Glee soothes the soul.

After watching a heartrending Game 7 overtime loss for Chicago (and past Man Meat honoree, Jonathan Toews), I needed something to lift my spirits. Absolutely nothing does the trick better than 90 minutes of Glee. So, here is the Glee-cap.

+ Quinn and Rachel's rendition of TLC's "Unpretty" and "I Feel Pretty." I loved that song then, I love that song now. RIP Left Eye.

- Finn hits Rachel in the nose and suddenly, she's getting a nose job? She hasn't ever mentioned being self-conscious about her nose before. In fact, she embraced it. Like crazy. This seemed random and forced to fit the theme of the episode. Plus, if I looked like Lea Michele, I would not want to change a thing about myself.

+ The Emma OCD issue. Although I thought Schue was being too pushy with his confrontation (forcing her? making her feel guilty?), I thought her acting in the therapist's office was great. I actually felt sympathy for her character and her OCD has been a long-standing problem. It's nice to see some evolution with it.

- Too many Quinn and Finn kisses. No, no, no. Stop that. Finnchel for life.

+ Kurt. Is. Back. I love him and I want him at McKinley, even if that means fewer performances by the Warblers. His voice is unreal and gives me chills.

- Speaking of the Warblers, although their performance of "Somewhere Only We Know" was heart-warming, why didn't the characters actually saying goodbye to Kurt sing more of it? Blaine isn't leaving the show, but the Warblers might be. Don't they deserve a better send-off? Also, didn't Blaine look like he was passing a kidney stone during the performance?

+ Sam's Sean Connery impression. Not as good as James Earl Jones, but I will take it.

+ Karofsky might be coming around. I know Santana practically blackmailed him into apologizing, but I think we all know that this is the start of a better Karofsky - one that finally accepts the Glee club and hopefully himself, too. Plus, that guy is smokin' hot.

- Is it bad that I didn't really miss Sue?

+ Santana pointed out that Finn has "puffy, pyramid nipples" that could pass as a dessert. I laughed because I know that EXACT person. Spot on description from McKinley High's resident bitch. Also, the "gingers have no soul" reference? Perfect.

- Another mall flash mob scene? Don't get me wrong. I love the song "Barbra Streisand," but didn't they do this already? Artie dream-dancing to "Safety Dance?" I live in Ohio and I can promise you that random flash mob dance routines are not as common as they appear to be in Lima.

+ "Born This Way" performance. I loved the shirts, particularly Puck's (I'm with Stupid and an arrow pointing to his crotch). Accepting and loving yourself is an important message and I love that Glee handles it realistically. Every single person feels self-conscious about something. If everyone realized that, there would be a lot less bullying.


- Unfortunately, I think Glee sort of missed the mark with the "accepting yourself" message. They spent time harping that you should love yourself as you are, including your imperfections. Then, Quinn (or "Lucy Caboosey") explains that she hated her old appearance and had to lose weight, get a nose job, and use Proactiv in order to finally love herself? She had to lie about her past in order to be accepted? This is the exact opposite of the intended message. Then, to make matters worse, adoring underclassmen start to worship her and vow to vote for her for Prom Queen because she overcame her ugliness, changed herself, and became something generally accepted as beautiful? Ugh. She knows how bad it feels to hate yourself, so why does she make others feel inferior all the time? I worry that people will leave with the wrong message: If you lose the weight and pimples, get contacts, dye your hair blonde, and fix your nose, you'll be head cheerleader and date Finn.

...I understand that we are supposed to leave the episode with the knowledge that even Quinn is self-conscious. She hated her old appearance and Finn tries to make her accept herself for who she truly is. BUT, let's be honest. Even Finn wouldn't date Lucy Caboosey and that's the hard truth. He might be friends with her, but he certainly wouldn't date her. That is the real world. That is why people are self-conscious in the first place. That is why the Puck/Lauren Zizes plot is unfair. Although that storyline is also a great message (feeling confident in your body and liking someone for something other than looks alone), it is unrealistic. We all know it, but are afraid to admit it. That, however, is a whole new rant. *steps off soapbox*

Despite the huge contradiction in this episode, I thought it was a HUGE improvement over last week's episode (which I thought was horrible). I can't wait for Prom and Nationals!

...if only there were a new episode tomorrow night for after the Pens game. I'm probably going to need it.