"Glee" Episode 6 Television Review

"Glee" Episode 6

Television Review

By our guest blogger, Catherine Fuentes

As surprised as I was to hear that Gwyneth Paltrow would be guest starring on "Glee," I must admit that I was looking forward to her appearance. I wasn’t sure to expect, but Gwyneth is an Academy Award-winning actress after all – I knew she wouldn’t be a slouch on her "Glee" spot.

Gwyneth played Holly Holiday, the substitute Spanish teacher who was filling in for Mr. Schuester when he was out with some crazy delirium inducing flu.

The high point of the episode – other than Rachel Barry feeling upset – was Gwyneth’s sing-along and dance-along worthy, edited version of Cee-Lo’s “F--- You,” which was given the "Glee" treatment and dubbed “Forget You.” I had forgotten that Gwyneth Paltrow sings really, really well. All the Gleeks – other than a sullen faced Rachel – were dancing and singing along. This was great for a number of reasons--first, everyone looked as if they were having a great time; second, it infused some really current, viral musical sensations that are often outside of the "Glee" wheelhouse.

I liked what Gwyneth’s character brought to the table--she wanted to be the new and improved substitute teacher. She didn’t want people to think that just because their teacher is gone, that they have a free period. So, her lessons were relevant (Spanish class discussing Lindsay Lohan’s trips to rehab), and she related and bonded with the kids in a way they really needed. Gwyneth gave "Glee" musically and personally a boost it really needed.

The songs throughout the middle of the episode – Mike Chang and Mr. Schuester dueting to “Make ‘Em Laugh” from ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ and Rachel Barry and Holly Holiday singing a mash up of songs from "Chicago" – were forgettable. I think that the execution of both of these performances was great – Gwyneth excelled all episode, and I always love getting a good Mike Chang solo – but I’ve been so impressed by so much "Glee" recently that these just missed the mark.

The show-stopping number of the night, the mash-up of "Umbrella" and "Singing in the Rain," is one that I have terribly mixed feelings about. I’ve been vocal about not caring for "Glee" when it is so over the top that it is entirely unbelievable. This was one of those moments. Unless this was one of Mr. Schuester’s flu induced hallucinations, I don’t believe that McKinley High has the budget to allow a waterfall and subsequent flooded auditorium, or that they’d actually flood the stage for dramatic effect. I loved hearing the gang sing “Umbrella,” and I got the whole rain motif plus the nod to Mr. Schuster’s all-time favorite home sick movie, "Singing in the Rain," but I felt the mash up was forced and downright trite. The dancing was great, the performing was top notch, but the songs paired together just didn’t sit well with me.

Otherwise, it was great seeing old crazy characters come back – Mrs. Schuester was nursing Mr. Schuester back to health – and seeing favorites like Sue, Coach Beiste and newcomer Blaine get some screen time. If this is "Glee"’s new direction, I think I like it.