television – The Bucknellian

By Tracy Lum

Editor-in-Chief

This week, “Glee” brought back Britney, showing she’s “Stronger,” “Toxic” and even still a “Slave 4 U.” The follow-up episode to “Glee”‘s lackluster season premiere celebrated the 2000s pop princess, giving her props for Gleek empowerment.

In this week’s episode, Mr. Shue resists the Gleeks’ desire to perform a mix of Britney hits at homecoming. Meanwhile, Emma’s new love interest Carl (played by guest star John Stamos) enters the scene and offers the students dental examinations and cleanings. While under the influence of nitrous oxide (laughing gas), our favorite Gleeks, including Brittany S. Pierce, Rachel, Artie and Santanan drift into Britney-inspired reveries.Brittany (played by Heather Morris), who has apparently lived in the shadow of Britney Spears her whole life, even gets her first solo Glee Club moment when she reenacts scenes from Britney Spears’ most famous videos (“Slave 4 U,” “Toxic,” “Lucky” and “Me Against the Music.”) Artie, sitting in a wheelchair decked out with massive power wheels, sings “Stronger,” while trying to win back Tina’s affections. Britney Spears herself made a few cameos, appearing as a cheerleader and in her music videos.

The first episode spent entirely too much time setting up plot twists for the remainder of the season, but the second returned to “Glee”‘s original roots in its thematically-unified performances. While the first episode caught viewers up on what had happened over the summer, the second developed Shue and Emma’s turbulent relationship, gave Rachel and Finn some alone time and returned Quinn to her former status as head cheerleader. It’s as if we’ve come full circle.

But can “Glee” continue its award-winning streak?

Next week’s episode promises some “Glee”-ful renditions of Ke$ha tunes, and according to askausiello.com, by episode nine, Santana and Brittany will be the only Cheerios still in New Directions.

By Katie Monigan

Arts & Life Editor

This week’s episode, “Double Identity,” essentially part two of last week’s season four premiere, was unusually dramatic. Dan’s a daddy, Blair might have a shot at dating French royalty, Chuck is missing, and his wallet was found with blood on it.

For once, the adult characters were completely drama-free. This might mean a new shift in plot focus towards the college-aged characters, instead of the trials and tribulations of married life. On a show clearly marketed towards high school and college students, this could be a smart move.

The first two episodes were also mostly set in Paris instead of Manhattan. Everyone came home at the end of “Double Identity,” but this French excursion might be a glimpse into a more exotic new season.

Baby Milo’s presence will certainly change the course of events this season. The characters are beginning to deal with more “grown-up” problems, like potential marriage proposals and teen parenthood. High school drama, college admittance stress, college issues and now concerns of young adulthood are all being addressed, and all at the right times.

The music on the show has also taken a new direction. Pop songs are eclipsing the unremarkable choices of the past. Again, the change may not last, but it seems like a good idea to add musical appeal to an already popular show.

Nate’s new friend Juliet looks like the big mystery of the season. She has a wall covered in printouts of Gossip Girl posts in a dimly lit, suspicious-looking room. Maybe we’ll even find out who Gossip Girl really is this season. As always, we’ll have to wait, and since this is only the second episode, we have a lot of waiting to do.