It definitely improved from that point onwards. Thank GOODNESS
The first half of the episode was devoted to developing various dramas going on with the main characters. Kurt is trying to fit into the Warblers which have a distinctively different modus operandi compared to New Directions.
Since Season 1, I have watched those who can sing fighting for solos and a chance for their individual talents to shine in the club. And given how talented each and everyone of them are, I had always thought such was the norm considering my lack of experience in an actual singing club. But this episode use the Warblers as a fantastic showcase of a successful club that relies on teamwork and cooperation among its members, where there was cohesive democratic leadership. A very good example of this is when The Warbler's signature numbers are acapella versions of popular songs.
On the other hand, you see a very strong contrast with all the in-fighting and bitchiness going on with the over-abundance of female talents in the New Directions. Don't get me wrong, the males are uber talented too, but you don't see them going after each other's throats to get a solo for any number. If so much conflict happens in a club in real life, you can kiss all competition trophies goodbye.
Alas, this being TV, that of course, does not happen. Whilst they may be fighting in the green room all the way up to the MC calling them up for their performance, they still managed to do put up a perfect performance in front of everybody as if everybody has been able to perfectly compartmentalize their personal and work (school) lives. Although Rachel is utterly BITCHY, she did her job staying in the background and letting Santana, Ken and Barbie (read: Sam and Quinn, heh) take the limelight. I liked the Santana performance; while her vocals are basically plain water compared to Lea Michele's, the entire thing actually sounds pretty amazing because of the fantastic background harmonization put up by the Glee club, the energetic choreographer didn't hurt either (I finally got to see Mike Chang and Brittany, the two best dancers on the show, dance together). However, Ken and Barbie just didn't cut it. Their duet is like bland-and-blander if you have heard Rachel and Finn do the hauntingly beautiful Faithfully during last year's season finale.
Another plus for the episode was the interaction between Kurt and Rachel. These two have been absolutely cute together when they did sing the rare duet. Their voices were a perfect blend during the Happy Days are Here Again mashup during the duets episode. Unfortunately their voices wasn't all that great when the director cut from Kurt to Rachel's Don't Cry for Me Argentina back and forth in between verses. They are pretty great when they are harmonised, but interposing Kurt's vocals to Rachel's perfect pitch just highlights the Chris Colfer's vocal's imperfections and lack of experience.
While they may have been singing together sometimes, they are genuinely antagonistic towards each other because of similar diva attitudes they share. Today, it was positively fun to watch the two of them interact as normal supportive friends because Kurt has been transferred to another school and no longer indirect competition with Rachel within Glee club (Note Rachel's bitchiness. Sigh. None of the characters is perfect in this show) Kurt and Rachel behaves like former high school mates reminiscing those good old days in this episode. One of the best scenes in the whole season made the perfect showcase of the acting talents of both Chris Colfer and Lea Michele. The fact that true friend-to-friend interactions in this show is so rare makes this all the more precious.
The second half of the episode was focused on the sectional performances, with the Warblers (Dalton Academy) putting up another amazing performance acapella style of another pop song, Hey Soul Sister. I fully expect this to be another bestseller on the Billboard charts, primarily because it has a very refreshing style from usual Glee numbers. Plus it's got BLAINE. Oh my God, this is the one episode in which I realised just HOW CUTE Blaine is. His looks are so damn intense. Those dark brows and combed hair, and those intense hazel eyes. Okay there's the picture i put right at the start of the episode.
Okay i confess, I have a crush on this character because of shots like this throughout the episode. The half smile, the absolute focus he pays to whoever is speaking, the lady-killer look. I am totally getting the Blaine-craze US has right now. I just don't see this guy moving over to McKinley High, so that means the Warblers is gonna stay. At this point I just wanna say its absolutely unfair that Jesse (Jonathan Groff) didn't get the regular-status considering the amount of chemistry he has got with Rachel (Lea Michele). Does that mean we are going to have a 3 way fight McKinley - Vocal Adrenaline - Warblers? That will be something to watch indeed ha!
BTW Rachel broke up with Finn. An issue that I would say is 80% Rachel's fault. But whose fault aside, I say this event definitely allows more room for writer creativity allowing Rachel to pair up with Puck/Jesse. Sticking by one guy for 9 episodes was pretty much a record for dear Rachel Berry already. We can't have her doing a happily-ever-after sam-quinn style already during the 2nd season, can we?
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