Friday, February 25, 2011

Grading "Glee" -- Season 02, Episode 14

I couldn't care less if PC parents hate this episode or not (I couldn't help but notice that the producers hedged their bets, sort of, by having Brittany and Santana ruin the assembly performance, i.e. it's already been established that they're two no-good damaged goods sluts, which allowed them to avoid the kind of moral quandary they'd have if someone like Mercedes developed a drinking problem) because what's not to love about "Glee" kids getting wasted, acting stupid, and dancing to Far East Movement? And how could anyone possibly hate ...

"Don't You Want Me". A. I take back everything I said about Lea Michele always striking out during big dumb pop songs, and everything I said about Darren Criss possibly being a one-trick pony. "Glee"'s most unlikely couple bouncing around to an hi-NRG version of Human League's most famous song while the rest of the cast makes out or mouths the words or scowls with jealousy all around them? Hell yes. In this case, their stage-ready seriousness brought a touch of polish and professionalism to a song that wouldn't ordinarily need it, and it looked loose and totally natural because they were supposed to be drunk. Totally fantastic in nearly every way.

"Blame It". B. It's been a while since they've done a solid ensemble piece -- everyone got to do their bit in this one, and although it wasn't spectacular, it was perfect as mid-show filler. That might sound like a negative thing, but it isn't. Most "Glee" episodes could use stronger mid-show filler.

"One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer". D. Speaking of which, we have this terrible bit of mid-show filler. Not only is the Schuester-Bieste pseudo-romance creeping me out, but the performance was lifeless (there was more energy from the square dancers in the audience than from the singers on stage), the singing sounded forced (this is NOT Matthew Morrison's genre), and even the unlikely couple of Toni Braxton and Taylor Hicks had more chemistry.

"Tik Tok". B+. Ke$ha's fame is completely baffling -- she can't sing or dance, isn't particularly good looking, and her clothes and look are ripe for parody. What could be better than one Ke$ha? How about the whole cast of "Glee" dressing up like a Ke$ha girl band and the male extras from her videos, owning her biggest hit, and engaging in unintentional projectile vomiting? Even Principal Figgins loved it, and who am I to argue with him?

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