Glee Review: It’s Totally Awesome!
November 11, 2010 by Stephanie Jaar
Filed under Television
Plain and simple, Glee was actually rather good. At least, I enjoyed Tuesday night’s “Never Been Kissed” episode. It’s been a while since I’ve both cheered and yelled at the TV within a one-hour time span.
THE CHEERS
Puck is back in all his Mohawk glory! He’s been let out of juvenile detention early under the promise that he’ll be doing community service. Puck’s choice of community service is not picking garbage off the side of the highways (because “that’s ghetto”), but actually taking care of a cripple – in this case, Artie. Puck’s idea of community service is to hook Artie up with Brittany again and teach him some tricks to be “cool.” It’s interesting to watch their friendship develop throughout the course of the episode, and by the time credits start rolling, I see the beginnings of a new bromance.
Kurt is becoming fed up with the constant bullying and being the only openly gay student at McKinley High (about time, too). He learns of an all-boys school, Dalton Academy, and their Glee club, the Warblers, who are shaping up to be some serious competition for the gleeks. Kurt agrees to go “spy” on the Warblers, though it’s clear his ultimate motivation is to get a taste of life outside McKinley.
Now this is where the cheer part comes in: Kurt meets Blaine, a main Warbler and… would it be too soon to call it love at first sight? Blaine is all sorts of awesome and not just because he’s portrayed by Darren Criss of YouTube fame (Is it cool now for me to say I partied alongside him at a Harry Potter convention over the summer? No? Okay, forget I mentioned that.) I cannot wait to see more of Blaine in upcoming episodes!
THE “NOOOOOOOO!”
There’s an awkward storyline where the boys of Glee club (and Tina) find a way to “cool off” during their make out sessions by thinking of Coach Bieste in various situations (modeling lingerie, dancing to ballet, etc). Word about this inside joke eventually travels back to Bieste and her feelings are obviously hurt.
Will steps in to comfort a depressed Bieste who’s just about to quit her job. She really opens up to him and admits that at 39 years old, she’s never been kissed. Say what?! So Schuester, being the Good Samaritan that he is, tells Bieste she’s “beautiful inside and out” and then gives her a smooch. Now, I’m not opposed to Will being a good person, but I hope Bieste doesn’t become too attached to the Schue.
WONDERING WHEN GLEE CLUB BECAME SO RICH
The running theme throughout this episode was the second annual boys vs girls competition. The girls sing a mash-up of “Living on a Prayer/Start Me Up” by Bon Jovi and the Rolling Stones. Now it’s an awesome performance, but what I want to know is where the Glee club got so much money for a wind machine, awesome costumes, and elaborate stage settings? I’m sure the show’s budget has gone up a ton now, but let’s not get too ridiculous.
“Never Been Kissed” was definitely one of Glee’s better episodes. There were some laughs, some inspirational moments, and the shockers. What was your favorite part?
For another take on this episode, check out Bieste vs. Boners by Alana D.
Season 2, Episode 6: Never Been Kissed (originally aired November 9, 2010)
For more Glee, click here.
Tuesdays at 8pm on Fox
Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro.
To be honest, I was ready to give up on this season but Glee finally brought their A game for the first time this season. Teenage Dream was a great acapella performance. Probably the best song this season. And although the story lines in this episode were a over the top and soap opera like, it is a welcome change from the boring episodes that have been really bringing the show down for weeks. I hope they keep this momentum going for the rest of the season.
OMG! I think my neighbors heard me scream through my wall when that kiss happend! I am a total Gleek and sadly, I dedicate a lot of time to analyzing these characters and plotlines but when that kiss happened, I clutched onto my pillow for dear life. It hurts for me to think this but I think the big meanie football player may actually have a crush on Kurt haha. Or rather, he’s just picking on him because Kurt is everything that he won’t let himself be. Blaine/Darren is a great addition to the show (I’m so glad they’re making him a regular!) and I think his relationship, whatever it may be with Kurt, will ultimately be beneficial to Kurt’s journey to embracing himself completely and finding his niche in the world. I cried with Kurt and for most of the episode I wish that I could hold him and let him cry into my shoulder.
All philosophical things aside, I kept praying that Schue could hear me yelling at him through my screen (yes, I know this episode was recorded 3 weeks ago) to not kiss Coach Beiste. Somedays I forget that he’s a well respected teacher because he does things that are so inappropriate and just blow my mind. He needs a serious vacay. Did he really think that kissing Beiste will help her get over this dating hurdle? She was obviously saving that kiss because I’m sure if all she wanted was a kiss, she would have gotten one by now. She’s looking for so much more and I hate to think that Schue thought kissing her was doing her a favor.
Last thing: Puck + Artie = Partie, I’m looking forward to this new friendship.
Great episode, and I loved all the musical numbers in this one.
The Start Me Up/Livin On a Prayer was my favorite though.
The tough guy football player secretly being gay/kissing Kurt floored me, and I thought the actor who played that part was great. Loved that storyline because it reflects the very realness of whats happening in todays society, with people being ignorant and fearful of what they themselves might be … and bullying because of it. it reminded me of the scene in American Bedauty when the tough army neighbor kisses Kevin Spaceys character, then kills him out of fear. I think this will be an ongoing storyline, as even after he kissed Kurt, he went right back to pushing him against his locker, acting as if nothing had happened at all. Scary.
I’m not as huge of a fan of the cast of Glee as others are, but I do admire them for their talents in singing harmoniously.
This episode really impressed me from the story to directing and editing. For once it didn’t seem like they were lip syncing and the performances were great, except the last song. I just felt like it was a poor choice.
I really hope the rest of the season has great quality episodes like this.
Shhh…don’t tell anyone but I am def. a gleek! Def. the best episode of the season so far…the bully twist totally caught me off guard!! I also liked the Blaine character a lot (I’m sure all the women out there loved the Teenage Dream rendition). Interesting to see where things go although one prediction I have is “THE BEAST” will end up meeting another ex football coach who we saw season one…
First off “SQUEE!” for the the AVPM reference! I too met Darren this summer at an HP event (perhaps you and I even crossed paths). He was a delightful, charming individual. My best friend was with me and she had done some fanart for AVPM – when I showed it to him and the cast, Darren yelled out my friend’s name — recognizing her pictures and proceeded to glomp all over her, telling her what a fan he was of HER. I have never been so impressed with a young man. Polite, gracious and grateful.
As to the episode — YAY! for Kurt finally taking a stand. I was appalled by the bully’s reaction – it’s at least borderline sexual abuse. Kurt was violated and my heart broke for him. I’m pleased the show is giving him a friend/mentor/maybe more? to confide in and give him courage. No one should face such terrible things alone.
The Coach stuff made me sad and more than a little creeped out.
Maybe the borrowed the windmachine and props from the Cheerios? Shhh, don’t tell Sue.