The Gleek Critique: "Big Brother" Episode

Matt Bomer guest stars as Cooper Anderson on Glee.  Image property of Fox.

by Jack Garcia

After a 6-week hiatus Glee is back!  And it is back to stay.  Eight consecutive episodes will bring us to the Season 3 finale.

In tonight's episode, we discover that Quinn has indeed survived the car crash.  Did any of us really expect them to write her off?  But now Artie isn't the only one in a wheelchair... Quinn messed up her spine and has no movement in her legs.  However, unlike Artie, Quinn still has a probable chance of recovery.  Her goal is to be walking in time to dance on stage for Nationals and she seems eerily optimistic about the whole situation.  Artie helps her the best he can to cope with the new chair, forming a strong friendship between the two... that is, until her bitchy side returns and she reminds him that her situation is NOT permanent.

Meanwhile, Blaine's brother Cooper Anderson (Get it?  Like CNN's Anderson Cooper... but reverse!) comes to town.  Everybody in Lima freaks out because he's gone to Hollywood and is in a popular commercial for free credit scores.  That, and he's gorgeous.  Even Kurt can't help himself from drooling over his boyfriend's brother.  But Blaine isn't so excited to have his brother back around.  His brother picked on him growing up, and now all he seems to do is point out his flaws.  He's also a bit conceited.  But over the course of the hour they work things out (via song) and all ends well in Blaine's life.

Finchel isn't doing so well though.  Puck wants Finn to go to California with him after graduation to be a part of his pool cleaning business... and the idea is tempting.  What's he going to do in New York anyway?  But Rachel is dead seat on going to Broadway, and their argument at the end of the episode leaves us all a little unsure about their future.  They didn't get married after all, but they are still planning on doing so.  Or are they?

Rounding out the plot lines is Sue and her fertilized egg.  Her baby is going to be a girl, but there's also the possibility that she might have Down's syndrome...  Oh, and she's trying to whip the glee club into shape so she can get her hands on the money they'll get if they win at Nationals.

The Pros:

• Glee came back!
• Matt Bomer of White Collar guest starred as Blaine's brother Cooper and boy is he gorgeous!  He can guest star whenever he wants...
• The Quinn and Artie duet to Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" sounded great.  I think it was the first time they've ever sung together and I approved.  Not only did they sing that number, but later in the episode they sang "Up, Up, Up" by the Givers.  Probably not outstanding numbers, but enjoyable nonetheless.  And who doesn't enjoy a good amusement park montage?
• Quinn had a moment where she was laughing and she seemed genuinely happy for the first time ever.
• Tonight's songs were very Blaine-heavy and I am not complaining!  With his brother he sang a Duran Duran mash-up of "Hungry Like the Wolf"/"Rio."  Very nice, but their final song was the popular current hit "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye.  Great song, and the Glee rendition is pretty awesome too.  Sure the context of the song is vastly different, but I sure enjoyed it.

• The other song that Blaine sang was Christina Aguilera's "Fighter" which started off a little cheesy with the spoken part at the beginning but sure ended fantastic once we got to see Blaine all sweaty hitting punching bags! And if Ryan Murphy is reading this, shots of Blaine in the shower were much appreciated.  Thank you.  Please keep those coming.  Sincerely, me.
• Roz Washington's vicious attacks on Sue's old age never get old!  It's fun seeing Sue be out-Sued!
• Thank goodness Finn and Rachel didn't go through with the wedding.  They are too young!

The Cons:

• I felt like the episode started too quickly.  Does that make sense?  Seconds into the episode we find out that the wedding didn't happen and Quinn's in a wheelchair.  She and Artie are singing their number before you know it!  I guess I would have liked the episode to continue exactly where the last one ended... with them all waiting for Quinn at the courthouse.
• I miss the gay dads, but obviously they can't be in every episode.
• Next week is disco music...  Boo.