GLEE Recap: 'Rumours' - Give Me My Remote : Give Me My Remote

GLEE Recap: ‘Rumours’

May 4, 2011 by  

“Rumours” was not a record that I grew up on, but I don’t live under a rock, so I am very familiar with “Dreams,” “Songbird,” “Go Your Own Way,” and “Don’t Stop.” I do applaud the decision to have a tribute episode that was all about the music, and not about theatrical, costume-y, image, filled with performance/music-video re-enactments (Madonna, Gaga, Britney). It’s hard to hate an episode filled with good music.

April and Will’s vocals on “Dreams” were like butter. Also, did anyone else notice how Will’s dimples are extra-pronounced during the many, many “ooh ooh ooh’s?” I thought they were going to sprout wings and fly away. I did find it a tad uncomfortable that they were being handsy and seductive with each other in front of the kids. It was fine at the bowling alley, and at the roller-rink on their own time, but at school, not so much.

Artie’s “Never Going Back Again” was pleasant, but not particularly moving. Perhaps it is the fact that Artie and Brittany was a coupling that never made sense in the first place, so we don’t feel for anyone during this break-up. Even Brittany was very quick to move on, offering to ask Santana to prom on her web series “Fondue For Two.” I am glad Artie is getting some screen time and voice time, but disappointed that his biggest moment plot-wise was calling Brittany “stupid.” Things I miss about the old Glee #238765287: sweet, vulnerable, shy Artie. THAT Artie never would have been so mean.

Santana serenaded Brittany with “Songbird,” which was a beautiful display of emotion. I almost wanted Brittany to join in and harmonize with her, since I know the Eva Cassidy version has a lovely two-part harmony.

Though I am a huge Finchel supporter, as you may know, I was really digging Finn and Quinn’s duet of “I Don’t Want To Know.” Their anger glares were as piercing as the sexual tension. I loved it.

April practiced a number for her autobiographical musical with Will in the role of Stanley Glover (who was once her lover). We only heard a few bars of the song, but it sounded really promising. I’m not even being sarcastic. It was very reminiscent of Spamalot. “Cross-Rhodes: The April Rhodes Story” could actually be a hit comedy musical in real life.

Rachel’s “Go Your Own Way” was a little disappointing. It was lacking a rock edge that that song demands. Something similar happened with “Don’t Stop,” which was lacking some soul.

So that was the music, and now for the plot. I just made the official decision today that I absolutely despise the “Destroy Will Schuster” never-ending storyline. It used to be about Sue wanting her cheerleaders to receive the majority of funding from the school, and now it’s evolved into this crazy personal vendetta that isn’t going anywhere. Here is my two cents to the powers that be: What if Sue was just a naturally mean person? And that she hates Will the most for no reason and continues to make fun of his hair, delivering hilarious one-liners, because she’s mean? What if she doesn’t go out of her way to recruit ex-wives and former crushes, serving them placenta martinis, and plotting to destroy him? Because I have lost sight of what exactly she’s trying to accomplish.

Bone to pick #2: Sam’s “living in a motel” storyline. First of all, it was too obvious. I called it (didn’t know if his parents were unemployed, or if he was an orphan or what, but I figured he was living in the motel and broke) during the first “stakeout.” Secondly, it was once again a storyline that was forced and trying too hard to be socially relevant. And bringing up the possibility that Sam is gay once is enough.

I will say that I was impressed with Chord Overstreet’s performance though, because I did feel for him, believe it or not, even as I was criticizing how the scenario was written. I was so happy for him to be able to see his guitar again – though it may have been more profound if we didn’t just see him playing a guitar, with like 20 other guys with guitars, in the auditorium. He’s been getting his fix. Would have also liked to hear him sing more. Since this was a very Sam-centric episode, it would’ve only been appropriate.

I do like the storyline of Will considering (or at least admitting WANTING) a shot at Broadway, and the fact that Emma was encouraging him. It reminded me of the “Pilot,” when Emma called him into her office to give him some guidance and convinced him not to become an accountant. I like seeing Will struggle with this conflict, as opposed to struggling with which blonde he is going to take home next.

Best Songs: Dreams, Songbird

TMI Award: Tina setting the record straight about a certain Asian-guy stereotype

Best joke that we’ve heard somewhere before: “My all-white version of ‘The Wiz’ was a dee-zaster.” – April

Favorite New Words: Stormer/stormee. Finn: “Why are you storming? I’m the one who should be storming.” Quinn: – “Really, because the way I see it, I’m the stormer and you should be the stormee.”

Awkward Dancing Award: Rachel trying to sway with Sam’s little brother, while the kid doesn’t budge.

What did you think of “Rumours”?

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Comments

4 Responses to “GLEE Recap: ‘Rumours’”

  1. lacsmith on May 4th, 2011 8:47 am

    Not clear to me how you went into so much depth in your recap and missed one of the biggest story evolvements; Santana continuing on her journey to come out once and for all and live her authentic self. Brittany also made steps this week. Come on, that is a major storyline and in an era of teen suicides, etc., two minor comments on Artie’s remark and Santana’s singing capabilities is a little shortsighted don’t you think?

  2. Gleek57 on May 4th, 2011 8:58 am

    Loved the Rumors episode last night. Totally brought back a lot of memories.

  3. Steph on May 4th, 2011 12:36 pm

    LOVED “Dreams,” but is it just me, or does Kristin Chenoweth need to cut down on the Botox?

    I totally telegraphed the “Sam is poor” development as well, but I’m glad they gave Chord Overstreet a meatier storyline. He needs a haircut STAT, though.

    I’m over Mr. Shue because I think Matthew Morrison is such a forced, cheesy actor who tends to suck the “realness” out of scenes. However, he did sound great on “Dreams.”

    Still can’t understand why Finn is with Quinn. She’s moody, withholds her feelings, gives you ultimatums, and you can’t trust her. Yep, don’t see it. Really liked Finn and Rachel’s reactions to realizing how wrong they were about Sam. Great mixture of guilt with sympathy and genuinely wanting to help him.

    I disagree about “Songbird.” I think just having Santana sing it and cutting to reactions from Brittany was perfect. Because it was about Santana expressing all her feelings and Brittany being on the receiving end. Love how open Brittany is to the relationship, even inviting Santana on Fondue for Two! I cursed Santana for standing her up, especially after playing a hand in Brittany’s breakup with Artie. I understand Santana’s hesitance with coming out, but with her and Brittany’s status at the school (and overall hotness), I can’t imagine that much backlash occurring. Who cares if people ask you to join the golf team? That was hilarious, though.

    I agree with the previous post from lacsmith that with most TV recaps I read, writers tend to gloss over the Santana/Brittany storyline and don’t give it nearly as much attention as they would a Kurt/Blaine development. I think it’s such an important story to tell since Santana is clearly not as comfortable with herself as Kurt is (despite his one attempt to be more “manly” by making out with… Brittany. Haha).

  4. Rebeccapedia on May 4th, 2011 7:06 pm

    Nice recap, I share most of your opinions, (barring Finchel, what an awful, toxic couple they are, I can’t believe how they completely ignore their own cheating, how quick they are to lash out and assume the worst about Quinn and Sam, and they both just act so badly around each other, Rachel really changes into this cartoonish, pathetic version of herself around him) especially your Will and Sue opinion, and the Sam in a motel thing, but like the Lucy story of last week I imagine that will probably never be mentioned again!
    Is that the end of Bartie then? It didn’t seem that final to me, but then again, I could not figure out where the hell the NBK stuff came from in the first place so who knows!
    I wish for more Cheno! Hopefully she’ll get a couple of eps to promote her album at the beginning of season 3.
    Also Puck playing the guitar, yes please, more of that too!!
    Quinn and Rachel are actually so similar, I’m very guardedly interested to see where they take this next week, they have such a strange almost friendship, it almost feels like they hang out and are friends but feel the need to keep it secret and separate from Glee club. Rachel asking Sam out made me laugh, do you really need to kiss everyone Quinn has?! One is a coincidence, two is funny, three is weird!
    Also I really think that if Sam had said yes to Rachel at the beginning of the episode she’d have spent her time crushing on him and pretty much ignored Finn bar maybe one longing glance while they were with their blonde significant others.
    I’m sick of the relationship stuff though, the only couple I’ve ever really loved was Puck & Rachel, so I like that they tried to be-friend Sam, but it was awkward and will be forgotten (ala Kurt/Rachel in this episode apparently!) I’d love to see them just write lots of one-on-one friendships like Quinn & Mike or Rachel & Sam or Finn & Mercedes or even Artie & Mike stuff that wasn’t completely based around the girls (weird we never got even one similar Britt & Tina story actually!) and then after a few episodes if one the pairings stood out romantically they could make a couple, but this whole thing of pretty much every story being based on some new ridiculous romance isn’t working for me. Although, Brittana came about this way, and they still seem kind of forced to me, so who knows!

    Seriously though, are Finchel really meant to be the Marissa/Ryan Seth/Summer Chuck/Blair Brenda/Dylan Sid/Cassie of the show?!? I really can’t see it….