What I’m Watching: Glee

Glee: Season 3, Episode 5 “The First Time” (B)

I’ll credit this episode with being thematically motivated in a way that doesn’t necessarily make complete logical sense. The fact that Kurt and Finn, the partners not starring in the lead roles in West Side Story, are suddenly so into the idea of losing their virginity is perhaps convenient, but overall, it works well enough that I think it’s more than allowable. I suppose that Blaine’s talents exceed his skills in perception, since he seems entirely unaware that the heavy flirtation thrown his way by Sebastian is highly inappropriate and would understandably be considered suspicious and aggressive by Kurt. The juxtaposition of both couples experiencing their first times, mixed in with a bit of West Side Story music, was extremely well-executed. It’s hard to go wrong with such music serving as the score. It’s nice that Coach Bieste also got to find some love of her own, featured in the closing shots of the different couples, rounded out by Will and Emma, and with much assistance from hard-working director Artie. I would have liked to see a bit more of the musical itself since it’s such a great show, though I did enjoy hearing Rory’s unfortunate accent attempt. It was weird and a bit disconcerting to see former full-time bully Karofsky so casually sitting down next to and chatting up his old victim Kurt, and to see Kurt taking it so calmly. Sue was completely absent from this episode, but I’d imagine that she’ll be back sooner than later as the end of the musical gives way to two major elections.