Glee Season 3 - Episode 4 - Pot of Gold

GLEE: New Directions perform in choir class in the "Pot O' Gold" episode of GLEE airing Tuesday, Nov. 1 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Pictured L-R: Jenna Ushkowitz, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Darren Criss, Dianna Agron and Harry Shum Jr. ©2011 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose/FOX

Finally. Baseball is over and Glee is BACK with a new episode called “Pot O Gold”. Glee Project winner, Damian McGinty makes his debut as new foreign exchange student, Rory Flanagan, who moves in with Brittany’s (Heather Morris) family. In typically Brit fashion, she thinks he’s a leprechaun that only she can see. Santana (Naya Rivera) is none too pleased with this development. New Directions defector, Mercedes (Amber Riley) attempts to recruit fellow Glee clubbers to join Shelby Corcoran’s (Idina Menzel) new club and a new candidate throws his hat in the ring to face off against Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) in her bid for congress.

The first 3 episodes of Glee Season 3 found the show righting itself after a very uneven sophomore season, but I have to say, last night’s “Pot O Gold” was a bit of a letdown. While I really really loved Damian McGinty on the Glee Project, and was rooting for him to win, I don’t think I was quite ready for him to enter the world of Glee. Ryan Murphy promised over the summer that a new writing staff would be concentrating on the core characters, and that’s exactly what they did in the 1st 3 episodes. It was like getting to know some of my favorite characters all over again, or in the case of Mike Chang, for instance, getting to know them in a whole new way. But last light, something felt off as Damian made his Glee debut.

Not to say I didn’t enjoy Damian’s turn as Rory, the sweet naif from Ireland. It’s just that his character served no purpose except to be a foil for Brittany, and perhaps an extra body for New Directions. There wasn’t a plot point introduced last night that could not have moved forward without him, so why did his character dominate the episode? Damian sang TWO songs, and had several scenes–with Brittany, Santana and Finn. I’m hoping that now that he’s been introduced, his character settles into a supporting role so that we can get back to concentrating on Glee original flavah.

A few of my random thoughts on “Pot O Gold”

Quinn wants her baby Beth back, and when we find out why–it’s heartbreaking and scary at the same time. She thinks a baby is the thing that will save her life, that will love her unconditionally that will solve all her problems. Puck is smart enough to know that’s not a good thing, so he interferes with Quinn’s plans to frame Shelby as an unfit mother. But he’s not smart enough to realize that embarking on a romance with Shelby–a McKinley High teacher–will only lead to very bad things. Shelby’s character always appeared pretty level headed. I’m not getting this sudden turn to illogical thinking, as the episode ended with a Shelby/Puck kiss. I’m pretty sure Puck is 18, so she won’t end up in the slammer like Mary Kay Letourneau, but she’s going to lose her job, for sure. Now we know how the Shelby story arc will end!
Puck singing to baby Beth was the sweetest thing ever.
Kurt saves the day as he spearheads the effort to sell program ads for the school musical, West Side Story after Sue gets the show’s funding cut. After all, it will give him the opportunity to bust out his Banana Republic Mad Men collection! Ha. Kurt sells ALL the ad space in the program to his Dad’s Rotary Club pals–effectively putting in motion Burt’s plan to topple Sue and her evil scheme to end funding for the arts.
And just when I think I can’t love Burt Hummel any more than I do. there he goes being more awesome than ever. Burt will not let anyone screw with his family. And he ain’t afraid of no Sue Sylvester. He decides to run for Congress against Sue because he wants to see her lose at something, just once. But also, because glee club “saved my kid’s life.” Yeah, you go on with your bad self Burt. If anyone can kick Sue’s ass it’s the fearless and flawless Burt Hummel.
We learn that Brittany and Santana are getting it on. And we learn that bit of info in the most casual way possible, as they discuss it over dinner at Breadstix. Naya is obviously head over heels in love with Brittany. But I have to wonder if Brittany is as serious. I love Naya’s character–her one liners are hilarious–but she’s becoming a little too bitter. Lashing out at everyone around her–she can’t seem to sort out her loyalties.
Actually, it’s been disappointing to see the club split into two different groups. I mentioned before that I hated the second glee club story line, and I still do. After two years, the group should be at a place where they hang together as a team. The whole jealousy over solos thang seems so played OUT at this point. The good news is, I think the situation will probably come to a head in Episode 8 at Sectionals. Here’s hoping the two groups are reunited by that point.
Having said that–“Candyman” featuring the brand new all girl Troubletones, with Mercedes, Santana and Brittany sharing leads, was pretty effing fabulous.
Finn feels threatened by Blaine. But wouldn’t they be good friends by now? Is it a reach to assume that Finn would be friends with his step-brother’s boyfriend?
Rory treats Finn like a rock star when he meets him, because he’s a big fan of the You Tube viral sensation, “The Kiss that Missed” featuring Rachel and Finn’s Nationals debacle. Ha! Finn takes the lad under his wing, threatening to rat out the hockey thugs to Coach Bieste if they don’t stop harassing the new kid. “Admit that U2’s overrated…admit it!” is how hockey thugs threaten newbies at McKinley. Nice mullet, hockey dude!
Rory: “Finn Hudson. That’s Irish?” Finn, “Nah. My mom’s from Toledo.”
Blaine’s “Last Friday Night” was a sweet confection. I cannot take my eyes off of Darren Criss when he performs. There is so much charisma in that tiny, compact body. Every shipper should have been happy after that number as each couple had at least one cute little moment. Kurt and Blaine’s little do-si-do was adorable.
OMG. Santana’s confrontation with Rory had so many good lines “I know you’re a potato eating poser” was just one of them.
After Brittany eats the the candy she believes her kitty magically delivered to the litter box via Leprechaun Rory, she declares: “Lord Tubbington’s poops are crispy and delicious!”
While trying to keep Brittany from leaving New Directions, Finn effectively pushes her. A tip. Never ever call Brittany an idiot. Or stupid. Artie learned that lesson the hard way.
More Santana goodness: “That’s right double-stuffed fatty mcgravy pants,” she says to Finn, “We are just one big happy happy family.” And then she kicks Sugar Motta’s ass: “Let me write you a reality check, richie bitch…I’ve seen what you can do. And what you can do is stand in the back, sway and sing very, very quietly.”
Both of Rory’s performances–“It’s Not Easy Being Green” and “Take Care of Yourself” were lovely. Now that Kurt has grown into a confident senior, Rory is taking his place as the kid who is bullied, insecure and still finding himself. Oh, and Rory’s got a killer falsetto too, prompting a few amusing side-eyes from Kurt as the new kid auditioned for a spot in the club. Not to worry. Rory’s voice is perfectly respectable, but Kurt is still King of the Sopranos.
Really really really looking forward to next week’s big Virginity Sweeps Week Extravaganza as two of Glee’s most beloved characters take their relationships to the next level! I expect Ryan Murphy to be pimping the episode hard all week. The new 30s promo (see below) even features a Klaine kiss, so expect the boys to go much farther than that.