Glee explores "The Rhodes Not Taken"

     This summer, I'll be going back to review the season one episodes of FOX's Glee. These are fresh reviews, not reposts, and I hope you will enjoy reliving the first season with me.


     "The Rhodes Not Taken" introduces recurring character April Rhodes (Kristin Chenoweth, The West Wing, Pushing Daisies). April was a senior when Will (Matthew Morrison) was a freshman in glee club, and he always admired her. After Rachel (Lea Michele) quits the New Directions, Will discovers April never officially graduated, and convinces her to take Rachel's place. April jumps at the chance, having been squatting in an empty house, imbibing heavily, and presumably sleeping with many men. April has a fantastic voice, but she's an irresponsible alcoholic, and that does not mesh well with the high school kids. Finn (Cory Monteith) sways Rachel into returning, and April heads off to try to fix her life.
     Chenoweth is amazing, of course, both musically, and with comedy chops. She is the perfect actress for Glee, so it's no wonder she's been asked back twice more since "The Rhodes Not Taken." I would never say a word against Chenoweth's personal contributions to the series, or the talent she wields with such grace and charisma. Chenoweth's presence will always be welcome, and something to look forward to, and I hope she returns to the halls of McKinley many, many more times. In fact, should Morrison ever decide to leave the series, she would make a perfect glee club director.

     That being said, the character of April is far from appropriate in a school setting. In a twisted variation on Never Been Kissed, April recaptures her high school glory by giving Kurt (Chris Colfer) alcohol and showering, and likely sleeping, with the football players, including Puck (Mark Salling). Emma (Jayma Mays) comments on the bad behavior to Will, disapprovingly telling him that April's backpack is always "clinking with empties." If Emma notices, surely other teachers do, too, and they do not share Emma's loyalty to Will. Glee sometimes goes down outlandish paths, but this is one of the most unrealistic. April would never get away with acting like this in high school, especially with the extra scrutiny that she surely faces, being an adult in a typical childish setting.

     But the inappropriateness does not end with April. I remember being shocked that a high school would allow Will to stage a production of The Rocky Horror Show in season two. Not only is Sandy (Stephen Tobolowsky) doing Cabaret, which has at least as much adult content as Rocky Horror, but he speaks of putting on Equus, including the full nudity aspect. Even if Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) gives his staff a very loose leash, none of this would ever happen. Figgins would likely lose his job, and so would all of the teachers that went along with the schemes. Suspending disbelief only goes so far.

     "The Rhodes Not Taken," like a handful of other episodes of Glee, is particularly sex obsessed. Besides April sleeping with students, Jacob Ben Israel (Josh Sussman) tries to trade a good review in return for seeing Rachel without her shirt on, and Finn plays on Rachel's sexual attraction to him to get her to rejoin the New Directions. This is not a complaint. At times, Glee can actually seem a little chaste, since it follows the "good" kids at McKinley High, and has an innocent, crackerjack quality to many of its musical numbers. I applaud the inclusion of an adult topic, when kept between students, as sex truly does rule many high school minds and bodies.

     Well, that, and gossip. At this point, none of the non-jocks are friends with Quinn, or very close to Finn, so it's forgivable that they take such delight in the pregnancy scandal. Luckily Glee will soon correct that, and many students will face the realities of such an occurrence, not just scoff about it.

     Unfortunately, it's really unfair of Finn to play on Rachel's attraction. Finn is many things, but his devious side is not one that comes out all that often, and hurts his character when it does. He was not raised to act like this, and even though it's in service of the glee club, it's hard to forgive Finn for hurting Rachel in this way. Rachel is willing to set aside a lot of her own interests for Finn, and if he cares about her at all, he shouldn't ask her to, let alone trick her.

     Rachel angrily tells Finn, after being hurt, "My dreams are bigger than that... They're bigger than you." I'm not convinced this is strictly true. The same issue crops up at the end of season two. Rachel is torn between singing on a Broadway stage and her desire to be with Finn. Even though her words say that her professional goals come first, her actions often make Finn more important. It will be interesting to see how she eventually chooses. If she, and fans, are lucky, she will not have to pick. Finn should allow her to be a star, and stand by her as she is.

     Rachel isn't all selfish. She claims friendship is the reason she returns to the New Directions. This is debatable, but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. She is still new to having peers care about her, but as the series goes on, Rachel will form close bonds with several of the others.

     It doesn't seem like there is a ton of music in "The Rhodes Not Taken," yet the songs that are performed are above average, if not including a couple of the best numbers in all of Glee. Interestingly, this episode also contains some actual songs used as background music, sung by their original artists, not the cast. Other shows do this all of the time, of course, but Glee rarely does so.

     The beginning of the episode has yet another rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'," with Quinn (Dianna Agron) standing in for Rachel. It sounds good, though it is cut very short by Quinn's morning sickness. As such, it's hard to tell if Quinn is up to the task. Her fellow students certainly don't think so.

     The New Directions later perform "Last Name" with April, which is good, but not great. Country music is fine for Chenoweth, but it's not exactly in the wheelhouse of the cast. They do a serviceable job, but it's quickly forgotten. This is probably because the number that follows, "Somebody to Love," is downright amazing. The power and vocal talent showcased among several of the group shakes the rafters, and is a top notch example of what the kids can do.

 
     Will and April sing "Alone" in the bowling alley, and much like "Last Name," it's good, but not particularly memorable. The pair need a sweet moment to show how they have bonded this week, and Will finally gets to sing with his former idol, something that is expected in such an episode. There's not really anything specific to complain about, but not much justifiable praise to heap, either.
     Rachel also performs part of "Cabaret," which is hard to enjoy because of Sandy's incessant interruptions. Rachel and April do "Maybe This Time" from separate rooms, and that, along with "Somebody to Love," is the highlight of the episode. Both women have very strong belting voices, and kill a song meant for a diva, which they arguably are. Chenoweth has plenty of experience on the Broadway stage, but Michele holds her own, and proves that she has a future in this field. Wonderful job!

My Weekly Random Bits:

     Jacob Ben Israel is slightly stalking Rachel throughout season one. It's too bad he's reduced to a very occasional cameo in season two. Sussman is very funny.

     I understand Puck and Matt (Dijon Talton), whom we never find very much out about, sleeping with April, but Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.), too? Even though Mike is on the football team, he always comes across as a very unusual type of athlete, and certainly not just a boy who would chase anything in a skirt, like his teammates. Chalk this one up to the creative team not yet knowing who Mike is, or his place in the show, yet.

     Emma tells Finn that there are far more music scholarships available than athletic ones. While much google searching has not given me exact numbers, this statement seems circumspect. Wwhen broken down to Divison I football scholarships versus number of kids competing for them, as compared to overall music scholarships at every college, the figure is definitely correct. However, many music scholarships only give a little bit of money, far from a full ride. And both represent very different levels of success for the future. Basically, what Emma says is incomplete, at best, and irresponsible, at worst.

     Glee has a love affair with Wicked. There is nothing wrong with that, as it is a fantastic show, and still relatively new, as compared to many other musicals. Both stars of the original Broadway version, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, play recurring roles on Glee beginning in season one. Some of the most memorable Rachel and Kurt songs from the first two years are from Wicked. Rachel and Kurt even get on the Wicked stage during the New York-set season two finale. "The Rhodes Not Taken" begins that love affair, which shows no signs of abating. Is it too much to hope for a Joel Grey guest spot next year?

     Look for another season one review soon!

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To purchase Glee DVDs, streaming episodes, music, and more, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Glee - "The Rhodes Not Taken" on Blogcritics.

Someone is "Preggers" on Glee

     This summer, I'll be going back to review the season one episodes of FOX's Glee. These are fresh reviews, not reposts, and I hope you will enjoy reliving the first season with me.


     The Glee fourth episode, "Preggers," is when I started to actually like the series, because there is real heart in it. This is a really moving story about a father and son, and that relationship has become one of the best parts of the entire series. I was less than impressed with the campy quality of the first three episodes. Upon rewatching the beginning, now embracing Glee's brand of humor, even the first three are great. But back in the fall of 2009, that's how I felt. And it's why Kurt (Chris Colfer) is still my favorite character, with Burt (Mike O'Malley) high on the list as well.

     In the episode, Kurt is featured. After being caught dancing to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)," he tells his father, Burt, that he has joined the football team as a kicker. Luckily, the McKinley players are so bad that Kurt is able to wrangle the position, accomodating his lie. In addition, Will (Matthew Morrison) teaches the football team to dance to the song, hoping it will make them better players. The big game doesn't go so well, until the team pulls out their Beyoncé moves, and Kurt makes the game winning extra point kick.

     Burt is proud of Kurt, and tells him so. Kurt finds himself finally able to come out to his father, who admits that he's known Kurt's preference for men since he was little. While Burt isn't happy about it, he still loves his son just as much. Perhaps it's a bit homophobic, but Burt is from a different generation. A problem many gay teens face is telling their less open minded families. Burt, at least, is willing to accept Kurt for who he is, even if that means embracing something he, as a "manly man," has always been uncomfortable with. Not an ideal situation, but far better than what many kids face.

     Amusing is the opening scene where Burt catches Kurt dancing to the Beyoncé song with Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) and Brittany (Heather Morris). Burt asks if one of them is Kurt's girlfriend. Even though Burt later admits he has always known Kurt is gay, it makes sense for the character not to out his son until he is ready. Or maybe Burt is even wishing that Kurt is just a very odd straight man, and he's wrong about his son. Either way, it's an uncomfortable confrontation, but it follows a fantastic dance number.

     Meanwhile, Quinn (Dianna Agron) tells Finn (Cory Monteith) that she is pregnant. Both Finn and Quinn fear losing any type of successful future to care for their child. Finn opens up to Will, unloading about the issue. Will offers emotional support, and also tells Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig), who sees Quinn's baby as the perfect opportunity to find a baby to trick Will. This is based on the idea Terri's sister, Kendra (Jennifer Aspen, Rodney), suggests to keep Will in the dark about Terri's pregnancy being hysterical.

     In "Preggers," Terri begins to take her little white lie too far. She originally spouts it because she can't stand to hurt Will. Now, after consideration, she realizes it's probably the only reason Will hasn't left her yet, considering their marital problems. Still, her instinct is to come clean. It's Kendra who convinces her to continue on with the charade. It's so sad to watch Terri choose the wrong path, knowing that she is essentially a good person. While it would prevent any future Will/Emma (Jayma Mays) pairing, I still find myself wishing Terri would do things differently the second time I watch, and heal her marriage.

     Quinn's lie is arguably worse than Terri's. For one thing, she unnecessarily worries Finn, who she says is the father, but he is not. Setting aside why Finn even believes she can get pregnant from sperm swimming through hot tub water, as he is a naive teenager, and there is a lot of misinformation out there, Finn is all of the sudden faced with a dampened future. He is going to do the right thing and stand by his kid, of course, even if that costs him the things he wants to do. While Finn may be dumb, he is also sweet and caring, proven in "Preggers" by this whole situation, and his reaction to it.

     Puck (Mark Salling) is also hurt by the lie, as he knows he is the real father, and he, too, wants to take responsibility for his child, but Quinn will not allow it. Puck has little character development at this point in the series, so it may be a surprise that he makes the right decision here. Even more surprising, he asks a depressed Finn what's wrong, even though he's been giving Finn crap for four weeks over joining glee club. Thus begins Puck's duality. Sometimes he makes dumb decisions, like sleeping with his best friend's girlfriend, which can be explained, though not excused, by hormones. Then, other times, he is there for the people that need him as a genuine friend.

     It is likely Puck joins the New Directions simply to be close to Quinn, and brings two friends along with him so he looks slightly cooler. Puck does love singing, and is good, but this isn't obvious yet at this point in the series, despite his brief foray in the Acafellas.

     The football game itself is a bit ridiculous. While the other team is certainly surprised and weirded out by the impromptu dance number, would they really stand there for so long, not even trying to get the ball, or get ready for the play? Perhaps the rules of football state they can't grab the ball until after the hike, but isn't there come kind of play clock? Didn't McKinley's little performance go longer than allowed? It's a really fun scene, and a great example of the cheesy humor Glee is known for, but it goes on long enough to think about how unrealistic it is.

     "Preggers" features the first "Sue's Corner," Sue's (Jane Lynch) local news segment where she spouts her views. In this first piece, she supports caning, and then later mentions she spoke out in favor of littering. Even for Sue, this is a bit much. Setting aside that the character might hold those views, as it is almost believable for the character, why would the news station allow her to talk like this? Later "Sue's Corner"s will get better, but the first one is weak sauce.

     Sue's latest plan to disrupt the New Directions is to bring Sandy (Stephen Tobolowsky - forgot how often he is in season one!) back to the school as Arts Administrator and have him stage a musical, luring Rachel (Lea Michele) away from the group. Since Sue has blackmail on Figgins (Iqbal Theba), and Sandy is never officially charged with any crime, the plans works... for now.

     It's sad to see Rachel being so disloyal to glee club, and yet, it is not out of character for her. Rachel points out to Will that everyone gets something out of glee club except her, and she's right. Later, helping others and having friends will be her reward. But for now, looking at the situation completely selfishly, Rachel singing solos and using the group as her backup is the only beneficial scenario in her mind. She doesn't need help coming out of a shell or finding her voice. Regrettable as it is, she is right. Sort of.

     Musically, there are only two numbers, likely the lowest amount of any Glee episode. Rachel's "Taking Chances" is every bit as good as any of the other songs she belts in other episodes. Tina's "Tonight" is actually pretty good, too, other than the ending. This is surprising, because in season two, Tina's solos are usually something of a joke, with a cheap laugh taking precedence over showcasing talent. Time to change that, no?


     Random bits time!

     In a flashback to the scene where Finn and Quinn have their hot tub fun time, Finn prematurely ejaculates as Quinn yells at him to "think of the mail!" This is a reference to an earlier episode when Finn talks of remembering his mom hitting the mail carrier with her car to stop himself from climaxing. This is hilarious and should be brought back the very next time Finn has sex, hopefully sometime in season three.

     Finn helps Kurt join the football team. The two who will become brothers are growing closer already! Of course, they have very different reasons for working together.

     Quinn tells Puck his pool cleaning business isn't worth much because they live in Ohio. While I was unable to find an exact ranking, and Ohio may not have as many pools per capita as other, more Southern states, there are a fair amount of swimming pools. Trust me. I grew up there. We had one, and so did many of my friends. Though, admittedly, we didn't hire a cleaner.

     All but forgotten is the brief one episode appearance of Sue's radio boss, Mr. McClung (Kurt Fuller, Better With You, Psych). Though he only gets one scene, Fuller is a comedic pro. Maybe he could come back some time?

     Figgins's Mumbai Air commercial is as confusing as it is funny. Why is an American principal doing an Indian ad campaign? Ah, well. It's good for a laugh.

     Heather Morris was actually a backup dancer for Beyoncé both before and after the "Single Ladies" hit. She appeared dancing the song on several television programs and on concert tours. Then Glee hired her. Good use of prior knowledge!

     This episode marks the first appearance of the twelfth glee club member, Matt Rutherford (Dijon Talton). He is shown when joining the glee club along with Puck and Mike Chang (Harry Shum Jr.). I guess the rule is last in, first out, since he is the last one of the original 12 to be shown on screen, and is the only one who does not return for season two.


     Look for a review of the next episode this weekend!

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To purchase Glee DVDs, streaming episodes, music, and more, please click here.

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