Episode 4 - Preggers

So much plot, so few song and dance numbers...

This is the episode where Quinn tells Finn that she's pregnant. If Finn were smarter, he would know that there is no way he could be the father b/c they never had sex. But, Finn's not that kind of smart, and so we have some Baby Daddy drama when it's revealed later in the episode that Puck's the dad, but that Quinn only slept with him because she thought she was fat that day. For those of you who want to keep comparing this show to High School Musical, you can stop now. None of those Disney characters would ever get knocked up in high school... though it seems that kids on the ABC Family channel can - Discuss.

Anyway, back to Glee and it's main story lines of the week:

Kurt

Besides the baby news, the big development in this episode is Kurt, in all his fabulousness. The show opened with Kurt fronting a homemade "Single Ladies" video, with fellow Glee-clubbers Tina and Brittany as his back-up dancers. Everyone's got on their black leotards and owning the Beyonce choreography.... and then Kurt's dad walks in.

Now, we the audience know that Kurt is fierce, tends to be a bit loud with his wardrobe choices, and just outed himself in the last episode (to Mercedes, though most of the other main high school characters have recognized [in a positive or negative light] his homosexuality). At the beginning of this episode, Kurt is still in the closet when it comes to his father. Brittany claims that Kurt is on the football team (as the kicker - b/c he's the smallest guy on the team, right?) and the leotards and dancing are part of his training. Kurt + football = not likely, but extremely awesome later in the episode...

Kurt approaches Finn (his crush) to ask for help with football. Before Kurt can get out his question, Finn smiles and politely declines his advances and says something along the lines of he already has a date to the dance but is flattered and he knows how important these kinds of events are for people like Kurt. I thought this was a sweet moment for Finn in that he recognizes that Kurt has a crush on him, but he didn't make fun of him, nor treated him any differently. 

Kurt's football tryout was priceless. Sure, he busted out some "Single Ladies" dance moves, but he kicked the snot out of that football. I'm glad his "audition for the role of the kicker" went well :) (More on Kurt and his football prowess in a bit...)

Rachel vs. Glee club

Oh Rachel Berry... I like how the writers are letting her screw up socially - it'll give her a bigger arc later when she comes to her senses that she may be talented, but that doesn't mean she should be the star/center of attention the whole time.

I was glad in Glee rehearsal when Mr. Shuester gave Tina the "Tonight" solo from West Side Story. Stomp your foot all you want Rachel, but using your religion and your talent as ammo is not the way to win over peers.

This little move was just was Sue Sylvester and Sandy wanted... so they set up an audition for the lead role in Cabaret. This sly move further pulls Rachel away from glee club (she now has a starring role) and sets Mr. Shuester up for failure b/c he already lacked numbers and now he lacks one of his divas.

Finn

Poor kid. As I already mentioned above, he's not the brightest young man. His naivety is endearing, though you wish the boy knew better. My heart broke just a little bit when he walked onto the stage at the end of Tina's "Tonight" solo and just started crying. Mr. Shuester was there to give him a man-hug and then take him out to dinner.

Props to the writers again for creating a Will and Finn Father/Son dynamic. Will thinks he's fathering a child (as does Finn...) and we know Finn's dad is gone, so it's nice to have this male bonding going on, even though we know they are the victims of horrible lies.

My favorite bit of the night was when Finn pulled out that library book to show Will and then went on to comment about how you can just check any book out of the library for free (except for the Encyclopedias... Oh Finn!).

I was a bit worried when Finn suggest Mr. Schuester teach all the football guys how to dance, but the end result was sooooo worth it, as an audience member...

Football and all you Single Ladies

So, Finn asked Mr. Shue to help the football guys loosen up a bit via some dance moves. See, the McKinley football team sucks, and Finn thinks a football scholarship is the only chance he has at getting into college. You know, he doesn't want to be a "Lima Loser". (BTW - I've lived in Ohio for most of my life and had never heard this phrase before... though I haven't ever lived near Lima, so maybe this is a legitimate diss)

Mr. Shue and Coach Tanaka agree that dancing might help, so Kurt tries to teach the other guys the "Single Ladies" dance. I don't care that this song has been out for months now, it's still awesome and the choreography is solid.

During the football game, the team is down 6-0 with mere seconds left. In a moment of true leadership, Finn calls for the team to do the "Single Ladies" routine. Puck argues that they'll be called a joke, but Finn retorts they already are for being such a crappy team. He doesn't want to be a Lima Loser, and if dancing is the way to win, so be it... 

Puck agrees after a verbal altercation with an opposing team's player, and Finn calls "Put a ring on it on one". And so, as the clock counts down, Finn cues for the music, and the McKinley Titans explode into the infamous choreography. 

I will gladly overlook the jumpy editing toward the end of the sequence (right before the Center hikes the ball, Finn was not standing behind him mere frames before... come on!) and fully embrace the ridiculousness of it all. The "Singles Ladies" phenomenon persists, and I love every second of it.

And then, to top it all off, Kurt kicks the extra point and they win... yay team.

End scenes

The show's end juxtaposes Rachel quitting the glee club (over Mr. Shue still not giving her the "Tonight" solo) and Kurt coming out to his dad. Rachel needs to get over herself... but I'm glad for her distance from glee b/c it is helpful in the next episode.

And then there's Kurt... I love this character and think he's one of the better thought out pieces of the entire show puzzle (even though us fans know that this character was not part of the initial show plan). Bravo to little Chris Colfer once again. He broke my heart when Kurt came out to Mercedes last episode, and did it again when he told his dad that he's gay. And cheers to the writers for not having the dad make a huge deal about it, or throw a fit, or disown the boy. Thoughtful television about tolerance is glorious... and I'm glad the writers have worked in all sorts of tolerance issues in later episodes (race, religion, disabilities, etc...).

Final thoughts

Although there was a serious lack of singing and dancing (at the same time... there was plenty of "Single Ladies" moves going on), this episode had heart. Yes, I know I left out a major plot involving Will's wife approaching Quinn about adopting her baby, but I am soooooo over that story line right now, that I'm going to choose to ignore it.

Here's what I want from future episodes of Glee - less Terri, more Sue, more singing, more dancing, more Kurt, more Tina, more Artie, more Mercedes, more Rachel/Finn, and waaaaaaaaaay more Puck. (note I'm writing this post the week after Mark Salling sang "Sweet Caroline" on the show during episode 8 "Mash-Ups" and I am beyond smitten. We. Want. More. Puck.)

Remember Glee fans, no more new episodes are airing until 11/11/09. BUT, catch Glee cast members singing the national anthem at Game 3 of the World Series this Saturday, 10/31!!!! 

Episode 3 - Acafellas

"This is how we do it!"

Oh, Episode 3, thank you for so many things... like an all-male a capella group that sings suggestive songs in front of a high school audience. And the presence of Victor Garber as Will's dad (gosh, I miss Eli Stone!)

"Acafellas" starts off with the glee kids rebelling against Mr. Shue and his mediocre choreography. Hey, his step to the left and clap your hands is about all the dance moves I could handle, but Quinn and the other Cheerios convince Rachel that Mr. Shue's dance moves aren't going to get them anywhere, competition-wise. They need Dakota Stanley... and we the audience needed this slight rift in the glee club. Everything can't be happy song and dance routines all the time, can they?

There was a bunch of plot development going on in between this week's music numbers:

Rachel/Finn

I was happy to see Finn sort of stand up for himself and Mr. Shuester. Finn seems to be the only one able to tell Rachel that she's a bit much... her and her plate of "I'm Sorry" cookies. I also appreciated that the writers gave them a confrontation scene after glee rehearsal. Finn flat out asked Rachel if she was mad/wanted to talk about the stage incident from the other day (i.e. last week's episode). Although Rachel said she didn't want to talk about it, she chose to side with the Cheerios and get Dakota Stanley even though Finn was vocally opposed to the whole idea.

Mercedes/Kurt

Awwwww - a girl's first GBFF (Gay Best Friend Forever). Poor Mercedes, thinking that she and Kurt are going out as more than just friends. She's fierce, but self-esteem wise, she feels she's at the bottom of the social food chain. Mercedes is right - Kurt is nice and treats her well (as all men should treat ladies... hint hint), but he's not going to be any more than her GBFF. This story line was poignant in that there are not very many gay high school aged characters on television. Kurt's as fierce as Mercedes - they share a penchant for dramatic/loud/stylish clothing and are both key members of the glee club. Their final scene together at the lockers was brilliant. Little Chris Colfer should get some sort of special award for how sincere and vulnerable he plays Kurt in this out-of-the-glee club-spotlight moment.

Cheerios/Glee Kids

Quinn, Santana and Brittany (right?) infiltrated the glee club at the end of episode 2. Quinn manages to talk Rachel into dumping Mr. Schuester's choreography and hiring Dakota Stanley - a pricey choreographer who happens to block Vocal Adrenaline's dance sequences (competition!). Rachel, in a moment of stupidity/trying to fit in with Finn's GF, leads the glee kids to an utterly horrific encounter with Dakota Stanley (played by that little kid from the beginning of Jurassic Park... I know, right?). Short in stature, but big on cruelty, Dakota Stanley berates the glee kids - going so far as to tell Artie he's out of the group for not trying hard enough to walk. Oh Artie, I love you and your wheelchair. I got a kick out of when Dakota called Finn "Frankenteen". (Glee fans on Twitter know that's Cory Monteith's handle... too funny) 

One by one, all the glee kids walk/wheel out of the rehearsal room. Luckily, Rachel pulls it back together and mentions how their differences are what makes them special. If Finn's smile didn't make your heart melt, then you have no soul. (Props for bringing up Jim Abbott - he used to be my favorite pitcher!!)

Puck/Acafellas

As much as I heart Finn, I equally heart his cocky friend Puck... holy smokes. Sure, that character is a jerk, but he's FINE and can sing. Really well. Puck asks to join Acafellas because he wants a shot at all the moms in the audience. 

Let's back up for just a sec... Acafellas is an all guy a cappella group that Mr. Schuester starts b/c he loved to perform and he was having trouble with the glee kids. I'm glad we finally get to see Matthew Morrison sing something. But, why oh why, creators of Glee, must he always be singing Hip Hop songs? (As I'm writing this, the show will air its 8th episode tomorrow and Mr. Shuester will be singing not one, but two hip hop numbers. GIVE THE MAN A BALLAD. Some Michael Buble or something... geez!)

Mr. Shuester recruits Ken Tanaka, Finn, some guy from Sheets 'N Things and (faux) thumbless guest star John Lloyd Young to be in the singing group. (BTW - when I saw John Lloyd Young, I screamed with GLEE at my television... Jersey Boys 4EVA!) Sheets 'N Things guy and John Lloyd Young would be replaced by (sexy) Puck and (creepy) Sammy Jenkis from Memento... who is obsessed with Josh Groban. And rightly so... if you don't love Josh Groban, than something is seriously wrong with you.

So, Acafellas sing "I Want to Sex You Up" at a PTAesque gathering and it is glorious. Especially the part where Puck is singing and he's looking at Sue Sylvester. PRICELESS.

Music Numbers

We get a few numbers out of Acafellas and though all are good, they weren't showstoppers. The two big numbers were "Mercy" and "Bust Your Windows". "Mercy" was sung by Vocal Adrenaline... the rival group who sang "Rehab" in the pilot. Solid number, but I'd rather watch the glee kids from McKinley High School (go Titans!) sing and dance.

Mercedes (the amazing Amber Riley) bust the windows out of "Bust Your Windows". I'm glad she finally got a full song to herself. Clutch my pearls, that girl can SING.

Favorite moment of the episode

I'm going to say it's a toss up between 3 things... 

1. Puck and Sue's interaction during the Acafellas performance 

2. Josh Groban hitting on Will's mom

3. Kurt coming out to Mercedes (couldn't find clip... but stay tuned for the next post when I'll talk about Kurt and the Single Ladies dance... woot!)

Episode 2 - Showmance

Episode 2 - Showmance

This was the first episode of Glee aired in September, but the second episode of the show (the pilot aired in May, remember?). "Showmance" covered a lot of ground in 43 minutes... so many characters, so many story lines.

Will/Terri

Our beloved Glee instructor, Mr. Shuester (Matthew Morrison) is married to his high school sweetheart, Terri. This is the episode we find out she is *not* pregnant, though she tells her husband she is. This mega lie is what is going to be the center of their relationship. Terri wants a bigger/newer house with room for her (non-existent) baby, but Will knows they can't afford it. So, he takes a job as a night janitor at the high school. (Will also thinks that Disco music is the way to attract more students to the glee club, as well as advance his kids to/through sectionals... Sorry Mr. Shuester, you are mistaken.)

Will/Emma

I know the "Showmance" title is a reference to Finn and Rachel (more on them in a bit), but it could also apply to Will and Emma. They are adorable together when they spend time cleaning up that classroom after hours (the whole bit w/the chalk... so cute). But, Will's married... sadness! Though Emma's heart belongs to Will, she agrees to go out with Will's friend/gym teacher Ken Tanaka. Ken's no Will, but he's a decent man who will treat Emma the way she deserves to be treated.

Finn/Rachel

What a whole mess of hormones - Rachel likes Finn, and Finn seems to like Rachel, but Finn's going out with head cheerleader Quinn Fabray... who happens to be the President of the Celibacy Club. Drama! This episode really is the start of the Rachel/Finn relationship... true, they aren't going out with each other, but there are feelings going on all over the place. Their little scene on the stage was very telling - Finn respects Rachel for being a good singer which leads him to see her more than just the crazy glee girl who has a crush on him.

Music

This episode featured a few solid music numbers. Thank goodness they didn't do a full length version of "Le Freak" (or whatever the hell that lame song is called). I'm glad we finally got a full song out of Will (true, in the expanded pilot he sings "Leaving on a Jet Plane") - it was nice to see him singing/performing in front of his students... even if it was to Kanye West's "Gold Digger". I can't think of any real high school where this song would be allowed, but it worked for the show. It's always nice to hear Mercedes and Artie get solos!

We also finally get to hear Quinn (Dianna Argon) sing! She's got a unique voice that's not as strong as Rachel's, but it's going to be a welcome addition to the club. Quinn's presence in glee is needed so she can keep an eye on Rachel "man-hands" Berry (btw - all of Quinn's insults to Rachel are funny... even if they are totally mean).

The two big numbers were "Push It" and "Take a Bow". I laughed so hard when the glee kids performed at the pep assembly... well played, Glee. Well played. Another inappropriate song which made me laugh from the sheer horror on Will and Sue's faces. After a mind-boggling Celibacy Club meeting, "Push It" completely brought to the forefront a theme that will be very present on the show - sex. This is a topic that is every where, especially on (MTV) shows that are geared toward adolescents. I read a letter to the editor comment in EW that said they were not happy about the sexual content of the show - sorry Charlie Bucket, it's 2009...

Lea Michele is super talented, and hearing her character's interpretation of "Take a Bow" was a revelation. She is the every-girl... b/c haven't we all at some point stood in front of a mirror, hairbrush/microphone in hand, and just sang your heart out about some guy? Those lyrics are powerful, even more so when put in the context of a crush like that. Rachel Berry is one of my favorite characters on TV today. 

Other musings

The supporting characters on this show are priceless. All of the glee kids are great, but I have found myself eager to see more of Puck on the show (Puck = Finn's friend/football buddy, played by Mark Salling). He's a bit of a jerk, but I have a feeling he'll do something unexpectedly nice for someone sometime this season (not any time soon as 6 episodes have aired by now, but at some point). 

My favorite part of the episode

Not gonna lie, since Finn is my favorite character, my favorite part of the show was when he was practicing hitting high notes while Rachel played the piano. When he was like "Laaaaaaaaaaa!  That was good." I laugh every time because it is such a genuine moment. I like that his character makes little comments to himself, or others, when he talks because it's realistic. Rachel's little picnic is a bit much, but the re-call of the car accident is hilarious :)

Clip of Finn and Rachel practicing :)

Let's start at the very beginning... Episode 1: Pilot

So, I know the first episode of Glee aired all the way back in May, but in order to properly kick off this blog, we need to start at the very beginning... 

with the pilot

:)

I was excited for Glee ever since I first started seeing the commercials with glorious bits of "Don't Stop Believin" teasing us. Musical theater dork that I am, I was pumped to see Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison on a television program... added bonus that the show was going to be about a glee club.

So, after that Idol episode, I tuned in to Glee, and I was hooked. 

The pilot introduced us to the misfits of McKinley High School in Lima, OH. As someone who has lived most of her life in the Buckeye State, I take pride that a bunch of shows use Ohio as a location for comedic effect.

I am impressed about the amount of talent creator Ryan Murphy was able to amass for the cast. 

The glee club is lead by broadway veteran Lea Michele (who most recently appeared in the Tony Award winning musical "Spring Awakening" - a-maz-ing as Wendla!). Lea Michele plays Rachel Berry, a talented young ingenue whose talent is wider than her smile, but whose social skills regarding her peers are borderline nonexistent. Berry has her eyes on the prize... being the best singer/entertainer/glee member. Her talent is bigger than Lima, OH... that's for sure.

Another Broadway actor is glee instructor/Spanish teacher Mr. Shuester... played by poor man's Orlando Bloom, Matthew Morrison. He's adorable, has a great voice (and dance skills), and great chemistry with Jayma Mays... aka Emma, the doe-eyed guidance counselor. Scenes between the two of them are charming and heartfelt.

A touch of brilliance was casting Jane Lynch (one of my comic icons) as Sue Sylvester, the cheerleader coach.  Though she doesn't sing on the show (or at least, she hasn't yet), the way she delivers her smartly written lines of dialogue is sheer genius.

All of the glee club participants are amazing. Though the number of members ultimately increases over the next few episodes, the main core of kids are Rachel, Kurt, Artie, Tina and Mercedes... and I love them all.

Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) is in a word, fabulous. He's got the look down, the confidence ("Mr. Cellophane"? I think not!), knows when to play up the funny parts, but can also break your glee-loving heart (see episode 4, "Preggers", for the full range of Kurt).

Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) is the wheelchair-bound, bespectacled, guitar playing member of glee. He has some great one-liners, but we don't really get to see him shine until episode 6, "Vitamin D".

Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) made me smile ever since her audition of "I Kissed a Girl" (complete with hand gestures... hahaha). She's fierce, she stutters, and unfortunately, we haven't seen (or heard) much from her. Fingers crossed she gets a solid solo sometime soon :)

And then there is Mercedes Jones (Amber Riley - a vocal powerhouse). She's a diva in the best sense of the word... as in she's got Whitney pipes and she knows how to use them. She's a fashionista and looks to be Kurt's BFF. 

But my favorite glee member is late-comer Finn Hudson (the always adorable Cory Monteith). In the pilot episode, he was not an original glee member, but ended up in the club after a small incident involving some weed. There's nothing better than a tall, physically awkward guy rocking out to REO Speedwagon while in the locker room.

The Pilot episode gave us a solid overview of what we should expect from the show... a talented/funny cast with great comedic (and at times, bittersweetly serious) skills, amazing dialogue and ridiculously catchy music numbers.

In this first episode we were treated to a variety of small music numbers with a grande finale of "Don't Stop Believin"... The music was so powerful with all of the harmonies and an overall feeling of happiness and determination - I had goosebumps and a grin that was just about plastered on my face. I can't believe we had to wait until September for new episodes!

GLEE!

Hi everyone...

This blog will look so much better once I have time to sit down and make it pretty and write about Glee :)

I just wanted to get it set up so I could get "Glee Wednesday" off the market.

This blog will be devoted to all things Glee (the awesome Fox TV show about an Ohio glee club)...  I am in no way connected to the show, I'm just a huge fan!

So, hang in there with me while I get this site set up this weekend and we'll be able to gLeek out together!

Have a great day!

-Katie