The Power Of Madonna - Season 1, Ep 15
Concerned the girls are being disrespected by the guys, Will challenges the club with songs by Madonna in the hopes that her musical message of strength will serve as an inspiration; and Kurt and Mercedes give Sue a makeover.
Via voice-over we learn that for as long as she can remember Sue has considered Madonna to be "the most powerful woman to ever walk the face of the earth." Continuing her dubious blackmailing of Principal Figgins, Sue demands that the iconic singer's greatest hits be played quite loudly over the school's PA system throughout the day. Figgins has no choice but to comply. In Cheerios practice Sue tells her squad to always consider "WWMD" (What Would Madonna Do); she then orders them to start dating younger, inferior men.
Rachel asks the other glee girls for dating advice. Despite supposedly ending it with rival show-choir singer Jesse St. James, she tells a "hypothetical" story about feeling pressured into "doing it," and wonders how they handle saying "no." The girls, who all admit to feeling underappreciated by the guys, are little help. Will suggests that Rachel speak with Emma; Rachel says she has, but the virginal guidance counselor wasn't exactly comfortable with the subject. Emma tells Will the topic of sex is her blind spot, and worries that the students don't trust her. Will notes that it all boils down to teenage girls feeling empowered. Will watches as the Cheerios perform an intricate dance routine (on stilts) to Madonna's "Ray of Light." He is impressed, and tells Sue as much. After taking a few commonplace digs at Will's hairstyle, she tells him she wants her Cheerios to learn all the lessons Madonna has to offer; including strength and independence. Back in the rehearsal room, Will tells the kids their assignment for the week: pick a Madonna song. The girls (and Kurt) are all thrilled, but Finn, Puck, and the other guys think her music is too effeminate. Will says he's heard the guys have been disrespectful to the girls; he tells them to consider Madonna's primary musical message of equality as something they all could benefit from. Kurt asks if he and Mercedes can do a video project; Will says they can. Rachel leads the girls in "Express Yourself."
Santana still needs to find a younger and inferior boyfriend or risk being booted from the Cheerios. She sets her sights on Finn (her birthday is three days before his and he's "super-dumb"), and offers to help him lose his virginity. Finn is appreciative, but says he still has feelings for Rachel; Santana breaks the news everyone else already seems to know: Rachel is still (secretly) dating Jesse. Finn confronts Rachel; she admits the truth about Jesse, but hopes she and Finn can still remain friends. He agrees but warns that if the romance "leads to something bad for all of us" their friendship is over; they sing a mash-up of "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart."
Sue confronts Will in the hall: she has heard his "Up With People rejects" are singing Madonna songs, and she refuses to allow it. Will doesn't back down, and finally responds to one of Sue's hair insults in kind. Kurt and Mercedes notice Will's comments strike a nerve with the cheerleading coach. Finn tells Santana he's changed his mind: he wants to have sex with her. Kurt and Mercedes go to Sue's office; she confesses that ever since a childhood accident she's been forced to wear her hair short. She says she mercilessly makes fun of Will's "luxurious, wavy hair" because she's jealous. Kurt and Mercedes say they will help her find a new look if she and the Cheerios help them with their video project. Rachel and Jesse meet up at the music store; he apologizes for trying to pressure her into sex, and says he's willing to wait until she's ready. She says she's ready. Emma finds Will in the hallway. She says she (like Madonna) wants to take control of her body, and is "planning on doing the nasty" with him that night; he agrees.
We see Kurt and Mercedes' project: a black and white, shot-by-shot recreation of Madonna's "Vogue" video starring Sue Sylvester dressed in the myriad of different hairstyles and "looks" seen in the original. Friday night all three couples Rachel and Jesse, Finn and Santana, and Will and Emma each prepare to have sex; they sing "Like a Virgin."
On Monday morning Kurt and Mercedes are surprised to see that Sue has abandoned all the new video looks in favor of returning to her own classic look; thanks in part to Principal Figgins who thinks she (like Madonna) is an original. Finn asks Rachel how her date with Jesse went. She says the sex was great, but in flashback we see that it never happened: Rachel told Jesse that despite wanting to, sleeping with him would be a betrayal of her teammates. Rachel asks Finn about his night with Santana. He says he couldn't go through with it: he's waiting for the right person. In flashback we see that he did in fact go through with it, but was indifferent after realizing he didn't feel anything because it didn't mean anything. Emma goes to Will's office; clearly they too have still not consummated their relationship. She is embarrassed, and apologizes for running out on him: she was overwhelmed. He tells her she should be proud to be taking control of her body. They agree not to date until his divorce is final. Jesse appears in Will's doorway. In the choir room Will tells the kids that Jesse has transferred to McKinley, and is now part of New Directions. Everyone objects, for a number of different reasons. Will says the paperwork is all in order, and Jesse's transfer is official: to not allow him in the club would be unfair. Rachel asks Jesse why; he says he quit Vocal Adrenaline because otherwise she would never "be with him completely," and he cares more about her than winning another National title. At a pep-rally the Cheerios and the McKinley marching band perform a routine to Madonna's "4 Minutes." Dressed in Cheerios uniforms Kurt and Mercedes sing the lead; the crowd loves it, but Will is confused. They tell Mr. Schuester they have joined Cheerios because they were tired of always being passed over for lead parts in Glee Club; being on Cheerios will give them a chance to shine, so they're doing both.
In rehearsal the guys sing "What It Feels Like For A Girl"; they begin to see the errors in the ways they've been treating the girls in the club. Kurt says that if the club hopes to "take it to the next level," they need to start seeing each other as individuals. Finn apologizes to Rachel for the way he treated her; he says he really liked her but knows now he's blown it. He welcomes Jesse to New Directions, and promises to do his best to stay away from Jesse's girlfriend. They proceed to the auditorium, where the club (and a gospel choir) performs "Like a Prayer."
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