I had high hopes for last night's episode of Glee. Between director Joss Whedon and special guest star Neil Patrick Harris, how could you possibly go wrong? Apparently, you can in some ways. The episode left me feeling empty. Though this could be attributed to my monumental expectations, I can't help myself from feeling a bit disappointed.
But that doesn't mean there weren't some great moments. Even the occasionally awful dialogue couldn't tarnish a duet between Lea Michele and Idina Menzel. And with promises of a little Lady Gaga next week? You can bet your tight ass that I'll keep on watching!
– Dewitt
To watch the episode, read more and hear the songs, follow the JUMP:
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FULL EPISODE:
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NEXT WEEK:
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Piano Man (Matthew Morrison & Neil Patrick Harris): Will Schuester's high school nemesis returns to wreak havoc on McKinley High, threatening to cut the glee club program. In an attempt to change his mind, Schuester takes Bryan Ryan out for a beer. And then they sing "Piano Man" together at the bar.
This was mostly a throwaway number, which is a shame considering it could have been so much more. Just imagine the potential of local drunks singing along! People climbing atop the bar, captured under the spell of Billy Joel! Alas, this wasn't how it went down, but we're still giving this an extra half-point. Why? Because NPH is so fucking adorable. (3.5 Points)
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Dream On (Matthew Morrison & Neil Patrick Harris): To brighten Bryan Ryan's spirits, Schuester encourages him to audition for a local production of Les Misérables. The plan backfires when they both compete for the role of Jean Valjean, choosing the same exact audition song. Will changes his song to Aerosmith's "Dream On", but Bryan decides that he's going to change it too. The director eventually agrees to let them sing it as a duet.
Now, can we just agree that no one–not even Neil Patrick Harris–would audition for Les Misérables by channeling Steven Tyler? I mean, this isn't fucking Rock of Ages. As much as I would have loved to suspend my disbelief, my inner theater nerd was screaming out in anger. But even that couldn't ruin this scene for me. Watching these two sexy fuckers move around on stage together gave me a ridiculous erection. (3.5 Points)
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Safety Dance (Kevin McHale): Bryan Ryan asks the club members to write their dreams down on a piece of paper, only to shoot them down shortly after. Tina finds Artie's crumpled paper in the garbage, which reads that he'd like to be a dancer. She encourages him to reach for that dream, and it leads to this amazing fantasy sequence.
Initially, I thought the "viral video" flash mob vibe was a little lame, but it's realistic for Artie's daydreams to deal with instant internet fame. Extra points for the amazing choreography, as well as the general awesomeness of Kevin McHale. (4.5 Points)
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I Dreamed A Dream (Lea Michele & Idina Menzel): Jesse encourages Rachel in her quest to find her mother, who unfortunately didn't turn out to be Patti Lupone or Bernadette Peters. He has ulterior motives in helping out, as he's being pushed by Vocal Adrenaline coach Shelby Corcoran. A tape is planted in Rachel's bedroom, and she listens to her mother singing for the first time.
Here's a confession–I've never seen Les Misérables. As a result, hearing mediocre performances of "On My Own" and "Castle On A Cloud" eventually got on my nerves, to the point that I'd want to rip my ears off any time I heard a song from the show. But when you combine one of modern theater's greatest stars with a promising new talent? The power is undeniable. (5 Points)
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Dream A Little Dream (Kevin McHale): Out of fear that he'll hold her back, Artie backs out of his tap routine with Tina. He's replaced by Mike Chang (AKA "Other Asian"), but holds it down on vocals for one of the most depressing finales in Glee's short history.
This was basically the exact opposite of "uplifting", to the point that this scene couldn't have been directed by anyone but Joss Whedon. And yet there was something so real about this lingering sense of hopelessness. Feel free to disagree, but I thought this was brilliant. (4 Points)
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BREAKDOWN OF POINTS SYSTEM:
- 5 Points = Excellent or exceeding expectations in regards to vocal performance, choreography and arrangement. Fits well within the context of the episode, and potentially better than the original version.
- 4 Points = Not too shabby! May not be entirely on par with the original, but a fantastic effort by the actors and vocalists.
- 3 Points = Tolerable. Did not induce eye rolls or kept them to a minimum.
- 2 Points = Could be a variety of factors, including poor song choice or lackluster performance. Boring or uninspired. May be an insult to the original artist.
- 1 Point = Absolutely painful. Couldn't wait for it to be over.
Dewitt, I usually agree with your tastes – in men, tv, media…, but on this one I’ve got to ask you, What show were you watching? Last night’s Glee was fantastic! The flash mob, Jonathan Groff, the momma drama, the duets, Jonathan Groff…it was all fantastic! People are putting waaay too much pressure on the show to deliver each week and they’re missing out on all the fun.
I agree with Johnbradley. I usually agree with Dewitt too but Glee was Amazing! Sure it wasn’t a gay wet dream like Kurt doing rose’s turn but safety dance earned a 5 in my book.
Kurt doing Rose’s Turn was SO a gay wet dream lol!
I agree with Brian. The production number for Safety Dance may go viral. It was brilliant and Kevin is an amazingly talented little fucker geek. These kids are just too brilliant for TV.
And Lea Michele & Idina Menzel. What can you say about this casting but phenomenal. Their resemblance is amazing.
A brief moment that was non musical may be the most significant. Two gay actors playing caricatures of straights making fools of themselves in their rush to have “anger sex”. The double irony and the rarity of it in the face of the commonality of heterosexuals exploiting gay stereotypes and pecadillos make it downright subversive in the history of television. Now that’s something to sing about.
Dewitt, what the hell kinda show were you watching? Last night was BRILLIANT!!!!!!!! Piano Man should have DEFINITELY received a 4 or higher, and Dream On should have been a 5! Hello??? Anyone who can wail that high for that long has MAJOR talent, and NPH is a gaygasm.
But yes, next week, I’ll be twitching in the corner after spooging all over myself a gazillion times.
ya know what i agree with dewitt. it left me feeling oddly empty inside too. boo.
I LOVED the duets–“Dream On” and “I Dreamed a Dream,” as well as “Piano Man.” But I was really disturbed by the “Safety Dance” number. Until now, the show has done great with handling difference: not just gay stuff, but fat stuff, Jewish identity, even mental impairments. (So, finally, an actual queer show on television.) But why a fantasy sequence where Artie “overcomes” his uniqueness? Kurt never fantasizes about making out with women; Mercedes never fantasizes about being thin; Rachel hasn’t had a first communion production number. (Even when Kurt “played straight” last week, and Mercedes tried to diet a few episodes ago, their desire to fit in was played for a laugh, we knew they were making bad choices.) And then when Artie returns to reality, it’s sad, melancholic, he’s looked at with pity (in the counselor’s office, with Quinn’s shoulder pat). Why the different approach to physical disabilities?
I thought the episode was great, but even though I’m a fan, I’m gonna skip next week’s episode because I hate Lady Gaga. I can’t believe they’re dedicating an entire episode to her.
KLB: Why the different approach to physical disabilities?
I agree with you and it went through my mind but I thought it was a clever way to give the young actor playing Artie a chance to shine and also the show was about dreams. That was Artie’s dream. I thought it was touching.
KLB, I hear you, but it is different. The character’s disability wasn’t something he was born with, so of course he’s going to dream that he’ll be able to just get up out of his wheelchair and dance. To suggest that the thought had never crossed his mind simply wouldn’t be true to life. Sad yes, but real. Artie’s sense of self and pride are restored by the end of the episode when he accepts that he is who he is, wheelchair and all, and he’s shown as being content – the same as were Kurt and Mercedes when they wanted to change themselves. I’d say ask any person in a wheelchair if they could relate and they’d tell you it was pretty much spot on.
I enjoyed Tuesday’s episode as well. I don’t set expectations for most things in life, because that only leads to them not being met; the same goes for this show. I didn’t watch the first season, but every episode this season has me laughing, crying, smiling, and usually hard. Very few shows do that.
To comment on Artie’s dream, I know that when I was dealing with being gay (12-14), my biggest dream was a wife and kids -the whole white picket fence thing. It wasn’t until I truly accepted myself at 14 for being gay that that dream changed. So I can see his dream in the context of my own road to acceptance. Plus I love huge groups of people dancing together, the notion of a spontaneous expression of happiness like that brings a smile to my face.
the whole thing with artie was amazingly sad. and no one does false hope better than joss whedon. don’t get me wrong, i heart joss, loved all his shows, but i fucking hate how he ALWAYS goes for the cheap emotional gut punch. yes they are effective, but after awhile of being witness to him ALWAYS doing them, they become kinda hollow. sorry for that critique, tagents are a bitch.
there could have been so so much more with Patrick Harris and I have to say as the greatest find that Doogie Howser MD can sing, and do MD HORRIBLE so brillianting online –
well – the role was underwritten because it had to be an ensemble show. But we love our NEIL. Let’s root that he comes back for a semi regular role in the show – and then a stronger story line. If you want it, write then network, write your tv station, write the GLEE website.
Let’s make it happen. A write in to have GLEE make NEIL a semi-regular. OK?
Who’s with me?
Dewitt, I normally disagree with you, but this week I almost completely agree. It was not a great episode. In fact every week I get a little more annoyed with the show. I generally thing each week has 4 crap songs and 1 good one. This week “I Dreamed A Dream” was the song that made me ok with watching this show. They really should get some better writers on this show. Maybe let Joss Whedon write, rather than direct. And seriously, I don’t get people’s love of Artie. I don’t think his voice is that great and his character is kind of a baby. I know he can’t walk but he is always crying. Rachel, Santana and Brittany are the only characters I like on this show.
Let me ask this – to all the people who are continually let down by the show – what scripted show(s) are you watching that you don’t have a negative attitude about?