After a summer full of hype and a unique promotional launch earlier this spring, Glee returned to FOX tonight, and I was anxious to see where it would go in episode #2. As a lover of musicals, quirky comedy, and high school dramas, this show seems to have everything I'm looking for, but can it hold up in a regular basis? The pilot, while fantastic, was a little bit rushed and disjointed, so I think a lot of viewers were curious how it would fare.
So far, it seems to be settling in quite nicely. I find it difficult to remove the grin from my face throughout the course of the episode. This week's show, while less jump-out-of-your chair inspiring (really, it'll take a lot to top the awesomeness of Don't Stop Believin'), was definitely a notch up in the comedy department. The highlight was an exceptionally raunchy version of "Push It", which was insanely over-the-top and included some gestures that I'm surprised were allowed to air. I was in stitches. Jane Lynch as cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester provides hilarious lines in her antagonistic role throughout.
The rest of the cast is pitch perfect as well, and create unique, flawed characters that are truly fascinating to root for and rebel against. Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuester, the perservering glee coach) and Jayma Mays (OCD guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury) have sizzling, albeit touchingly awkward chemistry. It's difficult, however, to cheer for them when their success would hinge on the failure of Schuester's marriage. His wife, played thanklessly by Jessalyn Gillsig, is probably the one truly aggravating thing about the show. She is an awful, tiresome nuisance whose shallowness bordering on soullessness, and her scenes distract from what we care about: the school, and the drama around building the show choir.
Musically, the show continues to be broad in its range, this week featuring a ridiculous cover of Kanye West's "Gold Digger" and a beautiful, haunting version of Rihanna's "Take a Bow." Lea Michele is outstanding as Rachel Berry, and her voice is even better. The song was a bit of a down note to end the episode on, but was great nonetheless.
I was glad to see the show address the fact that a show choir will need more than 6 members, and it looks like the broader group will begin to take fruition. The scenes from future episodes have me clamoring for me, so I only hope that it catches on with viewers and sticks around for the long haul. Watch Glee, people! You'll love it.
