- Catch up on your Glee! You can read my “Music in Glee” review for episode 1 of season 3, “The Purple Piano Project” here.
I am Unicorn. Hear me roar. Or in this case, sing.
With only three songs this episode, “I Am Unicorn” is a nice change of pace from the musically jam-packed episodes of season 2. I was very much a fan of the season 1 plots that kept to just a few songs per episode and revolved more around character. Episode 2 of season 3 reminds me a lot of the season 1 I’ve been missing.
While maybe not the best musical showcase of Glee, one thing this episode does well is blend song with character. Even the overall storyline of the hour is very specific music-wise, as the school play is introduced and the kids start stressing over auditions for West Side Story. My favorite number hands-down is Rachel’s chosen audition song, “Somewhere”, marking her third duet with her birthmother, Shelby.
“Nobody ever became a star by playing it safe.”
What will probably end up being one of the best lines of dialogue this season originally slipped past me, until I re-watched last week’s “The Purple Piano Project”. Shelby advises Rachel that “nobody ever became a star by playing it safe” – the exact same advice Rachel had given her more confident self last episode in Ms. Pillsbury’s office. I love that we come full circle with something so simple and subtle. Small moments like these really work to remind us that the characters and storylines are constantly evolving, giving Glee a very real feel. These moments are also great because they let character development do the real work, while the music becomes more of a strong undertone (where season 2 often missed the mark).
I also love that Kurt and Blaine finally hit a relationship roadblock, and the fact that their talents are involved make things all the more interesting. Even on his own home ground at McKinley, Kurt still finds Blaine as competition for him. Both their audition songs, “I’m the Greatest Star” and “Something’s Coming”, are great character choices. Kurt really does believe he’s the “Greatest Star”, and Blaine has that modest yet confident newbie attitude and knows he can really bring it. The conflict is that it puts them at odds. (How ’bout that cliffhanger, huh?)
What did you think of “I Am Unicorn”? Too little music or just right? And who do you think should get the leads in West Side Story?
Your ears itching to give these songs another listen? Head on over to Glee The Music to hear your favorites from episode 2 of season 3, “I Am Unicorn” again.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 0 comments… add one now }