The best element for me this week -- and it almost shocks me to say this -- was Sue Sylvester. She was caustic without being overly nasty, adversarial without being villainous. And she was funny as hell. Her pep talk to Schu, astute analysis of the teachers in the faculty lounge, annoyed participation in the debate, and snarky reading of the results -- any one of those scenes would have been the funniest moment of an episode.
Funny though she was, however, what she had to say about the class president storyline (and the nonsensical addition of vice presidential candidates) was essentially spot on. The plot was recycled from last year and even less interesting than it was then. At least it was resolved in one episode. And at least it was the grease in setting up what might be a good friendship between Blaine and Sam.
What it all meant for Blaine and Kurt was interesting too. I am the sort of person who likes to see some realism and sometimes unhappiness for the characters in the shows I watch. I don't necessarily want to see all the established couples break up, but I think it's a truthful thing to show that long distance relationships are hard, and that high school relationships rarely last. (And I'm a big fan of getting Blaine to take off the bow ties.) We'll see how this one plays out.
The relationship between Rachel and Brody continued to develop, leading to the moment we all knew would come -- the return of Finn. Personally, I'm looking at that comparison and not seeing any way Brody isn't a major upgrade. Maybe this is how people end up being on "Team [Somebody]." Dammit, Glee, for making me care about such things!
Sarah Jessica Parker's introduction to the show was a bit strange. It strained credibility to have her so quickly open up to Kurt and confide her wishy-washiness in him, though I do think it's an interesting storyline for Kurt to have him realize that maybe his big Broadway dream isn't really what he's meant to end up doing. There's another interesting and truthful story -- to be so sure of something, only to find out that something else is a better fit. I'm interested. (Though to proclaim Kurt a leader of fashion in the same week that he wears his weirdest ever outfit -- that wolf shirt with tail hanging off the belt -- was wild.)
As for Schu's storyline, applying for a temporary position outside the high school? Not sure what to make of this one. It felt like it might just be a way of making artificial conflict down the road for Will and Emma. Then again, it might be a vehicle by which Gwyneth Paltrow or Idina Menzel comes back for a guest spot later as substitute teacher. I'd be okay with that.
The songs this week were mostly drab, I thought. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was one of Darren Criss weaker performances, and the staging was full of total weirdness including a bizarre LARPing/miniatures hybrid. "Celebrity Hole" had some awesome choreography (especially with the flags), but the song choice seemed a weak stretch to fit the plot. "The Way You Look Tonight / You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile" felt awkward; singing all the lyrics of one song, then inserting the last line of a chorus from another, doesn't come across as a true mashup. "A Change Will Do You Good" was probably the winner of the night for me, though the steamy dancing was far more effective than the stuff outside the dance studio -- particularly the creepy old guy taking photos.
I'd call this episode a B. Not bad, but Glee has me expecting better these days (I'm happy to say).
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