I don’t know if it’s just me or not, but I sense something is different about Glee this year. The tone is darker and the songs seem to blend more effortlessly into the narrative instead of the “EVERYONE STOP SO WE CAN SING” vibe from last season. In fact it sort of mirrors the transformation Quinn has made this year. Glee has traded in its blond hair and pom poms for a nose ring and a smoking habit. I kind of like it.

The message this week was that everyone is a special little unicorn and they should shout that fact to the rooftops instead of hiding it. McKinley’s most special unicorn Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) is running for senior class president but doesn’t want his campaign to be “too gay” and his campaign manager Brittany (Heather Morris) feels it should be as gay as possible. This is very unlike Kurt and I don’t get why they decided to make him insecure about his masculinity this late in the game. His argument about not getting romantic leads opposite Kate Hudson has some merit, but I loved his father’s suggestion that he may have to write his own way to the big time. Reminds me of something my father said me when I mentioned dreams of wanting to be an animator for Disney. “Why would you want to spend your life drawing what Disney wants you to draw instead of what you want to draw?” Well said Dads. Kurt finally does come around, mostly, until his dreams of playing Tony in West Side Story are dashed because he’s too delicate.

Let me go on record that I love seeing Coach Bieste (Dot Marie Jones) and that freakish bony ginger Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) involved in the New Directions daily operations. I know it won’t last for long but it’s a nice change of pace. I thought their meeting about the casting was extremely well done and I ached for poor Kurt as he listened to them debating his butchness after his bouncy rendition of “I Am The Greatest Star” from Funny Girl. Bieste got all the good lines in this one.

“He owned that song like it was his prison bitch, but I want a Tony that excites my lady parts.”

 

His chances of getting the role are pretty much sealed after his laughable Romeo and Juliet scene and Blaine’s complete ass kicking of “Something’s Coming“. Talk about owning a song. He brought the smack down on it and bought it breakfast in the morning. As far as talent goes Blaine (Darren Criss) is the male Rachel and I would start calling him Blainchel if that wasn’t sort of lame. His lack of screen time outside of song performances is criminal. I want to see his parents and family life. I want to see whose posters he has on his bedroom walls.

I am also digging on Mr. Schue’s newfound focus and drive when it comes to his glee club. He came into the new school year with a mission and isn’t shying away from telling it like it is, especially when it comes to Quinn (Dianna Agron) and her skanky attitude. I still don’t quite understand what sent her over the edge. Maybe I should watch the final episodes of last season again or something, but her pink hair and granola knit cap look more like a Halloween costume than anything. I get that she has given up on being loved and it is sort of hard to watch. And I don’t get where her sudden desire to mother the kid she gave up for adoption is coming from. It seems at odds with her “hey look how punk I am” persona and her complete rejection of the idea of doing anything resembling parenting with Puck (Mark Salling). Cut to the final moments when the old Quinn shows up in a sundress and vows to get full custody from Shelby (Idina Menzel). WTF?

Ah Shelby. I do adore Idina Menzel and she is wonderful in this role. Her scene with Puck when he sees his daughter for the first time was magical. Her reason for being back seems a bit forced with the new McKinley show choir created solely to provide nightmare Sugar with a musical outlet competing with the New Directions. I suspect there is a surprise or two in store on that front. And what about Finn’s dancing? I’m glad he found his groove instead of bailing.

Finally I should mention Rachel’s performance of “Somewhere“. Lea Michele can do almost anything vocally and she tore this song to pieces. It gave me chills. It has always been my favorite Barbra Streisand song and I think Lea’s version is at least as good as Babs. Well done Miss Michele.
Next week on Glee things get real when the competition for the role of Maria heats up and the divas battle for top billing. Tune in Tuesday at 8 on Fox.