The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Glee was super-sized and Gaga-ized, but it took on some very important issues. The theme of the episode was probably acceptance (and things that come along with that — denial, change, and in some cases, slushees). The theme is very fitting for McKinley given the bullying problems, the gay contingent (closet or otherwise), and the idea that the Glee Club is still not accepted by the student body. There was some really great stuff with Karofsky and Kurt, but I wished this could have been more of the focal point of the episode. While I loved learning about Rachel and Quinn’s various insecurities, Kurt returning to McKinley is such a big deal and I wanted to see more of the scene between him and Karofsky. Regardless, this super-sized episode (while it did feel a tad long) was full of a lot of very important moments, some amazing singing and a real, meaty, wonderful storyline for Emma.

The episode begins with “booty camp” and Finn breaks Rachel’s nose. The doctor suggests she gets a nose job. This turns into a whole discussion of acceptance — the Glee Club does not support Rachel’s potential nose job. And going along with the acceptance theme, Will wants Emma to get help with her OCD. Meanwhile, Santana thinks Kurt is the trick to getting prom queen, and winning back Brittany. And for their weekly assignment, Schue wants the Glee Club to sing songs about acceptance, and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” is a perfect example. They are going to make tee shirts with a word of something they are self conscious about. Emma’s says “ginger,” but Will clearly thought it would say “OCD.” What would your tee shirt say? Mine would probably be “vertically challenged.” But I digress.

Rachel decides she wants Quinn’s nose and she asks Quinn what it’s like to look like she looks. Quinn admits to having a warped sense of the world and they sing an “Unpretty/I Feel Pretty” mashup. LOVE THIS MASHUP so much. Adore when Quinn sings. Seriously, sing more. Welled up a little bit. So good. Later, Santana asks Karofsky out but says she knows he’s gay. She suggests they become each other’s beards. I loved her line: “The only straight I am is straight up bitch.” If he doesn’t do this for her, she’ll tell everyone his secret.

In acceptance/Glee land, Finn sings “I Gotta Be Me.” This was fine and cute with the dancing but eh, I wasn’t feeling it. Finn was basically trying to show he was okay with the fact he can’t dance. A little later, Karofsky apologizes to the Glee Club and there’s an amazing slushee flashback montage! He apologizes about Kurt and everything else, which is obviously just Santana’s doing. To show their seriousness, Karofsky and Santana started the Bullywhips Club, complete with hilarious guardian angels outfits. Karfosky wants to make amends. I wish his intentions were genuine because clearly it won’t end well between Kurt and Karofsky. I wish he did this because those videos that Santana showed him on the internet actually changed him. Maybe they did, but given what he says later, I doubt it. However, despite the fact that his intentions might not have been the best, this was an important thing to happen. The apology leads to a meeting with Figgins. Burt doesn’t think that the school will be safe. He really lays down the law. Whew, Burt you are awesome. Kurt asks to speak to Karofsky alone. He asks for the truth and Karofsky comes clean. Kurt says he will demand they start a PFLAG chapter because Karofsky needs to be educated. This was amazing. Kurt displayed some maturity I have never seen in him before. I credit Burt. Like I said before, I wish Karofsky was more genuine but if he’s committed to stop bullying, I’m all for it. I’m also ridiculously glad Kurt is back at McKinley. As a nice send-off, The Warblers perform a goodbye song for Kurt. AWWWW. They sing “Somewhere Only We Know” which I’ve been listening to A TON on the Warblers CD. Criss, you are such a damn gift. Kurt then sings “I’ve Got To Be Me” which was fun.

And to wrap up the acceptance storyline, we learn Quinn’s name is really Lucy (Quinn is her middle name) and she used to be fat and she got a nose job. She was a miserable girl. Awww. Lauren put up a big poster sized picture of when Quinn was fat in hopes to win Prom Queen herself. Kurt tells Rachel that she’d be disappointing Barbra Streisand if she gets a nose job. Aww. They dance to this weird Barbra Streisand/techno type dealy. Mall flash mob! Not loving this. I think this was something put in so the show could be ninety minutes.

Meanwhile, Emma’s at a therapist cleaning the chair…for almost the whole hour. She has some very valid points about medication and not wanting to be a different person and such. But the therapist tells her that her illness is keeping her from who she’s supposed to be. Aww, she feels ashamed. Seriously, this is what Emma has needed. Jayma Mays is an amazing actor and deserves more scenes like this (and let’s be honest “Toucha Toucha Toucha Touch Me”). While I love her crazy pamphlets and her grape cleaning, admitting that she has a problem is such a great step. I hope there is more of this in the future episodes — more therapist scenes, more scenes with Will. Love. Emma ends up taking the medicine she was prescribed and wears the “OCD” shirt Will was hoping for. At the end of the episode, The Glee Club (minus Rachel because of her sensitive nose and Santana who is not feeling it) sings Born This Way. Emma and Will join in! Kurt’s shirt says “Likes Boys” LOVE.

Some of the music in this episode really blew me away. Most notably the “Unpretty/I Feel Pretty” mashup and “Somewhere Only We Know.” I will be sad to see less of The Warblers now that Kurt’s not at Dalton, but I’m sure they will make an appearance sometime before the season is over. Also, I would have loved to have seen Kurt consult Blaine (Criss) on the whole Karofsky issue. I just love Darren Criss so much in general and the show could always use more of him. I look forward to seeing what happens with Emma, and the Will and Emma relationship. I’m sure we probably won’t find out until the finale. I also could go for a big Lea Michele ballad sometime soon. I am liking where this season seems to be going, and I cannot wait for Nationals in NYC.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 pm on FOX.