Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies episode three introduces a new character to the mix. Hazel (Shanel Bailey) is an intelligent, introverted Black teenager who doesn’t fit in after transferring to Rydell. She’s an academic whiz who’s set her sights on attending college. However, she’ll first have to survive Rydell High School to do so.
Hazel breaks out in song to share her feelings, describing the promise of greener grass and cleaner streets – a promise that thus far hasn’t been kept. Still, she keeps her focus on the stars and realizes that despite all the changes, the sky remains constant.
“The stars, they still shine. Orion says hi. Everything’s changed, but I’ve got the same sky,” belts out Hazel.
Meanwhile, Jane (Marisa Davila) and her family host a party for their friends and neighbors. Jane’s dad brags about his daughter running for class president, and Jim Johnson, an attendee who happens to be a popular local reporter, believes there’s a story there that his viewers would love to hear about. His audience deserves to learn about a changing Rydell. That comment prompts an eavesdropping woman to note all you have to do is look outside to see that Rydell’s changing. Three Mexican families have moved onto her street and, given her overt racism, it’s not a shock when she says she hates their music.
Jim’s wife, Ethel, points out Jane’s mom, Kitty (Vivian Lamolli), has a much darker complexion than her daughters. Ethel assumes it’s because of Kitty’s Italian heritage, and Kitty quickly cuts off Jane’s little sister, Fran (aka Frenchy), when she tries to correct Ethel. (Kitty is Puerto Rican but passing as Italian.)
Ethel suggests Jane’s family should join the local athletic club. It’s a good way to meet the town’s movers and shakers. The Johnsons offer to show the Faccianos around, and Kitty jumps at the opportunity.
The following morning, Kitty warns her youngest daughter that she needs to be seen, not heard, at gatherings. Frenchy (Madison Elizabeth Lagares) confesses to being confused about her mom’s heritage, and Kitty claims Californians don’t understand or care to learn anything about Puerto Rico. It’s just easier to let them assume she’s Italian.
Jane stashed her jacket outside and grabs it on the way to meet up with her Pink Ladies and T-Birds crew before school. Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells) shows off promotional buttons she made for Jane’s campaign, and Jane’s so impressed she asks her to take over as campaign manager. After a brief hesitation and some ego-stroking, Olivia agrees.
The gangs make it to school and the Pink Ladies are passing out buttons when Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara) arrives dressed head to toe in black leather. She’s got a new attitude and isn’t taking crap from anyone anymore.
Buddy (Jason Schmidt) puts a damper on the gang’s cheery mood when he announces that if he wins, everyone’s invited to a celebratory dance at the Rydell country club. And rather than buttons, his pack of football players and cheerleaders toss candy to the crowd.
Olivia and Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso) suggest that Jane should get busy with debate prep. Rumor has it that Buddy’s dad hired a big-time debate coach to help him prepare.
Asst Principal McGee (Jackie Hoffman) breaks up the group and sends Cynthia off to her first drama class. Mr. Vaughan introduces himself as the instructor and Cynthia’s first assignment is to pretend to be a Martian who’s never seen a chair before. Needless to say, her first performance doesn’t impress anyone.
Jane heads to a debate club meeting, and thankfully her audience is much more impressed with her skills. She works on convincing them why she’s the better candidate and the guys crush on her beauty and brains. However, Hazel – the only other female in attendance – isn’t won over.
Hazel points out Jane’s definition of a fun time isn’t the same as everyone else’s. Although Jane’s proud of herself for negotiating a reduced rental rate at the country club (something Buddy never thought to do), Hazel isn’t on board. After all, a quarter of the school – herself included – would never be allowed into the country club if it weren’t for the dance.
Hazel adds that Jane’s basically targeting the same votes as Buddy by using the dance as part of her campaign. Jane confesses she didn’t consider any of this.
The gangs meet up at the Frosty Palace after school, and Olivia and the guys agree with Hazel. They can’t get into the country club except for this school dance. Cynthia and Nancy also agree. “Those dances ain’t really for us, so I ain’t really for them,” says Cynthia.
Richie (Johnathan Nieves) says only better tunes would make him want to go.
Jane decides she’s going to switch things up and host a new kind of dance – one that’s more inclusive and hipper. Olivia promises to get the word out.
The next day at school, Olivia tricks Asst Principal McGee into leaving her office, which gives the Pink Ladies time to make the morning announcement. A vote for Jane means a new kind of fall ball…one without a dress code, without a date mandate, and one that’s all rock and roll. Plus, they’ll host it in the gym, saving money and making it open to everyone.
The cherry on top is a promise to get a super popular DJ to work the dance.
The students go wild, and Hazel realizes Jane listened to her suggestions.
Later, Cynthia’s suffering through another drama class when her assigned partner, Lydia, describes her as scared. Cynthia stalks off, angry.
Students petition Jane with ideas for other changes, including getting rid of preferred parking for the football team. Jane promises she’ll take care of things when she’s elected.
Jane spots Hazel and thanks her for all her suggestions. She invites her in for a burger, but Hazel declines, indicating she doesn’t fit in with this crowd.
The unexpected arrival of reporter Jim Johnson makes the malt shop crowd cheer. Jim explains he’s there to see Jane and delivers the news that his station will televise Jane and Buddy’s debate. Susan (Madison Thompson) and Olivia speak for the candidates and immediately accept the invitation.
Jane looks incredibly nervous, and Richie tries to save her by taking her away from the malt shop. Olivia jumps in the car with them, ready to work on Jane’s debate prep which is definitely not what Richie had in mind.
Jane sheds her jacket and as she’s heading up to her house, Richie asks her to the dance. Jane doesn’t get a chance to reply because her mom steps outside and interrupts their conversation.
Jane’s prep will have to wait because the Johnsons have invited them to tour the country club. It’s a snobby place, and Kitty’s uncomfortable when a Hispanic maid attempts to take her coat. The man giving the tour assures them they’re a progressive establishment. After all, they’ve allowed Italians to join for the past five years.
Old photos of white students attending previous fall balls grace the walls, along with the all-male, all-white portrait of the club’s founders. Jane notices the workers are all Hispanic and asks for a moment to collect herself, claiming she feels a little off.
After she’s left alone, the seven men from the portrait spring to life and sing about the good life and being a part of this exclusive club. They croon about trust fund babies, fat wallets, and how members all have each other’s backs…as long as you’re not Jewish, Asian, Brown, or Black. Oh, and no homosexuals or single women.
Their racist song is punctuated by donning white napkins resembling KKK hoods. As they slip back into the painting, they sing the quiet part out loud – albeit in a whisper – confirming the club’s restricted to the rich, white, and straight.
Back at home, Kitty seems to think joining the club is a good investment. Jane reminds her the club represents everything wrong with this town; she’s already promised not to have the dance there if she wins. Too many of the kids at her school are not welcome there.
Kitty warns her daughter not to ruin things for the family. Every choice she’s made is for her daughters so they can live better lives.
The following day, the debate’s about to start when Buddy’s dad reminds him to stick to the school’s traditions and let his opponent come across as a radical. The Pink Ladies also work on last-minute instructions with Jane, with Olivia reminding her to be bold. Cynthia tells her to show no fear.
The debate begins, and Jane falls flat on her face, unwilling to stand up for her ideals after glancing at her mom. Buddy’s relaxed and stresses Rydell’s traditions, while Jane is tense and nervous and fails to mention a single one of her campaign promises. Not only that, but she also denies she proposed any changes.
Jane did a miserable job and probably tanked her candidacy. She apologizes to the Pink Ladies and leaves her jacket behind when she exits.
At home, Kitty tells her daughter she’s proud of her. Jane knows she disappointed everyone except her mom.
That night, the Pink Ladies and T-Birds show up outside Jane’s house, and Olivia says it’s time for an emergency campaign meeting. Plus, there’s a birthday party going on at Richie and Olivia’s house, and they all deserve to have fun.
Richie wants to dance, but Olivia snags Jane for a meeting. Before heading upstairs to talk, Cynthia and Nancy decide to chug some mezcal. When Cynthia backs out, Nancy laughs at her, which sets Cynthia off. Cynthia hates being laughed at and brings up drama club. Nancy suggests that instead of being laughed at by the thespians, she should join them in all their ridiculousness. Maybe that’s what being fearless and being a Pink Lady really means.
Nancy thinks she might be drunk from one sip and Cynthia grabs the bottle and takes a huge swig.
Jane admits to Olivia that she’s never felt like she’s enough of anything to count. Olivia assures her she is. She got everyone to believe a new Rydell’s possible. Olivia tells Jane she just needs to run as herself.
Richie breaks up the meeting and grabs Jane for a dance. They sneak away and kiss.
The following day at school, Jane’s back passing out her buttons, but this time no one takes one. They’re making fun of Jane for freezing up on live TV when class begins, and Hazel takes her seat next to the only Black student who’s popular at Rydell. Wally’s in with the cool kids because he’s a football player and because he’s hung out with them since kindergarten. He advises Hazel not to hang out with the Pink Ladies because it’ll lead to trouble.
“Trouble just might hit you differently than it might hit them,” warns Wally.
Cynthia decides to dive into drama club and delivers an outstanding performance as a Martian encountering a chair for the first time. Mr. Vaughan leads a round of applause and compliments her work.
Hazel runs into Jane in the hallway and asks for a button. She also believes Jane needs just to be herself and suggests that she ask Buddy for a rematch.
Jane hits up Buddy at the malt shop and asks for a do-over right now. Buddy seems okay with it, but Susan’s totally against it. The discussion’s temporarily put on hold when Jane’s mom shows up to pick up dinner. Jane explains she has things she wants to say but couldn’t, and she needs to get them off her chest now.
Jane asks Buddy again, and he agrees.
Of course, it’s a singing debate and Jane kicks it off by describing Buddy and his group as able to get away with anything at school since they’re wealthy. If people vote for her, the socs’ time will be up. Jane sees a new way to run Rydell that includes everyone.
Buddy takes over the next verse, ticking off a list of what Jane’s changes will lead to, including anarchy, crime, and Communism.
Jane sings back that the lower class, wallflowers, and iconoclasts are done being the popular kids’ easy targets.
Everyone’s into the song and dance number when Buddy joins Jane on the malt shop counter. He’s not watching what he’s doing and tumbles off the counter, injuring his arm. The Pink Ladies and T-Birds make a fast exit as Susan calls for an ambulance.
Episode three ends with Hazel sitting on the roof outside her window when she notices Buddy in the window next door. Buddy wonders if she saw him make an idiot out of himself, and Hazel admits she did. After Buddy confesses that he didn’t believe the horrible things he was singing, Hazel points out that when he says them, he makes everyone believe they can also spout insults and slurs. He’s not leading by example.
Hazel hates Rydell and Buddy feels terrible about that. He admits she’s right about his behavior and is sorry she’s having such a rough time.
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 1 Recap and Review
- Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Episode 2 “Too Pure to Be Pink” 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
