# A "Glee" episode even \*I\* have to watch: Joss Whedon + NPH **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 16, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671 "2010-05-16T19:54:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/21 "2010-05-19T12:07:05Z")
I thought Artie trying to walk was going too far. It was plenty delusional and poignant for him to think the new treatments would fix him in the near future. The whole scene with the crutches just felt off. Totally redeemed by _Safety Dance_, however! It was great to see the actor dance, and I loved that they used that song, and some of the choreography from the video! NPH was great as usual, and Morrison kept up with him. _Dream On_ was hot! I loved the scene with Sue (and now that I’m reflecting, I’m getting a second kick out of the fact that it was a high sexual tension scene played by a gay man and a lesbian). I liked the plot with Rachel’s mom, and why there had to be machinations ("‘_Befriend_’ was the word I used." :)) I thought Idina really sold it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/22 "2010-05-19T12:12:23Z")
I’ve only seen the pilot, but I do love Joss Whedon. I guess I like NPH, but have only seen him in Dr. Horrible(and Doogie). Was this episode entertaining if you haven’t followed the characters and story? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/23 "2010-05-19T12:15:03Z")
I thought the musical numbers were fantastic in this episode. _Dream On_ just about killed me. That song is so incredibly poignant and it really fit the plot. No major laughs in this one – but definitely good TV. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/24 "2010-05-19T13:23:55Z")
ZOMG - this absolutely was the best episode of the new set. Here’s my gut reactions to a few things: 1. This episode worked because it didn’t have as many songs as usual - they were spaced out better and therefore more meaningful. They had several songs, don’t get me wrong - but it didn’t seem like they were trying to jam a bunch of songs in. 2. They proved that the show still has teeth. Noticeable minimalist around Sue and Brittany - and yet we still had lots of laughs and good content. It was starting to feel like Sue and Brittany were going to start carrying the show - the fact that it wasn’t necessary was a nice change. 3. Small cameo by Molly Shannon in the group made her character a little more palatable - as if she might have gotten her job because NPH was on the board and helping out. Still think the jury’s out on whether she’ll be a good add. 4. “The Rachel looks for her mom” story line was eerily “whoa.” I never realized how much the two looked alike until this episode - and yet now it’s so glaring I feel like Brittany. 5. Loved some of the subtle humor like when different kids started getting excited about the box of goodies that NPH brought - each one reacted to different bits - and we Gleeks knew why. 6. The moment when Quinn touched Artie’s arm during the final number made me tear up. Call me an old fool (wait - please don’t) but that was a nice touch. 7. I totally loved Safety Dance too - and my one sad point was - how do we get Artie to be able to dance more? Realizing that making him able to suddenly walk would be bad. But still - y’know - it was nice to see. And I totally believed that the mall scene was done with actual fans. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/25 "2010-05-19T14:43:17Z")
Yeah, I was thinking while watching that some of the camera shots in the mall scene were reminiscent of the video footage from the promotional _Glee_ flash mob dances. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/26 "2010-05-19T14:45:01Z")
I loved this episode. Maybe next time Sue can snap a shot of Lupone in the hall and get the treatment she usually gives the students (pushing out of the way, into lockers). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/27 "2010-05-19T15:28:32Z")
Great episode – “Dream On” was the highlight; “Safety Dance” was also great and the “I Dreamed a Dream” was touching. When Rachel started listening to the tape and the first few notes played, did anyone else say “OMG! Her mother is Susan Boyle!” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/28 "2010-05-19T15:36:07Z")
Overall a very, very good episode. A little sad for Rachel that Jesse is actually being scum, but nice that the director of Vocal Adrenaline has motives that are more complex. My daughter said: You know he’s going to truly fall for her, then she’s going to find out it was a set up all along. Which is pretty much what I expect. Joss Whedon’s touch was apparent and awesome, especially the flash mob and the comedy from different than usual sources. Not heavy handed “look at me” stuff though. Safety Dance sequence was the prime example. NPH’s character was fun but a bit too cartoonish for my tastes. Loved watching him and Shu sing. His voice is totally wrong for Jean Valjean, though. Would have liked to here Kurt sing “On My Own” from Les Mis. Maybe they’ll do that next week? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/29 "2010-05-19T16:06:07Z")
This is the first Glee I’ve ever watched…overall feeling was “meh”…but that’s for another thread. Why is Joss directing such a big deal? He didn’t write it (his strength) and unless I am woefully unaware as to the movie/tv field…how big a deal is directing a tv show anyway? He didn’t choreograph it…he basically just filmed. NPH was good, but I see no special reason to watch cuz Joss is just directing. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/30 "2010-05-19T16:15:37Z")
If you had watched some of the other more clunky versions - you would understand. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/31 "2010-05-19T16:24:46Z")
Yep, out of the park. “Angry sex…” “… it’s the only kind I know.” NPH- how is a guy who is so skinny so sexy? I knew that Artie was going to be out of the chair in a dream sequence at some point but worried it was going to be really cheesy- maybe it was bringing in Whedon but it wasn’t. (It must irk the answer that he’s in a wheelchair even on the tour.) The _I Dreamed a Dream_ duet was powerful even with the soap opera plot, and that resemblance is amazing. I wonder who they’re going to use for Rachel’s fathers. (My votes are for Brian Stokes Mitchell and Gary Beach.) I loved John Michael Higgins (Jane Lynch’s husband in _Mighty Wind_) as part of the support group. That scene was actually a bit poignant for anybody who’s ever known high school and college theater stars who didn’t quite make it (or even try)- they are prone to becoming very bitter. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/32 "2010-05-19T16:31:12Z")
Loved Artie’s line that “there’s not a guy there who can’t dance many times better than I can without rehearsing. Except maybe Finn.” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/33 "2010-05-19T16:38:53Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The _I Dreamed a Dream_ duet was powerful even with the soap opera plot, and that resemblance is amazing. And how! I barely heard the song because I was so entranced over how _exactly friggen alike_ the two actresses looked. On a related note: I heard that they are making a **Wicked** movie (where Idina Menzel played the lead) and they are having the actress in Glee (name I don’t know..sorry) play her role. Makes total sense. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/34 "2010-05-19T16:39:21Z")
And Sue actually gave one of the best arguments for HS athletics I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/35 "2010-05-19T17:15:20Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Would have liked to here Kurt sing “On My Own” from Les Mis. Maybe they’ll do that next week? Actually, Rachel sang “On My Own” as her audition for New Directions way back at the beginning. Can’t see them doing a repeat. The video of her singing was actually one of the free downloads on iTunes back when they were first promoting _Glee_. I have it on my iPhone -it’s pretty powerful. > [@Sampiro](#): > > I loved John Michael Higgins (Jane Lynch’s husband in _Mighty Wind_) as part of the support group. I knew I knew him from somewhere! > [@Sampiro](#): > > Loved Artie’s line that “there’s not a guy there who can’t dance many times better than I can without rehearsing. Except maybe Finn.” I did a spittake on that. Love the way Joss gets his characters to do those throwaway deliveries. Classic. > [@Sampiro](#): > > And Sue actually gave one of the best arguments for HS athletics I’ve ever heard. I was thinking the same thing. Here in NC - the schools are facing a huge budget cut - and they are talking about dropping Arts and making kids pay for sports. Those arguments that NPH and Sue gave were great. Wanted to submit that to CharMeck myself. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/36 "2010-05-19T17:35:58Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Actually, Rachel sang “On My Own” as her audition for New Directions way back at the beginning. Can’t see them doing a repeat. The video of her singing was actually one of the free downloads on iTunes back when they were first promoting _Glee_. I have it on my iPhone -it’s pretty powerful. I never saw a lot of the early episodes. I’m out of the country a lot for work and only got into the show because of my daughter - who is also into theater but has nowhere near the vocal talent of any of these actors. The lyrics from \* On My Own \* are perfect for Kurt when he’s hurt and rejected after he and Finn become “roommates” and he has to face the fact of his unrequited love (or crush). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/37 "2010-05-19T17:38:16Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Would have liked to here Kurt sing “On My Own” from Les Mis. Maybe they’ll do that next week? Hmmm. Eponine played by a gay man would work-there’s nothing about the role that _has_ to be female (no pregnancy or sex or anything) and he could nail it. Plus, in the book the boy waif Gavroche and Eponine were brother and sister- just switch their names. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/38 "2010-05-19T17:38:44Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > I never saw a lot of the early episodes. I’m out of the country a lot for work and only got into the show because of my daughter - who is also into theater but has nowhere near the vocal talent of any of these actors. > > The lyrics from \* On My Own \* are perfect for Kurt when he’s hurt and rejected after he and Finn become “roommates” and he has to face the fact of his unrequited love (or crush). no worries, mate. And every since reading your original suggestion that Kurt should sing it - I’ve been hearing his voice singing it in my head - so I call it well noted! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/39 "2010-05-19T17:53:42Z")
Does anybody know if that was really NPH doing the falsetto at the end of _Dream On_? ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2010, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671/40 "2010-05-19T18:37:08Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > 1. The moment when Quinn touched Artie’s arm during the final number made me tear up. Call me an old fool (wait - please don’t) but that was a nice touch. Exactly my feeling. With this episode and the last few wih Mercedes, how quickly is evil Quinn turning into the sympathetic moral center of the show. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-glee-episode-even-i-have-to-watch-joss-whedon-nph/539671.md?page=3)