Glee 1x14 Hell-o

[exsequar]

Oh Glee.


Let's start with the awesome, which is YAY THEY'RE BACK SINGING TO MEEEE. Such amazing song choices! When Lea bust out into Gives You Hell I was SO DELIGHTED. Her voice is so wonderfully versatile, and my enormous crush on Lea continues unabated. Even Cory put out a great piece - it sounds like he's been training, and they're finally letting him sing in his range, so it sounded good! Hello Goodbye at the end was sweet but not overwhelmingly awesome - I would have been more affected if it hadn't been in all the promos, because man, I LOVE that song! But the faaavorite, of course, is LEA AND JGROFF SINGING LIONEL RICHIE UNFFFFFF. Their voices complement each other SO WELL, and it was delightful to see Lea finally meet her talent match. It's so clear that they've worked together for ages - there's such an easy chemistry there.

Which is why it fucking sucks that his character is already an asshole. I mean, who didn't see that coming, but I was hoping I would get pleasantly surprised!

I should know by now not to expect that from Glee. What I got from last night is this: people are SHITTY to each other. People are selfish and stupid and cruel. When Finn AVOIDED GIVING ARTIE A HIGH FIVE, i was so shocked I just gaped. Is Artie still "uncool" just because he's in a wheelchair? He has proved himself to be by far one of the coolest members of Glee, yet Finn's being a shit to him? Whatever, tiny moment, but it was so horrifying. Ugh. Then let's not even talk about Will cheating on Emma at the drop of a hat. I dont care if he stopped, he was still making out with that woman super enthusiastically. (Aside: IDINA MENZEL IS AWESOME.) Will's response to the fact that Emma is a virgin was SO AWFUL. He looked almost disgusted! WHAT AN ASSHOLE. Like - seriously?!??? I thought maybe dating the sweetest person on earth would help him be slightly less assholeish for a little while, buuuuut no. Instead she just gets the blunt force of it. Gross.

Don't even make me talk about the club of old maids - obviously being fat is shorthand for ugly and unwanted. Sue's underhanded tricks always make me vaguely nauseous, but that was one of the worst. I do find it kind of pitifully hilarious how people try to insult Rachel for her looks, because they have to make up the most ludicrous things - boyhips? Hahaha. Because, um, hello, you cast a STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS WOMAN to play this supposed reject. If it wasn't so funny, I'd cry.

I really wished by this point they would have found a balance where people screw up but they're ultimately decent human beings. Instead, we get whammied with cynicism every damn week. This show HATES HAPPINESS, which is pretty ironic, obvs. Eh.

I ain't gonna stop watching, because the music is like CRACK, but I still register my complaints. Which have been there right from the start.

Now off to rewatch the musical numbers. GLEE I WISH I KNEW HOW TO QUIT YOU.

Comments

[humdrumtown.livejournal.com]

Well the show is by Ryan Murphy, the guy who did Nip/Tuck. Haha, I kind of love that its cynicism and horribleness with a sugary-sweet topping of musical numbers and pastel colors.

"Which is why it fucking sucks that his character is already an asshole. I mean, who didn't see that coming, but I was hoping I would get pleasantly surprised!"

The thing is, Rachel came off terribly in the first episodes of Glee. She's just concerned with herself, her talent, and her future star power. I think that BECAUSE he came off so bad already, he will hopefully develop into a better character. HAVE HOPE! It could happen :-D

OMG, Rachel just was fantastic this entire episode, though. So wonderful!


As for Will and Emma. I CHEERED FOR THEM AT THE END OF THE THE PREVIOUS EPISODE SO THIS EPISODE KILLED MY HEART AND SOUL.

I love that Emma is a virgin. It validates my life in a crazy way. Will is a fucking asshole. I am in total agreement with you. I can't even...put into words how pissed off I am.

[rorylareina.livejournal.com]

HOLY CRAP, Lea and JGroff. That's gonna be on repeat.

Along with the Artie thing, it's bugged me for a while where they place Kurt in the choreography when they're in the classroom. He's usually by himself, or like last night, when Rachel pulled him up and he went and sat in the corner looking moody. I mean, I get that we're supposed to sense that he is still somewhat of an outsider, but it makes me sad.

Though I love Chris Colfer's face and the implied judgment Kurt passes on everyone.

[wordsalone.livejournal.com]

Hee. We totally have the same issues with this show.

A lot of the time, the characters annoy the fuck out of me. People are so extreme, you know? Sue can be really funny, but I honestly think she's pathetic. She's a grown woman who spends her life trying to make other people miserable. That's sad. Then again, I'm sure that people like this do exist. Ack, I don't know. I could deal with it last night because of that long ass hiatus, but I want some things to change. I don't want to get to the point where I watch the show on mute and only pay attention to the musical numbers.

Jonathan. Groff. I love him, I love him, I LOVE HIM. He's beautiful and charismatic. His voice is delicious. Ugh. What made me sad is when they announced that he was a senior. My first thought was, "Damn it! Now he can't be on the show next season!" I read a comment where someone said that the look at Idina at the end was vague enough to interpret it as Jesse asserting his independence...or something. I don't want Rachel to get hurt and I don't want to see Jon as the asshole, but it might be fun in the long run. The characters themselves are SUPER compatible.

My favorite character on the show continues to be Brittany, btw. I love everything that comes out of her mouth.

Agreed the the Finn avoiding Artie thing. WTF was that?

I also feel the need to make an entry in defense of Rachel Berry. A lot of people hate her. A LOT of people hate Lea Michele. I can understand being annoyed by them, but there's a vicious dislike of these people (I do realize that Rachel isn't real) and it makes me a little sick. I knew people like her in high school. One of my best friends reminds me of Rachel in a lot of ways. While I don't always like what she does, I love her. I feel the same way about Rachel.

Hi, I'm rambling. I'm going to stop now.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

I think "extreme" is a very good way to put it. These people are all technicolor caricatures of what might be real kinds of people, and while some people seem to enjoy that, I for one go in much for the realism and subtlety. So I think there's just a stylistic clash there. But it goes beyond pure extremity - it's extreme negativity, as well as inconsistency. Sometimes Rachel is the most overblown diva ever, thinking only of herself, and other times she's soft and sweet and lovable. I feel like I'm on a yoyo where she's concerned. I think it's odd that the time she was sweetest was when she was in that constructed relationship with Puck. The two of them brought out the best in each other, like no other characters have. (Puck is also extremely inconsistent - I know teenage boys are obsessed with sex, but they seem to build him up only to smash him down to caveman status again. It's frustrating.)

I am on the pro-Rachel team for SURE, but that's almost despite some of things she does. Sometimes she just gets to be too much for me, but that goes back to my original point about these characters often being caricatures, so I try to see past that and to the insecure little girl who just wants to be loved - I can totally empathize with that. I know that *I* would have absolutely swooned if anyone said "But you're talented." and looked at me like THAT. (Oh god, Jonathan Groff. HI.) I can sort of understand a bit of dislike towards Rachel, but certainly not the venomous hatred, and particularly not the hatred towards Lea!! What on earth is there to hate about Lea?? Ugh. People are terrible. (Ha! And we wonder why there's a whole show about PEOPLE BEING TERRIBLE.)

I unfortunately disagree that Jesse's look was ambiguous at all. You don't open your eyes and look at someone else in the middle of a kiss if you're feeling the kiss at all. Also, Glee is not subtle. We are meant to believe that Jesse is playing her, and his choir director is telling him to. Now that does not rule out some other possibilities, namely that 1) Jesse's only pretending to be cooperating with his director, or 2) he will ultimately fall for Rachel despite his original intentions. However, I do not trust this show to ever deliver any emotional truths like that, so my guess is that the storyline will be messy and catastrophic. However, it will be super pretty to watch AND listen to in the meantime.

Oh god, Brittany. "Sometimes I forget my middle name." Oh honey. She just says everything so monotone, not typical ditzy. It's hilarious.

....why do I expend so much energy on this show?! Gah.

[wordsalone.livejournal.com]

I really like your brain.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Aw, shucks. *scuffs toe* I like yours too. :D

[snuffkin.livejournal.com]

This episode was like a major reset button :/ Everyone's kinda back where they started in the first episode :(

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

That's a really good point, and I agree to a certain point. No one seems to have grown as a character. I really, REALLY hope we're actually done with Rachel being infatuated with Finn, though the reverse might be just as nauseating. Meh.

[koncupiscence.livejournal.com]

i think i was most disappointed by the whole will/emma thing. WHY ALL THE SET UP FROM LAST SEASON AND THEM FINALLY HOOKING UP (!) to just... end it. like that. what a let down. :\\\\

and i'm totally on team rachel/lea. she is absolutely stunning, and i could sit and listen to her sing for the ENTIRE 60 MINUTES and be happy. that said, however, i was really disappointed by the lack of some of our secondary characters. needs more artie, kurt, & mercedes!

rachel adoration aside, i think my favorite part was when finn was singing his song and we see kurt's reaction which screams SEX. i had to rewind and watch that part again. :p

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Yes, THIS. They really hate happiness! I mean, I actually think that Emma had a really good point about him needing to figure out who he is, but why on earth did that have to include him 1) being revolted by her virginity (?!??!!) and 2) CHEATING ON HER. Not necessary! And really gross!

I definitely agree that the lack of secondaries was really sad. They're so great! When they're allowed to be! /o\

Ahahaha Kurt was SO TURNED ON. That was pretty hot, you're right.

[ethrosdemon.livejournal.com]

dolphins are just gay sharks, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I forget my middle name.

[vanitykidman.livejournal.com]

I wanted JGroff to be good so badly. He'd actually convinced me in that convo with Rachel that he was the real deal, then that look after.... UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm hoping he falls for her. That would be a fun twist. But at least he will be adorable while he breaks her heart.

I love Brittany & Santana. 'bout time we get more of them!

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Oh man, ME TOO. I totally LET myself be convinced, because I am not so secretly that girl who just wants to be adored, and to live vicariously through other girls being adored. GAH. I do think he will be delightful and entertaining in the meantime, but I hope they redeem him. :(

[pau494.livejournal.com]

SAVING THIS POST FOR LATER, WILL BE BACK WITH THOUGHTS. ♥

[pau494.livejournal.com]

So, hi! I saw the episode last night and my mom was all "What are you watching, why are you making those noises?" Because there were laughs and gasps of indignation and FLAILS FOR JONATHAN GROFF OMG HIII. *___*

The good parts first, yes? LEA MICHELE OH GOD I LOVE YOUR VOICE PLEASE TO BE SINGING WITH JGROFF FOREVER. I really really REALLY hope he's not a complete douchebag and ends up feeling something real for her. This is Glee, though :/ I am Team Rachel, all the way. She's an inconsistent character but I can't help feeling for her. She's absolutely believable and makes you care for her, sometimes I go "oh, honey, NO" but I'm still rooting for her because I think she's ultimately a good person and it seems like she feels too much sometimes. I understand why people don't like her because there are times when I don't like her but I still love her. Does that make sense? Also firmly in the good parts of Glee camp? BRITTANY. OH GOD I LOVE HER SO MUCH. Her deadpan deliveries. WHY AREN'T WE FOCUSING MORE ON THESE CHARACTERS? Kurt's faaace when Finn was singing, HILARIOUS! I loved Idina Menzel a lot! I can't wait to listen to her sing because it's going to be AMAZING. I liked how every single person in Will's life was telling him to stop moving forward and take some time to figure himself out. That advice thing you did with Finn, buddy? TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF.

Which brings us to the bad parts of Glee! WHAT THE FUCK, WILL? He's always had asshole-ish tendencies but this episode brought it to a whole new level. His reaction to Emma and his thing with Idina Menzel's character were both ridiculous! Although I loved how she handled things LIKE A GROWN-UP. Finn ignoring Artie was kind of heartbreaking. I was all :DDD SINGING! \o/ and all of the sudden :((( I don't get it. Sue also seems so over the top at times, but I understand that's part of the fun, it just seems so unfounded at times. Why would she devote so much time to destroying something that won't even make a dent in her own life? The glee kids are still outcasts, the cheerios are still at the top of the high school food chain! OH GOD WHY ARE WE HAVING ALL THESE SERIOUS THOUGHTS ABOUT GLEE?

I'm holding out hope for the next episodes, Kurt getting a boyfriend and Mercedes getting a love interest PLUS A LADY GAGA EPISODE, but I recognize the problems the show has and I'm kind of disturbed by it. I don't know how long they can keep up with the formula of being cutesy and fun and being all acid and sarcastic at the same time. They have to make the characters sympathetic eventually, right?

Phew, see? Thoughts! ♥

[theamyrlin.livejournal.com]

I agree with you SO much. These were exactly my qualms.

Despite the awesome music, ultimately, after watching, I was depressed. It's like they're destroying my characters on purpose, and I hate it.