Baby It's Cold Outside

I must admit that I bought Glee the Christmas album on Friday, whilst decorating my holiday hearth and enjoyed MCKinnley Highs versions of the classics. After viewing last night's episode, I decided that the music warmed my heart all over again, but in a different way. Last night's episode also dealt with ice cold heartbreak against the backdrop of the most cheerful time of the year.

Brittany, Santa, gifts, magic, innocence and reality were woven into a touching/cheesy story line for Artie and Brittany. Brittany still believes in Santa. Could this be possible? I know a woman who told me once her high school-aged daughter still believed in Santa, so it's plausible in my world. What's even more plausible is the romance blossoming between Artie and Brittany right before our eyes. Cheese aside with the entire Glee club conspiring to keep Brittany in dream land, Brittany asks Santa, who can do anything, to make Artie walk again. Artie, determined to save Brittany from disappointment, enlists Coach Bieste to don a Santa suit and go to Brittany's house and tell her sometimes miracles don't happen. Bieste does a great job giving Brittany her spoon full of sugar with her dose of reality, but Brittany is devastated. I know I had a lump in my throat when the sight of Artie standing and almost walking with the help of modern medical advances. I gotta wonder what kind of insurance Bieste has to afford the latest in medicine.

Rachel and Finn, estranged since Rachel's indiscretion with Puck, awkwardly dance around each other until Rachel decides to ask Finn to meet her in the auditorium. In the backdrop of lighted blue (the color of Hanukkah) Christmas trees, Rachel tries to apologize in the best way she knows how, with a song. Finn confused and torn tells her he's not interested and leaves. She then sings a lovely cover of the Karen Carpenter, "Merry Christmas Darling". She somehow convinces him to accompany her to buy a new tree for the choir room, but ends up stealing a kiss. Finn, disgusted by betrayal by both of his recent girlfriends officially breaks up with her and leaves her alone. Did he leave her there or did he drive her home? That's what this mother was thinking, but I have to say I have been where Finn is and I can't blame him.

Shue, alone for the holidays and wrestling with Emma's new marital status, pulls Sue's name in the company Secret Santa. A hilarious and classic story line plays out as Sue and her sidekick Becky, pull of the Grinch-iest caper. Sue rigged the Secret Santa to have only her names in the hat. Furious, Shue takes the presents back from Sue with the intention to donate them to a local children's charity. He is unable after Sue and Becky give the Glee's/Who's down in the choir room/Whooville the Grinch treatment. Right down to the green face, gloves and song, (accompanied by artist K. D. Lang). I predict this will become a classic and will be funnier and more relevant after viewing it again. I loved it. I have to say that I like this humble Shue. Especially when he's not pining after Emma. Sue breaking into Shue's apartment after the sound of the Glee club singing causes her heart to grow two sizes that day, was a fitting ending to "A Very Glee Christmas". Sue Sylvester just may be the most lovable villain in recent times.

Finally, we can't forget Kurt, who seems to be right where he belongs at Dalton Academy. "Baby It's Cold Outside" sung with Warbler, Blane, is my Down Load Pick of the Week, but that's probably got more to do with the fact that "Baby It's Cold Outside" is my favorite Christmas carol. Blaine and Kurt did a fine job with the duet in the fabulous Dalton study, and I even sense a bit of chemistry brewing between the two. This should get interesting.

In the end, this week, it was all about the music. The music that accompanies our holiday spirit and fills the soul with memories of Christmas' past, present and future. And at this time of the year, I couldn't think of a better gift.