I understand the hesitance to commit to a spin-off, putting two hours of Glee on television every week. And yet, whether the episodes take turns going back and forth (maybe with a higher season order of, like, 30 installments), or whether FOX can give Kurt and Rachel their own half hour in addition to the McKinley hour, or whether they come up with some other solution, I'd really like to see even more distance between them. It just flows better.
Back to McKinley, with the influence of Finn, and a little advice from Puck (Mark Salling), Ryder (Blake Jenner) and Jake (Jacob Artist) manage to bury the hatchet. This not only makes Jake more likable, as he pretty much stops straddling the line between good and bad, but it also gives Ryder a chance for some decent focus, proving Jenner can do better than he did in the previous two episodes. After a weak introduction, he warms up to the role more this week, and his chemistry with Jake is really great. Their duet, "Superman," is quite nice.
Jake and Ryder could easily become the new bromance of the show, and I hope that their friendship is pursued and deepens to the point where Marley (Melissa Benoist) won't come between them, whether she dates one of them or not. They are like Finn and Puck, but without the history, and less to build from. They may be different people, with different interests, but their hearts provide enough in common to start something sweet (and platonic).
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Kitty (Becca Tobin) is an absolute nightmare. Poor Marley thinks that Kitty is befriending her, and inadvertently, Kitty does help Marley. But the bulimia plot, handled better this week than last, continues to show Kitty's true colors. Even a hot version of "Holding Out for a Hero" cannot save her. Watch out Marley, because Kitty may be the most villainous student yet!
Which is a shame. Kitty has given a few hints already that she is not a completely terrible person. Such malicious acts as urging Marley to throw up her food ruin that. While minor characters on Glee are frequently cartoonish and over the top, the main ones tend to be relatively well developed. Kitty has the potential to be a central figure moving forward.
To do this, we need to see what is behind her pain and hate, and begin to deal with it.
Speaking of discord, Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) is feeling shafted again in "Dynamic Duets," as evidenced by her biting comment about Santana (Naya Rivera). I've never much cared for Tina, but it's easy to see why she doesn't think that she's considered a valuable member of the group. She hasn't shown the talent to deserve the status that she wants to be held up to, and, at the same time, her hard work over the years means that she deserves better than what she's getting. I actually do hope this boils over into a great Tina story, the first time I've ever wanted to see more of her in the four seasons Glee has done.
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Article comments
1 - daveprez
This superhero club is actually shown in a previous episode. When they are running for class president it shows all the clubs blaine joined and gave a little nudge to "Dr. Horrrible"
2 - Nishant
Your reviews never seem to take into consideration any willing suspension of disbelief!
3 - Jerome Wetzel
daveprez - Oh, you are right! I wonder at the ease with which the members gave up control of their club when invaded with the New Directions. It would have been amusing to see a scene where this happens. I still don't think we'll ever see them again.
Nishant - I suspend disbelief every time I see the kids break into song in the hallway. :) I just think there should be a line. Glee asks us to suspend disbelief more than other shows, and in unnecessary ways. Still love the series, but it could definitely improve on that front.
4 - cnote
I totally agree that having Unique omitted from the entire episode was a bad move!