I spent the whole first viewing mentally repeating "this BETTER be a day dream, this BETTER be a day dream..." and couldn't enjoy it. After it was revealed as a day dream - bless, that was some fine dancing.

Oh my, that final image literally took my breath away. Way to go Joss, even without a random yet meaningful death (unless you count the death of Artie's impossible dream, which was neither random nor unexpected but still meaningful.)

There was no way to sidestep the OMG RACHEL LOOKS JUST LIKE IDINA once Idina was cast on the show. 100% inevitable, and yet, with a nice twist that it could go down several different paths.

I do not, however, in any way believe that NPH would have been cast as a "townsperson" after that kind of vocal audition, no matter how terrible his reputation around town. I do not believe any community theatre would pass on that kind of talent, regard of the diva baggage. I call Shenanigans on that plot device.

I wanted to love the Safety Dance number but the DisabilityFail was like burning. The last number was a lot better.

So much this. From what I've read, wheelchair dancing is a competitive sport. I get that it's not the same, but there's a whole world in between the flash mob and sitting glumly by.

I did love some of the song performances.

Erin, I assumed that was more Sue machinations.

Also, what freaking mall doesn't have an elevator? Talk about shenanigans.

I'm sort of with Kat and Suzi on this one. I recognize the fail, and it is cringe-worthy, but I don't really expect more from Glee, and that number as a dance number was pretty awesome.

So much this. From what I've read, wheelchair dancing is a competitive sport. I get that it's not the same, but there's a whole world in between the flash mob and sitting glumly by.

Some neat wheelchair dance videos: [link] [link] [link]

I do not, however, in any way believe that NPH would have been cast as a "townsperson" after that kind of vocal audition, no matter how terrible his reputation around town. I do not believe any community theatre would pass on that kind of talent, regard of the diva baggage. I call Shenanigans on that plot device.

I took it to mean that Sue, in her usual devious manner, had pulled strings and that, angry sex or not, this was her punishment of Bryan for slashing her budget in half and retaining the Glee club.

As for Safety Dance, it didn't bother me and this is why-- it's been established that Artie lost his ability to walk due to an injury, so he knows what it's like to have walked and I think now, as a teenager and with he and Tina going out, it would be absolutely natural for him to wonder "what if" and dream about what it would be like. We've already seen both his acceptance of his limitations, plus how very much he can do when they did "Proud Mary." I think for them not to explore him dreaming what it would be like for him to be like the rest of the able-bodied Glee club members would be to paint Artie as a martyr and that would be more unrealistic than the dance sequence itself.

I do not, however, in any way believe that NPH would have been cast as a "townsperson" after that kind of vocal audition, no matter how terrible his reputation around town. I do not believe any community theatre would pass on that kind of talent, regard of the diva baggage. I call Shenanigans on that plot device.

I was hoping that they would continue the rivalry with casting one as Jean Valjean and the other as Javert, which could mean a meaningful duet later in the season.

We've started watching Glee. While I'm still getting up to speed on the plotlines, I lovelovelove the grab-bag journey through the popular music (in the broadest sense) songbook each week.

I do not, however, in any way believe that NPH would have been cast as a "townsperson" after that kind of vocal audition, no matter how terrible his reputation around town.

I figured Shue would be cast as Valjean, and NPH as Javert.

I was impressed with Artie's "Dream a Little Dream of Me." Not quite as good as Mama Cass Elliott's version, but I'm not sure anybody could reach that level.

(Conversational exchange during "Safety Dance," before the reveal:

Hubs: There's no way he could dance that well that soon.

Me: It's entertainment. Deal.)

Great minds, Fred!