TV - Glee - A Night of Neglect or "Nice Try"

I wasn't planning to blog about Glee again, but Google is having issues displaying the photos from my trip. So this is a photo-free post.

This episode started off with promise. In my post about the previous episode of Glee, I ended with a plea for more screen time for Mercedes, Asian (Tina), and Other Asian (Mike) because those characters were sadly under-utilized and could have some amazing character arcs. Well, we did get more of them, but in very expected ways. Mercedes sang an amazing rendition of an Aretha Franklin song. Asian (Tina) sang a solo whose emotional effect was completely ruined because she was heckled and never allowed to finish her song (in fact, her inability to finish a song for whatever reason is a clear trend with her character's performance history). In stark contrast, Other Asian (Mike) delivered an amazing dance, though I found the editing detracting, not adding, from the magic of his movements. So, yes, these minor characters get more screen time, but ultimately there was no character development, with the exception of Mercedes trying to reclaim her former diva-ness and declaring her desire to be the anchor singer in the show. I suppose baby steps is better than nothing, but Glee, you neglected to really give your underdogs true shining moments.

Also, this season has featured a lot a lot of Gwyneth Paltrow, and I'm tired of her character. If Glee wants to insert a free-spirited, off-kilter blonde love interest for Will Schuster, can we please please please bring back the incomparable Kristin Chenowith? She could out-sing Gwenyth while pretending to be half-drunk.

Perhaps my favorite quote in the episode happens when Sue Sylvester creates a Legion or League of Evil whose charter members include Sandy the former Glee Club teacher, the coach of Vocal Adrenaline, and Will's crazy ex-wife. Sue realizes she has gathered the "Worst henchmen ever!"


Song Highlight - "All By Myself" by Sunshine

I was not all that impressed with her acting, but wow, this Filipino actress has a bigger voice than one would expect from her tiny body. I kind of wish that she had been one of the more permanent new cast members vs. the boy who looks like Justin Bieber's older brother. But then, she would be the Other Other Asian, and that would be way too confusing. Sorry, Mercedes, you did well, but Sunshine outshone you this time.

Which makes me a little peeved because this was supposed to be Mercedes' episode, especially when Rachel voluntarily refuses to end the show with a solo, as is typical of almost every show in Glee. In fact, I believe this might be the second episode where Rachel does not sing, the other episode being one where she loses her voice. I think the show's producers are trying to make Rachel more sympathetic, and it's working (sortofnotreally).

Show Highlight - Other Asian aka Mike Chang aka Henry Shum, Jr. DANCES

With this performance, Henry Shum, Jr. proves he is the male heir to American musical theater dance. His routine wonderfully echoed the whimsy of Donald O'Conner, some of the athletic moves of Gene Kelly (the open arms twirl), and some of the elegance of Fred Astaire (dancing with a mop), only without the tuxedo. If only the editing wasn't so choppy, focusing on the wrong angles at the wrong time, often chopping off his feet. A static camera would have improved the viewing experience.

Dear Glee, well, you tried
to spotlight the underdogs…
but it was diffused.