The TV Chick

I want to believe Glee is back to its old season one self, but I’m not all the way convinced yet. “Mash Off” was a pretty decent episode, but it was decent because some of the musical numbers (mainly one) gave me chills. And that knocked it up in the rankings. But was it anywhere near “Asian F” or “The First Time”? Not really, sadly. The episode focuses on a Glee assignment (and one of my favorites) — mash-ups. But because the groups are split (The Troubletones are great and all but can we please just all get along?!), they are going to have a Mash Off, a mash-up competition.

The episode starts with Puck singing “Hot for Teacher.” Thankfully, Shelby ignores his advances, despite his persistence. And Quinn is now all about getting close to Shelby through Puck and joining The Troubletones. Except really, we know Quinn’s hidden agenda. Later, Puck comes clean to Shelby about Quinn’s sabotage attempts. Shelby obviously isn’t about to let Quinn in The Troubletones and gives Quinn a lecture on raising a baby. This was actually one of the scenes I quite enjoyed. Quinn needed to be taken down a peg. Shelby and Schue then announce the mash-off by singing a mash-up of Lady Gaga’s “You and I” and a 90s song of the same name, which was fairly entertaining.

Meanwhile, the campaign heats up between Burt and Sue. Sue runs attack ads about Burt accusing him of using his tire shop to sexually molest automobiles. She also runs ads that talk about his heart attack and whether or not he’s fit to take office. Burt is understandably pissed and wants Schue to do something about it. Kurt even tries to stop Sue, but she explains that campaigns get dirty. His Class President campaign should get dirty, too, if he wants to win. Kurt is determined to win the right way.

And in the spirit of the Mash Off competition, The Troubletones play dodge ball against New Directions. They sing a mash-up of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “One Way or Another.” This was fun, but not super memorable. The Troubletones win but Santana plays dirty and hits Rory over and over again. Stop the violence! (As Britt says later). Kurt gets all pissed off and wants to stop the bullying. But, Santana is all about the trash talk and is pretty mean to Finn. Finn quips back with a comment about her sexuality and loving Brittany. Whew. Also, Rachel wants to be friends with Kurt again but he is reluctant. When it comes time for the Class President speeches, Kurt makes one about banning dodgeball, Britt talks about going topless and Rachel withdraws her candidacy and tells everyone to vote for Kurt. Let me tell you, Rachel needed this redemption. I love her and her crazy and bratty, diva self, but she needed to do something selfless.

Then it gets all serious. Figgins calls Santana into his office, where Burt, Sue and Schue are waiting. Apparently, one of Sue’s opponents got word of Finn’s little dig at Santana and is using her sexuality in a campaign ad. Basically, Santana will be outed to everyone before she’s even told her parents. Rough.

Then, it’s Mash Off time. The Glee kids sing “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” and “You Make My Dreams Come True” by Hall and Oates which was enjoyable. But the best musical number of the episode, and probably one of my top numbers of the entire series was The Troubletones’ (aka Santana, Mercedes, Britt and some other random Cheerios and members) Adele mash-up of “Rumour Has It” and “Someone Like You.” I know I preach to the choir when I say that Adele is flawless. We all listen to her. I know I’m not unique in that, but I do know that I just adore her music and could listen to “21″ over and over and over again without getting tired of it. So I hold her music to a pretty high standard. But Naya Rivera killed it, KILLED IT, in this number. It was fantastic and gave me chills. After the performance, Santana confronts Finn. She yells at him for outing her, even though he claims the entire school already knows. Obviously, he doesn’t know about the ad. And then she slaps him. To be honest, the end of the episode was my favorite part. I like the vulnerable Santana. I like when Santana gets a solo. I just like seeing more of Santana. And I love the Kurt and Rachel (hopefully) rekindled friendship.

So I will say I like what this episode set up, but besides the unreal amazing Adele mash-up and Santana’s story, there wasn’t anything super fantastic about it. I have hope for the future though because Glee, despite its ups and downs, has had a solid season so far and I always, always enjoy the music.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 PM on FOX.