S4 Discussion Post

[gammods]

As requested, this is your Season Four Discussion Post. Feel free to discuss anything you wish, but if you are speaking about future episodes & speculation, please remember to title it in the subject line so people avoiding spoilers f future episodes don't get spoiled. Thank you!

Comments

The New Rachel

[rosesofnight]

I can't always guarantee being around to set up a thread discussion for each episode, so anyone - including fellow mods, or members - is welcome to do so in future :) Please kind of keep to the discussion threads so people scrolling can see it, but feel free to set up any speculation threads you want to discuss, as long as it's titled properly.

What did everyone think of the episode? Walking in with no expectations and just being glad for a change of scene (NY) meant I walked away enjoying most of the episode. There were a few things that bugged me but I think I'll enjoy the two formats.

Re: The New Rachel

[chirpingemu]

If I wanted to show somebody Glee at its best and worst, I could easily use this episode for both

Re: The New Rachel

[rosesofnight]

Hee, it definitely has it's best & worst qualities in the episode!

The hammering special messages home was annoying, although it wasn't as bad as they have had it before (ie the messages home in 2x19 ala Sam's in a motel.) This one seemed workable. They are kids that for three years, or for other reasons have been bullied and are now at the same table as the cheerleaders and are popular. It's understandable that they didn't want to risk losing it until well, something did remind them

Re: The New Rachel

[rosesofnight]

"But still, whether that message was hammered in too hard depends entirely on Marley's characterisation. I like her quietness and there's an endearing quality to her, but I hope they don't make her too Mary-Sue."

Reading this now is killing me considering how much they have done exactly what you hoped they wouldn't (I had hoped so too, but from I heard her name & description I got a sinking feeling). The way they are hawking St. Marley and her love triangle has turned out to be the biggest turn off of the season for me. I was never big on the NY crowd but now they are my preferred half to watch. With all the v2.0 newbs, it's as if they amplified the less desirable parts of their predecessors.

Britney 2.0 thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

Well, the recycled content continues, but there were still some very good moments. I loved the way that yet another pep rally performance turned into a trainwreck and Brittany/Sam bonding was sweet, even though it kind of bugs me that Sam is now slow rather than just dyslexic

Re: Britney 2.0 thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

Brody was kinda(okay more than just kinda) creeping me out. Major stalker-vibes off him. "I'll respect your space but hey, every time I see you I want to kiss you" is not respecting space or romantic in this case.

What happened to the lovable show that was about cheering for the underdog and embracing what makes you different? They have to make almost everyone bully Rachel so she appears to be an underdog but underdogs are supposed to be exactly that, not favored to win, and we all know Rachel will come out on top so it won't be surprising. And to succeed she has to become a cookie-cutter copy of every Broadway diva. She was pretty close already but she did have a few unique things about her. And the girl really has to stop having breakdowns before she gets a bad reputation.

I was just...really underwhelmed. This episode should have packed a huge punch to set the show up for next week when they go up against Grey's and it fell way short.

Makeover thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

First, my major gripe

Re: Makeover thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

The Kurt/Blaine scenes made me want to cry a bit. Kurt seemed so selfish and unsupportive. Blaine did push him to get to New York though. They're in two different worlds now. I know I'll need a giant box of tissues for the next episode.

Re: Makeover thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

I feel like Glee should come with a trigger warning these days in regards to Brody. He's pretty much a textbook stalker(plus he hasn't told Rachel anything that a million people haven't already told her, she's sexy, she's talented, she can do it, etc

Re: Makeover thoughts?

[chirpingemu]

I agree with what you said about Rachel, but not with Kurt. Yes, it is unlikely that he got the job at vogue.com. But they only gave it to him cos of all the crap he went through before. For the past 3 seasons he's been going through realistic tough times, and instead of giving him realistic good times throughout, they just saved up these 'good times' for him to get an awesome job at vogue.com. Does that make sense?

"The Breakup"

[chirpingemu]

Great acting from all the leads and "The Scientist" was a musical highlight. Darren Chriss' "Teenage Dream" was amazing acting and Chris Colfer's silent reactions were the perfect foil. It was amazing to see it go from a "love you and miss you" gesture to a breakdown that showed just how troubled and emotionally unhealthy Blaine is about their situation. I'd not been overwhelmed by Darren's acting before so this really took my breath away. Finn breaking down in Will's office was another great moment, especially because of the way it made me realize it was his first moment after his discharge with somebody he's never disappointed and he could let himself go. And who'd have thought that Santana would have the most mature response of all to the troubles of a long-distance relationship

Re: "The Breakup"

[chirpingemu]

It was good acting this episode. The Finn/Will and Finn/Kurt scenes really stood out for me because of all the emotions without really needing to talk

Swang Song

[rosesofnight]

We haven't had this for a while. How did people find the episode, and what did they like/dislike?

Re: Swang Song

[rosesofnight]

It's the first episode of Glee that had me tearing up in a long time. The Don't Dream It's Over scene was so perfect and so old-school Glee. Sue was over the top evil but that's typical for her and the NY parts are soooo boring that I almost fast forward through because I don't care to watch Rachel be a brat and get rewarded for it or have it constantly shoved down my throat that she's talented. And Kurt used to be this amazingly complex character and role model but lately, it's like he's simply there to be Rachel's friend and they've taken away the depth the character used to have. I'm finding the Lima parts have found the balance so it feels like Glee again but the NY parts feel like a completely separate show.

Re: Swang Song

[rosesofnight]

Glad I'm not the only one finding the NY parts boring, everyone seems to like those parts the most, but I'd rather get to know some of the new characters. I like seeing older characters like Santana and Puck because they still seem like themselves but Rachel and Kurt are like different characters all of a sudden. Sue is starting to aggravate me, I used to find her so funny but now she is just over the top mean. This show is just starting to feel over dramatic and not like the dark comedy it used to be. It is incredibly annoying to watch Rachel get handed everything in life, and the one antagonist she has is so unlikable it's hard not to be on Rachel's side. Also, Brody creeps me out so much, what does Rachel see in this guy?

Re: Swang Song

[joyful]

OMG, did they finally Don't Dream It's Over?

I need to catch up. It's been my dream song for Glee since season 1. Who sang it?