Your Weekly GLEEcap – “Special Education”

This episode opens on the choir going through the same motions of preparing for Sectionals. Rachel/Finn will have a ballad, etc. Mr. Shue talks to Emma about it and she suggests that he mixes it up a bit. This is a commentary by the writers to some criticism that they have been receiving in the press. Very meta…but with a cast this large and this talented, it is sometimes tough to share the love! That is what makes GLEE fun. Shue decides just that and gives Quinn/Sam the ballad, Mike Chang and Brittany get to be spotlighted as well and Santana gets some love too. Rachel is furious and this starts her spiral down. Santana being Santana decides at this moment to tell Rachel and all of New Directions (who apparently already knew) that Santana and Finn had slept together last year. Rachel lost it. I had forgotten how petty and ridiculous she could be. The glow of Finn’s love seemed to calm her down, but tonight she was back to her typically bitchy self – an absolute turn-off, for me – but I know others that were pretty excited.

Meanwhile, Kurt starts at Dalton Academy and has to work to fit in with the Warblers. They are much more regimented in the way they run their choir and Kurt feels a bit slighted when his ideas are shot down. Also, as the new member of the team, he is required to take care of the team bird! Pretty amusing. I like the fact Rachel and Kurt made a connection even though he moved to the new school…their dual versions of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was great! I also loved when Blaine subtly signaled Kurt to ramp back the theatricality in the performance. Kurt didn’t get the solo, but it seems that he is getting the groove of the Warblers.

So there was a lot of couple drama in this episode. I’m not sure what to make of Tina telling Artie that Mike Chang and Brittany were having an affair…but I find Artie/Brittany to be a compelling couple. I like the way that Artie tries to really take care of Brittany. He doesn’t pander to her crazy – he just makes things understandable for her. I wasn’t sure how that was going to work – but bravo Ryan Murphy.

Sectionals was a hoot – I like the creepy Hipsters singing “The Living Years” and The Warblers almost made me enjoy the really horrible Train jam “Hey Soul Sister.” The fact that the competition ended in a tie was a bit shocking – but it is good to know that there will be some nice rivalry going on leading up to Regionals.

Here’s a hail of bullets covering some plot points I missed:

* Rachel trying to get Finn back by making out with Puck! Bad move and now they are no longer – at least for now…I know there are many fans of Puckleberry – but I take a pass

* Will needs a new love interest, Emma marrying Carl was a pretty strong statement

* New member of New Directions Laura was a fun addition – not sure if she will stay around but the measures that Puck had to take to get her to join was hilarious

Songs Performed:

Rachel and Kurt – “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” (Evita)
The Hipsters – “The Living Years” (Mike & The Mechanics)
The Warblers – “Hey Soul Sister” (Train)
Quinn and Sam/New Directions – “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” (Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes – Dirty Dancing)
Santana – “Valerie” (Amy Winehouse) **Mike/Brittany choreography was awesome
Mercedes and Tina – “Dog Days Are Over” (Florence + The Machine)

What do you think of this episode? Are you happy to see bitchy Rachel back in action? Did you miss Sue?