Glee, 1x11, “Hairography”

Episode Title: Hairography
Writer: Ian Brennan

Director: Bill D'Elia

Originally Aired: 11/25/2009
Grade: A-

The first seven minutes of this episode are almost entirely unwatchable for me due to some kind of technical issue, probably with my local affiliate, so all I really got out of the beginning was not hating Eve’s acting (not that I had anything against her in particular, I’m just always a little wary of pop stars who act) and being glad to see such a variety of body types in the juvie girls’ glee club.

The Finn/Rachel scene in Rachel’s bedroom was great. I thought it was kind of sweet that he insulted her present appearance (“You look like a sad clown hooker") while actually giving her a huge compliment and showing acceptance of her true self (“I actually like the way you usually dress”).

The performance by the deaf choir was a little too preachy and saccharine for my taste. Without Mercedes and the other kids chiming in, that performance would have been dull as dirt. If they enjoy glee club, they should be allowed to compete, but I’m not going to sit there and be moved to tears by them choosing to put their time into an activity that plays to their weak points. Also, given Mercedes' age and her usual taste in music, I have a hard time believing she knew the words to a John Lennon song off the top of her head. I’ve heard that song more times than I can count and grew up listening to the Beatles, and I don’t even know all the words.

I also didn’t care for the Quinn and Puck storyline because the writing was much too obvious. They clearly wanted to address the fact that Quinn wasn’t giving Puck a fair chance, and since Puck is still too immature to come through for her, he had to fuck it up somehow. I don’t mind him not being ready for the commitment, but sexting with Santana? I didn’t buy it. Sure he’s kind of a horndog, but that seemed extreme even for him, given how sincere he seems to be about wanting to help. Also, I don’t think he and Santana have even exchanged words onscreen since she dumped him for having bad credit in the second or third episode, so it kind of came out of nowhere.

Miscellaneous Stuff

-Finn telling Quinn that he only wants to be with her, and that he loves her, made me sad—my first thought was, “No, you don’t. You just think you should.”

-It’s about time they let Tina have lead vocal on a group number! She sounded lovely.

Quotes

Kurt: “I admit I like a challenge as much as the next guy, but Rachel somehow manages to dress like a grandmother and a toddler at the same time.”

Kurt: “Most of the time, I find it hard to be in the same room with you. Especially this one… which looks like where Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobby come to hook up.”