Gleeverse Challenge 10: So Here's What You Missed on Glee
Written and Directed by Brad Falchuk
Original Air Date: September 23, 2009
Summary:
This is one of the better episodes from early season one, and a bunch of things happen. Kurt is caught dancing the Single Ladies dance with Tina and Brittany, Quinn tells Finn she’s pregnant, and the football team wins their first game of the season.
After Kurt’s dad catches him dancing in their basement, Brittany says they’re helping Kurt condition for the football team. Finn helps Kurt get a tryout for the position of kicker on the football team, and he successfully kicks the ball with the help of Single Ladies. Kurt also helps the football team loosen up by teaching them the dance, which they later perform on the field. Finn decides that the team will dance during the 4th quarter, with the hope of scoring a touchdown to tie up the game. The opposing team is so baffled by their dancing, that Puck is able to score. Kurt then gets his chance to break the tie and is successful. After the game, Kurt confesses to his dad that he’s gay, and his dad hugs him and says he’ll always love him.
Early in the episode, Quinn confesses to Finn that she is pregnant and convinces him it happened when they were making out in the hot tub a few weeks ago. There is a touching scene where Finn tells Mr. Schuester about it, and Shue comforts him. This is how Terri finds out about Quinn.
Finn tells Puck, who then confronts Quinn because he knows the baby is his. He tells her he wants to take care of her and the baby, but Quinn calls him a Lima looser and storms off. Terri confronts Quinn in her car and offers to help her out.
Terri confesses that she has a hysterical pregnancy to her sister, who says that dishonesty is like food for a marriage and so Terri must maintain the lie.
The local news channel has given Sue her own short segment on the news called “Sue’s Corner.” When the producer comes to the school, he tells her he’s not sure how she’ll be able to win nationals this year with some of her cheerleaders moving to Glee. And Sue’s Corner is all about success, so Sue must be successful. Sue contacts Sandy and hires him as the art director. They decide to put on a production of Cabaret to temp Rachel to quit Glee. Their plot is successful.
Rachel quits the Glee club by the end of the episode in protest of Mr. Schue giving the solo Tonight to Tina. She storms out of rehearsal, auditions for Cabaret, and ultimately quits because she feels Mr. Schue is not honoring her talent.
Least Favorite Scene:
Rachel’s behavior in this whole episode is one of the worst parts, specifically the scene where she’s talking to Mr. Schue. Her behavior is terrible. This scene showcases Rachel’s selfish, childish behavior extremely well. I feel she has a point-she is the best singer in the club-but you can’t always get what you want, and her condescending attitude towards both Tina and Mr. Schue is awful. The audience knows, just like Mr. Schue said, that she is leaving Glee club out of spite. She doesn’t understand the definition of team work, and can’t understand why no one sympathizes with her. I think this scene, and Rachel’s lines, are very well written, but it’s
really difficult to like her at this moment.
Most Favorite Scene:
The best scene in this episode, hands down, is the exchange between Kurt and Burt at the end of the episode. Throughout the entire episode, there have been hints that everyone knows Kurt is gay, and Kurt’s attempts to deny it only show his insecurity. The audience has no idea how Burt will react until Kurt actually comes out and confesses, and we are delighted at how honest and loving he is. It’s awkward and touching. Burt isn’t comfortable with Kurt being gay, but that’s his own thing to work through, and he will love Kurt no matter what. It’s such a difference from other shows where the parents either accept it 100%, or not at all.
Another favorite from this episode was Mr. Schue’s interactions with Tina and Finn. He’s so caring and supportive, and this is why I really like his character. I hope they have more of this Mr. Schue in season 3.
I also like Sue’s Corner from the end of the episode. Even though she says some terrible things, she does have a great point.
Least Favorite Musical Number:
The worst number in this episode is probably Tonight, by Tina. The song itself is actually really good, and Tina does a great job. It’s nice to hear how great she sounds without any post-production. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of musical numbers in this episode, so this one is the least awesome.
Most Favorite Musical Number:
For me, it’s a toss-up between Single Ladies and Taking Chances. Lea Michele does a fantastic job (as usual) and really blows it out of the water. But watching Kurt, Brittany, and Tina doing the Single Ladies dance is also fantastic. Visually, Single Ladies is a fantastic number, but Lea’s vocals are stunning.
The End
This is one of my favorite episodes from the early season one, and I really like how it paves the way for a lot of character development. Even though I hated Rachel when I saw this the first time, I can appreciate it now knowing how Rachel matures.
