Laryngitis - Season 1, Ep 18
Rachel panics when a sore throat affects her singing; Kurt tries to change his persona to impress his father; and Puck makes a strategic move to elevate his social status.
As a result of simply shaving his Mohawk, Puck discovers he is unrecognizable to the student body as the intimidating source of fear he once was; according to the blogosphere he's like "a sippy-cup with a loose lid: no juice." After several nerds surround him and toss him in the dumpster, he decides that the quickest way to restore his status is to date a cheerleader. He sets his sights on the reigning Cheerios queen: the "black-girl from Glee Club whose name I can't remember right now" (Mercedes). Rachel tells Mr. Schuester she's exhausted, and feels like she's getting sick. She says that during Glee rehearsal she is constantly over-burdening her voice because many of the kids aren't actually singing. To prove her point she bugged the choir room, reviewed the tapes, and made a list of those who aren't "carrying their weight"; Will notes: it's "half the club." Puck approaches Mercedes at her locker. He says she's popular, and he needs to "spice up" his image; he suggests they date. She turns him down; among other reasons, he's "top forty" and she's "rhythm and blues." Will confronts the club with Rachel's news; he's very disappointed in them. He says "a chain is only as strong as its weakest link," and ads "a Glee Club is about a myriad of voices coming together as one." He gives them their assignment for the week: find a song that reflects how they see themselves; he wants them to "find their voice." Walking through the hallway, Kurt is excited for a chance to perform a solo Whitney Houston song; he is surprised to see his father (Burt) at the school. Burt says he is there to take Finn to a Cincinnati Reds game. A wounded Kurt wonders why he wasn't invited; Burt says his son has never expressed any interest in baseball, save for fashion commentary. In the choir room Puck continues to hit on Mercedes ("Girl, you got more curves than a Nissan ad"); she's unimpressed. Rachel performs her solo: Miley Cyrus' "The Climb," but something is obviously wrong: she is terribly off-pitch. Will thinks Rachel has lost her voice.
Coach Sylvester asks Kurt about a missed Cheerios practice; he says he's worried he may be losing his relationship with his dad because of his sexuality. Sue points out that Kurt has yet to even kiss a boy (or a girl), so he can't possible know what he likes; just because he likes show tunes doesn't mean he's gay (it just means he's "awful.") Later in the Hummel basement, Burt is surprised to find his son dressed in a flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a trucker cap. Kurt says he is working on his Glee Club assignment; he has decided to sing John Cougar Mellencamp's "Pink Houses" despite clearly misunderstanding the song's message (he thinks it's about "bold interior design"). He invites his father out for burgers so they can discuss everything Mellencamp; Burt is happy to oblige. Finn waits with Rachel in a doctor's office; she wonders who she is without her voice. Finn tries to be supportive. The doctor says Rachel has severe tonsillitis; she worries that surgery will affect her singing voice, and thinks rest and herbal tea should suffice. The doctor prescribes antibiotics. Rachel looks to Finn for advice, but he turns the subject of the conversation to the MIA Jesse; Rachel says that despite his absence, she is sure they both still care about each other deeply. Even though they haven't spoken since the "Run Joey Run" debacle, she's sure their relationship will resume. Finn sings Rick Springfield's "Jesse's Girl" as his solo. While Rachel seems uncharacteristically uncomfortable being the center of attention, the other kids love the song. Next, Puck continues with his pursuit of Mercedes. He jumps up to sing his song: the Sammy Davis Jr. version of "Lady Is a Tramp"; he directs it to a blushing Mercedes, who eventually warms up and joins in to make it a duet. The other girls (most notably Puck's on-again/off-again girlfriend Santana) take notice of the musical flirtation.
Mercedes tells Quinn she never expected to be attracted to a guy like Puck (especially since he's Quinn's "baby-daddy"), but something "just happened"; Quinn doesn't mind the relationship, but warns Mercedes that Puck is just using her for her popularity. Mercedes is aware of the ploy. Quinn also warns her that not even Puck will be able to call off Santana. In the choir room Kurt (still sporting his new flannel look) performs "Pink Houses"; everyone seems confused by the sudden switch in his persona. Afterwards Will thinks Kurt has missed the point of the assignment, and urges him to not lose track of who he is; meanwhile, Brittany thinks the song was hot, and asks if Kurt (who she previously thought was "capitol-G-gay") wants to "tap this." Finn finds Rachel roaming the halls in her pajamas. Her voice is not improving, and she has been unable to sleep; she says she's nothing without her voice, and (like Tinkerbell) needs applause to survive. Finn tells her he has a friend he wants her to meet.
Burt comes home to find Kurt making out with Brittany; he seems thoroughly confused by his son's unexpected change of preferences. Despite his puzzlement, Burt remains supportive; he tells Kurt he is free to be whoever he wants to be. Puck discovers his plan is working; since Mercedes is considered one of the most popular girls in school, by association his "cool-meter is off the charts," and his status as top bully has been restored. Mercedes and Santana perform a dueling duet of Monica and Brandy's "The Boy is Mine"; by the song's end the two girls nearly come to blows.
With the status-quo returning, Puck has nerds lined up to be tossed in the dumpster; Mercedes doesn't like it. He tells her now that they are at the top of the heap, this is how things are; without the threat of a good dumpster toss, the school would devolve into chaos. Finn takes Rachel to meet Sean, a friend from football camp. Rachel is shocked to discover Sean is a paraplegic (the result of a football injury). Rachel is very uncomfortable at first, but Sean points out that overcoming adversity is a part of life; people are more than one thing. Since his accident he has discovered other talents… including the fact that he can sing.
Mercedes tells Puck she has quit Cheerios because "it's just not who I am"; she needs to stay true to herself. Burt finds Kurt at school; he tells his son he again has plans with Finn. Kurt is terribly hurt he has once again been overlooked; he thinks all the changes he's made have not brought him any closer to his father. He sings "Rose's Turn" from Gypsy; after the song he discovers his father has been watching. Despite Kurt saying he's fine with his father paying so much attention to Finn, Burt can see the truth: "'fine' don't sing like you just sung." The two discuss their relationship. While Burt admits he may be spending too much time with Finn, he reaffirms his love and unyielding support for whatever lifestyle Kurt chooses; he tells his son, "your job is to be yourself." They hug. Rachel shows up at Sean's house alone. She thanks him for the truth he's shown her. She offers to return the favor by giving him singing lessons; she says her voice has returned without surgery, but even if she may need a tonsillectomy sometime in the future, she no longer fears it. She takes his hand and the two sing U2's "One"; back at school, the whole Glee Club performs the song.
Become a fan of TV3 on Facebook
,
on Twitter .