TV Review: GLEE – Season 3 – “Props”

By CARL CORTEZ / Contributing Editor

Posted: May 16th, 2012 / 09:32 AM

Mark Salling in GLEE - Season 3 - "Props" | ©2012 Fox/Mike Yarish

Stars: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Heather Morris, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling, Harry Shum Jr., Jenna Ushkowitz
Writer: Ian Brennan
Director: Ian Brennan
Network: Fox, airs Tuesday nights
Original Telecast: May 15, 2012

More GLEE goodness arrives with one of the season’s most inventive episodes – “Props.”

Taking a cue a FREAKY FRIDAY cue, the put-upon Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) who rarely gets to sing or gets noticed, bumps her head and for about ten minutes every GLEE cast member is suddenly embodying somebody else. This includes Tina getting a glimpse as to what it’s like to be Rachel (Lea Michele) which is where her big beef came from to begin with that led to this switcheroo..

It’s fun to see everyone switch places and in some cases gender-switch – it’s also great to see how some of the actors actually have much bigger acting chops than expected.

This fantasy doesn’t last long though, as we get to see Tina and Rachel bonding – with the real Tina encouraging the real Rachel to try to get a Carmen Tibideaux (Whoopi Goldberg) to reconsider her for NYADA and see her at Nationals.

There’s also some great moments with Puck (Mark Salling) where he’s still reeling from being a failure and then finding some kinship with Coach Beiste (Dot Marie Jones) who is still dealing with her abusive husband. The two of them work through their troubles in some surprisingly strong scenes and it results in a duet of the Taylor Swift song “Mean.”

Salling doesn’t get enough credit on the show – nor enough screen time to showcase what a likable and funny performer he can be. This episode he also shows his depth – not only playing the tortured ruffian, but also playing Blaine (Darren Criss) in Tina’s Freaky Friday interlude.

The same goes for Jones – truly one of the breakout stars of GLEE. Even though a supporting player, the series continually gives her some great moments to play and have given her a truly original three-dimensional character. In fact, Coach Beiste has had more substantial and meaningful screen time this year than Tina and Quinn (Dianna Agron) combined.

Although I’m getting sick of Rachel’s over-achieving and her attitude, this episode does shine the rest of the time. It’s one of the silliest and more joyful episodes of the season with kudos going to co-creator/writer/director Ian Brennan for taking some major risks and delivering. More importantly, he delivers on the Coach Beiste dilemma without getting to preachy or heavy-handed.

Next up – Nationals and if these kids don’t win after three seasons, it will be an absolute shock.

Related Link: TV Review – GLEE – Season 3 – “Nationals”

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