The Dream Prom

"I just wanted to be Cinderella, just for one night. One night when a guy would look at me under those corny crepe paper streamers and say, 'You look so beautiful." And then he'd grab my hand and ask me to dance." ~Mercedes, Glee 2x20

I know that Glee is supposed to be a teen drama/musical show. I know that story-wise, it's all over the place. But it has those little moments that speak to me and keep me watching.

I know I haven't been a teen in a long time, but I still want Mercedes' dream prom. And she got it. I'm still waiting for mine.

A short background: 


In my high school, you're not allowed to bring your own date during your Junior-Senior prom. Teachers are gonna make each section line up, and you will be paired according to height with your counterpart in the higher/lower batch. (Ex. If you're the tallest girl in 3rd year Section A, your partner will be the tallest boy in 4th year Section A) 


Some people ("special" students a.k.a. favorites or those who are really really smart) can request for their partners. Sadly, I'm not one of those. So when I was a junior, I got stuck with an asshole for a date. Luckily I shared him with another girl (there was a shortage of guys in our school) so that made it better a little. Then when I was a senior, I ended up being partnered with a guy who's half a foot shorter than me. Seriously, there are a LOT of tall guys in their batch. I don't know which one of us were getting punished. I wouldn't want to think that being paired with me was some sort of punishment. I also wouldn't want to think I was getting punished for something by being paired with him because I was a good student back then.

That was my prom experience. It pretty much sucked. It would have been abysmal if it weren't for my friends being there.

Now, six long years later, I'm still waiting for that dream prom. I guess that's why I'm so attached to movies or shows with dance scenes. I want my sweet slow dance with someone who actually wants to dance with me and not just someone following protocol.

Glee

Finally, a musical TV series! 

Before sounding off with grunts, I too have noticed the sudden upsurge of movie musicals (may it be on TV or in theaters) these past couple of years. I admit that I have seen all three HSMs (please put away the tomatoes), even the wannabe that Nickelodeon made (it was "edgy" compared to Disney's; it wasn't awful, just not that great). I'm not a big fan of this genre nor of the aforementioned movies, but I commend their dancing ability. Fine, the (selected) singing as well.

Glee, I am ashamed to say, at first seemed to me like a tremendously improved HSM crossed with Spectacular, the musical Nickelodeon made (this comment is based solely on the pilot episode). It is, of course, not even near that region; it's way way above. See, it has a show choir (same as Spectacular) that a super popular top jock (like HSM) joined where he is inadvertently paired with a "geeky" girl (again, like HSM). 

However, the similarities end there. Glee is just so much better and the singers sound at least 10 1/2 times more awesome than the fluffy teeny musicals. It's about a teacher who aims to revive the glory of the glee club because he was once a member of it. I love his passion for his students and man can he sing. 

The glee club only has six members: Finn (the jock), Rachel (the geeky girl with a superstar complex), Kurt (the metro guy), Mercedes (the Beyonce), Artie (the guy in the wheelchair), and Tina (the edgy Asian girl). 

The story starts with Mr. Schuester calling for auditions for the glee club under the new name New Directions. Only the five came; Finn was blackmailed into joining after Mr. Schuester overheard him singing in the locker room. At first he was obviously unwilling, but he remembered how he loved singing as a child and this was his only outlet for that. As all stereotypical jocks go, his teammates ridicule him for doing something they think is unmanly - and also hate that he now saves "losers" rather than take part in bullying them.

Rachel, on the other hand, loves to sing. She just loves it. She makes daily recordings of herself singing and posts it on her MySpace page. She is laughed at because of this and always gets some sort of drink splashed on her face and clothes.

As for Mr. Will Schuester, he is possibly the best teacher in the world. However, his life isn't so perfect. He has a psycho wife who would've qualified as a gold digger if only Will had any gold. She allows herself to have a room dedicated to her crafts (literally arts and crafts stuff) while Will gets an earful night after night because he's pursuing his passion by directing the glee club. He is given an ultimatum: the kids or his family. The wife discloses her pregnancy.

The show choir, after encountering compatibility problems and learning of their teacher's pending departure, finally got together and worked harmoniously, thus producing a perfectly wonderful number. Mr. Schuester, on his way out, heard an amazing sound emanating from the auditorium. He peeked inside and discovered that it was his group performing. With pride that could make people cry showing on his face, he applauded them and said, "From the top."

It was an overall heartwarming pilot episode. Some say it's underwhelming because they were so hyped up by the teasers. For me, it was just right. This show is filled with colorful characters that there is no chance for boredom to ever slip in. I'm really excited to see what would happen next. I'm especially looking forward to their performances.