The New Directions-Warblers rivalry heats up (with Michael Jackson music on the soundtrack) as Regionals near; Kurt and Rachel hear about their applications to the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts; and things between Sam and Mercedes get hotter.
Will enlists the glee kids to help him surprise Emma (and sweep her off her feet). Meanwhile, Becky sets her sights on Artie; and Finn makes a surprising announcement about his post-high-school plans.
As the holidays approach, New Directions is asked to go in two directions at once: The glee kids have been invited to two events scheduled for the same time
Sectionals arrive and the New Directions face the Trouble Tones and one other group. The New Directions are short handed and need to find members. Rachel and Finn try to get Sam to come back, and Tina defends Mike’s dreams.
Someone is caught trying to fix the election for student-council president. Meanwhile, Coach Beiste screws up the courage to challenge Sue; and Puck and Quinn’s relationship gets complicated.
Finchel fans have been longing for some good storylines for Finn and Rachel all season. But other than their “first time” encounter, the couple has been overshadowed by some other developing relationships. The complicated situation between Puck and Shelby is one of those relationships. And based on what Mark Salling had to say this weekend, there is only more to come on that front.
“Well, Puck is going to be falling for Shelby (Idina Menzel) and trying to make a family out of the situation. And his intentions are good, so I’m sure the outcome will be positive as well. And hopefully he’ll have an active role in his daughter’s life.”
But if Quinn has anything to say about it, Puck will be turning away from his new romance. As seen in the new preview for next Tuesday’s “I Kissed a Girl,” the heartsick teenager will contemplate sharing his secret love interest with Quinn.
We will also see more solos for Mark in the remainder of season three. After his “Hot For Teacher” performance last week, Puck will once again take center stage with “I’m the Only One,” a Melissa Ethridge song. Below is a preview of next week’s episode.
It has been far from perfect and still a far cry from season one, but the creative quality of the current third season of “Glee” has represented a vast improvement over that of season two. Following the solid “Asian F” episode, “Glee” delivered its best hour since season one with last week’s “The First Time.”
It followed up with “Mash Off.” Though technically an uneven episode plagued by the inane Quinn/Puck/Shelby storyline and the most ridiculously-odd take on dodgeball in the history of pop culture, it also featured a compelling handling of Santana’s sexuality, with a rattled Finn setting the wheels in motion for an unwanted, humiliating “outing” of the conflicted lesbian character.
“Mash Off” also featured a welcome return to the contemporary music covers that fueled the show in its early days. The “Rumour Has It/”Someone Like You” Adele mashup will be the best performing single of the season, indicative of how fans longed for the show’s ability to deliver creative, vocally-strong takes on popular songs.