to need some jackets.”
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Review
The series strikes much the same tone as Grease, managing to do so while taking on important issues including sexism and racism. Paramount+ provided the first five episodes for review, and there’s a lot to love about this infectious tale of female empowerment.
Rise of the Pink Ladies slips in younger versions of Rizzo and Frenchy, but it’s the 1954-1955 class that’s the focus. The four leads – Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso, and Tricia Fukuhara – are incredibly talented, and by episode five their characters are fully fleshed out. There’s real chemistry between the four main stars and the friendship that develops feels genuine.
Episode one shows the first generation of Pink Ladies were social outcasts who found their voices by supporting each other. If the series occasionally comes off as a little too heavy-handed in the handling of social issues, that can be forgiven because at least it’s taking a chance and introducing important issues rather than glossing them over or pretending they don’t exist. Plus, the songs are catchy, the performances are terrific, and the characters aren’t just cookie-cutter high school students.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is an entertaining addition to the Grease universe and a worthy prequel to the still-popular musical. What Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies gets right far outweighs any minor missteps.
GRADE: B
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 2 “Too Pure to Be Pink” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 3 “So This Is Rydell?” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 4 “If You Can’t Be an Athlete, Be an Athletic Supporter” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 4 “You Can’t Just Walk Out of a Drive-In” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 6 “Sloppy Seconds Ain’t My Style” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 7 “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’ Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 8 “Or at the High School Dance” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 9 “You’re Dropping Out of Rydell?” Recap
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 10 “Racing for Pinks” Finale Recap
