May 10, 2012 by b. binaohan
So. The prom episode happened. I only saw about 15 minutes, since that was about all that was left after I cut out pretty much anything unrelated to Blaine and Brittany.
There is something deeply interesting, beyond the fan service, going on with how they presented Blaine and his hair in this episode. Something about the structure of kurt not only wearing that hat, but also being so unbuttoned and presenting so butch in ways entirely opposite from the last prom. Something about all of this and Blaine’s anxiety about his hair being seen in its natural state. Something about how kurt calms him down, by essentially saying, ‘I still think you are pretty when you are natural’ that more than anything to me, screams just how they really have put Blaine into a more feminine role.
(And, no, I do remember BIOTA, so I do know that kurt has seen Blaine with curls, just not entirely without product. Not strange for two high school boys that don’t live with each other.)
(And, also, I do agree with RM about the fact that Blaine being more femme =/= being the ‘woman’ in the relationship. The butch/femme dynamic in some queer relationships is not about aping or replicating heteronormative romantic structures. But about who the people are in the relationship and how they express themselves. The butch/femme dynamic is *queer* and is notable for how it continuously subverts and challenges heteronormative romantic ideals.)
I know I was gleeful about puck failing last week… until a comment he makes in this episode made me realize that we have to have him for a whole other season (at least). Puck might be one of my least favourite characters. I like almost nothing about him (or characters like him). Sigh.
Speaking of and entirely unrelated to the episode: I’m pretty fucking mad that Amber Riley isn’t coming back next year. I love Mercedes and I wish I could be surprised that the Black character (often reviled) is the one going first. The only thing that could make this sting less is if they finally, finally start using Jenna Ushkowitz more and really make Tina shine next year. Can we keep Mercedes and lose puck? Please?
Because when one of the top two voices on the show is leaving (the other being kurt), the mediocrity of both rachel and finn is only further underscored. Like, I know they aren’t getting rid of finn, but can they get him to stop singing? Please?
Um. There. My entirely rambly and pointless thoughts on glee this week.