The Gleek Critique: "Michael" Episode

Blaine and the others sing "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by the incomparable Michael Jackson.

by Jack Garcia

The glee kids want to perform Michael Jackson songs again at Regionals, but it turns out The Warblers are doing Michael Jackson songs as well.  So what do they do about it?  Have a sing-off in a dark abandoned parking garage to determine which group can perform the King of Pop's hits.  But things turn not-so-friendly when The Warblers throw a slushie in Blaine's face.  True, all the other New Directions kids have been slushied... but this one seems to have something more sinister in it.  He tore his cornea, had to have eye surgery and now wears an eye patch.

Kurt wants revenge on Sebastian for what he did to Blaine (which was actually meant for Kurt), and talks to Santana about it.  Santana gets Sebastian to admit that the slushie had rock salt in it and secretly gets it on tape.  However, by the time she gets it to Kurt, he's had a change of heart and feels that they should take the high road and not get Sebastian in trouble.

Finn wants Rachel's answer to his proposal, but she still hasn't given it to him.  She loves him, but she's not sure if now is the right time to get engaged.  She talks to Quinn and asks for her advice.  Quinn doesn't think Rachel should do it.  She thinks she should go out and seize her future, and not chain herself to some man.   Rachel considers what Quinn said, but since she is afraid she'll never get in NYADA (because Kurt already found out he is a finalist and even Quinn got into Yale) she feels that Finn is all she has.  She says yes, and it's a touching moment, but when she discovers that she is also a NYADA finalist she isn't so sure that she made the right decision with Finn.

And as far as romance goes, Sam is wooing Mercedes pretty hardcore right now.  And Mercedes, forgetting all about her boyfriend, let's him kiss her!

The Pros:

• WWMJD?  (What would Michael Jackson do?)
• I loved the rumble in the parking garage between The Warblers and New Directions!  "Bad" is an awesome song, and I liked the "mock-fighting" choreography.
• Artie can walk!  Okay, not really... just in his mind, which looks a lot like the "Scream" music video.  Anyway, I love when Kevin McHale gets a rare moment to show off his real-life dance moves.  And Mike sang again!
• Quinn doesn't get many solos, and I enjoyed "Never Can Say Goodbye."  I really feel like her character has made some amazing progress.  Side note: she looked stunning in that black sequined dress!
• "You know what, Prancy Smurf?  I respect that."  Gotta love Santana's name-calling.
• Believable or not, Sam and Mercedes are adorable together and their duet of "Human Nature" was charming... and that kiss?!  Magic.
• I loved when Kurt's dad said, "Who's going to tell Blaine? You got to let me do it!" after finding out Kurt was a NYADA finalist.  He's such a supportive dad!
• I had never heard "Ben" before, but it was cute.  Apparently young M.J. sang it.
• "Smooth Criminal" with Blaine and Santana was awesome!  I might have watched it on the internet a million times.  Just maybe.  I can't get enough of those battling cellos!
• "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was a great duet between Rachel and Finn (and I love the song).  And Rachel accepted Finn's proposal!  Yay!  However, I will say that I enjoyed Sam and Mercedes' duet better.
• They did the morph thing from the "Black or White" music video!

The Cons:

• Kurt's hat in the opening number.  Then his poncho later in the choir room.
• Sebastian should have gotten in trouble for the slushie thing.  High road or not, justice needs to be served!
• The Warblers got up and joined the New Directions in the final number?  Too cheesy for Glee even...