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Gleecap: New York I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down

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Posted by Rae Votta on 05/25/2011 at 11:53 AM Recaps

The Popdust Files: glee, recaps

For Good > “I love you” > Samcedes > The City of New York > Original songs again? Really? > Quinn > Matthew Morrison

Because Glee is overpacked by nature, to tie things up in an hour—along with a full competition sequence—is overwhelming. Not that “New York” wasn’t an enjoyable hour of television, but it leaves us wishing that instead of taking a break for the summer we actually got to watch all these separate threads come together over vacation. Because who knows what they will throw at us when fall comes around again?

We open with the group in Times Square and Rachel Berry announcing, “I made it!” While eating lunch and reminiscing about the shaky start of the club, they all break into an cappella version of “New York, New York,” which is my Glee weakness. They should always just break into random song—it makes them feel like real friends. Unfortunately this is where the show starts to get frantic, bouncing over to Mr. Schuester dividing up the kids by gender at the hotel (although most other show choirs split by sexual orientation). Puck and Lauren’s attempts to order drinks alerts his teacher radar, and he herds them into a room to work on songwriting (you’re in NYC and you haven’t finished your song? This is a whole new level of irresponsible!) before promptly ditching them to check out the theater for April Rhodes’ musical. At his soon-to-be home he breaks into song, specifically a terrible Matthew Morrison diddy called “Still Got Tonight.” There’s dramatic backlighting and it’s not as bad as that song about having sex in the rain, but that is not saying much.

Photo: Craig Blankenhorn/FOX

Back at the hotel, things are pretty dire. Brittany performs a song about cups, and while I would honestly watch Heather Morris do anything in those pants, Quinn points out that they’re being stifled for inspiration and need to go out and experience New York for real. The group then hops all over town—Times Square, Central Park, Lincoln Center and Washington Square Park—for a “I Love New York/New York, New York” mashup. It’s colorful and they skip a lot more than I ever see New Yorkers do.

High off the energy of the city, the dudes prod Finn to make a grand gesture and take Rachel out on a magical New York date. Sam mumbles something, and I had to rewind three times to be sure he didn’t say he was a homosexual. Fortunately Finn mans up and texts her to meet him and wear a fancy dress. While all of Glee is an experiment in magical realism, Finn and Rachel’s date really plays up the angle. Backed by soaring romantic music, the two meet in Central Park and go to Sardi’s, where Rachel meets her idol—and Kurt’s—Patti LuPone. Ms. Berry gets some sage words of advice before heading outside into the night, only to be serenaded with “Bella Note” by a mysteriously-appearing quartet of the Lima guys. Finn spends the entire time looking on the verge of vomiting, but recovers enough to lean in to kiss Rachel, only to be rejected twice, all while the boys keep singing. A tad insensitive guys!

For Rachel and Kurt’s Broadway debut, click NEXT.

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