TV Recaps Blog

'Glee:' A Very Gangnam Thanksgiving

The glee club prepares for Sections while Rachel and Kurt celebrate Thanksgiving in New York

By Michaela Sinclair Nov 30, 2012 2:22AM

During last week's episode of "Glee," the glee club members reveal their super hero alter egos in order to steal their Nationals trophy back from the Warblers. Meanwhile, the Jake-Marley-Ryder love triangle continues.


Bing: More on 'Glee' | More on Dianna Agron


This week's episode opens with glee club graduates Quinn, Puck, Mike, Santana, Mercedes and Finn emerging onstage in the auditorium singing a mash-up of American Idol's Phillip Phillip's "Home" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound." Quinn announces that they're all home for the Thanksgiving holiday, as promised, and they embrace.


A voice-over from Marley recounts a memory she had when she was seven-years old, she's always wanted to be a singer and now her dreams are coming true as a glee club member. She's still concerned about her weight, feeling the pressure to be the best for the glee club.


At Breadsticks, the glee club alumni are all sharing a booth and wondering where Kurt and Rachel are. Quinn is just as popular as ever at Yale, she's getting straight A's and just got invited to be a member of an all-female secret society (aka a sorority). Puck toasts her accomplishments as Finn asks them all for a favor.


In the music room, Finn's alumni cohorts are paired with a current glee club member as mentors – Jake is assigned with his brother Puck, Mike with Ryder, Marley with Santana, Kitty with Quinn and Wade with Mercedes. Finn maps out his strategy for sectionals: Blaine and Marley will share the duet, and their "showstopper" will be Psy's "Gangnam Style." Santana and the students are dubious but Finn is optimistic.


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Later, Jake confesses to Ryder that he went on a pseudo-date with Marley the other night, but he doesn't want to "hump her and dump her," admitting that she's special. Ryder looks torn but doesn't want Jake breaking things off with Marley on his behalf.


Back in New York, Rachel has not been cast in "Glass Menagerie" but instead will be prepping for the NYADA showcase while Kurt has turned in another application to the performing arts school. They plan on staying in New York for Thanksgiving, despite missing their parents, and promise to have the best holiday ever.


At McKinley, Mike is attempting to teach the male glee club members some dancemoves. Ryder shines as the "Gangnam" front man while Jake visibly struggles.


In the music room, the former glee club "trinity," Quinn, Santana and Brittany, show off their synchronicity skills performing a rendition of The Supremes' "Come See About Me." Amongst applause from the female glee club members (and Wade), Santana asks if Marley is feeling okay as she looks like she's (in Santana's words) "about to hurl." Marley shrugs it off to being tired.


Outside in the halls, Kitty gushes to Quinn how much she idolizes her. Quinn is flattered, but is worried about Marley. Kitty voices her concerns about Marley dating Jake and going down "the wrong path." Marley, however, is more concerned about Jake's sub-par dance moves, seeing how he takes lessons. Jake admits he hasn't been doing his best as a "solid" to Ryder for being cool about him dating Marley. He asks to walk her to lunch but she excuses herself to rehearse since she doesn't want to let the team down.


Rachel is back in her dance class when Brody walks in to substitute for the dance teacher Cassidy. Rachel's mad that Brody slept with Cassidy, and Brody is still sore Rachel broke off their date to be with Finn. As the two fox trot, Brody promises it won't happen again and asks what she's doing for Thanksgiving. He invites himself over to cook for her and Kurt.


Puck shares some brotherly wisdom with Jake down the halls at McKinley when Quinn approaches and accuses Jake of being a womanizer and taking advantage of Marley. She says that the only way they will win Sectionals is if Marley is at her best, and she can't if Jake keeps distracting her.


At the Vogue office, Kurt is closing up shop and runs into his editor Isabelle on the way out. She has no plans for Thanksgiving so Kurt welcomes her over. Isabelle asks if she can bring some friends along (to which Kurt nods,) then wonders if he and Blaine have made up. Kurt is reticent against doing so but she advises him to consider Blaine's apology.


In the music room, Quinn offers Kitty advice on winning over the judges. Kitty is appreciative and snidely says "hola" to Santana on her way out. Santana calls her "pure evil," accusing Kitty of giving Marley laxatives. However, Quinn has been won over by Kitty and believes Santana is still jealous of her and projecting her resentment onto Kitty instead. The two argue and slap each other just as Brittany walks in.


Ryder is having a challenging time learning his Gangnam moves when Jake comes in to watch. Jake shows off his technique (including some ballet moves) and offers to coach Ryder.


In Kurt and Rachel's loft, the two have been joined by Brody preparing dinner. As Rachel recounts how nervous she was at her first Sectionals, we see that Marley is equally a mess. She's hungry but at least her dress fits! She meets Wade (as Unique) in the hall, who is going against his parents' wishes by cross-dressing and doing what he feels is right.


The glee club members (old and new) clasp hands as Joe leads them in a prayer circle in preparation for Sectionals. A hodge podge of judges are introduced, and the Warblers begin an acoustic version of Flo Rida's "Whistle," led by new captain, Hunter Clarington. After rousing applause from the audience, they launch into One Direction's "Live While We're Young," also a crowd pleaser.


Back in the New Yorkers' loft, Rachel and Kurt reminisce about the past while Brody triumphantly pulls the turkey out of the oven. There's a knock at the door, and Kurt answers it to a big group of people who have been invited over by Isabelle. She's not with them but eventually arrives, announcing and singing Scissor Sisters' "Let's Have a Kiki!" The crowd is jubilant with Rachel and Kurt jumping up and down exclaiming, "This is the best Thanksgiving EVER!"


Meanwhile, Will arrives back to the auditorium at McKinley just in time for the next group's performance at Sectionals – it's an upbeat mash-up of "Over the River and Through the Woods" and "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain."


Backstage, the New Directions are thrilled about Mr. Shuester's arrival when Blaine receives a phone call from Kurt. Because it's Thanksgiving, Kurt admits to missing Blaine as his best friend and asks to see him during Christmas. Through tears, Blaine and Kurt say, "I love you." Kurt returns to the party and receives a wordless hug from Isabelle.


In the final scene, Jake comes upon a visibly shaken Marley and asks if she's okay. She admits that she hasn't been feeling well, and is afraid of letting everyone down. Ryder overhears and begs Jake to take the lead dance part in his place. Jake agrees and the group rushes onstage. Expectedly, their performance of "Gangnam Style" is led by Tina (who's Korean). The song ends with a confetti shower as Marley collapses on stage.


'Glee' airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.


1Comment
Dec 6, 2012 2:52PM
avatar

I thought the mentor thing was silly since their vacations should line up around Thanksgiving.  Meet at Breadsticks and have fun together and then sing about it, but not at school.  If it was vacation no kid would want to be at school practicing singing and dancing.  I still like the show in general; I have been following the show with my DISH coworker since it started and although I don’t care for the teen plots, I love the singing.  I also watch commercial free with Auto Hop on my DISH Hopper DVR because I save enough time to watch another show that evening.  That is great because I love TV but I never seem to have enough time to watch everything I like.

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Deanna Barnert

Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.

Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.