By Benjamin Matern
With an episode title like this it’s not hard to guess where the musical emphasis lies – but the story also focuses on pairings among the Glee kids. It’s an entertaining episode, but there is still something missing from season two that I can’t put my finger on. Maybe in this instance it’s the absent Sue Sylvester and Emma Pillsbury, but let’s dive into the story.
Puck has been sent to “juvie” – and the New Directions welcome Sam who was introduced in “Audition” and whose lips are bigger than Sarah Palin’s political embarrassment. He is a new love interest for Quinn and both the duet (“Lucky”) and new romance are “cute” … so where’s the “but”? Well, Sam doesn’t bother me, but I find him too random, even a little dull and I just hope that the relationship with Quinn develops into something more interesting. We’ll see.
I was surprised that Tina and Mike actually got some screening time, but I also realized why they’re probably left out most of the time – they too are dull. Their duet was an amusing attempt but I doubt that anyone in the audience was thrown for a loop (or am I too critical today?). Artie and Brittany, on the other hand, I liked. After the disastrous Britney Spears episode it felt good to have Brittany’s role expanded to a more believable degree and she didn’t seem to be just that “totally stupid cheerleader” but displayed a more sensitive side.
I don’t know if I should comment on Rachel’s and Finn’s offensive duet “With You I’m Born Again” in schoolgirl uniform/priest costume, but I need to pay tribute to Mercedes and Santana for “River Deep – Mountain High” – especially Naya Rivera caught me by surprise with her smoky, powerful voice (much better than her acting). Kurt’s self-duet “Le Jazz Hot” is just as good and also choreographed very well, but – do I even need to say it? – his best scene (and also one of the highlights of the episode) is of course with his father, a once more and forever simple, yet profound and just extremely well played scene.
Few eyes were on any of the faculty which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but despite its grand moments, this episode also had some lengths and flaws. Season two still doesn’t compare to season one, but it’s only been four episodes and I’m optimistic.
Well…I guess we totally disagree on that one. I thought this was the best episode of the season and possibly ever. I love it when glee stops being all about big loud moments and just is a show about a few lonely kids stuck in Lima (maybe they only do those episodes to keep the budget low occasionally, but I love them most).
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Santana’s developement here as it was the first time the show took her and Brittany seriously and hinted at Santana being a lesbian instead of just bicurious with her “gay panicking” when Brittany suggested a Melissa Ethenbridge duet and denying being in love when it wasn’t even brought up before.
Also this episode marked the beginning of the Kurt/Rachel friendship which is imo one of the best things about season 2 as it combines two of the best-written characters and two of the show’s best actors who work very well together, and I thought “Happy days/Get happy” was mesmerizing and the best song of the night.
It also set up the Kurt/Blaine-story very well with Kurt’s loneliness and him and Burt talking about Kurt finding somebody out and proud who he could walk hand in hand and go to prom with both of which happened later the season.
And I even liked the Mike/Tina-parts, it was one of the few times glee actually showed a healthy relationship – they had an issue, they argued, they worked through it and got out of it stronger than before. They even addressed the fact that the only thing they had had so far was “both Asian”, though they sadly went back to that later the season.And I liked “Sing”.
Heck, I even liked Finn/Rachel because I think they have far better friendly chemistry than romantic and this episode was mostly about them scheming and having fun together.
The only thing I agree about is Sam, though that has to do with the fact Chord has yet to impress me both acting- and singingwise, he’s quite bland imo. Dianna on the other hand was pretty good here and I liked her little speech in the astronomy room about Quinn trying to get her old life back even though she clearly changed.
But then I always like glee most when it concentrates on the kids as I find most of the adult’s storylines forced – see fake pregnancy, B/B, RHGS, Sue marrying herself or playing Grinch etc.
Just my opinion