GLEE “I Am Unicorn” Review

GLEE “I Am Unicorn” Season 3 Episode 2 – I’m not entirely sure what the message of “I Am Unicorn,” this week’s episode of Glee is supposed to be. For three seasons, Kurt Hummel has been one of the only characters on television who is truly comfortable in his own, unique skin. Hell, he’s inspired me to love myself more.

So I find it a little hard to swallow that even in the ever-changing world of Glee-land, a young man with so much self-confidence would suddenly decide that conforming to the Hollywood ideal of the leading man is more important than being the bright unicorn that he is.

Important enough, apparently, to potentially damage his relationship with Blaine, who is arguably the best thing that’s happened to Kurt since he discovered moisturizer.

But before I dive head-first into Kurt’s issues, let’s take a look at Rachel. It can’t be easy to have your birth mother lie her way into your life, throw your whole world into chaos, ultimately decide that she doesn’t want to be your mother and then turn right around and adopt the child of your ex-boyfriend and your boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. Why are we so surprised that Rachel is completely neurotic?

Yes, Shelby is back, with baby Beth in tow, and she’s been hired by the tone-deaf Sugar (and her rich daddy) to start a rival glee club at McKinley. I’m sure that will go splendidly, especially since Shelby seems less concerned with coaxing a single, pleasing note from her only student’s throat, and far more concerned with allowing Puck and Quinn a chance to be a part of Beth’s life. Her only conditions are that Puck stops drinking (he does…but beer doesn’t count) and that Quinn drops the skank act.

To her credit, Quinn washes the pink out of her hair, slaps on a “forgive me” smile and Will lets her freshly blonde bob back into the glee club. It’s too bad she has an ulterior motive behind her sudden shape-up…she wants custody of Beth.

It wouldn’t be Glee if there wasn’t a thousand things going on. Sue’s “Hate the Arts” platform has launched her to first place in the polls, Will hands over the musical, West Side Story, to Emma, Beiste and Artie, Britney decides to run for student body president against Kurt and Finn finally, FINALLY gets a little bit of rhythm thanks to Mike Chang’s dance boot camp.

But this was a Kurt episode as he struggled to change the image that he’s always embraced. After deciding he wants to play Tony in West Side Story, Kurt goes after the role with everything he’s got. Unfortunately, he is not considered leading (ie: straight) man material. C’mon. He auditioned with Funny Girl! (I was totally right about this being a Broadway season, by the way.)

Every single one of us know that Blaine would be perfect as Tony (in fact, I get weak-kneed just thinking about it). Probably even Kurt knows deep down. There was a moment as he watched his boyfriend belt out “Something’s Coming” that I felt hopeful that Kurt might be the bigger person (like he has in the past) and concede the role to Blaine.

But no. When Artie suggests that Blaine read for Tony (instead of the minor characters he had put on his audition sheet, knowing how badly Kurt wanted Tony), Kurt stalks away. Betrayal!! Only it’s really not. It’s just Kurt being dramatic. And I can take that. What bothers me is inconsistency.

Bring back Kurt “I’m a Unicorn and I Like It” Hummel, Glee. And while you’re at it, get Santana back into the club (preferably on Britney’s arm) and don’t let this custody thing drag on too long. Quinn wanted to give up her baby before the wine cooler buzz that led to her conception even wore off. I don’t buy for a second that she’s suddenly decided she wants to be a teenage mother. As Will pointed out…in a rare display of backbone, I might add…she needs to grow up.

Best Lines:

Will: Finn, you look like you’re stepping on bees.

Beiste: Isn’t that a Barbara Streisand song?
Kurt: I know what you’re thinking, but I got permission from the woman herself…Ms. Rachel Berry.

Puck: You look like a Real Housewife of Reno.

Beiste: (re: Rachel playing Maria) She’s Jewish, but I think that helps with the whole Puerto Rican thing.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Would you rather see Blaine, Finn or Puck play Tony? Is Kurt’s dad still the most awesome dad on television? Let me know below