Last year when the Sectionals episode aired, it was hyped more and it was the fall finale. This year, it was kinda almost forgotten about till like two or three weeks ago and then thrown on the air. But honestly, this year's competition was ALOT better than last year's. This year it wasn't a total given that New Directions was going to win, which was needed. Plus with all the drama that went on this week (Kurt starting up in Dalton, Rachel finding out that Finn lied to her about having sex with Santana last year which led to Rachel hooking up with Puck and Tina and Artie thinking that Britney and Mike were cheating on them and Emma going off to Vegas and marrying Carl much to Will's behest) it made for a very intersesting hour of television. So without further ado let's get into the performances. (Which by the way, I appreciated the fact that the first song didn't come till almost halfway through the episode, it helped set up all the storylines.)
Rachel and Kurt-Don't Cry for Me Argentina
First of all, I want to note that as much of a musical buff that I am, I had never actually heard this song in full till I d/led the tracks (more on that in a second) on ITunes. That being said, I'm glad they sang this like when they did Defying Gravity last season. It's always great to hear Lea belt out Broadway numbers and for Chris to just nail this was awesome. Rachel was helping Kurt so she sang by herself and Kurt was performing to Warblers trying to earn a solo. As a performance it was good, but major kudos to the editing team to make his performance great. My only issue has nothing to do with the show itself but the fact that they didn't release the TV version of the song, which I would have loved, and instead seperate verisons of Lea and Chris doing the song solo. I didn't like that, but that has nothing to do with the performance on the show.
B+
Warren Township Hipsters-The Living Years
What can I say? The old people were really good. Definately didn't expect that. They made the competition a three team show instead of a two team show which I appreciated.
B
Dalton Academy Warblers-Hey, Soul Sister
Now come the all boys choir that now Kurt is apart of. I really enjoyed this performance and the simple choreographed steps actually added to the song. It wa simply amazing to listen to and watch. I will note that Kurt didn't look like he belonged there at all, but I guess for the rest of the season I'll just have to get used to him.
A+
Sam and Quinn-(I've Had) The Time of My Life
I've already read it other places that people are slamming this performance, but I didn't think it was bad at all. It gave two new people a chance to shine plus it showed the insane chemistry between the two of them. (The fact is that now they are the power couple in ND because of the ensuing Finn/Rachel breakup, they needed this performace to show how great they are together.)
A This is the song that started their set, which led to...
New Directions-Valerie
Until yesterday I had never actually heard this song and I'm not sure if I even like it to be honest. But what this song did was give Santana the spotlight to lead the song and give Britney and Mike a chance to show their AMAZING dancing skills. This was one of the standout performances of the season by far and it was a nice change of pace to have a major competition and for ND not to do a classic rock song.
A+
In a strange turn of a events, the Warblers and New Directions ended up tied at first place and both advance onto the Regionals to face Vocal Adrenaline later in the year.
New Directions-Dog Days Are Over
Due to being depressed about her breakup with Finn, Rachel passes on a solo to finish the show and gives the oppurtunity to Tina and Mercedes who led the group in this song. Them singing this for me, actually made the song alot better than the orginial. As a performance it was alright, a good song to end this round but at the same time just felt incomplete. Not sure why.
B+
Well, that's in for Sectionals but before the road to Regionials can start in 2011, next week is the Glee Christmas special which will be the final episode of 2010, aka the fall finale.
