Day 5: The Rhodes Not Taken

I have a thing for tiny people with big voices. I don't really know why. Maybe because I'm a tiny person with a tiny voice. Voice envy ? Maybe. If I had a therapist, I'd probably talk to her about it.

As I was saying, tiny people, big voices. This is why I am fascinated by Lea and why I ADORE Kristin Chenoweth. Could they be any cuter or more remarkable? I love how they dance around each other in this episode. Two tiny divas, sparring for the spotlight. Truly a thing of beauty.

My favorite moment has to be when Kurt delivers his "Bambi" line and upchucks on Emma's shoes. The look on his face when he hones in on her--priceless. It kills me every time! Also, when April sticks that head of lettuce between her thighs, Tina's reaction is hysterical. She looks subtly appalled, which can't be easy to pull off.

I'm trying to pinpoint the theme here. Truth be told, I didn't even realize there was supposed to be a theme to every episode until later in the season when they started making it more obvious. So I'm not sure what the theme is supposed to be. Second chances? Honesty? Integrity? Don't take horse tranquilizers? I guess it doesn't really matter. I think this is a nearly pitch-perfect installment even without a specific message.

Sing!

Had a group of my gleek gals over last night to take Karaoke Revolution: Glee Edition (and my new cupcake maker) for a spin. Frivolity ensued! I'm not much of a performer, so this was about my speed. :)

I've never played a karaoke video game before, so I really have nothing to compare it to. I know some people don't like that you can't turn off the background vocals, but since most of my friends aren't terribly confident vocalists, not having to perform completely solo was actually rather reassuring. The drawback of a "sing-along" format is not being able to adjust key within the game. There are only a few songs that aren't totally out of my range, because I am neither a man nor a soprano! Fortunately, I was playing with a non-judgmental crowd. Most of the time we all just sang along anyway.

My biggest beef is the song selection. I don't know how or why they decided on particular songs, but I have to question some of the choices. Is it really necessary to have "Bust a Move", "Push It", AND "Gold Digger"? None of them even involve singing! Meanwhile, "Dancing With Myself", "Bust Your Windows", and "Jump" are noticeably missing. And what about the famous girls vs. boys mash-ups?! It can't be prejudice against mash-ups, because both "Hair/Crazy in Love" and "Young Girl/Don't Stand So Close to Me" are included. A nice option might have been to offer additional songs for download. Take note, video game-making people!

Overall, though, it's pretty entertaining and easy to play. And, hey, any excuse for a party, right?

Make-your-own cupcake bar...mmmm.

Karaoke cookies!

Hiatus from Hiatus Relief

I'm taking today and tomorrow off from my retrospective project...wanted to watch the babies on People's Choice tonight. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a Glee "Karaoke & Cupcakes" extravaganza, so watch for pictures of that. I'll be back Friday with day 5: The Rhoades Not Taken.

Love,
me

Day 4: Preggers

I couldn't resist making a Single Ladies costume for my BABW owl. His name is Kurt Hoomel. :)
Heehee! Anyhoo...

Hands down, "Preggers" is my favorite episode ever. This was the game changer; the one that sealed my fate as a gleek. The moment that camera panned up the dancing Kurt, I knew I was in for the long haul.

I feel so affectionately toward this episode that I'm not even sure what to say about it! I kind of just want to give one of Mr. Schuester's infamous slow claps for a job well done. And then hug everyone.

What's not to love here? Kurt in a unitard, giggling awkwardly; the introduction of Burt, with his busted knee and fondness for "Deadliest Catch"; Kendra uttering the term "boy-howdy"; A pro-littering stance; Dancing jocks; A very short robe coupled with creepy dolls. Also, blackmail. Total win.

The theme builds on that of "Acafellas". Once you build up enough nerve, it's time to break out of your box.

Day 3: Acafellas

"Acafellas" is full of guts. Which, in this case, is a very good thing.

I adore the delicious dark humor in this episode. Henri with that "Two Thumbs Up" cake just kills me every time. Creepy Josh Groban is another favorite. It's very cool that he would play himself like that, especially knowing how protective fans can be of their idols. I imagine this portrayal resulted in at least a few exploding heads. "Acafellas" also gifted us with Sue's immortal "Smell of Failure" speech, which I can tell you I've used on my own children on several occasions. Oh, come on--they know it's out of love!

This has always been a very poignant episode for me, perhaps because I'm old enough to have major regrets. Everybody dreams, but the realization of those dreams depend on many variables; circumstance, timing, finances, determination, love, courage, faith. Will and his father let their youthful dreams give way to other worthy pursuits. There is no shame in that. Still, I'm so glad they found belated opportunities to take their dreams for a spin.

Meanwhile, most of our intrepid glee members find themselves at crossroads. As a group, they ultimately come together to work on their dream of winning sectionals. A few well-placed jabs from woodland creature Dakota Stanley helped them realize that being themselves trumped being anyone else.

As individuals, the kids are struggling. Finn can't work up the nerve to admit that he and Rachel have a connection at the possible risk of his reputation. Puck is positively swimming in guts, but he isn't exactly parlaying them into glory. Looking for love, Mercedes goes for broke and ends up with a broken heart. Kurt has his window broken, but it gives him the push he needs to reach deep and take hold of the courage he's been suppressing. Sometimes I feel like an anxious mama watching them! I'm not too old to remember how intense things feel as a teenager--like life itself hinges on every look, every word, every moment. Those feelings affect everyone differently. Some react recklessly; others become fearful. Finding the balance is key. At this moment in time, Finn is afraid. Fear leads to regret. Puck, on the other hand, is the poster child for reckless behavior. Future Puck will pay for his mistakes. Mercedes and Kurt, though, are tentatively moving toward balance.

Hurt and embarrassment and putting your heart on the line are scary things, but dreams don't just "come true". Risk is part of the bargain, and these babies are taking their first steps. They'll figure it out eventually.

Day 2: Showmance

I caught the first several episodes of Glee on hulu, and through user error, I accidentally watched "Showmance" before ever seeing the pilot. They sort of reintroduced everyone in the opening sequence, so I didn't notice anything was amiss until I had actually watched both and noticed lead-ins from the first episode to the second. My bad.

A couple of significant developments here, starting with the Finn/Rachel storyline. Finn is so cute here, and I love that even though he's BMOC, he still comes across as insecure and awkward. I've always found that kind of leading man much more relatable than the suave, confident variety. We also get the introduction of Finn's "problem" as well as his unconventional solution. Now that I think about it, his method doesn't actually seem to work all that well. Can anyone remember a time it actually DID work?

This episode also introduces the "Fake Baby" arc. I'm probably one of the only people who actually liked this storyline. I saw it as a commentary on Will and Terri's relationship and how distant they had become as a couple. They were starting to realize how tenuous their marriage was, so they began tip-toeing around each other, just trying not to rock the boat. As horrified as I was about Terri lying to Will, I sympathized on some level. Fear and desperation lead people to do some pretty crazy things. It's not unusual for couples in crisis to stop touching or communicating. Living in denial might seem preferable to facing the truth. Was the storyline a little far-fetched? Sure. Unrealistic? In some ways. Totally implausible? Maybe not.

The major theme here is teen sexuality. While it is fairly blatant, there is an honesty about it I appreciate. Kids have so many issues to deal with, and presenting them in lighter ways that perhaps open up opportunities for discussion is good. It's a delicate subject, though, and things can easily cross over from humorously ribald into just plain vulgar. Here, nothing felt over the top. A little awkward, but that's to be expected. I adore the "Push It" performance primarily because of the tremendous awkward factor. Here are these geeky, unpopular kids doing this sexually charged number and it works because they don't really know how to pull it off. The result is that it is wildly inappropriate but more painful to watch than actually erotic. The audience reactions are priceless; Sue's look of abject horror, Figgins swaying peacefully, oblivious as always, Emma bopping along to the beat, the students trying to decide if they should be bored or intrigued. Subtle yet hilarious. Glee at its best.

32 Days of Glee: A Retrospective

The new year always makes me a bit nostalgic, and since there is roughly a month between today and the next new episode of Glee, I figured this would be a good time to take a little trip down memory lane. I'll watch one episode a day and put down a few thoughts. I hope some of you will join me! I'd love to hear about your first impressions, memories, observations and favorite moments from this show we all adore.

Tonight I watched the pilot. I missed it when it originally aired, which I'm actually grateful for in hindsight. That was one extended hiatus I managed to avoid! As I was watching (and exercising...resolutions, you know), I was pondering on all of the firsts in this episode; the things that have shaped the series and the characters we have come to know so intimately and love so passionately. We got our first Sue zingers, flashes of Mercedes' sass and Tina's insecurities, Finn's first stilted attempts at singing and dancing simultaneously, Rachel's first diva storm-out, Kurt's first dumpster dive (and first signs of being a major scene stealer), glimpses of crazy from both Terri and Emma, a healthy dose of Puck's badassness, and Will's first borderline inappropriate student interaction (as well as his first TOTALLY inappropriate student interaction). Carole, Figgins, Coach Tanaka, Sandy Ryerson...it's like a big, raucous family reunion--brimming with optimism and hi-jinx, precariously teetering on the edge of chaos. I feel so fondly toward these people, despite and because of their little oddities.

There were other firsts as well, at least for me. Had my first "Oh no, they didn't" reaction when that first slushie hit. And I experienced my first Glee-induced chills and shed my first happy Glee tears when those kids took the stage for the first time. Love at first sight.