Glee, “The Hurt Locker, Part One,” was written and directed by Ian Brennan. After a strong start to the final season this felt like a return to the sputtering of last season. We had to wait until the last five minutes of the show for two of the four songs and the only dance routine in the episode. Jane Lynch is more than up to the task of carrying an episode, but Sue’s brand of humor is hard to take for an entire episode. One of the highlights was Lynch’s rendition of “Bitch.” We finally get to see that Lynch can, in fact, sing, and it was the perfect song for Sue.
The hurt locker of the title refers to Sue’s storage locker of hate. It was a fun walk down memory lane, containing little bits and pieces from the series, and I found myself wishing that we could browse around it a little more. I did like that the show took some shots at itself for characters who simply disappeared and the characters funneled in from The Glee Project.
The first 30 minutes of the episode sets up Sue’s plans – because the first song was at the 30 minute mark – yes, I was keeping track… Sue declares war on Will (Matthew Morrison) – for leaving a plastic fork on the lunch table – and Rachel (Lea Michele), presumably for being Rachel. We also learn that Sue has been shipping Klaine and is determined to get them back together in order to be their flower girl.
Sue sets a number of events in motion, including a Glee Invitational between New Directions, Vocal Adrenaline, and the Warblers. Rachel is afraid that seeing Vocal Adrenaline will destroy any confidence that the new kids has – and if their faces at the end of the episode are any indication, she was right on the money! I did like that Blaine (Darren Criss) brings up the fact that New Directions only has 4 members and they need 12 in order to compete. I’m assuming that somehow or another they are going to get 8 members from the football team or the cheerios who will come in and simply help with the dance routines – maybe we’ll even see Kitty (Becca Tobin) back!
Sue hypnotizes Sam (Chord Overstreet) to make overtures to Rachel. I have to say that I surprised myself by how not ready I was to see Rachel with someone else even now. I’m sure a lot of people will be relieved that Sam clearly has no idea what he’s doing and when he is aware, he tells Rachel that he’s still in love with Mercedes (Amber Riley). Sue also has Sam steal Will’s mail. That scene is pretty hysterical for just how bad at it Sam is. Of course, this does set Will against Rachel. Sue also tries to go after Will’s job by visiting his new principal at Carmel – the sister of Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) – also played by Theba in a blond wig.
Sue does everything she can to break up Blaine and Dave (Max Adler) from putting a bear in their apartment to inviting all of Dave’s ex-boyfriends to dinner with them. I have to admit that I’m not that fond of Adler’s performance. Is it necessary to “act” gay? Yes, Dave has changed and become a nicer guy, but I feel the performance is a bit of a caricature. Thoughts on this?
Walter, played by guest star Harry Hamlin, turns out to be in his 50s – his profile picture is of him at 30! To make matters even more cringe-worthy, he was married for 33 years and has kids Kurt’s age, and he’s only just come out – something he thought he’d never do. Kurt’s initial reaction is to recoil and call off the whole thing – and that’s the right reaction! In the end, Kurt agrees to be friends and “go slow.” Regardless of how much you have in common, if your relationship is built on lies, it’s a bad foundation – for romance OR friendship.
There were a few moments in the show that I did really like. I loved Sue’s little Game of Thrones moment when she refers to her drone as her dragon – seeing herself as Daenerys Targaryen. I also loved the shot when Rachel is asking Sam out for coffee and Sue is lurking in the background with scary music playing – that was nicely choreographed. I LOVED seeing Brad (Brad Ellis) though I was very sad that all we saw was Sam discounting him as their piano teacher because of his foot photo scrapbook. I liked the shot of Sue’s head in Rachel’s desk during “Bitch.” I loved both of Vocal Adrenaline’s songs – it didn’t hurt that both are favorite songs of mine.
I thought that both Lynch and Morrison were terrific in the scene in which Will confronts Sue. Sue has her classic tirade and we finally see Will get equally mad back, vowing to ensure that the Glee Club is a permanent fixture at McKinley after she retires. And perhaps that is how the show will end – with Will as principal and head of the Glee club at McKinley. It’s painful to watch Vocal Adrenaline dislike him…
What did you think of the episode? Was it too much plotting and not enough singing for you? Should Kurt and Blaine get back together? Do you think that Sue will ever really retire? Should Sam and Rachel become an item? Let me know your thoughts and don’t forget to vote for your favorite song in the episode!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
I'm disappointed that Rachel moving on with another guy is handled so carelessly. This episode was a mess, it was hilarious farce but mostly, it was just a mess.
I think I'm really expecting more out of the last season. I was less ok with Rachel "moving on" until Sam clearly had no idea what he was doing when he said that he still loves Mercedes. I'm going with Rachel is just in a really vulnerable place and not actually ready to move on - at least not with Sam.
I'm really hoping that they end the series with some kind of friendly closure. Will definitely needs to get out of Vocal Adrenaline! The best thing about Glee will always be the songs - and these were all good. I just always want more!
same here! The way I see it, at the end of the season Will should be back to new directions while Rachel finds new success on broadway. And Sue and Will should definitely end the season on a friendlier note. At the end of it all, they've spent so much time on each other!
I thought this episode was pretty funny at times. But it was also a mess, I was embarrassed for many of the characters.
Ok iI love Sue, but her obsession with Klaine is so over the top. She was actually pissing me off, b/c it's really none of her business . The whole restaurant scene with Dave's exes. Omg I literally said, "wtf is she doing?" And i'I'm a Klaine shipper! They're my otp. But I'm not upset that they broke up, disappointed sure, but I feel when you're with someone for so long and the problems keep escalating, it's not a bad thing (healthy actually) to take a break and try new experiences before going back to said ex making the decision if it's "meant to be." And they're not even getting that option. Which bothers me.
Sue also hypnotizing Sam was hilarious. But in NO WAY did care for this whole Rachel/Sam thing. They've been trying to build that up since last season, and when they quickly put it asideI thought they changed their minds about it tBH. But NOPE they went right back to it. What's worse is that with Rachel "moving on" it HAD to be someone from Glee club, it couldn't be anyone new. (Rolls eyes, god forbid that happens though i guess b/c it's the end of the series what sense would it make to bring in new people? Oh hi there, 4 new glee characters) Rachel found the strength to "get back out there" after Finn, her very first attempt, and she gets REJECTED b/c this moron can't remember what he did. And Sue just slid by in the background, literally (which I also found funny btw) gloating about her mission being accomplished! I mean I felt soooo bad for Rachel. That was just awful.
Kurt and his sugar daddy. Ummmmm.....No! I was very embarrassed for him. He shouldn't have even threw that guy a bone. I looked at Kurt and said, "what are you doing? Stop it now."
As for Dave Idt he's "acting" gay, I think his character has changed, to the point where he's just being himself, to when he was so angry and hateful for being gay. He was trying to hide himself, and once he finally came to terms with it, he just let himself go. Everything he was afraid to be or was, was suppressed, and now he's just free in his own way. I think he may come off "acting gay" b/c he's never been an ON character, (after season 4) he's this recurring character, popping up randomly every 2-3 months or something. I think if we saw him go through the changes (instead of hearing about it from his pov) then his character would seem more natural. Or his "gayness" would seem more natural. Put it that way I guess.
I hope Will finds out that Rachel had nothing to do with what Sam was saying. I cheerish Will and Rachel's friendship, when Will said, "I can't believe her, we're friends." (Paraphrasing) i was like awwww. I want them back on good terms. Speaking of Will...WHERE"S EMMA??? Was she not supposed to be apart of this season at all?? I can't remember, but she seriously needs to show up before this series ends.
And ohhhhhh that was Figgins sister??? LOL I must've zoned out in that moment b/c i was thinking, Why is Figgins wearing a wig? Is he having a nervous breakdown? Hahahahaha That's funny, i may have to go back and watch that scene again.
Yep. Definitely Figgins' sister - and his first name is Principal because he was first born and it's his vocation... Will has to find out about the hypnotism - there's no way they can end the series without Rachel and Will being friends. Jayma Mays is actually on another show now - The Millers - but it was just cancelled, but it's stupid that they haven't mentioned where Emma is at all. She is scheduled for an upcoming episode though! Hopefully with The Millers done, they were able to get her for more than just one episode... Walter just has to go!
HA! That's priceless. Principle Principle Figgins. Hahahaha. I def. Blanked out on that scene if I couldn't remember that. As far as Emma, her character, isn't she in another state taking a teaching position? Something like that. And I do think with her show now cancelled she'll have more screentime here, before it ends. That would be lovely. Yessss, Walter must go.
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I'm disappointed that Rachel moving on with another guy is handled so carelessly. This episode was a mess, it was hilarious farce but mostly, it was just a mess.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm really expecting more out of the last season. I was less ok with Rachel "moving on" until Sam clearly had no idea what he was doing when he said that he still loves Mercedes. I'm going with Rachel is just in a really vulnerable place and not actually ready to move on - at least not with Sam.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping that they end the series with some kind of friendly closure. Will definitely needs to get out of Vocal Adrenaline! The best thing about Glee will always be the songs - and these were all good. I just always want more!
ReplyDeletesame here! The way I see it, at the end of the season Will should be back to new directions while Rachel finds new success on broadway. And Sue and Will should definitely end the season on a friendlier note. At the end of it all, they've spent so much time on each other!
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't plan on making Sam/Rachel endgame. That would be such an unsatisfying ending.
ReplyDeleteI thought this episode was pretty funny at times. But it was also a mess, I was embarrassed for many of the characters.
ReplyDeleteOk iI love Sue, but her obsession with Klaine is so over the top. She was actually pissing me off, b/c it's really none of her business . The whole restaurant scene with Dave's exes. Omg I literally said, "wtf is she doing?" And i'I'm a Klaine shipper! They're my otp. But I'm not upset that they broke up, disappointed sure, but I feel when you're with someone for so long and the problems keep escalating, it's not a bad thing (healthy actually) to take a break and try new experiences before going back to said ex making the decision if it's "meant to be." And they're not even getting that option. Which bothers me.
Sue also hypnotizing Sam was hilarious. But in NO WAY did care for this whole Rachel/Sam thing. They've been trying to build that up since last season, and when they quickly put it asideI thought they changed their minds about it tBH. But NOPE they went right back to it. What's worse is that with Rachel "moving on" it HAD to be someone from Glee club, it couldn't be anyone new. (Rolls eyes, god forbid that happens though i guess b/c it's the end of the series what sense would it make to bring in new people? Oh hi there, 4 new glee characters) Rachel found the strength to "get back out there" after Finn, her very first attempt, and she gets REJECTED b/c this moron can't remember what he did. And Sue just slid by in the background, literally (which I also found funny btw) gloating about her mission being accomplished! I mean I felt soooo bad for Rachel. That was just awful.
Kurt and his sugar daddy. Ummmmm.....No! I was very embarrassed for him. He shouldn't have even threw that guy a bone. I looked at Kurt and said, "what are you doing? Stop it now."
As for Dave Idt he's "acting" gay, I think his character has changed, to the point where he's just being himself, to when he was so angry and hateful for being gay. He was trying to hide himself, and once he finally came to terms with it, he just let himself go. Everything he was afraid to be or was, was suppressed, and now he's just free in his own way. I think he may come off "acting gay" b/c he's never been an ON character, (after season 4) he's this recurring character, popping up randomly every 2-3 months or something. I think if we saw him go through the changes (instead of hearing about it from his pov) then his character would seem more natural. Or his "gayness" would seem more natural. Put it that way I guess.
I hope Will finds out that Rachel had nothing to do with what Sam was saying. I cheerish Will and Rachel's friendship, when Will said, "I can't believe her, we're friends." (Paraphrasing) i was like awwww. I want them back on good terms. Speaking of Will...WHERE"S EMMA??? Was she not supposed to be apart of this season at all?? I can't remember, but she seriously needs to show up before this series ends.
And ohhhhhh that was Figgins sister??? LOL I must've zoned out in that moment b/c i was thinking, Why is Figgins wearing a wig? Is he having a nervous breakdown? Hahahahaha That's funny, i may have to go back and watch that scene again.
I
Yep. Definitely Figgins' sister - and his first name is Principal because he was first born and it's his vocation...
ReplyDeleteWill has to find out about the hypnotism - there's no way they can end the series without Rachel and Will being friends.
Jayma Mays is actually on another show now - The Millers - but it was just cancelled, but it's stupid that they haven't mentioned where Emma is at all. She is scheduled for an upcoming episode though! Hopefully with The Millers done, they were able to get her for more than just one episode...
Walter just has to go!
Wouldn't that be wonderful? :P but seriously, I actually think it would be a lot of pressure.
ReplyDeleteHA! That's priceless. Principle Principle Figgins. Hahahaha. I def. Blanked out on that scene if I couldn't remember that. As far as Emma, her character, isn't she in another state taking a teaching position? Something like that. And I do think with her show now cancelled she'll have more screentime here, before it ends. That would be lovely. Yessss, Walter must go.
ReplyDelete