Previously on Manhunt Daily, I expressed some doubts about all the praise Glee's been getting. Now, last night's episode made me feel like the producers are specifically attempting to squash my skepticism. It was a breath of fresh air, proving to me that the show can live up to all the hype.
I'm fully aware that the episode had a few flaws, and there's been a bit of controversy over whether able-bodied actor Kevin McHale should be playing wheelchair-bound character Artie. On the other hand, my favorite part about this episode is that it managed to weave together so many great plotlines without getting too scattered. You'll have to click through for more of my thoughts, because they're full of spoilers! I'm sure I missed a few great moments, so let me know what your favorite part of the episode was.
– Dewitt
For my top ten favorite moments from this episode, follow the JUMP:
- Sue Sylvester has a heart: Jane Lynch constantly steals the scene with her quippy one-liners, and I'd argue that she stole this entire episode with the scene where she visited her sister. To be quite frank, there were tears in my eyes. The best part about this moment was that it was completely unexpected. When Sue let Becky Jackson into The Cheerios and donated money to install ramps in the school, how many of you thought she was up to something devious?
- Puck tries to be a good baby daddy: Puck and Quinn have the most chemistry out of any the couples (or potential couples) on the show. Because of this, I've really been rooting for him to win her over. Though his method of selling laced cupcakes to pay Quinn's bills were a bit misguided, his heart was in the right place. Okay, so it wasn't so sweet when you realize he was stealing the money from Artie, but it comes close. And that food fight was so cliche yet adorable.
- A complete absence of Terri Schuester: The drama with Will's wife is gut-wrenchingly irritating. Every time I see Jessalyn Gilsig on the screen, I become stressed out. I really wish they'd get to the part where Schuester starts doing Emma. All this fake pregnancy bullshit is just reminiscent of Lindsay Lohan's made-for-TV movie Labor Pains.
- Rachel and Kurt have a diva-off: Was anyone else infuriated that these two were fighting over "Defying Gravity", a song that's actually a duet? I was shocked when they didn't decide to bury the hatchet and sing this together, which brings me to another point…
- Kurt's dad is awesome: I find myself getting extremely emotional in every one of their scenes together. It was sweet that Kurt's father stood up for him, allowing him to compete with Rachel for the solo. It was even sweeter when he got so flustered after an anonymous phone call, in which the caller said, "Your son's a fag". I'm not sure how I feel about Kurt intentionally blowing the solo due to his father's concerns. Was that really the right message to send? Still, I got a little choked up.
- Holy crap, Brittany: I can't even remember the specific line, but my new favorite member of the glee club is cheerleader Brittany. Even though she's appeared in previous episodes, they finally gave her some scene-stealing lines this time around. I'd love for them to keep developing these "tertiary" characters.
- Mercedes gets another solo: It's a little frustrating that they refuse to let Mercedes dabble in the "vanilla". Every one of her featured solos have been on songs previously performed by black artists (Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Tina Turner). With that said, she turned it out for "Proud Mary". And before anyone tries to start shit with me, I'm aware the song was originally performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
- Tina has no stutter: In yet another unexpected moment, Tina reveals that she's been faking her stutter for years, in an attempt to push others away. She confesses this to Artie, just as we're convinced their romance will blossom. He doesn't take it too well.
- Wheelchair choreography, anyone?: I'm a sucker for unconventional choreography, especially when it involves popping wheelies in wheelchairs. Artie's "Dancing With Myself" solo was good on its own, but nothing was better than the "Proud Mary" finale.
- Artie was just fantastic in general: How great was it for Artie's character to finally get some development? I literally LOL'd when he told Tina that his penis is fully functional. There may be some controversy regarding this casting decision, but I fully support Kevin McHale's depiction of the character.
OMG … No Way … I found your points to pretty accurate … starting at point 1. Yes, Sue Sylvester has a heart but seriously thought she was up to something, glad to see why she did it all it brought a tear to my eye as well … 2. Yes, though Puck laced the treats, I think his intentions were good even though misplaced, that man can be my daddy anyday … 3. Well I will not say what I think about Terri … 4. As for Rachel and Kurt, Rachel is an attention whore, I have to admit though Kurt throwing his chance to be the lead was stupid 5. Kurt’s dad rocks, the fact that he received the phone call from an unknown person shows people that this kinda hatred is real and happens today, All there is to say about that is DAMN PROUD of Kurt’s dad … 6. Was very happy to see Brittany get a role … 7. I would love to see Mercedes get a vanilla role she has proven her strength in the others … 8. Tina’s deception was heart breaking and I am glad Artie did what he did that evil woman … 9. the routines last night were awesome and Artie rocked the house with his performances, there needs to be more … and finally 10. His comment about his penis as shocking as the comment was I thought was absolutely awesome and brought out a great point, just because the legs may not work doesn’t mean the other parts don’t
what? no clips of the show which i can’t complain that i’m inable to watch cause i’m in canada? lame 😛
Kurt’s dad looks just like Glen Beck.
I seriously loved this episode.
The only point I might add.
Quinn smiles
I to teared up when Sue saw her sister! Love love this show!
I actually hated this episode despite most of the points you made (and partly because of number 9, as it seemed a little tacky and it did not, to me, feel as if it were truly in good taste. I’m mostly disappointed that we were looking forward to an Artie-centric episode when his story *still* took a back seat to the two larger plots of the season.
And for number 4, well, I really didn’t like what they did for the song (it lost all of the context that made it great in the first place). I love how the Quick and Tintie pairings are developing, but I also hate that both Finn and Puck got away with using the image of being wheelchair-bound scott-free. I know they were doing it “for the right reason” but it was horrible nonetheless.
What pleased me most, however, was the appearance of Finn’s new boss (who plays Vork in the web series The Guild). And Artie’s line. And Sue’s character development. I actually did cry.
I actually loved that Kurt threw his solo to “protect” his dad. Rather than the typical story lines–gay kid with horrible parent, or gay kid with great parent–we got a more complex story line: gay kid, decent-struggling parent, gay kid realizes it’s not all about him and life is complicated and parents should get some points for trying really hard. i just remember times it was important to cut my parents some slack.
having said that, i can’t understand why quinn wants to stay with finn. she seems to hate him, why not just pick puck? who is both nicer to her (and helluvalot hotter.)
and sue’s character development. geez. i was a blubbering idiot. but, pulling in a retarded sister seemed pretty predictable heartstring tugging, and pretty problematic in an episode that was trying to move beyong “pitying” the disabled folk.
Amen (can we say that here?) to KLB statements about Kurt and his dad. I felt the exact same thing. Every gay’s parent doesn’t deserve a “fuck you, get over it” when our being “different” becomes problematic for them.
i’m in Canada and i just watched it at globaltv.com. best episode yet fo sho
I don’t cry easily, but I did during that scene between Sue and her sister. Absolutely touching. So unexpected and just really great.
And I loved the cute moments between Quinn and Puck – I don’t really dig all the teenage love plots they’ve got going on, but those were nice.
Oh, wanted to add – I actually liked Brittany more before she started getting lines. I know that sounds weird, but back when no one really knew her, she had all these great facial expressions and just seemed really awesome; she was one of my favorite “background” characters to watch. But now they’re just making her into an idiot (that scene where she couldn’t raise her right hand?) and it’s kind of frustrating because it’s not how I imagined her. /rant
And while I don’t like the fake pregnancy plot, whoever plays Will’s wife is a really talented actress. I actually believe that she’s completely insane, so good for her.
I couldn’t agree with you more Dewitt. Sounds like we would have been prefect viewing buddies 🙂
Did no one else notice that when Puck was talking about being a great father while selling his laced cupcakes, Quinn was just finishing eating hers. Genius filming, and too funny!
I thought it was a great episode and I think all the controversy is lame and it’s just people wanting to complain about something. Who cares if he’s not in a wheelchair in real life? I did think it was kind of stupid that he got upset because Tina didn’t have a stutter. Like the only reason he liked her is because she had a stutter.
I thought Britney was brilliant too. It’s not quite as consistent since sometimes she’s been portrayed as kind of callous but she manages to be sweet but dim. Was the line you were thinking of “…most of us? Don’t know how to bake…? I find– Recipes confusing?”
Or when she hung out with the girl with Down’s Syndrome who she cheats off of? I can’t really remember any of the specifics of the dialogue but she seemed genuinely kind even if she somehow managed to lose a wheelchair.