Glee Squee!
Jan. 27th, 2013 09:38 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elfinblazeFirstly, I've set up a Glee blog on tumblr, even though I don't have the time to run it, because there are no other active blogs like it out there. It's spoiler free, but only until an episode has aired in the USA, because I have friends who would like to stay spoiler-free but still want to see pictures from the filming of episodes, and stills, and behind the scenes videos. So this is for anyone who wants to catch up after they've seen an episode.
Secondly, if you haven't seen it yet, I posted a little season 4 ficlet last week, if anyone's interested.
But, on to the review...
Glee, season 4, episode 11, "Sadie Hawkins".
I'm very happy with this episode. It's sitting in my brain like a happy little pink thing, all fuzzy and warm.
It could have been very dark if the show had chosen to go that route and explored Blaine's history with Sadie Hawkins Dances, but it didn't. Which fits with my interpretation of his character so far. The Sadie Hawkins Dance at his first high school would have been an awful experience (we still don't know just how awful), but Blaine is far less traumatised than he could be because of it. He's far less traumatised than another person in his position might be.
It's a funny thing about life, that sometimes the worst experience of your life, isn't what traumatises you the most. Sometimes it's simple things that leave you scarred, like a careless comment by someone, while the big things that should haunt you may just be an interesting anecdote you tell at parties, like having your passport seized at gun point in a country where you don't speak the language. (I'm serious, this is a story my mother tells over lunch, as just an interesting experience she once had when she was travelling through Africa.)
Blaine is a very tough cookie. We know that since he came out at 13/14 years old, despite not being close to his family, and he refuses to go back in the closet, no matter how rejected, abused, or beaten up he's been. He might have insecurities about other people in his life (Cooper, Kurt), but there's a very strong centre there.
My personal imagination of Blaine's first Sadie Hawkins Dance is that when the guys showed up to beat him up, he ran away, leaving his friend behind. That's why he has so much regret over "running away" and why he never wants to let anyone down ever again. But this is just me spinning imaginary story threads.
So while he's not completely unscarred, he's not suffering from any PTSD (anymore) either.
What interests me about this episode is that he's told Tina about that incident! Maybe not details, but given how much he dislikes talking about it, that's significant. It says he trusts her. It says their friendship is very solid and close.
Having heard spoilers about this episode before it aired, I was... let's say, less than enthused about this storyline. But it went above and beyond all my expectations in the best possible ways.
Because who hasn't been Tina? Who hasn't had a crush on someone who is never going to feel the same?
So I have no problems with her crush on Blaine, because who doesn't have a crush on Blaine? I'm only surprised it took this long. I mean, look at the guy!
But that too makes sense. As she explains about his crush on Sam:
Tina: Blaine, you miss Kurt. You need some place to put your love, right?
Her crush on Blaine might well be the same kind of displaced affection. She was together with Mike for two years, after all. That was a long, strong relationship, and now it's gone and she needs to get past that, the same way Blaine is trying to get past Kurt. Poor kids, both of them.
Also, I love that song. I've never seen Jesus Christ Superstar, but I have been to an Andrew Lloyd Webber gala concert, and while this isn't my favourite rendition (it's the arrangement), it's still a beautiful song and I love Tina's voice.
And I like that she's going after what she wants, that she's actively chasing her desires, even if it's displaced, like this. And she seems to know that it's never going to go anywhere other than friendship, but it doesn't stop the feelings. Logic never does stop the feelings.
I am LOVING this romantic friendship though! I like that they can flirt with each other with open eyes, having put all their feelings on the table, and know it's not going to go anywhere. I like that they can feel so much affection for each other - going both ways - that's never going to be sexually realised.
Or at least, that's the way things look in this episode, who knows what's going to happen from here on. And, you know, I thought I would be bothered by this, but even if their relationship turns into something more serious, as unhealthy as that would be for both of them, I actually wouldn't be bothered by seeing that explored.
I sort of like Adam. He looks like he's going to be an interesting character to have around, and I like his English accent. But why did the actor get to keep his accent when Brody's actor didn't? I would have loved to have heard an Australian accent on the show.
Anyway, I like the Apples too. They really do look like a bunch of oddballs. The New Directions of NYADA.
Interesting that Rachel's buying into what the snobs say about them. But Kurt knows better.
I'm liking grown up Kurt. No more pining after unattainable boys, Kurt is now in a place where he can ask boys out. I'm so glad to see him happy. I've missed seeing him happy, and if Adam makes him happy, that's good.
Of course, I'd rather see him being happy with Blaine, but that's not going to happen yet. I'm content to wait though until they sort themselves out.
Trent Warbler gets to be awesome! I'm kinda disappointed that the Warblers will most likely be disqualified, and New Directions won't have to figure out a purpose outside of a competition framework, but I guess the competitions are important to the show. Oh well. But at least we get this lovely scene of Trent talking about the damage Sebastian and Hunter have done to the Warblers.
And I like seeing Sam and Blaine as good, effective leaders.
Also, this scene is cute. I always love scenes of the Glee Club members just hanging out outside of class, just being friends. It reminds me of how far they and the school has come considering the gulf between them all when the series started.
Yay, friendships!
Brittany: A friendly reminder: don't eat the snowflakes, they're fake and the glitter sticks to the roof of your mouth.
Glee comes back on January 30 in Australia. I think it's a double episode of "Dynamic Duets" and "Thanksgiving", but I haven't been able to confirm that. The advertising is a bit confusing. But I do know the date is right.
Secondly, if you haven't seen it yet, I posted a little season 4 ficlet last week, if anyone's interested.
But, on to the review...
Glee, season 4, episode 11, "Sadie Hawkins".
I'm very happy with this episode. It's sitting in my brain like a happy little pink thing, all fuzzy and warm.
It could have been very dark if the show had chosen to go that route and explored Blaine's history with Sadie Hawkins Dances, but it didn't. Which fits with my interpretation of his character so far. The Sadie Hawkins Dance at his first high school would have been an awful experience (we still don't know just how awful), but Blaine is far less traumatised than he could be because of it. He's far less traumatised than another person in his position might be.
It's a funny thing about life, that sometimes the worst experience of your life, isn't what traumatises you the most. Sometimes it's simple things that leave you scarred, like a careless comment by someone, while the big things that should haunt you may just be an interesting anecdote you tell at parties, like having your passport seized at gun point in a country where you don't speak the language. (I'm serious, this is a story my mother tells over lunch, as just an interesting experience she once had when she was travelling through Africa.)
Blaine is a very tough cookie. We know that since he came out at 13/14 years old, despite not being close to his family, and he refuses to go back in the closet, no matter how rejected, abused, or beaten up he's been. He might have insecurities about other people in his life (Cooper, Kurt), but there's a very strong centre there.
My personal imagination of Blaine's first Sadie Hawkins Dance is that when the guys showed up to beat him up, he ran away, leaving his friend behind. That's why he has so much regret over "running away" and why he never wants to let anyone down ever again. But this is just me spinning imaginary story threads.
So while he's not completely unscarred, he's not suffering from any PTSD (anymore) either.
What interests me about this episode is that he's told Tina about that incident! Maybe not details, but given how much he dislikes talking about it, that's significant. It says he trusts her. It says their friendship is very solid and close.
Having heard spoilers about this episode before it aired, I was... let's say, less than enthused about this storyline. But it went above and beyond all my expectations in the best possible ways.
Because who hasn't been Tina? Who hasn't had a crush on someone who is never going to feel the same?
So I have no problems with her crush on Blaine, because who doesn't have a crush on Blaine? I'm only surprised it took this long. I mean, look at the guy!
But that too makes sense. As she explains about his crush on Sam:
Tina: Blaine, you miss Kurt. You need some place to put your love, right?
Her crush on Blaine might well be the same kind of displaced affection. She was together with Mike for two years, after all. That was a long, strong relationship, and now it's gone and she needs to get past that, the same way Blaine is trying to get past Kurt. Poor kids, both of them.
Also, I love that song. I've never seen Jesus Christ Superstar, but I have been to an Andrew Lloyd Webber gala concert, and while this isn't my favourite rendition (it's the arrangement), it's still a beautiful song and I love Tina's voice.
And I like that she's going after what she wants, that she's actively chasing her desires, even if it's displaced, like this. And she seems to know that it's never going to go anywhere other than friendship, but it doesn't stop the feelings. Logic never does stop the feelings.
I am LOVING this romantic friendship though! I like that they can flirt with each other with open eyes, having put all their feelings on the table, and know it's not going to go anywhere. I like that they can feel so much affection for each other - going both ways - that's never going to be sexually realised.
Or at least, that's the way things look in this episode, who knows what's going to happen from here on. And, you know, I thought I would be bothered by this, but even if their relationship turns into something more serious, as unhealthy as that would be for both of them, I actually wouldn't be bothered by seeing that explored.
I sort of like Adam. He looks like he's going to be an interesting character to have around, and I like his English accent. But why did the actor get to keep his accent when Brody's actor didn't? I would have loved to have heard an Australian accent on the show.
Anyway, I like the Apples too. They really do look like a bunch of oddballs. The New Directions of NYADA.
Interesting that Rachel's buying into what the snobs say about them. But Kurt knows better.
I'm liking grown up Kurt. No more pining after unattainable boys, Kurt is now in a place where he can ask boys out. I'm so glad to see him happy. I've missed seeing him happy, and if Adam makes him happy, that's good.
Of course, I'd rather see him being happy with Blaine, but that's not going to happen yet. I'm content to wait though until they sort themselves out.
Trent Warbler gets to be awesome! I'm kinda disappointed that the Warblers will most likely be disqualified, and New Directions won't have to figure out a purpose outside of a competition framework, but I guess the competitions are important to the show. Oh well. But at least we get this lovely scene of Trent talking about the damage Sebastian and Hunter have done to the Warblers.
And I like seeing Sam and Blaine as good, effective leaders.
Also, this scene is cute. I always love scenes of the Glee Club members just hanging out outside of class, just being friends. It reminds me of how far they and the school has come considering the gulf between them all when the series started.
Yay, friendships!
Brittany: A friendly reminder: don't eat the snowflakes, they're fake and the glitter sticks to the roof of your mouth.
Glee comes back on January 30 in Australia. I think it's a double episode of "Dynamic Duets" and "Thanksgiving", but I haven't been able to confirm that. The advertising is a bit confusing. But I do know the date is right.
