'HSMTMTS' Season 4 Ending Explained: Is It Dedicated To Olivia Rodrigo?

HSMTMTS
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"High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" might have ended, but it would surely be on repeat and binged-watched by many on Disney Plus!

However, some fans were sad that Olivia Rodrigo, the breakout actress of the series, did not appear in the series finale.

'HSMTMTS' Season 4 Finale

As the East High Drama Club finished their Winter Musical with the production of "High School Musical 3," everyone ended up where they initially intended to go.

Ricky Bowen (Joshua Bassett) is staying with Gina Porter (Sofia Wylie) in Salt Lake City as he attempts to crank up his grades to be eligible for college. Porter is also staying in Salt Lake City as she forced Quinn Robbins (Caitlin Reilly) to shoot "Romeo and Juliet" in Utah.

Meanwhile, Kourtney Green (Dara Renee) chooses Lewis University as her college instead of Princeton while also fostering her growing love for Jet (Adrian Lyles). Similarly, Jet will remain in East High as her sister Maddox (Saylor Bell) won't be moving to New Zealand for filming "Romeo and Juliet." She and Ashlyn Moon (Julia Lester) are also now in a relationship after confessing to each other. Carlos (Frankie Rodriguez) and Seb (Joe Serafini) are also publicly out on Seb's parents as they are embarking on a tri-city trip tour outside Salt Lake City.

Meanwhile, Big Red (Larry Saperstein) intends to call Antoine (Andrew Barth Feldman) after he confessed his true identity, sexuality, and his admiration for him. On the other hand, Emmy (Liamani Segura) and Dani (Kylie Cantrall) became friends as the two wanted to continue the legacy of the Drama Club in East High. Ms. Jenn (Kate Reinders) and Mr. Mazzara (Mark St. Cyr) took the flight to New Zealand as Jenn ditched the offer to go on the National Tour of "Wicked" as Glinda. Meanwhile, EJ Caswell (Matt Cornett) returns to college.

'HSMTMTS' Season 4 Ending Explained

Noticeably, Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) was not present in the Season 4 of "HSMTMTS." However, show creator Tim Federle made sure her spirit was there.

Speaking to People Magazine about it, Federle said that there was a "very subtle" nod to Rodrigo at the finale moment.

When Big Red asked, "What do theatre kids do on opening night, Ricky smiled and looks off and said: I have an idea."

"For people who really know the show, they'll remember that in episode 110, [Ricky] says [to Nini], 'What do we do now?' And she says, 'Usually, the theater kids cry and then we go to Denny's'," Federle recalls.

According to the show creator, Ricky, Bassett's character "always take Nini with him.

"Gina will always take EJ [Matt Cornett] with her. These relationships are so important. Even if they're not marriage or the person you have kids with, they inform who you are," he added.

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