Gleeview: Rumours
Spoiler Alert!
I both liked and disliked this episode, and some of the reasons behind both are the same. Honestly, Sam is not my favorite character. I don't mind the character himself. I sort of feel for him as the new kid, but that same "new kid" dynamic just makes him seem uncomfortable all the time. That's how it is supposed to be, but I hope that goes away soon. Maybe now that everyone knows his "secret," (that his dad lost his job soon after moving to Lima, and he's living with a brother, sister and parents in a motel) he'll blend in better, and it will seem better. But, right now, I feel like it might be a problem of chemistry between Chord Overstreet and the cast. I think he probably gets along with them, but he is new to the cast also. So, the episodes we've seen so far were mostly filmed while he was still getting to know them. Maybe that has something to do with it. We'll see.
On the other hand, this episode's focus on Sam also allowed for my favorite character dynamics to just bubble on the surface a bit without going over. Since Quinn snagged Finn back, we've had a taste of the original triangle of Finn/Quinn/Rachel. When this results in Rachel/Quinn interaction, it's always a good thing. This episode Quinn went back to focusing on Rachel as a rival for Finn's attention (I use that word on purpose). Her ultimatum ("Finn, if you want to be with me--no more songs with her") hearkened back to "I know some guys cheat on their wives or pregnant girlfriends. Just don't do it with her." from "Throwdown," season 1. Next episode seems to be destined for an epic confrontation between Rachel and Quinn, and I'm looking forward to it.
Finally, a word about by the Santittany (Brittana) progress. Personally, I think this is moving along just right. Santana is scared, and Brittany wants her to not be scared. Even though Brittany is a little naive, she knows she doesn't want to pretend that her relationship with Santana isn't real when they become official. I also thought the Brittany/Artie (Bartie) breakup was natural in that it took into account that Brittany really did like Artie, but Artie recognized that Brittany was more suited for someone else, namely Santana. I don't know if I buy the idea that it's at all surprising to anyone in Glee Club that Santana is "playing for the other team" since they sang the "Landslide" duet a few weeks ago, but it is complicated. So, maybe the way it's playing out is right. I guess assumptions are still made. People are straight until they admit they're not.
Quinn still wants to be prom queen, obviously. So, next week's episode will probably focus largely on her and her competition. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I've been a little wrapped up in character interactions and my favorite "ships" this season and haven't been able to really enjoy Glee like I should. But, I'm trying to just enjoy it again for the overall experience. Ever since "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle," I've been increasingly able to do that. Accordingly, I think next week's episode should be fun. Or, I could get sucked into my old hang-ups and biases. Again, we'll see.
My favorite part of this episode was the tie-in with the circumstances behind the Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac. It's not so much that Glee decided to use music from only one album/group for an episode. It's the circumstances, as they described them at least, behind the album's creation. I've always believed that the backstabbing and sometimes outright fighting amongst the glee clubbers was very realistic. They are a family. They love each other, but they don't always like each other. There are petty jealousies and disagreements. That's how a close-knit group works. Throw in the fact that these are artists (or at least aspiring artists), and stuff is bound to happen.
Oh, and Kristin Chenoweth returned as April Rhodes, and this was my favorite appearance by her. I thought she fit in better this episode than any other. It was probably because she was more of an adult this time around.
Favorite Lines:
There was a tie for this episode:
Brittany: Lord Tubbington's allowed to eat cheese because he's on Atkins.
Santana: ...I've been going through that Rumors album, and I found the best song that really goes past "Landslide" in expressing my feelings for you...my private feelings.
Brittany: What about him [Brad the piano player]?
Santana: He's just furniture. Sorry. No offense.
Brad: No response
Musical Rundown
All the music came from Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album (with one obvious exception that doesn't need to be taken very seriously).
"Dreams"--Matthew Morrison and Kristin Chenoweth actually have great chemistry, especially when they're singing together. And, they're voices blend well together, also. I'm not sure I liked this one as much as their past duets, but I still did like it.
"Never Going Back Again"--I kind of like guitar groups so I liked this a lot. This isn't necessarily Kevin McHale's best style for singing, but the choices were limited. And, it was an appropriately angsty song.
"Songbird"--Santana's "answer" to Artie's song and her further explanation of her feelings for Brittany was really pretty. I think this was my favorite song of the episode. Naya Rivera has proven herself an excellent singer before, and this just reinforces that.
"I Don't Want to Know"--Interestingly, it seems to me that Cory Monteith's (Finn's) voice blends better with Dianna Agron's (Quinn's) than with Lea Michele's (Rachel's), despite Rachel's claims. I'm not sure why, but I think they sounded pretty good together. I do agree with Rachel's assessment that Quinn & Sam sound better together, but if it means those two getting back together, no thanks (there are my biases again. tsk tsk).
"It's 10 A.M. & I'm Drunk" by April Rhodes--I think that's what the name of the song was (according to the internet), but the lyrics didn't seem to match that. I don't know. This was just plain weird, and it was supposed to be. The fact that Will and April took it entirely too seriously might have taken the joke a little too far, but maybe not. You be the judge.
"Go Your Own Way"--I liked this, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. Lea Michele of course belted it out with her usual power, but I guess I just don't like the song enough to have enjoyed it that much.
"Don't Stop"--This was another fun New Directions number in the vein of "Dog Days are Over" from "Special Education." I did like the kids, and the interaction between them and the glee clubbers (especially Rachel and Quinn) was cute. The singing was solid as always.
I both liked and disliked this episode, and some of the reasons behind both are the same. Honestly, Sam is not my favorite character. I don't mind the character himself. I sort of feel for him as the new kid, but that same "new kid" dynamic just makes him seem uncomfortable all the time. That's how it is supposed to be, but I hope that goes away soon. Maybe now that everyone knows his "secret," (that his dad lost his job soon after moving to Lima, and he's living with a brother, sister and parents in a motel) he'll blend in better, and it will seem better. But, right now, I feel like it might be a problem of chemistry between Chord Overstreet and the cast. I think he probably gets along with them, but he is new to the cast also. So, the episodes we've seen so far were mostly filmed while he was still getting to know them. Maybe that has something to do with it. We'll see.
On the other hand, this episode's focus on Sam also allowed for my favorite character dynamics to just bubble on the surface a bit without going over. Since Quinn snagged Finn back, we've had a taste of the original triangle of Finn/Quinn/Rachel. When this results in Rachel/Quinn interaction, it's always a good thing. This episode Quinn went back to focusing on Rachel as a rival for Finn's attention (I use that word on purpose). Her ultimatum ("Finn, if you want to be with me--no more songs with her") hearkened back to "I know some guys cheat on their wives or pregnant girlfriends. Just don't do it with her." from "Throwdown," season 1. Next episode seems to be destined for an epic confrontation between Rachel and Quinn, and I'm looking forward to it.
Finally, a word about by the Santittany (Brittana) progress. Personally, I think this is moving along just right. Santana is scared, and Brittany wants her to not be scared. Even though Brittany is a little naive, she knows she doesn't want to pretend that her relationship with Santana isn't real when they become official. I also thought the Brittany/Artie (Bartie) breakup was natural in that it took into account that Brittany really did like Artie, but Artie recognized that Brittany was more suited for someone else, namely Santana. I don't know if I buy the idea that it's at all surprising to anyone in Glee Club that Santana is "playing for the other team" since they sang the "Landslide" duet a few weeks ago, but it is complicated. So, maybe the way it's playing out is right. I guess assumptions are still made. People are straight until they admit they're not.
Quinn still wants to be prom queen, obviously. So, next week's episode will probably focus largely on her and her competition. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I've been a little wrapped up in character interactions and my favorite "ships" this season and haven't been able to really enjoy Glee like I should. But, I'm trying to just enjoy it again for the overall experience. Ever since "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle," I've been increasingly able to do that. Accordingly, I think next week's episode should be fun. Or, I could get sucked into my old hang-ups and biases. Again, we'll see.
My favorite part of this episode was the tie-in with the circumstances behind the Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac. It's not so much that Glee decided to use music from only one album/group for an episode. It's the circumstances, as they described them at least, behind the album's creation. I've always believed that the backstabbing and sometimes outright fighting amongst the glee clubbers was very realistic. They are a family. They love each other, but they don't always like each other. There are petty jealousies and disagreements. That's how a close-knit group works. Throw in the fact that these are artists (or at least aspiring artists), and stuff is bound to happen.
Oh, and Kristin Chenoweth returned as April Rhodes, and this was my favorite appearance by her. I thought she fit in better this episode than any other. It was probably because she was more of an adult this time around.
Favorite Lines:
There was a tie for this episode:
Brittany: Lord Tubbington's allowed to eat cheese because he's on Atkins.
Santana: ...I've been going through that Rumors album, and I found the best song that really goes past "Landslide" in expressing my feelings for you...my private feelings.
Brittany: What about him [Brad the piano player]?
Santana: He's just furniture. Sorry. No offense.
Brad: No response
Musical Rundown
All the music came from Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album (with one obvious exception that doesn't need to be taken very seriously).
"Dreams"--Matthew Morrison and Kristin Chenoweth actually have great chemistry, especially when they're singing together. And, they're voices blend well together, also. I'm not sure I liked this one as much as their past duets, but I still did like it.
"Never Going Back Again"--I kind of like guitar groups so I liked this a lot. This isn't necessarily Kevin McHale's best style for singing, but the choices were limited. And, it was an appropriately angsty song.
"Songbird"--Santana's "answer" to Artie's song and her further explanation of her feelings for Brittany was really pretty. I think this was my favorite song of the episode. Naya Rivera has proven herself an excellent singer before, and this just reinforces that.
"I Don't Want to Know"--Interestingly, it seems to me that Cory Monteith's (Finn's) voice blends better with Dianna Agron's (Quinn's) than with Lea Michele's (Rachel's), despite Rachel's claims. I'm not sure why, but I think they sounded pretty good together. I do agree with Rachel's assessment that Quinn & Sam sound better together, but if it means those two getting back together, no thanks (there are my biases again. tsk tsk).
"It's 10 A.M. & I'm Drunk" by April Rhodes--I think that's what the name of the song was (according to the internet), but the lyrics didn't seem to match that. I don't know. This was just plain weird, and it was supposed to be. The fact that Will and April took it entirely too seriously might have taken the joke a little too far, but maybe not. You be the judge.
"Go Your Own Way"--I liked this, but I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. Lea Michele of course belted it out with her usual power, but I guess I just don't like the song enough to have enjoyed it that much.
"Don't Stop"--This was another fun New Directions number in the vein of "Dog Days are Over" from "Special Education." I did like the kids, and the interaction between them and the glee clubbers (especially Rachel and Quinn) was cute. The singing was solid as always.