Glee Season 2 Ep 4 "Duets"

(Spoilers below.)

Doesn't seem to be a thread for the latest episode yet, which is a pity as I found it pretty darn good.

The episode more than made up for the previous two weeks and did a lot to reassure me that the writers of Glee still know where its appeal lies. A lot happened in this ep that I've felt needed to happen for a long time:

• Much more focus on people not called Rachel.
• A lot of character development - hell, this ep did more for Brittany's character than "Britney/Brittany".
• Someone finally called Kurt out on his predatory attitude!
• Some brilliantly funny lines from almost everybody.

I agree on all points.

Ill probably be adding Kurt and Rachel's duet to my music collection.
And I found Mike and Tina's duet immensely charming.

I liked it, but I felt a lot of the growth/epiphanies were unearned in the longview:

Rachel suddenly realizing she is a bad person and throwing the competition.
Artie losing his virginity and then immediately regretting it.

Then again, Mike Chang not only had a lot of great lines, but he also sung!

Great episode. One of my favorites by far, and it did really flesh out Brittany. I like her relationship with Santana. It's very unique yet makes a lot of sense for the characters.

Echoo, your avatar doubles as both the cutest and saddest moment in the show.

'Breadsticks' is the most hilarious name ever for a supposedly good restaurant.

Just watched this today. I really felt sad for Brittany.

Sam and Quinn make a cute couple. I think Sam is a closet geek/nerd.

I wish I could remember a time when a gift certificate for two at a chain restaurant would make me that excited in high school. Yea it's a step up from fast food but really now.

I like Olive Garden too, as an adult. I can't remember ever seeing high school students on a date there. Denny's sure.

Actually for me my perception is probably a generational thing. When I was in high school (late 70s) there simply weren't many national chain restaurants where I grew up. We had a regional New England chain, Friendly's, which was known for their ice cream so it was a good place to take a date post movie and I think there was a Pizza Hut two towns over. Everything else were locally owned sit-down restaurants, mostly Italian with a couple Asian and I think one steak house. This was suburbia BTW, not the middle of nowhere where I currently live.

Remember, everyone associated with Glee Club is a loser in their own way. Santana, or anyone in that group, being excited for Breadsticks seems like typical M.O. for the show to illustrate that point.

She did mention in the Brit/Brit episode that her father is a Doctor so she seems quite well off (she also got breast enhancements over the summer). It may have more to do with the strict diet she follows to maintain her weight. Bread is supposedly very fattening so maybe her attraction to it is that it's forbidden fruit.

I feel the need to defend Kurt's predatory attitude a little, as I know where the character is coming from in this. It isn't right, but he's in a very difficult position to be in. As a gay teen in an environment where, as far as you know, you are the only one around, a little hope that someone else you're interested in could be like you encourages you to go for it. He's lonely and feels alone, but if he doesn't act upon it and try, he'll never know if he'll find someone too. Even today, depending on where you live, being an out gay teen is really tough and not everyone has somewhere to turn to. Unlike for straight people, its difficult to locate other people you can safely have interest in unless you're in a known area populated by other gay people. It can also be a dangerous environment to express your feelings. When everyone else around you is dating or can easily express affections, it makes you feel like even more of an outcast.

Yes, Kurt comes on strong. But its also socially awkward to go "Hey, are you gay?" to anyone you might be interested in, not to mention possibly dangerous. I may not agree with his methods (its certainly nothing I ever tried), but I can see where he's coming from. Aside from how very stereotypical Kurt can be, the writers are doing a good job to help me empathize with him. When I was a teenager, I was lucky to get through high school without any major troubles when I came out. But not everyone is.

"I'm like a lizard, I need a warm body under me to digest my food."

I agree about Artie having a problem with Brittany and his first time after the fact. Its like eating a meal at a restaurant and then complaining about the cooking to the kitchen after you finished all the food.

I'm surprised several people didn't like Artie changing his mind. I found his reaction quite understandable, as was his enthusiasm beforehand.

Also, Artie commented that Brittany never even made eye contact with him before. Now, when they are assigned a project where the students need to partner up, Brittany shows interest in him? Coincidence?

After giving it a little thought I don't have a problem with Artie changing his mind. People have all done things they regret the next day. But the way he treated Brittany like it was all her fault and he was completely innocent was wrong.