Glee: Dueting and Dueting It Well

Recaps

By BirschTalk | Thursday, October 14, 2010 | 2:00 pm | 33 Comments
Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in: Featured, Glee, Recaps

Awww. That’s better. So fresh and so clean clean… I was so tired and groggy this morning I had to take a shower before I would allow myself to watch Glee and you give you darlings the play by play. Oddly enough, there was also lot of talk about showering in the “that’s what you missed on Glee” this week. Well, showering and boys watching other boys showering so ol’ Birschy has a hunch that this may be the ep where Kurt and new guy Sam make zee love connection.

The ep starts off eerily quiet with a strange announcement from Shue telling the glang that Puck is in juvi for stealing an ATM. And since we don’t know when Puck will be back, the new guy Sam jogs into the band room with a smooth Dr. Seuess reference. He’s going to be Puck’s replacement. Hmph. How convenient. Everyone seems stoked on Sam and even more stoked on Shue’s weekly assignment- duets. The winner of their duet competition will get to go to Breadsticks on Ol’ Good Two-Shues. And everyone is apparently bananas over breadsticks. What is it about teens and breadsticks? There was a pizza place that sold “Stuff Stix” at my high school growing up. Kids would spend most of their lunch hour in the line only to scarf down one or two before lunch ended.

Kurt tracks down Sam in the halls and accuses him of dying his hair blonde. Sam denies it and throws on a “dude” on the end cause they’re talking about hair. Kurt apologizes for being so accusatory and to make up for it offers to be Sam’s duet partner, or should I say “do it” partner. Hey-oh!

HOLY mother of Sappho! Brittany and Santana are making out in Brittany’s room! This is just too good to be true, my gleeloveds.

201010131204
Good thing Sue lifted the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Cheerio Policy

The pair of them have made little gaybo comments before but we haven’t seen them mac on each other and chat casually about scissoring. It IS too good to be true though, Santana is only lezzin’ out cause Puck’s in juvi. This seems to hurt Brittany’s feelings, especially when she says she won’t do a duet with her about making lady babies. If they made Brittany’s character gay I would have a party.

At the lockers, Santana talks Mercedes into a duet. I am SO looking forward to hearing this. I wonder what sort of hip hop duet these two soulful voices are gonna chew up and spit out. They’ve already tackled Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine,” so it will interesting to see what they’re gonna do next. LOVE their voices together.

In the cafeteria, Finn begs Kurt not to do a duet with Sam for the sake of the glee club. Finn’s afraid it will turn Sam into the laughing stock of McKinley and then he’ll end up quitting Nude Erections.

In a rehearsal, Finn and Rachel sing Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which was totally cute in a kitschy sort of way. Although, I think the gay club Rue Paul/Elton John version trumps the Glee version in terms of “kitschy cute.” It makes me giggle when Finn hands the drum sticks to someone else for a seamless transition from percussion to dance. They’ve done that before and I always like that they bother to show it as if THAT is some sort of proof that this is possible… Anywho, by the end of the song Rachel is inspired by Finn’s selflessness and they decide they’re going to throw the duet competition so Sam can win. That way he will (Breath in, Birschy) want to stay in glee and then he will be able to help them win Nationals. (Breath out.)

Mike and Tina are arguing in the library about their duet. Mike doesn’t wanna sing and Tina insists that he does more than just dance. They’re also arguing about Mike always needing everything to be Asian. Poor Tina can’t even order a salad that doesn’t come with some sort of random animal part. My best friend is half Chinese. I never let her live down the fact that she enjoys duck chins.

In a nice little parallel, Brittany tells Artie that she wants him to be her boyfriend so she can wheel him around in a stroller. Artie, of course, is down. No more Brittany boobies for Santana.

Finn tries to talk Sam out of singing a duet with Kurt in the locker room. According to Finn, that would mean a death sentence at McKinley. Maybe not the best phrase to use at the current time… Sam tells Finn he’s gonna stick to his word. And before I forget, gals and glays, here’s your topless man shot-

201010131317

Sam gets slushied immediately in the halls and Quinn helps him get cleaned in up in what I can only assume is a unisex bathroom. They try to throw us off the trail by having Sam tell Quinn she’s got pretty eyes in Na’vi. Or maybe they’re not. Maybe Sam is going to turn out to be Quinn’s new distraction but whether he turns out to be gay or straight, I love that they’ve made him a comic book geek/fan boy. A stereo type, of course, but a modern high school stereotype, at least.

Burt Hummel is home from the hospital and Kurt is taking care of him in a Mrs. Kurt Grundy sort of way. Kurt tells his dad about how Finn is trying to talk him out of doing a duet with Sam. Burt seems to think that might be a good idea until Kurt finds somebody as open as brave as him. Which I sort of understand but at the same time, we’re just talking about a duet. The issue is not Kurt being predatory towards a straight dude, the issue is Kurt singing a duet with a supposed straight dude! Right? Am I missing something?

In glee, Santana and Mercedes sing Ike & Tina Turner’s River Deep Mountain High. Woooeee! This little ditty had more sass than sassafras. (What is sassafras anyway, a tree?) I especially loved the drum break down but even with all the attitude and vocal power this version still only had one third the passion delivered by Mrs. Turner’s original. Holy lord that woman can sing from her soul.

Kurter Pan has a quick awkward convo with Sam while he showers and

201010131415

Kurt frees Sam of his duet obligation. Then Kurt faints and Sam has to clap until the fairy comes back to life. (It’s another Peter Pan ref, homophobes.)

Rachel is freaking out about winning the duet competition and Finn suggests they sing a horrible, offensive song, most likely from Grease 2.

In glee, Kurt announces he’s going to sing a solo duet and performs “Le Jazz Hot” from Victor Victoria. I will admit complete bias because I love that film so very much but this was a perfect song to sing for Kurt. Brilliant, I think actually. Quite. I wasn’t the only one who liked this though, I swear I caught Sam licking his big ol’ lips.

Okay, so Sam must have just been thirsty licking those lips earlier cause he totally just tried to kiss Quinn. She wanted to but she rejects his advance. She also decides to refrain from doing a duet with Sam to avoid distraction from getting her life back on track. Loosen up, Quinn! Oh, wait…

Of course, Mike and Tina’s duet is naturally the song “Sing” from A Chorus Line. A little bit grating but still endearing enough. And I’m actually liking Mike now that they’ve started giving him lines. The kid can act. Maybe a bit over the top but that’s par for the Gleef course. Brittany taking her gum out of her mouth to join in the chorus was nice little touch.

Awesome. Rachel and Finn celebrate with a fist pound cause they talked Sam and Quinn into doing a duet together after all. Seriously for some reason, If I see a couple high five I think it’s the most darling thing in the world. A fist pound is pretty cute too.

Speaking of pounding, Artie is at Brittany’s and they supposedly end up doing it with each other. This AFTER Artie admits still having feelings for Tina. Somehow, Brittany carrying Artie to bed makes her even hotter than she already is, which I thought was impossible.

Glee.S02E04.Hdtv.Xvid-Lol.[Vtv].Avi-1-2
I know that’s really not me, just pretend, dammit!

 

In priest/nun’s clothing, Finn and Rachel do their offensive version of Billy Preston’s “I’m Born Again.” I’ve never heard that song until now and I think it’s just keen. I listened to a few different versions and Preston’s is my favorite, although both he and Tom Jones hit a particularly low low note when singing “woman” that Finn isn’t quite man enough to hit.

Sam and Quinn sing Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat’s “Lucky.” It was, as Santana said, “charming.” No frills, minimal auto tune, just them. Although I hope that’s the last Mraz song we have to hear. Just kidding. No I’m not. I used to like him. No I didn’t.

Woah, serious moment with Brittany. Artie is totally upset with her for taking his virginity and she feels horrible. Shue announce Quinn and Sam as the winners in glee. Santana almost murders someone but eventually she accepts the results. Telling you, breadsticks are teen crack.

Rachel has been noticing Kurt looking a bit down so she gives him a really sweet pep talk. It was the kind of encouragement that’s been going around in the various viral celebrity youtube vids as a result of the recent gay teen suicides. So I suppose that I can forgive the writers for misleading us into thinking we’d also have a less stereotypically gay character on the show, as long as they’re helping the openly gay character through his loneliness. And maybe that’s a more realistic approach anyway. Sadly…

Quinn’s non-date with Sam at Breadsticks turns into a real date after he reveals that his deep, literally dark, secret was putting lemon juice in his hair. And now my heart is a breaking cause Brittany is in the next-a booth a pushing a meat-a-ball to the other side of her plate!

The ep ends with a satin-y Rachel and Kurt duo singing “Get Happy/Happy Day are Here Again.” My favorite duet of the Duet episode. It sounded to me like a sad pretty lady, eating a smooth creamy ice cream cone… Think about it… Or don’t. The End.

201010131706
It’s a sitting down can-can!

I gotta admit I’m not sure how I feel about this one, my gleeloveds. It started out strong and then took a predictable non-predictable turn, but then ended well. I suppose if this ep was an argument, it would win.

Thanks for sticking with me. Talk at you next week.

yours and everyone else’s,

BirschTalk

Glines O’ the Week
“…And sometimes when you’re not looking I put weird things in your food.” Santana

“… for a while I thought you were a robot.” Brittany to Artie

BirschTalk lives in Los Angeles, writing and performing comedy... What, are you writing a book?

33 Comments

  1. 1
    Angela Parisi LaRoe
    Posted October 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    I don’t watch Glee but I saw Heather Morris making out with that chick and I was like, “Score!”

    You did a great recap. I might just watch it now because your recaps make me want to watch the show Birsch.

  2. 2
    vallegirl vallegirl
    Posted October 14, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    I think the offensive part of Rachel & Finn’s duet wasn’t the song, which is really lovely in a totally 70s kind of way, but the fact that they were dressed like a priest and a nun singing that song.

    And I loved Rachel & Kurt’s duet bes, especially after I learned that it was originally a duet between Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland, which made it even more perfect.

    I never understood why the writers didn’t make Rachel and Kurt friends since they really do have a lot in common and should have gravitated toward each other in middle school, but at least they had her go up to him and tell him that she understands that he’s lonely but he’s not alone. It may have made me cry.

  3. 3
    Loiseauchante
    Posted October 14, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    I just have to say that it took forever for Tvgasm to get a good recapper for Glee! I know they went through quite a few, but finally, they found you, and you are AWESOME!! Always funny, and I look forward to it every week. Nude Erections = amazing :D <3

  4. 4
    sheesh
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 8:22 am

    Birsch..I remember sassafrass tea from my childhood. It’s a happy memory!

    I am not a regular Glee watcher but whenever the boyfriend and I are surfing channels we are stopping on this show more and more.

    I loved Victor/Victoria and I was nervous that Kurt wasn’t going to be able to go through the whole octave range that the incredible Julie Andrews did (God that gave me chills!)but he was GREAT!

  5. 5
    giffordsaz
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 10:34 am

    Thank you for recappping the show. Glee is a fvorite of mine and I was a bit shocked for the Brit/Santa makeout scene. Mainly because you have 17,000,000 third graders watching. Last week they didn’t show “all that” with Finn/Rach when he touch her boobs, they cut back to a kiss and I wonder how a parent watching with an 8 year old explains two cheerleaders scissoring. I know these writers dealt with MAJOR sexual story lines in Nip Tuck, which I enjoyed. But come on Nip Tuck was late night…. I don’t know if I was a parent of small kids who like Glee I would want to have to talk about girl on girl action just because a boy is not available or a Paracap losing his virginity in a calculated move to gain a duet partner. Could they get back to hating other Glee groups? Could they show me some more of the amazing Football Coach? In a week without a MAJOR HOLLYWOOD ICON or John Stamos, could we see a bit nore of the regulars? Where the hell was SUE!!!!!!!!!!

    On Glee.. no Sue….Boo to YOU!

  6. 6
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 1:28 pm

    Angela, you are too kind, love.

  7. 7
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    vallegirl, great point. Rachel and Kurt would/should totally be close friends. I actually found Rachel’s pep talk to Kurt very genuine and quite moving, indeed. Which is interesting comparison to all of these “you’re not alone/things get better” gay celebrity vids going around. I found Rachel’s to be much more effective, even lost a few tears m’self… (Except for the guy from Texas. That shit tore me up.)

    http://tv.gawker.com/5663083/this-is-the-most-touching-it-gets-better-video-you-will-ever-see

  8. 8
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    Loise, you can’t see my cheeks but they are BRIGHT red. Thank you so much, sweetheart… But I have to give credit where credit is due and tell you that I use “Nude Erections” on behalf of clever little bird named zbird. But you can’t take back the compliment! ;)

  9. 9
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    gifford, you little poet, you. :D I agree, a Glee ep without Sue is just not as magical. But I’m thankful they don’t overuse her. We can’t expect her to be there to foil EVERY Nude Erections endeavor!

    As for the Santana/Brittany scene I’m not sure how that’s any different than say for example Brittany and Artie actually having sex? They’ve established that Santana is promiscuous in general so I’m not sure I understand your concern, honey. In the first place, I would not allow a third grader to watch the show. The content is certainly too “mature” and if I were a parent they would at least have to be in their tweens before they could ever call themselves a gleek.

  10. 10
    vallegirl vallegirl
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    You can’t make me watch the Ft. Worth councilmember again. Just thinking about his video is making me tear up already. He’s awesome but that video is so emotional.

  11. 11
    giffordsaz
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    I just want to make clear is not the scene in itself but the time it is shown. As I stated I watched Nip Tuck, by the same writers, and saw no problem because the program was on late night. And I did say I had issues with Artie losing his virginity and explaining that to a young child when all I wanted to do was hear some singing. The show has many many viewers in the young range because of the time they put it on tv. Many parents would never know what their kids were watching and assume it is fine because of the time it is on.

  12. 12
    birschtalk
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 2:44 pm

    Ah, I see now, thanks, giff. Yes, that time slot does seem a bit more accessible to youngins…

  13. 13
    nashuaf
    Posted October 15, 2010 at 8:16 pm

    I’m so sick of people immediately jumping up to blame network programming for their poor parenting! Glee is well known for putting in some racy bits!

    -Ms. Pillsbury telling Rachel that her lack of a gag reflex will help her later in life.
    -An openly gay character attempting to hit on Finn.
    -Finn using prayer to want to touch his girlfriends breasts.

    Quit trying to blame a TV show that’s already made it clear that it is NOT for small children. And on top of that, THE SHOW IS ON FOX AT 8 PM!!! FOX! The same channel that brought you “Hell’s Kitchen” (cursing), “Who’s Your Daddy”, “Celebrity Boxing”, “Temptation Island”, and many more winners, all in the 8 pm time slot! Everyone knows that 8:00 is the start of more adult entertainment!

    An 8 year old child watching Fox past 8:00 is on the parents. You could have them watch Biggest Loser (promote healthy living and overcoming personal challenges), or whatever’s on Nickelodian or the Disney Channel…or if that’s all still to offensive for you, the Hallmark channel is showing “Little House on the Prairie”.

    QUIT POINTING FINGERS BEFORE YOU LOOK AT YOURSELF FIRST!

  14. 14
    itchy
    Posted October 16, 2010 at 6:38 am

    Meanwhile, I just found out that Glee’s doing their own version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show … well, be still my heart… Of course, these actors parents weren’t even fetuses back when I went through my mildly obsessive Saturday midnight Rocky Horror phase… but the songs sound pretty great already… EW has them posted, if anyone’s interested.

  15. 15
    Zbird
    Posted October 16, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Awesome cap as always, Birsh. I really liked this episode, although I, too, was surprised to see Sam hit on Quinn. I really thought he would be Kurt’s love interest, although that might still happen in the inconsistent world that is our beloved Glee.

    Um, nashuaf? Ease up. Really. It’s just a show, and giffordsaz was just stating her opinion. Yes, I guess you were stating your opinion too, but you didn’t need to get ugly and offensive about it.

  16. 16
    vallegirl vallegirl
    Posted October 16, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    I know this should be taken with a grain of salt because they’re cast members but I thought Overstreet said they hadn’t shot any scenes yet where he and Kurt were dating. He didn’t say yes or no to the rumor, just that if it were to happen it would probably be in the second half of the season. Plus, there is now some doubt as to who, if anyone, will be Kurt’s boyfriend because there was a casting notice about another guy joining the cast. Of course, I haven’t a clue how/where I heard or read that, though.

    Also, as someone who has a name that’s almost as fake sounding at Chord Overstreet (but never anywhere near as bad as Tommy Tune) I will quote Mr. Tune in defending those of us with ridiculously fake sounding names, “Why would anyone make up a name like that?” Chord Overstreet is such a silly name it has to be his given one.

  17. 17
    giffordsaz
    Posted October 16, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    nashuaf, get over yourself. My youngest is turning 18 in a few weeks and I wasn’t talking about myself. If I was maybe what you wrote would hurt or anger me. I am happy you have a point of view that you can state so clearly, but could attack me a bit more harshly? I don’t feel you totally offended me and I really want you to have that chance. And all the parents out there of tweeners.. they need a little more of your lovin’ too.

  18. 18
    jayem
    Posted October 16, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    Great recap!

    I enjoyed the episode immensely. And although I usually think Rachel is f*cking annoying as hell, her duet with Kurt was fantastic and the duet with Finn was so funny I rewound it and watched it again.

    They all really killed it this week. Mike and Tina were amazing and Santana and Mercedes should definitely sing together more often. I liked Kurt’s solo act too. I liked Sam and Quinn together. I hope they take it slow and really build a relationship.

    I missed Puck and thought it was really odd that he wasn’t in the episode. I hope he comes back soon.

  19. 19
    georgiababe
    Posted October 17, 2010 at 1:02 am

    In response to Sam being Kurt’s boyfriend, I don’t think it’s going to happen. It was just a rumor during the summer and they have since hired Darren Criss (aka the guy who plays Harry Potter in the YouTube videos “A Very Potter Musical” and the sequel) to play a gay student. Makes more sense that he would be with Kurt, instead of having Sam (who just hit on Quinn, obvs) suddenly realize that he’s gay.

  20. 20
    itchy
    Posted October 17, 2010 at 1:29 am

    Um, at the last high school reunion, I was surprised at how many apparently straight kids from my high school turned out to be gay/lesbian after all. Never suspected anything from any of them back in the day. So Sam hitting on Quinn would be consistent with that. It’d be an interesting storyline to develop.

    Although I can’t quite get past his Joker lips. Ick. Someone’s grandma gave him “such a pinch” when he was a baby, that’s for sure.

    Oh yeah, Glee is the least offensive show on Fox. It’s like that channel has a split personality. It’s too bad they didn’t call it Bear Broadcasting. Then we could call it the Bipolar network.

  21. 21
    nashuaf
    Posted October 17, 2010 at 2:38 am

    Gifford, you were the ONLY person voicing a problem with the cheerleader scene. If you had a problem with the scene, then yeah, my comment was directed at you (and anyone else who had an issue with it).

    If you DIDN’T have a problem with the scene, then it’s even sadder that you would be posting all that “shock” (your word, not mine) about the situation. Or do you just need the attention?

  22. 22
    itchy
    Posted October 17, 2010 at 6:15 am

    Hey, uh, nash…back off. There’s no room for personal attacks here, and everyone has the right to their opinion.

    As the father of young children (preteens), I wouldn’t let them watch Glee, but only because it’d be way over their heads (and they hate all that singing and dancing stuff). There’s worse on TV — I was really pissed off about No Ordinary Family, which I found completely unsuitable for young kids, at least the first episode. Though I tend to object more to the jaded sarcasm and rampant disrespect on these shows than anything else.

  23. 23
    juddfan
    Posted October 17, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    Finally a good epi! Burt lives . . as for obligatory “gay” cap, make sure you do one of Burt if he ever does one, otherwise . . ew–but that’s just me, I’m sure . . . ;)
    Itchy, interesting-when I went to my 20th reunion it was for the sole purpose of being my fabulous gay self, but I must say-they all knew!
    I know my nieces worship this show, so I confess, I cringe sometimes, but I thought the meatball was hysterical!

    Great recap, Birsch!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO

  24. 24
    ellemck1
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 6:48 am

    Siiighs… Puck is gone. I can’t have this show without my Puck fix!!! Mark, get your (hot) butt back on this show so I can watch it!

    Loved the recap Birsch… you make me laugh!

  25. 25
    birschtalk
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 8:16 am

    nash/giff- I don’t want to get in the middle of this, I just want to say you are both my gleeloveds, and I hate to see my gleeloveds fight!

    As itchy points out, at least we can all agree that the new guy Sam must need to use a deodorant size chapstick.

    judd, your posts tickle m’heart. :)

  26. 26
    giffordsaz
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 8:54 am

    @Nasuaf, you are getting a little closer to offending me…. may be one more college try fella. but I will point out this gem… TVGasm isn’t ab out everyone agreeing to what they watch and like or dislike. If I write something you don’t like it doesn’t mean you have to attack and have little hissy fits over it… it just means we have different points of view. Throwing your he-man dominating b etter than me attitude around isn’t going to get me to change my mind. I have never really told anyone what I think about Care Bears… mainly because it never came up and I just felt you didn’t need to hear it. But you can keep posting over and over again so we all have to see your carebear with out the worry someone is going to attack you.

  27. 27
    itchy
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 10:03 am

    I’m just pissed off that no one got my bi-polar bear joke. Grrr. Grrowwwlll.

  28. 28
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    Thanks, elle!

    BTW, y’all, I am totally NOT a star fucker but it’s probably not entirely pathetic to say here that I was out to dinner on Friday night and Lea Michele was having some pizza at the table next to me. Doesn’t that make me SUPER cool?!? Don’t answer because it in fact does not.

    itchy, any joke involving a bear gets an “A.”

  29. 29
    tvaholic
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Birsch-how tiny is she in person? I imagine she’d look like that Lily Tomlin character, the little kid sitting in the giant chair.

  30. 30
    giffordsaz
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    okay itchy… I honestly don’t get it….. help a sister out.

  31. 31
    BirschTalk
    Posted October 18, 2010 at 3:12 pm

    Ha! The Incredible Shrinking Woman happens to be one of my favorite movies ever, my little tv addict… Ya know, I couldn’t quite tell as she was sitting down for most of the time. By the time I noticed she was there they were setting down my butterscotch budino and the world around me dissolves when that dessert is in front of my face. In fact, when I came up for air, she was gone. Her face looked healthy enough, but yes, her arms were quite skinny. Very pretty in person, actually.

  32. 32
    Pikey
    Posted October 24, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    Hi Giffordsaz:

    “It’s too bad they didn’t call it Bear Broadcasting. Then we could call it the Bipolar network.”

    Bi-polar (as in Polar Bear)…

    Just wanted to let you know!

    I am really looking forward to the Rocky Horror Picture Show episode this week!

  33. 33
    Jacey
    Posted October 26, 2010 at 8:28 am

    I have to disagree with you guys on the duets…Mercedes/Santana were the bomb!!…seriously they both have some pipes on them..I hope that we get solos soon from both of them…The girl on girl thing didn’t really bother me…I’ve seen more explicit sexual scenes on soap operas

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