revisitingglee

[revisitingglee]

S4 E11 - Sadie Hawkins

THE GOOD

- Lauren is back!!

AND GOING TO HARVARD ON A WRESTLING SCHOLARSHIP

- “this must be what the girls feel like all the time” “it is”

- NOOOO TINA HE’S GAY HE’S VERY OPENLY GAY

girl, i get it (not really) but this is out of pocket

- THANK GOD BLAINE SAID NO

- FOUR LOKO IS A PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUG IN THE SHOW CHOIR HANDBOOK

THAT IS LITERALLY SO FUNNY WTF 

THE BAD

- “we’re like brothers”

my blam dreams (and Blaine’s) crushed in one sentence

- Blaine’s like guys this idea is super heteronormative

and he’s right 

- i don’t like this crushes on people we can’t have conversation with Blaine and Tina

it’s not problematic or anything it’s just poorly written and kind of annoying

- Rachel just jaywalked in front of a car on a busy NY street

incredibly bold and stupid

- NOOOOOOOOO

Puck absolutely cannot go to a high school dance (resisting the urge to make a Mark Salling joke rn)

- wtf does having a fake id have to do with being under the age of consent

statutory rape is statutory rape it doesn’t matter if she has a fake id (also they’re literally going to a high school dance)

- i don’t like prom episodes

they’re annoying

- Becky bringing a guy with down syndrome to the dance feels out of character

THE MUSICAL

I Don’t Know How to Love Him (7/10)

this was so awkward omg. Tina singing a love song to Blaine is so weird. it was pretty funny though. i completely forgot about this plot line, so i’m shocked. the singing was fine, but it was nothing special and this song is really boring. 

Baby Got Back (????/10)

this season keeps giving me numbers that are impossible to review. at least i remembered Let’s Have a Kiki/Turkey Lurkey Time, but this was a shock. i am losing my mind. first of all, this is the whitest shit i’ve ever seen in my life. i don’t like what they did to this song, but i feel like i have to give it points for creativity and shock value. they really did it. i’m obsessed with all the hipsters in this number. i want them to have a whole episode. also fucking Joey Richter from Starkid is in this number for no good reason. 

Tell Him (10/10)

i love this number for some reason. i think it slaps. it is so high energy and fun!! having Marley and Brittany as leads for a number is incredible. the choreography is a little odd but super fun and fitting. it rocks!!

No Scrubs (6/10)

great song, boring delivery. they could have done so much more with this song. it’s super disappointing. my least favorite kind of number is the school dance numbers. they are so boring. they did a fine job, but it was really hard to actually pay attention which is weird because this song slaps. 

Locked Out of Heaven (7/10)

this song also has the curse of being a school dance number. it’s also boring, but at least they are trying to make Marley look hot. this makes it more interesting. also it works, she’s great in this number (she’s great in most numbers). the girls are thriving now that Rachel is gone. they are all doing amazing. this is also a much better choice for a school dance song, because there’s not much that you can do with it. it didn’t feel like they wasted this song.

 I Only Have Eyes for You (7/10)

i don’t even think this should count as a number. it’s so inconsequential. Ryder has a great voice, but this is so boring. (also you can’t convince me that Ryder’s not singing to both Jake and Marley) 

OTHER

- the writer’s know how much chemistry Blaine and Sam have and they are cowards for making it one sided

we deserve bi Sam

- the Warblers doping plot is so weird

i don’t have like any thoughts about it. it’s just weird

[revisitingglee]

S4 E10 - Glee, Actually

i don’t think anyone in this writer’s room has actually seen Love, Actually lol (and honestly that’s fine)

THE GOOD

- Kurt’s scene is really sweet

Burt Hummel is the most incredible dad. the surprise was so sweet!! i absolutely loved it. i wasn’t a huge fan of the Blaine surprise but i get it. 

- i liked Jake and Puck’s scene too

it’s sweet to see them bond. if they had to do the weird Puck’s little brother thing at least they gave us some fun sibling moments. also them bringing their moms together was great! the women who your partner cheated with is not your enemy she’s your ally. (also i’m confused about Jake’s religion like does Puck’s dad only sleep with Jewish women or is he just Jewish on his dad’s side. and like if my dead beat dad was Jewish i probably wouldn’t celebrate it but who knows. also judaism is technically matrilineal but also like most people don’t follow that including me who is Jewish due to my dad’s side of the family. idk i’m confused but i’ll just go with it.) 

- Sam and Brittany’s scene was cute!

i liked the whole end of the world thing. they are so funny together. i will never see them as an actual couple. they will always just be chaotic best friends to me, but this scene was fun nonetheless. the wedding was hilarious and super on brand. i loved it!!

- the tree and money thing is nice but it doesn’t make up for treating Marley’s mom like shit

THE BAD

- WTF was Artie’s dream

super weird scene. i get that they were going with a Christmas Carol vibe but it didn’t work. the plot made no sense. the glee club’s formation is in no way contingent on Artie being paralyzed. also i don’t buy that Artie is the glue that holds glee together at all. the stuff about Quinn dying of broken heart after her accident was super fucked up and ableist. in fact the whole thing felt ableist. it felt like it was defining Artie by his disability. the show does it a lot, but it’s super blatant in this scene. in conclusion, i hated this scene

- the fatphobic comments that Sue made were really gross

i’ve said it a million times, but it still sucks. the worst part is that it goes unchallenged. with other marginalized groups, it’s clear that Sue is just being terrible, but with Marley’s mom it feels like that show is actually treating her badly because of her weight. it doesn’t read as satire. 

THE MUSICAL

Feliz Navidad (4/10)

???????????????????? i just have so many questions. most of them are why?? i love feliz navidad but they could have done it in a much better way. Artie is the whitest white man which felt weird. the part where Rory put the poncho on him felt even weirder. the whole thing was just not great. 

White Christmas (8/10)

this was a nice christmas number. if they are going to set half of the show in New York of course they had to do an ice skating number. it was really nice though. ice skating is so fun to watch. the Michael Buble and Shania Twain version of this song works great for Kurt and Blaine too. 

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah (10/10)

this was a fun number!! i loved the Paramount lot thing. it was super fun!! their voices complement each other nicely too. i loved that they sang a Hanukkah song, because this show has so many Jewish people, but they never celebrate on the show or sing Hanukkah songs. 

Jingle Bell Rock (10/10)

super fun number!! i absolutely loved it. Sam is in a silly goofy mood and it’s perfect for christmas. the cheerios dancing is bizarre, but really fun and funny. overall, just a really nice, fun christmas number!

The First Noel (8/10)

Marley is an excellent singer and this was very sweet. i liked it a lot!! i don’t have much else to say.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (9/10)

this was a nice closing number. it’s a lovely classic christmas song. they did a great job and it was a great way to tie up all the loose ends. i liked it a lot!

[revisitingglee]

S4 E9 - Swan Song

THE GOOD

- Sue and Finn holding the nationals trophy all the way to Figgins office is so funny

- Madame Tibideaux is right about Kurt’s performances lacking depth 

- Unique falling down the hallway in skates is great

i also love that they’re all joining new activities!! 

- INTERFAITH PAINTBALL LEAGUE

THE BAD

- why did Rachel get a winter showcase invite?

i’m genuinely confused. like she’s good but surely not in the top 10 students at NYADA

- WTF TINA 

this girl literally has an eating disorder caused by another member of the club and you have the audacity to insult her like that

(side note maybe the glee club should shut down if they’re giving each other eating disorders)

- NOOO BRITTANY DON’T EAT CHERRIOS OFF OF THE HALLWAY FLOOR

- they really saw two blonde bisexuals and smushed them together like barbies

Sam and Brittany have such bestie vibes. literally no sexual tension. 

- Marley needs actual therapy but she could also use a nice talk with an adult she trusts like Finn

he needs to address but he just doesn’t 

big L for Finn

THE MUSICAL

Something Stupid (8/10)

this number is cute. i like Sam and Brittany’s voices together even though he overpowers her a little. it was a fun little number, but i don’t like them together. they have no build up, no tension, and only seem like they are getting together because their the last combination of people in glee to put together. 

All That Jazz (9/10)

Kate Hudson is so hot in this number. my god. she’s amazing. the choreography is very cool. i love the dance class numbers. they have such a great style. it is weird that Rachel is supposed to being showing off her dance skills and only dances for like a couple seconds. i wanted more from her. 

Being Good Isn’t Good Enough (8/10)

this number was fine. Rachel’s singing was wonderful. but it was a little boring. i’m over Rachel singing Barbra Streisand songs. she needs to change it up a little. we’ve seen this a million times. i want something new. also the audience members had the weirdest faces the whole time.

O Holy Night (7/10)

this one felt weird. i know jewish people can sing Christmas songs, but it still didn’t seem right. this song is very jesusy. it was a nice moment and she sang the hell out of it, but i wish they had picked a different song. 

Being Alive (10/10)

this was a very nice number. i’m not usually a fan of Kurt’s voice but he sounded amazing in this. Carmen was really right when she said he needs to connect more and get rid of the gimmicks. he does so much better. i really enjoyed this and normally this kind of number is not my cup of tea. 

Don’t Dream It’s Over (7/10)

This song is so cheesy and they performed it so sincerely. super cringe. the singing was nice, but the blocking left a lot to be desired. they were just staring at each other from the top of the stairs. 

[revisitingglee]

S4 E8 - Thanksgiving

THE GOOD 

- QUINN 

my girl is back for a limited time only

- MERCEDES!!!

i missed her so much

- i want a Marley, Jake, Ryder throuple so bad

it is the only way to solve this love triangle imo

- Rachel is right, they don’t need men

no one needs men, actually

- the unholy trinity actual secret weapon is gay

- “no, it was amazing, have you seen her ass”

i love brodie. he’s so funny

- “secret nazi sorority”

lol Yale secret societies do give off white supremacist vibes

 - Jake and Ryder are flirting hard core in the dance practice scene

- UNIQUE

i can’t wait until she fully transitions because she just looks so much happier and confident as her true self

- dang, the mennonites are pretty good tho

THE BAD

- this show using the phrase “hump her and dump her” is criminal

- i know it’s 2012, but Gangnam Style is awful choice for a show choir competition

- “don’t be that crazy girl that expects people to read her mind” 

manipulator energy

this line sucks too because the point he was trying to make is correct. Rachel turned him down and didn’t communicate with him that she wanted him back, so she really has no right to be mad that he moved on. 

- i did not need them to butter a turkey as a form of flirting

disgusting

- Sebastian’s hair looks fucked up in the warbler’s performance

it’s too long in the back and it’s greased in a really weird way. he’s also super sweaty, so he just looks gross in the whole performance. it’s a shame. he normally looks good. 

THE MUSICAL 

Homeward Bound/Home (9/10)

on paper, i should hate this mashup but, it’s actually really good!! this number is really nice. it’s low key and sentimental. it hits all of the emotional beats that it needs to as the old glee kids return. it’s great!! 

Come See About Me (8/10)

we really needed a classic unholy trinity number and this filled that void. however, the song is a little boring. they did a fantastic job with vocals and the energy was great. the choreography was cheesy but it was also in classic unholy trinity style, so it’s fine. overall, this was a middling number, but very needed. 

Whistle (10/10)

this is a great number. the warbler’s are always really technically good, but this number also has a great style. the warbler’s are just cool in this number. their dance moves are really smooth and the choreography is super interesting. the vocals are simple, which helps the number a lot. it doesn’t distract from their dance moves. having one main lead and toning down the acapella voices worked perfectly. this number rocks!!

Live While We’re Young (10/10)

the warbler’s are killing it ngl. this number is so fun. Sebastian’s singing is great. but again, the dancing is the real star of their numbers. the choreography is really great. it’s fun, technically advanced, and really interesting to watch. the best part is the improvisation. it makes it feel more personal and like the performers are having a good time with the number. also the song choice was perfect. 

Let’s Have a Kiki/Turkey Lurkey Time (????/10)

confession: i watch this number all the time. it vexs me. i have no idea how to even talk about it. firstly, it’s not good. but, it’s also not bad. it’s gay, but also homophobic. they are trying so hard to be camp, but they failed, but they also failed so miserably that it might have come full circle and actually be camp. all i know is that hearing Lea Michele say “hunty” shakes me to my core every time. 

Gangnam Style (8/10)

this was the wrong choice, but at least it was kinda good? like Tina does a great job with the vocals and the dancing is weird but good. idk how to feel. 

OTHER

- i feel like i don’t even need to say this but the warbler’s deserve to win actually

[revisitingglee]

S4 E7 - Dynamic Duets

THE GOOD

- very chaotic right off the bat but not in a bad way

the superhero thing is weird but i’m interested to see where it goes

- I appreciate Tina being mad about Santana coming back

she’s right. it was a dick move

- “no more bullying, blackmail or assault”

lol

- Sebastian 2: electric boogaloo

- the Sam and Blaine Dalton Academy heist sequence was adorable

blam forever!

- a fanny pack with a doll head in it is an incredibly accurate high school theater gift

i wasn’t a show choir kid, but i was a theater kid, so i can say we had the weirdest shit in our green room and this feels like it captures the spirit of that

- i love Ryder’s dyslexia storyline

my sister is dyslexic and i see how hard it is for her, so this story really hits home for me. she also has moments where she feels dumb and we try to remind her that her brain just works differently. i think they handled it really well and it is really nice to see some good learning disability representation. it is needed in a show about high school. not all kids are neurotypical.  

THE BAD

- Asian Persuasion feels racist 

especially since the show is written by white men 

- the eating disorder and fatphobia shit still bothers me so much

it’s hurts seeing Kitty do this to Marley and it just feels so dangerous. 

THE MUSICAL

My Dark Side (7/10)

this number was fine. it was kind of boring. at first, i was excited to have a classic warblers number. however, the song choice was bad imo. maybe it just hasn’t aged well. that song was never really good enough to be popular outside of 2011. the singing and dancing are classic Blaine and the warblers stuff, but the song choice was very weak. 

Superman (5/10)

this number honestly sucks. the R.E.M arrangement doesn’t work well with their voices. it’s boring and sounds weird. they had the opportunity to do some cool choreography here with them fighting. we’ve had cool diva off choreo before, but it was also boring and they were just being annoying. overall, this number was just bad all around.

I Need A Hero (10/10)

NOW THIS IS WHAT WE NEED!!! A HERO!!!! this number rules!! this song is a classic. it has been done so many times and yet i still like it everytime. it goes so hard. they also do an incredible job with it. their voices work together surprisingly well. Melissa Benoist has such incredible range. it’s very different from what she normally does but she absolutely knocks it out of the park. the choreography is excellent. the whip choreo is exactly what we needed. it’s fun and unique. their stunts are great and they did the superhero poses without seeming cliché. this number was perfect!! 

Heroes (6/10)

this number was disappointing. it had so much potential. the singing was really good. i even liked the acoustic beginning with Sam and the transition to the original arrangement when Blaine starts singing. it showcases their talents really well. Blaine’s weird dancing was weird. no surprises there. however, the scenes that they cut to sucked. these scenes reduced an incredible song into a cliché boring number about doing charity work. David Bowie deserves better. 

Some Nights (7/10)

this number was incredibly mid. the sound mixing was weird as fuck. the background vocals were way too loud and sounded too electronic. a lot of the music this season is over produced. i want more raw vocals. i think that’s just a product of the time this show was made. the choreography was fine but it was nothing special. this number felt like they were trying to go back to the season 1 style, but it failed. one bright spot in this number was Joe. his solos showed how underutilized he is on this show. he is so cool and has such a great unique voice. they should include him in more stuff. 

OTHER

- the way Finn who has no teaching degree or experience identifies Ryder’s learning disability and helps him get resources before any of Ryder’s actually qualified teachers

who is running this fucking school?? this is ridiculous. his dyslexia should have been addressed in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

[revisitingglee]

S4 E6 - Glease

THE GOOD

- Figgins is so done with Sue

she is a menace to the state of ohio

- Ryder and Marley are cute

- I really liked the scene between Rachel and Finn

it really feels like they’ve both grown as people in such a short amount of time. they really were holding each other back and now they can both figure out their adult lives on their own. 

THE BAD

- Kitty changing Marley’s costumes so they don’t fit is awful on a new level

Kitty literally gives Marley an eating disorder. i can’t even find the words for how terrible this is. i don’t even like that they included this in the show. this is just plain evil. 

- Marley’s mom is wrong

we don’t currently have an evidence-based way to lose weight and keep it off. dieting actually can actually make you gain weight in the long run because it changes your metabolism. we have very little control over our body size and you should eat enough food and make sure you are getting proper nutrients but never go on a strict diet. also i don’t think this is Marley’s mom’s fault or even the writers to a certain extent. most of society still views being fat as personal failure, but it would be nice to see a better message than your right and we’re going on a diet when Marley, who is not fat, is worried about gaining weight.

- the bulimia scene feels very dangerous

 i watch this show when i was in middle school and i know a lot of young people watched it. if you aren’t old enough to understand that the show is not supporting bulimia this could give you very dangerous ideas. also it’s probably not a great scene for people in eating disorder recovery to watch. i know things do not go well for Marley and they don’t advocate for bulimia but it still feels dangerous

- it sucks that Unique’s parents pulled her from the show

- it also sucks that they replaced her with Santana 

listen i love Santana but give Tina a chance. at least have Santana play a small character and have Tina do Rizzo. even though i love the idea of Santana singing There Are Worse Things I Could Do, it doesn’t make any sense to have her in a high school musical. 

THE MUSICAL

- Greased Lightning (8/10)

i like this number. it’s very cute. i don’t think Ryder works very well as Danny Zuko. he’s too goofy. i loved that they were rehearsing in Burt’s garage. that’s so fun. i actually wish they had just done the whole scene in the garage instead of the white room. the choreography was great and the singing was great. pretty solid number overall. 

- Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee (7/10)

this number is fun and i like that they didn’t just do the musical in this episode. they incorporated the numbers into the storyline. however, i’m mad that they gave this number to Kitty. they took a big Rizzo number and gave it to Kitty instead of letting Unique have it. it just felt like they weren’t following through with Unique as Rizzo. the actual number is pretty good though. the choreography is fun. 

- Beauty School Dropout (10/10)

this number is perfect. Blaine was honestly born to play teen angel and he kills it. also Sugar is such a perfect Frenchie. this number is almost too perfect. i kinda wish they had done something more interesting with it but sometimes it’s good to just have a really solid well done number. 

- There Are Worse Things I Could Do (8/10)

Santana and Cassandra both killed it obviously, but Unique got ROBBED. SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO SING THIS ON HER OWN. it just sucks that have such an amazing character and they keep benching her for no good reason. they could have easily had a last minute switch and let her go on as Rizzo as a surprise. they could have taken a stand. they could have even kept Santana in the number and had her sing it to Brittany or something but they picked the safe option and it fucking sucks. 

- Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise) (10/10)

this is perfect for this scene and Melissa does a great job with her acting and singing. 

- You’re the One That I Want (8/10)

this number is great, but i wish we got to see more of Ryder and Marley rather than Rachel and Finn. It would have been okay to flashback to their first performance of this song, but i didn’t like that they did most of it. they got really talented performers to join the show as the new kids and i want to see them do stuff too, not just the old cast

OTHER

- I feel like they are relying too much on the old cast

i understand that everyone loves them and wants them around but it’s weird. it means that we don’t get to see as much of the new people and they steal all the good songs from the new people. it’s also weird to have them around because it feels like their not moving on and just still stuck in high school even though they should be enjoying college and the real world. 

[revisitingglee]

S4 E5 - The Role You Were Born to Play

big episode for the white boys

THE GOOD

- Finn looks Good in the first scene 

the rugged tire shop coveralls and stubble work for him

- it’s nice that Artie makes Finn direct the play with him

Finn needs someone to gently hold his hand and guide him through hard times like the small emotional stunted toddler that he is 

- not to talk more about Finn’s clothes but the i love that he still dresses like a teen boy that wears exclusively american eagle polos that his mom got on clearance

- MIKE CHANG AND MERCEDES

- Beiste’s football pep talk to Will and Emma is so funny

- “[singing] just felt awesome, like a really good poop”

i missed Finn’s himbo energy so much

- Figgins is a little confused but he’s got the spirit when it comes to Unique

- Finn standing up for Unique was really great 

- Finn is an ALLY

it was really great of him to not give in and give Unique the part. it was also great that he let her decide if she wanted to do it. he gave her agency and allowed her to decide if it was worth the hate. 

- Unique is really brave for doing the musical despite knowing that she is going to be a target for Sue and other conservatives

but she is absolutely right that dreams aren’t free. sometimes we have to look bigotry in the face and take opportunities despite knowing that they are going to be hard. 

- Finn being a teacher makes a lot of sense

i think he’ll do a way better job than Mr. Schue but that a really low bar

- i’m glad that we’ll be rid of Matthew Morrison for at least a few episodes 

THE BAD

- Will would interrupt Emma and not let her talk during couple’s therapy

he’s in his sexist manipulator era

- HOLY SHIT THEIR NOT EVEN IN THERAPY THEIR JUST TALKING TO BEISTE

HELP 

(they do need therapy though (or just to breakup))

- Sue’s transphobic comments make sense for her character but it doesn’t hurt any less

maybe because it’s just too real and topical right now. her jokes about other marginalized identities are exaggerated and clearly jokes from the writers. (also a lot of them hurt too and i’ve talked about it at length) but the transphobic comments aren’t jokes, they are just current conservative talking points and things that are still being actively debated. Sue’s character is the person that hates everyone equally and i have problems with that idea, but what she says to unique is just plain transphobia. 

- I’m already tired of the Marley, Ryder, Jake, Kitty love triange (square??)

i have thoughts about who should end up with who but i’m going to save them for a little while 

- Kitty is straight up bullying Marley for no reason

she is truly just an awful mean spirited person

- Finn using the R word was unnecessary and wrong

in universe that was fucked up, but i also think it is fucked up for the writer’s to include that at all. it served no purpose and just undermined Finn standing up for Unique. i don’t understand why they did this even a little bit. wtf  

THE MUSICAL

- Hopelessly Devoted to You (9/10)

Darren kills this number. if they have to do Grease at least their doing it well. this song fit perfectly with the storyline. Darren’s acting and singing is wonderful as always. he is so talented. i loved it!

- Blow Me (One Last Kiss) (10/10)

WOW!! they absolutely destroyed that number. the energy was incredible. Marley and Unique are both incredibly talented, but they don’t seem like they would work together well. they have very different vibes. but holy shit that was perfection. their voices blend so well. Marley soft sweet voice complements Unique’s high belting so well. the choreography was a little cheesy but it doesn’t really matter. this also felt very cathartic after Sue’s transphobia. 

- Juke Box Hero (10/10)

this was a really fun number!! Ryder is so cute and his plot line in this episode is adorable. i loved seeing him come alive when he sings and have this whole classic rock fantasy. i too am a classic rock guy as Finn said, so i relate. (also i talked some shit about Finn being nothing special but Cory does have a really great voice so maybe i was wrong about that but my main point stands)

- Everybody Talks (9/10)

i wanted to hate this number but honestly i can’t. it’s really tight. both of their voices are weird on their own but they work really well together for some reason. also the choreography also works really well. it’s a really technically solid number and keeps your attention really well.

- Born to Hand Jive (8/10)

this number was so chaotic. but in a good way maybe?? Marley was the star of the show. she was just having a blast out there. it was so great to see her just having the time of her life. Kitty on the other hand wtf is her problem. she is just so annoying. i have no patience for her stupid bullshit. she needs to Stop. Ryder and Jake are both good. Ryder is so sweet and pretty talented. Jake did the most when he removed Kitty from the situation. it was also great to have Mercedes’ voice and Mike Chang’s dance moves back. i was so distracted by the drama that i didn’t pay attention to the singing but the dancing was really fun. 

OTHER

- if the writers weren’t cowards they would have cast Sam as Danny Zuko and Blaine as Sandy in a queer reimagining of Grease

(or maybe i’m just writing a Blam fanfiction in my head) (also when did I start shipping them this hard) (i’m a bi Sam truther)

- Blaine going through it after his breakup makes sense but is really annoying to me for some reason

it makes sense because high schoolers are Like That when they go through their first breakup and Kurt and Blaine were in a very intense relationship. but i just can’t get over how he’s acting like this for Kurt. Kurt is the literal worst and Blaine can do so much better. no need for the dramatics, bestie. you’re better off without him. 

- Finn’s character is so interesting in this season

he’s this white guy who has nothing particularly special about him and no direction. and everyone’s like you’re so great and special, you can do anything. but like the only reason they’re saying that is because he is put on this white guy pedestal and treated like the best thing in the world. he’s starting to realize that he is not all that and that he probably is only qualified to work at Burt’s tire shop or maybe teach. and honestly he’s right. 

- Finn and Sue’s argument in Figgins’ office is a rich text that i feel i need to unpack a little

first, i don’t understand Sue’s motivations at all in this scene. in the past she has only really been bigoted as a tool to get what she wants. i never thought she believed anything she said that bigoted, she just didn’t really care and was willing to use bigotry to get what she wants or have power over people. (not that it’s not bigotry and it’s still wrong). however, in this scene, she has no motivation for not wanting Unique as Rizzo other that blatant transphobia. it’s not consistent with her character and feels really gross, because even though Sue is the villain we are still supposed to like her and she was kind of getting redeemed. but this is straight up inexcusable. 

second, her argument that it they are actually in the wrong because causing a stir in conservative spaces would put the child in danger is so weird. like she has a point and it feels weird to subject Unique to that but also how are marginalized children supposed to do anything if nobody stands up for them and gives them opportunities. in my opinion, it is up to the adults to protect the child and allow them the opportunity anyway. 

third, Finn handles the situation incredibly well. like a model of how he should handle it and then blows it by using an ableist slur. if they’re going to have a violently transphobic character, they need to have someone to counter balance and fight back, so why did they have to make him also in the wrong. it makes the ending feel weird. 

It feels like they were trying to both sides this issue when it’s not something that can be debated.Trans people exist whether Sue Sylvester and the conservatives want them to or not and they deserve the same rights and opportunities that cis people are afforded. this is not a both sides issue. the transphobes are in the wrong. this scene would have worked so much better if they had just let Finn win and be completely right, but instead they had him be ableist and undermine his correct viewpoint. it’s fucked up. the whole scene left a bad taste in my mouth. 

also will schuester is a coward and using Finn being the director is such a copout. stand up for your trans student and support the person the you appointed as director for the play 

[revisitingglee]

S4 E4 - The Break-Up

THE GOOD

- Finn only spending 16 days in the army is iconic

zero would have been better but that’s still so funny

- the transition from Finn leaving to Kitty’s “hello boobless” is perfect

so funny, the comedic timing on this show doesn’t miss

- the left behind club is very chaotic 

i kinda love it though. it’s hilarious (and comes out of nowhere) 

- go Emma!!

don’t let Will Schuester tell you what to do

- BRITTANA FOREVER

this episode really shows how they are the best couple. everyone else is losing their goddamn minds, cheating and having zero communication skills and brittana is out here having a mature conversation about taking a break and singing emotional ballads to each other. they are perfect and this is why they are endgame

- Rachel had a great moment of self-actualization during her final fight with Finn

i love how she realizes that she can make her own decisions and that she doesn’t need Finn.

(this gif sums up so much of this episode)

- i’m honestly not sad about any of the break ups 

i hate Kurt and Blaine’s relationship anyway, but they were also toxic. Finn and Rachel are holding each other back. Santana and Brittany need some time apart to grow back together. (also Santana needs to have her gay college experience)

THE BAD

- how the fuck did Blaine get to New York?

does he just have to money to take a last minute flight to New York on a Friday? (also school???)

- we can add misogyny to Mr. Schue’s list of crimes

he is never a good person, but the scene where he asks Emma to move with him really shows how shitty he is. this trash man can’t even treat the woman that he loves well. he expects her to just follow him around and do what he wants. good god. 

- Grease is a terrible choice for the musical

i know it had to be done, but it’s so tired

THE MUSICAL

- Barely Breathing (6/10)

this number is mid. i like the concept and Blaine and Finn sound good separately, but the moments were they’re both singing sound bad. the choreography is boring. i’m also tired of split perspective New York and Lima songs. i want a big group number so bad and all they give me are mid duets

- Give Your Heart a Break (8/10)

this number is surprisingly good. Brody and Rachel sound really good together and the piano arrangement is a really nice change. Brody and Rachel have really good chemistry and it makes this number work really well. it is awkward that Finn is watching this. 

- Teenage Dream (10/10)

this number is really good. Darren’s acting makes this work really well. the show has led up to this a lot but it does feel like a breaking point. i really liked it. i also love that they start their relationship with this song and end it. i love when writer’s do call backs like that. also Darren sings the hell out of this song. i think he is uniquely qualified to sing this and it works so well. 

- Don’t Speak (8/10)

this number is alright. i’m glad that it was a faster song and not another acoustic cover. i need some variety. the song fit very well with the situation. the singing was good and everyone sounded good together. this number was nothing special though. 

- Mine (10/10)

beautiful. let’s go lesbians. even lesbian break up songs are perfect. the use of taylor swift in this moment is masterful. Naya is truly the best person on this show. she is criminally underrated. (and it is so tragic that she is no longer with us) her singing is so beautiful. Naya and Heather’s acting is also amazing. they do such an amazing job and it’s what makes brittana truly perfect. 

- The Scientist (10/10)

iconic number. this song is really perfect for this moment. it captures the feeling that all of their break-ups have. the singing is great with the exception of the Will and Emma sections, but i’m glad they kept those short. i even think Kurt sounds good which is rare for me. the simple blocking and lighting works really well and fits the drama of the scene. i also love the flashbacks to early moments in their relationships. this is the first really well done number in season 4. 

OTHER

- Rachel being so happy and optimistic like she didn’t just cheat on Finn

- Kitty is so scary

i would be terrified to break up with her. i also forgot how religious and republican she is

- Finn and Rachel’s talk was weird

i’m glad they broke up though because Finn needs to figure himself out and Rachel is too good for him at the moment. he would only bring her down and he needs to figure out who he is without her

[revisitingglee]

S4 E3 - Makeover

THE GOOD

- Brittany forgetting she dated Artie is so funny

- Will’s bad set list ideas are incredible

wtf is a salute to autumn 

- Isabelle’s imposter syndrome is a mood

- also on the topic of Isabelle, i love her

Sara Jessica Parker is such a fun addition to the series

- Sam just changed the game for Blaine

losing the bow tie was so needed (i was literally complaining about this at the beginning of the episode so i’m so happy)

- i want more Stoner Brett

i feel like we would get along

- Sam stripping at the presidential debate so funny 

- actually the whole debate scene is perfect

- the timing of the “Becky, can i get a xylophone flourish” joke was so good 

THE BAD

- Blaine needs to lose the bow tie

his outfits wouldn’t be so bad without it, but it just makes him look so weird. idk why this teenage boy is dressing business casual at school everyday

- the fatphobia in this season is rough

i don’t know if i didn’t notice it before or if it is actually much worse, but it’s really bad

- the off your meds discussion in the vogue staff meeting was really uncomfortable

i don’t like the way they are making a joke out of mental illness and the implications about medication making you less creative are incredibly harmful

- college is nothing like high school when it comes to fashion

those dancer mean girls are so unrealistic. nobody gives a fuck what you wear in college. i wear sweat pants 5 days a week and nobody bats an eye. i could wear an evening gown to class and people wouldn’t give a single fuck.

THE MUSICAL

- Everybody Wants to Rule the World (6/10)

this number is so boring. Darren’s singing is good, but it’s nothing special. i did like the scenes of him in various clubs. that was fun, but the song choice made it feel off. this number left a lot to be desired and i wasn’t a fan. 

- Celebrity Skin (8/10)

i honestly love this number in a weird way. it’s very different from what they normally do on this show and it works. Heather and Chord’s vocals are great. they do a surprisingly good job. the choreography is fun and i always love when they involve the cheerios as backup dancers. their outfits are also very interesting (in a good way)

- The Way You Look Tonight/ You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile (5/10)

this number is not their best work. their voices don’t mesh well and Sara Jessica Parker’s singing is not great. the choreography is fine, but for a makeover scene, i wish there were more outfits. she spends most of the scene in this ugly black feather dress. they could have done so much more with the concept. this was such an easy concept and they failed miserably. the mash up was not my favorite. the songs didn’t work that well together and i wish they had just gone with the Annie song. 

- A Change Would Do You Good (4/10)

this number sucks. the singing is fine. the choreography/blocking is cliché and stupid. Rachel and Brodie have good chemistry but this just doesn’t work even a little bit. i think the song choice is the main problem, but they also just did a bad job all around on this number 

OTHER

- the hippo broach is something special 

- Kurt getting an internship at vogue with that interview is wild

his answers sucked. literally never say the interviewer is your style icon wtf

- AHHHH Finn showing up at the end

YIKES (i’m kinda team Brodie though ngl)

- not making Sam bi is a CRIME

Blam forever (i do think Sam would have his bi awakening in college, but i want him and Blaine to get together so bad it’s not even funny)

[revisitingglee]

S4 E2 - Britney 2.0

this episode is incredibly chaotic in both a good way and a bad way

THE GOOD

- Brittany’s breakdown

this scene is hilarious. her hitting Jacob with an umbrella is so funny and the Britney references are great. (it is slightly uncomfortable that they are making fun of Britney Spears’ breakdown) 

- the 3 scene

this scene was off the rails. i have no idea what was happening but it hilarious. also the contrast of the fun acoustic song to the breakdown to Jake scootering down the hallway is perfect

- i feel like Jake’s scooter/religious protest skipping class has crossed over the so bad it’s good line

it is so ridiculous 

THE BAD

- how much is Kurt and Rachel’s rent?

their apartment is huge and beautiful. it would cost a fortune irl

- the intro scene to womanizer felt like an alternate reality

it came out of nowhere, the acting felt really strange, and it felt a little out of place

- i really just can’t see Jake as an edgy bad boy

- “i’m into music with actual instruments”

this feels sexist

- the fatphobia

i know that the fatphobic jokes are supposed to be mean, but they are still hard to hear. i feel like they are more condemned in terms of how they affect Marley and not how they affect her mom, who is the one actually being insulted. it’s wrong to say those things about fat people because they are incorrect and hurt the fat people, not because they hurt the fat person’s thin daughter 

- PAINTING OVER THE EXPOSED BRICK IN THAT APARTMENT IS A CRIME!!!!!!!!!!

THE MUSICAL

Hold It Against Me (9/10)

this number is pretty good. i really like the choreography. it fits the fast pace of the song really well. the weird things they were flipping were weird but i didn’t hate them. overall, a fun (and sexy) number

Boys/Boyfriend (7/10)

the mashup worked really well, but this number is not my favorite. i’m not vibing with Blaine’s style right now and watching him trying to be sexy gave me the ick. this number is also weird because it is a gay actor playing a straight character and straight actor playing a gay character singing to a straight actress playing a bisexual character. idk what this means but it’s weird. the choreography was also weird. 

Womanizer (8/10)

this was a fun number. i really liked to gym scene at the end and library scene was fun too. the backup dancers’ outfits were horrendous. i know it was the fashion at the time but they aged so badly. the singing wasn’t perfect but it was fine and the high energy distracted from it. the choreography was solid.

3 (9/10)  

this number is actually really good. the singing is great. their voices work really well together and the acoustic arrangement sounds really good. it’s also funny to think about Joe, Tina and Sam having a threesome

Crazy/’U Drive Me Crazy (8/10)

this was a fine number. i found it kinda boring. i adore Melissa Benoist and she did a great job, but it just wasn’t that interesting. i don’t like Jake’s voice that much. the mashup worked but the arrangement was boring. they could have done more with the songs. 

Oops!... I Did It Again (9/10)

this number is trying too hard to be sexy. i know that sort of the point, but it still seems overboard. i don’t think Rachel is super sexy, but she does have some sex appeal and they didn’t need to overdo it. i also wish they would have done a tango here. that would have worked better. it felt weird that she wasn’t doing the assignment for the class, she was just trying to seduce her teacher for a grade? this song is great though and i would listen to it anytime

Gimme More (8/10)

this was not the best train wreck assembly performance in the show, but it was alright. her lip synching was actually really good. the choreography was good and it was fun the see Brittany doing a bad job but still being an amazing dancer. like even at her worst she is still an impressively good dancer. 

Everytime (7/10)

Marley is great but this was also boring. i did like everyone being sad about their relationships and seeing Brittany watch Santana be unavailable on skype was tragic. but there was nothing special or interesting about this number

OTHER

- why did Brittany just now become academically ineligible for the cherrios?

it’s a sport, so they should have some GPA necessary to be on the team. that’s how most schools work. this feels like a plot hole, but it could be explained by Sue not following any rules and the cherrios getting away with murder.  

[revisitingglee]

S4 E1 - The New Rachel

THE GOOD 

- Sam’s Taylor Lautner impression is perfect

- Robin is so cute!!

and i love her name!!

- Unique joining the New Directions!!!

she is awesome!! 

- Marley

she is great! i love her voice and she is so sweet. i also absolutely love Melissa Benoist!!

- Kurt peaking in high school is so funny

he would

- Kurt and Blaine’s conversation is very sweet

it’s one of the rare moments that i actually think they work together

THE BAD

- “if your not suffering from severe body dysmorphia, then you don’t want it enough” 

this is not a funny joke.

- Cassandra is a bad teacher

the whole belittling her students thing doesn’t make her edgy, it just makes her bad at her job.

- i know this is the point, but i still hate the whole New Rachel thing

it’s so annoying.

- they’re being transphobic to Unique and it’s Not Cool

i know they don’t realize it, but they still need to knock it off

- Artie was always mean, so him saying rude stuff about the lunch lady is unsurprising, but it still sucks 

- i don’t like how Marley’s mom has internalized fatphobia

i Hated It when she said she’ll pick Marley up around the corner, so no one sees that she’s her mom

- Jake

Jake is fine, but it’s annoying that he’s Puck’s brother. we didn’t need that. i wish he was just his own character. also he just doesn’t seem like he has anger issues. it doesn’t fit him. we don’t need Puck 2.0. we need a new interesting character with his own personality.

THE MUSICAL

- Call Me Maybe (5/10)

this number sucked. it really sucks that this is the first number of season 4. it’s boring. the singing and dancing is fine, but none of them are that impressive. they’ve all done better. they didn’t do Carly Rae Jepson justice. 

- Americano/Dance Again (10/10)

this number is so hot. Kate Hudson looks incredible. it makes me feel so gay. the choreography is so good. the mash up works perfectly and her singing is excellent. my only issue is that her spanish pronunciation is very white. 

- Never Say Never (6/10)

i don’t really like Jake’s voice. it’s too whiny. this was also a bad song choice. overall, not it.

- New York State of Mind (10/10)

i really like this number. Marley is an incredible singer and i like that she’s more humble than Rachel. she did have some weird moments with her arms. Rachel does an amazing job like usual, but it’s good to see her nervous and less sure of herself. plus i love this song. i’m a huge Billy Joel fan. 

- It’s Time (10/10)

this number has such a great vibe. you all know i love Darren Criss and he was excellent in this number. the choreo is fun! i like the jump rope part a lot. it’s a really cute number. 

- Chasing Pavements (10/10)

Marley can sing!! she is so great. i love her so much. the choreography in this number was super basic, but it makes sense, because it’s supposed to be a rehearsal. this number is really good though

[revisitingglee]

Season 3 Episode Ranking

[revisitingglee]

Season 3 Song Rankings

[revisitingglee]

Season 3 Wrap-up

overall, this season was kind of all over the place. they covered a lot. there were some great storylines like Santana and Brittany getting together, Finn figuring out what to do with his life, Beiste dealing with domestic violence, Krofsky dealing with mental health and bullying, Quinn dealing with her trauma around her pregnancy and Beth and the whole troubletones drama. there were also some terrible storylines like Rachel and Finn’s wedding situation, Quinn’s car accident, and Rachel trying to get into NYADA. i liked most of the music, although as always there were some truly terrible numbers. this season was definitely the worst one yet. i like both season 1 and 2 better. but overall not a bad season. 

[revisitingglee]

S3 E22 - Goodbye

THE GOOD

- the sit down your rocking the boat reprise was cute

i wish they would have shown the dance more than Will though

- BURT HUMMEL IS THE BEST FATHER IN THE WORLD

this whole episode it about nostalgia. so here’s some of my own. remember when they tried to make it seem like he was going to be the typical homophobic redneck father. then they subverted that expectation by making him the most accepting, emotional intelligent father. what a king!! (and really great writing)

- i kinda agree with Santana’s mom

New York will always be there, but going to college first is a smart plan

- 0.0 GPA

lmao, it honestly would be weird if Brittany graduated, so i’m glad they did this (plus another season with Heather Morris!!)

- “i planted the pot in your locker to blackmail you” “you are so much cooler than i thought you were”

lmao, so funny and sweet

- the scene when Puck gets his test score is so cute

i love that they all came to support him (i’m glad he graduated too)

- Kurt not getting in makes perfect sense

there’s nothing about him that is different from any other musical theater boy

- Finn did the right thing by breaking up with Rachel

they both need to grow and focus on themselves before they get married

THE BAD

- it looks like Kurt is floating down the hallway

it’s so obvious that he’s not walking

- Finn shouldn’t join the military just because his dad did

being an actor is a better career move 

- i used to like Puck and Quinn together, but it feels weird right now for some reason

maybe just too quick

- Rachel should not have gotten in

i know Carmen liked her nationals performance, but she shouldn’t have gotten a second chance just for being annoying. 

- Finn did the wrong thing by enlisting in the military

gross

THE MUSICAL

- Forever Young (8/10)

as much as i hate Will, this song kinda got me. it did make me feel like i did at the end of senior year. he also did a good job with the singing. he is actually okay at singing rougher songs like this. i also got a little emotional seeing them all look at each other. 

- Single Ladies (10000/10)

I LOVE BURT HUMMEL!!! this is one of the cutest scenes in the whole show. what a perfect moment. also Mike O’Malley nailed that dance. I love it!!!

- I’ll Remember (7/10)

this was kinda boring. it wasn’t interesting enough to distract me from not liking Kurt’s voice. also they’ve already done the nostalgic looking around the room thing twice, so it feels less emotional. 

- Get What You Give (9/10)

Finn really stole the show in this one. he’s been in the background so much lately. It was really nice to see him at his best. which is when he being a total cheeseball. he’s so cute. this number is really cute. i liked how they symbolically passed on the glee club.  

- In My Life (7/10)

this song is also very boring. they’ve done them singing emotional songs to each other three times now and it’s just boring at this point. they sang well though. 

- Glory Days (10/10)

this is the perfect graduation number. they all look so happy and like they are having so much fun!! it’s so great!! i love that Puck and Finn sang it too. all of their walks to get their diplomas were perfect too!!

- Roots Before Branches (8/10)

this song is very fitting, but it’s also just so boring omg. i’m so over dramatic Rachel ballads. hopefully we get less of them now that she’s at NYADA. 

[revisitingglee]

S3 E21 - Nationals

THE GOOD

- the show must go wrong

the days leading up to a show/competition are always a shitshow, so Mercedes’ food poisoning is unfortunately very real

- the fight in rehearsal is so accurate

i’ve been there (i personally think over rehearsing too close to performance can be worse for you, but it is the reality)

- i liked Jessie and Rachel’s talk

it felt very real. there’s a lot of complex emotions behind it, but they are also very genuine 

- I LOVE THEIR COMPETITION DRESSES!!!

THE BAD

- honestly, nothing. it’s a pretty great episode

THE MUSICAL

- Edge of Glory (10/10)

AMAZING!! this number is so good. i love the choreography! they all sing great! i love the troubletones. i’m so glad they held up the bargain and gave them a number. they deserve it!! (i still think they are better than the new directions)

- It’s All Coming Back to Me Now (10/10)

as much as i don’t like her, this number is incredible. she sings the hell out of it. i also love Lea’s acting in this scene. the subtle celebration when Carmen shows up, but still staying in character for the song was great. great number overall

- Paradise by the Dashboard Light (10/10)

this is one of the best numbers in the whole show. they absolutely nail it. it’s the perfect blend of their usual format with a song and choreo that really changes is up. the choreography is the perfect mix of clean synchronistic moves and fun dancing. they all sing incredibly well. it’s a perfect take on the song. this is one of the rare instances where i like the glee song more than the actual song. i absolutely love this number. 

- Starships (10/10)

this number is the quintessential vocal adrenaline number. it is very good technically. the choreography is wild. (in a good way). Unique is so great. but it also just doesn’t have very much heart. it’s very cold and impersonal. which makes sense for a vocal adrenaline performance. it’s no doesn’t beat Paradise. (or Bohemian Rhapsody)

- Pinball Wizard (10/10)

Unique really shines in this number. this is her number. the choreography is less cool in this number. the pinball machines are cool, but it lets them get away with worse choreography. i really liked this number though. it was really great!!

- Tongue Tied (10/10)

this is one of my favorite songs, so i could have really hated this number. put i don’t. i honestly love it. it works so well. they sing it pretty true to the original which is great. i also am a sucker for the end of the school year montage. (i could have done without the Will and Emma sex part though, gross) they did the song justice!!

- We are the Champions (10/10)

this number is really cute!! the hugs shouldn’t have gotten me like that, but they did. it was a predictable moment, but also fitting. i loved it!!

OTHER

- i still think Emma is an ace queen

the way she talks about sex seems like she’s a sex neutral asexual. she says that she wanted to do it for him. so, she recognizes that it is not important to her (because she doesn’t experience sexual attraction maybe) but she’s willing to do it to make him feel good. asexuality is not new, but it wasn’t a mainstream idea at the time, i don’t think. i don’t think that they purposefully made her ace or that they are ignoring it. i just don’t think they had the awareness at the time. but they did accidentally create good ace representation. 

[revisitingglee]

S3 E20 - Props

this episode is a garbage fire

THE GOOD 

- Blaine as Pauly D is the funniest thing i have ever seem

he pulls it off ngl

- ARTIE’S CHEERIO PONYTAIL

- Lea Michele can totally pull off the goth look

very unexpected

- it is fun to watch them try to play other characters

but this episode concept is stupid

- the scene with Beiste and Puck is so good

this show does have it’s moments

- the scene with where Beiste leaves Cooter is really powerful

i loved the line “who’s going to love you like i did” “me”. really great

- Beiste for teacher of the century

this is what a teacher should be

THE BAD

- i don’t love the language that they are using when talking about Unique

she is very clearly trans (not a drag queen). Kurt and Mercedes should be using the right pronouns. Sue, i understand, but using “he/she” seemed pretty transphobic to me. 

- i know last minute set lists are kinda their thing, but they should have started working on their nationals numbers as soon as they qualified. if this were real life they would absolutely not have enough time. perfecting show choir numbers takes way longer than a week

- rachel’s “my life is so hard monologue” is the most obnoxious thing i’ve ever heard

it made me want to punch her

- i hate how senior’s get right before they graduate 

like chill, high school sucks. your life is about to get so much better. i promise it seems like the world is ending, but it’s not. 

- you can see m****** m********’s whole dick in that tracksuit

i want to die

- i don’t like the way they are talking about drag

yes, Kurt should have a choice, but he doesn’t need to put down the art form to choose not to participate

- Brittany’s comment about not being totally gay, so it wouldn’t be a hate crime is biphobic

this show has a long track record of biphobia and bierasure. if any other show had this line i probably wouldn’t care, but in this show it’s part of a trend and i’m tired. bisexuals are just as much a part of the lgbtq+ community as everyone else. fuck Ryan Murphy’s biphobic ass. 

- i know it’s Sue that said it but the big nose comment about Rachel is anti-Semitic

not a good look

- Carmen needs to tell Rachel to fuck off

she is too much. she needs to accept her failure and try again next year. you can’t always get what you want

THE MUSICAL

- I Won’t Give Up (6/10)

this number was really boring. also her singing is not good. i don’t love lea michele’s voice, but she is usually a pretty technically good singer. this just wasn’t it though. she sounded really weird. this song is really easy to sing, so it’s especially weird. overall, terrible number

- Because You Loved Me (7/10)

also boring. i spent the whole number focusing on how well they were playing other characters. Jenna’s a fine singer. she did a good job. it was just very uninteresting and she didn’t have the technical perfection that Lea has, so it was easy to get distracted. 

- Mean (8/10)

the singing wasn’t perfect, but i really liked this number. i actually think the rough vocals added to it. i wish they would have made the song more their own. it felt a little too poppy at times. but overall, good number and a great moment between Puck and Beiste

- Flashdance...What a Feeling (7/10)

this number was fine. it was fun and upbeat and it had the best singing in the episode. the choreography wasn’t great though.