TV Review: Glee 4.03, “Makeover”

By Susan Brett / October 2, 2012

rating:3

Glees latest installment is all about growing up and taking a new direction in life, as demonstrated through a weak makeover theme. It clearly acts as a prelude for heavily publicised next episode The Break Up and thus leaves a sense of incompleteness. The episode also marks the introduction of Kurts new boss and editor of Vogue.com Isabelle Wright, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, who is refreshingly far removed from the typical portrayal of a fashion executive. Makeover focuses on the individual progressions of Blaine, Kurt, Rachel and Will Schuester, in preparation for the next episode. The episode demonstrates the personal growth of Kurt as he is successful in his new job in fashion whilst boyfriend Blaine is left behind at McKinley High School, struggling to find a way to fill the gap in his life. It also portrays Will at a different point in his life, the low after the high what is he to do with his life now that his childhood dream of achieving a Nationals trophy with Glee club has been fulfilled? Then theres Rachel, whos already moved on further than she wants to admit to herself, and finally accepts a makeover to fit with the person shes become. The narratives aren't perfect, and they dont fit as well together as the last two episodes. In fact, the New York scenes just feel like a different show altogether (a route I really wish theyd taken) and its only highlighted by the content of the scenes themselves, with Kurt and Rachels lives turning out to be a marked contrast from high school life at McKinley. Kurt winning his internship in fashion doesnt really fit in with a show based around musical theatre and high school, and the writers seem to have acknowledged this by making Kurts route into fashion as easy as humanely possible. Kurt scores an internship after an absurdly easy interview and before the episodes end he is sitting alongside Isabelles editorial team. Back at McKinley, Blaine and Brittanys campaigns for senior class president are nothing we havent seen before and could have slotted in anywhere in the last season. Wills storyline again seems to negate what we know about him as a character. Remember Will telling Terri he didnt want to be an accountant because he loved being a teacher? Will doesnt. He more or less openly admits he doesnt like the mundane life of a teacher anymore. Whats worse is his only concern for leaving his job for a role on a Blue Ribbon panel to secure funding for the arts is his relationship with Emma rather than those of the kids hes always claimed meant everything. He hasnt even told them yet. Perhaps the show is going for motivational rather than selfish, but it doesnt play out that way. Rachels plot appears halfway through the episode and thus feels like its squeezed in as an afterthought. She and Brody grow closer and she attempts to cook him dinner but sets it alight, ultimately resorting to pizza delivery (the writers have obviously forgotten Rachel was portrayed as an excellent cook in season one). The reason for the forced inclusion of Rachel is made clear by the episodes end Finn arrives, just as shes decided to move on, and were left with one of televisions more predictable cliffhangers . The songs in this weeks episode were few and well- chosen, though nothing sounds particularly spectacular. Each song did feature a montage however, which I know are popular, but after four in one episode they really start to lose their impact. Blaines cover of Everybody wants to rule the world sounds very much like all of Blaines other covers. Brittanys faces during her and Sams performance of Celebrity Skin were mildly terrifying and extremely off-putting, but the song itself is more or less as good as youd expect from these two vocalists. The mash up The way you look tonight/Youre never fully dressed without a smile was a nice song accompanied by a nice montage and the nice Kurt/Isabelle friendship, but nice is really all there is to say about it. Rachel and Brody perform the last number of the episode A change will do you good and its fine, though I dont think Rachel needed a song in an episode that wasn't really about her apart from in the closing moments. Also, Im sick of all the Rachel in New York montages in this series now. In short, Glees episode was confusing in terms of structure and plot. Each story felt very separate and thus disrupted the flow of the episode frequently. Each character suffers real and relatable conflict in regards to personal growth, but it doesn't really hit home - perhaps because were not supposed to feel the whole impact of it until next episode. Maybe this episode could have worked with better writing, but to me it seemed like the decidedly less impressive first half of a whole. That said, the musical numbers were as good as it gets in terms of selection and number, and the show did dedicate a larger portion of screen time to narrative. Isabelle too is a highlight, if a bit overly sweet. Its a mixed bag, and Im hoping The Break Up will improve my opinion of Makeover.