Glee Season 3 Episode 13

Glee Season 3 Episode 13 : This is an awkward proposition, to say the least. It’s the directorial debut of Matt Morrison, who plays show-choir master Will Schuester. While he attempted to take risks and change, not just the visuals but the rhythm of the show, it left a lot to be desired.

In the show, he gets New Directions on television, on Lima PBS, to be the replacement of the Yule log. So, they practice for their own holiday special, led by the increasingly demanding Artie, the show’s director.

Glee Season 3 Episode 13 : The excitement was felt right off the bat with Mercedes’s version of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” It was quite tame, not scandalous as the revamped version today of Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber. Another sweet song was sung by Rory, whose “Blue Christmas” attempt at an Elvis standard, was called “mournfully beautiful.” And rightfully so. Get this kid to an Ugly Sweater party, stat. He’s missing his mum, and he needs good company. Thankfully, Sam is inviting him over to his family’s gathering. Rachel sings a forgettable version of a Joni Mitchell song, and for the first time, Artie calls her out on it. “It makes me want to kill myself,” he says. Snap. She’s been a bratty girlfriend, anyway, by demanding Finn give her five out of 15 things on her Christmas list. A piece of coal is what she needs.

Glee Season 3 Episode 13 : Meanwhile, Sue wants Glee to perform for the homeless shelter she goes to. Who knew she had such a heart? (It’s the first Christmas without her sister Jean.) But it’s the same time as when the holiday special is taped. Sorry, Sue.

On the “Glee Holiday Spectacular,” the acting was haphazard. If you’re going to mimic vintage holiday specials, you’ve got to prepare to be stiff on delivery. Some did well, others didn’t. Blaine and Kurt did an admirable job at “Let it Snow,” for two bachelors sharing a pad of their own. They served as host to friends coming in at their chalet. Then, for some unexplained reason, Rachel and Mercedes blast out a “Sound of Music” song — something about schnitzel and noodles and dog bites and bee stings. Is it a holiday song? If things couldn’t get any worse, Mercedes is handed the line: “Say, when’s Christmas dinner?”

Gee whiz. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo come to party. It’s just Finn and Puck, rocking out to “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” They seemed to step out from “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” That wasn’t the only thing out of place, the Cheerios come in as rhythmic dancers, twirling streamers, with Brittany singing lead to a song that was quite good. By then, it was better to stop paying attention.