A Belated Gleek Roundup

Remember when I used to have time to recap shows every week?  Yeah, about that...

But since it's Saturday and I don't have any other posts planned (I'm cleaning my apartment for my family's arrival tomorrow), I figured I'd let you know how I'm feeling about Glee lately.

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Glee Club (in general):  The New Directions weren't going to beat the Warblers.  Sorry, the Warblers kicked major butt and totally made me a fan.  So they lost Sectionals, and it was the right thing.  What I didn't understand was Sue Sylvester's renewed interest in destroying them and rubbing it in their faces.  She ebbs and flows with hatred and compassion.  It's hard to figure out.

The New Kids:  Kitty is delightfully mean, and Marnie was interesting for a little while, but other than that they're weak sauce.  How come we aren't doing more solos for Tina and Artie?  What about Troutymouth Sam?  And Sam's solo as they somehow get him to fall in love with Brittany is stupid.  #1 most awesome new kid is Wade/Unique.  'Nuff said.

Rachel/Kurt:  I would watch this spinoff.  Kate Hudson is delightfully evil, Rachel has grown up so much as a person, and Kurt is really shining too.  I'd watch this but add in some Blaine, maybe an occasional visit from Mercedes.  (But let's stop with the fantasyland "Let's Have a Kiki" and Vogue stuff, no "starving artists" can afford that loft and luck into those connections.)

The Old Kids:  The only person I really miss is Santana, my smooth criminal.  I hate to say it, but I don't even miss Mercedes as much as I thought I would.  And it was nice to get rid of Will/Emma.  I'm sorry, it's true.  The haphazard way they've tried to throw everyone together this season is just weird.  The only episode that didn't seem contrived is when they came home for Thanksgiving.

So I continue to watch Glee, like the dedicated kid I am... but it's just starting to feel weaker than ever.  Every so often, there is an episode that gets me excited that it's back on track, only to be followed by one that is lacking.  Ryan Murphy is a genius, but American Horror Story has become my favorite show of his these days.

Come on, Glee, step it up!  I'm rooting for you.

Gleek Peek: Breakup

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Okay, so I forgive Glee for the crap it was last week...  because THIS. EPISODE. WAS. GLEE.

I mean, I was so emotional watching this thing... it was so real and refreshing!  The music was awesome!  The storyline was poignant and raw!  It all worked!

Look, it's called Breakup.  But I can't spoil it for you, just know that there are couples on the show that don't make it to the end.

Songs I'll Download:  "Give Your Heart a Break", "Teenage Dream",  "Don't Speak", "Mine", "The Scientist" #Glee

I just have to leave you with this video... this depicts everything that it was.

P.S.  I stopped watching Project Runway.  It isn't on Hulu and that is basically all I watch.

Gleek Peek: Vogue and such...

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This episode was mostly centered around Blaine and Kurt, in their new respective locales.  The storyline was highly unbelievable, and the music a bit unexciting for me.  There was a Sarah Jessica Parker appearance as the ridiculously nice boss of Kurt at Vogue.  I thought Conde Nast was cutthroat?  Maybe they've remade their image since interns started demanding money for their pain and suffering?

Blah.

Only good part?  The cliffhanger at the end.  And even though I'm so over Finchel, I want to see what happens.

Songs I'll Download:  The Way You Look Tonight/You're Never Fully Dressed

P.S.  Did you know Sarah Jessica Parker was the original Annie on Broadway?

Gleek Peek: NEW SEASON!

I was simultaneously excited and terrified for the newest season of Glee.  With so many cast members graduating, how would they pull it off?  But I really think they've done a good job of weaving the story together.  I also love the tongue-in-cheek references.  It's fast and clever, like older Glee episodes!

It's interesting to see how the Glee kids are dealing with their newfound popularity at school, and Rachel in New York (with Kate Hudson as evil dance instructor).  I also love the new cast members!

I can also tell they've increased production value, which is pretty cool.  I don't have much to say, because you really have to watch this season premiere to understand it.  But I have a feeling this season will be better than the last!

P.S.  Sam's impression of Taylor Lautner?  Awesome.  Brittany thinking Unique was Mercedes with a haircut?  Priceless.

Songs I'll Download: "Call Me Maybe", "New York State of Mind", "Chasing Pavements"

Gleek Peek: Goodbye

I can't believe so many of the Glee kids are graduating.  I was hoping they'd do a season taking place in the summer, something to draw it out.  With so many of the cast members going in different directions, what is Ryan Murphy going to do next year?  Turn some of the regulars into recurring characters?  Split between Lima, Ohio, and New York?  It's too unbelievable to have everyone stay in one place, and I wonder what will happen to the classroom set and Mr. Schuester.  (Not that I care much about Mr. Schuester... sorry.)

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I'm happy that they spent so much time on individual characters.  There were funny bits, and it felt like a pretty good episode compared to some I've seen.

I love music, and I think I'll always watch Glee while it's on the air.  Aren't the episodes hit or miss?  Yes.  But I've always wished real life were more like a musical, and this brought what I loved about High School Musical to a weekly series.  So Glee will always, so long as it's around, be something I am drawn to.

Oh, and Mike O'Malley doing the 'Single Ladies' dance?  OMG.  :)

Songs I'll Download: "You Get What You Give", "Roots Before Branches"

Gleek Peek: Nationals

It's Nationals time again!  The episode moved quickly, but they always do with competition episodes.   I love hearing three songs in a row.  :)

I did like that New Directions seemed to feature everyone's voices during the competition... and the song choices were right up my alley!  I pretty much found myself singing through the episode, without even thinking.  Rachel singing Celine Dion?  Reminds me of when I saw Celine in Vegas; GOOSEBUMPS.  I also loved that she got the NYADA recruiter to come see her in action, a well-deserved second chance.

I was so excited to see Unique again.  She was full of diva moments, but killed it!  And yes, Unique needs to transfer schools next year, to McKinley!  I do think Vocal Adrenaline's dance numbers impress more than New Directions though.  It's their specialty.

Who won?  I'm not going to spoil it for you.

Overall, I had a blast with this week's show.  I think they brought their A-game, and I hope they keep it up.

P.S. Lindsay Lohan, Perez Hilton, and Rex Lee (Lloyd from Entourage) as judges, all in the same room?  I DIE.  :)

Songs I'll Download: "Edge of Glory", "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", "Starships"

Gleek Peek: Prom again?

Glee had another prom.  I will admit, I tend to like the prom episodes, because they have a lot of danceable songs.  I wasn't disappointed in this regard; I think they stole their playlist from my iPod!

That said, once again I was lost in the story lines.  I think the lame anti-prom idea and Becky side story were pretty weak.  But on the other hand, Quinn once again showing her true colors, and Santana's brutally honest and impeccably true confrontation of Rachel was brilliant.

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It's not that believable that Quinn and Santana would make Rachel into prom queen, but it was clever to have them counting the votes; they dislike each other enough to keep it honest.  It was a selfless thing they did, and I think the depiction of Rachel as totally unsure and nervous about winning was accurate.  I'm kind of waiting for Rachel to have a meltdown, because she's scarily calm about everything that's going on.

It was also nice to see everyone be so accepting of the same-sex couples at the prom, as well as legitimately happy for Rachel for winning.  Rachel really has come a long way from the schoolgirl she once was, and her transformation has been interesting to watch.

I like this episode much better than last week, but Glee really needs to step it up... I really don't know how next season will be, but I have been known to stop watching formerly great shows for lack of time and interest.  (Cough cough, Gossip Girl!)

Songs I'll Download: "Love You Like a Love Song", "What Makes You Beautiful"

Gleek Peek: CHOKE

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Was I the only one who thought this episode was all over the place?!  Sigh.  Why doesn't Glee carry one or two consistent story lines and resolve them, instead of come of with serious, random stuff out of the blue?

Storylines that need resolving: how Sue's pregnancy is going, Quinn's recovery, Sam+Mercedes, and more.  New to this episode?  Coach Beiste's romantic, awesome husband is abusing her?  Puck's suddenly not graduating?  WTF?!  And why is Sue being so freaking nice?  Is it hormonal?

I thought Chris Colfer was brilliant, and true to himself.  His NYADA audition was awesome.  And Rachel's failed audition was shocking and devastating.  You really felt for her.  But I hated Puck's 'My Fair Lady' moment, and there was just too much going on.  I felt lost.

The musical numbers were the best part of the episode.  I thought the ladies did an awesome job with 'Cell Block Tango', and the songs were well done.  But I didn't get it.  I miss the flow.

I continue to watch, because I love it, but I'm sad that it isn't what it could be, or used to be.  And I worry that since they're graduating the characters, instead of drawing out the high school years like other shows, they're just going to get lost and more ridiculous.  Why couldn't they make an entire season out of the summer, for example?  Sigh.

I realize this post is as discombobulated as the episode was, but I guess it makes sense.  I mean they're doing ANOTHER PROM.  Seriously.  And get rid of the Glee Project kids, except for Harmony and Unique.  Bring them back, in spades.

Song I'll Download: "Cry"

Gleek Peek: Whitney

I wasn't a huge Whitney Houston fan.  I thought she was a great talent, but a sad individual.  Why are so many celebrities such tragic figures, idolized despite their huge character flaws?

That said, the music for tonight's Glee episode was SPOT ON.  The video I've posted was the episode open, and it was gorgeous.  Pretty much my favorite Glee voices all together in perfect harmony!  And they really packed a lot of songs into a single episode.  It was one of the better episodes this season, and lots of people were featured.

As for the storyline, they are really playing up this graduation thing, and I don't know what the show is going to do with so many principal characters graduating.  Is it going to be a NY/Ohio split?  Fast forward a couple of years for a whole new cast?  I wouldn't put anything past Ryan Murphy, considering he is treating each season of my beloved American Horror Story like a telenovela and recasting the actors each time.  But when I think about it, I really only care about Rachel, Kurt, Santana, and Mercedes.  The rest?  I wouldn't miss then as much.  Okay, maybe Blaine a little bit. :)

Songs I'll Download:  "How Will I Know", "I Wanna Dance with Somebody", "So Emotional", "My Love is Your Love"

Gleek Peek: Saturday Night Glee-ver

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I know this is late in coming, but I've been traveling all week and my blogging has suffered.

That said, I did catch the latest episode of Glee on my DVR.  Look, I'm not really a fan of disco.  It's cheesy, and Glee is already cheesy enough.

The whole Saturday Night Fever challenge was very contrived, and unrealistic... but I did like Mercedes' awesome performance.  It's been a while since she's been featured!

But Finn is utterly pathetic and uninteresting to me, and I could really care less about him and his future.  Oh, and where was Quinn?

You know what I DID like?  Vocal Adrenaline, featuring 'Unique', the alter-ego diva who I remember from The Glee Project.  That was FIERCE.  I don't care what the conservative pundits are saying, having a trans character on such a mainstream show is not going to turn everyone gay/lesbian/trans.  I think it speaks volumes to the diversity and relevance of this fictional show.  Kudos, Ryan Murphy!

I didn't really understand or particularly enjoy this episode, aside from Mercedes' song and Unique.  I won't be downloading any of the songs, and I don't feel compelled to watch it again.

Gleek Peek: Big Brother

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GLEE IS BACK!  Hurray!  Especially after such a cliffhanger...  SPOILER ALERT!

First off, I'm glad Quinn is alive, though in a wheelchair.  What I didn't like, however, is how the show just snaps back to Quinn back at school, and her positivity/denial are a bit annoying and immature.  I think the show missed out on some intense hospital/recovery moments, though we have already had some hospital time already with Quinn and Burt, respectively.  I don't know, it just wasn't handled that well.

Poor Quinn.  Teen pregnancy, losing her head cheerleader spot, parents' divorce, reveal of her ugly past, AND a car accident?  DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE.  Sheesh.  The hits just keep on coming for the blonde popular girl.

But really, this episode was focused on Blaine and his brother, Cooper.  What a character!  Seriously, a hilarious and loathsome character, so self-absorbed... "To be a great actor, point your finger and shout your lines like Nic Cage!"  I really enjoy Blaine's singing, though he really used to annoy me last season.  He gets a lot of airtime, when I'd like to see some more Rachel/Mercedes/Puck/Santana.

Despite that focus on the Anderson brothers, I was SO happy to get my Sue Sylvester back.  The cheeky one-liners, the hilarious storyline... I need more Adidas sweatsuit action!  Also love the rivalry with Nene Leakes' character, Coach Roz...  I was like, "OMG, did she just tell Sue to talk her Centrum Silver?  Bwahahaha!"

Anyways, I obviously have problems blogging coherently today, but I'm so happy to have my show back.  It hasn't completely jumped the shark, though it's seen better days... I'm hopeful for a good conclusion to the season.

Songs I'll Download:
"Hungry Like the Wolf/Rio"
"Somebody That I Used to Know"

Gleek Peek: I hate being right.

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I love being right.  Except right now I actually hate it.  SPOILER ALERT, as usual.

As I was watching the most recent Glee episode, I learned that one of my predictions from early in Season 2 had come (somewhat) true... I said that Karofsky would commit suicide.  In fact, my friend LK messaged me as I watched because she remembered me saying it seemed to be pre shadowed circa 2010.

I was super sad.  I really thought Karofsky had a chance since he left McKinley... then they reintroduced him, and I felt I knew his fate.  Poor Karofsky.  Poor, poor Karofsky.  I'm glad he lived, but still... the attempt was scary.

I was looking forward to the performance at Regionals, and didn't appreciate Rachel/Finn trying to hijack the episode for some little wedding.  But it was interesting to see the human side of Sebastian, and how he had a connection to Karofsky too.

I enjoyed the Regionals songs, and I really liked how Kurt and Karofsky made up.  The final cliffhanger, though?  OH. NO.  I won't even address that right now.

Songs I'll Download:  "Cough Syrup", "Fly/I Believe I Can Fly", "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)", "Here's to Us"

Gleek Peek: Valentine's Day

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I'm not sure what I thought about Glee's Valentine's Day episode.  It was just kind of... meh.  I was happy to see Samuel Larsen from The Glee Project make his debut as religious kid Joe, and finally meeting Rachel's fathers was interesting.  But other than that?  Meh.

Rory and Artie competing for Sugar's attentions was contrived, the "God Squad" and the Santana/Brittany's fight for the right to kiss in public were dull, and where was Sue Sylvester?  I did like the parental plot to break off Finchel's engagement; unfortunately it backfired, but we all know it's doomed.  And Karofsky's profession of love to Kurt also seemed like a forced plotline... is this foreshadowing a future event?  I predicted he would commit suicide earlier in the show's run, but I hope I'm not eventually right.  :(

Mercedes' rendition of "I Will Always Love You" was tragically timed; the episode was obviously filmed well in advance of Whitney Houston's demise, and the airing was pre-scheduled for Valentine's Day.

So yeah, didn't have much to say, because this just an okay episode.  I'm hoping for better in the future... I'm more into "Revenge" these days.

Songs I'll Download:  "Cherish/Cherish", "Stereo Hearts", "Love Shack"

P.S.  Did anyone else catch the tongue-in-cheek comment by either Puck or Sam that Rory's speech in incomprehensible?  It's TRUE!

Gleek Peek: Soy una Gleek y yo sabes!

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Kudos to Glee for having an episode with songs in Spanish!  I never would have thought about them doing something like that.  Ricky Martin was lookin' awesome as guest star.

The storyline did move along, and I think Sue Sylvester's new "I want a baby" story line is interesting.  But Nene Leakes stole the show, and Sue's thunder!  I also appreciated Kurt's confrontation of Finn over his proposal to Rachel; he spoke some really great wisdom there, and it was perfect.

I don't see myself downloading any of the songs, because I didn't think any of them were that spectacular, but I enjoyed Ricky's bilingual rendition of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It", and his duet with Santana on "La Isla Bonita".

Oh, and in unrelated news?  I've lost two lbs. in the last week!  GO ME!  Broke a weight loss plateau I've been struggling with, all thanks to some Shakeology.  :)  Hooray!

Gleek Peek: MICHAEL

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Hello, Michael Jackson tribute episode!

Okay, I'll admit MJ wasn't always my favorite... towards the end he was a little creepy.  But he did leave behind a repertoire, and Glee has already performed such gems as "PYT", "ABC", and "Man in the Mirror."

Darren Criss is adorable... I can't believe my enthusiasm for his cuteness ever waned last season.  The opening number to this episode was epic!

As for the story, I think Finn asking Rachel to marry him was a bad idea.  And whatever they're doing is juvenile.  I'm glad Quinn is on the right path, though!  (And I'm relieved they've stopped featuring Rory... sorry, kid is uninteresting and hard to understand.  Bring Harmony back!)

I like having the Warblers as the enemy (maybe I like Blaine better sans blazer?), and Sebastian is perfect.  His duet with Santana of "Smooth Criminal" was an amazing face-off!  Glad the Glee kids take the high road though.  I don't have much else to say about the storyline... I was too into the music numbers!

Songs I'll Download:  "Starting Something", "Smooth Criminal", "Black or White"

Gleek Peek: Welcome back!

Loved the girls' retro look!
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SPOILER ALERT, as usual!

Glee was AWESOME Tuesday night!  I love when the songs fit the themes of the show, and I love a fantasy montage.  Wasn't Rachel the perfect Patty Simcox, and Santana as Rizzo, for the "Summer Lovin'" cover?  LOVE.  I felt like the musical numbers were just ON.

The storyline about Finn wanting to join the Army, and learning of his Dad's PTSD, was really really hard for me to watch.  Having served in Iraq, and knowing so many soldiers lost to suicide and addiction following their experiences overseas, it was very real.  I'm glad they showed Finn talking to his family about his interest in enlisting in the military.  It's a very real conversation that young people should have with their families.

Let's be honest, Will and Emma need to take the next step... but then again there will always be conflict, like Luke/Lorelei on Gilmore Girls, right?  Right.  So when Will kind of made marrying Emma conditional upon her getting over her OCD issues, I kind of wavered.  Can love be conditional like that?  It hurt me to watch.  But he redeemed himself in the end with the awesome proposal!

As for Finn and Rachel.... meh.

Songs I'll Download:  "Summer Lovin'", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Moves Like Jagger/Jumpin' Jack Flask", "Without You", "We Found Love"

Gleek Peek: Sectionals and Christmas

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I'll admit it... even in Hawaii, I wanted to get my Gleek on.  So of course, I DVRed the Sectionals and Christmas episodes to watch when I got home!  I even psyched myself up by watching the Glee 3D Concert Movie on the plane, and listening to the new Christmas album!

The Sectionals episode was pretty good, especially performance-wise.  I didn't feel like New Directions was stronger than the TroubleTones, or even the Unitards (with reappearance of Harmony, the 'Gerber baby')... the Michael Jackson tribute was sweet, but the other groups really rocked! I'm glad that Quinn came around, and that New Directions is reunited.  But that's Glee for you, completely implausible but enjoyable!

As for the Christmas episode, I loved it like I loved last year's!  I really enjoyed the retro Christmas TV special (of course!) and the songs.  It's just a warmhearted episode, as Glee's Christmas specials have come to be.

So download some of these latest songs, and buy the albums for the special Gleek in your family!

Songs I'll Download:  "Buenos Aires", "Survivor/I Will Survive", "ABC", "Man in the Mirror", ALL the Christmas songs!

Gleek Peek: I Kissed a Girl

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I love me some Santana snark!  Everything she says has a hilarious bite.

But even more so, I loved everyone banding together to support Santana after she was so abruptly outed last episode.  I actually really liked Blaine and Kurt's rendition of P!nk's "Perfect"; so sweet, and they do really well together in duets.  I think Puck's solos lately have been kind of... blah.  I just don't get into them; nothing has compared to "Only the Good Die Young" in my mind!  Give him better songs!  Finn's slow, sad "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was really moving.  I don't usually like his songs, but this was such a neat interpretation.

I'm also a Coach Beiste fan, and watching her battle over a guy with Sue is simultaneously tough and hilarious.  It was nice to hear her sing, and I love when characters sing during a 'real-life' montage.  It's more emotionally loaded than a big produced number, and it makes me wish real life was like a musical!

I still think this Puck/Shelby/Quinn stuff is far-fetched and WEIRD.  Quinn trying to seduce Puck was pathetic, and I'm glad Puck called her out for being a psycho.  "I'd rather raw dog a beehive"?!  Priceless.

Favorite moment was the girls coming to Santana's defense, giving an awesome "I Kissed a Girl" rendition.  I love Katy Perry, and Katy Perry + Glee is the bomb!  Her grandmother's reaction, however, was heartbreaking.  Overall this was a decent episode, even though I thought a few of the songs were lackluster.  And it's definitely going to be interesting since Rachel is banned from Sectionals... can't wait for next week!

In other Glee news, I've downloaded their latest Christmas album, and once again it's a HIT!  Add it to your Christmas list; it makes me entire house feel festive.



Songs I'll Download:  "Perfect", "I Kissed A Girl"

Gleek Peek: Mash-Off!

LOVE me some Santana!  (FOX)

I love Glee mashups!  It's my favorite type of performance for the show.  I actually liked a song that Matthew Morrison sang... because he sang with Idina Menzel.  Lady Gaga, Adele, what more could I ask for in a Glee episode?  This was my favorite episode of the season music-wise, aside from Puck's flop at the beginning.

I don't buy the Puck/Shelby 'hot for teacher' plotline.  Puck is too easy to write into these improbably romances.  What's up with this?  I also wasn't pulling for Damian McGinty to win The Glee Project... he is hard to understand, and his acting is terrible.  They should have gone with Lindsey.

Santana was brilliant though... her Lima Heights-isms are phenomenal, and she is a true wit.  She needs more screen time!  She was awesome during the dodgeball mash-up, and she KILLED the Adele songs.  KILLED them.  She's a mean girl, but not a dumb mean girl.  It was awful the way she was outed on TV, and she was the episode's star.

Oh, and I love Hall & Oates.  Happy song!  I am also glad that Kurt/Rachel made up.  And Quinn deserves everything she got from Shelby; she was being ridiculous.

Songs I'll Download:  "You and I/You and I", "Hit Me With Your Best Shot/One Way or Another", "I Can't Go For That/You Make My Dreams", "Rumour Has It/Someone Like You"

P.S. CONGRATS to Glee for hitting 300 musical performances!

Gleek Peek: First Time

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Oh, I loved this most recent episode!  When I react out loud to scenes, whether I want things to happen a certain way or not, I know it's a great show.

This episode of Glee was particularly controversial, because it had to do with two relationships (Kurt/Blaine, Rachel/Finn) taking a big step... I think you get the idea.

Overall, I wasn't a huge fan of the music, but then again I was never a huge West Side Story fan.  I did like the back and forth during Santana singing 'A Boy Like That' where we meet Sebastian, the gay jerk trying to tempt Blaine away from my beloved Kurt.   I also didn't really like the premise that Rachel wanted to lose her virginity to 'act better' and relate to her character of Maria.  Silly, but I think it was resolved well.  I could relate to Finn's frustration at finding his football career doesn't really have legs to last post-high school, because it's so much more realistic.  All of the characters were more relatable... we even learned more about Artie and saw Mike's parental conflict again.

The conflict between the two competing McKinley glee clubs was completed ignored in this episode... I don't think I saw Mercedes at all.

But the BEST part?  Coach Beiste in love!!!  I love it!!!  It was so sweet and had me absolutely gushing.  The love interest they've chosen for her (a football recruiter) is a perfect match, and her crush on him plus her awkwardness towards his advances was hysterical.  I can't wait to see more!

I really thin Glee's third season is finally living up to what it was the first season.  They faltered for a bit, but we're getting back on track!

Songs I'll download:  "Uptown Girl"

P.S.  Those kiddos on The Sing-Off need to take a look at the Warblers doing Billy Joel and learn a thing or two!