#tdb rewatch tested

[fairytaehl]

on my 1st rewatch of "the double" and it just clicked how at the end of ep. 5 when xh says "no one has ever called me brainless before, how will we settle that score?" and xff says "you can call me names too" that as she's walking away, the "name" he decides to retaliate with is "xue fangfei"............

[klaineship2]

TDB  Rewatch    Episode 5x16  FicRec      Tested

The NYC arc of s5 really inspired the fanfiction authors :-)

right after Kurt and Blaine finally talk to each other: 

As Frigthened As You by @misqueue    Summary: picks up right after Kurt and Blaine's conversation in the loft. Kurt and Blaine talk about their fears in the wake of the events of "Bash" and "Tested". A snippet of tentative head canon for the 'verse.  translated into German on AO3  and  Fanfiktion.de

 Heartache to Heartache by @flamingmuse     Summary: Their conversation doesn’t finish with the hug in the loft.

Broken Lights on the Freeway  by @isthatalittlebowtie    Summary: The conversation after the one that we've seen on screen. And my wishful thinking of what should happen at some point in the show. Title from the song Broken by Lifehouse

Tested: Missing Scene  by orphan_account  Summary: I know the title sucks but this is what should have happened in Tested after the Klaine hug but before they go out to dinner with Artie and Sam.

the next morning:

Uncertain by nightbirdrises (aka @princehummel)  Summary: They say every relationship has it's ups and downs. However, there have been an awful lot of downs lately.

after the end of the episode

Everybody Talks by @januarium  Summary: Blaine talks to Tina, Kurt talks to Mercedes, and Kurt and Blaine talk about sex, relationships, and getting there. translated into German on AO3 and Fanfiktion.de

Running by @flowerfan2, it’s a Sam POV   Summary: Sam talks to Blaine about his new interest in fitness, and learns there's more to be worried about than he had anticipated. 

Push-ups, Kisses & Forever by nightbirdrises (aka @princehummel)    Summary: Kurt continues his Sunday morning workout routine and Blaine decides he should join in.

Red by @flickerthenflare    Summary: Blaine makes Star Wars fanfiction his next guilty pleasure to lean too heavily on and Kurt steals stage props, which makes them both realize they aren’t handling the assault as well as either is leading on. Set after “Tested” (5x16). Warnings for non-graphic discussion of assault, violence, and self-defense/self-defense weapons. PG-13.

As Strong as You Are by lostinfictionalworlds (aka @fictionallylost) Summary:  Post-Tested. Kurt and Blaine continue their healthy eating and exercise plans and Kurt discovers a nice little surprise.  set around a month or so after the episode.

The Quiet Nights by Mildredo   Summary: Kurt loves the quiet nights.The nights when the stars align: when he isn’t at work, Rachel doesn’t get home from the theatre until late, and Artie is out with a girl or pulling an all-nighter on a project at school. The nights when the loft is still and silent, and he and Blaine can just bask in it for a while.

Hold  by  pene (aka @damnpene)  Summary: Kurt thought they'd done the hard part. Notes: There's sex and exceptionally vanilla sort of bondage.

and a bonus fic rec not actually related to epsode 5x16, but related to Stage Combat Class!!   Adonis  by @apropensityforcharm    Summary: Blaine Anderson does not have a Napoleon Complex, but he might be getting just a little bit... touchy. - set in the back half of season five. Pouting Blaine, bemused Kurt, and the fluffiest of fluff.  also translated into German on AO3 and Fanfiktion.de

Enjoy <3

@todaydreambelieversfic

[angelhummel]

[spaceorphan18]

TDB Rewatch: The New York Arc

I was originally going to do a post for each episode - but you know what? I think I’ve talked about this particular part of the series more than any other part - and even though it’s been seven weeks since I’ve even seen an episode of Glee (!!) - I’m not entirely sure I have anything new to say about these episodes, so here we go with one big post for you. 

New New York

Is this still the best episode of the series?  Yes - I think it is.  The entire episode is completely watchable, the music is great, the Klaine stuff is great, everyone gets something interesting to do, Rachel is interesting again, Mercedes re-joins the cast, and even Artie has some funny lines.  This episode almost feels like a pilot of a spin-off series, and I’m a little sad we didn’t get to see more than this arc, because these characters still seem fresh and interesting - and this episode is clearly all setting up the status quo for living in New York.  

I’ve seen the episode so many times now that this one flew by, and while I’m always here for the amazing Klaine stuff - the nice thing is that watching the episode as a whole, I’m not bored with any of it.  I have no new meta to add to the piles of things I’ve already written and said on the podcast, but I’m glad this episode remains enjoyable even after a million rewatches.   

Btw - I still say they should have asked Adam Lambert to be a regular - he adds so much and I’m sad that this is his last appearance on the show. 

Also - I can tell it’s been a while since I’ve watched the show - Chris and Darren are really pretty.  Just thought I should remind you ;) 

///

Bash

So, while Opening Night might be my least favorite of the bunch, but I think as an episode Bash might be the weakest? And actually - I think it might have been better if the Kurt being bashed story line was a) more prominently in the episode or b) not in it at all.  It feels like it’s almost an after thought to Rachel’s (absurd) story - and there’s such a rich story with Kurt (and Blaine) that feels wholly untapped because it’s more about Rachel Berry and her feelings. :P  I do like the little bits of it that we did get, Kurt and Blaine are superb as they are in all of these episodes.  And I mean - it’s nice that Rachel gets yelled at twice for being a moron - even if the whole thing doesn’t hold together very well.  

Meanwhile, I’m not sure how much I have to say about Sam and Mercedes - I enjoy them as a couple, though I can’t say that I’m riveted by their story line. It is nice, though that Amber Riley gets a chance to shine since she’s been away from the show for so long.  I think the awkwardest thing about this episode, (besides Sam’s impressions) is the fact that that the two story lines don’t mesh well, and it feels like the episode starts off as one thing then pivots and does something else entirely in the second half.  

That said - the music is great, as always, everyone sounds really beautiful on all the Soundheim things.  And while I didn’t need two Mercedes solos - she is lovely as always.  

///

Tested

Who knew Artie having an STD would be such a fun episode.  Honestly, I think this is the best episode the show does about sex.  Yes, even over The First Time (even if I like TFT just a smidge more).  Each of the characters are in a unique situation, and come at sex in a different way - and it’s actually pretty cool the way the show handles it.  They’re not usually great with these kind of topics, but I really have no complaints about how they handled anything in this episode.  I especially like the fact that a) Mercedes gets to choose how she wants to deal with sex and b) they let Mercedes and Rachel be actual girl friends when it comes to a topic - again something the show doesn’t always handle the best.  Yes, for all the sex positive conversations in this episode.  

Also, the ‘I’m slut shaming you’ scene might be one of the funniest things the show ever did.  

The only one weighing this one down, and why it isn’t passing NNY by on my favorites list - is that the music just isn’t good.  I mean, all the songs fit the episode fine, and the performances are great, I just don’t like any of the songs.  

Also - Kurt is super extra in this episode - which really reinforces my headcanon that Kurt not getting regular sexy times is super grumpy. 

Anyway, I give kudos to the show for doing an episode that has some actual layers to it in all of its plot lines.  Usually, Glee’s pretty anivilish about everything, but there’s some actual nuance in this story - good job show.  It’s nice to be not spoon fed everything all the time.  

/// 

Opening Night

Well...  This remains the worst of the NYC Arc - and really, only because the stupid and a bit convoluted Sue plot.  Rachel’s arc is a bit silly too (really - I roll my eyes at the whole ‘oh no NYT reporter’ bit, especially when the dude just waxes praise on her like everyone else on the show) - but are some legitimately entertaining things going on during the Rachel side of things.  And I dare say the episode is a little underrated?  There are some good jokes and nice music, and it is exactly what you’d expect from Rachel’s first night (even if I still think Funny Girl should have been placed at the end of the show) and Rachel has been rather held back and used well during the NYC Arc so I don’t mind her spot light here.  

But man, the Sue stuff is tedious.  I kind of forget Will is apart of it (and did logic take some time off again? Because the Emma having a baby thing is...  let’s not get into it).  Sue actually has already arrived at her season 6 self - and even some of the early sequences with her kids aren’t bad, but there are really two scenes that drag this entire episode way, way down -- the date with Mario the restaurant guy, and the last five minutes with Mario the restaurant guy.  Oh my god - why is this the only thing they could think of to do with Sue?  I mean - everything about this plot line screams contractual obligation - needing to give Jane Lynch one episode during this 7.  But could they really not think of anything more interesting for her to do??  DId she really need a date so she and Rachel could sing that song together??  Ug - it is really frustrating that this takes up a third of the episode.  What a waste.  

But, I mean, as a whole, it’s not terrible in the way the worst of Glee is - and really, everything on the Rachel side (mostly) works for me.  It’s a good thing all that Sue/Mario stuff is pretty easily skipped.  

///

The Back-Up Plan

Hey! Another solid episode! It’s weird - the focusing only three story line lets the episode breathe - a lot - to the point it seems strange, lol.  But anyway...  

First there’s Rachel’s story - which I know people were annoyed that Rachel bails a month into Funny Girl, but idk - this seems like Rachel.  And this is the one and really only time she faces serious consequences for her actions.  It’s refreshing really.  Also - Jim Rash is a delight, and that audition scene is priceless.  

Meanwhile - Mercedes and Santana have a great story that I kind of wish there was more of.  Santana’s been gone for most of the arc so far, but I don’t mind her coming back - she’s rather civil and low key during these last few episodes, and it’s a bit refreshing, honestly.  Anyway - I like that pop business is treated with a little more realism than Broadway, as D’Shawn (Mercedes’s producer) seems to tell it like is.  But more so, I feel like there’s a genuine friendship between Mercedes and Santana and that’s pretty refreshing, too.  

And then there’s the June story line.  You know what? I really do not like June.  Sorry.  And I find it a little creepy she wants to mold Blaine into something of her own making.  I’m also... not sure what the purpose of this entire story was? Ah well...  At least we get some really lovely Klaine moments out of the whole thing.  

Bonus - the music in this episode is all pretty solid.  

///

Old Dog, New Tricks

You guys ever notice Artie’s eating dog biscuits in this? Weird things you notice when you watch the whole episode.  Anyway...

Hey - it’s that episode that Chris wrote.  And yeah, it’s a little awkward - in a - you can tell this is a new writer for TV kinda way not in a - this sucks kind of way.  I really wish Chris had stuck with TV writing, I think he showed some real promise, and writing for other shows would have been great experience.  Ah well.  It all just makes me miss Chris actually doing things that are not related to middle school fantasy novels.  

So, for the record, if you guys ever wonder who Chris is, seemingly, frustrated with? Watch this episode - and how he writes Rachel.  She’s been almost acting human in the rest of this arc, and in this episode, she really is back to being really awful.  At least multiple people get to tell her off again - it’s, again, refreshing.  How many times as she been told off during this arc? Not enough, but it’s been kind of nice when you string them all together.  

Anyway - this episode, as you’ve probably heard me say before, works pretty well.  Santana as a publicity is brilliant (and perhaps the best aspect of Chris’s writing), Sam and Mercedes relationship issues are handled rather maturely, Chris as Peter Pan is incredibly inspired, and the music is pretty solid (even if it’s not my personal favorite).  There’s even a sweet Klaine scene (though - I still maintain it was wise not to have Chris write too much Blaine).  The only thing that really doesn’t work to for me, and maybe we’re far enough away that I can say this honestly without feeling like there will be too much repercussion - I don’t think June Squibb is very good.  I mean, yeah - part of it is the awkwardness of the story itself.  But - Maggie just doesn’t work for me.  Sorry :(  

///

The Untitled Rachel Berry Project

I know a lot of people say that this episode feels like a finale for them.  And I kind of get that, I do. But, honestly, it feels more like a chapter break.  This episode is incredibly bittersweet - as if it knows (and it does) what’s coming in season 6.  But, also, it’s the ending of a show I kind of wish we had much longer, and I guess it feels a little sad to get to the end.  

The episode itself is solid - there are only really three plot lines here, and they all work pretty well.  The music might be the weakest element (I only like about half the songs in this one) but it’s got comedy and drama and warmth and sadness, and does make for a great season finale.  (It’s the best season finale the show did -- really, it is.)  And I guess - everyone ends up where they’re supposed to end up, and it works for me.  

I don’t really have a lot to say about it, or at least anything new to say.  It’s good, it’s solid, and while I’m super tired of watching TV all day, it’s a great ending to a really good chunk of TV.  

///

Final Thoughts: 

I am a little saddened that we didn’t get those two episodes that were taken from the season.  I feel like another couple of beats in the story lines would have worked wonders, and of course, selfishly, we’d have a little more of my favorite part of the story. 

Interestingly, though, I don’t know if this makes any sense - but I got the feeling the writers were always more comfortable writing stuff back at McKinley.  Like - they did this because they had the time, but they wouldn’t have been able to sustain an entire season writing it.  I know we could all come up with great stories, but I think it’s better that they were wrapping things up at this point, because the show feels like it’s headed towards an ending. 

I thought I’d get more insight about things watching them all in one sitting - but I’m not sure I did.  I think the show almost works better as a week to week so you can sit with each episode.  I think when strung together the arcs don’t seem as fluid as we have them in our heads now that we’ve spent years talking about each episode individually.  

Weirdly - the music of this arc is really hit and miss for me.  It’s interesting, to me, that a lot of times when the story is stronger, the music isn’t always as good.  A lot of other times, it’s vice versa.  The really, really good episodes can balance the two.  

I feel bad for Kevin McHale - who really had nothing to do other than be a giant STD.  

That said - one of the most refreshing things about this arc was the lack of toxic masculinity crap, as well as some of the best writing for the women ever on the show. 

I enjoyed the little bit of Santana and Brittany that we got - this was, like, the prefect amount of them.  

One of the downsides of everyone being paired off is that we didn’t get to see interesting mixed-up pairs - one of the draw backs of the show having such little time in New York.  

One thing that stood out to me, and god I hope I don’t get too much hate for this, is that Mercedes and Sam don’t really work... at least at this point.  Seeing the entire arc all together, it’s very apparent that while I don’t doubt how much they care for each other, they’re definitely in two different places in their lives.  And while I applaud the maturity that the relationship was handled with, it’s clear that they’re not ready to be in a long term relationship (yet).  

Rachel! Was bearable for most of the arc.  Yeah - there are still a lot of special snowflake Rachel moments.  But Lea Michele can do comedy well, and they let her do that.  

I didn’t find anything wrong or unusual about Chris’s acting choices.  **shrug**

Kurt’s mildly unhappy through a lot of these episodes - but much of that is at Rachel.  And really at his own place in life.  And the one episode where he’s super sexually frustrated.  

The Klaine stuff is delicious - and of course, discussed many other places that you don’t really need me to rehash it.  

It’s also unfinished.  

They should have made Adam Lambert a regular. 

Alright - bring it Season 6.  

[seeroftodayandtomorrow]

Tdb rewatch: Tested

German title: Premiere. I feel that must be a mix-up with next episode; that title doesn’t fit at all.

I love this episode. Maybe I shouldn’t: fatshaming Blaine is so wrong for many reasons. The first is that fatshaming in general is bad, then of course Blaine isn’t fat at all, and I’m sick of shows and people putting it like being fat or getting fat is the worst thing ever. But, Blaine being afraid of getting fat in this episode is of course just the framework for his underlying fear of losing Kurt’s love for  whatever reason - because he is no longer attractive to him, because Kurt finds someone else, because Blaine isn’t the person he used to be, and neither is their dynamic. That has changed most of all, all of us noticed, and I’m glad they addressed that and also at least touched upon what that means for their respective views of the relationship and also why it might make some things difficult, especially for Blaine (but Kurt notices as well, and says he has to watch out for Blaine while he becomes the person he wants to be. He wants to change himself, not their relationship). I’m not sure going on a diet and drinking vile drinks is the solution, but well. Love is a battlefield is genius, and Kurt looks like a pissed-off Dom here  (what was that fic again?)

I...don’t have an actual problem with Mercedes’s storyline, but it is weird to me. Maybe it’s cultural. In Germany, we don’t place as much value on chastity as the US seem to do, though I’m sure that there are some very religious people who wait till marriage. But for the majority, that wouldn’t even be something they’d consider. But I’m glad that Mercedes gets to explore her feelings on that matter, and especially, that she very clearly and concisely tells Sam what she wants. Sam, as always, is well-meaning but bumbling. I’m pretty sure getting tested for STDs and buying your girlfriend desserts with gold would be considered pressuring her under normal circumstances. I’m glad Mercedes knows what he means and sets her boundaries very clearly.

Artie’s storyline is just so funny. The knowledge that he would be in that STD costume made my son watch the episode with us, even though it is practically only about love and sex.  I love the ad in the beginning with the boys in the sailor suits, and Artie in his costume, and “clap! Clap!” and everything. Particularly, of course, “That would be how”, and Sam slut-shaming him. It is hilarious. What I also thought funny was that Artie’s date only joins in the singing a very little, and how most of the time, she stands there looking bemused. McKinley was really its own world, and those that come from there appear a little weird to other people. 

But, Artie...I mean, he dated Brittany, who was considered among the hottest girls, and Kitty, who isn’t exactly unattractive either, and Tina (who is considered not hot in the show, but whom I personally find very attractive look-wise. Not necessarily personality-wise). But I mean, if he dates two or three girls at once when he can, I suppose only one girl at a time would be considered bad. Not glad to see Artie is still as sexist as ever.

[47mel47]

TDB Glee 1x07 Rewatch: Meta Monday

Adult stuff (mostly Will, but some mentions of others) So, in this episode we get Will actually asking the students about what they want to do in the club, and lo and behold, he is doing it not because he actually cares what they want, but because he wants to curry favour with them over Sue. (I actually really hate that so much of this meta focuses on all the ways that Will fucks up. But the thing is, I really didn’t pick up on this so much when I watching, as a somewhat younger person. But with every rewatch, it becomes more and more apparent that he is not really someone to be admired.) And I have to wonder what exactly the writers were trying to achieve with his character. We are supposed to be sympathising with him at this moment in the narrative. His wife is blatantly lying and manipulating him, and his “nemesis” is working to bring him down. But all this does is play into how oblivious he is a person. Seriously, he actually bought that whole ultrasound set-up? The only reason that Terri has been able to continue with her facade so long is because he is so completely blind to what is in front of him. And in regards to his relationship with the kids, the fact that he accompanies Quinn and Finn to their ultrasound is another ‘YOU ARE CROSSING THE LINE, WILL!’ moment. Seriously dude, no. But when Figgins, as a principal, instructs two employees to hug and specify that the “meeting does not end until your bodies are touching”, it does kind of explain why his staff might have some boundary issues. (Yes, this is played for humour, and it allows for whisper off between these characters, but I’m pulling apart things here, ok…)

Rachel, Finn and Quinn Quinn starts to get a little more voice in this episode, but still a lot of this pregnancy narrative is framed by Finn’s male perspective. We get him complaining about having all the stress and none of the control. Yes, he is allowed to feel this way, but there is just something not right about how this plays out. (Again, this is something that I am picking up on in this rewatch. And while this story is not necessarily something I really care about- love triangle/square/pentagon exhaustion- I feel that it does warrant comment.) I really hated that Finn brought up Rachel in his argument with Quinn, saying that he wished she were like him. That is a really shitty thing to do. Given that this was Finn, I am not sure how deliberate this choice was, but it was done for an effect and it doesn’t sit right with his character for me. On the surface, Rachel does a great thing for Quinn, in trying to protect her from JBI. However, there was an element of selfishness to this, in that she only agreed to help when he bought up her feelings for Finn. So who exactly was number one on her protections list? Quinn, Finn or herself. However, when Quinn confronts her later on, and reverts to calling her nasty names, Rachel does stand her ground and remind Quinn about how she is going to need to Glee Club. So her motives aside, Rachel can recognise the importance of the group supporting Quinn through this period of her life.

That stupid fucking rule book Once again, it is Sue Sylvester introducing a damn show choir rule that is going to impact every competition, in every season. Thank you, Sue, for condemning us to a copious amount of Rachel Berry competition solos. That is exactly what we all wanted to see and hear.

Some things to finish…

Santana’s face when Quinn mentions the minority students not being heard. She knows what is really up. Unfortunately, she won’t really get a chance to completely express this until Season 3.

The ultrasound technician was actually really nasty towards Quinn and the fact that she was a pregnant teen. Completely unprofessional, and I hate to think of a scared, young girl being treated like that in real life. Judgemental bitch.

Of course Kendra is an anti-vaxxer. Enough said.

We get the first glimpses of Brittany and her struggles with school (well, until we get told that she is a maths genius). I can only assume that her test is the one that Will is talking about in the office, as she continues to not understand anything in one of the following scenes.

Will stating that Sue’s Kids are singing “about hate. Literally.” I think that if you think about it for a second, Will, you might actually realise that there is a little bit more deeper meaning to those lyrics.

This episode once again shows how fucking magical all of these students together are. ‘Ride Wit Me’ is brilliant, and ‘Keep Holding On’ is stunning. This is who we need to be focusing on as this is who we care about.

@todaydreambelievers

[honeysucklepink]

I love my old tags...

[theshriek]

TDB Rewatch: Throwdown (1x07)

Sue thinks she looks like Ajax Mighty Greek warrior. No you look like a crazy assed woman.

Santana looks uncomfortable when Quinn says to Sue that the minorities in Glee club are not being heard.

I cringed when Figgins said hug it out, but Sue and Schue whispering threatening things to each other made it worthwhile.

It’s a girl!

Finn only know how to take care of goldfish. Yes that is different from taking care of a baby.

Ha! Matt is Shaft.

Yes Terri drag Will down in the gutter with you.

Sue knows of Will’s devotion to that “dying language.” The Spanish Teacher I am side-eyeing you again.

Hey writers if you mention Gwyneth Paltrow, she might show up in a future episode.

Brittany tries to steal Quinn’s test. She doesn’t understand the test. First sign of Brittany being special?

There are only two obstetricians in Columbus?

Why did Sue give up being co-director? Was it because she already knew that Quinn is pregnant?

Keep Holding On was a beautiful ending to the episode.

[todaydreambelievers]

Throwback Thursday: Tested

Time to take out all the old gifsets, memes, interviews, fanfic, fanart, etc and pass it around :)

The cast did a live tweet of this episode - I don’t think this is related to /that/ but here’s some fun BTS stuff with Darren Criss and Jane Lynch

[klaineship2]

TDB  Rewatch       Tested       Episode  5x16

“You have to wear one every time!” 

This episode is another one of my favorite NYC episodes. It is all about sex and relationships and about decisions made by both partners.There are some minor things that bug me but overall they are outweighed by really great things: like the STD - PSA in the style of a 1940′s newsreel. It comes out of nowhere and has absolutely no context but it is amazing and quintessentially Glee. I love every second of it.

then there is stage combat class with all the shirtless Kurt twirling sai swords and other weapons and doing an amazingly choreographed performance of Love is a Battlefield  with Blaine.  The energy and power of this number impresses me every time.

then there is the slut shaming scene. It’s one of my favorite Glee scenes, the comedic timing is great, they play off of each other perfectly and their reactions are wonderful, from Kurt’s consternation to Blaine giving considerate advice to Sam’s freak-out and excessive use of hand sanitizer and his advice for Mercedes to ‘not touch him (Artie)’

everything that happens at that ice-parlour, Kurt and Blaine’s facial expressions when Artie says ‘sex isn’t the be-all, end-all’.

to go into detail a bit more: Blaine does what he and Kurt had talked about in 5.14. He’s going to explore NYC on his own and find his favorite places. Well... it’s all food places and he knows every street food seller by name. The fact that the person who eats salad with knife and fork (Big Brother) would turn into someone who stuffs his mouth with an entire cronut, binge-eats greasy snacks and wipes off his hands at his pants seems a bit farfetched to me, but Glee has never been subtle when it served it’s purpose. Fact is that both of them are still suffering from the events in Bash (which happend a few weeks ago, according to Blaine) We don’t get a proper Kurt POV here, but it is obvious that he amplified his work-out routine drastically from ‘Sweating to the 80′s’ to doing 100 push-ups before breakfast and lifting weights. And he started his ‘crazy self-denial dietary regimen’. I am convinced that before the bashing Kurt would have ordered the Frozen Hot Chocolate himself and Blaine’s cream-sauce fettucine would have been well received.

Blaine on the other hand had to witness the fact that Kurt could have been ripped from his life by events that are completely out of his control. He can’t shield Kurt from the cruelness that the world sometimes proves to be. Also, I am convinced that Blaine struggled a lot when he started NYADA, similar to his struggles at McKinley when he didn’t find his place right away and. (But how can he suddenly be so clumsy?!) These things (and add to it the fact that guys flirt with Kurt - openly and in his presence) lead to him distancing himself from Kurt, something that he did in s3, as well.

The big difference to s3 and their fight in New New York is that both of them are very well aware of the changing in the other boy as they mention it in their respective voice-overs. Blaine admits being jealous of Kurt’s newfound confidence (that he himself is still lacking) and Kurt knows about Blaine’s struggles and is concerned about him. (”I can’t let my new confidence erode his.“) And here comes the thing that bugs me the most: Blaine has learned from their previous mistakes and wants to talk to Kurt about the reasons of him distancing himself, more than once, and even though I’ll admit that combat class isn’t the right place to start such a conversation, it bugs me that Kurt refuses to talk every time Blaine suggests it, only to give him that reproachful “next time you have to be honest with me” in the end. I want to grab him and bang his head against some solid object - because, “yes, that’s what he tried to be several times, but you wouldn’t let him!!”  Kurt is so genuinely surprised and confused about Blaine’s confession because judging him for his body is something that would have never crossed his mind... and that is why it’s so important to keep talking!!!

There are some great meta thoughts from @misqueue  that express what I’m trying to say much more eloquently.

okay, but here have some bonus hair wiggle:

I absolutely love the Sam-Mercedes storyline: they are a wonderful example for how to keep talking things out, even and especially when there are different concepts and understandings of things. They misinterpret certain situations more than once, but they keep talking about their feelings and about what they want and they take their time to make their decisions. I love that nobody ridiculed Mercedes for her decision to wait until marriage. I like that they are still physical with each other - similar to what Kurt and Blaine negotiated in s3. Sam is a wonderful guy and I love his reasoning about all the things that are better and more important than sex.

Poor Artie. He has to be the bad example to drive the point home. It’s okay to have several sex partners as long as they know about not being the only one and as long as everybody is being safe. Julie seems like such a sweet girl and her confusion throughout the episode is hilarious. But Artie is springing it on her admittedly all to unexpectedly...

Kurt - Blaine Things:

it’s impressive how far Darren can push out his tummy!!

After his initial surprise (who knows what Blaine has told him) Kurt is the first one to express his understanding for Sam and Mercedes’ choice to ‘take it slow’. He is the one, after all, who decided to keep things ‘above the equator’ mere 2 1/2 years ago.

“Do you guys want HPV or Herpes Simplex two?”

“We haven’t been intimate in, like a week!!!”  I mean come on, Kurt. Between NYADA, working at the Diner and living in different apartments with other roommates, it would surprise me if they had sex more than once a week. Oh, Glee.

“Thank you so much for being here at the start of Blaine’s cleanse.”

Other Things:

Julies confusion during ‘Let’s wait a while’

I like Rachel for a change in her scenes with Mercedes at the loft. It’s a sweet moment between the two of them.

I want that Frozen Hot Chocolate!!

Nothing beats Mercedes singing with the gospel choir!!

Mercedes initially assuming that Blaine is the one to light hundreds of candles (literally) for a romantic setting. He might have done this before..

“I can live without sex, but I can’t live without you.”

“You have no idea how nice it is to have a real girlfriend here to talk to. I mean, Kurt pretends to be one, but it’s not the same.”

“If I decide to do it, I want it to be the making love version, not the bumping uglies version.”

“Mmh... no Oscar is worth that!”

@todaydreambelievers

@spaceorphan18

[klaineship2]

“...thank you so much for being here at the start of Blaine’s cleanse.”

whose crazy idea was it to start a cleanse at an ice cream parlour?!?

[angelhummel]

[angelhummel]

Okay I can’t believe this is only now dawning on me but here we go...

I know that a good portion of the fandom looks for any little tiny excuse they can to hate Blaine and they got some decent ammo in Tested because of Blaine’s internal monologue and less than 110% sunshine and happiness thoughts 

But part of what Blaine is struggling with in this episode isn’t just the fact that Kurt might not need his protection anymore. It’s that he won’t always be there to give it

I mean it’s only been a few weeks since Kurt was beat up, comatose in the hospital. He probably could’ve gotten killed or at least permanently damaged. And Blaine was so distraught over it. You know he spent the whole time just beating himself up over the fact that he wasn’t there to help. That he wasn’t there when Kurt was in trouble like he always had been before. And that’s been weighing so heavily on him until it all boiled over in Tested 

I mean I’m not going to pretend like body image issues aren’t debilitating on their own. Things like that can be so damaging to a person, and Blaine was clearly going through it. But he also had everything from Bash still looming over him

And people just want to give him crap because all they think is he like, doesn’t want Kurt to look good or feel confident? Jeez I wish people gave Blaine even half the benefits of the doubt they extend to literally every other character 

[angelhummel]

people love to hate Blaine but he was such an undeniable mood in this episode 

[angelhummel]

5x16

Just jumping right in because idk when I’ll get a chance to watch it again and it’s another one of my favorites so...

He was a sailor boy she said she you later boy 

“Room in the tum tum” anyway if you hate Blaine you’re literally wrong 

Damn Blaine what that mouth do 

“The breakfast in bed I serve Kurt every Sunday” so we know you didn’t really move out honey 

I love how this episode simultaneously objectifies and fat shames Blaine lol. It takes talent 

“At McKinley no one wanted anything to do with me” honey you dated Tina, dated and slept with Brittany, possibly Kitty, and slept with that hot blonde at the wedding... What are you talking about? 

Omg he had to beg girls to go out with him? In what universe?? 

I fucking love Addicted to Love oh my god. Like perfect shot for shot recreation of the cheesy 80s rock song. Adore it. Adore Artie, really 

Also hello, subverting stereotypes?? Like Artie can go on about how nerdy he is and how he thought he had to beg people to be interested in him. But he probably hooked up with more people than most other characters on the show. And Kevin is an attractive guy. I mean yeah he’s a cute lil nerd, and obviously in a wheelchair, but he’s a desirable guy. People wanna hit that. I love it

That was way harsh Blaine 

But people give him too much shit for it. As if everyone else’s thoughts are 100% always pure and bright and positive and happy. Like Blaine has body issues and he’s upset and still lost and I just. Cut my boy some slack, jeez 

“Wait, you guys haven’t had sex yet?” “But you sleep in the same room!” Proof that Blaine and Kurt can’t be in the same room as each other without fucking lol 

And uh oh Kurt’s “crazy self denial dietary regimen” brings back season 1 Cheerios memories. What will it take for Kurt to have a healthy and safe relationship with food and his body? 

“Artie needs to be slut shamed! I’m slut shaming you, Artie!” 

“In order to give you everything, I have to make sure I don’t give you anything” Sam you’re in a church. It’s not the place lol

“Manorexic” wow. 

But ugh Kurt and Blaine standing next to each other in combat class and Kurt is all tank tops and arms and baring it all and Blaine is long sleeves and covering up and I just. The contrast. 

Love Is A Battlefield isn’t my fave Klaine duet but I’ll be damned if I don’t love this choreo. Like I bet Darren and Chris just had a blast with all of this 

I like that the only time Blaine doesn’t have helmet hair is when he takes off an actual helmet 

I love Mercedes and her nerves and her boundaries and her decisions. I’m glad that after all the prude shaming before, they actually make her choices look respectable and valid. Thank god 

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

This girl Artie is on a date with... looks like Dora the Explorer 

I’m not really feeling the songs in this episode to be honest. I mean I like ATL alright. And I said my thoughts on LIAB. But the other two? Not really feeling them 

But I am glad that they kinda pared down the songs in these episodes. Or they at least felt pared down? Idk especially in s4 it felt like songs every five minutes and the big finale top 40 number that everyone would buy up on iTunes. I’m glad they kinda chilled out on that 

My mom just sat down in the room with me while Sam and Mercedes were talking and Mercedes says she wants to wait till marriage and my mom was just like “oh no” 

Kurt: What balance?  My mom, on Blaine’s behalf: Where I had all the power!

And now my mom is worried about all the candles that Sam lit. Where did they come from? How much did they cost? Seriously I think I should only watch the show when she’s in the room now 

Rachel talking about having a girlfriend and saying that Kurt pretends to be one like... what? Rachel just because you see him as a girlfriend doesn’t mean he’s trying to be one 

I kinda got lost near the end but I love the end scene with Klaine and Sartie. Comedy gold, I tell you