Dear Gleeks:
No Sue Sylvester? No Puck? Not even a little Emma? And no Uncle Jesse. That’s right kittens, I am not exactly sure I am at that place with ‘Glee’ where I was a year ago. I remember having this great feeling of nostalgia when watching Rachel try to fit in, and feeling sorry for Kurt when he realized he never would. But now, Rachel’s dating the quarterback and Kurt is comfortable, for the most part, with who he is and, for some reason I can’t quite explain, this makes me not like ‘Glee’ so much anymore.
I completely understand that the show cannot rest on the backs of a select few. And undoubtedly, writer/creator Ryan Murphy is aware of this as well, which could be why “Duets” lacked some of our more favorite show stoppers/savers.
But did it work?
To me the purpose of “Duets” was to introduce us to Sam, the new kid with lady lips and dyed blonde hair. But whereas in the past, introductions of new characters have made me like or hate them, I am completely indifferent to Sam. I really don’t care if he joins Glee, I don’t care if he sings with Kurt or Quinn, and I certainly don’t care if he and Quinn go on a date. Even the song they sang together, a song which I don’t mind, left me wanting to fall asleep. I just can’t root for them.
Enter Kurt and the drama surrounding his apparent inability to decipher whether or not someone is gay and/or whether or not they’re interested in Kurt. It was somewhat endearing and a little uncomfrotable during the first season when this was directed at Finn, but for Kurt to not grow from that experience, to be right back in the same situation is unsettling. Furthermore, to have him merely give up because of the reprocussions that Sam may face is also disheartening. Problems on ‘Glee’ should not be cleared up in a 30 minute span. This isn’t ‘Family Ties.’
So what are we left with? Once we remove Sam, Quinn, and Kurt, we are left with side-stories that had a lot more promise and not enough screen time. And no, I am not just talking about Brittany and Santana’s lesbo PG-friendly make out scene.
How about the fact that Artie lost his virginity? Last season there was an ENTIRE episode devoted to that, and tonight, it garnered about 6 total minutes of screen time. This, let’s not forget, is the kid in the wheelchair, who wasn’t even sure he could have sex. And now, he not only does, but loses it to a braindead nympho who wanted to “push [him] in a stroller.” Who’s really the dumb one? Am I supposed to care that, in losing his virginity to Brittany that Artie realized his love for Tina? Um no, because HE KNEW THAT BEFORE!!!
I simply feel let down and disappointed. Mr. Shuester sang nothing. I think a duet with him and ANYONE at this point would have been in order. And why did I find myself laughing only at Rachel and Finn’s costume decision for their duet. HILARIOUS! (side note: anyone else out there have a mom who LOVED ‘The Thornbirds?).
And how do you have a show called “Duets” without anyone singing Kenny and Dolly’s ‘Islands in the Stream?!’ Sacrilidge.
So now I have to ask, with ‘Glee’ not being on next week, can an episode centered on ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ save our show?! I love ‘Rocky Horror,’ and the craziness it brings, but do enough other people? Is ‘Glee’ starting to alienate it’s following?
CLICK HERE to see who wants to punch Hilary Swank.
CLICK HERE to see who’s camera shy.


























































