#idk dudes I just keep looking at cute romantic references what am I supposed to do

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Fellas is it gay to

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Finding Kurt Hummel: Sadie Hawkins

Masterpost

4x11: Sadie Hawkins

I have some thoughts now that we’re into the second half of season 4 (which I realize don’t officially start until 4x12 - but 4x11 is definitely in the second half.)  Kurt’s story in the first half of the season is much tighter than I had realized until doing this meta.  There’s very much an arc there and despite me wanting /more/ it’s a pretty fully realized arc.  

The second half of the season, despite the fact that I enjoy these episodes more, isn’t as tight.  I can see what they were going for with Kurt’s arc but it feels very much incomplete.  And this is where we have to start filling in the blanks a little more. 

Welcome to NYADA

It’s Kurt’s first week at NYADA - and he’s finding that college is a lot like high school with all the cliques and pecking order.  I won’t entirely disagree with that point, though the college of music that I went to things were divided up a little differently (there were performance majors and education majors and music theory/history majors and my little group of composers.  Seriously, we were a tiny little group that mostly kept to ourselves). But -- the thing is, once you get past your freshman and sophomore years, when the people who aren’t going to make it drop out, it feels less like high school.  (At the same time there are aspects of adulthood that feel like high school still, too.)  Whatever, I’m digressing. 

The point is -- Kurt can feel that he’s back at the bottom of the food chain.  Or that, starting new somewhere is always hard.  

Anyway - I’d like to know what classes Kurt has this year.  I believe the only thing we see him taking this year is the acting class in Guilty Pleasures. I’ll have to watch...

So we learn that Kurt and Rachel are not inseparable (which is not a bad thing!!!).  Rachel probably already has her legion of sycophants as well as a half naked Brody to deal with.  Which means Kurt is on his own.  And, ngl, I like Kurt finding his way without Rachel.  So, Kurt is interesting in getting out there and meeting new people so he’s checking out what there is to do on campus and sees a sign for an a capella group named Adam’s Apples.  

And of course, Adam himself whizzes by just to mention he should check it out.  Anyone else thing that Adam routinely hangs out around that pillar just jumping on anyone who comes by so he can talk them into his group? 

***Okay here’s my thing with Adam.  I don’t hate him at all, and I enjoy the idea that Kurt would have another love interest while he works out his issues with Blaine.  I think it’s an interesting set up -- and it’s a shame it wasn’t developed as fully as it could have been.  However, I also think that Adam is ridiculous, and am going to poke at him from time to time. 

Hummelberry Chat

It’s canon that Kurt does vocal warm ups in the morning while making tea.  Just thought I’d throw that out there. 

So -- Rachel’s having Brody sleep over now.  Oh that’s fun [sarcasm].  Kurt’s a little -- okay -- about it, but he has his white noise machine so he can tune out whatever god awful sounds probably come from that side of the loft. 

Kurt mentions that he’s going to join Adam’s group and Rachel freaks out.  Sidestepping my long thoughts on how actual college works vs NYADA (I’ll spare you, I promise, but yes I have lots of thoughts...), Rachel tells Kurt that joining showchoir will lead him into a life of a background chorus member.  Kurt’s disappointed, and a little annoyed, at hearing this -- but is resigned and initially follows her advice.  

Adam’s Apples

Kurt’s trying to find something to do to fill up his time.  Is he really not meeting anyone in his classes?  Oh, kiddo.... 

Anyway, Adam’s still hanging around that pillar like a hawk.  And, impressively, is trying to recruit Kurt to join his group.  He’s heard Kurt at the Winter Showcase and knows he needs to lock that up before Kurt finds something else to do.  Kurt’s flattered (really - he is thrilled at the attention as Adam keeps showering him with compliments, as if he can’t believe this dude is really doing this) - but because of Rachel’s brainwashing suggestion that he shouldn’t, Kurt’s going to turn him down -- even if he kinda does want to join. 

My biggest issue with Adam, or really how fandom dealt with Adam because he was never supposed to be more than a plot device, was the fact that (besides being ‘not Blaine’) the Kurt fans latched on to him because he always showered Kurt with praise.  And yeah, I’m happy that someone is giving Kurt the praise he deserves.  But I also like fully rounded characters, and Adam is not.  He’s a prop.  Unless he was going to get actual development (which the writers didn’t seem interested in doing) I was never going to be fully on board with him as actual long term relationship material.  (That - and Klaine is where my heart is.) 

I can really understand people wanting Adam to be a friend to Kurt long term.  Completely.  I prefer Elliott -- and am glad we had Elliott -- but Kurt had /no/ friends except Rachel, and people just can’t live in a bubble.  

Baby Got Back.  Okay.  

First of all, I don’t like this song in any rendition -- but the sheer ridiculousness of it cracks me up every time.   Also the Apples are hilarious - I like them more than I like Adam. 

Here’s the thing that I find fascinating about this scene.  It’s intentionally set up to be like the Teenage Dream set up in Never Been Kissed.  I mean, like season 2, Kurt’s started off his year rough, and here’s this cute leader of a new singing group making him smile.  (And Kurt just breaks out laughing -- the way he hasn’t since....idk, some time in season 3 probably.)  This is good for him, bringing him out of his rut, making him alive (as he sang in Swan Song).  He’s even wearing white! Which is the first time, I believe, that he’s worn bright colors since The New Rachel. 

But Adam is not Blaine.  And Baby Got Back is not Teenage Dream. The scene is intentionally cracky - because it’s not about Kurt finding a true love or a big romance.  It’s about fun, and enjoying himself, and being okay with enjoying himself.    This is purposely a parody of Teenage Dream, because this is the mid-ship, not the endgame.  ;) 

I think also, I think this is as good as time as any to mention that there are some slight parallels here to what’s going on on the Blaine side of the story -- with his crush on Sam.  While Kurt and Adam will become more romantically involved (even if we don’t see it), like Blaine’s crush on Sam, Adam’s a safe choice.  

On a different note, it’s nice to be admired and courted and given positive attention.  But Kurt has all the control here, even if he’s later trepidatious about asking Adam out.  If he really doesn’t want the thing, he can walk away if he wants or needs to.  And with all the heaviness of Blaine (still) around -- it’s a nice feeling. 

Fast Moving

So, Kurt and Rachel are walking around downtown (after class?) -- and Rachel’s gonna go meet Brody and she invites Kurt along.  Kurt claims he doesn’t want to be a ‘haggy third wheel’ but I’m guessing hanging out with Rachel and Brody is probably not a fun time.  I can’t imagine it being any fun.  Man - what do they even talk about with each other?  Anyway.... 

Rachel can’t wait until he meets a new guy so they can go on double dates.  And I have to wonder if this was a standard thing that they did with Finn and Blaine.  The fact that she can so easily swap out partners in this scenario says something about her character.  Kurt, however, admits to her that there is a cute guy that he might have his eye on.  And of course, Rachel wants all the details.  

As an aside -- I’m amused that Kurt hasn’t mentioned this to her yet and I’m guessing it’s been a few days at this point? Rachel will spill everything to him in a matter of seconds after it happened, but Kurt’s more careful about these things.  

I’d like to point out that Adam’s Apples isn’t the only club he decided to join - he’s in the Tennessee Williams playwright club as well.  I wonder if this was still at the point where Ryan Murphy was going to have Kurt have a successful writing career, too.  

Anyway -- Adam comes along and says he looks like a young Paul Newman.   I mean at a distance I can kinda see it.  But I think Adam’s intentions are a little laced with that reference ;) 

Later - Kurt’s practicing his dancing and Adam, again, compliments him. And, c’mon Kurt, it’s definitely a come on this time because we all know how well a dancer Kurt really is (lol).  Kurt brings that his ex-boyfriend was a better dancer.  (First, oh Kurt comparing yourself, and secondly, the fact that Blaine is, if nothing else, subconsciously still on his mind.) 

But Adam repeats himself - and it’s a lesson to Kurt on taking a compliment when it’s given. 

(Though, Adam, dude, this guy is obviously not over his ex -- just warning ya.) 

Yes, Kurt has a legitimate crush on Adam.  And he’s also having a hard time believing Adam likes him back - because look at his past crushes.  He’s never had anyone pursue him, and it’s flattering but Kurt’s still unsure of himself.  Rachel, however, is right there to let him know he should go for it -- because all the evidence presents that Adam’s pretty open to at least a date.  And she’s not wrong, even if this entire scene she’s coming from a somewhat misguided place. 

Rachel brings up that he should ask out Adam because he’s over his break up with Blaine, and he and Blaine are now fine.  And, part of this is projection of her own situation (in which she’s completely in denial about) and part of it is her totally not paying much attention to Kurt (though Kurt often holds his deeper feelings close to his chest anyway).  But I love the look on Kurt’s face as she brings up Blaine.  There’s still a lot of pain there that he’d rather not deal with.  He and Blaine might be on the road to a better place, but they’re not ‘fine’ and he’s not over the break up. 

But - I will give Rachel credit for having solid advice that Kurt should go out there and ask Adam out because sometimes it’s worth it. (And because Kurt’s a catch - yes, yes he is! Even if he doesn’t believe that himself.)  Sometimes you do need to take the risk.  And there’s nothing wrong with Kurt being one to make the first move.  Kurt’s been burned before -- so I understand his hesitance, but part of this whole asking Adam out thing is him regaining his confidence. 

Rachel then spouts off about how wonderful it is to be in love in New York, and Kurt is a bit aghast.  He’s not looking for love, not really -- validation and happiness, sure.  But love is now a tainted concept -- both too heavy and too fast for Kurt right now, even if Rachel insists things move faster in the city.  (Though, she’s not really in love either, but again, she’s in denial.)  

And then Rachel crosses the street and I wait for a taxi cab to run her over.  Seriously - don’t stand in the middle of a NYC street and expect not to get run over. 

Phone Number

So -- Kurt’s waiting around for Adam.  And Adam’s been thinking about him (!!) and wanting to talk about Sondheim mash-ups, which, dude, totally leaves this an open chance for Kurt to ask him out.  And, awww, our sheepish Kurt gets over his obvious nerves and asks Adam out for coffee.  

Interestingly, this scene is sliced between Lauren and Sugar who are asking Joe and Artie, respectively, to dance.  The purpose here is about empowerment and seizing the opportunity when it arises, which all three of them do to success.  

Adam of course says yes -- and puts his number in Kurt’s phone.  And Kurt is bewildered and delighted.  Go Kurt - you accomplished what you wanted ;) 

(I’m slightly entertained that after Kurt asks Adam out, they cut to Blaine.  The editing in the second half of season 4 actually does this quite a bit.) 

But we now get to the issue I brought up before.  Why is this the end of the story?  What happens on that date? I want to know more!  Instead of the next step of the story seeing Kurt on that date and what happens -- we instead move to development in the Rachel/Brody story - which really had no build up prior in the episode.  For some reason, it’s like the writers wanted to touch upon this story (and throw it in with the girls’ empowerment stuff on the McKinley side) but not really go all the way with it.  Which is a shame, it’s far more interesting than Rachel/Brody.  

And speaking of Rachel/Brody -- Rachel’s going to ask Brody to move in without talking to Kurt about it first.  Not a cool roommate move, Rachel.  Not cool.