Michael

I wasn't sure what to expect from tonight's Michael Jackson-centric episode of Glee. Glee has done episodes before that were dedicated to a single artist, and I've generally been uncertain about those efforts too. They usually feature powerful vocal performances... but too many of them, to the exclusion of plot. And what little plot there is is usually painfully contorted to fit the available catalog of music.

Sure enough, the episode was stuffed to the rafters with music -- nine songs in total, which I think might be the record for a non-competition episode of Glee. And sure enough, some of the song choices were a stretch. (I know "Ben" is the perfect vocal match for Chris Colfer as Kurt, but is he really going to sing a love song about a rat to his injured boyfriend?)

But the thing is, this time the cocktail really came out well. The focus on the kids' futures -- particularly Rachel and Kurt -- made for a strong throughline in the episode. It was interesting to see Rachel act rashly and out of panic in accepting Finn's proposal (just as he did the same in making it). As always, it was great to see Burt deliver another "TV Father of the Year" speech to his son. And there were other good moments too, like Artie's impassioned rant early in the episode, and Quinn's much needed frank advice to Rachel.

And on top of all that was the constant that's been true of all the Glee "tribute episodes" -- the vocal performances were top notch. Kevin McHale proved last season his fit for Michael Jackson with his vocals on "Thriller" and "P.Y.T.", and he got to take lead parts in three songs tonight. And one of them, "Scream," was also our first chance since season one to put Artie in a fantasy sequence. Once again, it allowed us to see that one of the best dancers on the show is playing a character confined to a wheelchair.

The a cappella take on "Bad," the cello rendition of "Smooth Criminal" (complete with the actual cellists that made it a YouTube sensation last year)... the episode was full of great performances.

All that, and they even crammed in writing Blaine out for a short span so that Darren Criss could go star in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" on Broadway for a few weeks. With only minor missteps, this was one of the better Glee episodes in a long time. I give it an A-.