GLEE: Did This Week’s GLEE ‘Duet’ For You?

“Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let’s sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again.”

Ok now THIS is how GLEE should be every week!

✓ Great music.

✓ Witty dialogue.

✓ An underlying theme that wasn’t forced.

✓ Sweet and emotional moments.

✓ Did I mention the great music?!

Can I get an ‘Amen’? Um, no seriously…someone join me with an ‘Amen.’ People, it’s duets week. Don’t leave me hanging. I want to go to Breadsticks!

Being one of the most inconsistent shows on TV, I don’t want to say that GLEE has seen the error of its ways and righted all the wrongs of its past with just this one episode, but I must give praise where praise is due. And praise is due all over this ep. The combination of writer Ian Brennan and director Eric Stoltz resulted in a whole lotta win!

This week, the various members of New Directions were mixed and matched as they competed to see which twosome could pull off the best duet. Assuming it would be a no-brainer that she and Finn would win with their rendition of “Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart,” Rachel decided it would be best to throw the competition so newbie Sam could feel part of the group. After railroading Sunshine Corazon out of the group, it seemed Rachel was intent on making the glee club as strong as possible so they can make it to Nationals in NYC. By throwing the competition, she thought she was taking one for the team. As Finn pointed out, her motives were still selfish, but I think we can all forgive Rachel as her heart was in the right place. That’s a big step. That girl is rather self-absorbed.

When it was time to choose partners, Kurt hoisted himself in Sam’s direction and insisted that the two of them pair up. Nervous that Sam wouldn’t be able to take the ridicule that would come with singing a duet with Kurt, Finn tried to discourage him. Was I the only one wondering who was going to give Sam a hard time? They performed in glee club rehearsal…it’s not like it was at a school assembly or anything.  Regardless, it seemed a bit brutal that Finn was so adamant about sparing Sam’s feelings when he didn’t seem to care all that much about how Kurt would feel.

Kurt accused Finn of being a closeted homophobe which served the purpose of resurfacing a somewhat controversial storyline from last season. Kurt was finally called out — not only by Finn but also by Burt — for being a bit manipulative and not forthcoming of his role in the events that led to the major fallout between Burt and Finn in the powerful “Theatricallity.”

I’m glad it was finally addressed. Finn should never have used the derogatory descriptive that he did, but Kurt crossed a few boundaries too. I never forgot how that scene painted Kurt as the victim who quietly sat back and let Finn take on the full wrath of Burt Hummel, knowing all too well that he had a hand in Finn’s outburst. Given the way it was handled in tonight’s episode, it seems that the writers also felt there was unfinished business that needed to be dealt with and it was. I’m glad that the writers took Kurt to task. If GLEE is truly rooted in diversity and inclusion, then they can’t simply put the gay kid on a pedestal high soap box. Kurt is gay, but it’s not what defines him. He’s first and foremost a teenager on a particularly bumpy journey to self-discovery. He should be allowed to make mistakes.

In the end, Kurt came to realize that he couldn’t will Sam into being gay…no matter how much he wanted him to be. But at the same time, it was a sad look into how desperately Kurt wants to experience the companionship that comes with being in a relationship. He feels different and alone. Very emotional stuff and once again handled beautifully by Chris Colfer and Mike O’Malley and later with Colfer and Lea Michele.

I know I’m going to get crucified for saying this, but the writers need to make sure they don’t use the emotional resonance of Kurt and Burt’s relationship as a crutch. The two have a great relationship that extends beyond Burt’s acceptance of his son’s sexuality. I hope they are careful not to cut to a Hummel father/son heart-to-heart just to strike a chord. Those scenes need to always be authentic.

Moving on to a lighter subject — Mike Chang finally sang! Well, kind of. Harry Shum Jr. who was virtually a mute all last year, has not only had a much bigger storyline as Tina’s boyfriend this season, but tonight for the first time ever, he actually sang on the show. Tina and Mike’s contemporary performance of “Sing” from ‘A Chorus Line’ allowed our favorite “other Asian” to showcase his dancing talents while giving us a little vocal treat as well. I’m not sure Harry Shum Jr. has the vocal chops of the rest of the cast — especially given that it was never intended that he sing — but he’s still an important part of the group. Breaking his vocal virginity tonight was just another step in making Mike Chang (and Harry Shum Jr.) feel like a real part of the ensemble.

Sam and Quinn paired up to sing my future wedding song (although I wouldn’t hold your breath on that one), a tune called “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. The two locked eyes, exchanged flirty smiles and by episode end, they went on their first date. Of course it didn’t start so smoothly. Quinn flirted heavily with Sam and then rejected the very advances she was practically begging for with some over the top speech about how she had too much to deal with to get into anything with Sam. Fine, but she didn’t need to go all crazy on him. But as I said, it ended well for the two and I want to see more of their budding relationship. And okay, I’ll admit it…I kind of want to see how insanely jealous Puck gets when he gets out of juvy. (BTW, if the writers needed to keep Puck out of an episode or two, they could have come up a better excuse than “he drove into a convenience store and drove off with an ATM”…That’s the kind of story you concoct if you’re trying to write someone off the show. A bit too extreme perhaps.)

After a falling out, Brittany and Santana found new partners. The former with Artie and the latter with Mercedes. Brittany and Artie’s partnership was mutually beneficial: she would have someone to sing with and Artie could make Tina jealous. Mutual benefit turned into mutual satisfaction when the two paired up in a whole other kind of way. Later, Artie would play the role of the victim claiming that Brittany took his virginity like some sort of thief in the night. He seemed to claim she was too casual about their escapades. Perhaps. Yes, maybe she picked him up and carried him to the bed, but I wasn’t hearing him say no, either. A bit unfair on Artie’s part. A bit slutty for Brittany.

Mercedes and Santana once again paired up for a duet and the two nailed it. Their take on “River Deep, Mountain High” was my favorite of all the duets, and that’s saying a lot given Kurt’s tremendous performance of “Le Jazz Hot” from VICTOR/VICTORIA.

Figuring that picking a particularly bad song was the only way they were going to lose, Rachel and Finn opted to sing “Born Again,” a duet made famous by James Ingram and Patti Austin. (Um, I happen to truly love this song. Am I the only one?) Singing this sexually charged tune dressed as a nun and a priest made it especially offensive and secured the L for Finnchel (sorry, that was bad) but produced one of the funnier exchanges of the night.

Mercedes: “Ok, do I even need to say it?”
Sam: “That was really rude.”
Tina: “But like, really rude.”
Quinn: “I seriously wanted to punch both of you.”

In the end, everyone voted for themselves to win, so Rachel and Finn’s votes for Sam and Quinn ensured them the victory. Off to Breadsticks they went.

The episode was closed out by my favorite performance of the night, and perhaps the season to date — Rachel and Kurt’s mashup of “Come On Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Simply spectacular. (iTunes is getting my money tonight.)

Although I do think the writers missed out on a chance to put together new pairs that never sang together before, I think the musicality of this episode was off the charts, so I really can’t complain.

Again, we can’t assume that the next GLEE won’t be a hodgepodge of forced musical moments, character and plot inconsistencies, but now that they’ve shown what they are capable of, there really is no need to go back to anything less than what this week’s episode offered.

A few more thoughts on the hour, while I set off on a journey to find someone to duet with.

• I geeked out — or should I say gleeked out — in a big way when I realized that Eric Stoltz was directing this episode. A little network crossover as Stoltz is one of the stars of Syfy’s CAPRICA. But he will always hold a special place in my heart as Keith “You look good wearing my future” Nelson. (And if you didn’t get that reference, then you are probably too young…I don’t want to hear about it. Ha!)

• I liked what I saw from Sam tonight. Not only did he get slushied for the first time and take it like a man, but also, he wasn’t too concerned with the court of public opinion that might turn on him if he sang with Kurt. Nice.

• Did anyone else notice there was no Jane Lynch in this episode? I didn’t until someone pointed it out.  I’m not going to go as far as to say she wasn’t missed, but when the other elements are working so well, it’s okay to take a break from Sue Sylvester.

• Brittany nudging the meatball with her nose might have been one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen.

• What a novel idea…Will Schuester as a teacher and advisor. He didn’t act inappropriate, cross any lines or sing any hip hop songs from the 90s. Well done, Schue.

• Um, how many parents watching with their kids freaked a bit during the Brittany/Santana scene? Who knew you could reference ‘scissoring’ during the 8 p.m. hour? I have to think that maybe the folks at Fox’s Standards and Practices either took the day off or aren’t savvy enough to pick up the sexual reference. Either way, it was awesome that they got away with it.

And now for some of my favorite notable quotables from “Duets”:

• Brittany: “Oh, your sweet lady kisses.”
  Santana: “It’s a nice break from all that scissoring.”

• Santana: “Um, I’m sorry. Have you been to Breadsticks? They’re legally forbidden to stop bringing you breadsticks. One time I brought a wheelbarrow and when the manager tried to stop me from filling it up, I called the corporate office and got her fired.”

• Mike: “I don’t want to do it.”
  Tina: “We’re duet partners, you have to sing.”
  Mike: “I don’t even know if I can sing. Everyone knows I’m here to do one thing — dance. You sing and I’ll dance around you.”

• Santana: “How can you do a duet by yourself? That’s like vocal masturbation or something.”

• Rachel: “I think you and I are a little bit more similar than you think.”
  Kurt: “That’s a terrible thing to say.”

From the Fascinating Mind of Brittany S. Pierce…

• “He might be the dumbest person on this planet…and that’s coming from me.”

• Brittany: “I just want you to know that I’m really into you.”
  Artie: “Okay. Sorry I’m just a little confused. You’ve never made eye contact with me.”
  Brittany: “I know. For a while I thought you were a robot.”

• “I’m mad at you…but you’re still so hot.”

• Artie: “I thought I was over somebody but I think I still have feelings for them.”
  Brittany: “The Clintons?”

• “For our duet, we’re going to do it.”

• Brittany: “You’re breaking up with me?”
  Artie: “All you wanted was a free dinner at Breadsticks.”
  Brittany: “But I really wanted to go with you.  I was going to order us one really, really long piece of spaghetti, like in LADY & THE TRAMP. I’ve been practicing budging the meatball across the table…with my nose.”

Enough from me. I want to hear from YOU. Thoughts on this week’s episode? What worked well and what fell short?  Oh and I think we all need to vote on who we thought had the best duet. Who would have YOU given the Breadsticks gift certificate to?