Writer: Ian Brennan
Grade: B-
I hated the first half of this episode—I mean really, really hated—because I felt like I had missed way too much in terms of character and relationship development.
1. What was the point of suspending Sue as Head Coach of the Cheerios in the fall finale if she was going to be back at it in the very next episode? I realize that time passed in the Glee-verse and all, but still, it was a pointless thing to do if we don’t even get to actually see her struggling with her suspension, backseat coaching, trying to weasel her way into coaching the chess team, whatever.
2. Everything about Finn and Rachel’s relationship in the first part of the episode made me want to throw things at my TV because I was incredibly annoyed that they were already dating. For one thing, I wanted to see how that came about, see Rachel bullying Finn into it, see them awkwardly making out, etc. Maybe the joke is that they weren’t really dating because Finn didn’t come to any of their dates, which I’d be kind of okay with, but the writing didn’t make that explicitly clear. Also, the only reason for them to be dating already was so that their storyline in this episode could mirror Will and Emma’s, which is a stupid reason.
3. Finn being hung up on Quinn felt weird, too, because I always felt like they had no real spark. He started dating her because it was the expected high school cliché, and he stayed with her out of obligation because he believed she was carrying his baby. Now he’s pining for her? Whatever, show. That felt totally contrived and at odds with what we’ve already seen.
4. I was also extremely pissed that Quinn and Puck are apparently together now, considering that her refusal to accept him as a partner was a pretty major storyline last year. Now they’ve just skipped from point A to point C, with no hint at what came in between. At least it’s possible, maybe even likely, that the development of their relationship will be addressed in flashback in a future episode.
But hey, I definitely can’t complain about Jonathan Groff! He’s disturbingly good at playing the charming douche, and I don’t mean that as an insult. I’ve only seen him in Taking Woodstock and this episode of Glee, but in both he really excelled at hinting at something shady and manipulative beneath that cherubic exterior. I never quite trust him, and I kind of love that. And of course, the Lionel Richie duet with Rachel was gorgeous—I guess there’s something to be said for reuniting the leads from a Broadway musical!
Will is kind of a douche for making out with the Vocal Adrenaline coach, but I buy that he’s both very confused and very horny right now. I was actually fine with he and Emma calling it quits so soon, despite how formulaic it is, because I thought them getting together after Sectionals felt rushed, and I agree that Will needs some time to himself before getting into another serious relationship.
Also, while I still feel like I missed some things between Rachel and Finn, at least now we’ll get to see him try to win her back in earnest.
Overall, I ended up feeling like way too many important things happened off screen. It was almost like I’d missed a couple of episodes, and I didn’t enjoy that feeling. Still, as much as I hated the early part of the episode, there were also some things I liked, and I was mostly okay with where the story ended up by the episode’s close.
Other Stuff
-I love a good poppy Doors cover, so that was fun!
-So apparently Rachel and Finn have had time to go on (or not) several dates since Sectionals, but Will and Emma haven’t even kissed again since then? Or even tried to? I don’t know if that was a writing fuck up or if she’s just really that skittish and Will really gave her that much space.
Quotes
Will: “We’ve kissed before.”
Emma: “Yeah, but you caught me by surprise sneak attack that time; it was like a Pearly White Harbor!”
Brittany: “Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?”
Jesse St. James: “I’ve got a full ride to a little school called the University of California, Los Angeles. Maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s in los Angeles.”
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