‘Glee’ season 5, episode 7 review: Darren Criss, Adam Lambert’s return, and Jacob Artist ‘news’
“Puppet Master” was an episode of “Glee” that had quite a bit going for it just on Thursday night, at least in that Adam Lambert and Demi Lovato were back, there were puppets galore, and there was not really any pressure at all to tell a story that would impact the long-term storyline. Producers clearly knew that this would air on Thanksgiving, and that opened the door to try out a few different things rather than just delivering an episode that all of the standard things that you would expect.
But in the end here, what we had was an episode that was hit-or-miss. Were there great moments? We think so. The puppet scenes were inspired for the most part, and we actually appreciated that Sue Sylvester had an interesting story for the first time in a while that explained why she wears the tracksuit, and also what some of her insecurities are.
But then, there were the problems. For one, this show is really under-utilizing Demi to the point of it being annoying. Dani just randomly has blue hair now without much of an explanation, and there is absolutely nothing new with her character. The biggest story that she had was in her first episode, and that was not much. We could use more Adam, but even he at least had a couple more lines and was present for the performance of “The Fox” at the end of the episode (which was, by the way, completely random).
Also, the insistence on making us care about Jake and Marley is at this point frustrating, given that we know that graduation is near and there is not that big of a reason to think that these people are really going to be that integral to the story from here on out. The only reason that we could see some of these people beyond just the midway point of this season is if “Glee” does a time jump that moves another batch of seniors away from the school. We like Jacob Artist and Melissa Benoist as actors, but they’re just given the same thing to do time and time again.
“Puppet Master” wasn’t the worst episode of the show at all; Blaine is a mostly entertaining character, and we always enjoy Sue Sylvester. It just wasn’t one of the best, and we’ll have forgotten it entirely by the time February rolls around. Grade: C.
What did you think about this episode? Share your thoughts, and click here if you want to read some more news including a preview.
Photo: Fox
Atigrace
November 30, 2013 @ 6:28 am
The Glee ads r always better than the actual episodes & that’s saying something from a site hard gleek! Last season really irked me a couple times. Rght after the Shooting Star episode, they kept showing Glee promos w/”Blaine” as Nightbird, the Nocturnal Avenger (who I thought was hysterical & was really looking forward to c’ing, he was hilarious) grilling Becky in an attempt to find out about the gun & the shooting that Sue took the fall for. Then, they cut the scenes & no Nightbird. I don’t the nonsense episodes (& many times not following through on plot lines they start) because I love watching them perform, I love the music & bottom line for me, is that to say Blaine is a triple threat is an understatement. He’s always so much fun to watch & that’s why I put up with the knucklehead stuff. But showing previews & then cutting the preview scenes out of what’s aired, that’s crossing lines & getting old for me. & I don’t know where they found this Adam Lambert (I’d never heard of him b4 the “Katy vs Gaga” episode) but they should be putting him front & center. I’m still blown away w/his Marry the Night performance. What an incredible talent. So fun to watch, & as much as I love Kurt, this Adam is waaaay more talented as a performer. The sad & disappointing part for me, is Kurt wanted Starchild to “tone it down” & thats a big mistake. He’s not as talented as Blaine, but he’s a close 2nd & he’s head & shoulders above the rest of the entire cast. They should grab him & make him a full cast member while they can. The thought of a few “Blaine & Starchild” duet performances would be amazing!
Bobbi
December 3, 2013 @ 2:25 am
You can’t be serious. No way is Darren Criss more talented than Adam Lambert. Darren has strained his voice and it’s obvious every time he opens his mouth. I’m actually quite concerned for him as a vocal coach and as far as acting… Darren seems to think that “pouting” is an actual way to emote and it always throws me out of the scene.
Margaret Tombs
December 4, 2013 @ 12:57 am
There is no need to put other performers down, everyone has their opinion and Atigraces comment was very complementary of Adam. The last thing Adam would want is for people to start unnecessary fan wars, especially with potential new fans.
Margaret Tombs
December 4, 2013 @ 12:53 am
I wrote a big long reply a couple of days ago about how Adam is much better live than on Glee, and that he is well worth going to see, or failing that to look up some You Tube videos, but that doesn’t seem to have made it past the moderator probably because I included links to videos. And I didn’t diss Darren Criss in the process.
Please do go and look up some videos, there is a great abundance of brilliant fan made live videos of just about every performance since American Idol, and some before that too. As well as Adams official Vevo Channel.
DianaKat
November 30, 2013 @ 5:13 am
What I don’t understand if they’re going to have Glee characters having sex on this show, why aren’t they having safe sex? Aren’t they supposed to be sort of role models for their younger audience? I also think Demi should get more screen time, and of course, more lines and appearances by Adam Lambert!! Except for the REALLY cute Into The Groove sequence I think your C grade is generous!
Margaret Tombs
December 2, 2013 @ 1:33 am
This is why I think they should repackage the NY characters in the supposed spin off some people have been talking about. Glee is aimed at a teenage audience and because of your high age of consent there in the US, (here in the UK it’s 16 across the board) they can’t show teenagers having sex, at least not without ‘consequences’ These older New York characters however are to all intents and purposes adults, and adults have sex. There needs to be a new show aimed at an older audience than Glee which reflects this.
Incidentally Adams Marry the Night performance was quite tame compared to what he gets up to on stage at his concerts.
They need an older audience to be able to truly unleash the beast.
melliemom
November 29, 2013 @ 3:27 am
I watched for Adam Lambert.. The Glee Ads were better than the actual show. when you have two guest stars, you don’t ignore them or their talent.. You give it a C, I give the show a D. The only salvation was a bit here and there of Adam Lambert.,BTW Adam is a good actor as well as a great singer..So why wasn’t his talent utilized??
Mally
November 29, 2013 @ 5:56 pm
lol seriously? Adam’s acting made even Darren Criss’s usually lackluster performances seem animated. Decent singer, and I’ve got no problem with him, but Glee has too many regular characters to keep shoving these guest stars in too
Margaret Tombs
November 29, 2013 @ 10:31 pm
To be fair he hasn’t really been given anything much to act yet, I’m a massive fan of his singing, obsessed even, but I was looking forward to more substantial scenes to see if his acting is anything like as good, but there hasn’t been anything to judge it on yet. Not that the acting in Glee is that brilliant anyway.