the camelion Poet (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
altogetherisi) wrote2010-04-21 08:49 pm
altogetherisi) wrote2010-04-21 08:49 pm
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This is a post all about Glee
specifically, 1x15, The Power Of Madonna. Because it was really, really good, and I loved it.
A note about spoilers: I am a spoilerphobe, and there has been so much publicity and spoilers around for Glee that it kills me, I hardly looked at anything Glee related over the break at all. Though, I did squee at trailers quite a lot. But yeah, I think Glee at the moment, and this episode in particular, must be the thing I have had the most work dodging as many spoilers as I can for it. I'm really glad I do though. Then again, the other day, on bloody Radio One, they broadcast a clip of Ryan Murphy, I think speaking at the glaad awards and went ahead and gave out, well, what I felt was a massive spoiler. But it made me grin so much I forgave them.
Anyway. OHMIGOD, WASN'T IT AWESOME :D :D :D
Perhaps the most unexpected thing I feel about this episode is that I am now starting to like and appreciate Finn. Possibly because they have toned down the stupidity thing - I am just not attracted to really stupid people, like, at all - and are actually giving him emotional development. Well, whatever the writers are doing with him, the beginnings of new maturity and emotional awareness are really cool, so I hope they keep that up.
Actually developing characters is basically something I love love love about this episode. You know which character has become particularly cool in the last, like, three episodes? Santana. From being just "another cheerleader" she is really being allowed space to be someone distinctive, and I love her - her bitchiness, her selfishness, her understated love of Glee, her brilliant relationship with Brittany - its all so delicious. And sure, ok, maybe Santana is only getting space because Quinn has stepped back, but that's ok. I love Quinn a lot, but now I also really love Santana. I hope she continues to get screen time and be awesome. Obviously, I also adore Brittany, and that she is getting more lines, but she is hardly developing is the same way Santana is.
Though, once again, Brittany had one of the best lines ever, asking about Jesse in Glee club: "Mr Schue, is he your son?!" I've watched this ep quite a few times now, and every single time this cracks me up, as do Jesse and Mr Schue's respective looks at each other :P
I'm not entirely sure what I think about Jesse St James and Rachel yet, but I do think its interesting. (Though, side note: why are there so many US characters with surnames with "St" in them at the moment?! Is that just me? Surely this weird name quirk can't be that common over there? I have never met, or think I've even herd of, a real person with that kind of name? OK, well, whatever.) Last ep, I thought their song together was lovely. On the other hand, I find their scenes together kinda insipid and over dramatic. But, that is their characters, so so much, so I don't actually mind. Like, I don't actually mind when Rachel annoys me. It's great :) And the guy that plays Jesse is totally cute, despite looking so much like Mr Schue.
It is kinda weird how much they look alike, I think that's why they cast Idina Menzel as Vocal Adrenalin's coach, and then had her makeout with Mr Schue, just to mess with me ;)
And, here's something I really wasn't expecting - right at the end of the ep, when Jesse and Finn and Rachel are at the lockers, just as Jesse walks off with Finn, he shoots him this look, this speculating, interested look with a hint of a smile, and I suddenly went "Ooh, intriguing slash ship possibilities!" Interesting.
So, having covered Jesse and Rachel and Finn, and Santana, I wanna talk about the virginity storyline a bit, because I had some mixed feelings about it. Probably because I am pretty suspicious of most things aimed at teens, and teen girls in particular, covering the topic of virginity, and American stuff on the topic in particular (er, sorry guys.) So, this storyline gave me mixed feelings, mainly because it involved two women, Rachel and Emma, and one guy, Finn, planning to lose their virginities, but then both women change their minds at the last minute saying they aren't ready, while the one boy went ahead. And I got mixed feelings because when I look at this in terms of "neither of the women went for it, but the guy did" that annoys me, but on the other hand, I actually do feel that their actions were in character.
Rachel clearly isn't ready to have sex, in my opinion, because she is unsure, because despite Jesse saying he loves her she doesn't (yet?) love him, and because for Rachel, what she is looking for is amazing, full on show stopping love and isn't going to settle for anything less- and I felt, when she initially said she was ready to have sex, it was more like she was saying, "I am ready to let you have sex with me, and will cope with it, will put up with it," rather than "I am ready to have sex with you, I want to have sex with you." In my opinion, no one should have sex with anyone because they feel able to cope with it. People should have sex with each other because they want to have sex with each other. And while Rachel might be perfectly able to cope with it, and curious, and getting interested, I don't just think she isn't sure she wants to have sex with Jesse, I think she isn't sure she wants to have sex yet. And that's fine, that's great.
Frankly, Emma isn't ready for a lot of things. I hoped that she would have sex with Mr Schue, because oh my god those two have hardly made any progress this whole season, despite the whole Terri and Ken diversions, and ok it was a funny line that she ran out of there, but I think that was a little unfair to Emma's character - at least last time, she stopped Will and they had a conversation, and y'know, a bit of maturity. So I get Emma has issues, and if she wants to work them out then great. But I'm starting to feel the writers are really dragging their feet a bit on this storyline. But, whatever.
But now, it gets a bit more problematic, because that means both the female virgins didn't have sex. And the one male, Finn did.
I also think Finn's decision to have sex with Santana was in character. He's a teenage boy that definitely wanted to have sex with Quinn, and also he's insecure sexually - he dated the president of the celibacy club, who sent him majorly mixed sexual messages, mixing provocative behaviour with about turns, and basically whatever he did would have been wrong. He also had issues with premature ejaculation, which did not help his confidence, plus his best friend (at the time anyway) Puck was having a lot of sex with a lot of people, and that couldn't have helped Finn confidence anymore. And then, Quinn tells Finn that she is pregnant, by him, despite them never having sex - and he believes her, which says worlds about the poor quality, or maybe entire lack, of any sex education he has had, but more importantly I think it shows again, as well as adding to, his sexual insecurities and tendency to go with what people tell him. And then it turns out that Quinn (whom I love, don't worry) has completely betrayed him in this way, because she slept with Puck, and it's his baby, and for Finn this was totally devastating. So, Finn is a teenage boy, sexually insecure, and now, even more interestingly, trying to keep up with Rachel - where before they were totally unequal in his favour, now Finn is at a disadvantage to her, trying to get to a more even footing. So, despite some indecision, Finn goes ahead and has sex with Santana.
So, two female virgins didn't have sex, and one male virgin did. And I feel uneasy about this, because a lot of the time society tells us that males are more sexual than females, that men should be experienced but that girls should be virgins, that guys having sex is normal and good and makes them a man, whereas girls having sex is dirty and shameful and makes them sluts. Which simply isn't true, and is a harmful message to spread imo. So the imagery that the two women didn't have sex and the guy did is troubling.
But, interesting to me at least is that in this, what I see at the heart of Finn and Rachel's decisions about sex is that Finn, amongst other motivations, but this is a big one - Finn had sex at least in part due to peer pressure, and Rachel didn't. Rachel did what she felt she wanted, and felt better for it. Finn didn't, and he got hurt. So while on the one hand, I am concerned about seeing both female virgins portrayed as not having sex and yet the male having sex, especially close on the heels of Quinn's loss of virginity and unplanned pregnancy storyline, I do think that the idea that the male gave into peer pressure, and regretted it, while Rachel did what was right for her and felt more comfortable for it, well, I don't think that should be dismissed. It does have value.
And of course, afterward, Rachel tells Finn something that could be interpretted as her telling him that she had sex (when she didn't) and Finn tells Rachel that he didn't have sex (when he did). And I think that is very important too, not just in their relationship with each other, but because it puts Rachel publicly in the position of a girl that had sex with her boyfriend and enjoyed it and didn't regret it and wasn't ashamed of it (even though she didn't) while Finn becomes to Rachel at least, more understanding perhaps of her way of seeing it. I can still see issues, because I don't want Rachel to be a character that is only able to present herself as sexually confident when she hasn't yet had sex, because I don't want there to be that option that when she does she then feels shame and regrets it. But, I think her owning her decision, and deciding what she wants to tell Finn, when it is hers business and only her business, I think that message is overall a good one. And I think its great that Finn shows that actually, some guys want connection too, that guys have feelings that can be confused and hurt and insecure too.
On the other hand, what Rachel actually says to Finn is slightly ambiguous - she could be saying that actually, she didn't have sex, and that's ok, and she feels happy and confident about that decision. And too is an interesting perspective to explore to me, because personally, while I am troubled by the idea that sex is allowed for boys but not for girls, obviously, I do appreciate girls (and guys!) deciding that its right for them to hand on to their virginity a bit longer than their first opportunity. Because, as I said before, I really do think sex should always be about doing what you are happy and comfortable with and not feeling ashamed. So while I do rejoice at girls that actually enjoy their bodies and their sexuality without shame (like Mae in TDL) and feel frustrated that such girl character are still weirdly rare, I do also think it's important that their are also confident, happy virgins represented too.
I just hope that later on, a girl, probably Rachel, does in fact loose her virginity in a positive way. I really hope that happens. Because as it stands, the current tally, despite showing some interesting and different views on sex, doesn't look great statistics wise at the very least.
Also, just another few thoughts on the sex in this ep - Jesse and Santana aren't virgins. Jesse is interested in having sex with Rachel - for whatever reason - but is shown as being caring and supportive -for whatever reason - and I don't think that should be glossed over. That right there, is important. Santana is sexually aggressive (which I appreciate) but despite being very comfortable using her body, she, like Rachel, doesn't have sex with Finn because she actually wants to have sex with Finn, and she seems to enjoy it about as much as he does. Again, interesting. She isn't a virgin, but her character is still shown to have sex that isn't great because not only do Santana and Finn not really like each other all that much, but they actually aren't really attracted to each other much. Santana has no regrets, and plenty of confidence, but she didn't have a great time. And I think that's interesting, because despite the heavy virgin storyline, Santana shows that the times after the first time are also important. After, when Santana is asking Finn to get her a burger, I think that's a great little scene, because it's full of Finn's regret and hurt, and that's important, but also under that is Santana's vulnerability and her also acceptance (of physically unsatisfactory?) that that is how sex can be. She had low expectations, and didn't have a great time, and that sucks. Who cares if it isn't her first time - every time should be an enjoyable, positive experience, even if it can't be perfect. I really hope she got an ace burger.
Artie and Tina didn't have sex, but they did have what I think was their first kiss, and so made some progress in their relationship. I'm sure how I feel about them actually being together, because I don't really ship them all that much, it kinda feels like matching up a couple of left over people with each other to me, but whatever. Artie treated Tina badly, Tina didn't accept it, Artie came to understand and apologised, they talked, and Tina kissed Artie. Tina moved first, and ok, maybe because Artie is in a wheelchair it wouldn't have really worked the other way round anyway logistically, but I personally think that Tina kissing Artie actively, and just being active, not passive, is really positive. So I liked that. And, how brilliant are the lines:
A: I would get down on one knee if I could.
T: Why would you propose, you don't even like me.
because honestly, isn't that just so true - the guy thinks the girl wants big romantic gestures, or feels like that would be a way to apologise, but really? Actually, all Tina wants - needs - is the reassurance, the knowledge, that Artie likes her. No big, potentially empty gestures here - just simple, real liking appreciation and liking each other is what they need.
OK, I think I'm (finally!) done talking about the sex and virginity stuff in this ep. The only other thing I was a bit unsure about was what they did with Puck - we know Puck can be sensitive, so I'd prefer it if they didn't just pigeon hole him because they needed a dissenting voice. But whatever. Back to regularly scheduled squeeing.
I think I may have mentioned character development? So, (and I've kept the best til last!) let me talk of Sue, and of Kurt, and of Mercedes. Who all ROCK. Rather a lot.
Sue is just brilliant in this episode, which is good because there's a lot of her. And, I think one of the most hilarious things is that this episode both gives us more insight and development into Sue's character, yet also at the end of the episode she is unashamedly exactly the same character as she was at the beginning of the episode: the one and only Sue Sylvester. Priceless. And the acknowledgement and pushing of the hair jokes! So, so funny.
Sue as Madonna in Vogue was just awesome though. Totally, totally perfect.
And ok, now I can FINALLY talk about the pure excellence that is Kurt and Mercedes.
I do feel bad about Mercedes, because I really love her, and I love what she represents - I love that she is just as talented as Rachel, and just as determined to be a star, and so confident and secure in who she is, and she sees where she is sidelined and has a problem with it and speaks out, and when she gets the opportunity to shine she grabs it. I love that she is just as good as Rachel, and not at all as bad as Rachel - she isn't irritating but is supremely cool and witty, she speaks her mind and she is a good friend and a good person. And I love Mercedes for all of that.
And I'm sorry Mercedes, because I really do love you, but Kurt upstages her in this episode in practically every way. And I don't feel bad about that, because I adore Kurt, and Chris Colfer is just on fire this episode. He always does so much often with hardly any material, so I love it when the writers really give him something to run with. And boy, does he run with it this episode. Kurt is just brilliant.
For example in the Vogue video, Kurt had a lot more to do than Mercedes, and frankly I thought he was looking amazing, and personally the first time I saw it I was only able to stare helplessly at Sue and at Kurt. And then, again, when they performed 4 minutes (er, wait a moment please --
OH MY GOD KURT AND MERCEDES PERFORMED 4 MINUTES WITH THE CHEERIOS
AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE
OH MY GOD!!!
-- right, anyway, my point is) Mercedes was rocking, but Kurt just owned that. His every move, his every facial expression, particularly that sideways look with the "ooh!" lips at Mercedes, was awesome, charismatic and attractive and he just grabbed my attention so so much. Especially the way they stand at the end, with Kurt just slightly bent back, shoulder back, looked so much like a star.
This was definitely the best performance of the ep. Explains Sue: "I've decided to add vocals to my already wildly over produced Cheerios numbers; it'll give us an edge at Nationals." And it is - they are - simply brilliant. Their voices are so so good, and they really do need more attention. Real stars. But also, I loved that they had snapshots of Rachel and of Finn, because I believe that Rachel, when she stops thinking about herself for a rare moment, really does actually appreciate that Kurt, and especially Mercedes, are really very talented, and despite her usual obsession with being the star and getting all the solos, I really do think that Rachel acknowledges and is impressed particularly with Mercedes' talent, as was previously explored in her sing off with Kurt over defying gravity and with her agreeing to Mercedes doing a major solo at sectionals. And, I love Quinn, and so I love the brief shot of her looking so, so delighted at her two loves and clubs being joined like this, and just I think, at the sheer awesome on display.
Can I just say, going back to the spoiler things from the top of the post - I knew that at some point, someone surprising would be joining the Cheerios. I didn't even consider it would be Kurt and Mercedes. And then I watched some cast comments about Madonna, which I had been promised - promised! - weren't spoilery, and there was Chris Colfer, sitting there in a Cheerios uniform! So, I was pretty shocked and excited about that, even though I was also kinda annoyed. And then, I was still nicely surprised and delighted watching it today. Because it was just, so, good.
I also wanna say, I think the one time Mercedes completely upstages Kurt is on their lines in the scene where Jesse is joining the glee club and everyone is objecting. That is just such a great scene - Finn's line, "What the hell?! It seems like now everybody's doing things just to hurt my feelings!", Kurt's "We were already fighting for second leads, and now you've shown up I've lost all hope of ever getting a solo." and Santana's "He's a spy, Mr Schue, I should know." really do say a lot about their characters right now and I think they're great snappy lines, but Mercedes' "And y'all just trot me out at the end of every number to wail on the last note, how is that ok?!" totally steals it as well as commenting on the show, not just her character's situation. A lot of us really want Kurt and Mercedes to have more screen time and more chances to shine.
Personally, while I would most certainly watch the Kurt and Mercedes show, and really would if they had some kind of spin off adventures on Broadway thing. Well. I would love love love them to have more screen time, and certainly I would love to listen to them sing a whole lot more. I love not only their rendition of 4 Minutes, but really loved that they got small solo parts in Like A Prayer at the end - Kurt really does have the voice of an angel, there's soething really strong and pure in it, and Mercedes was fantastic, blew me away. The only thing I didn't like about the performance was the random choir, but I guess there's some kind of rule that you can't do that song without one, so whatever, I forgive them. Anyway, I would love for Kurt and Mercedes to sing more and generally be and do more on the show. But, I do like most of the main characters and story lines, though they do get tiresome, but really I would point out... I don't think Matt has had a single line. This whole season. And honestly, I think Matt and Mike and Tina could really do with some of the development that Santana has been granted recently. I would love for Kurt and Mercedes to have more screen time, but at least at this point, they are established characters - they have actual characters, in a way that Matt literally doesn't, and Mike basically doesn't, and Tina is slowly gaining, and honestly, I think they too should have the chance to sing sometime too.
Wow, I had a lot to say... :P Can't wait for the next ep!
A note about spoilers: I am a spoilerphobe, and there has been so much publicity and spoilers around for Glee that it kills me, I hardly looked at anything Glee related over the break at all. Though, I did squee at trailers quite a lot. But yeah, I think Glee at the moment, and this episode in particular, must be the thing I have had the most work dodging as many spoilers as I can for it. I'm really glad I do though. Then again, the other day, on bloody Radio One, they broadcast a clip of Ryan Murphy, I think speaking at the glaad awards and went ahead and gave out, well, what I felt was a massive spoiler. But it made me grin so much I forgave them.
Anyway. OHMIGOD, WASN'T IT AWESOME :D :D :D
Perhaps the most unexpected thing I feel about this episode is that I am now starting to like and appreciate Finn. Possibly because they have toned down the stupidity thing - I am just not attracted to really stupid people, like, at all - and are actually giving him emotional development. Well, whatever the writers are doing with him, the beginnings of new maturity and emotional awareness are really cool, so I hope they keep that up.
Actually developing characters is basically something I love love love about this episode. You know which character has become particularly cool in the last, like, three episodes? Santana. From being just "another cheerleader" she is really being allowed space to be someone distinctive, and I love her - her bitchiness, her selfishness, her understated love of Glee, her brilliant relationship with Brittany - its all so delicious. And sure, ok, maybe Santana is only getting space because Quinn has stepped back, but that's ok. I love Quinn a lot, but now I also really love Santana. I hope she continues to get screen time and be awesome. Obviously, I also adore Brittany, and that she is getting more lines, but she is hardly developing is the same way Santana is.
Though, once again, Brittany had one of the best lines ever, asking about Jesse in Glee club: "Mr Schue, is he your son?!" I've watched this ep quite a few times now, and every single time this cracks me up, as do Jesse and Mr Schue's respective looks at each other :P
I'm not entirely sure what I think about Jesse St James and Rachel yet, but I do think its interesting. (Though, side note: why are there so many US characters with surnames with "St" in them at the moment?! Is that just me? Surely this weird name quirk can't be that common over there? I have never met, or think I've even herd of, a real person with that kind of name? OK, well, whatever.) Last ep, I thought their song together was lovely. On the other hand, I find their scenes together kinda insipid and over dramatic. But, that is their characters, so so much, so I don't actually mind. Like, I don't actually mind when Rachel annoys me. It's great :) And the guy that plays Jesse is totally cute, despite looking so much like Mr Schue.
It is kinda weird how much they look alike, I think that's why they cast Idina Menzel as Vocal Adrenalin's coach, and then had her makeout with Mr Schue, just to mess with me ;)
And, here's something I really wasn't expecting - right at the end of the ep, when Jesse and Finn and Rachel are at the lockers, just as Jesse walks off with Finn, he shoots him this look, this speculating, interested look with a hint of a smile, and I suddenly went "Ooh, intriguing slash ship possibilities!" Interesting.
So, having covered Jesse and Rachel and Finn, and Santana, I wanna talk about the virginity storyline a bit, because I had some mixed feelings about it. Probably because I am pretty suspicious of most things aimed at teens, and teen girls in particular, covering the topic of virginity, and American stuff on the topic in particular (er, sorry guys.) So, this storyline gave me mixed feelings, mainly because it involved two women, Rachel and Emma, and one guy, Finn, planning to lose their virginities, but then both women change their minds at the last minute saying they aren't ready, while the one boy went ahead. And I got mixed feelings because when I look at this in terms of "neither of the women went for it, but the guy did" that annoys me, but on the other hand, I actually do feel that their actions were in character.
Rachel clearly isn't ready to have sex, in my opinion, because she is unsure, because despite Jesse saying he loves her she doesn't (yet?) love him, and because for Rachel, what she is looking for is amazing, full on show stopping love and isn't going to settle for anything less- and I felt, when she initially said she was ready to have sex, it was more like she was saying, "I am ready to let you have sex with me, and will cope with it, will put up with it," rather than "I am ready to have sex with you, I want to have sex with you." In my opinion, no one should have sex with anyone because they feel able to cope with it. People should have sex with each other because they want to have sex with each other. And while Rachel might be perfectly able to cope with it, and curious, and getting interested, I don't just think she isn't sure she wants to have sex with Jesse, I think she isn't sure she wants to have sex yet. And that's fine, that's great.
Frankly, Emma isn't ready for a lot of things. I hoped that she would have sex with Mr Schue, because oh my god those two have hardly made any progress this whole season, despite the whole Terri and Ken diversions, and ok it was a funny line that she ran out of there, but I think that was a little unfair to Emma's character - at least last time, she stopped Will and they had a conversation, and y'know, a bit of maturity. So I get Emma has issues, and if she wants to work them out then great. But I'm starting to feel the writers are really dragging their feet a bit on this storyline. But, whatever.
But now, it gets a bit more problematic, because that means both the female virgins didn't have sex. And the one male, Finn did.
I also think Finn's decision to have sex with Santana was in character. He's a teenage boy that definitely wanted to have sex with Quinn, and also he's insecure sexually - he dated the president of the celibacy club, who sent him majorly mixed sexual messages, mixing provocative behaviour with about turns, and basically whatever he did would have been wrong. He also had issues with premature ejaculation, which did not help his confidence, plus his best friend (at the time anyway) Puck was having a lot of sex with a lot of people, and that couldn't have helped Finn confidence anymore. And then, Quinn tells Finn that she is pregnant, by him, despite them never having sex - and he believes her, which says worlds about the poor quality, or maybe entire lack, of any sex education he has had, but more importantly I think it shows again, as well as adding to, his sexual insecurities and tendency to go with what people tell him. And then it turns out that Quinn (whom I love, don't worry) has completely betrayed him in this way, because she slept with Puck, and it's his baby, and for Finn this was totally devastating. So, Finn is a teenage boy, sexually insecure, and now, even more interestingly, trying to keep up with Rachel - where before they were totally unequal in his favour, now Finn is at a disadvantage to her, trying to get to a more even footing. So, despite some indecision, Finn goes ahead and has sex with Santana.
So, two female virgins didn't have sex, and one male virgin did. And I feel uneasy about this, because a lot of the time society tells us that males are more sexual than females, that men should be experienced but that girls should be virgins, that guys having sex is normal and good and makes them a man, whereas girls having sex is dirty and shameful and makes them sluts. Which simply isn't true, and is a harmful message to spread imo. So the imagery that the two women didn't have sex and the guy did is troubling.
But, interesting to me at least is that in this, what I see at the heart of Finn and Rachel's decisions about sex is that Finn, amongst other motivations, but this is a big one - Finn had sex at least in part due to peer pressure, and Rachel didn't. Rachel did what she felt she wanted, and felt better for it. Finn didn't, and he got hurt. So while on the one hand, I am concerned about seeing both female virgins portrayed as not having sex and yet the male having sex, especially close on the heels of Quinn's loss of virginity and unplanned pregnancy storyline, I do think that the idea that the male gave into peer pressure, and regretted it, while Rachel did what was right for her and felt more comfortable for it, well, I don't think that should be dismissed. It does have value.
And of course, afterward, Rachel tells Finn something that could be interpretted as her telling him that she had sex (when she didn't) and Finn tells Rachel that he didn't have sex (when he did). And I think that is very important too, not just in their relationship with each other, but because it puts Rachel publicly in the position of a girl that had sex with her boyfriend and enjoyed it and didn't regret it and wasn't ashamed of it (even though she didn't) while Finn becomes to Rachel at least, more understanding perhaps of her way of seeing it. I can still see issues, because I don't want Rachel to be a character that is only able to present herself as sexually confident when she hasn't yet had sex, because I don't want there to be that option that when she does she then feels shame and regrets it. But, I think her owning her decision, and deciding what she wants to tell Finn, when it is hers business and only her business, I think that message is overall a good one. And I think its great that Finn shows that actually, some guys want connection too, that guys have feelings that can be confused and hurt and insecure too.
On the other hand, what Rachel actually says to Finn is slightly ambiguous - she could be saying that actually, she didn't have sex, and that's ok, and she feels happy and confident about that decision. And too is an interesting perspective to explore to me, because personally, while I am troubled by the idea that sex is allowed for boys but not for girls, obviously, I do appreciate girls (and guys!) deciding that its right for them to hand on to their virginity a bit longer than their first opportunity. Because, as I said before, I really do think sex should always be about doing what you are happy and comfortable with and not feeling ashamed. So while I do rejoice at girls that actually enjoy their bodies and their sexuality without shame (like Mae in TDL) and feel frustrated that such girl character are still weirdly rare, I do also think it's important that their are also confident, happy virgins represented too.
I just hope that later on, a girl, probably Rachel, does in fact loose her virginity in a positive way. I really hope that happens. Because as it stands, the current tally, despite showing some interesting and different views on sex, doesn't look great statistics wise at the very least.
Also, just another few thoughts on the sex in this ep - Jesse and Santana aren't virgins. Jesse is interested in having sex with Rachel - for whatever reason - but is shown as being caring and supportive -for whatever reason - and I don't think that should be glossed over. That right there, is important. Santana is sexually aggressive (which I appreciate) but despite being very comfortable using her body, she, like Rachel, doesn't have sex with Finn because she actually wants to have sex with Finn, and she seems to enjoy it about as much as he does. Again, interesting. She isn't a virgin, but her character is still shown to have sex that isn't great because not only do Santana and Finn not really like each other all that much, but they actually aren't really attracted to each other much. Santana has no regrets, and plenty of confidence, but she didn't have a great time. And I think that's interesting, because despite the heavy virgin storyline, Santana shows that the times after the first time are also important. After, when Santana is asking Finn to get her a burger, I think that's a great little scene, because it's full of Finn's regret and hurt, and that's important, but also under that is Santana's vulnerability and her also acceptance (of physically unsatisfactory?) that that is how sex can be. She had low expectations, and didn't have a great time, and that sucks. Who cares if it isn't her first time - every time should be an enjoyable, positive experience, even if it can't be perfect. I really hope she got an ace burger.
Artie and Tina didn't have sex, but they did have what I think was their first kiss, and so made some progress in their relationship. I'm sure how I feel about them actually being together, because I don't really ship them all that much, it kinda feels like matching up a couple of left over people with each other to me, but whatever. Artie treated Tina badly, Tina didn't accept it, Artie came to understand and apologised, they talked, and Tina kissed Artie. Tina moved first, and ok, maybe because Artie is in a wheelchair it wouldn't have really worked the other way round anyway logistically, but I personally think that Tina kissing Artie actively, and just being active, not passive, is really positive. So I liked that. And, how brilliant are the lines:
A: I would get down on one knee if I could.
T: Why would you propose, you don't even like me.
because honestly, isn't that just so true - the guy thinks the girl wants big romantic gestures, or feels like that would be a way to apologise, but really? Actually, all Tina wants - needs - is the reassurance, the knowledge, that Artie likes her. No big, potentially empty gestures here - just simple, real liking appreciation and liking each other is what they need.
OK, I think I'm (finally!) done talking about the sex and virginity stuff in this ep. The only other thing I was a bit unsure about was what they did with Puck - we know Puck can be sensitive, so I'd prefer it if they didn't just pigeon hole him because they needed a dissenting voice. But whatever. Back to regularly scheduled squeeing.
I think I may have mentioned character development? So, (and I've kept the best til last!) let me talk of Sue, and of Kurt, and of Mercedes. Who all ROCK. Rather a lot.
Sue is just brilliant in this episode, which is good because there's a lot of her. And, I think one of the most hilarious things is that this episode both gives us more insight and development into Sue's character, yet also at the end of the episode she is unashamedly exactly the same character as she was at the beginning of the episode: the one and only Sue Sylvester. Priceless. And the acknowledgement and pushing of the hair jokes! So, so funny.
Sue as Madonna in Vogue was just awesome though. Totally, totally perfect.
And ok, now I can FINALLY talk about the pure excellence that is Kurt and Mercedes.
I do feel bad about Mercedes, because I really love her, and I love what she represents - I love that she is just as talented as Rachel, and just as determined to be a star, and so confident and secure in who she is, and she sees where she is sidelined and has a problem with it and speaks out, and when she gets the opportunity to shine she grabs it. I love that she is just as good as Rachel, and not at all as bad as Rachel - she isn't irritating but is supremely cool and witty, she speaks her mind and she is a good friend and a good person. And I love Mercedes for all of that.
And I'm sorry Mercedes, because I really do love you, but Kurt upstages her in this episode in practically every way. And I don't feel bad about that, because I adore Kurt, and Chris Colfer is just on fire this episode. He always does so much often with hardly any material, so I love it when the writers really give him something to run with. And boy, does he run with it this episode. Kurt is just brilliant.
For example in the Vogue video, Kurt had a lot more to do than Mercedes, and frankly I thought he was looking amazing, and personally the first time I saw it I was only able to stare helplessly at Sue and at Kurt. And then, again, when they performed 4 minutes (er, wait a moment please --
OH MY GOD KURT AND MERCEDES PERFORMED 4 MINUTES WITH THE CHEERIOS
AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE
OH MY GOD!!!
-- right, anyway, my point is) Mercedes was rocking, but Kurt just owned that. His every move, his every facial expression, particularly that sideways look with the "ooh!" lips at Mercedes, was awesome, charismatic and attractive and he just grabbed my attention so so much. Especially the way they stand at the end, with Kurt just slightly bent back, shoulder back, looked so much like a star.
This was definitely the best performance of the ep. Explains Sue: "I've decided to add vocals to my already wildly over produced Cheerios numbers; it'll give us an edge at Nationals." And it is - they are - simply brilliant. Their voices are so so good, and they really do need more attention. Real stars. But also, I loved that they had snapshots of Rachel and of Finn, because I believe that Rachel, when she stops thinking about herself for a rare moment, really does actually appreciate that Kurt, and especially Mercedes, are really very talented, and despite her usual obsession with being the star and getting all the solos, I really do think that Rachel acknowledges and is impressed particularly with Mercedes' talent, as was previously explored in her sing off with Kurt over defying gravity and with her agreeing to Mercedes doing a major solo at sectionals. And, I love Quinn, and so I love the brief shot of her looking so, so delighted at her two loves and clubs being joined like this, and just I think, at the sheer awesome on display.
Can I just say, going back to the spoiler things from the top of the post - I knew that at some point, someone surprising would be joining the Cheerios. I didn't even consider it would be Kurt and Mercedes. And then I watched some cast comments about Madonna, which I had been promised - promised! - weren't spoilery, and there was Chris Colfer, sitting there in a Cheerios uniform! So, I was pretty shocked and excited about that, even though I was also kinda annoyed. And then, I was still nicely surprised and delighted watching it today. Because it was just, so, good.
I also wanna say, I think the one time Mercedes completely upstages Kurt is on their lines in the scene where Jesse is joining the glee club and everyone is objecting. That is just such a great scene - Finn's line, "What the hell?! It seems like now everybody's doing things just to hurt my feelings!", Kurt's "We were already fighting for second leads, and now you've shown up I've lost all hope of ever getting a solo." and Santana's "He's a spy, Mr Schue, I should know." really do say a lot about their characters right now and I think they're great snappy lines, but Mercedes' "And y'all just trot me out at the end of every number to wail on the last note, how is that ok?!" totally steals it as well as commenting on the show, not just her character's situation. A lot of us really want Kurt and Mercedes to have more screen time and more chances to shine.
Personally, while I would most certainly watch the Kurt and Mercedes show, and really would if they had some kind of spin off adventures on Broadway thing. Well. I would love love love them to have more screen time, and certainly I would love to listen to them sing a whole lot more. I love not only their rendition of 4 Minutes, but really loved that they got small solo parts in Like A Prayer at the end - Kurt really does have the voice of an angel, there's soething really strong and pure in it, and Mercedes was fantastic, blew me away. The only thing I didn't like about the performance was the random choir, but I guess there's some kind of rule that you can't do that song without one, so whatever, I forgive them. Anyway, I would love for Kurt and Mercedes to sing more and generally be and do more on the show. But, I do like most of the main characters and story lines, though they do get tiresome, but really I would point out... I don't think Matt has had a single line. This whole season. And honestly, I think Matt and Mike and Tina could really do with some of the development that Santana has been granted recently. I would love for Kurt and Mercedes to have more screen time, but at least at this point, they are established characters - they have actual characters, in a way that Matt literally doesn't, and Mike basically doesn't, and Tina is slowly gaining, and honestly, I think they too should have the chance to sing sometime too.
Wow, I had a lot to say... :P Can't wait for the next ep!
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