The TV Chick

Last night’s Glee wasn’t my favorite episode of all time but there were some major highlights for me. A few of the musical numbers were phenomenal, Terri returns (yay crazy awesome Terri!), and Gwyneth Paltrow guest stars as Holly Holliday, a substitute teacher. A lot of people are hating on Gwyneth but I have loved her since her “Duets” and “Sliding Doors” days and the lady can sing and act. I don’t really pay attention to her persona outside of acting, I just think she has a ton of talent and to see her on Glee was great. I hope she returns. So where do we begin…Sue becomes principal because Figgins is sick and she wants to destroy Glee Club. I love Sue in this episode. Schue hallucinates mini Glee kids because he’s sick with a fever as well. The mini glee kids were absolutely adorable. Terri takes care of Schue, and she quite unfortunately talks baby talk and he kicks her out. She remembers that “Singing in the Rain” makes him feel better when he’s sick. Naturally, Rachel takes over Glee club in Schue’s absence, much to the chagrin of all the Glee Club members.

There is also a lot of progression (it seems) with the Kurt and Blaine relationship. Side note, I absolutely adore Darren Criss (who plays Blaine). Kurt keeps ditching Mercedes for Blaine. They go out on an awkward third wheel date where they discuss a lot of gay issues. This part may have seemed stereotypical to some but I’m so glad Kurt has a friend (for now). He has been so alone and continues to be bullied and he needs this support. If only we all had such a nice support system in high school.

But back to McKinley High. Everyone loves Miss Holliday because she tries to relate to the kids and keep everything really casual. She teaches English by singing School House Rock (which is awesome by the way). When she subs as the Glee Club director, she sings Cee-Lo’s “Forget You” with the Glee Club. Seriously, I listened to this on repeat so many times already. I don’t really like the censored version but this was so cute. And she can sing, even if Rachel doesn’t want to drink the Holliday kool-aid.

And with Sue in charge we get an amazing new diary entry and her decision to ban Tater Tots. The Cheerios throw away all of the tater tots. If someone did that in my school, I would cry. Honestly. Mercedes takes on the cause of getting them back. (I know, I know, bigger girl wanting tater tots but seriously, I’m a small girl and I’d take on this cause. Tater tots are amazing.) Mercedes causes damage to Sue’s car by shoving tots in the tailpipe. Kurt tells Mercedes she’ll find someone (he had tried to set her up with someone — perhaps we’ll see his face in an upcoming episode?) and to treat herself with respect. Shortly after, the bully confronts Kurt and threatens him if he tells anyone. Wow. This is big. I want to see how Kurt handles this threat in the future. He could use some guidance for sure (ahem, Emma Pillsbury).

Meanwhile, Schue is dreaming/hallucenating and does “Make ‘Em Laugh” with Mike Chang. I love this classic number. I thought Schue and Mike Chang did a fantastic job. But I have to say, it’s hard to top the original. So while I was happy that they paid homage to it, I wasn’t super crazy about this. When Schue wakes up, Rachel is there to talk to him about Glee Club and Holliday. Holliday tells Rachel she is such a drag (hilarious) and gives Puck pop quiz answers. Crossing the line much? Holliday offers to listen to Rachel’s song ideas and they end up performing Chicago mashup of “Honey Rag/Nowadays.” Am I dreaming? I loved the movie “Chicago” more than I could possibly say, and seeing this mash-up was unreal. Although Gwyneth does seem to sing in everything this episode. I really, really could use a Quinn solo.

Terri continues to take care of Schue, and very clearly still loves him. I can’t decide if Will still loves her but then they hook up. WHOA! This will have ramifications. Later on in the episode, Terri catches Schue and Holliday talking and he kicks her out (again). She says he’s going to regret it. I don’t believe that this hook up came from nowhere but I hope Terri gets a new love interest and is able to move on.

Sue somehow becomes the real principal (crazy contract) and fires Schue. Holliday won’t quit (but eventually does). When she goes to talk to Schue (see earlier in the review), she breaks down about being a terrible teacher. She used to be strict then ran into a hilarious girl named Cameo who beat her up. She now lives a lonely life where she moves all the time. Sue gives Schue his job back. Schue wants to do “Singing In the Rain.” and asks for Holliday’s help to make it more modern. Schue and Holliday along with members of the Glee Club perform an “Umbrella”/”Singing In the Rain” mash-up. I really hope no one got hurt on this — it looked dangerous. Visually, it was absolutely stunning. I’d love to sing and splash around on a big stage. But if I am being honest though, I would have liked to see them just perform “Umbrella.” I get the significance of “Singing In The Rain” but I enjoy the more contemporary songs.

I really did enjoy this episode. I could have gone for more Quinn (as always), more Emma, and maybe a little less Matthew Morrison singing. I thought Gwyneth was an example of a great guest star. There have been some that come in and perplex me, but I liked this substitute role, and I enjoyed “Forget You” so so much. However, and maybe I’m the only one who feels this way but I want to see them get back to the fantastic show-stopper Glee numbers they used to perform at least once an episode. What will be this season’s “Keep Holding On” or “True Colors” or even “Push It?” I have yet to see it. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some amazing musical numbers — “Teenage Dream” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” to name a couple, but maybe something is missing that I can’t put my finger on. No matter what though, I consistently love Glee. It’s not like anything we’ve ever seen before and I am curious to see how they can touch my heart next. Because they do that on a very frequent basis.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 pm on FOX.