“I’m a loser, baby. So why don’t you kill me?”
After my fanaticism about “Dream On” and “Theatricality”, I was ready to simmer down and just enjoy a simpler episode with “Funk”. And while I wasn’t expecting to love, love this one, I was pleasantly surprised with how well it played out – both musically and otherwise. Listening to the songs beforehand (I know, I know, shame on me), I can’t say I was nuts about the musical selection for the episode. But after actually seeing the episode, I feel that each song choice was perfect for its scene and though I’m growing a little weary of all the themes, “funk” was definitely relevant not only to each song but to the episode overall. Except for the one Terri had Finn look up on iTunes.
Read on as I review each funk-ified (or not so funk-ified) musical number in more detail, for episode 21, “Funk”:
Another One Bites The Dust - 5/5 STARS
Oh, Jesse. Jesse, Jesse, Jesse. Why did you have to go and stomp all over, not only Rachel’s heart but New Directions’ auditorium stage? That’s just not cool. What was cool was getting to see a Vocal Adrenaline number where almost not everybody was “soulless automatons”. Well, at least Jesse showed some soul. And rage. And hurt. In a creative way, of course (unlike some certain ND boys we know…wink-wink). What was most interesting about his little performance though, is that he makes it hard to really tell if he’s faking it all.
Tell Me Something Good – 4/5 STARS
Alright, now we’re getting to my favorite part. Well, one of my favorite parts. Even though I was one of those crazy people who was actually looking forward to this scene ever since I heard Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison leak about it an interview, even I have to admit I was kind of scared to watch it. Anyone who’s ever wondered about Will and Sue’s clashing chemistry was in for a treat with this one, and hey, if the writers were ever going to do it, what a way to do it, right? I couldn’t help but giggle the entire way through, between Will’s butt moves and Sue’s pained yet aroused look. A little weird maybe, but I don’t think there’d ever be a way to do it that’s not weird.
It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World – 4/5 STARS
Speaking of weird…how Quinn opens up her assignment could not be weirder. But – it’s perfectly in-character, not to mention fitting for her character, and the actual performance from Dianna Agron is so good I forgot all about the beginning by the end. Who else loved getting to see other people dance with all those baby bumps? The only thing I didn’t like that much that this number brought to mind is that it feels like the lip-syncing to a pre-recorded song is getting more and more noticeable. Although I think it’s just my imagination.
Good Vibrations – 3/5 STARS
All throughout this song I was like, this ain’t funk. I was glad to hear by the end that Will knew it too and I wasn’t going totally crazy. It just goes to show you, iTunes is not the answer (Terri still manages to screw things up!). There’s a reason you didn’t think of that, Finn. Funkiness aside, I never tire of seeing and hearing more of Finn, Puck, and Mercedes – and while we’ve seen Puck and Finn, and recently Puck and Mercedes, pair off before, it’s a rarity to see all three performing together and I thought it was quite the combo.
Loser – 3/5 STARS
This is one of those songs that just gets stuck in your head. I’ve seriously been singing it all the time since watching the episode (well, that and Another One Bites The Dust). I found it especially suits the series because of the way-back-when “Lima loser” quote, so to bring that back around toward the season’s end was kind of cool. Sheets ‘N Things as the backdrop was a nice change of pace (we finally got to see Jessalyn Gilsig perform as Terri), though between Sandy’s tirade (yay…! They brought back Sandy!) and Finn strumming on a broom it took all I had not to laugh. Overall a little too bizarre and music video-ish for me, but in-character? Yes. Great vocals and performance? Yes. And for that I loved it.
Give Up The Funk – 5/5 STARS
We want the funk. Gotta have that funk. I consider Give Up The Funk the best end-of-an-episode full cast performance we’ve had in a long time. It was fun, entertaining, and for story and plot purposes it showed not only Vocal Adrenaline but us, everything that New Directions has got; and remembering the pilot episode and how they started out – just how much they’ve grown and how far they’ve come. The most enticing part about it? (Other than the wild outfits and Mike’s crazy feet). They all look like they’re having so much fun doing this. Which for me, is what most makes watching this series worthwhile.
Your ears itching to give these songs another listen? Head on over to Glee Songs to hear your favorites from episode 21, “Funk” again.
Image Credit: Glee-France
