The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Glee titled “Bad Reputation is the first that I wasn’t able to watch in advance. And in all honesty, I’m glad I didn’t, because it was one of my favorite episodes of the whole season (not just the back 9). There were many complaints circulating around about the first 3 episodes of the back 9 and their lack of storyline combined with too many songs. This episode went a completely different direction and I’m so glad it did. For the record, I adored the first 3 episodes but more because Glee was back and because the Madonna episode was epic than anything else.

Bad Reputation centered around the Glee Club getting a bad reputation from a “Glist” or list ranking Glee Club members based on a hotness quotient (sexual promiscuity). Quinn was number one on the list and Rachel was at the bottom. The list was distributed to the entire school. Also, Kurt found a video of Sue dancing around to Let’s Get Physical and he (along with some fellow Glee Club members) decides to release it on YouTube.

Mr. Schuester sings (and dances to) Ice Ice Baby (a song with a bad reputation) along with the rest of the Glee Club. This dance number was awesome. It featured Matthew Morrison, Heather Morris and Harry Shum Jr. primarily but the whole Glee club joined in. Who knew Jonathan Groff was also a really talented dancer? He never ceases to amaze me. In this episode, Sue also meets her match. Molly Shannon is Brenda Castle, a new sassy teacher who laughs profusely at Sue and the video. I believe Sue uttered the words “I’ll punch you square in the taco.” Any episode that features Sue (and the ridiculously talented Jane Lynch) is great in my book. Personally, I would have liked another Sue C’s It but her diary writing more than suffices. Later in the episode, Sue shares a bunch of heartwarming scenes with her sister. I am so thrilled they brought her sister back. She really brings a human element to Sue, but in addition, she is very funny and sweet. Her storyline is not meant for viewers to pity Sue or her sister. They are incredibly close, no matter what disabilities her sister may have.

Kurt, Artie, and Mercedes are not on the Glist, so Kurt devises a plan to not be ignored. Brittany wants to be in the top 3 (she was number 4) and is in on the plan, despite taking all her antibiotics at once and not knowing where she was. (Brittany’s comedic genius continues to shine in this episode) Kurt’s plan involves making a big ruckus in the library. They sing and dance to You Can’t Touch This, which was all sorts of awesome.

Continuing on with the Sue goodness, Sue goes to Emma and tells her she is her new therapist. She spills the beans about Will making out with Shelby and sleeping with April (she knew this because of strategically placed baby monitors). Sue also tells Emma she sucks, and that she needs to stand up for herself and communicate her feelings to Will (in a public setting). First of all, I love Emma and was glad to see her back. And while this scene may have been quite over the top, it was hilarious and completely true to Sue. And I actually agree with her! Emma does need to grow a pair, so to speak, because Will has really been sleeping around. Even if “sleeping around” just means making out and singing duets. Emma decides to confront Will and yells at him in the faculty lounge. She even calls him a slut (LOVE IT) and tells him that she is through with him (don’t love it as much). Later, Will brings Emma flowers, he apologizes but she can’t get over it. However, she basically says that she hasn’t given up hope of a relationship. Both of them clearly need to work out their issues before giving us another perfect “happy ending” kiss scene like in the mid-season finale. I look forward to when they do so! And if they want to throw a little Terri drama in the mix, I am all for it. Meanwhile, Schue tries to get to the bottom of the Glist but no one will confess.

And then there is even more Sue greatness. Olivia Newton-John calls her up and she hangs up on her thinking it was a joke. Olivia calls again and tells her that her daughter saw Sue’s video and she wants to re-make the video. I have to say, I loved the Let’s Get Physical video with Olivia Newton-John and Jane Lynch ALMOST (maybe even just as much) as much as Vogue. Who knew Olivia Newton John had comedic chops? Kudos to her! And Jane Lynch, you can sing pretty well, and I very much enjoy when you do. Sue decides to donate the money she makes to the nursing home. Sue’s sister tells her “I am the smart one.” And in another incredibly touching moment, they read a book about two bears.

There was also another music video (which didn’t top Physical), of Rachel and her various different love interests singing “Run Joey Run.” It features Jesse, Finn and Puck all fighting for her affection. It was certainly a creative video (and song choice), but of course Rachel lied to each of the guys saying they’d be the star. Jesse is especially mad, and Finn says she wanted to be seen like a hot slut and that’s why she made the video.

Will figures out Quinn is behind the glist, but she denies it. She has lost so much and had the most to gain. She cries and says now that she’s invisible, a bad reputation is better than no reputation. Schue tells her she will go on to do amazing things. I loved this scene, for many reasons. In the last few episodes, there hasn’t been too much of Quinn. Dianna Agron really shined in this moment like she did with Amber Riley in the last episode. What made this so great is that I didn’t suspect Quinn wrote the Glist. I wasn’t sure who did but I think it was quite realistic that Quinn wrote it. I’m looking forward to the episode where she has her baby finally.

The end of this episode may have been my favorite musical number the show has ever done. And that’s saying a lot. Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele belted out “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” and I swooned, cried, then swooned some more. First of all, Jonathan Groff’s talent is unreal. He really is the male version of Lea. Put them together and the number will be unstoppable. I loved the creativity with both of them being in ballet class and all the complicated dance moves. The best was the end when all the Glee kids walk out on Rachel and he is the last to go, singing (oh-so-perfectly) “turn around bright eyes…” I had to rewind and watch a second time because that’s how great it was. Don’t get me wrong, I love the other male characters very much, but I just don’t think their voices are equal to Jonathan’s. (Although Chris Colfer’s is so unique and great and really can’t be compared to them).

I love Glee. Plain and simple, I am generally going to love every episode. However, that is not to say that I can’t see flaws in some. “Bad Reputation” is an episode that will truly stand out for me. I think this episode was very much dominated by story as opposed to song and I loved that. Yes, there were two music videos but they were fantastic. A big reason it will always stand out in my mind is Total Eclipse of The Heart and the scenes with Sue/Emma/Will. But in general, I love the episodes that feel real. Sure, breaking out into musical numbers at any point may not be the most realistic but the plot of the whole episode felt real. I remember in my high school when similar “lists” were made. They may not have been distributed but people knew about them. There were also always the students with the bad reputation or those trying to go out with several guys at once. Thanks for bringing me to tears again, Glee. I can’t wait to see next week’s episode. Also, be sure to check back on the site for an exclusive interview with Kevin McHale (Artie).

My favorite quote of the episode:

Kurt: “I’m getting cold feet”

Brittany: “Can you even feel your feet?”

Here’s the video of Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart”

Glee cast sings “You Can’t Touch This:”

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 9 pm on FOX.