Scandals!

This week's episode of Glee was pretty intense, on several levels.

Artie is thriving as director of the school musical, West Side Story, and all seems right with the world. Rachel and Blaine are in rehearsals, singing "Tonight", which is easily one of the best Broadway tunes ever. Artie decides their lack of sexual experience is hindering their performance. How can they sing about passion and lust if neither of them knows what that really feels like? I actually think their inexperience is valuable to their performance - all that tension right underneath the surface could be quite useful.

Finn is super excited about an upcoming visit from an Ohio State recruiter, which also happens to be the object of Coach Bieste's affection. Only she hasn't confessed her feelings for him. Oh, and turns out, Bieste is a virgin as well.

The Warblers turn in a rousing version of "Uptown Girl" while Blaine watches. He's there to invite the guys to West Side Story. There's a new Warbler in town, and he's dangerous. His name is Sebastian, and he is a shameless flirt. He's a home wrecker! And I am anti-home wrecker!

Santana and Rachel rehearse "A Boy Like That", and give us serious drama. These girls are talented, no doubt about it. Although, I can't not think about Rita Moreno's iconic performance in the movie. Rent "West Side Story" and prepare to be blown away.

Blaine meets Sebastian for coffee, and tells him that he has a boyfriend. Sebastian says that doesn't bother him. See? I told you! Home-wrecker! Thankfully, Kurt shows up and makes it more than obvious that Blaine is his and he's not going anywhere. Sebastian invites them to a gay bar. To Blaine's surprise, Kurt accepts the invitation. Kurt wants to start to take chances, and this seems like the perfect opportunity.

Finn and Rachel have a romantic dinner at Finn's house (all alone). They're celebrating 4 months of bliss, and Rachel initiates a makeout session. She wants to take it further, but lets it slip that she wants to "get this done by opening night", so that her performance can be as truthful as possible. Finn gets offended and leaves. Rachel totally screwed herself on this one, no pun intended.

Mike Chang's father confronts him about being in the school play after he explicitly told him to quit dancing. Mike stands up to his father and refuses to quit. Mr. Chang threatens to disown him, to which Mike says, "I don't have a dad anymore."

Artie learns that the Ohio State recruiter has feelings for Coach Bieste, and urges him to ask her out. He does, but Bieste can't quite believe the recruiter is sincere. She explains that she's not the pretty girl, and the recruiter tells her that she's beautiful. She finally accepts, and I'm really happy they're giving Bieste a love interest. Finally!

Rachel calls a girls meeting about her disastrous night with Finn and they all agree she should wait to have sex. Santana takes the opportunity to slam Finn's lovemaking skills, while Quinn reminds everyone of how having sex ruined her perfect life. Tina pipes up and shares how her first time was amazing, and says she doesn't regret it at all. Rachel now looks even more confused than usual.

Kurt and Blaine show up at the gay bar ("Scandals" - LOVE that name!) with fake IDs in hand. The scene is a little less than fabulous, but the guys give it a chance. Sebastian welcomes the boys and wastes no time getting Blaine on the dancefloor with him. To my personal surprise, Karovsky shows up and chats it up with Kurt! OMG! At least he's not being violent. Karovsky reveals that he's much happier now that he's going to a different high school, and he's apparently a bearcub. Kurt encourages him to be whatever he wants to be at his own speed. Good advice. Kurt then runs to the dancefloor and cuts in to dance with Blaine, who's intoxicated. As they're leaving, Blaine makes moves on Kurt, but Kurt refuses since it's neither the right time or place - and Blaine's drunk. Blaine doesn't take the rejection well and walks home, but not before throwing a dig at Kurt about trying to be spontaneous and fun.

It's opening night, and Rachel and Blaine are still virgins. They're both freaking out, but it's more about the musical than anything else. Artie is in a panic as well, after all these weeks of pretending he knows what he's doing, he's worried that everything is wrong. The cast gives him a bouquet of flowers and says thank you for putting the show together. We see the cast perform the showstopper "America", and they really did do a great job. I loved the fact that they had the Jets jump into the performance for a bit. All things considered, the show is a success.

Blaine apologizes to Kurt after the show and they have a really touching conversation. Who else is bummed we haven't seen Kurt's Officer Krupke?! I wanna see that!! The boys pass on the afterparty, and opt to go to Blaine's house instead. Finn is devastated because the recruiter passed on him, so he's spinning out of control with disappointment in himself. Rachel reassures him that he'll find a new dream, and that they'll figure it out together. The wedding scene plays while scenes of Blaine and Kurt and Rachel and Finn come and go, leading us to believe that each of these couples have taken their relationships to the next level.

Next week, Santana and Rachel go for eachother's jugular and there's a crazy dodgeball fight. Oh, and Puck and Shelby may or may not get it on.

What did you think of this episode? Tweet me!

Race to the Top

West Side Story is one of my most favorite movies ever. I've mentioned before that I used to watch it almost every day as a child. Why I haven't made my Broadway debut yet is beyond me. The latest episode of "Glee" centers around West Side Story - more specifically, the casting choices for the lead roles.

Mike Chang, who impressed me a great deal in this episode, is struggling with his father's extremely high expectations of him. Mike got an A- (which is referred to as an "Asian F" apparently), and has to hide the fact that he's practicing for his audition for the role of Riff, Tony's best friend. I think this is a great role for him, since he has the dancing chops and acting ability. His audition is stellar, and his voice is awesome. His mother understands that his dream is to be a performer, and unlike his father, won't steer him into a career he doesn't want. She confesses that she wanted to be a dancer when she was young, but put her aspirations aside to have a family. The moment when Mike teaches his mother to dance was especially touching.

Brittany is bringing out the big guns in the race for class president. And when I say guns, I mean Beyonce dance moves. She killed "Who Run The World (Girls)" and all but eliminated Kurt from having any kind of chance to win. She's evidently running on a platform of girl power, and it seems to be working.

Meanwhile, Mercedes is in a personal crisis. She's in pain in booty camp and not getting any sympathy from Mr. Shuster or anyone else for that matter. She turns in a wonderful audition for the role of Maria, but the wait to find out who got the role is weighing heavily on her. When Mercedes can't (or won't) do a particularly difficult dance move in booty camp, the glee club turns on her and she knocks "It's All Over" from "Dreamgirls" out of the park. But that's not all. Rachel and Mercedes are then told they have to audition again for the role of Maria, singing the same song - "Out Here On My Own". Both of them do amazingly well - which is why they're both cast in the role, one will perform one week and the other the next. Rachel seems to be ok with this arrangement, but Mercedes isn't having it. If she can't have the role all to herself, she doesn't want it at all. To what do we owe this bold, brazen, and almost bully-ish Mercedes? I think it has something to do with this new boyfriend of hers. Mercedes then approaches Shelby to be a part of the new glee club ... interesting!

Rachel is shocked by Mercedes' reaction to the casting news, but that's the least of her worries. She was so desperate to have her senior year be great that she decided to run for class president as well, thereby hurting Kurt's feelings even more. Kurt just can't get a break, am I right? Rachel's spinning since she basically got the role by default, which in her mind is unacceptable.

Mr. Shuster and Emma are still going strong despite Emma's ginger-supremacist parents who like to ridicule her OCD. Damn, these two love each other.

Next week is going to be a good one! What did you think of this episode? Tweet me!

I Feel Pretty

Gleeks! I loved this week's episode of Glee, probably because I used to watch "West Side Story" every day when I was little. No joke.

Quinn is still in bad girl mode and gets sucked into helping Sue with her campaign by confronting Will about how the arts failed her. Will delivers an amazing "GROW UP" speech and makes Quinn cry a little bit. But not enough to snap out of her funk.

Brittany approaches Kurt about running for class president and offers to help with the campaign. But after seeing the posters she's created for him, Kurt worries they're too in-your-face-gay. There are enough rainbows and unicorns on these things to make you vomit glitter. Brittany explains that Kurt is special and should embrace who he is - a particularly fabulous flamboyant gay man.

Rachel is startled by her biological mother Shelby, played by Idina Menzel,  showing up at McKinley again. Turns out, Sugar - who failed miserably in her glee club audition - has a wealthy daddy who has demanded a second glee club be created to feature his baby girl. And he's hired Shelby to coach said glee club. Shelby assures Will that she won't steal any of his students, and Will amicably replies that he's ok with it since it means more of the arts in the school. Shelby and Rachel have a wonderful moment preparing for the West Side Story auditions, as per usual for the amazingly talented Idina and Lea Michele, remember "Poker Face"?

Speaking of the auditions, Will has delegated that role to Emma, Coach Bieste, and Artie. I think it's an inspired choice, and I like their judging styles. They're fair and honest, but not mean, at least not yet. Will is busy teaching "Booty Camp" with Mike Chang for those who aren't as dance-friendly in the performances. And if they're going to win Nationals this year, they all need to be at the top of their game, not only with their singing, but dancing as well.

Kurt auditions for the role of Tony, but sings a Barbra tune (don't worry, he asked Rachel's permission), "I'm the Greatest Star." It was an amazing performance, but unfortunately, didn't give the judges much insight as to how he would play the leading man role. Kurt overhears the judges expressing their doubts, so he recruits Rachel to help him audition again. This time, a dramatic audition of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Kurt's attempts at masculinity are met with laughter and he bolts out of the audition. At that very moment, Brittany is hanging up the pink/rainbow/glitter posters emblazoned with Kurt's face on them sporting a unicorn horn, and he's horrified.

To make matters worse for our friend Kurt, Blaine auditions for the play, too. He makes it clear he doesn't want the role of Tony, so that Kurt can have it. But after a jaw dropping performance of "Who Knows", the judges ask him to read for Tony anyway. Kurt sees it all from the balcony and walks away in despair. Kurt speaks to his amazing dad about not ever being the leading man due to his over the top personality, and his dad gives him the best advice ever. Create your own roles. Don't wait for someone to accept you and put you in their picture of whatever story they're telling. Paint your own picture.

Puck makes Quinn speak to Shelby, who adopted their baby. Shelby tells Quinn that she wants her in the baby's life, but only if she cleans up her act. Quinn can't handle the second reality check she's gotten this episode, and hatches a plan to pretend to change so that she can fight for custody of her baby. Things just got REAL, people!

Brittany talks to Santana about Kurt not loving her campaign ideas. Santana suggests Brittany run for president herself, since she's so passionate about it. So Brittany does just that. It's gonna be an interesting race!

I loved this episode. What did you think? Tweet me!