Gleeview: Prom Queen
Spoiler Alert!
Quinn's desperate to win queen, so she can hang on to Finn
Okay, so this is technically true, but this is an example of the different ways people can watch and enjoy Glee. This line in the recap is for those who watch and take it at face value. But, you don't have to look very far beneath the surface to know that really, Quinn's view of her life can be represented by an equation that looks something like this:
Prom Queen + Finn = marriage & family
The name and the boy, Finn, really aren't that important to her. Finn is just the best choice right now to get where she's going. More on that later.
This episode didn't leave me saying "Wow!" but it did leave me with some lingering warm feelings. And, now in the light of day, literally, I can say I really enjoyed it. It was more like a fine wine than a Mack truck, or something like that.
Yes, I would have been thinking "Wow!" if I hadn't already known that Karofsky and Kurt would be king and "queen," but I did know. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how this went down. Just like in Born This Way, when I expected a Karofsky/Kurt duet, I expected some kind of cheesy Karofsky/Kurt dance, or something. That didn't happen. Karofsky is still in the closet. It would be unrealistic for him to have come out so dramatically when Santana won't even take Brittany to the prom. Generally, it would be unfair to compare them, but in this case I think it's appropriate. They're using each other, and Santana is the stronger of the two. So, she should be the one to take the lead.
Now, to more interesting things, in my opinion. If you read my gleeview last week, you know I was trying to watch this episode and enjoy it without being to wrapped up in what I wanted to happen. Well, I pretty much failed, but it didn't get in the way too much because generally I wasn't disappointed. First of all, Jesse St. James' return added some interesting spice, so to speak, to the Rache/Finn/Quinn drama. I have to say, I like this version of Jesse even less than I liked the high school version. That's not a commentary on the writing or conception of the character. I just think he's an even creepier, less trustworthy version of what he was in high school. Actually, this is the kind of person I kind of expected him to turn into so it wasn't a surprise. And, I'm not really surprised Rachel was taken in again. That's part of who she is, someone who latches on to anyone who shows interest in her. She still wants Finn, though, and so Jesse is just a temporary distraction.
Finally, the way the aforementioned triangle further developed was another mild but pleasant surprise. I think, by the way it was left, that Quinn is maybe beginning to realize that she has been chasing the wrong dream. She clearly wasn't as upset over the fact that she was losing Finn as she was over the fact that she didn't win Prom Queen. It wasn't until after that announcment that she broke down. I actually expected (and was looking forward to) the confrontation between her and Rachel to be more intense, but I really liked how it played out. After the piano scene a few weeks ago when Quinn revealed that she was settling for Finn and let slip that she knew Rachel was destined for more, I wanted Rachel to help Quinn realize she could have more and for Quinn to help Rachel further realize that Finn would just hold her back. Quinn has been subtly doing her part for awhile now, but Rachel finally started to help Quinn (if you don't count the unsuccessful overtures of friendship she made in season 1). So, positive things happened. I hope season 3 will yield a more positive Faberry (Rachel/Quinn) relationship.
Meanwhile, season 2 is ending a little sooner that I expected. If there only two more episodes left, that would make only 22 total episodes. Even though that's a standard length for a season, I expected a couple more. But, oh well. I actually think the season is coming to an end at about the right time to set up next season's storylines.
Favorite Line:
Figgins: I have some bad news.
Sue Sylvester: Will Scheuster is leaving McKinley to go to Broadway. Oh, William, I'm devastated, positively horny with grief. As a going away present, here's a spray bottle of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, to keep that head merkin looking buttery fresh.
Honorable mention
Rachel: Look, you have nothing to be scared of. Look, you're very pretty girl, Quinn...the prettiest girl I've ever met, but you're a lot more than that.--Actually, watching that scene again just now gave me chills. I think I was to wrapped up in anticipation when I watched it for the first time to appreciate it fully.
Musical Rundown:
"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele--After Gwyneth Paltrow's adequate but not spectacular attempt at an Adele song, I'm glad to see another attempt so soon. This was much more wothy of the power of Adele's music, which admittedly I've only relatively recently discovered. Anyway, when Lea Michele (Rachel) began singing this, I instantly got goosebumps. Jonathan Groff's entrance wasn't quite as spectacular (I guess I was a little disappointed went didn't get a Lea solo), but I warmed up to it by the end.
"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder--Of course, this is about a baby, but obviously it's clearly a romantic song...a somewhat overused one at that. But, Kevin McHale (Artie) is kind of cliché anyway. So, that's not a surprise, and he can actually do a reasonably good impression of Stevie Wonder, at least vocally.
"Friday" by Rebecca Black--Thus began the somewhat humdrum, with one exception, series of prom numbers from New Directions. It was okay.
"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri--This was the exception. Leave it to Lea Michele to stand out in a crowd, and she did stand out. This was a really, really good rendition of a good song. "Rolling in the Deep" was better I think, but this was definitely the highlight of the prom numbers. I haven't even mentioned the look Quinn gave Rachel over Finn's shoulder...woah!
"I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" by Black Kids--I had to find this in the episode to even remember it, it was that forgettable. I did remember that Finn saw Jesse getting a little too "close" to Rachel and caused a scene, but that's it.
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA--Of course. Nicely done, but totally expected. The good thing about this number was that it didn't distract from the story that was playing out.
Quinn's desperate to win queen, so she can hang on to Finn
Okay, so this is technically true, but this is an example of the different ways people can watch and enjoy Glee. This line in the recap is for those who watch and take it at face value. But, you don't have to look very far beneath the surface to know that really, Quinn's view of her life can be represented by an equation that looks something like this:
Prom Queen + Finn = marriage & family
The name and the boy, Finn, really aren't that important to her. Finn is just the best choice right now to get where she's going. More on that later.
This episode didn't leave me saying "Wow!" but it did leave me with some lingering warm feelings. And, now in the light of day, literally, I can say I really enjoyed it. It was more like a fine wine than a Mack truck, or something like that.
Yes, I would have been thinking "Wow!" if I hadn't already known that Karofsky and Kurt would be king and "queen," but I did know. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how this went down. Just like in Born This Way, when I expected a Karofsky/Kurt duet, I expected some kind of cheesy Karofsky/Kurt dance, or something. That didn't happen. Karofsky is still in the closet. It would be unrealistic for him to have come out so dramatically when Santana won't even take Brittany to the prom. Generally, it would be unfair to compare them, but in this case I think it's appropriate. They're using each other, and Santana is the stronger of the two. So, she should be the one to take the lead.
Now, to more interesting things, in my opinion. If you read my gleeview last week, you know I was trying to watch this episode and enjoy it without being to wrapped up in what I wanted to happen. Well, I pretty much failed, but it didn't get in the way too much because generally I wasn't disappointed. First of all, Jesse St. James' return added some interesting spice, so to speak, to the Rache/Finn/Quinn drama. I have to say, I like this version of Jesse even less than I liked the high school version. That's not a commentary on the writing or conception of the character. I just think he's an even creepier, less trustworthy version of what he was in high school. Actually, this is the kind of person I kind of expected him to turn into so it wasn't a surprise. And, I'm not really surprised Rachel was taken in again. That's part of who she is, someone who latches on to anyone who shows interest in her. She still wants Finn, though, and so Jesse is just a temporary distraction.
Finally, the way the aforementioned triangle further developed was another mild but pleasant surprise. I think, by the way it was left, that Quinn is maybe beginning to realize that she has been chasing the wrong dream. She clearly wasn't as upset over the fact that she was losing Finn as she was over the fact that she didn't win Prom Queen. It wasn't until after that announcment that she broke down. I actually expected (and was looking forward to) the confrontation between her and Rachel to be more intense, but I really liked how it played out. After the piano scene a few weeks ago when Quinn revealed that she was settling for Finn and let slip that she knew Rachel was destined for more, I wanted Rachel to help Quinn realize she could have more and for Quinn to help Rachel further realize that Finn would just hold her back. Quinn has been subtly doing her part for awhile now, but Rachel finally started to help Quinn (if you don't count the unsuccessful overtures of friendship she made in season 1). So, positive things happened. I hope season 3 will yield a more positive Faberry (Rachel/Quinn) relationship.
Meanwhile, season 2 is ending a little sooner that I expected. If there only two more episodes left, that would make only 22 total episodes. Even though that's a standard length for a season, I expected a couple more. But, oh well. I actually think the season is coming to an end at about the right time to set up next season's storylines.
Favorite Line:
Figgins: I have some bad news.
Sue Sylvester: Will Scheuster is leaving McKinley to go to Broadway. Oh, William, I'm devastated, positively horny with grief. As a going away present, here's a spray bottle of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, to keep that head merkin looking buttery fresh.
Honorable mention
Rachel: Look, you have nothing to be scared of. Look, you're very pretty girl, Quinn...the prettiest girl I've ever met, but you're a lot more than that.--Actually, watching that scene again just now gave me chills. I think I was to wrapped up in anticipation when I watched it for the first time to appreciate it fully.
Musical Rundown:
"Rolling in the Deep" by Adele--After Gwyneth Paltrow's adequate but not spectacular attempt at an Adele song, I'm glad to see another attempt so soon. This was much more wothy of the power of Adele's music, which admittedly I've only relatively recently discovered. Anyway, when Lea Michele (Rachel) began singing this, I instantly got goosebumps. Jonathan Groff's entrance wasn't quite as spectacular (I guess I was a little disappointed went didn't get a Lea solo), but I warmed up to it by the end.
"Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder--Of course, this is about a baby, but obviously it's clearly a romantic song...a somewhat overused one at that. But, Kevin McHale (Artie) is kind of cliché anyway. So, that's not a surprise, and he can actually do a reasonably good impression of Stevie Wonder, at least vocally.
"Friday" by Rebecca Black--Thus began the somewhat humdrum, with one exception, series of prom numbers from New Directions. It was okay.
"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri--This was the exception. Leave it to Lea Michele to stand out in a crowd, and she did stand out. This was a really, really good rendition of a good song. "Rolling in the Deep" was better I think, but this was definitely the highlight of the prom numbers. I haven't even mentioned the look Quinn gave Rachel over Finn's shoulder...woah!
"I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" by Black Kids--I had to find this in the episode to even remember it, it was that forgettable. I did remember that Finn saw Jesse getting a little too "close" to Rachel and caused a scene, but that's it.
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA--Of course. Nicely done, but totally expected. The good thing about this number was that it didn't distract from the story that was playing out.