GLEE Recap: ‘Big Brother’ – The Anderbros Bicker and the Fate of Quinn Fabray Revealed

It’s been 7 long weeks since we last saw our beloved McKinley High songsters. So many questions were left unanswered. So many lives left in the balance.

Did Finchel go ahead with their wedding?

Did Quinn survive that horrible car crash?

Well one thing we know for sure – no one associated with GLEE can even begin to keep a secret. Cliffhangers don’t really work when you leak photos of a ‘possibly dead character’ back on set, or when you release promos with the engaged twosome talking about their future wedding plans.  Oh GLEE.

Tonight the show returned, and it kicked off the last bunch of episodes before some of our favorite kids from New Directions graduate and well, do whatever they are going to do post-McKinley.

Important Note: Before we get into some of the highlights (and not) of this episode, let’s get this out of the way – tonight’s GLEE was set up as a slam dunk for my love and affection. You’ve got an episode premise built solidly around the back story of Blaine Anderson. If that wasn’t enough you bring one of my personal TV faves, Matt Bomer, in to guest as Darren Criss’ brother.  It’s almost as if Ryan Murphy & Co walked into one of my dreams and said “great ideas, Kath. We’ll make this episode just for you, my dear”. And yeah, I know, there are a lot of Blaine haters out there.  And that’s ok. You have that right, but just know that you’re not going to necessarily find this blog post a support group. I’m a fan – no different than any of you and I have my bias. And tonight my bias is the Anderbros.

All the being said, I was setting myself for one giant disappointment tonight. Expectations were pretty high. So color me shocked when I realized that this episode delivered…in a big way! In fact, ‘Big Brother’ was hands down one of the best episodes of the season in my opinion. Great character development. Some solid plot advances (with continuity – something that GLEE doesn’t usually specialize in). And a few good musical moments to boot. I can’t really ask more from GLEE (well, I could have used more of that shower scene, but that’s another story best kept for my own personal journals, or you know…fan fiction.)

Quinn Fabray – The Walking Talking PSA

So Quinn is alive! And if you weren’t previously spoiled on that little tidbit,  I’m not sure you are the type of person that would actually spend their time reading my thoughts on GLEE.

Of course I’m glad that Quinn survived what could have been a fatal car crash. In fact, it was actually shocking to see, that despite her crushed spinal cord, Quinn didn’t seem to sustain any cuts or bruises. Hmm. But that’s nothing to dwell on…Quinn is alive!

I’ll be honest, I was relieved when it was revealed that Quinn’s ‘life is great…go positivity!‘ outlook was kind of a sham and more part of her defense or rather coping mechanism. Relieved because I didn’t buy it for a minute and the reveal really allowed me to better appreciate the fine acting job delivered by Dianna Agron tonight.

In a nice pairing, rarely seen in the show to date, Artie really helped Quinn adjust to her new life. His help wasn’t limited to just showing her how to dance around in the wheelchair or get up a ramp, but he aimed to show her how full life can still be despite her physical limitations. And in other news, Twitter and Tumblr are collectively brewing a portmanteau for Quinn and Artie.  Quartie? Done and done.

GLEE viewers really don’t know what will happen with Quinn. Will she in fact dance at Nationals and walk again by graduation or was that just her wishful thinking? Whatever her fate, I’m begging you writers, please don’t have Quinn continue on as the spokesperson for texting while doing just about anything. The little lecture she gave to Finn about texting while walking was a bit much. I get the intent but come on.

The Anderbros

Cooper Anderson – or as Kurt called him “the best looking man in North America” – paid his little brother Blaine a visit this week.  And my, my, my how the sexiness runs in the Anderson family. Cooper, played brilliantly by Matt Bomer, is a fledgling actor with one big (but lame) commercial under his belt. He’s a no one in L.A. but to the starry-eyed kids of McKinley, he’s someone who has made it.  To Blaine, he’s just the big brother who he could never quite live up to, and who constantly reminded him of that.

I can’t really say enough about the perfection that was Matt Bomer. In fact, I might go as far as to say that he’s the best guest star GLEE has had to date.  He comedic moments were laugh out loud funny and spot on. And his dramatic moments were layered (although he could have pointed more). He told a lot of story with small looks – especially in the final musical number and scene with Blaine. Darren Criss and Matt Bomer spent some time getting to know each other a bit before they started filming (and yes, I’ll give you a moment to wish you had an invisibility cloak and could be there for those hangout sessions) and the time was well spent. The two had incredible chemistry.

The writers gave us a little more back story to Blaine which I personally appreciated. Thinking back to our first introduction of Blaine, he was almost too good to be true. He was this strong, saint like character whose purpose was to save Kurt. But this season the writers have allowed us to see his many flaws. He’s built up a lot of anger over the years and tonight we were once again reminded that despite the bravado, he’s just a kid.

I know the Gods wouldn’t be good enough to grant me with an Anderbros spin-off, but here’s to hoping the powers that be can find a way to bring The Bomer back next season!

Fractured Finchel
Finn and Rachel postponed their wedding in light of Quinn’s accident. (Although wouldn’t you like to know how they actually found out about the crash? They were ready to proceed without her if she wasn’t there soon. It’s not like they heard the crash – they were texting! But alas, as a GLEE fan, these are not the questions we are allowed to ask.) Back to Finchel…

Now I haven’t been on board with the whole Rachel and Finn getting married thing, but I’m of the belief the writers wanted it that way.   They might want the audience rooting for this twosome to really make it, but I don’t think anyone on the GLEE creative team was pushing teens getting married before they even graduated high school as a good thing. Tonight’s episode might have left Finchel fans a little unnerved, but for me it’s just starting to get interesting. The discussions about their future and what they want as individuals are the conversations you have before you decide to get married. Couples that don’t talk about this stuff, don’t make it. So if you are a Finn and Rachel fan on the verge of a breakdown tonight, fear not…this is a good thing.

Sue. Just no.
If there was anything that kept me from being head over heels in love with tonight’s episode it was the once again over the top antics of Sue Sylvester. Every time she mentions her unborn child I fear pulling a muscle from my eye rolling. I just cannot get on board with this ridiculous storyline. Enough! But what is really irking me is the writers continuous use of Becky Jackson to humanize Sue. I get it. Sue had a sister with Down’s and as such has a special relationship with Becky. But we’re getting to the point where it’s borderline pandering. And the inclination that Sue’s baby might have Down’s or be born with special needs  – with the risk of being heartless, it seems a little ‘convenient’, no?

But despite the irksome Sue, there were so many fun moments – musical and otherwise – to discuss, so let’s get to ’em.

Let’s start with the tunes. Overall I’d give the ep a 7with the musical performances tonight.

• “I’m Still Standing” – Artie & Quinn
  Made sense for the characters but it lacked a certain punch. I’m actually a big fan of Dianna’s more delicate voice, but the song didn’t really do much for her. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was really distracted by the wheelchair choreo. Lucky for Quinn Mr. Schue had all of New Directions learn to boogie in their wheelchairs for a performance. Who knew it could come in so handy?

• “Rio/Hungry Like the Wolf” – Blaine & Cooper
  GLEE loves their mashups, don’t they? I have to say, I think this one worked. Matt and Darren sounded great together and it was fun to see their sibling rivalry emerge over the course of the song. And if nothing else, we now know where Blaine’s incessant need to jump on furniture comes from. Of course the single best moment of the entire performance was Santana’s WTF face during the dance breakdown. Had to rewind at least 5 times.

• “Up, Up, Up” – Artie & Quinn
  I’m not going to say this was the worst GLEE performance ever (that my dear friends belongs to ‘Run, Joey, Run’ or at least a hip hop number performed by Mr. Schue) but this might be the most forgettable number of GLEE to date. I welcome the opinions of those who loved it, but this song did nothing for me at all.

• “Fighter” – Blaine
  I had heard the song prior to the episode, so I knew that Darren delivered a solid vocal, but the first few moments of “Fighter” actually made me physically cringe. The spoken word intro should not have been part of the scene.  It was awful. Awful! Darren is no Christina – no one is, but I liked what he brought to the musical performance.Unfortunately, once again he overacted the performance element. The song is called “Fighter” and it’s a passionate song, but sometimes Darren has this need to act out every single lyric and it doesn’t always work. However, you are bonkers if you think that I didn’t love what that musical moment gave us – Blaine in a wife beater. Blaine boxing. And I’m not even going to go into Blaine naked in the shower.  I can’t. To know me is to know that it’s going to be a long time before I allow this episode, containing that scene, to be deleted from my DVR. Let the animated .gifs on Tumblr begin.

• “Somebody that I Used to Know” – Blaine & Cooper
  Well this number certainly drew some controversy when it was released earlier this week. Yes, it’s a break-up song, but I happen to think the way they restructured the song it really worked for estranged brothers. But to each their own. Again, Matt and Darren’s voices really blended well. And the two acted the shit of out that song. Their small eye movements and little physical inflections really helped get the brothers where they needed to be by the end of the performance.  Annnnd it doesn’t help that I’m currently obsessed with all things Gotye. Seriously the album is incredible. Just saw the guy last week in Boston and he was fantastic.

No Rachel solos? I don’t know what to do with myself.

Before I go and download the Free Credit Report song for my ringtone, here are a few other GLEE moments to discuss.

• Faberry fans rejoice! You got hand holding and everything. One of the sweetest moments of the episode was Rachel’s guilt-ridden breakdown. She felt responsible for Quinn’s accident and her remorse was real. Glad GLEE had Quinn take the high road rather than having her blame Rachel.

• NeNe can pull off GLEE zingers like nobody’s business!

• Puck moving his pool cleaning business to L.A. is actually not the worst idea. Did they just find a way to write Mark Saling out of the show or will this business venture be conveniently forgotten like so many plot points in GLEE?

• Highlights of Cooper Anderson’ Acting Master Class
  (1) Don’t go to college.
  (2) Don’t go to New York. Theater is lame and Broadway is lame.
  (3) The key to a dramatic scene is pointing.
  (4) The secret to great acting. Really great acting. Ignoring what the other acting is doing.

• Someone please tell Britt and Santana that they don’t have to wear their Cheerios uniforms 24/7/365.  They certainly don’t need to wear them on Senior Skip Day at Six Flags. It’s borderline unsanitary.

• Wish we could have seen more of the GLEE kids acting out the scene from NCIS. Pretty funny stuff. Blaine had to go and ruin it with his little hissy fit. Oh Blainers.

• Kurt and that fu@%!ng puppy?! Kurt Hummel, I want to shoot you, stuff you and put you on shelf you adorable creature. That was a nice scene for us Klainers.

• Darren Criss naked in the shower. Oh wait, did I already mention that. Sorry. (How I wish I was sitting in between Jim Cantiello and Tyler Oakley watching that scene tonight.)

Glee’s Notable Quotables

• Kurt: “Coach Sue is meaner than Tabitha.”

• Sue: “Kids, it’s in my DNA to be intense. Just like it’s in Porcelain’s DNA to poop rainbow glitter.”

• Kurt: “Blaine, your brother is the best looking man in North America.”

• Coach Roz: “The doctor had to shine a flashlight in your vajayjay to get all the bats to fly out.”

• Sue: “Porcelain’s famous brother, Cooper Anderson.”

• Cooper: “Blaine and I, we were famous around the neighborhood for our dueling Simon LeBon impressions.”
  Blaine: “No no no. Please don’t make me do that.”
  Kurt: “Oh no Blaine, you have to. You’re both so handsome and good.”

• Cooper: “Uh oh. The cardigan is coming off.”

• Young Cooper: “Blaine, your balance is all off.”
  Young Blaine: “I just learned to walk three years ago.”

• Cooper: “It also wouldn’t kill you to stop letting Kurt pick out your clothes.”

So that’s my exhaustive take on tonight’s episode. Snaps all around for me tonight. But I want to hear from YOU. What did YOU think of Matt Bomer’s guest appearance? Were you happy with the new development with Quinn? Best and worst moments of the episode?

The comments are open. Let’s keep it civil…we all have our opinions and remember, it’s just a TV show. So let’s not take it all too seriously, ok?