The TV Chick

Last night’s episode of Glee titled “I Kissed A Girl” centered around Santana and the campaign video that was about to out her. There’s also the matter of the elections — both for Class President and a Congressional seat. It was a decent episode with a few catchy musical numbers, but overall it felt like a filler episode. Don’t get me wrong, I thought the Santana scenes were moving and fantastic (even if in a slightly emotionally manipulative way). I even liked Finn in this episode for trying to raise Santana’s spirits and make her realize she has a ton of support from those who love her. It just felt like there was a ton of music and very little plot. But I won’t give up Glee. I know a lot of people who have, but I have always said that the music makes me happy and this season has really been pretty great in the plot department.

Anyway, the episode starts with Santana and Finn in the principal’s office about “the slap.” Figgins is going to suspend Santana and forbid her from competing in Sectionals with the Trouble Tones. But then, it’s Finn to the rescue. He claims that the slap was actually a stage slap. Since Figgins can’t prove anything, he lets Santana off the hook. Finn tells Santana that he cares about her because she was his first and she doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to her. He suggests that The Trouble Tones and New Directions work together on a project this week. They should sing kick-ass girl songs (songs by women, about women) and all support each other. I like this message and it resulted in some pretty decent songs. First up is Kurt and Blaine, who sing P!nk’s “Perfect.” Darren Criss could sing anything to me, any day, any time, and I’d like it. So this musical number was pretty good. Meanwhile, Kurt is trying to figure out a way to win the election because Brittany is clearly in the lead. He considers stuffing the ballot but we don’t see him do that.

And in gross student/teacher story time, Puck sings “The Only One” by Melissa Etheridge. He’s clearly singing the song to Shelby. Ugh. Quinn confronts Puck about the performance, and he claims he was just singing to Shelby because he wants to be able to babysit for Beth. Then, she invites him over to have sex. At first, he rebuffs and pretty much calls her out on her crazy. But later, Puck goes over to try and rekindle things with Shelby, and she tells him that this a mistake. Puck is all pissed so he decides to go over to Quinn to get some action, and we find out she wants to have baby number two. Puck calls her out again, saying that having the baby really messed her up and while everyone is trying to help Santana, no one is helping her. This was actually another moment I quite enjoyed. I adore Quinn but her need to be loved can be extreme at times and no one seems to see right through it until Puck did. But I digress.

Back to school and election time. Finn sings a pretty nice slowed-down rendition of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” It made Santana cry. I can’t say it made me cry, but it was very sweet. And Santana announces that she has come out to her parents but just has to tell her abuela (grandmother). She sings “I Kissed A Girl” with Rachel and the rest of the Glee girls and I enjoyed this as well. Then, it’s voting time! Coach Beiste is all bummed out because Cooter has been going out with Sue (who was originally using him for the election). Apparently, he finds her uncommunicative and he gets mixed signals. Emma and Schue (their only real moment of this episode at all) tell her to express her feelings. Beiste then sings her first solo of the show, “Jolene.” Dot Marie Jones actually has a pretty decent voice, but I have an odd hatred for the song “Jolene.” I just felt like the song choice was contrived. Anyway, after the election, we learn that Rachel stuffed the ballots so Kurt would win. She wasn’t thinking and she stuffed too many in there.

Later, Beiste confesses her true feelings to Cooter, who says he also likes Sue. Drama! Sue loses the election to Burt (yay!) but Kurt loses the election to Brittany (sad!) I was sort of hoping she’d declare him Vice President or something but that doesn’t happen. Santana and some other Glee kids and Shelby sing “Constant Craving” which was fine. And Rachel comes clean about the election, so she’s not allowed to compete in sectionals. The episode ends with Santana telling her Abuela, who does not take it well. She kicks Santana out of the house, saying some secrets are meant to stay secrets. Aww, Santana!

So, overall, not my favorite episode, but I didn’t hate it. I loved all the Santana stuff, and I like that she is getting more songs/solos and plot this season. After last week’s show-stopping Adele mash-up, these songs weren’t anything super special, but I’m glad to see her talent being showcased. I liked the message of support and equality. But not much else happened. Where’s my Lea Michele ballad that will move me to tears? Where’s my Darren Criss number that I will play on repeat on my iPod? Next week, Sam is back (as a stripper?) so I’m sure it’s going to be interesting. I’m also looking forward to what Sectionals bring, because competition episodes are always some of my favorites.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 PM on FOX.