Glee’s Best and Worst Performances of Season 2 (so far)

Because the first impression is always the strongest, the best musical number of Glee remains “Don’t Stop Believin’” from the the first season’s “Pilot” episode.  I remember my excitement the first time I heard it.  The song was familiar, but the experience of it in this format, on this weird, genre-bending TV show — that I believed at the time would never last even one full season —  felt  triumphant, like if Glee could make this work, it could really do anything it wanted to.

Well, here we are, halfway through the second season.  What performances this season have lived up to “Don’t Stop Believin’”?  And what performances have made you groan or even, *gasp*, hit your DVR’s fast-forward button?  Here are my picks for the Top 5 Best and Worst Performances of Glee‘s Second Season (so far):

The 5 Worst Performances:

5. “Forget You” (Episode 7, The Substitute)

Once the novelty of the Oscar winner singing a song with curse words in it wore off, I had to admit that the comment left by Poptimal writer Mallory Elis was right — Paltrow’s singing of Cee Lo was like a black hole that absorbs and destroys anything remotely approaching soul.

Sorry Gwyn.  But the good news is that I hear you do country quite well.

4. “Empire State of Mind” (Episode 1, Audition)

Watching clean-cut Midwestern white kids re-create hip-hop anthems makes me queasy.  Plus, the matching t-shirts, the school yard setting. . .it felt like a scene out of one of those ’80s movies where everyone has to dance to raise money for a community center.  I had to look away.

3. “The Most Wonderful Day of the Year” (Episode 10, A Very Glee Christmas)

I know it’s counterproductive to call a Glee number cheesy, but man this was cheesy.  I could probably have taken the song alone, but paired with the fake gift-wrapping and all the false cheer was just too much.  Watch it again.  See how their smiles don’t quite reach their eyes?  It’s creepy.

2. “Umbrella/Singin’ in the Rain” (Episode 7, The Substitute)

It hurts me to pick two songs from Gwyn’s episode — which is actually my favorite episode this season (so far) — but this mash-up just did not work.  Rhythmically, it was completely off; I think it was shooting for hip-hop, but it felt like the kind of bad house music that empties dance floors.  The good news is that if you mute the scene, you can just enjoy the awesome set design, although how McKinley High could pump that much water on stage on a public school’s budget is beyond me.

1. “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (Episode 9, Special Education)

As a stand-alone number, this performance’s only sin would have been that it was unmemorable.  But this was sectionals, people.  It was the time to WOW me, not trot out New Direction’s two most middling singers under the pretense of Will’s decision to try something different from the usual male/female duet of an ’80s song.  Especially since “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” is a male/female duet and an ’80s song, Will.

On a brighter note. . .

The 5 Best Performances:

5. “Sing!” (Episode 4, Duets)

Mike Chang is so damned entertaining.  And sooooo easy on the eyes.  And here I thought I could only love one hot Asian dancer on a FOX TV show.

4. “Baby One More Time” (Episode 2, Britney/Brittany)  / “What I Did For Love” (Episode 1, Audition)

I know Heather Morris was the star of the Britney episode, but it was Rachel who had my favorite moment of the episode when she re-created the “Baby One More Time” video, complete with ponytails and pouty lips. This performance is tied with another Rachel number, “What I Did For Love,” which she performed after cruelly pushing Sunshine out of New Directions.  Speaking of which. . .

3. “Listen” (Episode 1, Audition)

Sadly, a gorgeous, superior-to-the-original version of this ballad from the movie Dreamgirls is all we have left of the adorable Sunshine, thanks to Rachel’s douchebaggery. Long after Finn forgives Rachel for making out with Puck, I’ll still be holding this grudge.

2. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (Episode 3, Grilled Cheesus)

Let’s see. . .sweet?  Check.  Poignant?  Check.  Sung by Kurt, the break-out star of Season 2? Check.

I know a lot of people were impressed by Glee‘s mature discussion of religion, but for me this episode was all about the father/son bond between Kurt and his dad.  This song, sung over a Hummel family montage, made me tear up a little.  And call my dad.

1. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (Episode 10, A Very Glee Christmas)

Utterly charming.  Watching these two flirt during this number is definitely one of my top three moments of Glee, ever.  Unlike Rachel/Finn, Artie/Brittany, Quinn/Sam, or Puck/whomever, this relationship does not feel like it was created for the sole purpose of advancing a joke or throwaway plotline. No, this romance (if it ever happens) actually feels earned. More, please.

And that’s it.  Those are my picks.  What am I totally getting wrong?  And what have been your favorite songs this season?  What moments from Season 1 do you remember the best?  Leave your comments below!

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Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro.