Glee 5x15 Picspam
I'm not sure whether I should be happy or sad that this week I'm back to being disappointed with Glee, but maybe I should expect it by now.
So we start out with...a random song. Just a song. No context. If people didn't know spoilers they'd have absolutely no idea what was going on except it seems kind of serious and sad. I'm going to take a moment here to say that, even though I love a lot of musicals, I have never really been a fan of Sondheim and this episode didn't convince me otherwise. It's just...not my style of music at all.
I will say that Kurt and Blaine harmonizing in this song sounded gorgeous though.
Unfortunately, sadness that has no context also has no emotional resonance.
And this...okay, this display seems...excessive? Considering that this guy is still alive in the hospital? Wouldn't you want to send flowers and such to him? Especially the candles, candles aren't typically used for somebody still alive, so...yeah, this confused me, but more on that in a bit.
Hey remember how Kurt seemed important in this scene well keep remembering that for the next half-hour because we're going to drop this storyline until then.
Oh look another week of Rachel learning a Very Important Lesson that she'll no doubt forget by the next episode.
And there was too many...sudden changes-of-heart in this episode, like this guy going from "absolutely not" to "sure okay" in about five seconds.
...where does Blaine live? Because he's sure never been inside of Mercedes' apartment and I'm very confused. Also that is a giant bowl of cereal, Sam.
Blaine reads Sam Star Wars fanfiction why am I not surprised.
And he doesn't just read it, he also acts it out and does voices where do I get somebody to do this for me?
Sam just looks so much better with short hair and also a lot younger.
And, okay, I do like Samcedes, but this storyline....did not work for me. I don't know if it was because it completely clashed with the tone of the episode, because they spent a lot of time on it but it still felt awkwardly rushed, because the message the entire time seemed to be 'but they have no chemistry and no real dating history so why are they together', because Amber's solos were really long compared to some of the other songs, or a combination of everything but yeah, it didn't work for me.
Again, sudden changes of heart that really never get explained or rationalized.
Artie was the voice of reason this episode which isn't a role he normally plays but it was appreciated. "It's only the second week stop saying it's a tradition."
And then we get the random meta about the recent gay bashings in New York as well as the 'oh well that dude our neighbor kind of knows him which is why the whole city went to his memorial even though he's still alive' explanation after two scenes of the first scene not being explained, and then Kurt asking to change the subject so it's never really fully fleshed out. I don't know if this is a writing issue, a directing issue, or an editing issue, but this episode was really disjointed and poorly paced.
Blaine probably wondering if he can get away playing footsie with Kurt.
Whoever did the location sound for this scene needs an explanation on how to film outdoors because it was horrible.
THIS LADY THOUGH AND HER "YOU CAN'T THROW THINGS IN THE RIVER"
AND THEN SAM JUST LIKE THROWS COINS AT HER SAM WHAT.
How does she react to Mercedes throwing a jacket in the river, though?
Sam she's dressed warmer than you even without a coat I don't think she needs it more than you do.
Okay, this scene excited me because that is Jane's Carousel, and it only survived Hurricane Sandy by virtue of being inside a glass box. Seriously, the water came up the walls and if it had been outside it would have been ruined:
Also it's a really cool story in that it was built in the 1920s originally and was at an amusement park in Ohio until there was a fire there 50 years later, but the carousel survived, and eventually this woman and her husband bought it, dismantled it, brought it to New York, and she hand-restored all of the horses by scraping the old paint off and re-painting them. So it's truly a work of art and it's cool that it was showcased on Glee in a prominent way.
The random nighttime I did not understand this at all.
Also yes most people just bring their drums and guitars onto carousels with them.
I can't even imagine the time it would take to paint all of those horses (apparently it was close to 20 years which...you really have got to love what you're doing!)
And...daytime again. This song was truly gratuitous but I could care less because carousel.
Yeah, Mercedes' friends were kind of useless.
And Sam was so awkward in this scene I spent most of it cringing from second-hand embarrassment.
CARMEN'S FACE WHEN BLAINE STARTS SINGING.
They really hammed it up though and it was fun to watch.
except what was this walk Blaine you look like a constipated penguin.
Not impressed.
Also Blaine's tuxedo is too big for him he looks like he's swimming in it.
"But we didn't realize the assignment had rules even though you told us!"
And again, she literally goes from "FAIL!" to "k you can sing again" within about five seconds and ???
...Rachel is being awful what a surprise.
And yeah, like, she stalked this woman in order to get her spot at NYADA and now she's all 'lol nope bye' I'd be a little annoyed, too.
I do understand that it's probably unrealistic to attend school/job/a Broadway show but Rachel could have been a lot more mature about it, especially since she lectures Kurt on 'growing up' when she's got about the most of it to do.
Carmen's "gurl you better think long and hard before you walk out of here" look
Mercedes your friends are obviously not telling you what you want to hear.
Even though in this scene they spent most of it complimenting Sam.
He's moved from the bowl of cereal to straight out of the container.
And here we have another abrupt turnaround, and I do get the importance of having an interracial relationship, but I dislike that it became less about 'society will judge us' and more about 'i have to think about my career, Sam, so I'm kicking you out' because that cheapened the issue. Also, again, Blaine? Where is Blaine living? Their first potluck he came out of Kurt's room so he's obviously spending most of his time at the loft anyway. Why did he move out?
Yeah. Bad argument.
Kurt being the voice of reason again.
Rachel being awful again.
Rachel still being awful.
Kurt being through with her shit. I feel like this has been done before. Oh, wait. Because it has. Several times.
Apparently this alleyway is used for a lot of muggings in TV/movies.
This scene really kind of gave me a weird sense of deja vu because the night they filmed this and we got the spoilers, the next day there was a story where I live about a guy the next town over who was walking by a bunch of guys beating up an innocent guy, he stepped in to intervene, the original guy ran, and he ended up being hospitalized for his trouble. Which is exactly what happened here and it's kind of...freaky to me that real life mirrored Glee so exactly at almost exactly the same time.
Also I guess Chris originally said he didn't want a stunt double and then ended up smacking his head on the ground and needing an ice pack. And literally every time Chris tries to do his own stunts he ends up hurting himself, so you'd think they'd not let him do that anymore.
So Blaine and Sam are at the loft with nobody else around and yet neither of them lives there okay makes sense.
Sam blowing a kazoo to get Blaine to come read him fanfiction though.
Blaine being Kurt's emergency contact is lovely.
Okay, this...was unintentionally hilarious. It's pretty much directing 101 that there are certain camera angles you never use unless it's been previously established that they're being deliberately done for effect, but you cannot start using them in the middle of an episode in the middle of a series that's gone on for 100 episodes and expect it to look decent at all. As a result, it just looks like somebody knocked the camera and it only filmed half an image.
Case in point. This is not dramatic. It's just funny.
Nice...smoulder, Sam.
I relate to this picture because being a film student I remember when I had to do this.
Protip: film school is great. It's also $10,000 I'll never get back and a diploma that's good for nothing but being something to set drinks on.
Why is Rachel complaining about a script that's existed for years?
Rachel nearly falling onto Mercedes again after stumbling over there because stupid shoes.
Concerned people.
Sam's so ready to make whoever did this pay it's just like with Karofsky back in season two.
Rachel feeling guilt.
Okay, this song was really short and Darren sounded great but compared to how long Mercedes' solos were and the fact that Blaine's song was actually plot relevant you'd think they would have extended it.
Also his outfit here is very reminiscent of what Kurt wore during "The Scientist" I'm not sure if it's deliberate but a blazer over a turtleneck isn't exactly the most normal thing to see.
DARREN'S ACTING WAS SO SPOT ON IN THIS SCENE ARGH FEELS
... :(
And then hey-oh happy scene at a recording studio with no mention of Kurt.
Mercedes doing that quick turnaround with no provocation whatsoever. Like, if it had been "because of what happened to Kurt I realize I can't be worried about what people might think" that would have made sense, but no, literally nothing.
I guess this is Amber's original song, and it's lovely, but it went on too long.
And the song really didn't lyrically match their situation at all so for Sam to 'realize' that it somehow means they're together was also unexplained. That piano player looks so bored though he's probably going "I used too play for Ray Charles and John Coltrane and now we have teenagers with relationship drama I'm too old for this crap".
BURT. Every episode immediately improves in quality when Burt appears <3
"I used to play football."
"So did I."
So yes, this scene was very lovely except in the end we didn't learn anything new: Kurt's still fighting the good fight and Burt's still proud of him but still worried that he's trying to do too much himself.
And now we have the scene that really didn't make sense. Okay, based on the filming spoilers this guy was supposed to die which is why Kurt was supposed to be hesitant to go to the memorial. And why the scene is so solemn. Blaine's line about "I hear he'll be okay" was dubbed in later because it's said while both of them are off-screen, and Kurt doesn't react to it at all.
And so literally all emotional resonance is stripped from the scene because it makes no sense.
Rachel has learned her lesson.
Kurt has forgiven her. He still has that picture of Notre Dame behind him.
Mark my words, she'll forget it in a week or two.
DARREN GOES IN FOR A KISS BUT CHRIS ISN'T LOOKING AND IT'S REALLY AWKWARD.
Artie again being all, 'you two never really dated' and everybody else being 'you have no chemistry' like it was just weird.
this was unscripted, I think.
mostly based on their completely confused reactions because they literally look like they have no idea how to react.
why is kurt drinking out of a chemistry beaker or something?
this song was very nice but i think he's done better broadway solos. not based on singing quality, but just the song itself.
.........so Rachel couldn't reschedule her critique but manages to show up for Kurt's? Okay then. Also it was really weird that they all promised to come and then Artie's not there, but I know Kevin was filming a movie at the time so logically it makes sense.
BLAINE'S SO PROUD.
BURT SINGING ALONG HE KNOWS ALL THE WORDS TO THE BROADWAY SONGS.
And Sam's so impressed like are we ever going to get that Kurt/Sam duet from season two or no?
Yay baby.
DARREN GOES IN TO KISS HIM AGAIN AND CHRIS IS LOOKING THE OTHER WAY THESE GUYS NEED TO WORK OUT THEIR TIMING.
And everybody's happy for now!
So...yeah. Basically, too much time spent on a poorly resolved Samcedes storyline, Rachel learning the same lesson for the umpteenth time, and the most important storyline of the episode being overshadowed by poor pacing, insufficient exposition time, and a badly changed resolution that lessened the emotional impact of it mean that this episode...wasn't my favorite.
Next week looks like it's back to comedy and awesome 80s music and Klaine, though, so I'm looking forward to that! And Kurt and Blaine shooting down Sam's abstinence club idea in the promo is all kinds of win.
So? Thoughts?
So we start out with...a random song. Just a song. No context. If people didn't know spoilers they'd have absolutely no idea what was going on except it seems kind of serious and sad. I'm going to take a moment here to say that, even though I love a lot of musicals, I have never really been a fan of Sondheim and this episode didn't convince me otherwise. It's just...not my style of music at all.
I will say that Kurt and Blaine harmonizing in this song sounded gorgeous though.
Unfortunately, sadness that has no context also has no emotional resonance.
And this...okay, this display seems...excessive? Considering that this guy is still alive in the hospital? Wouldn't you want to send flowers and such to him? Especially the candles, candles aren't typically used for somebody still alive, so...yeah, this confused me, but more on that in a bit.
Hey remember how Kurt seemed important in this scene well keep remembering that for the next half-hour because we're going to drop this storyline until then.
Oh look another week of Rachel learning a Very Important Lesson that she'll no doubt forget by the next episode.
And there was too many...sudden changes-of-heart in this episode, like this guy going from "absolutely not" to "sure okay" in about five seconds.
...where does Blaine live? Because he's sure never been inside of Mercedes' apartment and I'm very confused. Also that is a giant bowl of cereal, Sam.
Blaine reads Sam Star Wars fanfiction why am I not surprised.
And he doesn't just read it, he also acts it out and does voices where do I get somebody to do this for me?
Sam just looks so much better with short hair and also a lot younger.
And, okay, I do like Samcedes, but this storyline....did not work for me. I don't know if it was because it completely clashed with the tone of the episode, because they spent a lot of time on it but it still felt awkwardly rushed, because the message the entire time seemed to be 'but they have no chemistry and no real dating history so why are they together', because Amber's solos were really long compared to some of the other songs, or a combination of everything but yeah, it didn't work for me.
Again, sudden changes of heart that really never get explained or rationalized.
Artie was the voice of reason this episode which isn't a role he normally plays but it was appreciated. "It's only the second week stop saying it's a tradition."
And then we get the random meta about the recent gay bashings in New York as well as the 'oh well that dude our neighbor kind of knows him which is why the whole city went to his memorial even though he's still alive' explanation after two scenes of the first scene not being explained, and then Kurt asking to change the subject so it's never really fully fleshed out. I don't know if this is a writing issue, a directing issue, or an editing issue, but this episode was really disjointed and poorly paced.
Blaine probably wondering if he can get away playing footsie with Kurt.
Whoever did the location sound for this scene needs an explanation on how to film outdoors because it was horrible.
THIS LADY THOUGH AND HER "YOU CAN'T THROW THINGS IN THE RIVER"
AND THEN SAM JUST LIKE THROWS COINS AT HER SAM WHAT.
How does she react to Mercedes throwing a jacket in the river, though?
Sam she's dressed warmer than you even without a coat I don't think she needs it more than you do.
Okay, this scene excited me because that is Jane's Carousel, and it only survived Hurricane Sandy by virtue of being inside a glass box. Seriously, the water came up the walls and if it had been outside it would have been ruined:
Also it's a really cool story in that it was built in the 1920s originally and was at an amusement park in Ohio until there was a fire there 50 years later, but the carousel survived, and eventually this woman and her husband bought it, dismantled it, brought it to New York, and she hand-restored all of the horses by scraping the old paint off and re-painting them. So it's truly a work of art and it's cool that it was showcased on Glee in a prominent way.
The random nighttime I did not understand this at all.
Also yes most people just bring their drums and guitars onto carousels with them.
I can't even imagine the time it would take to paint all of those horses (apparently it was close to 20 years which...you really have got to love what you're doing!)
And...daytime again. This song was truly gratuitous but I could care less because carousel.
Yeah, Mercedes' friends were kind of useless.
And Sam was so awkward in this scene I spent most of it cringing from second-hand embarrassment.
CARMEN'S FACE WHEN BLAINE STARTS SINGING.
They really hammed it up though and it was fun to watch.
except what was this walk Blaine you look like a constipated penguin.
Not impressed.
Also Blaine's tuxedo is too big for him he looks like he's swimming in it.
"But we didn't realize the assignment had rules even though you told us!"
And again, she literally goes from "FAIL!" to "k you can sing again" within about five seconds and ???
...Rachel is being awful what a surprise.
And yeah, like, she stalked this woman in order to get her spot at NYADA and now she's all 'lol nope bye' I'd be a little annoyed, too.
I do understand that it's probably unrealistic to attend school/job/a Broadway show but Rachel could have been a lot more mature about it, especially since she lectures Kurt on 'growing up' when she's got about the most of it to do.
Carmen's "gurl you better think long and hard before you walk out of here" look
Mercedes your friends are obviously not telling you what you want to hear.
Even though in this scene they spent most of it complimenting Sam.
He's moved from the bowl of cereal to straight out of the container.
And here we have another abrupt turnaround, and I do get the importance of having an interracial relationship, but I dislike that it became less about 'society will judge us' and more about 'i have to think about my career, Sam, so I'm kicking you out' because that cheapened the issue. Also, again, Blaine? Where is Blaine living? Their first potluck he came out of Kurt's room so he's obviously spending most of his time at the loft anyway. Why did he move out?
Yeah. Bad argument.
Kurt being the voice of reason again.
Rachel being awful again.
Rachel still being awful.
Kurt being through with her shit. I feel like this has been done before. Oh, wait. Because it has. Several times.
Apparently this alleyway is used for a lot of muggings in TV/movies.
This scene really kind of gave me a weird sense of deja vu because the night they filmed this and we got the spoilers, the next day there was a story where I live about a guy the next town over who was walking by a bunch of guys beating up an innocent guy, he stepped in to intervene, the original guy ran, and he ended up being hospitalized for his trouble. Which is exactly what happened here and it's kind of...freaky to me that real life mirrored Glee so exactly at almost exactly the same time.
Also I guess Chris originally said he didn't want a stunt double and then ended up smacking his head on the ground and needing an ice pack. And literally every time Chris tries to do his own stunts he ends up hurting himself, so you'd think they'd not let him do that anymore.
So Blaine and Sam are at the loft with nobody else around and yet neither of them lives there okay makes sense.
Sam blowing a kazoo to get Blaine to come read him fanfiction though.
Blaine being Kurt's emergency contact is lovely.
Okay, this...was unintentionally hilarious. It's pretty much directing 101 that there are certain camera angles you never use unless it's been previously established that they're being deliberately done for effect, but you cannot start using them in the middle of an episode in the middle of a series that's gone on for 100 episodes and expect it to look decent at all. As a result, it just looks like somebody knocked the camera and it only filmed half an image.
Case in point. This is not dramatic. It's just funny.
Nice...smoulder, Sam.
I relate to this picture because being a film student I remember when I had to do this.
Protip: film school is great. It's also $10,000 I'll never get back and a diploma that's good for nothing but being something to set drinks on.
Why is Rachel complaining about a script that's existed for years?
Rachel nearly falling onto Mercedes again after stumbling over there because stupid shoes.
Concerned people.
Sam's so ready to make whoever did this pay it's just like with Karofsky back in season two.
Rachel feeling guilt.
Okay, this song was really short and Darren sounded great but compared to how long Mercedes' solos were and the fact that Blaine's song was actually plot relevant you'd think they would have extended it.
Also his outfit here is very reminiscent of what Kurt wore during "The Scientist" I'm not sure if it's deliberate but a blazer over a turtleneck isn't exactly the most normal thing to see.
DARREN'S ACTING WAS SO SPOT ON IN THIS SCENE ARGH FEELS
... :(
And then hey-oh happy scene at a recording studio with no mention of Kurt.
Mercedes doing that quick turnaround with no provocation whatsoever. Like, if it had been "because of what happened to Kurt I realize I can't be worried about what people might think" that would have made sense, but no, literally nothing.
I guess this is Amber's original song, and it's lovely, but it went on too long.
And the song really didn't lyrically match their situation at all so for Sam to 'realize' that it somehow means they're together was also unexplained. That piano player looks so bored though he's probably going "I used too play for Ray Charles and John Coltrane and now we have teenagers with relationship drama I'm too old for this crap".
BURT. Every episode immediately improves in quality when Burt appears <3
"I used to play football."
"So did I."
So yes, this scene was very lovely except in the end we didn't learn anything new: Kurt's still fighting the good fight and Burt's still proud of him but still worried that he's trying to do too much himself.
And now we have the scene that really didn't make sense. Okay, based on the filming spoilers this guy was supposed to die which is why Kurt was supposed to be hesitant to go to the memorial. And why the scene is so solemn. Blaine's line about "I hear he'll be okay" was dubbed in later because it's said while both of them are off-screen, and Kurt doesn't react to it at all.
And so literally all emotional resonance is stripped from the scene because it makes no sense.
Rachel has learned her lesson.
Kurt has forgiven her. He still has that picture of Notre Dame behind him.
Mark my words, she'll forget it in a week or two.
DARREN GOES IN FOR A KISS BUT CHRIS ISN'T LOOKING AND IT'S REALLY AWKWARD.
Artie again being all, 'you two never really dated' and everybody else being 'you have no chemistry' like it was just weird.
this was unscripted, I think.
mostly based on their completely confused reactions because they literally look like they have no idea how to react.
why is kurt drinking out of a chemistry beaker or something?
this song was very nice but i think he's done better broadway solos. not based on singing quality, but just the song itself.
.........so Rachel couldn't reschedule her critique but manages to show up for Kurt's? Okay then. Also it was really weird that they all promised to come and then Artie's not there, but I know Kevin was filming a movie at the time so logically it makes sense.
BLAINE'S SO PROUD.
BURT SINGING ALONG HE KNOWS ALL THE WORDS TO THE BROADWAY SONGS.
And Sam's so impressed like are we ever going to get that Kurt/Sam duet from season two or no?
Yay baby.
DARREN GOES IN TO KISS HIM AGAIN AND CHRIS IS LOOKING THE OTHER WAY THESE GUYS NEED TO WORK OUT THEIR TIMING.
And everybody's happy for now!
So...yeah. Basically, too much time spent on a poorly resolved Samcedes storyline, Rachel learning the same lesson for the umpteenth time, and the most important storyline of the episode being overshadowed by poor pacing, insufficient exposition time, and a badly changed resolution that lessened the emotional impact of it mean that this episode...wasn't my favorite.
Next week looks like it's back to comedy and awesome 80s music and Klaine, though, so I'm looking forward to that! And Kurt and Blaine shooting down Sam's abstinence club idea in the promo is all kinds of win.
So? Thoughts?