And Finally, Some Appreciation for the Not-Changs

[lookninjas]

Note: This recap got into some discussion of racism, mental illness, and child abuse (if you've seen the episode, you know exactly who I'm talking about right now.) There's also some relatively minor speculation on the possibility (possibility, because I'm not willing to judge just yet, but I'm worried) that Mercedes' relationship is more harmful

Comments

[crown_of_weeds]

I really, really think that Mercedes being sick was at least in part a Dreamgirls ref. As well as being quite...she was sick, or hurt, or self-sabotaging, or whatever, playing up to the Mercedes Will sees in his head, but the point was still made that EVEN THEN, it unequivocally doesn't matter, she's been treated unfairly. It's...bold? I don't know. Unexpected, for me.

It looks like Ian writers Mercedes, primarily, which I find fascinating.

My view of Mercedes is generally that so few people treat her with any genuine kindness or affection that she's starved for it. She responds very, very strongly to small gestures. I don't see Shane as being...I don't have the same reaction to him that I've seen in a lot of people. I think he's encouraging her to stand up for herself--her own personal You Matter. I like him, I think.

Rachel's realization that she is just the default really sold the episode for me. (Well, and Mike Chang, but I'd say you've got that covered pretty extensively!)

Also your tags are fabulous.

And I agree with a lot of what you said--Kurt, Rachel, Emma and her goddamn parents, etc.

[lookninjas]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if Shelby isn't back on the show so she can be the one to invariably point out that Will's turning a little too Vocal Adrenaline for his own good.

I don't have a problem with him saying that Mercedes (or Kurt, for that matter) need a little extra dance work. They're not as bad as Finn or Puck (Puck's little moment in "Cool" was hilarious), but they both need improvement. However, pushing her after she's run to the garbage can to puke? "Your best isn't enough; you need to do better"? Man's starting to drift along the road to twenty-four hour rehearsals and IV drips. And if anyone in this show is going to know what that road looks like, it's going to be Shelby.

Still not sure about Shane; like I said, it's entirely possible that he's just sort of parroting what he's learned/been told from being part of football, and doesn't quite realize that it simply doesn't apply to theatre work. Still bad advice, though.

[crown_of_weeds]

You know, I've been wondering about Shelby serving that purpose as well! I...I think that could be really interesting, and I can definitely see it being set up from even 3.01. Will...Will is doing some interesting things this year. He's really forgotten what he said the Glee Club's original purpose was. And the way he delivers his lines about your best not being good enough, and they way they've been filming his confrontations with students--Quinn, Mercedes...that isn't how you shoot or act a sympathetic or ultimately reasonable and correct character.

And, honestly...neither Kurt, Tina, nor Quinn are even ATTEMPTING the widowmaker, and they all get excused before Mercedes, who only stops trying when she's the only one left and all eyes are on her. Which, to me, indicates that--as in Dreamgirls, I believe--she feels sick etc. when the pressure is too high and it's humiliating and unfair and she wants an escape. I feel bad for her.

I do not for one second think we're supposed to find her *actually* lazy.

I really don't want to negate your experiences or your reaction to Shane. As someone who did a lot of theater in high school and after, I'm not quite sure why his advice wouldn't apply though? I saw what you said about needing to work with Rachel after the audition, but Mercedes also says they can hug *after* she gets the part. I did a lot of stage management, so I wasn't usually auditioning, but a competitive mindset didn't seem uncommon, and it is something Mercedes has had trouble with in the past.

I want to see how this changes Mercedes. I want to see what being in Shelby's glee club, what being rewarded for effort, what being able to do something besides wail on the last note, is like for her. There was a certain...quiet, grown-up something to her in that very last scene with Shelby. Some sort of painful understanding? I probably just need to fic it until I can understand it better. But I think something complicated has happened with Mercedes, and I think the aftermath is going to be really interesting.

Basically I just want to see 3x04 NOW. Is that too much to ask?