GleeHab Review: BAD REPUTATION

I’m pretty sure that this show just keeps getting better and better.  It was off to a bit of a rocky start after the hiatus (in my opinion) but we’re finally back on track!

This week’s episode was all about scandal and it was very well done.  I’m not gonna lie, I was a little curious as to how they were going to work “Run Joey Run” in to the show but they did a great job, but more on that later.

We start off with the kids watching a home movie of Sue Sylvester shaking her groove thing to Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” and the kids are getting quite the kick out of it.  Can you blame them?  My favorite part of this scene (besides the whole thing) was the fact that the video was found when Kurt went to retrieve Sue’s hormone replacement injections!  Finn decides that the video should be immediately posted on YouTube (I agree with you Finn) and then Rachel brings everyone back down by pointing out that there’s a good chance Sue will kill each and every one of them.  Which she probably will.  Jesse, the bad ass that he is (apparently), pushes them back on to the dark side and up it goes.  As predicted the video goes viral by lunch!

Cut to The Figg’s office where Sue is all sorts of PISSED because she is certain that one of the Glee kids posted it (hence, Will’s presence).  Will is defensive as always and we get the first of many great Sue quotes from the episode, “Will I may buy you a small diaper for your chin because it looks like a baby’s ass.”  Sue hands The Figg a list of some of the hurtful comments the video has received and Will can’t help but crack up when one of them reads, “the man in this video looks like the world-famous cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester” – God love ya Will!  Will goes on to defend the kids, pointing out that there are others that hate her in the school but then she whips out the dreaded GLIST!  We all know that it contains the names of the kids in the Glee club that have been the most scandalous.  The Figg is distraught because history is repeating itself at McKinley because last year someone posted a list of the “10 Ugliest Gingers” and then pointed out that it had been a faculty member (SUE!).  The Figg instructs Will to find out who in the club created and posted the Glist or he’s gonna kick the entire club out!  Will’s stressed and distraught with yet another roadblock to his club’s success.

Next, we find ourselves in the choir room (hey, has anyone spotted that wiener dog Matt Morrison mentioned at Paley Fest yet?) where Will confronts the kids about the Glist and demands to know who wrote it.  Santana throws the “no duh” factor in there and instantly points to Puck (no doubt she’s still pissed at him because he credit score sucks) and Puck is quick to own up to being a jackass but he denied the Glist.  Will lectures the kids on becoming those kids with the bad reputations and Artie chimes in pointing out that it’s not necessarily a bad thing…in fact, maybe if they come across as “bad kids” he’ll stop getting his glasses flushed down the toilet.  Poor Artie, I swear I just wanna give that kid a hug.

Always the caring and mentoring teacher, Will hands the kids some sheet music which, in my opinion, contains the most fantastic song of 1990 – “Ice Ice Baby”.  Much like “Bust a Move” the kids are not impressed with Will’s choice of songs to “parole” from their bad reputation but then he “kicks it” and we get what I have decided is the best song/dance number of the episode.  Why this over “Physical” or “Run Joey Run”?  Well, because he gets the kids so involved and they are all really having a lot of fun.  And, even though Matthew Morrison has stated in interviews that this was his least favorite song to do, you can tell he’s having fun too.  Plus, he f***ing hot and that’s enough for me.  So to all the haters that think he should stop rapping, I disagree.

We head on in to the lunch room where Sue walks in as usual but instead of being greeted by cowering colleagues she is greeted with slow motion laughing and finger-pointing.  She can’t figure it out…what was different?  Why wasn’t she feared anymore?  Ah yes, the video.  She was humiliated!  She grabs her usual cup of joe and is shocked when it smells like coffee and not fear and then gets a little meet & greet from Brenda Castle (aka the great and wonderful Molly Shannon)!  Brenda is new in school and has just been transferred from Fort Wayne because of her pill popping antics.  She points her finger at Sue and calls her an embarrassment and Sue just about looses her shit.

Back in the halls of McKinley, Rachel enlists Artie to help her create an incredible bad reputation project.  He stops her and says he’s in because she had him at “sex tapes” (HA!).  She plans on getting all sorts of musically promiscuous and walks off with a devious spark in her eye and Artie looks pretty terrified.

Back in the choir room Kurt and the gang (of non-Glist makers – Brittany included) are talking about how bummed they are that they didn’t even make in to this now legendary list of misfits.  Artie is quick to notice that Brittany is in the room and he’s not OK with that.  When Brittany explains that she has forgotten how to leave due to an overdose of antibiotics AND the fact that she too is upset that she’s only 4th on the Glist (despite some major whoring it up) she is allowed to stay.  Kurt makes a plea to the group that they need to do something really really salacious in order to establish their own bad rep…like getting their “Glee” on in the library (I loved that line)!

We head on over to Sue’s sister’s place where Sue is kvetching to her sister about how hard it is to be laughed at.  We get one of two very tender moments between the two of them when Sue sympathized with her sister Jean about how she finally knew how it felt to be laughed at the way she was when she was a kid.  Ever the calming and rational voice for Sue, Jean reminds Sue what they used to do when they thought things couldn’t get worse – volunteer at the animal shelter.  Sue was reminded that the reasoning behind it was because there is always someone who has it worse than you.  I loved this reference because I use it in my every day life.  I love how the Glee-ple (Murphy, Falchuck, & Brennan) really bring real life situations to the show.  Sue realizes what she has to do and gives her sister’s hand a squeeze and we end the scene.

Next we find ourselves in Lady Emma’s office where she is perplexed not only by Sue’s presence but by her new status as Emma’s therapist.  Sue is quick to explain that because of her horrific video she has become inspired to start giving back.  *note, Emma’s little smirk when she denies knowing about this video is hilarious.  Anyway, Sue is determined to give back and help the community so when she heard that the only therapist for the school district had offed himself (ironic much?) she jumped in and was “assigned” to Emma.  Remember, Sue has her masters in counseling.  Emma is not sure how she’s supposed to feel about someone who has made no secret of her hatred for her (I’m thinking Sue put Emma atop the “10 ugliest gingers” list) but once Sue points out to her (and calls her Ella) that she’s crippled by mental illness which led her to nearly marry Ken (someone who is more gravy than man) and she’s content to be lied to by Will.  Um what now? Lied to?  That’s news to Emma!  Sue spills the beans about Will screwing around with Shelby and snuggling with (“that world-class banana magnet”) April and Emma is SHOCKED and pretty much goes into panic mode.  When Sue stands up and tells her she that she sucks.  Emma’s like “huh?” and Sue’s like “You take weird little strides when you walk as if you were raised in imperial Japan and someone bound your feet” and Emma’s all “um, yeah that’s true” and Sue’s all, “Grow a pair & stand up for yourself!” and Emma’s all “you’re right” and Sue’s all “Let’s go verbally bitch slap Will in front of the whole school!” and Emma’s all “Yes!” (even though she never really said anything.)

In Rachel’s room (where the hell are her parents when she has all of these boys in her room?) we find Puck rocking a Phantom

ofthe Opera mask and Rachel talking about how they were dubbed “Puckleberry” (why did they have to throw that in there?) and she points out that dating her improved his rep and Puck asks her if they want to date again.  Rachel is quick to point out that she’s taken but she can help him build his rep back up and he can help her with her song for Glee club.  She throws out the idea of remaking “Run Joey Run” and Puck goes along with it but not before they almost smooch…twice.

Soon we find ourselves outside the teacher’s lounge with Sue feverishly leading Emma to confront Will.  Emma’s freaking out of course but Sue boosts her up but not without a confrontation of her own.  Brenda comes waltzing by and eggs Sue on to utter the words, “Don’t start with me Castle or I will kick you square in the taco!”  So glad they left this line in (as there was some debate as to whether or not it would make the final cut)!  Emma’s a little surprised by this little feud but goes on to muster her strength (with the help of Sue) and heads in to give Will a piece of her mind. 

CUE BADASS EMMA!!

I am so freaking happy that the Glee-ple decided to let Emma finally stand up for herself, take control, and tell Will what he needed to hear.  Frankly, as much as I love Will, I was getting sick of his bitchy “my life blows” attitude and using that to make excuses for acting like a total asshole.  This scene made me so damn happy!  Emma goes in to a long rant about how he’s a total slut and how she knows all about his little sexcapades with Shelby and April (even though there was no sex with either of them) but not before she apologizes for interrupting his “heavy petting session with Mrs. Carlisle (HA!).  Will is SHOCKED by little soft-spoken Emma’s explosion but can’t really say anything because, um, she’s effing RIGHT!  Oh man, sucks to be you Will.  Maybe you should have thought about what you were doing before sticking your tongue down Shelby’s throat!  The part about this scene that makes my heart break is how Emma points out that she is doing everything he has asked her to do in order to be with him and he has done nothing.  Man, poor Emma, my heart was breaking for her but I was doing a little girl power dance at the same time.  Great scene!!  News flash: YOU’RE A SLUT WILL!!

After that epic scene we cut to the library where the Glist wanna-bees head in and pump up the volume to “Can’t Touch This”.  I have to say, I nearly wet myself with laughter at this scene.  When Kurt walked in wearing those gold Hammer pants I cracked up and didn’t stop until the end of the scene.  It was fantastic!!  Oh, and I maintain that Heather/Brittany is hands down the best dancer on the show AND that Artie has a sexy voice!  Props to Glee for taking another epic 90′s song and making it glee-freaking-tastic!

Next we find ourselves in Will’s office where he’s grilling the kids desperately trying to find out who made the Glist.  No luck – they all denied it.

We head back down the halls and the Glist wanna-bees have decided that the only way to make it on to next week’s Glist is to confess to Sue that they stole and posted her video.  And the plan is set in place.

Over in Sue’s office, she writes in her journal and almost comes to a HUGE turning point in her life (by saying she just has to be nice now) when the phone rings and it is none other than Olivia Newton-John.  Sue doesn’t believe it and hangs up the phone accusing the caller of having a ridiculous accent but then the phone rings again and once again ONJ announces that it’s her but Sue wants proof.  After a few lines of “Physical” and she asks Sue why in the hell she tried to remake the video in the first place.  Sue confesses that it was leaked and never intended for public viewing.  ONJ proposes that she and Sue remake the video because it kind of sucked the first time around (agreed) and Sue is all for it!  You see, ONJ is will be in Ohio the next day doing some sort of tree-hugger benefit and decides that Sue is just the person with whom to remake the video.

Soon we find Will roaming the halls and looking very confused as to why all the kids and teachers are looking at him like he’s some kind of crazy person and Sue walks by and greets him with “hey, manwhore”, then Brenda comes by and links arms and totally hits on him because she’s heard that a pill popping drunk is just his type and then The Figg walks by and tells him he’s prayer for him and his gallivanting ways.  Then…dun dun dun…he’s face to face with Ken.  By the way, are they trying to make that man look as disgusting as possible?  Because it’s working.  But anyway, Ken’s PISSED at Will for breaking Emma’s heart and Will of course tries to claim that it was nothing but Ken points out that, um yeah you hurt people.  Will’s not having a good day!

Next we find Kurt fessing up to the crime of stealing and posting Sue’s video and he’s prepared to get the shit kicked out of him (but not before Artie reminds him not to cry like a woman when she does it) but is surprised to hear Sue thanking him.  HUH??  This led the kids to search the video again out of pure confusion and BAM…we have the remake of ONJ’s classic “Physical” and it is freaking awesome!!  I dare say that I must agree with The TV Chick’s statement that it might just be better than Vogue!  Yup, I said it.  There really are no words to describe how amazing that video was so I suggest you watch it again a few more times to grasp the perfection!

Back in the choir room Will is telling the kids that they need to come forward once again and Finn tells him that no one is ever going to cop to it.  Will gives up and invites Rachel to show her bad reputation project and we get another video remake of “Run Joey Run” which, I have to admit is pretty great.  My favorite parts were that all three guys were duped in to doing the video, that Rachel was dramatic as always, and that SANDY RYERSON played her dad.  Ok, I lied…that was my only favorite part.  Sandy rocks!

After the video shows, the boys are pissed at Rachel for using them all and making it seem like they were all fighting over her and they become these little drama queens.  Rachel’s devastated but still super proud of her video.

Back at Jean’s place Sue & Jean are talking about the amazing video that Sue just made and we get another great moment between the two of them.  I love how much Sue loves her and I love seeing Sue’s softer side.  SO CUTE!

Then comes Wemma heartbreaking scene number 2.  Will comes in to Emma’s office with a bouquet of flowers and begs her forgiveness.  Here’s the shocker…she doesn’t forgive him and I’m proud of her for that.  Then we see Will start to actually feel bad for what he’s done and slowly realize that he wants Emma and no one else.  He speaks the saddest words ever, “Emma, this is killing me.  I just…I want you to look at me the way you used to.”  We see Emma’s face desperately trying NOT to look at him the way she used to and she stands her ground.  She mentions that it’s a good thing that she can’t look at him the same way because now they can move on really knowing who the other person is.  So for now, Wemma is over but there is still hope.  Will is super sad and walks out of her office with his tail between his legs.

Once in the hallway he spots Quinn fighting her way through the halls and realizes that SHE IS THE ONE WHO MADE THE GLIST!!  I can’t say I’m surprised but he handles it well.  Will really is a good teacher and gives Quinn a great little pep talk about how her life will be back to normal soon and that she can be even better than she was before.  The Figg comes in and tells Will that it’s go time and he needs to tell him who made the Glist but instead of outing Quinn he maintains that no one fessed up.  He begs The Figg to let it go and he obliges but not without telling Will that he’s still praying for him.  I LOVE THE FIGG!

Then Jesse confronts Rachel about the video and he’s pissed.  Rachel gets DUMPED (pretty much) and she’s super sad.  Then we cut to what I think is dream sequence (?) of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” where Rachel is singing to all three boys and ballet dancing with Jesse.  It was sweet and sour at the same time but the song rocked!  Overall, it was not my favorite part of the episode but it was still good. And then we’re done…

Overall I thought the episode was really great.  We’re finally back to the plot lines we all know and love, we have great music, and once again the hour flew by all too quickly.  A few things that I particularly loved:

1.  Sue and her sister – this never gets old

2.  Quinn – she starts to become human again in this episode.  However, I’m still super annoyed that they haven’t even mentioned where she lives.

3.  Will – he finally starts to realize what he wants out of his messed up life.  He knows he wants Emma but was taught a lesson at last that he can’t always get what he wants.  He really came through as a great teacher in this eppy too and for that I was happy.  He has been kind of off the last few episodes and I’m glad the Glee-ple are bringing him back to life.

4.  The guest stars – I was a guest star disbeliever but so far they have been done well.  It seems like they are getting them all out of the way pretty quickly and delivering good scenes but still staying with the original crew.  That makes me happy.

5.  Emma – I was so happy to see her come out of her shell this episode.  GIRL POWER BITCHES and I loved it!  I will say this though – if the “Fake Baby” scene was cut totally from one of these four eps, I will be SO MAD!  Let’s hope it’s coming up soon – like maybe next week?!

Sound off!  What did you guys think of the episode???