A Night of Neglect

We waited over a month since the last new episode of Glee. Unfortunately, what we got tonight wasn't an episode worth waiting for.

No, what we got felt more like an episode of American Idol than anything else. Every one of the musical numbers tonight was presented in the auditorium, and as part of an actual performance. They were also presented with illogically large backup -- half an orchestra, a full gospel choir, you name it. Basically, you had all the talent show trappings except the closing phone numbers where you should call or text your vote.

What this episode really needed was a strong plot to fill in the space between. But sadly, it came up short there too. There was the breakup of Will and Holly, and the sudden diva-like behavior by Mercedes. The former was inevitable in that Holly is being played by Gwyneth Paltrow. The latter was a case study in my least favorite thing about Glee -- the way characters can just suddenly turn on a dime and start acting completely differently, without any transition to earn it.

I appreciated the message they tried to serve up about cyber-bullying, but it came so suddenly as an unearned twist on heckling that it felt a bit too "The More You Know" to be organic. At least there was some good humor to be had. Sue's "League/Legion of Doom/Evil" was the source of some of it, but the highlight was (as usual) Brittany's awesome one-liners... and in this case, her surprise skill at trivia.

As for the performances themselves, all were decent, and one or two maybe even better than that. (Charice must be nothing but lungs and legs.) But the fact that the songs were all basically ballads only served to further slow the pace of a show that just wasn't popping. I think I'd call it a C-. I might even say that's being a bit generous, except that I have to give praise for the great scene where Santana told off the school bully.

Here's hoping for better in the weeks ahead.