'Glee' recap: Prom dates, dresses and drama!

Hopes are always high for prom: the dates, the dresses, the dances, the drama. ("You can get married as many times as you want. You only get one shot at your junior prom," Quinn noted early in Tuesday night's episode.) Unlike some of our own high school dances, "Glee's" prom night did not disappoint, braiding together a fistful of story lines that rose and crested like a retro special-occasion up-do.

And speaking of the questionable tastes of other eras, the '70s and '80s -– periods that some viewers may associate most strongly with prom –- got a bit of gentle ribbing in this episode. The "Glee" writers incorporated evocative references ranging from Australian soft-rockers Air Supply and David Geddes' 1975 hit song "Run Joey Run" to products like "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" (which debuted in 1979; I looked it up) to '70s showman Tony Orlando's sartorial style. (When Kurt's dad describes the powder-blue, ruffle-shirted tux he wore to his prom as making him look like Tony Orlando, Blaine asks, "Was that a designer?" Tie a yellow ribbon 'round that one!)

So who went with whom to the big dance? What did they wear? Who got punched, who spiked the punch and whose grandma drowned in a punchbowl? And who got crowned Prom King and Queen?

Let's break it down:

Finn went with Quinn. Watching her descend the stairs of her stately home in an ice-blue dress that would make Cinderella green with envy, Finn gasped, "You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen in my life." But his eyes kept wandering over to Rachel, who brought remorseful egg-hurler Jesse St. James as her date. (He's strolled back into her life after flunking out of college and now plans to start a show-choir consultancy.) Rachel added Jesse to her "prom on a budget" group, making a foursome with Mercedes and Sam. Sam sweetly fulfilled Mercedes' prom dreams by telling her she looked "beautiful" under the crepe paper decorations and asking her to dance. (Awwww!)

Puck went with Lauren Zizes, who opted to wear blue, at Kurt's suggestion, rather than a yellow dress she correctly noted made her look like a "lemon meringue pie." (Brittany objected that she looked "delicious!") Despite Artie's attempt to woo Brittany with Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" in the middle of her home-ec class, and admitting that he was a "jerk" to her by calling her "stupid," Brittany refused to cave in and be his prom date. "I'm going to go to prom by myself and really work on me and dance with other people's dates," she said. 

After getting a reluctant Blaine to agree to accompany him to prom (turns out Blaine was once beaten up at a high school dance), Kurt decided to wear a fancy kilt ensemble he said was an homage to the royal wedding and to late British designer Alexander McQueen (whose fashion house provided Kate Middleton's wedding garb). Finn approved, saying Kurt looked like a "gay Braveheart," but Kurt's dad and Blaine were both concerned that Kurt's unconventional outfit, which he made himself, would stir up trouble. "I want you to be yourself, but I want you to be practical," Burt Hummel told his son.

And speaking of stirring up trouble, Kurt, for his part, was trying to get Dave Karofsky, who was going to the prom with his fellow "beard," Santana (dressed in a devilish red gown -– and possibly smelling like a golf course), to come out. Karofsky wept and apologized for bullying Kurt, allowing us to forgive him and, like Kurt, focus on Karofsky's pain.

And at the prom? The glee club had been tapped to provide the music. Rachel sang Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts," focused on Finn, who was impervious to her pain, but ticked off when he saw her looking happy and laughing with Jesse. (Men!) Jesse and Finn got into a fight, and then got kicked out, dashing Quinn's Prom Queen and King hopes, prompting her to slap Rachel and then confess her fears about the future.

Artie tried to help Puck get his street cred back by spiking the punch (with lemonade, as it turned out), but Coach Sylvester nabbed him and interrogated him with dental equipment. (She threatened that she was going to get "all HMO up in your glee hole" and then complained, "You're the worst POW ever. John McCain is rolling over in his grave!")
 
And Prom King and Queen were … Dave Karofsky and, due to what Principal Figgins said was an "overwhelming number of write-in votes," Kurt.

At first, Kurt was crushed, running from the room and crying, a moment that rang somewhat false. When has Kurt ever given a rip about what people think of him? He left McKinley because he felt threatened (by Karofsky), not insulted. But anyhow, he soon regained his essential Kurtness and returned to accept his crown. "Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton," he said, earning applause from at least some of the crowd. Would Karofsky dance with him? For a moment, as Kurt and his former tormentor descended onto the dance floor, it almost seemed as if he would. Kurt suggested that this might be just the moment for Karofsky to come out, but Karofsky buckled. "I can't," he said, and bolted.

Blaine came to Kurt's rescue: Cue ABBA's "Dancing Queen."

Oh, there were some other songs in there (Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," on which Jesse joined Rachel, and Rebecca Black's "Friday," sung by Puck, Artie and Sam, among them) and some more great lines from Sue, who was just the right blend of evil and funny in this episode.

But here's the thing. I'm actually a little worried about Karofsky. Do you think he'll be OK? And what do you think Jesse St. James' real motives are? (He showed he's still a snake when he sneered that poor Sam's sartorial salute to Springsteen was dated. What a jerk!) Will Finn leave Quinn for Rachel now? And if so, am I the only one who suddenly thinks that might actually make me feel sorry for Quinn? Should Britney have forgiven Artie? Or do you want to see her get together with Santana? Please weigh in!

'Glee' recap: The 'Rumours' fly

Full Show Tracker coverage of "Glee"

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: From left, Puck (Mark Salling), Artie (Kevin McHale) and Sam (guest star, Chord Overstreet) perform in the "Prom Queen" episode of "Glee" on Tuesday. Credit: Adam Rose / FOX.

Comments

[Sue]

Brittany and Santana!! Hoping the writers maintain the relationship 'angst' as Santana works to accept her sexuality well into next season!

[jef]

karofsky is headed toward a storyline of closeted gay teen commits suicide. mark my words.

[Andre]

I thought this episode rang weird and awkward. Specifically, the entire "Kurt voted Queen of the prom" story line. Him running out of the auditorium was not false, but everything else about it, was! From the moment Principal Figgins called out Kurt's name, it was just wrong. Why would a school administrator condone the kid's cruel voting of Kurt, by calling out his name as Queen? And then continue the ruse by crowning Kurt with the actual crown and scepter? And then expecting Karofsky and Kurt to actually have the first dance?

Thank goodness Blaine stepped in with all his cuteness! :-)

Honestly? It felt like I was watching Carrie's prom night. Weird.

[Michelle]

I thought this was by far the best episode of the season, I laughed, I was moved, and I even liked the songs I was dreading.

Glee is back, and I'm thrilled!

[Mark]

This episode was soo good. The music choices rang a little flat for me, except for Artie's adorable version of "Isnt She Lovely" who didnt smile at that? And my favorite line was when Kurt "accidentally" called Santana-Satan! By the way I would take Karofsky any day-thank you for the producers of Glee for showing that not all gay men and cute twinkies.

[ZZZ]

Finn needs to make up his mind. Obviously, these two ladies have feelings for him and love him in their own, unique way, and I don't think it's really fair for either of them. If you're with Quinn, stop flirting with Rachel, and vice versa. Yes, you can still be friends with the other, but be sensitive to whoever it is that you're currently dating. Boundaries, man! Boundaries!

[O-town]

I was just glad that Kurt didn't get pummeled by anyone. I have this odd feeling Karofsky and Kurt are gonna' have some sort of attraction, despite Blaine being the hottie that he is. Was totally floored when Brittney declined Artie's offer to go to prom with him. She almost came off a little shallow and while she's usually given pretty good zingers the whole "I'll dance with everyone else's dates" line bordered on mean-spirited, which Brittney isn't. Overall, great show. The fact that we now have a nice backstory to Sam, it grounds him a bit, and makes him less like eye candy and legitimately an actor/character on the show. But man, he can make Old Navy clothes look. Rock on with your bolo tie, babe! Cute gratifying moment when he asked Mercedes to dance. That put me over and the waterworks started. As much as I love Blaine and Darren Kriss, can someone tell me why is it when he dances sometimes, he looks like he's got a nervous tick or his legs are spasming to the beat of the song? =X Looking forward to downloading the songs from this episode.

[Fabrisse]

I thought Sam and Mercedes were cute as could be last night.

Kurt letting the hurt show was unusual, but I think he'd let himself get optimistic. Walking right back in and claiming his crown was wonderful. My favorite song was Blaine with Brittany and Tina on back up. It was the only song I bought.

[julia]

yeah, Jesse was kind of an ass to Sam. But he's not on Vocal Adrenaline anymore. So the worst he can do is teach them bad dance moves which I doubt they'd follow.
I'd feel sorry for Quinn.
And Karofsky. I am so worried about him. I have been for a while, but last nights ep w/ him so sad. I agree with Jef. they've made everyone sympathize with him at this point and the show wants to teach kids bullying is wrong so they might. I don't think they'll have him succeed though. at least I hope they don't

[Christina]

I really enjoyed this episode. I'm so glad Jesse's back! I would love to see a performance with all the guys, including Jesse and Blaine. However, I'm all for Finn and Rachel being together.

[Mia]

I LOVED THIS EPISODE! it was amazing! FINCHEL FTW

[Laura]

My favorite line of the show was when Artie was singing "Isn't She Lovely" and Mercedes said "isn't that a song about a baby?" LOL, I was totally thinking the same thing!

[Brent]

Absolutely loved this episode. I don't think Kurt acted all that false to be honest. Kurt's done a damn fine job of proving that he doesn't care about what other people think. But he is still a teenager, and still in high school. Everyone is susceptible to peer pressure, and having a whole gym full of people just staring at you with disgust... that'd have me second guessing myself, to say the least.

I'm concerned for David too, though. And what with the "Funeral" episode next week...

[Theresa]

Ok, as cliche as it is, I love Finn and Rachel, and honestly I wouldn't feel that bad for Quinn if Finn broker up with her. I feel that she was only with Finn in order to win Prom King and Queen, and she was very controlling of him. I love her with Puck, I think they should get together:)
But overall, last night's episode was AMAZING:) Back to the style of the good old episodes from Season 1!!

[Maddie]

I hate Quinn. I'm so tired of her acting like the victim all the time, everything that happens to her is always someone else's fault and never hers. It was Pucks fault she got pregnant, it was Finns fault she cheated on Sam, and Rachel's fault she lost prom Queen. She just needs to own up and accept that everything that's happened in her life is not anyone else's fault but hers.

Also McKinely kids are jerks. What happened was unexceptable and I cannot believe administration didn't do anything.

[TRUTH TIME]

ALL THESE 24 YEAR OLDS PRETENDING TO BE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS MAKE ME SICK.