Glee - "Furt"

     Bizarre. That is the best word I can use to describe last night's Glee, or at least the first half. I certainly can't call this one of the best episodes of the series, although it did contain a few of the best moments. It felt to me like a season one episode, a bit all over the place, except that the plot didn't bend to the songs. In fact, it was a full twenty-two minutes into the episode (counting commercials) before the first note was even sung. When was the last time that happened?

     I was really looking forward to the arrival of Sue's (Jane Lynch) mother, ever since it had been announced that Carol Burnett would tackle the role. I still submit that it is a perfect mother-daughter pairing. And I'm glad they got to sing together, especially a weird song like "Ohio". Their chemistry was fantastic. But why did it take such a weird plot to bring them together? Sue had some of her best moments of the series thus far, but it had nothing to do with the wedding, and I'll get to that in a moment.

     In this week's episode, Sue signed up for online dating, and discovered that her only match was herself. How does that even happen? Had she previously created a profile that she had forgotten about, and apparently, despite Sue's previous relationship with a man, both Sue profiles were looking for other women. I have no problem with Sue the lesbian; the actress that portrays her is one, and I adore Lynch. But to marry yourself, and the fact that no one was really shown trying to put a stop to it, other than her mother, but for self-serving reasons, was truly weird. The only great part about it was that we got to see Sue in a tracksuit gown.

     The Season of Kurt (Chris Colfer) continues. I know this upsets some people, but as an avid Kurt fan who didn't get nearly enough of him in season one, I'm delighted. This week, Kurt had three major, somewhat connected plots.

     Let's go with Karofsky (Max Adler) first. The bully has continued to torment Kurt, and it came to a head this week as Kurt's friends finally decided to stand up for him. The result was that Sam (Chord Overstreet) ended up with a black eye, Mike Chang (Harry Shrum Jr.) became even more likable, quite a feat, and for some reason, Artie was included in this, too. I'm all for equality of handicapped people, but did anyone find it strange when the mostly timid guy in a wheelchair tried to intimidate a big, strong guy physically? And the fact that they didn't accomplish anything by the confrontation, except to further a Finn (Cory Monteith) plot was confusing, too.

     Regardless, it was awesome to see Sue stand up for Kurt. We've seen the protectiveness Sue can have for the unfairly treated before, both with her sister, and at Regionals last year. She's never shown the same deference to Kurt. I think it did not detract at all from her compassion that she continued to call Kurt 'lady'. She was even willing to give up her job as principal to defend him. This is a Sue that I love.

     But when Karofsky was returned to the school by the board, Kurt gave up. This was probably the most bizarre twist in the episode. He finally has an awesome support system in place, with friends, a new brother, and even Sue looking out for him, but he chooses this moment to stop fighting. It was a slap in the fact to Sue, Finn, and the others. I'm sure something will bring Kurt back to McKinley, but in the meantime, it was not a cool move. Not to mention, as I've said before, the private school he will be attending is at least TWO HOURS away!

     I've referenced Finn, and he definitely had his best story of the season so far. I haven't been a big fan of Monteith or his character as a rule, but he really nailed it, deftly handling the part in a way we haven't seen the character in a long time, reminding us why he was cast as a lead in the first place. Hit with doubt about himself, realizing he was not living up to his role as a leader or a brother, he stepped up to the plate and did what was right. Go, Finn!

      Of course, the biggest draw was the wedding of Kurt's father, Burt (Mike O'Malley) to Finn's mother, Carole (Romy Rosemont). Their relationship has really grown, and despite the short time they had been together, it felt right that Burt should propose. I do question how quick the wedding came together, especially as fancy as it was, and Kurt was planning it alone while dealing with everything else. But the wedding and the reception provided the most solid scenes in the episode. Every single actor and actress looked to be genuinely having fun, and it was infectious to myself, and likely many other viewers.

     Finn's song to Kurt, "Just the Way You Are" (another song I don't like that Glee has improved measurably) was certainly a high point, as was the ceremony song with the kids and Burt dancing down the aisle. Yeah, Carole danced, too, but she wasn't having as much fun as the rest of them, especially Burt. It was a long wait last night for a couple of good songs, but they finally arrived.

     One last night, the official proclamation of Sam and Quinn's (Dianna Agron) relationship was expected, but wonderful. However, now practically everyone in the club has paired up except for best buds Kurt and Mercedes (Amber Riley). Not only is that unnatural, though predictable for a TV show, but it leaves poor Mercedes out in the cold! As much as I love Kurt's beefed up role this fall, I think come winter it should be the Season of Mercedes! Who's with me?
 

     Quick trivia! I could be wrong, but was Kurt wearing that huge airplane broach on his sweater in the principal's office scene a homage to Lost? The man playing Karofsky's father, Daniel Roebuck, was a small, but important, presence to the now-ended ABC drama. Maybe I'm reading too much into things, but it tickled me. Why else would Kurt wear it? It looked a bit out of place.

     Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8pm on FOX. Next week is Sectionals, and we're almost done with this batch of episodes. The show won't be back until February, so make sure you don't miss it!

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Article first published as TV Review: Glee "Furt" on Blogcritics.