Transitioning: Yay/Nay for Glee 4x03, "Makeover"

Blaine is doing a Rachel. It's fitting, since he was deemed as the New Rachel by Artie two episodes ago. He's decided to join all the clubs and do all the things, but instead of it being for yearbook-related reasons like we saw with Rachel's quest for photographic 'immortality' in season 1, he's trying to keep himself busy and distracted from his loneliness. Everything he does, as he realizes by the time he's secured the student council presidency, is for Kurt, who isn't there to experience it with him.

Kurt, finally, has gotten something he's worked hard for: the internship at Vogue.com. And he's amazing at it (which we all knew beforehand, but Isabelle is discovering). He's come to the right place. Burt and Blaine knew it all along.

Meanwhile, Rachel's still molding her new self, step by step. First, it was attitude. Then, it was confidence (her attempts at being sexy, followed by the inevitable marking out of Finn's name). Now, it's her outward appearance. Like he did before, Kurt leads the makeover, which is successful. Gone are the days of the reindeer sweater. Rachel admits to liking her new self. Everyone rejoices.

Brody's right in that Rachel's makeover is from the inside out. He's definitely a voice of reason for the New York Rachel.

Brittany's still looking for her groove. Sam might be, too, though I'm not sure what exactly he's looking for.

There seems to be a pattern.

I totally agree with Leaky News that this is a transitional/set-up episode. (And from what I've heard about 4x04, it's going to be full of Big Stuff*, so it's good there's a lot of set up this week.) It's a solid episode, even without a lot of emotional upheavals or complications. Also, can we talk about how awesome the music is this season?!

Quick links of interest for this episode:

• Two really interesting things from Kurtcountertenor, one of my fave Glee tumblrs: Sam, Blaine, and a bowtie, and Kurt's infamous brooch. 
• Deconstructing Glee and thoughts on Blaine's makeover, as well as everyone else's. (See also: This thing about flying, with Kurtcountertenor's additions.) 
• A post from Letters from Titan about Cassandra and Isabelle (but mostly Kurt) that blows my mind.

With that, on to the Yay/Nay.

Yay: The look Blaine gives the two superhero sidekicks who are battling one another. So perfect.

Yay: How is it that we've gone this long without a Blaine voiceover?! Paired with an amazing version of one of my favorite '80s songs...PERFECTION. *cries happy tears*

Yay: Kurt and Blaine sharing popcorn through Skype. It was cute and probably one of the most ingenious surprises this episode.

Yay: I AM SO HAPPY THAT KURT GOT THE INTERNSHIP. My heart swelled a bit. No joke. I'm also really interested in his answer for the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" question.... Isabelle's very right in encouraging Kurt as a dreamer.

Yay: I really missed Brittany and Artie interacting. I couldn't stop laughing about the robot thing.

Nay: The Schuest-ometer was high this week. Mr. Schue, as always, was all over the place. I think I might have done a fist pump when Jake brought up the fact they should be preparing for Sectionals. Why doesn't he actually let the students put something together since he's run out of ideas?

Yay: Everyone's reactions to Blaine's claim that the election wasn't a popularity contest. If what he said was true, then Kurt would have won last year. OF COURSE IT'S A POPULARITY CONTEST. It's high school, for crying out loud. (Is this a Dalton-esque mentality?) As much as I wish he was right...

Nay(ish)?: Sam and Brittany's budding friendship. I like it, but I don't quite get it yet...is that weird?

Yay: Have I mentioned how much I love Sam's impressions?

Yay: Brittany knows what she's doing. And Artie is totally right about her.

Yay: "Celebrity Skin" was AWESOME.

Yay: I really like Isabelle. What a difference from Cassandra, though. (This is a good thing.)

Yay: Stoner Brett needs to be in ND for the sole reason of his awesomeness.

Yay: Hummelberry breaking into various New York establishments for good reasons (and doing it the in-the-middle-of-the-night college way). The video they made with Isabelle was lovely.

Yay: All of the character stuff for Blaine and set up for the inevitable angst between him and Kurt. Holy canoli. My heart hurt for both the entire episode. The second time we see Kurt and Blaine skype is heart-wrenching but so well-handled.

Yay: The Rachel/Brody NY montage. Brody is still honorable this week. And I love that he admitted to being a fan of Ace of Base (me too!).

Yay: I really like how the Skype chats are functioning thus far. It's a nice tie between Ohio and everywhere else. On a grander scale, the more I see the balance between the Lima and New York settings, the more I like it. It's still working for me (and it reminds me of the way Dalton was handled back in season 2). We'll see how things go as the season progresses.

Nay: Are we ever going to see Tina this season? All we've had is the short-lived Snotty Version, and that was two episodes ago.

Yay: The debate was the funniest sequence in the entire episode. It was the perfect combination of Sue, Artie, Brittany, Sam, Blaine, and Stoner Brett that sealed it for me. This also goes for the bit where Becky is not in the mood for a xylophone flourish.

Yay: Blaine: "...Telling anyone what they can or cannot put into their hair is disgusting. It's the first step towards tyranny, my friends. Next thing you know, they'll start burning books. And then they'll probably start burning people, too." Brittany: "That's a lie." BEST.

Yay: I love that Rachel wanted to cook for Brody, and I LOVED the stories they share over dinner.

Interesting: Even with all the reinvention, Rachel is still trying to keep "[her] machine well-oiled" and her performance on form. Immediate flashback to her morning routine in season one...Also interesting to note is that Brody does the same thing.

Yay: The Blaine/Sam friendship could be interesting.

Finn arrives just as the episode is closing, the signal that the dreaded 4x04 is upon us. And so it begins.



*I'm going to be very thankful when 4x04 airs, because I feel the stress about it is starting to wear on my poor heart. Sigh.

Brittany's Grand Comeback: Yay/Nay for Glee 4x02, "Britney 2.0"

Brittany is trying to get her groove back, seemingly confident in herself as she begins senior year for the second time. But something is off: the summer vacation wasn't the best, her voiceover is outside of her head, she's been yelling at shrubs, everyone is baffled by her behavior, and she's stripped of her high pony. She's trying to adjust to the new groove; she's beginning to realize how crucial her grades are, Santana is off at college, and Brittany doesn't know how to deal with it all.

Rachel, of course, is continuing to find her new self, continuing from last week. Cassandra's current assertion is that Rachel isn't sexy enough to dance a tango. So, Rachel attempts to be the kind of sexy she thinks she needs to be. This hasn't really worked for her before; Kurt's attempts to sabotage the makeover he gives her in season 1--a la Sexy Sandy from Grease--was the first, and it failed. In the first Britney episode, Rachel finds confidence in her own Britney fantasy, but goes about it the wrong way with the wrong attitude and a short skirt and pigtail braids that didn't really suit her. And though her determination to prove her sex appeal once again is encouraged by Kurt--under very different circumstances and without ulterior motives--she dives into it, determined to prove herself worthy.

And though Finn isn't around this time to assure her of her unique kind of sexiness, Brody assures her that she is sexy just as she is. She shrugs it off and goes ahead with it, and, of course, it backfires a little. Brody warned her. He knows what's going on.

This time around, the Britney tribute is less about the music and more about the characters. It works, this fabulous focus on the characters and their real issues. It's clear when watching the episode, but it's nice to hear that the writers planned for it to be that way. (The article in the link gave me really high hopes for the rest of the season, and it made me happy to know that they are trying to bring it back to what it was.) (Two other fabulous articles/analyses of interest concerning this episode include this one from Letters From Titan concerning the theme of scrutiny, and this intruiging look on the characters and conflict this episode from Deconstructing Glee.)

The good vibe from the season premiere is still there this week, and if it continues to be there past episode seven, I'll be happy--season three started off strong, and then started to get messy about that point.

Yay: Brittany's arch this episode is lovely. Strong, strong character development this week for her, however small it was. That last shot of her, devastated, made my heart hurt. (Set up for conflict with her and Santana, perhaps?)

Nay: Here's how the lead-in to Womanizer should have gone (or at least, something like it), to avoid the obvious and slightly awkward set up:

School hallway. Marley enters, notices Jake talking to Tina, and stares a little too long. Unique enters from opposite, sees Marley staring at Jake.

UNIQUE: I know that look. And girl, no.

MARLEY, clearly startled:  What are you talking about? 

Marley tries to come off as nonchalant, but Unique knows better.

UNIQUE: I know you have a thing for Jake, but he's not worth it.

And so on. She can mention the thing about new girls sticking together, then talks about how Jake's been going from girl to girl, only been there a short time, yadda, yadda, yadda, and then they start the song. The set up in the episode was too obvious, and wasn't really working for me. I don't really believe that Marley would have admitted her crush on Jake so easily. If you're a 15/16 year old girl in high school, one of the last things you'd freely admit to was your number one crush. At least, I didn't.*

Yay: While I'm still hesitant to like him too much, Brody was really cool this week. I thought his joke about doing 200,000 crunches was cute.

Nay: I want Puck back for longer than just a minute or two. I know he was only supposed to be there briefly, but I wanted him to stick around and be awesome. I miss the graduated ND members a lot, and I'm eager to see them come back as the season progresses.

Yay: I really like how Sam figured out Brittany's plan. (The map he drew for her was awesome.) There was something really special about that scene with the two of them in the auditorium. Also, I wonder if Sam actually uses a compass to get around...

Yay: I LOVED Kurt and Rachel's new place, and I can't wait to see what they do with it. I loved that they were riding bicycles around inside. Simply perfect. I adored their conversation** over dinner, and it felt really natural.

Yay: I feel like Cassandra is going to get more and more interesting every episode. One of my favorite scenes in the episode is where Rachel goes to apologize to her and they talk about second chances in the real world. (Can we talk about how INCREDIBLE Kate Hudson is?)

Interesting: Joe was singing the song about threesomes with Sam and Tina. (Also, "3" was my favorite song this week. All three of them sounded incredible, and it reminded me how much I love Samuel Larson's voice. He's awesome.)

Yay: The Schuest-ometer was fairly low this week. This is good. Any time I don't have to be angry with Mr. Schue is the best time. Also, I'm really surprised that he was okay with--and was the one who suggested--doing Britney Spears, especially because he was so against it the first time around....

Yay: I'm really proud of Rachel for not kissing Brody. This shows growth. (Even if they are meant to date at some point, it's much too soon.)

Yay: SO MUCH EMOTION when Brittany almost shaved her head and then proceeded to beat up Jacob Ben Israel.

On The Fence: I'm not sure how I feel about Jake yet. I'm interested to see more with him in coming episodes. I don't hate him--there just isn't enough there yet for me to quite get him. I feel that so far, we've just been told about who he is rather than shown.

Yay: BUT... I loved how Jake stood up for Marley's mom. Cool points.

Yay: Kurt's right. Cake is awesome. Also, did anyone else notice how at home both he and Rachel are in New York? Hummelberry was meant to be there. *warm fuzzies*

Yay: Kiki and that ridiculously huge Lima Bean cup. SO FUNNY OMG.

Yay(ish): I really like that Rachel is taking charge of navigating life in New York without going crazy like she usually does. And I loved how her flub-up with insulting Cassandra provided some great conflict and a little character development for her this episode. I just hope that she doesn't lose it. You know?

Yowza: "Gimme More" was a deliciously disastrous trainwreck. Lip-syncing was a terrible idea.

Yay: "Everytime" was the best way to end the episode. (I really, really love Marley and I want her to be happy.) That last shot of Rachel painting over Finn's name, followed by the shot of the flowers....


Until next time.



*There was one instance in elementary school when some of the girls in my class found out about the boy I liked (i.e. I told them, which was a stupid move on my part), and then they told him, and then things got embarassing.......Needless to say, I only told two or three of my closest friends about crushes after that.

**Though I still think that Kurt should focus on fashion and forget about NYADA. I mean, I think he'd be great at both, but he has such a creative side.....

The New Glee Club: Yay/Nay for Glee 4x01, "The New Rachel"

The first thing we see in the season four premiere episode is Rachel getting told that she sucks. It's oddly reminiscent of Sandy Ryerson's assertion back in season one, when Rachel is separated from the Glee club for the first time. This time, though, instead of running off to cry in the bathroom, Rachel tries to push past the negativity from her new dance teacher, Cassandra July, and takes it with a strange yet nervous poise, even when she has been dubbed "Little Miss David Schwimmer."And thus, we see the beginning of a change in Rachel Berry. The New Rachel, indeed.

I don't know what exactly I was expecting from this episode, but it certainly wasn't what was presented. The tone is different, and it's apparent almost immediately. The absurdity is still there, as is the humor. Jacob Ben Israel is still the gossip center of McKinley. Tina has a freshman assistant who brings her cupcakes and bananas. Sam does a fabulous Taylor Lautner impression. Artie still likes judging people directing. But as the episode and the race to find "The New Rachel" progresses, it's clear that there is a newness that everyone is trying to reach: "The New New Directions," as is written on the marker board in the choir room. Reinvention. Identity, both false and true. A humble, serious side that hasn't really been around since season one or even the beginning of season three. The show has grown up along with its characters, and its heart is bigger than ever.

In the past, I've handled these yay/nay posts with bullet points, and I think, for the most part, I will stick with that format. I wondered though, after seeing this episode, if I might try formatting it a little differently as the season wears on, to be determined as each new episode airs. We'll see.

So. On to the Yay/Nay.

Nay: New Directions' attitude as they try to understand and navigate their newfound popularity, both in making fun of others and fighting to be the lead star when ND has never functioned the same way Vocal Adrenaline was. Not to mention forgetting who they are. Tina especially. I was glad to see them overcome this attitude by the end of the episode; and as much as it bothered me, I love how it functioned. It carried over nicely from the "Props" episode in season three. But I don't think I could stand seeing Tina's diva or Blaine being bossy and unaccepting for longer than an episode--that's just not who they are as people. As the cliche goes, with great power comes great responsibility. (And now I want to watch Spiderman...)

Yay: Brody. It's early, yet, but he seems cool. It's likely he's not who he seems, however, as we've seen before with Jesse St. James. I'm keeping my eye on him. He's the first to recognize that Rachel is changing.

Yay: I LOVE how Unique refers to herself in the third person. I can definitely see why Wade was so keen to be her, completely. She is incredible.

On the fence: Mr. Schue this entire episode. He didn't let Jake finish, but allowed Marley an entire song at auditions. He chastised the Glee club for forgetting their strengths as a team of unique, talented, amazing individuals, yet pointed out Marley's "star quality." Why is he always all over the place?

Yay: The honesty and emotional weight in Kurt's situation in this episode. As Blaine points out, Kurt is stuck. He's working at the Lima Bean, preparing for classes at the local community college, but something isn't right--it isn't where he's meant to be. His destiny is bigger than what Lima can provide. Even Burt, the best dad to ever be on television, points out that Kurt is meant to be New York. (I wonder about Finn and am eager to see what's happening with him in future episodes--Finn felt stuck, too.)

Yay: Kurt's enthusiasm for the auditions and maintaining the philosophy that ND has so carefully built up over the last three years. Kurt has been a part of ND since day one. He has had his moments, but he still remembers what the club is about, even when everyone else has seemed to have forgotten it. I wish Tina, another one of the original members, would remember that. Artie kinda does.

Yay: Cassandra July. She intrigues me. Deconstructing Glee has some brilliant thoughts on her character. (DG also points out how crazy it was that people who auditioned for ND didn't all get chosen. I totally agree.)

Yay: HUMMELBERRY IS BACK, and Burt is awesome. *warm fuzzies*

Yay: I absolutely adore both Marley and her mother. (Has there ever really been a character like Marley on Glee so far?) She has a big heart, she seems humble, and she is not afraid to stand up for others. Marley's mom is a sweetheart. (Every scene...MY HEART.) I am excited to see Marley's arch this season.

Question: I am super curious to find out how and why Jake knows about Puck, but Puck doesn't know about Jake. (Jake, in general, is very interesting to me.)

Yay: "Chasing Pavements" was the absolute best song this episode could have ended with.

Yay: Rachel dealing with her homesickness and distress from her first week at NYADA. Beautiful character development.

Nay: I didn't care much for "Call Me Maybe." I mean, it sounded okay--but just okay. (Mostly I didn't like to see Unique, Blaine, Tina, and Brittany pushing each other around.)

Yay: BUT... I LOVED Blaine's "ta da" thing he did right at the end of the number. Heehee.

Yay: As much as it annoyed me, I was fascinated with Blaine's attitude this episode. This should be an interesting season for Blaine, methinks.

Yay: The Imagine Dragons Flash Mob. *adds "flash mobs" to this season's wishlist*

Nay: Everyone discouraging Wade from being Unique.

Interesting: Kitty used "garçon" and Brittany used "merci" when talking to Kurt. Puck has used some French in previous episodes.

Yay: I don't think Brittany meant what she said about Marley's mother in a mean way; she was just being Brittany.

Nay: I did miss the other graduated seniors this episode. The dynamic without them is so, so different. (But I'm very glad that the split narrative thing seems to be working so far. We'll see as the season progresses.)

Yay: Stoner Brett is the best.

Interesting: Everyone in Lima, according to Marley's mother, thinks that Rachel's headed straight to Broadway. It's interesting how this belief is juxtaposed with Rachel's current reality in feeling like a failure while trying to adjust to life at NYADA. And I think it's also very truthful to the experience of living in a small town, especially in the Midwest. I wonder how the other NYADA hopefuls we saw from season 3 are faring. Are they in a similar position to Rachel, or are they living their fantasy?

Yay: I'm with Blaine on this one: Kurt doesn't need NYADA. There are other paths to achieve what he's destined to achieve. (Fashion, perhaps? From what has been revealed about Sarah Jessica Parker's character...)

Yay: I'm so glad that ND recognizes how awful Kitty and the rest of the popular kids are being.

Interesting: "Order's been restored." Everyone snaps out of their false identity, their bad attitudes evaporated. And then, of course, the slushies are back. Also, did anyone else notice that Rachel's the only one wearing red in her dance class?

Yay: New Directions is actually rehearsing. A performance that's still in the works: unperfected, raw. They're rebuilding.

One of Those Cliche End of 2011 Posts...

I think this year was one of the only years that I slept soundly Christmas Eve. I woke up once during the night when I heard the ringing of a bell, and though I knew it was not what I thought it was, there was a brief moment in which I wondered if, after all those years, I'd finally had some kind of evidence of Santa Claus. The semi-concious mind is a fascinating thing.

A lot has happened in the last year. I became a proud godmother. I have settled into the Tiny Blue Room. I read some of my poetry in Pittsburgh, PA, where Jessica, Kelsey, Laura and I hung out with other English majors, basked in all things English-y, and ate sandwiches topped with french fries. I discovered a lot about drawing and what it means to me personally and in my work. I've thought a lot about the future, and in the process learned a lot about myself and how I want to live my life. I went to see the final HP movie with my sister and my best friends. I was sorted into Ravenclaw on Pottermore. I tried my hand at nonfiction and found another mode of expression that I connected to, learning many things about myself in the process. I completed the requirements for both my French minor and English major. I am three art classes away from graduation. And I started this blog.

I have a lot of thoughts. But now is not the time.

Favorite Books Read in 2011

• Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Jury Is Still Out Award 2011

• Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Thoughtbox coming soon...)
• I Kissed A Girl, 3x07 of Glee

Favorite Glee Episodes Aired in 2011

• Silly Love Songs 2x12
• Born This Way 2x18
• Prom Queen 2x20
• I Am Unicorn 3x02
• Asian F 3x03
• The First Time 3x05

The Television Cool Point Award 2011

• Every single episode of Modern Family, one of my favorite shows ever. 
• The First Time, for many reasons.

Favorite Movies 

• Super 8
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Music (does not mean it has to have been released this year...)

• Florence + The Machine, "Ceremonials"
• Alanis Morissette, "Jagged Little Pill"
• Madonna, "Madonna"
• Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
• Coldplay, "A Rush of Blood to the Head"
• Panic! At The Disco, "Vices and Virtues"
• Freelance Whales, "Weathervanes"
• Jessie J, "Who You Are"
• Adele, both "19" and "21"

See you in 2012. I'm off to knit and continue with my Glee marathon to ring in the New Year.

Quick Thoughts, Glee 3x08 "Hold On To Sixteen"

THIS WEEK. (More soon. But for now...)

Linkage: A really intriguing theory from Letters From Titan concerning a possible Blaine backstory, as well as Deconstructing Glee's response. This analysis has some really valid points, and it kind of blows my mind. But while I can see this as a possibility, I don't necessarily think it's going to happen. I saw Blaine's reaction to Sam's suggestion as similar to his reaction to Kurt telling him what happened at Nationals--while Blaine is very comfortable with his sexuality, he also feels there is a time and place for it. You know? It's "professionalism." Finally, a few more thoughts from DG on the episode, some really beautiful thoughts on Blaine's character development from Caroline of "be you and hold on to it." One thing I am absolutely positive of is how much more I adore Blaine this season than in Season 2--and I'm much more invested in Blaine's character now he's at McKinley.

• "I also started the Dalton branch of Fight Club, which I obviously can't talk about." OMG. DYING. See?!
• "You smell like Craig's List."/"Oh my God, it's the Gerber Baby!" KURT YOU ARE MY FAVORITE. 
• I don't think Brittany was ever that invested in the Troubletones--she misses New Directions too much. 
• Sam's back! *does happy dance* I was talking with Alisha about it earlier this evening, and we both agree that he seems different from when we last saw him at the end of Season 2. I'm interested to see where s3 takes him. 
• I absolutely LOVED Sam's reaction when he realized that it was Rachel holding out the dollar. 
• While she is mostly irritating, I am still intrigued by Quinn's storyline this season. Though it seemed pretty tied up by the end of the episode, I feel like the writers have a little more up their sleeve. 
• Is it too much to see what's on the inside of Blaine's locker? I just want to know. I'm a sucker for detail. 
• I absolutely hate Sebastian. And Grant Gustin plays him so well. 
• I was furious at Sebastian's "gay face" comment.
• I love that Kurt and Blaine have rant sessions at the Lima Bean.
• You know, as much as I'm not a fan of country music, "Red Solo Cup" was a lot of fun. 
• New Direction's Jackson song set for Sectionals was probably the best competition performance thus far--and my new favorite. I'm thinking the Booty Camp paid off. 
• I'm so psyched that most of New Directions had some sort of solo at Sectionals. I am really glad that ND was able to succeed as they did despite Rachel's absence. They work best as a whole. 
• I loved Rachel's bouts of wisdom this week. 
• Mike and Tina this week: no words. <3
• Harmony delightfully terrifies me. 
• Artie cracks me up. 
• Sooooooo much character development for Blaine.... 
• I loved watching background!Kurt this week. <3 
• MY HEART. SAM AND MERCEDES.
• The image of Santana following Finn around with a tuba is incredibly hilarious to me. 
• The Troubletones' performance was AMAZING. Santana and Brittany dancing!!!! And that shot of the group in the empty auditorium was really powerful for me. 
• "We Are Young" = off the hook amazing...

More later. Off to read for French. 

Quick Thoughts, Glee 3x07, "I Kissed A Girl"

Okay. So as soon as the semester's over, I'm going to go more in depth with all the episodes I haven't been able to talk about yet. But for right now, this'll have to do.

I have a lot of love for last night's episode--and I am a firm believer that this season is kick-ass and each episode gets progressively better--but there are a few things I wasn't sure about among the things I adored.

First, linkage: Some really incredible thoughts on Santana and Beiste in relation to feminism, as well as a few more thoughts from Deconstructing Glee responding to Dorothy Snarker's thoughts, also regarding similar issues. And then, of course, SillyGleek guest-blogging on DG with what is essentially an open letter to the characters as of the end of the episode. Preach!

Some quick thoughts:

• I am a firm believer that despite the issues brought up in the first two links (with which I agree), Finn had his heart in the right place with the lesson. Finn is not an inconsiderate (insert adjective here) person. (This also goes for his outing of Santana.) He's 17/18 years old. He has flaws. I don't expect him to understand everything about the world at this point. He's slowly learning, and that's all I can hope for. Don't forget about how far he's come since Season 1. 
• Mike Chang is love. He was my favorite in the voting booth montage. 
• What the bloody hell is up with Puck's mohawk?! Did anyone else notice that it's long enough to part at the crown of his head?!
• I can't really wrap my head around Cooter and Sue's "history." Did anyone else find that out of the blue, or am I just slow at putting the pieces together? Mostly I'm frustrated because Coach Beiste a) deserves some kind of happiness but b) Cooter was kind of a douche to her and also because c) the points so beautifully stated in the tumblr post I linked to above. Don't let Beiste lose her awesomeness. Please. I beg you. 
• Mercedes....I pine for the time you and Kurt were BFFs. (I do think it's interesting that there is a kind of shift in the relationship, though. Friendships will change over the years.)
• SHELBY. WHY? SERIOUSLY. This is so messed up. *throws up hands* And while we're on the subject...
• PUCK. WTF IS GOING ON WITH YOU? And most especially, WHY DID YOU TELL QUINN?! UGH. Things are going to get worse. Remember Pacey Witter from Dawson's Creek? This is serious stuff.  
• I don't think I could ever hate Brittany in a million years. 
• Santana was especially cruel this episode. I wanted to smack her for her reaction to Kurt and Blaine singing to her. But...
• I also wanted to punch the guy who wanted to make her "normal." Society is messed up. If one considers the way that Kurt was bullied and mistreated, the way the world (or in this case, WMHS) is treating Santana is both similar and different, but just as awful. I was disgusted. Not cool, society. 
• Also, the scene in which Santana comes out to her abuela made me want to bawl my eyes out. I just want Santana to be happy and have the support she needs from the ones she loves. :(
• Rachel can be very frustrating sometimes, but I still love her as a character, and I was so proud that she admitted to Principal Figgins that she was the one to stuff the ballot box. 
• Kurt's voiceover in the voting booth: "If I lose, I don’t have a chance of getting into NYADA. It’s not fair. The difference between my dreams coming true and managing a Sonic Burger depends on how many people check a stupid box." This killed me. Sonic Burger... *cries* I hope you get in. And I agree with SillyGleek's guest post: you have a whole bunch of kick-ass credentials. Don't give up!! (More on this and Finn's similar concerns about the future at a later date. This is an important thread this season.)
• Kurt and Blaine this episode, from "Perfect" to their little moments. They're just so supportive and in tune with one another. I love them so much. Always and forever, they are amazing. <3 (I love SillyGleek's comments to Blaine. YES SO MUCH SO. Hehe.)

More as soon as I get the chance. It was a great episode.

Edit: Also, I hope Kurt knows that, if he is not accepted into NYADA, there are other options in NY and elsewhere. I just want him to find a place he can be happy and fulfill his dreams. You know? 

The Issue with "Breaking Dawn"

So I just got back from seeing The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 with Mom. I have many thoughts.

First, though, a little background/disclaimer.

I did not want them to make Breaking Dawn into two movies. I thought it was a foolish idea, and that the decision itself was purely for the purposes of making more money, and not necessarily for the sake of the story itself. I was convinced putting it into two parts would ruin it, would make it into some kind of joke, and I didn't want that at all. This is my problem, though: I honestly feel that BD does not have a story that can carry out through two parts. Not that the story is bad--because it certainly isn't. I just feel that BD's story is not complex enough to warrant two parts. Like in Eclipse, there is a heckuvah lot of wait time in BD. Don't get me wrong--I love the book. I love its quirks, I love the way the plot is structured overall (albeit how effing weird some parts are), and it's a lovely close to an entertaining and unique-ish romance. My dearest wish was that they'd treat it like they did with Eclipse and cut down on the annoying let's-sit-here-and-talk-while-we-wait time (leading to a battle that does not really take place, in all honesty) and make it into a cohesive, exciting story for film. The wait time won't work cinematically, and I was not sure they could achieve that with BD if they made it into two parts. Needless to say, I was incredibly miffed when they announced it would split. They would have to prove to me that the decision was worth it.

Now that that's out of the way, on to the first part itself. (I should also clarify that it has been awhile since I read the book, so please pardon me if I misremember anything. I really should reread it soon, especially for part 2...)  Major spoiler warning.

After finally seeing Part 1, I still don't know how to feel about it. I'm interested in the idea that this part focused on the "conflict" with the Quileutes, while the brief scene we get during the credits suggests that the overlying conflict in part 2 will be with the Volturi. This, I thought, was a good decision, but even then, the conflict was mostly driven by Jacob: the wolves were fine, and then they were angry, and then Jacob left, and they were angry with him in addition to the Cullens....I couldn't remember when Jacob takes official position as Alpha, and I spent much of the last half of the movie wondering when it was going to happen. (When does it happen?) I wasn't sure what to do with it all, though, and I couldn't remember enough from when I read the book to be sure either way. I was pleased, however, to see that they hadn't seemed to divide the point of view between Bella and Jacob. The scenes in La Push and those in Forks seemed cohesive and flowed really well with one another. I did, however, miss Leah explaining her perspective from being the only girl in the pack, but I wonder if they're going to address that in part 2.

I was very pleased with the first half of the movie. The wedding and honeymoon were beautifully done, and I really found myself caught up in it. I cracked up during the speech montage at the wedding (Emmett's and Jessica's were my favorites), and I adored the post-coitus montage during the honeymoon. I thought Bella's attempts to seduce Edward were funny, and they felt very Bella-like to me. It was also really cool to see them doing things: swimming, hiking, playing chess (though I did roll my eyes a little). I really felt their love and adoration for one another. One of my favorite sequences is when Bella realizes she may be preggers, from when she makes the chicken to when she calls Rosalie for help. I felt there was a lot of tension during this sequence, and I got chills watching the scene where Edward asks the woman who comes to clean about what she knows regarding what's happening to Bella.

I also really liked the scene where Edward and Bella are discussing the possibilities if Bella does die--which seems likely at that point in the movie--and Edward's outburst. This scene/sub plot was really well handled with the perfect amount of tension. Edward's anguish was palpable: he was facing the possibility of losing his reason for living, and no matter what Bella said--nor the responsibility of taking care of their unborn child--could make up for the fact that he knows he couldn't handle losing her. I thought this scene was a nice parallel, of sorts, to the scene in which Edward hears the baby's thoughts. Beautifully done, and I really felt the emotion the scene was carrying. (What can I say? I ship Edward/Bella forever and ever.)

I hated the wolf-telepathy part, as well as how they handled Jacob's imprint. The wolf-telepathy is something I can understand being very difficult to translate without it seeming campy. But it really was. I sat there for its duration feeling embarrassment for the first time ever watching a Twilight movie. It was too much. I almost wish the pack was in their human form for that scene, thought admittedly it would have taken away from the importance of Jacob declaring his independence/authority in the pack and the significance of it taking place when he's in wolf form. As for the imprint, I don't think it had the oomph it needed. Again, I understand the difficulty of translating it in a way that makes sense onscreen, but the montage didn't do it for me. I didn't feel like Jacob's whole world had shifted. All in all, it was an incredible disappointment.*

I don't know how I feel about the inside-the-body montages. It definitely warrants a second viewing. I did like how you see a snippet of almost-dead-Bella in pain followed by a shot of her lying there, calm and internalizing the agony. The birth scene in general is something I'm undecided on; I LOVED the tension and emotion when Edward is trying to save her, and I could really feel Jacob's misery when he believes her to be dead. But wasn't Carlisle supposed to be there? Or am I remembering incorrectly?

They ended about where I thought they would--I feel like there wasn't a lot of surprise in regards to the split point, to be honest. It's been awhile since I've read the book, but I could see some of the logic in ending it right after Renesme is born. I was surprised, however, that they went as far as to show the moment right as Bella finishes transforming. I thought they'd save that for part 2, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of leaving that as a cliffhanger. It holds a lot of tension and mystery.

Ultimately, I feel like I can't really have an opinion about this movie until I've seen part 2. I still feel like there's not going to be enough genuine plot to make it work as a movie in itself. We have yet to see the other awesome vampires from around the world (including Garrett *fist pump*), see Bella kick some major ass as the badass vampire she is (including when she gets angry with Jacob for being annoying about calling her daughter "Nessie"), and (hopefully) see her go talk to the man who makes the fake i.d.'s (though this scene is arguably unnecessary). But then there's the fact that this huge battle they're expecting to fight doesn't actually happen (and the last half of the book builds and builds and the tension is never really dealt with). And then, of course, Alice disappears for a disconcerting amount of time, which kills me (Alice is one of my favorite characters). And honestly? Most of these little things happen AS THEY ARE WAITING FOR THIS BATTLE THAT NEVER HAPPENS. I feel like they really need to beef it up or something; make it so that it won't leave the audience feeling unsatisfied plot-wise. They need to be wise about splitting it up. I mean, I suppose Part 1 works....to an extent. But as of right now? I do not yet understand why the split had to be made.

Some points of interest:

• The dream Bella has of her and Edward in their wedding garb standing on the pile of their loved ones, drained and deceased, was particularly chilling to me. I couldn't remember if that was something she'd dreamed in the book, but I loved it all the same. Nicely done. I approve. 
• I LOVED the wedding speech montage, especially Emmett's recommendation for Bella to get plenty of sleep now when she still can. Geddit? Because, you know, Bella's going to become a vampire, and she and Edward will be breaking headboards every chance they get. I appreciated the pause there, too, as the double meaning of what he was saying sunk in. I laughed so hard. Emmett is awesome. 
• Seth Clearwater really bothered me in Eclipse. This time, however, I grew to love him. I don't know what he did this time around, but I really, really felt for the kid watching this movie. 
• Rene and Charlie reacting to the graduation cap artwork = GENIUS and hilarious, as well as a nice throw-back to the first film. 
• I missed Bella's strong reaction to realizing she'd probably never see her mother again. I didn't feel that panic at all as I did in the book. 
• I did enjoy most of the montages throughout the movie, especially the pre-act Nervous Bella (Kristen Stewart did a really nice job with this; I felt it was very much Book Bella on screen). The look on her face when she finds what lingerie Alice had packed for her is perfect (and incredibly hilarious). I also really like Bella's life-flashing-before-her-life montage. 
• I did like the Edward-as-a-killer-in-the-teens-and-twenties flashback. Nicely done. 
• Bella looked disconcertingly emaciated. Oddly enough, I was really pleased with that detail even though it was really difficult looking at her in that state. Great effects.
• I did not care for the effects with the wolves during the "fight" at the end. I thought they looked incredibly sloppy. The wolves were fine throughout the rest of the movie, though. (I know, it's weird, but I don't know how to explain it.)
• I was really uncomfortable watching the scene in which Bella drinks the blood. This isn't unusual: I felt the exact same way when reading that in the book. Also interesting to note: Edward puts the blood into a styrofoam cup, not unlike the one I had been drinking from during the movie, though mine was filled with Mt. Dew instead of blood. 
• What was up with Jasper's hair?? Why do they feel like they have to change it every movie?
• I liked seeing the Denali clan at the wedding. I do admit, though, that I don't remember Edward mentioning them in the previous movies, so I wondered if those who hadn't read the books were confused. 
• Alice is perfection in every scene she's in. I LOVED her directing everyone when they're decorating, as well as her having Bella practice in heels. I also loved the scene in which she and Rosalie help Bella with her hair and makeup. 
• The honeymoon scene was lovely. I have no criticisms whatsoever. 
• Jasper and Alice swing dancing during the reception was unexpected but so, so perfect. I ship them so hard, it's ridiculous. 
• Bella's dress was GORGEOUS. Holy schmokes, was it beautiful. 
• I love the moment at the wedding right after the vows where Bella and Edward kiss and it's like there's no one else there. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I thought it was a beautiful shot. 
• Can we talk about how hilarious and awesome Emmett and Jasper are when they are waiting for Edward before the bachelor party? 
• I think the only wolf pack scene that worked for me was the one where they're sitting on the beach talking, and the members who have not yet imprinted are watching the others with resentment and such. 
• Jacob didn't piss me off this time around as he did in the third film. I especially love the scenes where Edward asks him to talk to Bella and the one where he does go talk to her about considering, essentially, an abortion. Really great acting in both, from all involved. 
• I'm not quite sure this film has established the significance of why Rosalie would be the one on Bella's side. I did like, though, how Rosalie was adamant about referring to Renesmee as "the baby," as opposed to "that thing" or "the fetus."
• I'm curious as to how they're going to handle Renesmee. I didn't know how to feel about what we saw of her as Jacob was imprinting. Also, I thought I saw teeth on the baby, but I could have been imagining it. Related: I didn't know how to handle the part when she bites Bella, and then Edward takes her away....I just don't know. It's all so jumbled to me. I felt that way when reading the book, too, but something about the way it was handled in the movie....

*throws up hands* I just don't know. I really don't. 

*I have mixed feelings about the imprint in the book; I feel very cheated as a reader in general that Jacob imprinted on Renesme because to me, it seems to negate the relationship that had been built so carefully between Bella and Jacob in the three books previous. It was like the relationship hadn't ever meant anything in the first place, but perhaps that's the peculiar thing about imprinting (see Leah and Sam's destroyed relationship). 

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x22, “New York”

Watching "New York," I had a hard time believing that this was the finale to the season that started with Mr. Schue singing along with "Toxic" (this is the only scene ever in Glee where I have to look away) and odd things like promise rings and inappropriate/unnecessary side plots that led nowhere. But yet this episode celebrated more than just New Directions' stellar efforts in past competitions and hard work: it celebrated how far each of them has come in the time since they joined glee club. Kurt begins the episode reminiscing about their humble beginnings, and in that moment it hits you how far they have come. It is wonderful.

This episode was awesome. As always, spoilers ahead.

Yay: "Hey, do you know why it smells like it's wet here all the time?" and "Most of the other teams split by sexual orientation." I was in stitches. Have I mentioned how much I love the writing of this show??

Yay  (something you may not have noticed the first time through): Brittany's one-liners. Responding to Kurt's "I feel like Eloise.": "I have pills for that."; "And I'm going to be anxiously awaiting just like everyone else to see if their babies are Asian, too."; In response to "You're my best friend": "Yeah, me too."

Nay: The kids' lack of preparation until they actually are in New York. I mean, I guess it makes sense as they are at their best when they're loose. Still. I would be freaking out a little if I weren't prepared for a competition that was DAYS AWAY.

Yay: The juxtaposition of the happenings the boys' room to those in the girls' room. Also? The pillow fight and the fact that Kurt was a part of it. *fist pump*

Yay: Dreaming big. From Rachel in Sardi's to New Directions' attempt to gain inspiration from the city to that beautiful scene in which Kurt and Rachel visit the Wicked theater, we see these wide-eyed teenagers from Ohio getting a taste of a kind of life that Ohio is unable to match, see everything they dream of possible. They can be whatever they want. This is exhibited beautifully when Kurt is telling Blaine all the reasons he's not totally upset about ultimately losing. In comparison to what they know from life in a small midwestern town, New York is one one that allows them to achieve their dreams.

Yay: Rachel and Kurt's friendship. My favorite part of the episode is that of their adventure through the city. I LOVED that they did breakfast at Tiffany's. I LOVED that Rachel's final motivation for talking to Patti LuPone was because Kurt would want her to. I LOVED that Kurt insisted they break into the theater. I LOVED their duet from Wicked--hands down the best song of the episode. I LOVED how Kurt encouraged Rachel to make a choice through song. And I LOVED their discussion about the future. They are both dreamers, highly talented, and they have an incredible understanding of each other that the others will never be able to match. There's just something about their friendship...."For Good" is marvelous. I clapped at the end of the sequence because it was so amazing. Thank you, Glee.

Yay: All the references to romantic comedies as Finn and Rachel make their way through the city. Funny and wonderful all at the same time.

Yay: Finn and Rachel. It took freakin' forever, and not without a lot of trouble, but FINALLY... I was exhausted from all the build-up. (I was rooting for Finn all the while Rachel was being difficult. I'm glad she finally came around.)

Question: Does Quinn really know that Santana's a lesbian? Or does she just know about the rumor but no confirmation? I couldn't tell if her "I'm flattered" comment was meant as a joke or if it was because she knows...

Yay: The scene with Quinn's breakdown was very good. Great acting from all three of them.

Yay: Rachel and Sunshine resolving their issues. I'm so glad Rachel is growing up. Great character development for her.

Yay: While it was heartbreaking to see New Directions lose--it upset me to no end--I appreciated the fact they didn't win quite yet. You know what I mean? Glee puts a lot of focus on the journey, and as cheesy as that sounds, as viewers we are drawn to the events that lead up to a big moment. I love that the writers aren't afraid to have them lose. It makes it so much more worthwhile if it goes the other way. If New Directions make it to Nationals again next season (and I'm really hoping they do), it will make it even more exciting if they place first at nationals. It's also realistic; they were up against 50 other schools, and they placed 12th. That's pretty impressive if you ask me. I can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves next season as they make their way toward nationals. And they will win. They have to.

Yay: "Light Up the World" was excellent. I like "Loser Like Me" a little better--I feel it has a little more 'oomph'--but "Light" is quality. It's almost a fusion of the things the glee club has had to overcome over the season: speaking up, perseverance despite whatever may be in your way or if you are unsure of yourself, being who you are rather than what someone else may want you to be and so on. And that mentality worked, didn't it? They made it to Nationals. Also, I loved how there were multiple solos on the song. Strong way to go out.

Yay: "It was the Superman of kisses. It came with its own cape." LOL. Finn is awesome this week.

Yay: Kurt and Blaine and "I love you." JOY!!!! HAPPINESS!!! Such a beautiful moment. No words can describe how happy I am. (cue happy dance) "You know, when you stop and think about it, Kurt Hummel has had a pretty good year." Yes you have indeed, Kurt, and I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!

Yay: I also loved the bit leading up to that and after with Kurt telling Blaine about the aftermath of the competition, complete with flashback of Santana chewing Rachel out in Spanish. Also, when Kurt is talking about the Pippa Middleton musical, and Blaine gives Sam and Mercedes that "He's so silly" look. Slightly related: I'm glad that Mercedes was sporting a shirt from the competition.

Yay: HOORAY FOR SAM AND MERCEDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JOY! HAPPINESS! Not a minute after cheering for Kurt and Blaine's beautiful moment was I cheering again because Mercedes had someone to love. I'm fairly sure that the last eight minutes of this episode put me on cloud nine. The only thing I don't understand is why Sam and Mercedes are being so secretive about it. Why not tell the world??

Yay: Brittany's bit of wisdom in her conversation with Santana.

Yay/Nay: Talks of the future. It makes me sad to think of graduation, but I loved how it was hovering over the end of the episode. Definitely a different kind of feeling.

It's going to be a long wait for Season 3. But it will be worth it.

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x21, “Funeral”

This week's episode was good. There were a few problems with it, but once again, Glee gives us a balance of heartfelt storytelling with the nonsense and humor it's known for. Also, I have a confession. I full-out cried watching it. It was the first time I'd cried watching the show; I get emotional watching any of the episodes, and I've teared up, had a lump in my throat, felt happiness, elation, the pang of anger and despair, etc...but this was the first time that I actually shed tears. It was nowhere near the "reading-the-last-hundred-pages-of-Deathly-Hallows" kind of cry--but still. It was unexpected. I knew I was going to be sad, but I didn't expect this.

As always, beware of spoilers.

Yay: Jesse is such an ASS this week. It's wonderful/annoying/entertaining. I love the way he's written. So freaking clever!!

Yay:...and that includes his preoccupation with treating the auditions as a reality TV show. Hilarious. *claps*

Yay: "...Maybe you could come on Fondue for Two and judge my cat." LOL

Yay: Sue this week. No words. Jane Lynch is AMAZING.

Yay: The return of Rachel's signature star! I've missed it so. Also, slightly unrelated: Mr. Schue's vests. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME HOW MANY HE HAS.

Yay: Finn taking lead with Kurt and encouraging the others to help Sue out. Finn's a born leader. (And he makes a lot of good points this week. Good for you, Finn. Don't let Jesse's zombie poop comment break you.)

Nay: WHY is Mr. Schue actually going to be in April's show? (This is just me frustrated because he hasn't told New Directions/lied to them about it.)

Yay: The funeral. Oh man. I'm pretty sure that when they open the doors and we see all those people, and the decorations, I was already crying. The heartbreak was palpable. Beautiful...

Yay:...and the Best Song of the week is "Pure Imagination," hands down.

Yay: The auditions. Rachel, Santana, Mercedes, and Kurt all nailed their respective songs. Man oh man, were they good. Rachel's and Mercedes' performances were especially breathtaking. I also loved the fact that each of the songs matched up perfectly with the characters (I'm pretty sure that Kurt singing songs from Gypsy is the greatest thing since sliced bread).

Yay: Did anyone else notice that ridiculously adorable cat picture Jesse drew during Santana's performance?

Nay: What happened to the Finn/Quinn discussion post-funeral? It is SO GOOD until after Finn asks if Quinn if she feels anything, and then it seems to evaporate. You know? (Or am I still in that post-semester haze and/or crazy?)

Yay: ...but I do like how much tension there was in the scene. And I'm glad Finn broke up with her. All Quinn cares about is being prom queen (but I love how her character is obsessed with the idea).

Yay: "Correction: you had feelings for him, he made breakfast on your head."/Sue's Herman and Eddie Munster comment. Best. Lines. This. Episode.

Nay: At the end of the episode, Finn tells Quinn that he's glad she didn't quit glee club. The problem is, she had never mentioned she was thinking about quitting in the first place. (The clip was in the promo, but nowhere to be found in the actual episode.)

Yay: I LOVE when Mercedes drags the mic off stage with her as she storms off after her audition.

Yay: The scene in the nursing home. Again, no words.

Yay: Becky's back on the Cheerios! This was also a great scene.

Yay/Nay/Inbetween: I don't think Sue will ever completely stop trying to bring down the glee club, but I really like the conversation she has with Mr. Schue at the end of the episode. (I also have a theory that Terri will be back despite her apparent move to Florida.)

Nay: POOR FINN! Not cool, Rachel, not cool.

Yay: Perfect way to end the penultimate episode of season 2: Quinn's cryptic promise.

Is it Tuesday yet?

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x20, “Prom Queen”

Words cannot fully describe the power this week's episode held, the kind of power in the same vein as "Born This Way" but on a smaller scale. Major kudos to the creators; it was as flawed as any of the other episode, but boy, was it packed with a fire only character and plot development can ignite. This week's episode I felt was on par with "Born This Way", "Laryngitis", "Wheels", etc. This is definitely one of my favorites of the season, and an extremely important episode overall.

Nay: The pacing was a little funky at the very beginning. The choppiness didn't last very long, however. I felt the last half of the episode flowed very well once they'd set everything up. It just took awhile.

Yay: Sue's Going-Away gift for Mr. Schue. It sent me into a fit of giggles for a long time. Also the punch bowl story.

Yay: Mercedes, Sam, and Rachel's Prom-On-A-Budget. LOVE. That's how it's done. And I think it's true to how prom is treated in the Midwest. (Or close to it, anyway. It's awesome to get creative, and all three of them looked great.)

Yay: The Prom Gown Dry Run. This scene was hilarious. e. g. "Go with God, Satan--Santana."

Yay: Have I mentioned how much I love it when they show the students in other classes and such? I thought the home economics scene was one of the best of the episode. It was funny, it was sweet....and the acting was really strong. I'm also pleased, though it made me feel very sad for Artie, that Brittany called him out for what he did to her. This shows us a lot about Brittany's character.

Yay: The music this week. Every song was seamless, integrated perfectly into the flow of the episode, and so much was said beyond the action, lyrics and lines that bookended them. Nicely done. (Especially "Jar of Hearts" and "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You." LOVE the tension from Finn's jealousy.)

Yay: The scene at Kurt and Finn's house. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. Kurt's prom outfit? Wonderful. I'm glad he was defiant about wearing it, because it is awesome and he has every right to wear it. One thing I've been thinking about since watching the episode on Tuesday: I understand the concern that Burt had and that Blaine seconded about Kurt's desire to be himself at prom, because people can be cruel. But it really sucks that Kurt would have to consider not being himself in order to "please" the general face of society. (More on this later.) Anyway, this scene was another really strong one.

Yay: Karofsky. This is what I'm talking about when I talk about how awesomely three dimensional the characters are.

(Kind of) Nay: Jesse's back, and he's still an ass. (I love Jonathan Groff--and he plays Jesse so well.)

Not sure whether to count this as a Yay or Nay: Rebecca Black's "Friday". Personally, I HATE the song. But honestly, I didn't really think much about it when watching it because at prom, no one really cares what's playing. I remember from the proms I went to that I didn't mind if they played a song I didn't like. I'd either sit down for it, or sing along anyway, because no one cared that it was bad. They recognized it and if they could dance to it, that's all that mattered. And really, it DOES NOT MATTER if it was on Glee or not. It's just a song, it's part of pop culture, and it does not have much effect on the episode either way.

Yay: Kurt and Blaine this episode. Blaine's Sadie Hawkins' story was heart-wrenching. And Kurt's excitement and naivety about Prom was both wonderful and made me hate even more how everyone nearly ruined it for him. But the grand moment in which Blaine, who had been so concerned for their safety, stepped forward and asked Kurt to dance was beautiful. I love Deconstructing Glee's thoughts on this and Kurt's speech right before he returns to the gym. Good on ya, Kurt and Blaine. You deserve a slow dance together, all the time, forever.

Yay: YAY MERCEDES HAD A GOOD PROM!!! (Now, let's see more storylines for her!)

Yay/Nay on the real-life situation: Kurt as the elected Prom Queen. This is something I'd like to write on further, because there are a lot of important things this plot point addresses. (Deconstructing Glee makes a lot of good points about this as well, though I agree to disagree on some.) I thought they handled this really, really well. The look on Kurt's face, that one bastard who cheered, the hateful looks, the other bastard who slow clapped....hugely, hugely powerful. Chris Colfer is a brilliant actor, and the scene in the hallway between Blaine and Kurt is my favorite from this episode. The thing that kills me is that this is something that could really happen, and I'm sure has in some form. It breaks my heart to think of anyone being harassed or teased for being themselves, looking or thinking a certain way, or for being "different." And I get angry when it comes to close-minded people making assumptions about others who challenge the norm. In elementary through early high school, I was teased for being fat, etc., and I hated when my friends were looked down upon for anything that the general public deemed unworthy. The example of the homophobia that Kurt faces on a daily basis gets my blood boiling because he--or anyone for that matter--should not have to be discriminated against because of who they're attracted to, or what they believe, or the color of their skin, or anything that makes them unique. But society will work as it does, and as Kurt points out: "...All that hate: they were just afraid to say it out loud. So they did it by secret ballot." It's awful what people can do, but I am so, so glad that Glee is addressing it. And they have handled it brilliantly in all forms, whether it was simply a slushie facial or something as cruel as WMHS's display of homophobia. This is important stuff, here: our lives, who we are, are reflected in the stories these characters have to tell.

Yay: The immediate aftermath of the Prom Queen announcement. Brilliantly presented, Glee. Brittany's speech to Santana. I also love how Quinn apologizes to Rachel after she slaps her.

Nay: Did anyone else feel that Sue's attempt to keep Artie as a POW was slightly anticlimactic? I mean, it was hilarious, but....

Yay: "...that they can't touch me. That they can't touch us, or what we have." and "Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton." I cheered. Kudos to Kurt. That'll show them.

Yay: The final number, "Dancing Queen". Such a great ending. First with Kurt and Blaine dancing, then everyone else joining in, all lost in the moment of joy, and the final montage of prom pictures....Brilliant, Glee. I love it.

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x19, “Rumours”

I am a tad later than I had wanted to be with this, but better late than never! This week's episode was pretty mellow in terms of action, but there was a lot of great, heavy character stuff. 

As always, spoilers ahead.

Yay: Artie's conversation with Brittany. Great character moments for both of them, and I kinda felt a punch in the gut when Artie asks, "God, Brittany, why are you so stupid?" 

Yay: The scene at the beginning of the episode, when Finn and Santana call out Sam and Brittany, respectively. I thought the acting was really strong here, and the tension high (and it successfully carries out throughout the rest of episode).

Yay: The music this week was wonderful; it melded fabulously with the plot and helped make the episode brilliantly cohesive. I'm not too familiar with Fleetwood Mac, so this was the first time I'd heard at least half of them. (I think I'll slip into Hastings one of these days and get the original album. Really great stuff.) My favorite was Artie's solo, the one with all the acoustic guitars. Well chosen, Glee. I like the idea of basing an episode off an album. If they decide to do this kind of thing again, and it's as good as this was, I'm all for it. 

Yay: Gaaaaaaaaahhhhhh Quinn's attitude this week. I don't necessarily agree with her reasons and her bitchery, but I really like how she has fleshed out as a character since the beginning of this season, where she seemed so...unQuinn-like. I love how tangible her frustration, etc. was during the episode.

Nay: That look of sadness/indecision/general [insert grand emotion here] that Mr. Schue had on his face when New Directions were performing the last song. It made me nervous. I want to know what he was thinking....

Yay: There's a reason Finn and Rachel are such a good team. I love that it was both of them, together, going to talk to Sam at the end of the episode. (Yay co-captainship!)

Nay: Finn and Quinn singing together. There is also a reason for this. There's a lack of spark. (I did like how there was tension during the song, however.) 

Yay: Finn and Quinn's relationship. Is it me, or do we see some serious unhinging? 

Yay: Lord Tubbington's debut on Fondue For Two. He is ridiculously awesome. 

Yay: Sue Sylvester as David Bowie and Anne Coulter.

Nay: Can we please have more Mercedes? I feel like we've been deprived of her for ages....

Yay: Thank you, Glee, for having more on Sam. And it was an awesome story line (cool points go to Sam, Kurt, and Quinn for Being Awesome). 

Yay: All the stuff with Santana. Awesome times a billion. 

There's more, tons more that was awesome about this episode. I loved the fact everything was so smooth: the story flowed well, the characters were in tune with one another, the tension and feeling that everything would collapse at any moment....I found myself caught up in the drama, the lies, the rumors....strong episode. As for next week,  it's Prom! *pulls out dancing shoes*

Yay/Nay for Glee 02x18, “Born This Way”

As you can see, there aren't many nays this week, because "Born This Way" was EXCELLENT. The story was spot-on perfect and there was a lot of strong character development, something I really latch on to. (And they're so good with character stuff; I'm in awe much of the time I watch an episode.) I found it comparable to "Laryngitis" from Season 1 (and just as good, too). I think this one is my favorite of Season 2 thus far, and my giddiness has not quite faded...

On to the Yay/Nay. Heads up: spoilers abound. 

Yay: Santana’s voice-over—or basically ANYTHING she says in this episode. Yes, she is a “judgmental bitch”—but she’s also hilarious. One of my favorite bits from this week: “…She’s so gullible I could convince her that by royal decree, I’d made her being with me the law of the land.”

Yay: I die every time Sam does an impersonation. He needs more of them. Stat.

Nay: We still don’t know much about Sam, and I didn’t like the fact that we didn’t hear much from him this week. (Though by the looks of the promo for next week, we’ll get to see more of him. I hope. I'm tired of not knowing what his deal is.)

Yay: The White T-shirts. Such a bold idea: sporting your biggest insecurity with pride, for everyone to see, and in turn, taking hold of it and embracing it. It seems like an easy thing to do at first, but accepting ourselves is so hard to do. It would take every ounce of courage to sport them because we are our own worst critics. Self-acceptance is hard to achieve, and this lesson really tackles that head on. Beautifully done, Glee.

Yay: “Unpretty/I Feel Pretty”. First, it’s a PERFECT song choice. Second, this scene is beautiful. It is so emotionally charged and bittersweet. There’s Quinn on one end, confident in her looks (and a little conceited about it). Rachel is on the other side, wishing to step over to the other side, because not only will she “become beautiful,” she will also acquire the kinds of things Quinn possesses. In short, there’s a reason Rachel specifically wants Quinn’s nose. This tendency to compare oneself to others is not uncommon; I remember the girls that I wanted to be as I went through junior high and high school, and I know I’m not the only one secretly wishing to have those kinds of clothes, or that particular hair color/cut, or have that certain look about them. By achieving any of these things, perhaps someone will notice and admire you, too. This storyline was very strong, and I’m glad they included it, because it’s important to address.

Yay: Santana’s conversation with Dave. There are so many awesome things about this scene.

Yay: Finn and Mike dancing.

Yay: I love whenever Mr. Schue is Real Mr. Schue and not Crazy Out-Of-His-Mind Mr. Schue. This was a great week for him.

Yay: The meeting between Burt, Kurt, Dave and his father, Principal Figgins, and Mr. Schue. Burt once again gets the Kick-Ass Dad Award (and Dave’s dad gets cool points for being understanding). Also, I adore the exchange between Kurt and Dave. Hell yes. Awesome.

Yay (times a BILLION): Kurt is back at McKinley!!!!!!!!!! Whoop whoop! does happy dance

Yay: “Somewhere Only We Know”. Beautiful song, beautiful cover, and a lump in my throat that hasn’t yet gone away. Also, seeing Kurt and Blaine together, sharing looks and holding hands and general cuteness and care for one another… I’m just so happy they’re together. LOVE.

Nay: Not a lot of Blaine this week, but I understand why. There were a lot of important things to get to this episode. 

Yay: Kurt singing “As If We Never Said Goodbye”. He nails it, and I got chills, and I am amazed and awed. This is one reason why Kurt is so awesome. So much emotion, so much power…. It’s the perfect song at the perfect moment. And the way it's filmed....

Yay: The Lucy Caboosy storyline. Quinn is a bitch, no denying it—but she’s also 3-dimensional, and I LOVED that they included this storyline. Powerful stuff. 

Yay: “Why did you bring me here? Is there a sale at Claire’s?” And later: -“Is she here?” –“No. This is a mall in Ohio.” LOL

Yay: Kurt and Puck’s Barbravention for Rachel. AWESOME.

Yay: Brittany mistaking “Lebanese” for the correct spelling of lesbian and her speech to Santana; and later at the end of the episode, when we see Santana wearing the Lebanese shirt, watching the others perform. Well done. Well done indeed.

Yay: “Born This Way”. Chills. Happiness. A fine example of the breathless, beautiful, shining moments we look forward to on Glee. It successfully pulled together all the empowerment and emotion and issues into one kick-ass performance. I love this part so much. Elegant and stately. Gaga would be proud.  

Yay/Nay of Glee, 02x17, "A Night of Neglect"

This week's Glee was not my favorite, but it was still pretty decent. I liked it. A lot. I felt it was a little lighter on everything, but, like the Superbowl episode, there has to be some kind of buffer--or at least there has to be some fun stuff mixed in with the epic and heavy (something that's needed or we'd all go crazy--see the state of Vampire Diaries right now...but this is not the time or place for a discussion about that).

On to the Yay/Nay.

Yay: The Scholastic Decathlon (mini) storyline. This was great. I love that Glee allows us to see the glee kids outside the choir room once and awhile. Brittany as their secret weapon? The groups special handshake? Good on ya, mate. (Sidenote: Mike's dance = JOY). :D 

Nay: Was it just me, or did there seem to be some jumpiness to the flow of the episode? Maybe I'm a sucker for play-by-play storyline, but there were a few moments I felt were rushed. Perhaps I just imagined it. Anyhoo, these moments were fewer than three, so I'm not too concerned. 

Yay: The Legion of Doom. I think Sandy's Pink Dagger outfit was the best surprise since Finn's Gaga outfit in Season 1. Perhaps not as epic as the shower-curtain dress, but just as funny/awesome.

Yay: ...Which leads me to the cliff-hanger with Terri. Nicely played, Glee. Sneaky. 

Nay: Holly Holiday was, as always, awesome in this episode, but I missed the super fun side she had in "Sexy". It was nice, however, to see Holly serious. Again, this episode gave a really nice balance to everything.

Nay: It makes me sad when we don't get to see a lot of Kurt in an episode. That's just me, though. Kurt's my favorite character. 

Yay: ...but I LOVED the scene where Kurt is showing Blaine the school, and Blaine notices Kurt's homesickness for McKinley, and then Karofsky shows up, and then SANTANA IS BADASS. 

Yay: Santana was AWESOME this week. 

Yay: Mercedes' tribute to Aretha Franklin was fabulous. She rocks. Also, I loved how she and Lauren teamed up (and the final talk Mercedes has with Rachel). AWESOME.  (She's also one of my favorites. She needs more story....)

Yay: The Night of Neglect was freakin' cool. Don't let the hecklers get you down, New Directions. They're just jealous. 

There's a lot more to this episode, but those above are the things that stuck out the most to me. I think it was nice to see this episode a little lighter since the previous two--"Sexy" and "Original Song"--were both very bold and heavy with awesomeness and character development and storyline. Next week, too, looks pretty important in terms of 1) awesomeness, 2) storyline, 3) general bad-ass-ery 4) etc. This episode, I think, does a really nice job providing something a little different, but also allowing for a breather. 

I'm really excited for next week's episode. Plus, according to the promo, KURT'S BACK AT WMHS!! Oh frapjous day!!! That should be Blaine's cue to follow. :)