Oh how I dreaded this episode. Could the folks behind Glee actually turn out an original song and have it be good? The answer is a resounding yes. Not only did they come up with one good song, they came up with two good songs and hit this episode right out of the park. Finally!
I’ve been griping about the awfulness of the last few episodes and their attempts at delivering messages about alcohol and sex — both of which fell flat. This week we were back to the Glee that we all loved in season one, when it was about the glee club and the competition and the adults were only peripheral characters. All of the songs this week had a reason for being, and I didn’t feel that the plot was shoehorned around them. I’m not sure how I feel about Quinn returning to her roots as the mean girl out to get Rachel, but it had to happen for the plot to work. Rachel would have never been able to write such a great song without the hurt she felt after Quinn admitted that she and Finn have been dating again.
I know there are a lot of Kurt haters out there, but his song to honor Pavarotti the canary was just lovely. I have to give praise to Darren Criss for saying volumes with just the expression on his face during that song. You knew that Blaine fell in love with Kurt right then and there, and his little talk with Kurt about how it all hit him at that moment, followed by the kiss, was such a wonderful scene. I know Kurt was being a bit of a brat about Blaine’s position within the Warblers, but he was right, and it was cool for Blaine to acknowledge he was a solo hog (something Rachel would never do) and give Kurt a chance to share the spotlight with him. Maybe having Blaine now as his boyfriend and getting a chance to shine at Regionals will help humanize Kurt a bit.
The episode had some truly touching moments and some great, laugh-out-loud moments as well, particularly when the New Directions kids were trying out their own songs: Rachel’s cringe-worthy Only Child; Santana’s tribute to Sam, Trouty Mouth; Puck’s tribute to Lauren, Big Ass, and Mercedes’ Hell to the No (which was actually another pretty good song). And in between all of the great moments with the kids, there was Sue. Oh, what to do with Sue. Her schtick is getting old and out of hand (again, I have to ask why she’s even still employed by the school system) as she loads up lockers with dirt, throws sticks at people and punches the mayor’s wife in the face after the results of Regionals are read. Seriously, shouldn’t security have tackled her right then and there? Now that her team has lost, what other cockamamie schemes are they going to cook up for her?
I also enjoyed the guest appearances by Kathy Griffin and Loretta Devine as two of the judges. I’m sure Kathy’s character is going to have a lot of tongues wagging over at the Fox network’s “news” channel, but I thought it was funny. It should be no surprise that New Direction won Regionals — how could they not, with a few episodes left for the season and a trip to New York for Nationals? But I really liked the final moments as Rachel was awarded the Regionals MVP for her song contributions, and how humbled she was for a change. With probably six episodes left in the season, all I can hope for is that they can turn out a string of quality episodes like this one to take us to a season finale that doesn’t end up leaving a bad taste in our mouths.
This week’s featured songs (available on iTunes):
“How did you manage to find a Burberry-esque canary cage cover?” – Blaine
“Prom queens live, on average, five years longer than regular people.” – Quinn
“Consider this the opening salvo of World War Sue.” – Sue
“What’s your favorite song of all time?” – Mr. Schue to the class
“My Headband.” – Brittany, referring to Rachel’s first songwriting attempt
“Recent Tea Party candidate and home schooler, Tammy Jean Albertson.” – Regionals announcer introducing a judge
“Before we start, I would like to say I am not a witch.” – Tammy Jean Albertson
“That Dalton Academy … is it a gay school or is it just a school that appears gay?” – Sister Mary Constance
“Can I add a dash of Rod to this lady soup?” – Rod Remington, gadabout and Regionals judge
“I didn’t even like to be pandered to when I was a stripper.” – Sister Mary Constance questioning the Sue’s song choice of Jesus is a Friend of Mine
Clacked by Chuck Duncan 
on Mar 15, 2011 @ 23:03 EST5EDT
Anyone know who actually wrote the songs? Was it the writing team for the show or did they bring in someone to do it? I was pretty impressed with them. But the moment of chills during this episode for me was “Blackbird.” Wow.
*POST AUTHOR*
Fox and the producers appear to be keeping the origins of the songs a closely guarded secret. The only info I’ve been able to dig up is that “Loser Like Me” was co-written by pop producer Max Martin, who has written for Britney Spears and Pink. The writer of “Get It Right” has not been disclosed. If anyone buys the actual Glee Vol. 5 CD (simply click on the link above!) the writing credits may be in the notes. If anyone has that info, please feel free to share.
I, too, was really happy with Glee this week. I agree that Sue is too much already.
One question, though — what happened to Vocal Adrenaline? Did I miss something?
*POST AUTHOR*
I asked that question a couple of weeks ago. I really expected a Sunshine Corazone/Rachel Berry showdown at some point (like this week!), especially after they made kind of a big deal out of hiring Cheyenne Jackson as the new Vocal Adrenaline coach. He was in one scene in the first episode this season, never to be heard from again.
The music this week was stunning.
Was I the only one who thought Kurt killed the bird so he would have an excuse to sing?
*POST AUTHOR*
Oh, Oreo. Why am I not surprised you thought that? :-)
But seriously, I was wondering why no one made such a big deal out of the bird dying because didn’t they make a big deal out of presenting the bird to Kurt in the first place and gave him this huge responsibility to ensure the bird’s health and safety? No one seemed to bat an eye when Kurt announced Pavarotti’s death.
No, you weren’t the only one. It would be something I could see Kurt doing. He is a bit crazy at times :)
You are my favorite. Kurt is a dick, I will never feel sorry for him. He acts like a dick and then when people treat him badly he cries and bitches?
Killing the bird to get a song is exactly what he would do, he is that person and I’m shocked more people don’t see that in him.
I hope Blaine is younger than Kurt, so when Kurt graduates next year Blaine can stick around. I like him, and I think he only likes Kurt because he knows Kurt likes him so there is no chance of rejection.
*POST AUTHOR*
Maybe it was the fumes from the Burberry-esque canary cage cover that did Pavarotti in. Time for a Bones/Glee crossover episode!
Oreo: I thought I was your favorite! We bonded over The Chicago Code!!!
But I’m with you … Kurt has got to be one of the most selfish characters on television.
*POST AUTHOR*
Harumph! Now I feel like the red-headed step-child on my own post!
Sorry, Dorv. I’m Oreo’s favorite now :)
Kurt is a dick. No one ever calls him out on it either and it bothers me.
That’s because if you do you get called homophobic even if you are gay. lol
“it was cool for Blaine to acknowledge he was a solo hog (something Rachel would never do)”
Rachel has acknowledged that before. But then she forgets it. It’s a lesson she has to keep relearning because there’s so little character development that actually sticks in Glee (*cough*Quinn*cough*).
*POST AUTHOR*
She acknowledges it when someone points it out or reacts to her behavior, but it is quickly forgotten by the next episode and she’s back to being the self-centered, solo hogging Rachel – or the kind, giving Rachel depending on how the writers feel about her that week!