Becoming Glee-ful

Part of: TV Nights

How good was Artie's "Dancing with Myself" last night on Glee?  No, it wasn't good, it was great, wasn't it?  It was a great use of a song, it was well sung, and then they're repeating the song when everyone was riding around in wheelchairs, but using the Billy Idol version was fantastic.

Then, I think one of the better stories they've come up with this season is the one between Kurt and his father.  Kurt's dad is clearly uncomfortable with his son, but doesn't let his own discomfort get in the way of his love for his son.  Kurt's dad would do anything for his boy, no matter what.  It's a solid message.

Obviously the show isn't solely full of positive messages and goodness – just look at Puck's putting pot in the cupcakes in order to sell more.  I'm not going to argue for Puck's actions solely based on thPhoto Credit:  Carin Baer/FOXe fact that he was pushing for a good outcome – I don't accept that the ends justify the means – but it was still a great way for the show to work their way through the story they had created.  I'm not suggesting that Puck's method would have actually worked in reality but it absolutely worked within the logic of the show – it got the club the money they needed, until he stole the cash, anyway.  Puck isn't necessarily a good guy and even though the show is full of positive messages, they don't feel the need to sanitize him.

Now, you might say that the show did feel the need to sanitize Sue last night, by introducing us to her sister.  I disagree.  Sue is inhumanly evil. She wasn't being sanitized last night via her sister; she was being humanized.  It's the sort of thing we've already seen from Sue before, and we're sure to see it repeatedly in the future.  It's actually a good move – her evil is all the more evil because we know that she can be human, is human on occasion. 

Continued on the next page Page 1 — Page 2

Article tags

Spread the word
Bookmark and Share
Profile image for josh-lasser

Article Author: Josh Lasser

Josh Lasser, formerly known as "TV and Film Guy," and complete with a Masters Degree in Critical Studies in said areas, gives his opinions on TV, Film, and Entertainment in general. All of which he does in a shameless attempt to try to get paid to do the exact same thing. …

Visit Josh Lasser's author pageJosh Lasser's Blog

Read comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own
  • Glee: The Music, Volume 1 Glee: The Music, Volume 1

    Relive your favorite Glee moments with original cast recordings. 17 tracks including "Don't Stop Believin", "Somebody to Love" and "Take a Bow."

Article comments

  • 1 - El Bicho

    Nov 11, 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Eastwick has been canceled so you can now move on

  • 2 - Kt

    Nov 12, 2009 at 5:39 am

    I am a Gleek in spite of the music, but I did love the "Dancing with Myself" piece. And the Sue scene was problematic. I love Sue's evil ways. I was touched nonetheless. Thanks for reviewing.

  • 3 - Rachel A

    Nov 12, 2009 at 7:57 am

    The pot thing worked too because I believe (and I am a teacher, college level, but still) idealize the lives of their students, and don't really always see the nitty gritty of it.

  • 4 - Jon Sobel

    Nov 12, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    I'm a Gleek too, & I don't mind the humanization of Sue " it makes her a more well-rounded character while she stays more or less evil. (Actually I'd call her "Chaotic" rather than "Evil" but that's my old D&D self talking.) I can't stand that song from Wicked. But they hit it out of the park with the "Dancing With Myself" number!

Add your comment, speak your mind

Personal attacks are NOT allowed.
Please read our comment policy.
Please preview your comment.

blogcritics lists for Feb 09, 2010

fresh articles Most recent articles site-wide

fresh comments Most recent comments site-wide

most comments Most comments in 24hrs

top writers Most prolific Blogcritics for January

top commenters Most prolific Commenters in 24 hrs

Upcoming Stories from Blogcritics
  •