GLEE: “Mash Off” And That Slap

Glee gets right to the nitty gritty in this week’s recap: everyone on the show hates everyone else. Sounds like any high school I’ve even been in. (This might make my actual high school reunion this weekend really awkward, but that’s not the point right now.)

Noah Puckerman, I have one thing to say to you right now: STOP! Your obsession with Shelby will not end anywhere good (and I know that as a soon-to-be teacher that she’ll avoid you like the plague). That said, I will take Puck singing “Hot for Teacher”, because well, it’s Van Halen and watching Blaine and Mike dance behind Puck also makes me giggle.

As I should have guessed, Rachel is going to be a killjoy and suggest that there’s an ulterior motive for Puck’s song (which there is), but I’m almost tired of her being the buzzkill to everyone else on the show.

Sue, your ideas about politics and campaigning are just the tip of the iceberg of what is wrong with the lack of voter turnout in this country. No one really likes to “fling poo” at each other, at least I hope they don’t.

Troubletones vs New Directions at Sectionals–oh this is going to be good. It also means that we’ve got more mash-ups, and well, I’ve wanted to do without them before (thinking about “Vitamin D” makes me want to cringe all over again), and this first mash-up tells me I’m in for trouble (or that I’m just not up on Top 40, which is also fine). Oh good, mash-ups between the groups–just what I needed.

Shelby, say no to Puck. It doesn’t matter if he’s eighteen. I will say that the list you made Puck, well, it’s horrible, and it also doesn’t make him attractive in the least.

Finn, this idea of Hall and Oates makes me want to squirm, but that was dwarfed by Finn suggesting that Rory have the solo while pointedly looking over Blaine.

Quinn, this determination you have to get Beth back is more than a little creepy, even with her suggestion to join the Troubletones.

Trying to out-insult Santana is going to be a failed effort, Finn and Rory. But I do love the idea of a dodgeball game. (Can Dean Winchester please be there to watch?)

Shelby, I’m worried that you’re not more concerned about Rachel already writing her letter of recommendation. Rachel, you’re suggestion is better, but I worry about Shelby’s comment that Rachel’s a shoe-in for the school.

My wish of Dean Winchester watching over this match has been crushed, but I’m not at all shocked. (It’s totally a possibility–the Winchesters spend plenty of time in Ohio.) The strain on Rachel and Kurt’s relationship reminds me of so many things that happened to me in high school. I hope I’m not the only who’s weirded out by Finn singing Pat Benetar. I really hope I’m not.

I’m not ready for another Mercedes vs Santana face-off (though I do love “The Boy is Mine”), and I love how Brittany is the one to get Santana to play nice. Though I suppose that it won’t be the best option. Her verbal smackdown of Finn is just a thing of beauty. Finn’s response, however, is low by his standards (you do not try to out someone else, Finn, you just don’t do it).

Will, think like a man involved in politics, and do something about Sue’s crazy ads. I want to punch her in the face and I don’t even live in Ohio.

Puck, you’re adorable with your baby. Coming clean about what Quinn’s plan is a smart idea, though I hope Puck knows that this is going to cost him any shot of getting with Shelby.

Time for the mash-ups! Oh goody! Finn, the ’80s called and they want that outfit back. (Also, “You Make My Dreams Come True” will always remind me of [easyazon-link asin=”B000ELJAEM”]The Wedding Singer[/easyazon-link].)

I’m eagerly awaiting the Troubletones singing, but I guess that I’m going to have to wait through the debate between Senior Class Presidential candidates. That hockey player is just dumb. Brittany’s promise to go topless should not be allowed in any capacity. Kurt’s got a real message, one that no one’s going to actually want to hear. Rachel’s ideas are practical, and oh the work of someone who’s got ideas. Then, she’s going to shock everyone by turning around and withdrawing her nomination for the sake of her support to Kurt. How sweet, but maybe a little too late.

Quinn, anytime you purposefully go see Shelby, I get worried. I think I have a reason to. When you gave Beth up for adoption, she’s no longer yours. You don’t get to come in and try to find fix your issues at the expense of others.

Anytime Sue calls you into your office, I’d get worried. Santana’s face is not at all what I expect it should be. I really want to know what sort of man would out a high school student in a campaign ad. It’s great to see all of Santana’s rage about that into this mash-up–it’s so much more powerful if we know there’s real emotion behind it.

I was not expecting the episode to end with a slap as Santana worries about her sexuality being exposed to everyone.

Glee airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on FOX.