My issues with the plots and characterizations in Glee have meant that I often spend episodes muttering “c’mon, c’mon, less talking, more singing.” I have to say, this week’s “The Power of Madonna” episode probably went a little too far in the other direction.
Don’t get me wrong – each number was fun and well-produced, but if you just move straight from one hit to the next without so much as an operatic recitative to cleanse the palate, you lose the impact of the songs. I was completely mesmerized by the Cheerios’ elaborate stilt choreography, but I can’t say it did much aside from sheer spectacle (something episode already had in spades). And it would be a shame for anything to take away from the “Like A Virgin” number, which was probably one of the best things Glee has done to date. I also enjoyed the expansiveness of “Like A Prayer,” which called back to the pilot episode’s “(Don’t Stop) Believin’” with its epic tone and simple red shirt/jeans/sketchers costume scheme (with an added gospel choir).
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A little programming note –
Beginning tomorrow, this blog will be taking the briefest of hiatuses while I attempt to cram my head full of publication dates, character names, and the plot of Our Mutual Friend. I may post on the new episode of Chuck, I may post another giant screed on Dickens, I may wrangle some guest posts out of people, I may not post at all. But if nothing else, I’ll be back for the next episode of Lost, which airs May 4th.