Starring: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz
Inspired the by the students, Will composes a mash-up for a very special occasion. Meanwhile, in a shocking reversal of roles, McKinley High’s cool kids are dethroned in an “icy” fashion, and Sue shows off her softer side.
Character development is huge in any series, and Glee has finally shown us that it too can provide some really excellent developments for its characters. Will has been tasked with creating a mash up for the wedding song for Emma and Ken, the football coach. However, Ken becomes suspicious of Emma and Will’s friendship, and can clearly see Emma is attracted to Will. So to get even, he orders the football players in Glee, Finn and Puck, to choose between the club and their sport.
Queen bee Quinn and her beau Finn are no longer the popular ones in school, now receiving grape slushies tossed in their face. A common treatment for anyone involved in the club and to make matters worse, Sue decides to remove Quinn from the Cheerios because of her pregnancy. But despite her cruel treatment to Quinn, we actually saw a nicer side to Sue.
Sue has a crush on someone over at the TV Station where she does her Sue’s Corner segment. Her new found love brings her closer to Will, and the two finally connect, even developing a friendship. It’s nice to see the writers give Jane Lynch the opportunity to expand on her role, particularly since so many characters have been considered as being one note.
Sue, Puck and Will have the most development this week, and each one presented a new side to their character. Puck and Sue were the most unexpected; Sue showing a kinder side and Puck, revealing that there is more to him than the bad boy exterior. After being encouraged by his mother to date a Jewish girl, Puck develops a romance with Rachel.
It’s an odd, but welcomed pairing and was well handled. The two realize that they have more in common, ending their relationship after admitting to the other that they are in love with someone else. There’s a nice moment from Puck who sings “Sweet Caroline” to Rachel. It’s one of the best performances in the episode and a tender moment between Puck and Rachel.
Despite her change, Sue reverts back to her old ways when her crush ends up sleeping with someone else. Much to Will’s horror, and disappointment, Sue’s evil ways returns even more determined and fueled to destroy Glee. It would have been nice to see Sue maintain her love interest, especially since brought out a different side to her, but returning to her old ways brought about some funny moments.
This was certainly a better follow up to the previous episode which was disappointing, but “Mash Up” provided us with some entertaining and unexpected character developments. The dance numbers were not as strong this time around, but the performance from Puck was solid and a touching moment between him and Rachel. Not one of the best episode, but certainly not the worst.
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MASH-UP - Glee Season 1 Episode 8
