I’m all a twitter to be reviewing this season of Glee. If you haven’t watched or heard of Fox’s super mega teenage sensation, then you’ve been living under a rock. And you best come out from under, because at the very least, you’re missing some highly talented kids (no they are not teens in real life) performing excellent contemporary and Broadway hits. Not to mention what I think is some of the wittiest and most fast-paced dialogue by television writers today.
But. What do I know? I’ve taken a lot of flak for liking this show, from friends and acquaintances, to my husband. He actually was a bit chagrined when I traded writing duties with my pal and fellow writer, Chuck Duncan. I gave him Dancing With the Stars for Glee this time around. (I purely chalk this up to him not being able to see the scantily glad chicks dance in their fringey outfits on ABC.) So, I ask you. Who exactly does this make the least mature one in my house? Don’t answer. We’re still arguing about it.
So, having said that. Let’s get to Glee! From the outset tonight, you better have been paying attention. It seems Sam moved out of state (which must be some weird contractual dispute ’cause the kid was good), Arty is really a Junior (he says people always think he’s older because the wheelchair adds a year), Quinn is M.I.A, and Brittany is still lovably stupid.
As for the seniors? As far as I can figure, Kurt (Chris Colfer), Rachel (the infamous Lea Michele), Santana (Naya Rivera), Quinn (Dianna Agron), and Finn (Cory Monteith) were all mentioned as graduating at the end of the year. That’s a pretty hefty chunk of the cast. Which was quite a “freak out” for the Gleeks last season, but doesn’t bother me a bit. There’s skads of talented unknowns out there who could be chosen to step right into McKinley High and have their three or four seasons in the sun. I mean, why not?
It’s very true, what Rachel and Kurt saw when they went to the seminar for the kids attempting to get into the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts (no such thing, btw.) The competition is fierce when you’re talking about being admitted into specialty schools, and it was good to see Rachel and Kurt bring themselves down to reality a bit. Especially after all their arrogance in the finale last year; kind of a good slap in the face for them to see they’re not the only amazingly gifted teens in Ohio.
I do like the friendship that’s developed between them, though. I mean, after they cried it out and felt sorry for themselves, they built each other up by pointing out the strengths they see in one another. That’s what good friends do. And I hope they do end up living in New York together someday, like the characters in Beaches, as Kurt says “pre-myocardial infarction.”
As for the music in this premiere episode? It was rather all over the place. I was expecting a Go-Go’s theme at first, and then it jumped around to The Wizard of Oz and 42nd Street; proves my point that you get a great mix of tunes on this show. My favorite of the night? Blaine’s (Darren Criss) version of Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual.” Loved it!
Glee never lets us escape without a theme, and this week the purple pianos told us the story. Yes, they were beaten and tortured and even set fire; yet they still fulfilled their intended purpose — to make music. So, if you’re out there feeling all scarred and stuff, but still have a dream? This one was for you!
One last thing. Yes, the battle continues between Will (Matthew Morrison) and Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch). And she has stepped it up a notch, so we’ll see. I absolutely do think, though, that she should stick with calling Will and Emma “Wavy Gravy and Dr. Zaius.” Too funny!
If you enjoyed any of the music on this week’s episode, click a link below to purchase the song from iTunes and help support CliqueClack at the same time!
Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Sep 21, 2011 @ 00:17 EST5EDT
I was a little tepid on the opener, but at least it didn’t piss me off like half the episodes last season! Glad to see Coach Beiste back, but sorry to see Sam and Lauren gone from the cast. I just hope they can keep everyone consistent from week to week and not all over the crazy map like last season. And please don’t let Sue go back to cartoon land. I agree with you on Blaine’s number, but I absolutely loved the Anything Goes/Anything I Can Do mash-up and that amazing choreography. I didn’t watch The Glee Project, so does anyone know if we saw any of the four winners on tonight’s show? I assumed Sugar and some of the kids at the audition were from that show. Not off to a great start, but at least promising enough. Fingers crossed that they avoid all of last season’s pitfalls.
Chuck, the girl who sang the Anything Goes/ Anything You Can Do Number was a runner up on The Glee Project. There were four competitors on that show that went into the finals. Two of them made it into the final round. Those two people BOTH won first prize of 7 episode arcs this season(the judges had trouble making up their mind.) The two runner ups, including Lindsay Pearce who was on last night’s episode, were so impressive that Ryan Murphy awarded them two episode arcs as well.
Agree Chuck, all a bit meh.. Lots of glitzty turns (I disagree about Not Unusual) and little really believable stuff. Too much plot exposition but little to make me care for the characters, and could have lived without so much of the Rachel/Kurt stuff. Clearly all plotting for future but all very forced and cluncking for me. It is not going to be an appointment watch anymore. Now Modern Family…now you’re talking. At least I don’t have to invest in characters not sure if they’ll be sticking around.
I didn’t mind the plot exposition since they had to explain away Sam’s disappearance and Lauren’s absence from glee, and hopefully this was all just a big re-set to get back to season one character development and better, consistent writing. The Rachel/Kurt scenes were very important to knock them down a peg (the biggest complaints of last season were Rachel’s and Kurt’s egos), so if they are considering spinning them off onto their own show next season, they have to make them (somewhat) likable again. The one thing I didn’t like about Kurt’s story was him asking Blaine to leave Dalton and transfer to his school … but that was purely a plot device to have everyone at McKinley and hopefully keep the focus on New Directions preparing for their competitions. There was just too much going on last season with the different school locations and all of the characters that everyone just got lost, so I’m hoping that keeping the show more contained to McKinley like in season one will bring the focus back on the kids, the club and the Will/Sue rivalry (although, she did say she was done trying to destroy him last season …) as long as it doesn’t go into Looney Tunes territory again.
Loved season one, stopped watching early season 2, came back to see if anything changed for season 3. Meh.
I’ve been a fan of Glee since day one. Covered it in S1, ran LiveChats for the first two seasons …
But this episode really made me question why I still watch the show. The answer, in case anybody is curious, is Rachel’s voice, Quinn, and Brittany’s comedy stylings. But, if Quinn’s story stays this stupid, that’s one less reason…
I’m sure Quinn will rejoin New Directions soon. The tell-tale shot of her hiding in the back of the auditorium (or was it the catwalks?) watching them do the song from Hairspray was actually a bit touching. There was such a look of longing on her face that said she wanted to be with them so badly, so I think she’ll ditch The Skanks soon enough. I just don’t want another season of Rachel/Finn/Quinn love triangles.
*POST AUTHOR*
I haven’t seen the Glee Project either, but good info from Brooke. Thanks! Seems like so far everyone’s a bit underwhelmed.
We shall see!
Great review Tara, but I’m with your husband and busy watching the sparkly things over on DWTS. I’ll be sure to DVR Glee based on your review though :-)
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