“Preggers,” and its Diablo Cody-esque exploitation of a popular abbreviation, was the best episode of Glee yet. Sure, the “Single Ladies” marmalade was spread a little thick for my taste, simultaneously because of and despite Kanye’s insight that Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. What the episode lacked in full length and full cast music numbers it made up for in a show of dramatic and narrative viability. Memo to Glee: I like it, and I’m gonna put a ring on it. Let’s hope Fox does too.
When the kids sang last week, they nailed it. Lea Michele’s “Taking Chances” put Celine and her freakish horse face to shame, and I can’t wait for more covers from Cabaret in the future (assuming the plot line is sustained, which I assume it will be?) I also loved the pairing of Sue and Sandy, defying gender stereotypes or just gender in general. And Sue’s TV segments? Priceless. Homeless people and tsunami victims never felt so loved.
A Guide to Homeless Relations
I’m a huge sucker (that’s what she said?) for anything West Side Story, so Tina C redeeming the non power belt of “Tonight” after TSwift Hiroshima-d it in the VMA ads was particularly touching. Still not sure what’s going on with that stutter, but girl’s got pipes and dance moves. Asians were never so proud.
I've got a crush on a lesbian goth chick
The Rachel Berry Ensemble vs Diva plot can last a few episodes and gives Lea Michele a chance to do some acting that’s not pining after Finn or rocking out to some lame Glee choreography (that’s one thing that concerns me, how will they compete against Vocal Adrenaline with diagonal lines? Or rather, how will they sustain my interest as someone who likes to think she can dance? How great would that TV show be…) The brief appearance of the Principal was better than anything I could have imagined. I have been looking to shake up my American Airlines routine…
Planes, India, and Pulmonary Embolism
One of my friends (I see you friend!) texted me that this week lacked the sarcastic one liners of the previous few episodes, an observation I certainly agree with. I will, however, defend the writers for shying away from using Jane Lynch as Tiny Tim crutch. In containing her to the Sue segment, they put pressures on themselves and the other characters to step it up. She’s excellent interacting with other characters, and the duo of her and Sandy is promising, but I do enjoy her stream of consciousness on local TV. It allows the writers to play with style of humor and genre of the show without losing the comedic punch, something that steers it away from Arrested Development schtick territory. Glee has to prove that it is more than song and dance, as it did last week.
The most exciting development of last week’s episode was Quinn Febreeze’s pregnancy. It’s unfair how hot that baby will be.
STOP BEING SO PRETTY WHEN YOU CRY
Glee has been adding complexity and vulnerability to the majority of its characters since the season picked up this fall, and I certainly appreciate it. This pregnancy (Puck is the baby daddy, not skinny Finn-y) affects the entirety of the show, rather than being a minor character plot vignette. We had one of those last week with Kurt’s joining the football team and poignantly coming out, and the week before with Merecedes’ lonely vagina (I hear you, girl). Much as I hate Karen, Will’s wife, I’m excited to see how her relationship with Quinn and the baby in question develops. I do, however, hate her sister and her creepy accent.
Sassy Face
Basically, Quinn got pregnant by Puck but told Finn it’s his from that time they made out in a hot tub and she wore a bathing suit with a charm attached. Finn tells Will who tells his wife who breaks into Quinn’s car, the implication being that she wants to take the baby as her own. Genius, I know.
They can name the baby Jacuzzi
In other news, I was so over “Single Ladies” by the third time it played and the football team won the game. I hope the football field does not become a place for dance numbers a la “Now or Never” in HSM3. I’m okay with “Get’cha Head in the Game,” though. I’m glad Kurt is officially gay, and I’m rooting for him to get a love interest.
Oh, and in 29 minutes on the East Cost, Kristin Chenoweth will star in the latest episode. And this time, the guest star who can actually sing and act stolen from ABC programming (Victor Garber from Alias, Debra Monk from Grey’s, now Kristin from Pushing Daisies) will sing! At least three songs, according to iTunes. If Hump Day can’t actually be hump day, it might as well be a day of Glee.
