The Order of the Universe
So I was thinking...
What if Funk and Theatricality had been aired in the original order they were made? Would that really change the way we see the series?
Obviously, there would be some issues with Rachel and her mom. We would be asking ourselves if Shelby sanctioned VA’s attack on Rachel whereas, right now, most of us are of the opinion that VA’s actions in today’s episode are most likely student-driven and completely outside of Shelby’s knowledge because we now know what kind of relationship she has with her daughter.
However, this obviously isn’t the only thing that’d change. Rachel’s lack of regard for Jesse’s whereabouts in Theatricality would be completely understandable. Furthermore, her spy team-up with Quinn and Mercedes makes more sense (as does Quinn’s Gaga outfit -I’ve been wondering how she managed to make that all by herself on her nonexistent budget because it’s pretty much a given that Mrs. Puckerman wouldn’t have had much time to help and Quinn probably wouldn’t have been able to stand it if it had been offered).
But to the crux of the argument (because I am a shipper, after all): Puckelberry.
Maybe I’m biased but the sudden upsurge of Puck/Rachel interaction seemed, well... sudden, especially considering the way they were behaving after Bad Reputation. Apart from their moment during “One”, it was like the other didn’t really exist. Rachel was-understandably-swept up in Jesse and then her possible loss of voice and then in finding her Mom.
Then, in Theatricality, Puck is the first one to notice Rachel’s absence from practice, comment on it, justify the comment despite no one calling him on it, and worrying over the possibility of her “jumping ship”. It all struck me as wonderful shipper-fodder but maybe just a little abrupt.
So, on to Funk. We start out with Puck getting under depressed!Rachel’s skin with a gross joke (*raises hand as one of the one’s who had to look it up*). It’s a mini-moment but it’s not much in terms of fodder. However, this is later followed up by Puck’s epic outburst of rage at VA’s treatment of Rachel. While this is just as abrupt as his concern for her in Theatricality, it’s eased into by the fact that he and Finn have already slashed all of VA’s tires earlier in the episode.
When viewed the way it was aired, these moments seem pretty random and Puck’s anger on Rachel’s behalf (no, seriously, how amazing was that?) can just be seen as an extension of his loyalty to Glee in general but let’s look at it the other way around.
If Funk had aired first, Puck and Finn still would have gone ahead and slashed VA’s tires, VA still would have egged Rachel and Puck would still have had his moment of chivalric rage. All of which could still be read as the boys being loyal to their club. But then, in Theatricality, Puck’s awareness of Rachel would have meant something.
It could possibly be a hint of Puck actually caring about her. Maybe, even, it’s a hint that Puck still cares about her (i.e., since Mash Up). Which could mean that the writers have something in the finale for us Puckelberry shippers because all of the above? In the right order, this is what is known as build-up.
Now, I have no idea why TPTB decided to switch it up on us. I seriously doubt that they did it to mess around with Puckelberry moments and it probably had more to do with the likelihood of viewer numbers and ratings and other TV mumbo-jumbo I don’t give a hoot about. All I know is that they did change it around and things feel a lot less connected now.
Also, Puck showing up with the rest of the club to save Kurt and Finn from Karofsky&Friend? Makes total sense now that Finn and Puck are buds again. The way the episodes were aired has totally mixed up cause and effect for a whole bunch of stuff.
Nonetheless, I still think there’s something in the subtext going on. Any thoughts?
[Also, on a completely unrelated note: Am I the only one that realized the substitution of “Pucky Puck” for “Marky Mark” in Good Vibrations was actually not at all necessary? Salling could totally have rocked that. XD]
What if Funk and Theatricality had been aired in the original order they were made? Would that really change the way we see the series?
Obviously, there would be some issues with Rachel and her mom. We would be asking ourselves if Shelby sanctioned VA’s attack on Rachel whereas, right now, most of us are of the opinion that VA’s actions in today’s episode are most likely student-driven and completely outside of Shelby’s knowledge because we now know what kind of relationship she has with her daughter.
However, this obviously isn’t the only thing that’d change. Rachel’s lack of regard for Jesse’s whereabouts in Theatricality would be completely understandable. Furthermore, her spy team-up with Quinn and Mercedes makes more sense (as does Quinn’s Gaga outfit -I’ve been wondering how she managed to make that all by herself on her nonexistent budget because it’s pretty much a given that Mrs. Puckerman wouldn’t have had much time to help and Quinn probably wouldn’t have been able to stand it if it had been offered).
But to the crux of the argument (because I am a shipper, after all): Puckelberry.
Maybe I’m biased but the sudden upsurge of Puck/Rachel interaction seemed, well... sudden, especially considering the way they were behaving after Bad Reputation. Apart from their moment during “One”, it was like the other didn’t really exist. Rachel was-understandably-swept up in Jesse and then her possible loss of voice and then in finding her Mom.
Then, in Theatricality, Puck is the first one to notice Rachel’s absence from practice, comment on it, justify the comment despite no one calling him on it, and worrying over the possibility of her “jumping ship”. It all struck me as wonderful shipper-fodder but maybe just a little abrupt.
So, on to Funk. We start out with Puck getting under depressed!Rachel’s skin with a gross joke (*raises hand as one of the one’s who had to look it up*). It’s a mini-moment but it’s not much in terms of fodder. However, this is later followed up by Puck’s epic outburst of rage at VA’s treatment of Rachel. While this is just as abrupt as his concern for her in Theatricality, it’s eased into by the fact that he and Finn have already slashed all of VA’s tires earlier in the episode.
When viewed the way it was aired, these moments seem pretty random and Puck’s anger on Rachel’s behalf (no, seriously, how amazing was that?) can just be seen as an extension of his loyalty to Glee in general but let’s look at it the other way around.
If Funk had aired first, Puck and Finn still would have gone ahead and slashed VA’s tires, VA still would have egged Rachel and Puck would still have had his moment of chivalric rage. All of which could still be read as the boys being loyal to their club. But then, in Theatricality, Puck’s awareness of Rachel would have meant something.
It could possibly be a hint of Puck actually caring about her. Maybe, even, it’s a hint that Puck still cares about her (i.e., since Mash Up). Which could mean that the writers have something in the finale for us Puckelberry shippers because all of the above? In the right order, this is what is known as build-up.
Now, I have no idea why TPTB decided to switch it up on us. I seriously doubt that they did it to mess around with Puckelberry moments and it probably had more to do with the likelihood of viewer numbers and ratings and other TV mumbo-jumbo I don’t give a hoot about. All I know is that they did change it around and things feel a lot less connected now.
Also, Puck showing up with the rest of the club to save Kurt and Finn from Karofsky&Friend? Makes total sense now that Finn and Puck are buds again. The way the episodes were aired has totally mixed up cause and effect for a whole bunch of stuff.
Nonetheless, I still think there’s something in the subtext going on. Any thoughts?
[Also, on a completely unrelated note: Am I the only one that realized the substitution of “Pucky Puck” for “Marky Mark” in Good Vibrations was actually not at all necessary? Salling could totally have rocked that. XD]