‘Glee’: Sue and Schu throw down!

And I thought last week’s “Glee” was rich in smackdowns! Turns out that was just a warm-up for the most recent episode, in which newly installed glee co-chair Sue Sylvester plots to destroy the club from the inside with, as she so memorably put it, “a conviction I can only call religious”-- something Mr. Schu and his fine bird's nest of hair refused to take lying down. This episode, perhaps  “Glee’s” sharpest yet, was so chock-full of standout scenes, it makes whittling down the list to a Top 5 nearly impossible. But where there’s a Will (Schuester), there’s a way!

1. Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch bring out the absolute worst in each other, and I mean that in the best of ways. Their numerous scenes together crackled with electric wit, whether Sue was coolly putting Will down (“Hey buddy, I thought I smelled failure”) or the two were forcing a Figgins-ordered hug, complete with sweet nothings uttered into each other’s ears (Schu: “I will destroy you.” Sue: “I’m about to vomit down your back.”) Any moment of their epic feud might deserve a spot on this list, but I feel compelled to go with the hilarious show-opening battle, which set the tone and standard for all those that followed. The whole thing played out in slow motion, their faces contorted in rage, warbled sounds escaping their lips, as they duked it out for the soul of glee club while its members looked on in horror. But what really put the scene over the top were the dueling voiceovers. Dueling voiceovers! Will was embarrassed by his childish behavior (“I look like a crazy person. That’s not me.”), while Sue was empowered by hers (“Look at me. Even in the heat of battle, I’m so elegant”). Those two can’t agree on anything, but I think we can all agree on this: Thank you, Ryan Murphy, for such pure comedic gold.

2. OK, who is this gossip guy Jacob and where did he come from? He’s completely creepy! No more so than when the Perez Hilton-wannabe blogger was forcing Rachel, the object of his obsessive crush, to pay up in a unique way or he’d blow the whistle on Quinn’s pregnancy to the entire school. “I want Rachel Berry panties,” he told her, his voice quivery with smarm. He wasn’t fooled by the brand new neon green pair she’d already tried to pass off as her own. Note to Rachel: Next time, girl, remember to snip off the tags!

3. Didn’t you just love the glee club’s joyous covert jam session? By splitting up the students into two groups, Sue hoped to drive a rift between them, and it was thrilling to see that ultimately, it had the opposite effect. As the kids sang, danced and played instruments -- nice drums, Finn! -- they were more united than they’ve ever been. Being terrified of Sue will do that to you. As Kurt put it, “She told me if I even talked to one of Mr. Schu’s kids that she would shave my head. And I just can’t rock that look.”

4. Can Terri’s fake pregnancy storyline please just go away already? This week, Will scheduled an overdue appointment with her obstetrician, prompting Terri and her equally nutty sis to blackmail the doc into faking an ultrasound for the “expectant” parents. Consider my patience officially  .. running ... out. But there was one unforgettable moment, in a good way, thanks to the brilliant Morrison. Upon being told that he’s actually having a girl, Will grew silent as a single tear ran down his cheek. “I don’t care what she is,” he said, awestruck by the fake image of his fake child, his heart nonetheless filled with genuine emotion. “She’s all ours.” Poor guy. It’s gonna be rough when he learns the truth. And yet, here’s hoping that happens sooner rather than later.

5. By the episode’s show-closing number, Sue had relinquished her co-director duties, opting instead to stay on as “consigliere,” and ensured that the Quinn’s-preggers news broke throughout the school. Thank goodness the devastated teen mom-to-be had the glee club to rally around her, sweetly encouraging her to “Keep Holdin’ On.” Quinn struggled to hold back her tears until the music abruptly cut, leaving only the sound of her shaky breaths. It was a beautiful way to end the episode, but also an ominous one. I mean, you heard those lyrics, right? “Nothin’s gonna change destiny.” And surely, Quinn’s destiny includes Finn finding out that he’s not actually her baby’s daddy. Oh, the humiliation that awaits!

What scenes make your Top 5? Where, oh where, did I get it totally wrong? And can there even be a Top 5 without a single Emma scene in the entire episode? Weigh in below!

-- Shawna Malcom

Comments

[China2u]

I loved the scene where Will was in the Principal's office and Sue comes in. She and Will get into a back and forth exchange about the importance of Spanish, and Sue says: "Well, Spanish is important if you're going to be a maid or a gardener". The look of shock on the Principal's face was absolutely priceless. I must have replayed that clip over and over on my TIVO a million times.

[veronica]

I loved the part where Brittany (blonde cheerleader)takes Quinn's Spanish test and Quinn has to demand it back.
The subtle comments are what crack me up about this show.
Love it!

[Rekster]

It doesn't matter which scene as long as Jane Lynch is in it. I thought that the Kristin Chenowith episode was the best but upon further reflection there was way too little of Sue in it.

She is the STAR of this show and I hope the writers will continue to give her those great lines.

[BeautyQueen]

OK, so I've been reading about the show, thinking about the show, LOVING Jane Lynch (Sue) forever, and yet, have never watched anything but the premier episode, which I didn't love and consequently haven't revisited in prime time or otherwise. Even tho I have school on Wed. nites I could certainly set the dvr. So why have I been so resistant when everything I read keeps telling me I have to give this show another try? Maybe I'll check it out on the net, catch up by watching old episodes, and once and for all get into its groove.

Please continue to blog and post, people. You'll sell me yet, I can feel it! :)

[Pete]

This episode was absolutely brilliant. The writing was of such a high caliber I am terrified that the future episodes will pale in comparison. There are only two issues I could find in this episode that tainted my admiration: 1- As mentioned in the article, Terri's 'pregnancy' needs to come to an abrupt end; it is more annoying than captivating. Enough said. 2- The episode needed Emma, even for a single scene. If Jane Lynch is the actress that gives Glee its edge, wit, and memorable nature, Jayma Mays is the actress that gives the show its heart. Now don't get me wrong, the rest of the cast deserves immense recognition (and in future episodes I will recognize them for what they bring), but these actresses have encapsulated the intricate qualities which makes Glee what it is. Their performances can only be called expert, because I cannot believe that they are anything other than what they portray in the show.
Bravo to the writers, directors, and cast- this episode was remarkable.

[Harriet Reisen]

Is anybody else just knocked out by the dancing of the cheerleader at last named in this episode as Brittany? From the "Bust the Windows of Your Car" sequence when I glimpsed her in the background I couldn't take my eyes off her when she moves. I'm glad to see her featured, and think it's brilliant that the producers have stocked the club with dancers. The dance guys got a good feature this week, but let's see Brittany bust her own moves!

Thanks for it all, Harriet Reisen

[markiejoe]

sorry, but the pilot episode was the only "brilliant" one so far. the others have ranged from very good to just okay.

last night's episode was just okay. musical numbers sucked, and waaaay too much hard-edged fighting back and forth between sue and schu. a little goes a long way in that regard. just like with lynch's character in general -- very strong, and little goes a long way.

[Taryn]

I wish I could quote Jane Lynch's facial expressions! Like when they did the coin toss and it was heads and she did her little eye raising thing!! I think I watched that over 5 more times! She is pure genius.

[Fala68]

Oh this show is so pee-your-pants-funny! I watch it online just so I can back it up and get all the lines. This show is going to be a classic in the making. Love it!

[KZinCC]

plus one on the episode being just okay. I agree that more than a little Sue is too much. Overall, there wasn't enough plot movement and the show was too much about the jokey showdown(s) and the characters are losing their human qualities.

Plus a bunch on the character Brittany. I hope that soon she'll get some lines and get her own story arc. The actress is Heather Elizabeth Morris.

[Carlee]

Jacob, the smary blogger, appeared in episode 2 - the Showmance one... he was partners with Rachel in the Celibacy Club. And he was the first one to cheer after the glee kids finished their "Push It" number. Plus, in the episode with Kristin Chenowith, he was interviewing Rachel for the school paper.

I loved the little moments in the episode - like the scene in Principal Figgins' office about the Cheerios failing Spanish (they tried to spell out Go Team, and spelled out To Game instead!). And the scene in Spanish class when Finn suggests the name Drizzle (that is just one bizarre name!) for the baby. Was it my imagination or did Finn seem particularly alert in that scene? He usually looks half asleep, except last week after he took some "Vitamin D". That's how he looked in that scene, but maybe he was just stoked about finding the perfect name.

[frizfro]

Drizzle! I'm still laughing

[BP]

Harriet - Check out my posting on September 24 about Heather Elizabeth Morris ("Brittany"). In the opening scene of that episode, when Kurt's father catches him rehearsing "Single Ladies" with her and Tina, Kurt calls her "Brit." Heather has danced on tour and in videos with Beyonce.