Glee: The Back Nine Review

Monday, June 14, 2010 , Posted by Should I See It at 11:27 PM



Show: Glee: The Back Nine Episodes 14-22. (Fox)
Creator: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Diana Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz.
Plot: A High School Spanish Teacher attempts to revive the once promising Glee Club at his Alma Mata.


Glee has made its long awaited return from its mid season hiatus. Since then Glee has developed into somewhat of a phenomenon. Not only has it seen a spike in its ratings (ESPECIALLY here in Australia), Glee can now boast a swag of awards, a performance at the White House, a performance on Oprah (you can decide which is more impressive, or if there is actually any difference between the two), and launching its own national tour.


For the most part, the back nine episodes of Glee provide more of the same: Fun dance numbers, uneven character development and (sometimes) plots that take fascinating leaps of logic in order to get from point A to B.


Hell-o

Hell-o wasn’t really a strong return for the series. It spent most of the time recapping the last 13 episodes. One thing that really irked me about this episode was the dialogue that lead into “hello, Ilove You.’ It was definitely Glee at it’s worst.

However this episode also gave us THE BEST LINE OF THE SERIES: 'Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?' delivered absolutely perfectly by Brittany (Heather Morris).

Musical Highlight: I am going to say (probably quite controversially) Rachel and Jesse singing Lionel Ritchie’s ‘Hello.’ It was a delight to see Lea Michele reunited with her Spring Awakening co-star Jonathan Groff. And any time Jonathan Groff is singing is okay by me.


The Power of Madonna

While plot and character development were most decidedly on the back burner in this episode, It gave us lots of Musical goodness. It was lots of fun! The numbers were well chosen and pulled off with such energy and gusto that you couldn’t help but be entertained.

Musical Highlight: Sue Sylvester singing ‘Vogue.’ Omigod! Brilliant! Loved it! Though I think my favourite part of that episode was Kurt Hummel living out his America’s Next Top Model fantasy in the 'Vogue' video.



Home

This was probably my least favourite episode of the back nine. I was bored. Bored. Bored. Bored. I actually found myself fast forwarding through most of this episode.

Home saw the (totally unnecessary) return of Kristin Chenoweth as drunkard April Rhodes. While I loved her in Episode 4: The Rhodes Not Taken in the first half of the season, but this time around I felt as though she was playing a caricature of a caricature

Her earlier appearance certainly helped steer the show in the right direction, but now that the show has found its feet, she didn’t need to be there, at least not yet. Perhaps the writers could have saved her return for a little bit later in the show's run? (Perhaps when it is in desperate need of a lift?) I don't know that I could handle another Kristin Chenoweth episode anytime soon.

I quite enjoyed the scene between Quinn and Mercedes. Quinn has undergone quite the transformation hasn’t she? Just think, if Puck hadn’t gotten her pregnant she never would have turned into a nice person. But whether she is still nice in season 2 remains to be seen.

Musical Highlight: By default it is Kurt singing ‘A House is Not a Home’ because I hate ‘Beautiful’ (sung by Mercedes in this episode) and every other song featured Kristin Chenoweth being annoying.




Bad Reputation

Whenever Sue Sylvester is front and centre, Glee shines. Bad Reputation was no different. She became a top seven hundred recording artist in this episode!

Unfortunately we did get the return of Will rapping. But it was over quickly, thank goodness.

And I did love the ‘Run, Joey, Run’ video. It was totally Rachel Berry. They boy’s reactions were great too!

Musical Highlight: While I enjoyed half of the Glee Club attempting to create chaos in the Library with ‘U Can’t Touch This,’ the standout number was definitely Olivia Newton John’s duet with none other than Sue Sylvester! Let’s Get Physical!!!


Laryngitis

Finally an episode without Rachel singing EVERY SONG.

Is anyone surprised that Finn sang ‘Jessie’s Girl.’ I have been waiting for that song to come up ever since it was announced that Jonathan Groff would be playing a character called Jesse St James.

And who knew Santana (Naya Rivera) could actually sing?

Musical Highlight: As bizarre as the Puck/Mercedes relationship was, I really enjoyed the arrangement of their duet ‘The Lady is A Tramp’.




Dream On

The much anticipated Joss Whedon episode, in true glee fashion, was uneven. While it did give us a bit more back story to Rachel and Artie and Tina, it was the Neil Patrick Harris plot I couldn't stand.

Though there were some shots that were trademark Whedon (the flare of the sun in the background of the shot where Artie and Tina kiss and the final shot of the episode come specifically to mind) I expected more from him. It felt like we had to wait FOREVER for there to be a musical number

Surprise Surprise! Indina Menzel is Lea Michele's mother! But the big question is.... When do we get to meet Rachel's gay dads?

Musical Highlight: Artie’s ‘Safety Dance’, just because Kevin McHale never gets enough screen time and I loved the use of the video cameras inter cut between the ‘traditional camera’ shots.




Theatricality (otherwise known as the Lady Gaga Episode).

At least we know that McKinley High School is somewhat grounded in reality. Proof: it is packed with Twi-Hards (*shudder*).

The best part of the episode was definitely Tina the Vampire!

This week’s subplot was Finn and his mum moving in with Kurt and his dad. I really appreciate the way the writers have handled the relationship between Kurt and his father. This week was no different. The moment where Burt placed his hand on his son’s shoulder said so much about their relationship.

Musical Highlight: I really enjoyed the ‘Poker Face’ duet between Michele and Menzel. I think I liked this version more than the original. An honourable mention goes to Puck and the boys singing ‘Beth’.



Funk

Sue and Will… Oh my god! It was somehow amusingly painful to watch. However, I have real difficulty in believing that Will thinks the best was to hurt Sue is to break her heart. (‘What heart?’ I hear you ask. Yes, that is another mystery of the Glee-verse).

The pregnant girls dancing were ….weird. I can’t believe that any girl, no matter how good a dancer would be able to move that way with an eight month pregnant belly.

Oh and I hope you were paying attention this week, because somewhere between Theatricality (in which Jesse was conspicuously absent) and Funk, Jesse decided to quit the Glee Club. The Rachel /Jesse storyline started off quite well, but its conclusion was less than satisfactory. Jesse admitted to Shelby (the Vocal Adrenaline coach) that he did actually kind of like Rachel and yet had no trouble smashing eggs on her face or trashing the choir room. Yet another storyline left hanging. I doubt it will get any resolution.

Musical Highlights: New Directions singing ‘Give Up the Funk’ and proving they were not 'soulless automatons'.


Journey

I think we are all relieved to have the baby storyline all wrapped up. However, I did enjoy the scene of Puck and Quinn and the hospital watching over their new born daughter.

Think I went into shock when Matt (Dijon Talton) actually spoke! I thought he was mute. Seriously. I think that was the first time in the entire season he said ANYTHING!!! They are adding new high school characters in season 2. Perhaps they should hold off a little and develop the characters they already have. Perhaps they should go all out and let Matt have two lines next season!

Sue surprised us all by voting for New Directions. Though it wasn’t much of a surprise that they didn’t win Regionals. As much as we are supposed to root for New Directions, they are clearly inferior to Vocal Adrenaline in the choreography and staging of their numbers. So I am glad that New Directions didn’t win for two reasons: 1. it would have been TOO unbelievable and TOO cheesy, even for Glee and 2. Now we have a narrative drive for season 2.

I have to say I am getting a little bit over the whole: Sue Sylvester wants something, the school board wants something, the glee club doesn’t have any money.... so glee club might not exist anymore. Hopefully the writers can be a little bit more creative than ‘everybody hates glee club in season 2.

Musical Highlights: Vocal Adrenaline singing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, for sheer obnoxious over-the- topness.
 
Should I See It?

Of course, (but it would help if you have seen the first thirteen episodes!)


 




Glee Official Site here.

All photos courtesy of Fox.