Racing for Pinks

Racing for Pinks
Episode Information
Season	1
Episode	10
Airdate	June 1, 2023
Written by	Gabe Liedman & Samantha Cordero
Directed by	Benny Boom
Episode Guide
Previous	"You're Dropping Out of Rydell?"

Racing for Pinks is the tenth episode and first season finale of the Paramount+ original series, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. It aired on June 1, 2023.

Synopsis

Jane makes a dangerous proposition that will decide the fate of someone's future at Rydell while Olivia takes a big step toward her own future. Meanwhile, a surprise confession leads a sleep-deprived Hazel to seek advice from Jane, Cynthia gets unusually mad at Nancy, Susan steps up in a big way, and Miss McGee is pushed to her limits while putting together the school carnival. In the end, Rydell loses a student, but gains a new one.

Plot

Olivia sat at her vanity, wearing her veil, as she thought about her impending nuptials. Nancy broke through her daydream to tell her the veil looked terrible. Nancy took it off, tossed it aside, and smoothed Olivia's hair. Olivia angrily asked why they were there and shouted at her mother for letting people in. The Pink Ladies were there to tell her something important, but Olivia wasn't in a listening mood.

Olivia walked away from them only to enter a black-and-white version of her future life. The three Pink Ladies appeared on the box set TV as performers. Olivia tried to turn off the TV but they simply turned it back on. They sang that her marriage was a mistake, that Leonard was old, and she was too good for him and begged Olivia not to go through with the marriage. Olivia poured a drink that Leonard took, knit while he read the paper, and did chores. She suddenly grew a large baby bump that transformed into four babies, three of which crawled on the floor while the fourth screamed in her arms. Fed up, Olivia unplugged the TV and ended their pleas for her not to marry Leonard.

She told the girls she had enough and asked who the hell they thought they were. Jane insisted they were her friends and, as her friends, they were there to tell her she was being stupid. Olivia took offense, so she retaliated that what was stupid was playing make-believe in some pink clubhouse while real-life things happened. Jane knew how real things were and wanted her to end the madness so they could bring Richie back. Olivia told her to wake up because Richie wasn't coming back. She was getting married and a real friend would be happy that there was one good thing in her life right now. Jane wanted her to finish high school and go to college, but that wasn't in the cards for Olivia as her parents couldn't afford it. She knew she would end up married anyway, and at least Leo cared about her and didn't think she was stupid. She asked them all to get out then pushed them out the door while Jane tried to explain. Olivia slammed the door shut behind them.

Nancy walked the halls of school when she overheard Kallie arguing with her boyfriend. Nancy went on and apologized to Potato for being a jerk. Potato wanted to celebrate as they just had their first fight. As they hugged, Nancy saw Kallie and her boyfriend gush over their first fight, convinced their love was stronger than ever. She became disgusted.

Over at the theater, Lydia directed a scene with Geraldine, Orson, and Tommy, though the three actors couldn't agree on who would pour the coffee. The bell rang to signal the end of class, and Cynthia pulled Lydia behind the stage to confess her feelings. She liked Lydia the way Romeo liked Juliet. She didn't know what it meant, she just knew that being with her just felt right. Cynthia took her hands but Lydia pulled away. One minute Cynthia kissed her and the next she ran away. Lydia didn't want to do that again. She confessed there was a girl at summer stock. They were friends who became more. They would meet up and talk, and kiss, until one night she didn't show up. The next day she pretended like it didn't happen and when Lydia confronted her, she was called a deviant and sick. Lydia refused Cynthia's advance because she wasn't “steady ground”.

Jane tried to talk to Miss McGee about Olivia, but it was too late as Olivia had already submitted withdrawal papers. She technically wasn't a student anymore, so McGee's hands were tied. Jane shouted if McGee ever got tired of having her hands tied, which surprised the woman. Jane apologized and then elaborated that the only way to stop Olivia from making the biggest mistake of her life was to get Richie back. McGee wished she could help her, but she just couldn't. Jane heard Susan yell that Buddy was the victim, then she emerged from Nicholson's office. He couldn't do anything unless everyone at the Frosty Palace that night, including both of the boys, agreed who started the fight. Until then, both boys were expelled. When he went back inside, Jane confronted Susan, and Susan snapped that she couldn't be faulted for trying. Jane thought she might be onto something.

The T-Birds and Socs met outside the Frosty Palace where Jane revealed that Nicholson just needed someone to blame. Neil argued that Richie started it, but Shy Guy retorted that Buddy threw the first punch. They took a step forward but were pulled back by their gangs. Susan shouted for them all to cool it. Jane explained her plan for both gangs to race. If Buddy won, they would all go to Nicholson and McGee together to say that Richie started the fight, which would let Buddy back in. But if Buddy lost, they say that Buddy started the fight, which would let Richie back in. Buddy asked how it would work since Richie wasn't there to race. Gil stepped up as Richie's second. The Socs huddled together to discuss the prospects - they didn't think Buddy could win against Gil since the T-Birds drag-raced all the time. Jane pulled the boys and Pink Ladies into a huddle, which confused Gil. She saw the Socs doing it and thought they should too. Potato was hungry while Nancy liked a good huddle. Susan argued that Buddy had the better, newer car while the T-Birds car was a jalopy with a good paint job. Potato wanted pancakes which the others liked, and Jane wondered if they should get a table after. The gangs ended their huddle and Buddy accepted the race. Gil walked forward and they shook hands - may the best man win.

From the side of the restaurant, Betty and Frenchy gasped over the event. Frenchy couldn't wait to be in high school. Gil and Jane confronted their younger sisters. Betty should be at the deli, while Jane reminded Frenchy not to tell their parents about this. She would never as they were both loyal. Speaking of which, Betty admitted they were thinking they might need a few more Pink Ladies at the race for moral support - two, to be exact. Frenchy begged as they got what it takes - style, spirit, and were as tough as they come. Gil and Jane paused for a moment then burst out laughing. Gil sniped there was a minimum height requirement and ushered the girls to his car with an offer to drive them home. Frenchy melted when Gil put his hand on her shoulder. The older siblings put the girls in the car.

The girl Socs made a banner for Buddy and purposefully chose the opposite color to the one Susan wanted. Hazel thought they should do something more practical to help Buddy, but the girls blew her off. She went to Wally who was sure the girls would warm up to her eventually. He timed Buddy's driving which wasn't good. Fred thought his grandma had a better chance of winning. Hazel inspected the car and determined it needed wider tires through science. Buddy loved the idea and as the boys dispersed, Wally told Hazel she already had one friend in the group.

Gil assured Jane that he could beat Aldridge with his eyes closed. She reminded him of the high stakes and that this was for Richie. Potato slid over to Nancy to put his arm around her, and she unraveled herself quickly. She had some ground rules - no PDA of any kind, no cutesy nicknames, and no finishing each other's statements. He had to follow those rules to the letter and he left, dejected. Cynthia asked why Nancy was so mean to him. She insisted relationships were complicated and that Potato wouldn't understand because he had never been in one. Gil told everyone they needed a new carburetor. Cynthia wasn't sure it was a great idea as it could make the car explode. Jane wanted to know they did everything they could. Shy Guy asked where they could find a four-barrel carb, and they eyed Principal Nicholson's across the lot.

Miss McGee talked on the phone in her office about the upcoming carnival. She stopped Principal Nicholson on his way out. She asked for an update on her assistant and, while he had forgotten, he lied that he was looking but hadn't found anyone yet. As he walked out, he snarked over an assistant having an assistant. McGee heard him and glared as he stole her apple.

The T-Birds and Cynthia worked to disassemble the carb while Jane and Nancy stood guard. Miss McGee grumbled over doing the job of 15 people only to have her apple stolen. Jane and Nancy coughed loudly as a signal to the mechanics, but they weren't fast enough. McGee questioned their actions and Jane admitted it was to help get Olivia back in Rydell. McGee contemplated and then examined her spectacles, which needed a new prescription because she couldn't see a darn thing lately. She walked away and they gleefully went back to work.

Hazel and Buddy talked on their respective roofs about the race tomorrow. He knew he would lose as he couldn't beat Gil. It was a shame because all the things he was focused on this year, football, the election, making his dad happy, even Jane, he lost them all. He didn't want her to be sorry because he wasn't. Without all of them, he just started to see things clearly for the first time. Including the things, he missed even though they were right in front of him. If he weren't leaving he would keep his mouth shut. She cut him off as it was late and he should get some rest. She went back into the house.

Olivia looked at her wedding dress and then her reflection. She sang the “brusha brusha brusha” commercial song and Gil joined her from the window, which startled her. She smacked him with a pillow. He knew she wouldn't talk to the girls so he came to tell her. He's racing Buddy on the track tomorrow and if he wins, Richie comes back. She surmised it was Jane's idea and scoffed it off. She thought him smarter than to get wrapped up in her schemes. Jane might think she can make everything fair with hope and sunshine, but Olivia knew better. It wasn't going to work and she thought he knew that. He paused then admitted it would mean an awful lot to him if she showed up anyway. After a long moment, she told him she was getting married. He just thought she should know that someone hadn't given up on Richie. He climbed out of the window and she threw the pillow aside.

The next morning at the Raceway, students from Rydell High School gathered in the empty lot in preparation for the big race. Susan told Buddy not to be nervous as this was his to win. Dot and Rosemary wondered who invited the hussies from St. Bernadette's and the kids from Washington High. Buddy nervously saw it as a circus, though Wally tried to calm him. Cynthia was proud of her work on the T-Birds car. Susan saw Buddy's growing nerves and Gil's distracted ogles of the St. Bernadette girls. She strolled by the T-Birds car and knocked the strut out of the hood. It crashed down on Gil's hand. He insisted he could still race, but he couldn't make a fist. Shy Guy volunteered Potato to take Gil's place, but he didn't know how to drive. Susan told them to forfeit but Jane refused and offered to take his place. Buddy refused as she flunked driver's ed. They should just call it off and they both would still be expelled. Susan volunteered in Buddy's place, as she flunked too so it would be fair. Buddy initially said no, but Jane appealed to him for a fair fight.

Gil ensured the car was perfect and Nancy put Richie's T-Birds jacket on Jane. Susan wore Buddy's Letterman. Olivia watched from the entrance of the Raceway while Dot waved them on. The girls were off to a great start until Susan cut Jane off and they both stopped. Susan couldn't find the clutch and had to get help from the Socs. The girls were then back on track, cheered on by their respective groups. On the final lap, the T-Birds car sputtered and Gil nervously realized she pushed it too hard. Susan gained the lead and Shy Guy gripped Potato tightly. They were neck and neck until the T-Birds car hissed, released smoke, and Susan flew over the finish line. Olivia sighed and walked away as the onlookers rushed to Susan to celebrate.

Jane sat heartbroken in the driver's seat and Potato put his arm around Nancy, who pushed him away. He stalked off and Cynthia glared at Nancy, who argued that she warned him earlier. Cynthia called her impossible and stormed away. Rosemary, Dot, Edith, and Peg gleefully approached Susan, who stopped them in their tracks. She dropped the keys into Rosemary's hand, stole Dot's lollipop, crushed it, and walked away. Jane went to Buddy who was pulled away by a gleeful Susan. Wally was glad to have his friend back, and Hazel just froze.

Cynthia sat in her living room when Nancy came in with a peace offering of alcohol. Cynthia didn't want it to be a whole thing. She just didn't like the way Nancy talked to Potato. Nancy conceded that Cynthia was right about her being a jerk to Potato, but something else was going on too. She knew Cynthia didn't want to talk after she bailed on the play, but had been acting strange all over. Cynthia merely turned away from her. Nancy pushed for an answer and asked if it had to do with Shy Guy or her dad. When Cynthia turned down those, Nancy asked if it had to do with her mom. Cynthia shook her head, no. Nancy assured her she could tell her anything, but Cynthia shook her head, crying. Nancy realized she couldn't talk about it. She handed her a piece of paper and a pen, in the hopes she would write it down. Cynthia took the paper and did just that, but made sure to shield the paper from Nancy, who looked away. Cynthia folded the paper and slid it across the floor to her friend, who had to yank it from her grip. Nancy read it and then cleared her throat, then signed for the pencil. She wrote her response and Cynthia looked away as Nancy once had. She slid the paper back and Cynthia read it. She laughed then burst into tears. Nancy held her arms out and Cynthia sobbed into her chest, then her lap. Nancy held her friend and then poured a shot.

Jane cried in bed with Richie's jacket over her. She curled up on her side and fell asleep with it in her arms. The Pink Ladies gift next to her. In the morning, a soft thump from the window awakened Jane. She called out for Richie, only to find Hazel instead. Hazel knew it was early but didn't want to wake the rest of Jane's family. She desperately needed to talk to her. Everything was wrong - she had boy problems and hadn't slept all night. Jane cut her off as she wasn't in a great spot to talk about boy problems. Hazel prepared to climb back out when Jane cut her off and told her to come back. Hazel thought two boys liked her, Wally and Buddy, and Jane was the only person Hazel knew with experience in that area. As she rambled, Jane yawned and Hazel finally admitted she needed Jane to tell her what to do. Jane wasn't sure she had the advice to give as her two-boy problem didn't end well. Plus, logic isn't that helpful in matters of the heart. Hazel fell back on the bed and Jane joined her. Hazel felt better just having told someone. She didn't have anyone else to talk to. Jane asked if Hazel was hungry.

The Pink Ladies and Hazel sat in a booth at Frosty's where they devoured food and Nancy nursed a hangover. Cynthia remarked on their friendship with Olivia being over, and Hazel asked why that was. Jane admitted she was getting married, but Hazel failed to see how those things were connected. The Pink Ladies had an epiphany and hatched a plan to get to the church. They needed a car to get there. McGee entered and sat at the booth as she had something to tell them. As McGee gave a heartfelt speech on how the Pink Ladies had inspired her to stand up for herself, the four girls communicated nonverbally over McGee's car keys on the table. They stole the keys, shouted it was for Olivia, and ran out of the restaurant. McGee ran after them and then grumbled as they could've just asked for a ride.

Olivia, escorted by her father, walked down the aisle to Leonard and the priest. Once in a pew, Raul assured Irene that Olivia would be okay, but Irene wished they hadn't said yes. The church doors burst open and the Pink Ladies ran in. Jane was sorry to interrupt but wanted to talk to Olivia. Leonard insisted they were busy, but Jane reminded Olivia that they were friends. Cynthia blurted out that friends showed up for each other regardless of what dingbats they married. Jane paused then continued with her speech about how important the Pink Ladies and Olivia were to her. She wouldn't have survived this year without her. So if Olivia wanted to get out of there they stole McGee's car and it was running outside. But if she really wanted to get married, then she had three bridesmaids ready to go. Nancy grabbed a shawl and offered to drape three dresses out of them in fifteen minutes. Leonard was okay with them staying if she was. Olivia turned to Leonard. She thought she lost everything with Richie and wanted to hold onto someone she could count on. But she realized now that she had three, maybe four, someone's who would never leave her side no matter what. She gave the bouquet to Leonard. This wasn't right and they both knew it. She suggested he call Barb, who seemed nice. Olivia smiled at her friends, grabbed Jane's hand, and they ran down the aisle together. Nancy stopped and went back to Leonard. She gestured for him to bend down closer and when he did, she slapped him across the face. She proclaimed that Olivia was a child and stormed to her shocked friends.

The fivesome arrived at the Rydell High carnival and split off in different directions. Nancy urged Cynthia into the Hall of Mirrors after Lydia. The girls found each other in the mirrors and Lydia walked away. Cynthia sang her love confession to the girl, about how she was All In. Cynthia hoped to convince Lydia that she wasn't going to bail if they committed to a relationship. She belted out the song as proof, followed her around the exhibit, and they ultimately danced together. The song ended when they held hands and Lydia worried that Cynthia would act like this never happened. Cynthia revealed she came out to her friend Nancy, who would hold her accountable, and remember the relationship so Cynthia couldn't pretend she didn't commit. Nancy didn't have all day and the girls kissed. Nancy saluted them and walked out as the thespians made out.

Nancy emerged from the Hall of Mirrors to find Potato at the pie-throwing booth. She apologized and explained that she wasn't normal and didn't want to be. She got bored easily and while she liked him a lot, she wasn't sure if they should be together. Potato dramatically knocked popcorn out of a thespian's hand, called her a fake, a phony, and that they were through. He stormed several paces away then turned back to her. He walked over, dipped her, and planted a kiss to keep things interesting. He picked up a pie and shoved it in her face as everyone looked on laughing. Nancy turned and darkly told him to come back before she hurried after him.

Jane and Olivia returned McGee's keys to her. McGee correctly assumed this meant Olivia was back at Rydell High. Nicholson walked over and praised McGee for the carnival coming out great all by herself. McGee managed it but turned to the Principal. If she didn't have an assistant by the time she came back from Winter break, she would not only quit but write a very informative letter to Superintendent Fletcher detailing just how much work Nicholson did around Rydell High. She walked off proudly and moments later, the Socs ran up to encourage Jane to tell Nicholson what she had been dying to tell him. Jane admitted the Frosty Palace fight was Richie's fault. They all saw it and agreed Buddy should stay. Nicholson revealed it was too late as Buddy called him that morning and confessed to everything. Richie Valdovinos was free to come back to Rydell High. This elated Olivia and Jane, while the Socs followed Nicholson to question him. Olivia thanked Jane for being her and not giving up on Richie or her. Jane couldn't have done it without the girl who taught her to be bold.

Nicholson sat in the dunk tank as students failed to dunk him. Gil played ring toss and then turned to see Olivia emerge from the sunlight, windswept, as she released her veil. A St. Bernadette's girl took the stuffed animal he won for her. He put his arm over her shoulders and walked away as Olivia watched in dejection.

Dick questioned Buddy's decision and the boy admitted he got tired of winning by default. Dick hoped he liked Connecticut because first thing tomorrow he was on a bus. Buddy refused but Dick insisted that he had to listen as he was 16 and just got kicked out of school. The boy didn't know what to do but would figure it out. He turned and locked eyes with Hazel and a gleeful Wally. Nicholson continued to smack talk the students so Dick grabbed the ball and dunked the Principal.

The Pink Ladies gathered in front of Hazel to thank her for saving the day. Jane didn't have a solution to her two-boy problem but offered a four-girl solution to everything else. Cynthia explained they had a problem of their own, too. They had one unshakable optimist, one cool cynic, one hilarious jokester, and one mad genius. But they were all insane. They could use a logical one, the kind of logical one who used her powers to steal a car for a friend. Nancy presented a spare jacket, and it was Hazel's if she wanted it. Jane stopped her, as Hazel needed to take the pledge first. The girls didn't have a pledge, at least not yet. Jane put her hand over her heart and looked at Olivia, who improvised - to act cool. Nancy added to look cool, and Cynthia finished with To be cool. Jane smiled as she added till death do them part, think pink. Hazel presented one problem - she wasn't cool. The Pink Ladies grinned and began their song, about how Hazel was one of them, what it took to be a Pink Lady, and what the pledge meant. They danced around the carnival, took space on stages, sat on a picnic table with Hazel on top, and danced with the other students. The Socs danced together, with Dot jumping in Rosemary's arms. The T-Birds slid in front of the girls and tried to remove their belts to moon them, but Miss McGee chased them away. The girls ended their song - and pledge - with their hands held together.

The five Pink Ladies walked into the Frosty Palace. They passed Frenchy and Betty, who decided to start their own gang. The kids from Washington Junior were way cooler anyway. And the girls from St. Bernadette's Lower School were tough as nails. They went to start scouting and Betty told her to not say anything dumb.

The Pink Ladies left the Frosty Palace just as the T-Birds walked up. Gil had his arm around a St. Bernadette's girl. Olivia sized them both up. Gil greeted them and wanted to introduce them, and the rest of the emerging Socs, to his old pal from when he was a kid in New York. He just moved to Ry-Hell. This was friend Frankie, and Jane pushed her way to the front of the group and then screamed out his last name, “Zuko?!” She looks at him angrily and emotionally. She said she never wanted to see him again and she meant it. She turned around and pushed past her friends. Everyone looked over to the leather-jacket-wearing newcomer.

Cast

Starring

• Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano
• Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia Valdovinos
• Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski
• Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa
• Shanel Bailey as Hazel Robertson
• Johnathan Nieves as Richie Valdovinos (Credit only: Mentioned)
• Jason Schmidt as Buddy Aldridge
• Madison Thompson as Susan St. Clair
• Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally Winslow
• Jackie Hoffman Assistant Principal McGee

Guest Starring

• Nicholas McDonough as Gil Rizzo
• Maximo Salas as Shy Guy
• Alexis Sides as Potato
• Josette Halpert as Dot
• Charlotte Kavanagh as Rosemary
• Niamh Wilson as Lydia
• Dylan Sloane as Neil
• Ty Wood
• Madison Elizabeth Lagares as Frenchy Facciano
• Emma Shannon as Betty Rizzo
• Chris McNally as Leonard Daniels
• Todd Thomson as Dick Aldridge
• Danny Mac as Principal Nicholson
• Juana Lerma Juarez as Irene Valdovinos
• Michael Scholar, Jr. as Raul Valdovinos

Co-Starring

• Iseah Diaz as Luiz Valdovinos
• Taliya Evans as Camila Valdovinos
• Carolina Rolo as St. Bernadette's Girl
• Fabian Saul as Priest
• Abbygale Chung as Lucille
• Lola Clare as Pearl
• CJ Damaso as Maria
• Peter D'Souza as Tommy
• Sarah Formosa as Edith
• Summer Lynn Gillespie as Polly
• Kalli Hu as Peg
• Kenya Jordan as Virginia
• Matt Kennedy as Orson
• Andrew Kyrzyk as PR
• Victor Lau as Floyd
• Dominique Mailloux as Ellen
• Ryan McEwen as Roy
• Julien Naud as Arthur
• Cole Neumeier as Bill
• Emilee Nimetz as Alice
• Sam Scherzer as Gus
• Aidan Springle as Ernie
• Zac Vran as Irving
• Rachael Withers as Geraldine
• Unknown Stand-In as Frankie Zuko

Soundtrack

Title	Performer	Notes
Please Please Please	Marisa Davila, Tricia Fukuhara, Ari Notartomaso	The Pink Ladies tried to convince Olivia not to marry Mr. Daniels
Greased Lightnin' (Instrumental)	John Travolta	Jane and Susan raced at the Raceway.
All In	Ari Notartomaso	Cynthia convinced Lydia she was committed to their new relationship.
Think Pink	Marisa Davila, Tricia Fukuhara, Ari Notartomaso, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Shanel Bailey	The Pink Ladies recruited Hazel to join their gang.
Grease is the Word (Instrumental)	Cast ensemble	Jane recognized Frankie Zuko outside the Frosty Palace.

Notes and Trivia

• The episode aired the same day the official soundtrack of Season 1 was released.
• This is also marks the second episode where cast member Johnathan Nieves who portrays Richie Valdovinos was absent. However, he is mentioned heavily in this episode.
  • He was previously absent from "You're Dropping Out of Rydell?", as only Richie's back was seen. There were conflicting reports on whether or not the scene with Richie in the episode was filmed with a stand-in or not.
• Two endings were filmed for the season, with differing reactions to Jane seeing Zuko. One was confusion and fondness, while the other was anger. The writers chose the one they thought would best set up a potential season 2.
• Hazel became a new member of The Pink Ladies.
• After Buddy confessed, Principal Nicholson allowed Richie to return to Rydell High. This also resulted in Buddy now getting expelled from school.
• Betty and Frenchy asked to join the Pink Ladies but were shot down by both Jane and Gil. They decided to recruit members for their own junior high gang.
  • In four years, Betty and Frenchy would become primary members of the Pink Ladies, with Betty leading the gang.
• During Susan and Jane's drag race, an instrumental version of Greased Lightnin' played in the background.
• A new character named Frankie Zuko was introduced into Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. Although his face is not shown, it was revealed that he was an old friend of Gil’s back in New York. It is also established that he had some sort of history with Jane mostly likely due to their early childhood lives in New York up until Jane’s departure. But it’s unknown what was the extent of their relationship. It is also unknown possibly if Frankie is related to Danny Zuko.

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