This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Andrew: We've got a mission to find the best song that's ever been on Glee.

[0:09] Andrew: There's no rhyme or reason to it, so don't get mad at me.

[0:18] Andrew: Glacket by Glacket, we'll rank everyone to see which song will move closer to spot number one.

[0:26] Andrew: Gleek of the Week, Gleek, Gleek, Gleek of the Week. It's Gleek, Gleek of the Week.

[0:35] Andrew: We were having fun before the recording was started, but now we are being serious.

[0:42] Andrew: And we are here to further the advancement of the Gleesong Bracket.

[0:48] Andrew: My name is Andrew. I'm joined by Patrick, who last time he was here, he came in with a stinky attitude.

[0:58] Andrew: Let's see if he has a stinky attitude this time. Hi, Patrick.

[1:01] Patrick: Hi, Andrew. Hi, unnamed other guest.

[1:05] Andrew: I know, I wonder who it will be. It's always a mystery. I don't book these in advance.

[1:08] Andrew: It's just like, they just happen to happen.

[1:10] Andrew: One time I'll show up in the chat and we'll just let them in.

[1:14] Andrew: I do wonder if the next person who you bring in, you'll give a nicer introduction.

[1:22] Patrick: Well, it's like, okay, that's funny that you should ask that because I'm thinking about like, is it possible for me to give a mean introduction to this person? And I'm coming up short.

[1:32] Patrick: This person, Alyssa, otherwise known as Garugi Draws, I'm going to need you to pause.

[1:37] Patrick: If you're listening to this on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, pause the episode right now.

[1:42] Patrick: Go to Instagram.com slash Garugi Draws and follow Garugi Draws because beautiful, beautiful artwork. Only nice things to say about this person on today's episode. Hello, Alyssa.

[1:56] Alyssa: Hi. Oh, I'm so excited to finally be here.

[2:00] Andrew: I know. Okay, so you were on a live stream episode last round.

[2:04] Alyssa: Yes.

[2:05] Andrew: And remind the glisteners what your competition was.

[2:10] Alyssa: It was Crush versus Felice Navidad. It went down in history as being strange.

[2:21] Alyssa: That's kind of the big one. Everybody remembers where they were.

[2:24] Alyssa: Crush was pulled. I don't know about Felice Navidad, but...

[2:30] Alyssa: Felice Navidad famously lost. Crush is still around. What are you hoping, having furthered, helped further Crush's career? What are you hoping for Crush's longevity?

[2:44] Alyssa: I wanted to go far. I honestly, in my notes, I was like, I desperately, well, I desperately wanted to fight Lose My Breath for some reason. That's just, I am desperate for it.

[2:55] Alyssa: Yeah.

[2:55] Alyssa: To fight Lose My Breath, because I feel like those two are the ones that, of all the songs, that we're like, why are they both here? So I just...

[3:02] Alyssa: The most chaotic.

[3:04] Alyssa: They're both the most chaotic pulls. I want to see them fight it out.

[3:08] Andrew: And if that competition were to happen, and it will in this episode, you're voting for Crush?

[3:14] Alyssa: I have to vote for Crush. Well, you know, Lose My Breath...

[3:17] Alyssa: You have a personal attachment now.

[3:18] Alyssa: I do, but Lose My Breath kind of slaps. It's really good.

[3:22] Alyssa: Lose My Breath is kind of climbing the ranking for me.

[3:26] Andrew: Patrick, do you have an opinion on that?

[3:28] Patrick: I'm Crush versus Lose My Breath. I think that would be a Faithfully type scenario for me, where I'd have to send both through. So Faithfully versus...

[3:45] Patrick: I Feel Pretty and Pretty.

[3:45] Patrick: Yes. No, you know what? When I listen to this podcast, sometimes like there are songs that are just so insignificant to me at the time, and then we kind of get on a roll of admiring like how stupid or campy or maybe even like low-key good they are.

[4:04] Patrick: And that's one that's kind of been like a running joke. But I think we're all kind of serious.

[4:09] Patrick: Or we're like, wait, like we kind of do like this one now.

[4:13] Andrew: Wait, which one are you talking about? Lose My Breath?

[4:16] Patrick: Sorry, Lose My Breath, yeah. Crush, I think it would be really, really, really funny if we pulled that in this full episode that Alyssa is doing today.

[4:24] Patrick: So yeah, honestly, I'm of the mindset where either of those songs could go through.

[4:30] Patrick: So yeah, I guess my opinion is, I like them, and I hope we pull them.

[4:37] Andrew: Amazing. What a great opinion. Wait, and then also circling back to your stinky attitude from last episode, do you have a stinky attitude this episode?

[4:45] Patrick: Does it sound like you do?

[4:46] Patrick: No, I don't think my attitude is stinky. I just said some things that ruffled some feathers.

[4:54] Patrick: I got some messages about it. Primarily people saying that they agreed with me. So maybe, I don't know, maybe my attitude wasn't that stinky. Maybe it was just like a really well-formed opinion that resonated with two to three other Gleeks on Instagram.

[5:13] Andrew: I will say.

[5:14] Patrick: Sure.

[5:15] Patrick: I was upset at the beginning. Like I was literally writing notes. I think I was exercising at the time. And I was just like, had my phone like writing notes. Then you did say something about, I believe you said that you did like season two Blaine. And I was like,

[5:29] Andrew: Yes.

[5:29] Patrick: Okay.

[5:29] Andrew: We love season two Blaine.

[5:31] Patrick: We love season two Blaine.

[5:33] Patrick: Figment of current imagination. Okay, great. But then he becomes a real figure in the show, which, you know, sometimes. So you know what, actually, we're beating around the bush.

[5:48] Patrick: I have said so many times that, yeah, maybe I am not the biggest Klaine person, biggest Blaine person. But I've also said so many times that I put all of his songs through.

[5:58] Patrick: So it's like, you could, Alyssa, say, you want to like, kind of come at me for it. But like, look at my track record. Look at my voting history.

[6:06] Alyssa: Look at his voting history.

[6:07] Patrick: That's true. That's very fair. You know what, I appreciate that.

[6:11] Alyssa: But no, I do.

[6:12] Patrick: No stinking attitude today.

[6:14] Patrick: But yeah, I did listen back to that episode, because I famously couldn't finish the actual recording. So I had to listen to the episode to see what songs went through.

[6:23] Andrew: We were trying to kick you out. And then you kept on coming back in.

[6:26] Patrick: Yeah, I was. I came in a little hot. So hopefully today, it'll be Alyssa's turn to come in hot. I feel like she has a lot of things she probably wants to air out.

[6:38] Alyssa: Yeah. And okay, audio medium, Alyssa just showed what I can only assume is notes that she has prepared.

[6:43] Alyssa: Oh, my God.

[6:46] Alyssa: Oh, no, it's just completely white.

[6:49] Alyssa: Perfect. No notes.

[6:52] Alyssa: No, none.

[6:55] Alyssa: Amazing.

[6:55] Alyssa: No, but I do want to bring attention to the fact that the reason that we're doing this episode, okay, I was really inspired by, you know, the dichotomy of Klaine.

[7:11] Alyssa: And so we have Patrick, who is representing anti-Klaine.

[7:15] Andrew: Are you proudly taking that title?

[7:18] Patrick: I totally thought when you messaged us that, that you were joking.

[7:22] Patrick: But no, no, we are.

[7:26] Patrick: Yeah, okay. I will be representing the anti-Klainers.

[7:31] Andrew: Anti-Klaine, whereas Alyssa, and I, you know, it's no surprise to anybody who's listened to this podcast, Klaine has not done fair too well. And so you will be representing pro-Klaine?

[7:44] Alyssa: Yes. I have it right here.

[7:46] Alyssa: Oh, my God.

[7:47] Alyssa: Oh, perfect. Audio medium, the Entertainment Weekly Gay Teens on TV, which every time I see that headline, Gay Teens on TV, that's insane.

[7:59] Alyssa: It was a wild time. Like it really, it was really insane. And I wish I could like open this up and show you the whole photo shoot inside because it's equally insane. But it's just, it's iconic. It's very of the era.

[8:11] Andrew: Yeah.

[8:12] Andrew: Well, I hope that we get the chance then to, I guess, we can state some of our arguments, but I kind of want to come clean on some of my Klaine thoughts, if that's what we're doing.

[8:21] Andrew: I feel like a lot of times I kind of say that I don't like them as a joke.

[8:25] Andrew: But there are some great moments. Like, I very much welcome Klaine discourse in a controlled environment. One preferably that does not include Allison Dodge.

[8:38] Alyssa: Why is that?

[8:40] Andrew: Because the reason that I got so fired up about Klaine is because when Allison Dodge was in round one, Klaine was the only thing that we talked about in every single episode.

[8:49] Andrew: I think it took you guys like 27 episodes. I'm not kidding to like bring up Santana.

[8:54] Alyssa: Like, no, that's not true.

[8:57] Andrew: It's not true.

[9:02] Alyssa: Wait, also in the first episode, there's a Santana and a Klaine duet. So we were forced to talk about both in the very first episode.

[9:10] Andrew: No. Fake news.

[9:13] Alyssa: Fake news. It's all there. Is that the entirety of your statement? Do you have a further Klaine statement?

[9:20] Andrew: No, that's not my statement about Klaine. That's just me making a statement about talking about Klaine right now.

[9:29] Alyssa: Okay. Okay. All right. So what would you like to add?

[9:33] Andrew: Is there a prompt?

[9:37] Alyssa: It sounded like you wanted to say something.

[9:39] Andrew: No. So I'm saying that I'm ready to talk about Klaine.

[9:44] Alyssa: Oh, I understand.

[9:45] Alyssa: Yeah. And Andrew, I'm also not sure what my prompt is, but response to the prompt?

[9:53] Alyssa: Response to the prompt. Well, I guess it's funny because everybody watches or listens to Gleek of the Week differently because in my head, I'm like, we haven't talked about Klaine in so long. And every time you guys talk about a Klaine song, you talk about it for like two seconds. And you're like, I liked Kurt's hat. And then you're like, sure, great.

[10:18] Andrew: And would you say that if you, Alyssa, were in my shoes doing week to week, creating this, I guess, curating this guest list, how much percent would be Klaine in round four? Round four will have 100 songs. How much is devoted to Klaine in Alyssa's Gleek of the Week multiverse?

[10:43] Alyssa: Considering that I have a Klaine playlist, like just only Kurt, Blaine, and Klaine songs, it'd probably be way more. Like, I mean, I would be sending through. Oh my god. Like you guys, I was looking and I was like, they let go, let it snow. I love let it snow.

[11:00] Andrew: I know that.

[11:00] Alyssa: They let go like-

[11:01] Andrew: Allison Dodge really hates let it snow.

[11:05] Alyssa: I know.

[11:05] Alyssa: Do I? She and I were different types of Klaine fans. And that is a-okay.

[11:12] Andrew: That's a really important distinction to make. There are different types of Klaine fans.

[11:16] Alyssa: Yes. Oh, there certainly are.

[11:18] Alyssa: And Allison Dodge, of course, not here to defend herself. But if you were to put Allison Dodge in a Klaine box, how would she be described as a Klaine fan? And how would you describe yourself as a Klaine fan?

[11:29] Alyssa: She leans more into Blainestan over like Kurt and Blainestan, which is-

[11:35] Andrew: Facts.

[11:36] Alyssa: Fine. That's a-okay. You can have that as your thing. Honestly, I do too. I would say I lean more Blaine over Kurt. But I do love Kurt. I love Kurt too. And I think I'm more, I don't know. She just had some very harsh opinions about songs and I'm very like, oh, I love all these Klaine songs. I'll take all of them except for like, Candles and stuff.

[12:05] Alyssa: That one you can leave. That one you can leave at home. It's fine.

[12:09] Andrew: Does it-do any Klaine fans like Candles?

[12:14] Alyssa: No. Honestly, I-

[12:15] Alyssa: No.

[12:16] Alyssa: Even on Tumblr, like I was, I was a Tumblr Klaine fan. I'm-

[12:19] Andrew: Yeah.

[12:20] Alyssa: Was there in the trenches. I don't remember-

[12:24] Alyssa: And immediately because I wasn't like following like the Klaine kind of like stem while watching it. That was like my freshman year of high school season two. I wasn't like following like the discourse around like specific storylines, including Klaine. So like immediately when it was announced, like hey, it's going to be Candles as like this big magnum opus Klaine duet.

[12:46] Alyssa: Immediately people hated it.

[12:48] Alyssa: They wanted to give it a chance because like they were like, oh my gosh, this is like their, you know, their competition song. It's so exciting. But we were like, the lyrics are kind of strange.

[12:59] Andrew: Yeah. It's suggesting a kind of different state of where their relationship is at.

[13:04] Alyssa: Suggesting a breakup. And it's very odd. And yeah, and then it came out and nobody really liked it. And it's okay. Like we were happy with the moment. I don't think anybody was like mad at the moment itself. It was they were mad at the song choice.

[13:19] Andrew: That was supposed to be there faithfully.

[13:21] Alyssa: Yes, exactly.

[13:23] Alyssa: I do have a love of Blaine singing Candles by Hey Monday. I don't know why. I just do.

[13:30] Andrew: So that's a silver lining of the entire Candles lore. Patrick, do you have any nuanced opinion about Candles, Glee Casts by Glee Casts?

[13:38] Patrick: I think that that song is really bad and they could have picked a better one. And that's kind of my issue. I think a lot of times with what they choose for Kurt in general and what they choose then for Kurt and Blaine together. Like Let It Snow. May she rest in peace, as well as Baby It's Cold Outside. May she rest in peace. I'm not over her. That was really, really sad. But I digress.

[14:34] Andrew: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week! Today, we’re diving into the dichotomy of Klaine with our guests Alyssa and Patrick.

[15:04] Alyssa: I’m excited to represent Pro-Klaine today!

[15:24] Patrick: And I’m here for the Anti-Klaine side.

[15:54] Andrew: It’s going to be a fun debate. Let’s start by discussing Klaine's representation on the Glacket.

[16:14] Alyssa: I think it’s really lacking. Klaine had some of the most iconic moments in Glee.

[16:34] Patrick: But those moments also had their flaws. We can’t ignore the problematic aspects of their relationship.

[16:54] Andrew: That’s a fair point. What do you think, Alyssa?

[17:14] Alyssa: I believe their relationship showed growth and vulnerability, which is important.

[17:34] Patrick: Growth is one thing, but it often came at the expense of other characters.

[17:54] Andrew: Interesting perspective! Now, let’s move on to some trivia. How about a little Lord Tubbington trivia?

[18:14] Alyssa: Yes! I love Lord Tubbington.

[18:34] Patrick: Who doesn’t? He’s a fan favorite.

[18:54] Andrew: Alright, here’s your first question: What was Lord Tubbington’s original name?

[19:14] Alyssa: Oh, I know this one! It was actually just “Cat.”

[19:34] Patrick: That’s right! It was a simple name before he became the star he is.

[19:54] Andrew: Great job! Now, let’s talk about the song that changed everything on Glee.

[20:14] Alyssa: For me, it has to be “Brave.”

[20:34] Patrick: I’d argue that “I Know Where I’ve Been” had a huge impact as well.

[20:54] Andrew: Both are strong choices! What do you think makes “Brave” so special?

[21:14] Alyssa: It’s all about empowerment and standing up for yourself.

[21:34] Patrick: But “I Know Where I’ve Been” really highlights the struggles of the characters.

[21:54] Andrew: True! Each song brings something unique to the table.

[22:14] Alyssa: Exactly! And that’s what makes Glee so memorable.

[22:34] Patrick: It’s a mix of fun and serious moments that resonate with fans.

[22:54] Andrew: Let’s dive into the performances of these songs.

[23:14] Alyssa: I can’t wait to discuss them!

[23:34] Patrick: Me too!

[23:54] Andrew: Alright, let’s start with “Brave.”

[24:14] ♪ Musical number: "Brave" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[25:04] Andrew: That was powerful!

[25:24] Alyssa: I love how it captures the essence of the show.

[25:44] Patrick: It really does!

[26:14] Andrew: Now, let’s move on to “I Know Where I’ve Been.”

[26:34] ♪ Musical number: "I Know Where I've Been" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[26:54] Andrew: Such an emotional performance!

[27:14] Alyssa: Absolutely! It gives me chills every time.

[27:34] Patrick: It’s a standout moment for sure.

[27:54] Andrew: Now, let’s wrap up with “Keep Holding On.”

[28:14] ♪ Musical number: "Keep Holding On" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[28:34] Andrew: That’s a classic!

[28:44] Alyssa: It really ties everything together.

[28:54] Patrick: I think we can all agree that Glee has left a lasting impact.

[29:09] Alyssa: That episode entirely is so out of character for Blaine. It annoys me. I remember when the spoilers for that episode came out, I was like, what? Why? I actually can't watch it because it makes me so upset. And it's beautiful. Honestly, it makes me cry in certain scenarios because he sounds really nice. I love melodrama. I don't cringe. I'm on that camp where I don't cringe. I think it's quite nice. But the context makes me so mad that I can't watch it a lot of the time.

[29:52] Patrick: And so, yeah. So you're a season two Teenage Dream trooper.

[29:59] Alyssa: Absolutely. It was at my wedding. I danced to it at my wedding. Teenage Dream season two. That's really something. That's kind of iconic, though. I love it. Do we have videos of this? Is this carousel edition?

[30:09] Alyssa: So I have a video of Don't Stop Believing because this is actually a funny story. I'll keep with my grievances. But my DJ, I was talking to her about having Glee music. And I was like, I know that that's kind of different. And she was like, no, it's actually fine. I went to a Glee camp when I was a teenager. And I was like, what's a Glee camp? And I was like, so you mean like a Glee club, like a Glee club, like a chorus camp? And she was like, no, I mean, like a Glee, the show. And I was like, what? Yes, she was a fan.

[30:42] Patrick: Did she say, we're doing Don't Stop at your wedding?

[30:48] Alyssa: Wait, do we know what happened at the Glee camp?

[30:51] Alyssa: She told me that they would like, practice and perform the songs. I need to ask her more. I know her personally. So I feel like I desperately need to interview her.

[31:01] Patrick: Um, yeah, this because I was like, what do you mean? A Glee camp on the pod?

[31:07] Alyssa: Yeah, exactly. Glee camp.

[31:10] Patrick: Wait, as a, as a, like a child, I would assume child teenager.

[31:14] Alyssa: Yeah, she's the same age as us. Like we're like, watched Glee in high school. But like, yeah, I don't know. So she because of that she played two Glee songs at my wedding when I only asked for one. So I got Don't Stop Believing and Teenage Dream.

[31:30] Patrick: So you're being so modest with your Glee club additions at your wedding. I am thinking about hosting two weddings myself.

[31:37] Alyssa: And the Glee wedding and the regular wedding.

[31:38] Patrick: Yeah.

[31:41] Alyssa: We're having a Glee wedding.

[31:44] Alyssa: Well, it's just like, just because like, my big fat Gleek wedding, literally, it's just like is there. And like, I just like need to capitalize on that. So like, I'm like, half joking about like, doing two weddings, even though fully not engaged at all. Anyway, um, yeah, continue.

[31:59] Patrick: God, yes, grievances. Oh, my God. Okay, I'm just gonna like, I will go down the list fast, even though I have so many notes. Hungry Like the Wolf Rio. I actually have a lot of thoughts on specifically the episode Big Brother. I love Big Brother. It's, it's I, I have one thing to say about that. It is the only episode about Blaine, and not Blaine and Kurt, before they break up, which I find to be very nice.

[32:29] Alyssa: Huh? Wait, it's the only episode about Blaine and not Blaine and Kurt?

[32:33] Patrick: Yes.

[32:34] Alyssa: For that? Yes. Okay, I need to point out that is two separate addendums. That like, that's a little bit crazy. Admittedly.

[32:44] Patrick: It's, it's, it's just we were so desperate at the time for info about Blaine, aside from Kurt.

[32:50] Alyssa: That's fair. That is fair.

[32:52] Patrick: Because anything, anything that Blaine would do after they got together, it had to do with Kurt. It was like, you know, you couldn't really get anything out of that character.

[33:02] Alyssa: Yeah.

[33:02] Patrick: Before they broke up. I'm gonna, I'm gonna pull up the Tina argument that was made maybe 10 minutes ago. That it's like, I don't think that we, until like, what was like, even like a Tina centric episode?

[33:15] Alyssa: Like Tina in the Sky with Diamonds?

[33:17] Patrick: Props.

[33:18] Alyssa: Diva, maybe? I'm not saying props, because props is masked as a Tina episode when it's really just Rachel.

[33:26] Patrick: Yeah, yeah, I could agree.

[33:28] Alyssa: So I mean, I'm just like, in there's, I'm not, I'm not applying any addendums to the Tina episodes.

[33:35] Patrick: Sure.

[33:35] Alyssa: Whereas you're doing two for Blaine.

[33:38] Patrick: And you know, I'm calling you out.

[33:40] Alyssa: Sorry. Just to make this a civil conversation, Alyssa, I want to point out two things. You said everyone was wondering if Blaine was going to do introductions.

[33:49] Patrick: And you said we were all begging to learn more about Blaine.

[33:58] Alyssa: Look those words up in the dictionary.

[34:01] Patrick: Yeah, you know, that's so fair.

[34:04] Alyssa: I mostly meant everybody on tumblr.com.

[34:08] Patrick: But honestly, that's still not the case. Because, you know, there were the-

[34:11] Alyssa: Were there anti-Klaineers on Tumblr?

[34:13] Patrick: Absolutely.

[34:14] Alyssa: Really?

[34:15] Patrick: Absolutely. Oh, yeah.

[34:17] Alyssa: Like, because the Britannia people, there's the Britannia people, the Klaineers, and like, Finn and Rachel, which they were not-

[34:22] Patrick: Did the Britannia people and the Klaineers not get along even before the wedding episode?

[34:27] Alyssa: Sometimes they did, and sometimes they didn't. It really depended on like-

[34:31] Patrick: Oh my god, now I'm like remembering the entire, I know we, this episode is like, the last two episodes were like 90 minutes. This episode, I understand, not going to be that.

[34:42] Alyssa: But I'm recalling now the online reaction to the double wedding.

[34:49] Patrick: That like, now that I'm thinking about it, to end the series, like kind of like pitting, because the fandom really did not, that was like, after Kurt interrupted the Britannia wedding, that was, that was strike one.

[35:04] Alyssa: And that was a, that was a really big strike. And then for them to share the wedding together, that was crazy in 2015.

[35:13] Patrick: Yeah. Oh, after having actually gotten married and seeing what that is like, I honestly, I would also be mad at Klaine.

[35:21] Alyssa: Like Klaine, they appear in universe and they're like, hey, can we also be at- Can we also get married at your wedding? Even though we're not dating? Or we just started dating again? I think in like the previous episode.

[35:34] Patrick: No, I'm sorry. I love you guys, but no. Like it's-

[35:38] Alyssa: Yeah, it was wild. And like, so that really was like the, like epitome of pitting the fandom. Because they're all different.

[35:46] Patrick: Yeah.

[35:46] Alyssa: What if the person you're getting married to's only wish on their wedding day was to allow Klaine to get married at the same time as you? Would you have fulfilled that for your partner?

[35:59] Patrick: It's hard to imagine that because it's like, that would be me. If anybody is going to want Klaine to get married at their wedding, I think it would be me.

[36:06] Alyssa: But honestly, sure.

[36:09] Patrick: Sure.

[36:10] Alyssa: I forgot that that's how they sold it. Like Brittany was like, I really want this to happen.

[36:16] Patrick: And Santana was like-

[36:16] Alyssa: Santana's like, how could I let my beautiful bride to be disappointed?

[36:21] Patrick: And I'm like, y'all.

[36:23] Alyssa: Right, right. Okay.

[36:25] Patrick: Anyway.

[36:25] Alyssa: But we'll stay on Klaine.

[36:27] Patrick: Listen.

[36:29] Alyssa: Hey, we're repairing the damages that were really- 2015 was a bad year for us.

[36:36] Patrick: And we're here, 10 years later, repairing it right now.

[36:41] Alyssa: Exactly. Alyssa, the floor is back to you.

[36:44] Alyssa: God. Okay. Let's see.

[36:46] Alyssa: Oh my god. Let's see.

[36:48] Alyssa: Okay. I just want to say though, I did put through Hungry Like a Wolf in round two.

[36:53] Patrick: Hungry Like a Wolf?

[36:54] Alyssa: You did. Slash Rio.

[36:56] Patrick: You did.

[36:56] Alyssa: Oh, yeah. Like the wolf.

[36:58] Patrick: And I would have put it through Over Here Comes the Sun.

[37:02] Alyssa: So.

[37:03] Patrick: That's fair.

[37:04] Alyssa: I like Klaine.

[37:05] Patrick: That's fair.

[37:06] Alyssa: It's, you know, and I'll take that in as in my notes.

[37:10] Patrick: I'll take that in.

[37:12] Alyssa: In this case.

[37:13] Alyssa: So here we go.

[37:13] Alyssa: We're seeing each other.

[37:14] Patrick: Yes.

[37:15] Alyssa: Let's see.

[37:16] Alyssa: Come What May.

[37:17] Patrick: I don't even-

[37:19] Alyssa: That was like, again, kind of a Tumblr behind the scenes thing. People were asking-

[37:23] Patrick: People were drawing a lot of Klaine.

[37:25] Alyssa: Why do I feel like Cherish Cherish took down Come What May?

[37:29] Patrick: Cherish Cherish did take down Come What May.

[37:30] Alyssa: And honestly, I really want to take it down so bad.

[37:34] Patrick: Oh, that's again.

[37:35] Alyssa: Britannia versus Klaine.

[37:37] Patrick: Yes.

[37:37] Alyssa: And I will send Cherish Cherish through under any circumstance that's pulled tonight.

[37:43] Patrick: You have my word.

[37:43] Alyssa: See, and that's what's scary about that. I don't want that to be pulled tonight.

[37:48] Patrick: No, no, no, no. Me and Patrick do not share a brain.

[37:51] Alyssa: Okay.

[37:52] Patrick: Okay.

[37:52] Alyssa: I mean, but listen, you know-

[37:53] Patrick: We don't.

[37:55] Alyssa: It's true.

[37:59] Alyssa: No, I like Britannia.

[38:01] Patrick: I think it's fine.

[38:03] Alyssa: I didn't, honestly, when I was watching Glee. Like, during the live show, I did not like Britannia as much as I do now.

[38:12] Patrick: Okay.

[38:12] Alyssa: But I respect it.

[38:16] Patrick: I think it's fine.

[38:17] Alyssa: But it wasn't my culture.

[38:20] Patrick: Sure.

[38:21] Alyssa: Yeah.

[38:22] Alyssa: Let's see.

[38:22] Alyssa: I'm just continuing.

[38:24] Alyssa: Okay.

[38:24] Alyssa: I said it as if we never said goodbye already.

[38:26] Alyssa: Let's see.

[38:27] Alyssa: And you make me feel so young.

[38:28] Patrick: Great.

[38:29] Alyssa: We're getting through it.

[38:30] Alyssa: Okay.

[38:31] Alyssa: Let's see.

[38:32] Alyssa: No actual rebuttal on Ben, but it did repeat in my head over and over again when I had a fever once, which is really scary.

[38:39] Patrick: I know what you mean.

[38:41] Alyssa: Like the Glee version or the Michael Jackson version?

[38:44] Patrick: The Glee version.

[38:44] Alyssa: It was quite scary.

[38:47] Patrick: That song-

[38:48] Alyssa: I'd kill for that fever.

[38:50] Patrick: And what a beautiful fever that must have been.

[38:52] Alyssa: I think it's like one- either recovering Glee or y'all were talking once about how haunting the song is.

[38:57] Patrick: It got very haunting.

[38:58] Alyssa: That was me.

[38:59] Patrick: Haunting.

[39:00] Alyssa: Haunting.

[39:02] Patrick: That's the- that's beautifully haunting.

[39:03] Alyssa: Yes.

[39:04] Alyssa: Let's see.

[39:06] Alyssa: Oh, my final Klaine grievance.

[39:07] Alyssa: It's actually not a grievance. It's just to say thank you for sending through being alive.

[39:11] Patrick: So.

[39:12] Alyssa: Oh, love her so much.

[39:15] Patrick: I love her a ton.

[39:17] Alyssa: One of my favorites.

[39:18] Patrick: Yes.

[39:18] Alyssa: Like that- that is- well, okay.

[39:21] Alyssa: Rose's turn exists, but like-

[39:22] Patrick: I love Kurt.

[39:24] Alyssa: Yeah.

[39:24] Patrick: I love Kurt.

[39:26] Alyssa: Let's pull some Kurt tonight.

[39:27] Patrick: I would love to pull some Kurt tonight.

[39:29] Alyssa: That'd be great.

[39:30] Alyssa: Okay.

[39:31] Alyssa: Non-Klaine grievances.

[39:33] Alyssa: Diva.

[39:34] Patrick: I just don't like Problem.

[39:35] Alyssa: I think Problem-

[39:36] Patrick: That was- it was insane to me.

[39:38] Alyssa: Do you- do you regret that one?

[39:40] Patrick: Did you vote for Diva or Problem?

[39:43] Alyssa: I voted for Diva.

[39:44] Patrick: Claudia and Karis voted for Problem.

[39:46] Alyssa: Why didn't you rally harder?

[39:48] Patrick: Uh, why didn't I rally?

[39:51] Alyssa: I mean, like, there's- there's only so much that I could say.

[39:54] Patrick: I can't, like- I- I feel like I have probably changed people's opinion.

[39:58] Alyssa: I can't think of anything right now.

[40:03] Patrick: I've changed people's opinions in the past to my liking.

[40:05] Alyssa: But, um, that was just not one of them.

[40:07] Patrick: You can't win them all.

[40:09] Alyssa: Sure.

[40:09] Patrick: I understand.

[40:11] Alyssa: It's just- it- I was- I was listening to Problem as you were playing in the episode, and I was like, this doesn't sound good.

[40:16] Patrick: They don't sound good.

[40:19] Alyssa: I wouldn't go that far. They sound- they sound- they sound good.

[40:25] Patrick: But Diva is, like, Diva's Diva.

[40:28] Alyssa: Diva's Diva.

[40:29] Patrick: It's so good.

[40:30] Alyssa: It's, like, the outfits, the whole vibe. I love it.

[40:32] Patrick: I love it so much.

[40:34] Alyssa: Blaine, how could we forget?

[40:35] Patrick: Oh, exactly.

[40:36] Alyssa: You guys can be Divas too.

[40:39] Patrick: And he's just kind of a low hum throughout the entire song.

[40:41] Alyssa: It's kind of funny. If you just try to listen for Blaine, he's just- he's in there.

[40:46] Patrick: He just never has, like, a solo in it.

[40:48] Alyssa: He doesn't have to have a solo in every song.

[40:51] Patrick: Hey!

[40:53] Alyssa: But, yes.

[40:54] Patrick: Tell that to the writer, is that right?

[40:59] Alyssa: I get it.

[40:59] Patrick: I understand.

[41:01] Alyssa: Let's see.

[41:03] Alyssa: Get It Right.

[41:03] Patrick: I actually love Get It Right.

[41:06] Alyssa: I do.

[41:07] Patrick: And Get It Right Lost to Forget You.

[41:09] Alyssa: Yes.

[41:09] Patrick: I- that was a very difficult one for me because I like both.

[41:12] Alyssa: I like both of those songs very much.

[41:15] Patrick: Get It Right was peak me as a teenager wailing out sadness at 17 with Rachel.

[41:22] Alyssa: Yeah.

[41:23] Patrick: So-

[41:23] Alyssa: But have you considered the goop of it all?

[41:26] Patrick: The goop.

[41:27] Alyssa: Like, if you had to vote, what would you vote for?

[41:29] Patrick: It would be difficult.

[41:30] Alyssa: It would be very hard for me.

[41:32] Patrick: I- god.

[41:35] Alyssa: I- I think for my teenage self, I'd have to vote for Get It Right, but I would be very sad about it because I do love Forget You. I think it's great.

[41:44] Alyssa: Um, let's see.

[41:46] Alyssa: Simple Ones.

[41:48] Alyssa: I'm a crier.

[41:49] Patrick: I love Cry, too.

[41:50] Alyssa: Cry.

[41:51] Patrick: Same.

[41:51] Alyssa: Loved Cry.

[41:52] Patrick: I'm a- I think-

[41:53] Alyssa: Why am I, like, forgetting all of these comp-

[41:56] Patrick: Cry, Lost to Nasty Rhythm Nation.

[41:58] Alyssa: Right.

[41:59] Patrick: Okay.

[41:59] Alyssa: Yes.

[41:59] Patrick: And again, I- I thought that was pretty even, to be honest.

[42:04] Alyssa: I- I just like Cry again, I think, because I like sad Rachel songs, because that was very relatable to me as a teenager.

[42:13] Alyssa: Let's see.

[42:14] Alyssa: From round two.

[42:15] Alyssa: Oh, this is one, because, like, I actually love- there's some Santolos that went home that I love.

[42:19] Patrick: I really, really do.

[42:20] Alyssa: I love Girl on Fire a lot.

[42:23] Patrick: Oh, yeah?

[42:24] Alyssa: Yeah, that-

[42:24] Patrick: She doesn't get shouted out very often.

[42:27] Alyssa: To me, it's, like, the context is great. It fits her story from that time period, like, perfectly.

[42:33] Alyssa: Um, and I just- I- I think it's great.

[42:35] Alyssa: I- I think the visuals are really nice, like, of her, like, going to New York. I just find it very beautiful.

[42:40] Patrick: Um, so, yeah.

[42:42] Alyssa: Sad about that.

[42:44] Alyssa: I like my- like, Girl on Fire and Mine, I think, are two of my favorites, along with, uh, Songbird, and-

[42:51] Patrick: Yeah.

[42:52] Alyssa: Yeah.

[42:53] Patrick: No, it's-

[42:54] Alyssa: Amazing.

[42:54] Patrick: Yeah.

[42:54] Alyssa: Um, Born This Way.

[42:57] Patrick: That was hard for me, too.

[42:59] Alyssa: That was very difficult for me.

[43:01] Patrick: Born This Way, Lost to We Are Young.

[43:03] Alyssa: I'm standing on business.

[43:04] Patrick: It's not clocking to you that, like, We Are Young, so-

[43:08] Alyssa: I don't understand why people-

[43:10] Patrick: Are you people that don't like We Are Young?

[43:13] Alyssa: You know, it's- it's funny that you bring this up, because, like, I feel like if there's one song that really, like, changed the game-

[43:21] Patrick: Changed everything?

[43:23] Alyssa: Changed everything.

[43:25] Patrick: Honestly, like, I- I think about We Are Young.

[43:28] Alyssa: We Are Young.

[43:29] Patrick: Wait, were you gonna say We Are Young?

[43:31] Alyssa: I would say We Are Young.

[43:32] Patrick: And also, I think that Lea Michele and Jake Shane would also say the same thing.

[43:36] Alyssa: Yeah.

[43:36] Patrick: Oh my god, wait, what?

[43:37] Alyssa: And I did watch your whole- your whole episode with Connor.

[43:39] Patrick: I listened to the whole thing.

[43:40] Alyssa: Three hour, uh, with Connor.

[43:43] Broadway Podcast Network: Welcome back to Gleek of the Week!

[44:04] Broadway Podcast Network: Today, we’re diving into the dichotomy of Klaine with our guests Alyssa and Patrick.

[44:32] Broadway Podcast Network: It’s going to be a heated discussion as we explore both sides of the Klaine debate.

[44:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Let’s get started!

[45:22] Broadway Podcast Network: First up, we’ll talk about Klaine’s representation on the Glacket.

[45:42] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, as the Pro-Klaine representative, what are your thoughts?

[46:02] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, as the Anti-Klaine representative, how do you respond?

[46:22] Broadway Podcast Network: We’ll also touch on some fun trivia about Lord Tubbington.

[46:42] Broadway Podcast Network: So, stick around for that!

[47:02] Broadway Podcast Network: Now, let’s jump into the first song of the episode.

[47:22] ♪ Musical number: "Brave" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[47:42] Broadway Podcast Network: That was a powerful performance!

[48:02] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, what do you think makes that song so impactful for Klaine?

[48:22] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, how do you feel about it from the Anti-Klaine perspective?

[48:42] Broadway Podcast Network: Let’s discuss how this song fits into their storyline.

[49:02] Broadway Podcast Network: Next, we’ll move on to another song that really changed everything on Glee.

[49:22] ♪ Musical number: "I Know Where I've Been" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[49:42] Broadway Podcast Network: That was incredible!

[50:02] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, how do you think this song resonates with the themes of acceptance in Klaine’s relationship?

[50:32] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, what’s your take on its significance?

[50:52] Broadway Podcast Network: We’ll also be looking at “Keep Holding On” next.

[51:12] ♪ Musical number: "Keep Holding On" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[51:32] Broadway Podcast Network: Such an emotional performance!

[51:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, how does this song reflect the struggles Klaine faces?

[52:12] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, do you think it adds to the narrative against Klaine?

[52:32] Broadway Podcast Network: We’re getting into some deep discussions here!

[52:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Now, let’s talk about “The Boy is Mine.”

[53:12] ♪ Musical number: "The Boy is Mine" — performed by the Glee Cast ♪

[53:32] Broadway Podcast Network: That was a fun twist!

[53:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, how do you see this song fitting into the Klaine dynamic?

[54:12] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, what’s your perspective on its impact?

[54:32] Broadway Podcast Network: We’re almost at the end of our episode, but there’s still so much to cover!

[54:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Let’s wrap up with some final thoughts from both of you.

[55:12] Broadway Podcast Network: Alyssa, what’s your closing argument for Pro-Klaine?

[55:32] Broadway Podcast Network: And Patrick, what do you want to leave us with for Anti-Klaine?

[55:52] Broadway Podcast Network: Thank you both for joining us today!

[56:12] Broadway Podcast Network: It’s been a fantastic discussion on the dichotomy of Klaine.

[56:32] Broadway Podcast Network: Don’t forget to check out our Patreon for more content!

[56:52] Broadway Podcast Network: And be sure to rate us five stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

[57:12] Broadway Podcast Network: Until next time, keep gleeking out!

[57:32] Broadway Podcast Network: Bye!

[57:52] Broadway Podcast Network: See you next week!

[58:18] Alyssa: Oh, like, I thought you were talking about, like, songs.

[58:21] Patrick: Oh, not really. I mean, sure, like, there were kind of some episodes. I do find that, like, if the episode's really bad, but it has good songs, I don't tend to really like those songs too much. But this was kind of an arc that you were starting to get interested in it, and then the vocals were happening, and Santana and Rachel were singing, and um, it kind of, like, revived me after a rough few episodes. So yeah, I like this one, and I think it's a highlight of season five. Yeah.

[58:57] Alyssa: I totally agree. Like, I think that, you know, obviously, season five started, and they were just like, uh-oh, what do we do now? And then, I don't know, like, once Frenemies kicked in, I was like, ooh, they spent some time on this one. And, uh, and I like it. I like Brave. Alyssa, what do you think?

[59:18] Patrick: Um, the biggest thing that I had in my head during that song was the enunciation. No. Was the enunciation of, honestly, I've always thought that when they sing this song, they, and this happens in a lot of songs, where there would be a word or, like, a phrase that I actually didn't know what the song said, and then in Glee, they're very, they enunciate all their words very well.

[59:42] Alyssa: Wait, not to put you on the spot right now.

[59:46] Patrick: Oh, yeah, go ahead. Well, they just say, honestly, instead of honestly, like, uh, Sara Bareilles sings it. Um, I just find that interesting. It's an interesting choice.

[59:54] Alyssa: Huh. Yeah, that's interesting. I need to re-listen to that.

[1:00:00] Patrick: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I really, um, I really like this a lot. Um, I'm just thinking about that girl, that girl Naya. I really do love her a lot. And I'm just like, dang, I don't know.

[1:00:17] Alyssa: Yeah.

[1:00:25] Patrick: And, uh, I don't know. I'm also just, like, curious, and maybe this is, like, wrong for me to be curious, but, like, I'm curious, like, what Lea Michele thinks, like, I just want her to say, when, if asked the question, favorite thing about Naya Rivera? I want to hear her response. I just want to know something about their relationship, because, like, they were cordial for a while. And then they wrote this, this plot that was like, okay, we're kind of, uh, playing with fire. We're playing what's true to these two actresses. And then we're just playing a little bit too close to home.

[1:01:01] Alyssa: Um, so I'm not really sure what I'm saying. But I'm just curious.

[1:01:07] Patrick: They ate kale together on Lea's couch.

[1:01:16] Alyssa: Is that true?

[1:01:16] Patrick: Yeah. Did you not read Naya Rivera's memoir?

[1:01:21] Alyssa: You know what? You're outing me right now. I did not read Naya Rivera's memoir. Sorry, not sorry. I only read the Gleam Hearts. Um, I listened to, uh, yeah, I listened to, like, the, like, they uploaded to YouTube, like, a bunch of, like, the YouTube clip, like, the, uh, clips of the audiobook, where she's talking about, like, Cory, and she's talking about, uh, old dog, old dogs, new tricks, and everything. Um, I've listened to them a few times over. But you know what? You would think I would have done it, but I'm coming clean. It turns out Patrick is Santana's client, after all.

[1:01:49] Patrick: Yeah. Wow. Wow.

[1:01:58] Alyssa: Um, what else do we have to add about Brave? Um, I mean, I was also thinking about Naya this week. It's a, yeah, it's a tough week, like, between Cory and Naya. So I was admittedly, like, on the subject of Glee, like, thinking of things to talk about. That did pop up in my brain, because of this week. So it was nice to see her.

[1:02:16] Patrick: Yeah.

[1:02:22] Alyssa: It's always so sad, because, like, you kind of forget it happens, but you don't, because we talk about it a lot. And we listened to Glee, and, like, we, we remember that it happened. But then, like, all the news articles pop up, or it's, like, five years since, you know, Glee actresses horrific death, you're like, Oh, yeah, like, that happened. And it was awful.

[1:02:39] Patrick: And it's, it's strange, because we engage with this media so much. And so intimately, like within this community, that it just, like, never really feels any better as time goes on, because like, you don't, it's not like a show that you loved, and then you forgot about it. And then every once in a while, you're reminded, oh, yeah, like that actress died. It's like, we actively listen and watch and everything like that.

[1:03:04] Alyssa: Yeah, it's kind of like, a constant state of remorning when you're reminded of it.

[1:03:11] Patrick: Exactly. Like, you almost feel like the sense of ownership that like, when you see an article, like, oh, it's been five years since, you know, Naya. And it's like, you don't even like, you know, like, people, most people are not thinking about it. And then they'll like, see it and be like, Oh, oh, yeah, that did happen. But like, yeah, it's, it feels so I don't know.

[1:03:32] Alyssa: Yeah, you're right. I'm, I'm just reiterating your points. But honestly, I agree. Like, it's, it feels so much I don't want to because it's like, it feels disrespectful to say it feels more real for us, because I can't imagine how it felt for them, for everybody in the cast. But yeah, it's different. It's different.

[1:03:50] Patrick: And it's so it I have so many different thoughts about around it. Because like, there are there are times where I'm like, I think it's it's so different than like, Corey's passing. Because it's like, Corey's passing is baked into the show. The show that whereas like with Naya, it's like, okay, I'm enjoying this. I'm not distracted by her not being there because she's there the entire time. And that's really great.

[1:04:16] Alyssa: And so then but then like, I catch myself like, there are like, maybe like, once a month, once every like two months or whatever, that I will just like, go down a rabbit hole of just like everything around July 2020. And just like, just like soak in it and just be like, so fucking depressed about it.

[1:04:35] Patrick: And I really don't think I was like thinking about it the other day, I was like, I don't think that I would be doing this right now. If like, I didn't feel like some sort of like, I really hated the conversation around Glee in 2020. Specifically, that like with parts of the Leah parts of, you know, the Naya, and like, just like the way that people were like, misunderstanding the show just generally. And so I'm like, in a way, her passing did kind of give leverage for this stupid little project where I got to like meet so many great people, including yourselves, of course, that like, it's, it's just like, it's a really weird relationship that I'm like, I don't think that I would have obvious like, it wouldn't have led me to have like, as much like nuanced opinions around this show that I think that like, I would have continued because that was a really weird spot with my liking of Glee immediately after it ended in 2015 to 2020. That was like, I kind of wanted to like, rid myself of it in a way. But it was calling my name again in the pandemic. And so I don't know, my thoughts around it.

[1:06:05] Alyssa: Yeah, no, like, I think I always like when people would call it, you know, like a cursed show, like, oh, is that show cursed? Like, I would always not like I get so upset that I wouldn't have a proper rebuttal. And I always just like, yeah.

[1:06:18] Patrick: Well, they those people like don't actually want to have a conversation, right? They just are like, oh, that show is bad, or that show is this or that show is this and I really appreciate like this podcast and recovering Gleek because it helped me see that there were people that agreed with me, you know, even 10, 5-10 years later, after Glee ended, because I've always been fighting an uphill battle with like people in my life not liking Glee. I had like a large friend group that liked it. And then a lot of them like, stopped liking it. And then, you know, like, I've just had just a lot of people kind of questioning, like, why are you? Why are you so obsessed with that show?

[1:07:02] Alyssa: Yeah.

[1:07:02] Patrick: So I appreciate having the community here. So yeah.

[1:07:08] Alyssa: But then there are times that I'm like, it pops up. It's like, there's stupid shit about Glee every single day that reaches non Gleeks that I'm like, it, it's nice that it's like, okay, this thing tied the wagon to it's, you guys can't stop talking about it.

[1:07:15] Patrick: Yeah. So anyway, I'm still talking about it in 2025. Like, that's the crazy thing about the show.

[1:07:21] Alyssa: Yeah, yeah. Patrick, do you have any thoughts about the brave discourse is really bravely gone into a treacherous territory?

[1:07:33] Patrick: Yeah.

[1:07:39] Alyssa: Do I have any discourse on the brave?

[1:07:44] Patrick: No, I mean, um, yeah, I agree with everything as you're saying, and I think I find comfort in like, talking to fellow like minded Gleeks. Sure, we may disagree on some superficial things like claim. But deep down, we're genuinely all all the same. No, um, yeah, well, Andrew, I like that you said that, like, you kind of did this podcast as a way of like, having ownership over, like, your feeling toward this show, because that's what Jenna and Kevin kind of kept saying. It's like, we're kind of taking back the discourse. But in a sense, you did that as well. And you did it even before them. So it was, I think, a really comforting thing for a lot of us to latch on to when a lot of us found it in 2020 2021, when you got the podcast started.

[1:08:27] Alyssa: So yeah, it's weird, because you, you see her in the show. And I think that's why it's like, so jarring to me, because it's like, I still see her in every episode, three seasons, six.

[1:08:40] Patrick: Yeah. And like, it Yeah, it does kind of feel just so strange. But I mean, in terms of brave, like, I think her vocals sound really great.

[1:08:55] Alyssa: And like, Oh, great. Yes. Great, great segue. It's just like, you know, how many times on the podcast can we say that we just love her so much? And like, this is like a perfect example where she just shines so bright in this number and her acting with her face and her vocals, really stunning.

[1:09:14] Patrick: One note that I had that I would use some help could use some help remembering because I've never watched the show, apparently, is I can tell you this, this scene happened after she was cast as an understudy. Or before?

[1:09:28] Alyssa: This is no, not first song in the episode, because I think that's whenever I call you friend. But brave is, I think this is like the planting of the seed that like Santana

[1:09:46] Patrick: like, yeah, yeah, she's like, she was up close and personal with Rachel spotlight. And then she was like, actually, understudy auditions. Samia. Is that her intention, though? Or is it just because Rachel was like being annoying? Like what? Remind me like, what was your true intention? In the context of this episode?

[1:10:01] Alyssa: She didn't have like a, like a, she wasn't sure what she wanted to do overall in this season, right? Like, and she saw the opportunity and she took it.

[1:10:14] Patrick: Yeah, yeah. Um, where? Oh, my gosh, why do I feel like I was like watching? I was watching like a scene from like earlier in the series where like, she, like says, like very clearly that she does like not want to be on Broadway, maybe I feel like it was like lights out or something that she was like talking about, like, she doesn't want to be on Broadway, and then sure enough, next season.

[1:10:36] Alyssa: Um, but, uh, yeah, does that answer your question, Patrick?

[1:10:41] Patrick: Yeah, it does. Because, um, I couldn't remember like, was this? But now that I'm, I'm saying out loud, of course, this was before, because before Santana. Yeah, they were cordial and not like, whatever. Okay, anyway.

[1:11:05] Alyssa: Um, yeah, I, I like this one. But at the same time, like, I think there are so many songs that are still left in the glacket that could for sure beat this one. But this is like, kind of like, in the upper echelon of like the bottom half of what's left in my glacket to me, I think. Because there's really specific where it's placed, right? There's so many good ones still that like, I could totally see this one going. But if we pull one that's kind of forgettable, like I would for sure rally behind this song.

[1:11:31] Patrick: What did it beat? Because I have a weird feeling.

[1:11:39] Alyssa: Great question. Where did I put my tab? In round two, it went against, oh, Girl on Fire. There we go. I was like, yeah, it was in my brain for some reason.

[1:11:45] Patrick: And then in round one, it won against Hold It Against Me, which I, Hold It Against Me, I feel like is like, I like it. So forgettable, though. No one's talking about it.

[1:12:00] Alyssa: How do you feel about it, Patrick?

[1:12:04] Patrick: Patrick, you just found out. Once again, look up no one in the dictionary. I love Hold It Against Me. But yeah, I mean, one of the more forgettable Britney numbers of the two episodes. But I think that, I don't know, maybe I would have voted for this over Hold It Against Me. But now I have a little bit of a target on the back of Brave.

[1:12:27] Alyssa: No, I'm going to say I'm going to say something really nice about Brave. I think that Brave does something really interesting and fun with the arrangement that Brave, if you recall, just like Roar, a song that it was always compared to, was constantly being played on the radio. But Brave, like the Sarah Burrell's radio version, I almost felt like it was like two

[1:12:53] Patrick: Powerful. It was like boom boom boom. You know what I mean? The instrumental was so overpowering, I could actually listen to the lyrics. Like you were saying, Alyssa, I was hearing every word. And I enjoyed that and I wasn't being overcome with, you know, I guess, the instrumental. You know? That's fair. Yeah, it has a light piano on it, I think, instead. Right? It's also nice that it's a duet. It does a little something special with it. Yeah, it's fun. That's cute.

[1:13:29] Alyssa: Do you want to play another song?

[1:13:30] Patrick: Sure. Yeah. Okay, here we go. Oh, interesting competition alert. I'm excited. This is already better than Crush versus Feliz Navidad, so I'm happy. We're looking at Rachel. It's season one. Yeah.

[1:13:47] Alyssa: Yeah. Oh, God. I'm bad with season one.

[1:13:52] Patrick: Bill screens. Alyssa, do you have any guesses?

[1:13:55] Alyssa: She's mad. I don't know. I'm not sure. Is it hello?

[1:14:01] Patrick: It's not hello. Oh, you mean like hello, goodbye?

[1:14:05] Alyssa: Like, um, no. Yeah. Oh, gives you how?

[1:14:09] Patrick: Yes. Yeah, that's what I was. Okay. Yeah. Okay. That's my guess.

[1:14:14] Alyssa: That was my guess, too. Okay. Do you want me to reveal?

[1:14:18] Patrick: Sure. Yes, it is. Keep Holding On, season one version.

[1:14:24] Alyssa: Oh, I really kept a lot in there.

[1:14:29] Patrick: Okay, you had some facial reactions, particularly to the end. When Finn grabs both of their hands, both Quinn and Rachel. Oh, my God, did it do something to me? I don't know what emotion just went through my body, but it did something. Wow, I love season one. But sometimes when I look back at season one, or I watch it, I'm like, oh, you know, like, I'm waiting for, you know, it to get a little more exciting, get some more characters from the background to come to the foreground, because so much of season one is the adults, which I know has been talked about quite a few times in this podcast, where that's what makes the rewatch kind of jarring. We're like, Oh, this is all about. Oh, I forgot.

Well, I'm on Sue and Terry, right? But then you watch a number like this, or even watch an episode like this. And it's just like, oh, that's what made the show. So good was just like how high stakes drama, but earnest and unique and fun this show was. I love watching that performance back, especially watching it in the context of a Gleek of the Week episode where I kind of have to really pay close attention and critique it because sometimes I pick up on things that I haven't really seen before, unless I'm like watching for having a conversation about it. All of them have the most like dramatic faces on like the people who are most involved in the story at this point are Rachel, Quinn, Finn. They're the ones who are kind of had like the most turmoil in the episode.

But everyone, even like Santana and like Kurt, if you look at their faces in this episode, it looks like they're acting. They're like, I am concerned about what's happening in my friend group of people I've only known for a few weeks or months. So yeah, I guess it's all to say people who are listening to this episode should definitely watch this mp4 because it was quite fun because I haven't really watched this particular scene in a while and I really, really loved it very, very much.

[1:16:50] Alyssa: Can I say something?

[1:16:51] Patrick: Sure.

[1:16:52] Alyssa: That was beautiful, Patrick. Really, really wonderful.

[1:16:57] Patrick: I'm so scared.

[1:16:58] Alyssa: No, you should be actually. Are you gonna vote for Braylon?

[1:17:02] Patrick: I'm not voting right now.

[1:17:04] Alyssa: You're not voting yet. But like I Keep Holding On, there are very few Glee songs that like, I understand like the main population of Gleeks like, but like I just don't get this one. I really like, I want to get it for some reason. It like, what was the other one that I felt like it was recently? Like, Thriller Heads Will Roll, kind of like, kind of crazy, appeases to straight. And I think that Keep Holding On, season one appeases to straight, to heterosexuality in a way that I can't, I don't know how to describe fully. But like, I just, I think I associate that song with heterosexuality.

[1:17:46] Patrick: I think it's because it was so...

[1:17:48] Alyssa: Oh, go ahead.

[1:17:49] Patrick: What if I told you that Diana Agron got nominated for an Emmy for this episode?

[1:17:54] Alyssa: She didn't.

[1:17:56] Patrick: Oh, okay. What if I just... You should have.

[1:18:01] Alyssa: What if I lied? No, I really want to get this. So if like, if Patrick, you were on the path to making me like... I will see how much more convincing I need to do after we hear what Alyssa has to say, because I need to know what camp you fall on, Alyssa. Do I have an ally in this chat? Or do I not have an ally in this chat?

[1:18:25] Alyssa: So I, back when Glee aired, I actually didn't watch season one when it came out. I started with season two. But now I will say, okay, okay. I watched this and I got, I was almost getting emotional. Like there was something about it that just really hit me today. I don't know what it was. I don't know if it was like, I don't know if it was like, Finn, or if it was just, I don't know, Rachel, really, her eyes were really big and sad. Kind of like, appealed to me today. And like, I don't know, I was just thinking about how and maybe this is why you feel this way, Andrew, is that it this was a very mainstream song. Also, I mean, it was the Glee Project going away song.

[1:19:14] Patrick: Yeah. Every single episode.

[1:19:16] Alyssa: Yes. Which should give this points, no?

[1:19:20] Patrick: Um, no, because you hear it so many times during the Glee Project.

[1:19:24] Alyssa: That's what I'm thinking that I'm like, it's like a good bit of like, keep honing on at the end. And the Glee Project gives straight to you, right? Okay.

[1:19:32] Patrick: The Glee Project is kind of, if I were to assign a sexuality to it.

[1:19:34] Alyssa: Wait, if I look at the winners.

[1:19:38] Patrick: Yeah, the winners, though.

[1:19:41] Alyssa: No, Glee Project is heterosexual.

[1:19:45] Patrick: Yeah, okay.

[1:19:46] Alyssa: As much as I do want it to be.

[1:19:49] Patrick: That backfired. Okay.

[1:19:50] Alyssa: Backfired so bad. Alyssa, I've been nothing but supportive of you this whole episode.

[1:19:55] Patrick: No, no. It was a good attempt.

[1:20:00] Alyssa: Okay, I okay. So like, yes, I'm not like, completely heartless. I was watching the performance. And I'm like, it's very, it's like, very cute. And like, it's nice that they're all banding together. I also really like all I like when they do the thing of like, they're all wearing the same color or same theme. But they're all like, specifically wearing their own great version of that point that does not happen in Brave.

[1:20:26] Patrick: But it does happen in this number. I agree. Andrew, that's a great point.

[1:20:29] Alyssa: Wait, what? How does it? How does it not happen in Brave? What do you mean?

[1:20:32] Patrick: They're all wearing different colors, not the same color.

[1:20:37] Alyssa: Yeah. I mean, I'm just saying, I agree. I love it when Glee does that when I like similar color, but not the same thing. That's great. I don't like it when numbers everyone's wearing a different outfit. Please. You don't like that. Please remember, remember what we like. We do not like that. Um, one point in Keep Holding On, one point not in Brave. Okay, what else?

[1:21:01] Alyssa: And I just wanted to specifically shout out Tina. I thought that Tina's fit was very, very cute. And she had like a little like, a little bow and a little bow. Oh my God, so, so, so cute.

[1:21:13] Patrick: Where were the little bows in Brave?

[1:21:16] Alyssa: Do we want to just vote? Because I think I'm like, I'm already throwing in the towel.

[1:21:20] Patrick: No, no, no, no, no. I, I'm actually I'm a little surprised, Andrew, that you don't like this one. But there's also, there's also been some season one, ones that kind of have like a similar, like sentimentality focus that kind of haven't gone through on the blacket. Like I'm thinking about My Love Would Suck Without You, like, to me, kind of like iconic season one, kind of tugs at your heartstrings a little bit that just didn't...

[1:21:45] Alyssa: To help your argument, I'm also thinking about One by U2.

[1:21:49] Patrick: Sure.

[1:21:50] Alyssa: That's a good one.

[1:21:52] Patrick: I like some sentimentality. Honestly, I do. Like I didn't, again, I didn't even watch season one when it came out. It's not nostalgic to me in the same way that it is for other people. But this makes me feel nostalgic somehow, anyway.

[1:22:12] Alyssa: Well, Andrew also didn't watch this live. I'm the only one.

[1:22:15] Patrick: I didn't watch it live. Yeah.

[1:22:16] Alyssa: So I feel like someone who's an actual Glee fan who watched this episode live.

[1:22:23] Patrick: That might happen. I think that you're actually onto something that I think that like, if I had watched it live, if I had staked in the game, if I was like, oh my God, I need to know. I can't wait until next week to find out how the Quinn baby drama will continue. Then I think that maybe I would be, I would have a different opinion than I do right now. Because I already had the entire season one DVD. I was just running through it. I was like, Keep Holding On, I want to, I want to go on to the next episode. I'm ready.

[1:22:46] Alyssa: Andrew's Glee season one DVDs are ran through.

[1:22:49] Patrick: Ran through.

[1:22:50] Alyssa: He's watched it 50 times, just analyzing all of these little bow ties.

[1:22:56] Patrick: The bow ties. I guess the thing with Brave though, is that it is really good.

[1:23:02] Alyssa: Yeah.

[1:23:03] Patrick: So if I think about vocals, and maybe what's more pleasant to my ears, Brave would probably win. One of the notes that I had about this one is the first few lines from both Rachel and Finn do sound like kind of the classic season one, a little auto-tuned slash they haven't really, especially Leah didn't really totally get the pop singer thing. She's like, we're not alone. Together we stand. It's like, it's kind of like, but in a sense to me, that adds a little bit of the charm to it, as opposed to season five's like, vocal production to the max, like really good could be on the radio and you wouldn't know it's like a Glee song.

[1:24:08] Alyssa: Well, see, that feels like a character choice. It feels like a character choice over in Brave when I was saying like, she's saying honest, honestly, instead of on it. However, she said it, I didn't even think about it as like, oh, Rachel's doing that. I was like, that's Leah Michelle making some kind of...

[1:24:27] Patrick: Right. Good point.

[1:24:28] Alyssa: Wait, do either of you stream Keep Holding On, season one?

[1:24:34] Patrick: I don't stream Glee music too much. But I would stream. That's a lie, by the way.

[1:24:40] Alyssa: Oh, I didn't. I didn't. Okay.

[1:24:42] Patrick: No, no, no, no, no. I haven't recently. But then I was driving home from a bachelorette party this weekend. And my friend was like, we should listen to Glee on the way home. And we listened to Glee for two and a half hours. Wow. I loved it. But neither of these songs came up on the Glee shuffle. That's all to say that like, when I do stream Glee, or if I made like, I do have like a Glee favorite songs playlist. Yeah, this one is on there. Brave is not.

[1:25:09] Alyssa: Okay. I don't generally stream season one, just like in general. I mean, like some like, obviously, like, there's like some big ones that I do stream, but it's, it was the mp4 of this one for me. I don't know. I feel like the mp4 and that's what we're voting on. Of course, that like, that, yeah, has a little bit more weight.

[1:25:23] Patrick: Yeah, I would say a lot more weight.

[1:25:26] Alyssa: Yeah. Do we the Brave mp4 has more weight? No, I'm saying the Keep Holding On.

[1:25:31] Patrick: Oh, good, good, good, good. Yeah. Um, speaking of weight, what is Lord Tubbington's diet?

[1:25:34] Alyssa: Oh, um, he is on Atkins. Yeah. Okay. That was fantastic.

[1:25:43] Patrick: Wait, are all of the trivia questions having to do with Lord Tubbington? You know what, we'll see if I if I throw the last two in the episode at some point.

[1:25:54] Alyssa: And with that, do we want to vote? Yeah.

[1:26:00] Patrick: I don't think you have to worry, Patrick. Okay, okay. Okay. I was gonna say, do I do any convincing? Okay, I will vote for Keep Holding On, Gleecast version by Gleecast. Um, I just like the song better. It's Brave. I just like it. Okay. All right. It's fair. I like the way that the song sounds. They sound really nice on it. Really good. And I like it. It just does sound like the Michelle and I Rivera had a nice time in the booth. And they did. But I'm gonna I'm gonna vote for Keep Holding On.

[1:27:00] Alyssa: Okay, it's a Canada. I think this is the first time that Andrew you've lost as the only person in a competition that we've joined together.

[1:27:06] Patrick: Has it ever been that you lost? And I won? Usually we will be together or you vote.

[1:27:11] Alyssa: I don't even know how to look up that stat. But like, Elijah, no, um, I know that voting stat. No, please. No, but I can't think of a time where you've been the one who's left disappointed from a competition we did together. Feels nice.

[1:27:24] Patrick: Um, wait, are you sad about this one? Like, are you gonna?

[1:27:28] Patrick: Like, I don't know. I guess it will depend on who the people will be for that song, because I can't carry it any further. I'm done. If it dies in round four, especially if it's something good, that's fine. But I'm happy to see it go forward. But I feel like there's going to be quite a few Gleeks who are in your camp, Andrew. But I think that there's, I think there'll be more with me and Alyssa.

[1:27:55] Alyssa: I think so, too.

[1:27:56] Patrick: I think I agree. I'm not as I'm not as for the season four one. But I don't think I think that the Instagram Gleeks will also it will reflect positively for you for y'all. Yeah.

[1:28:09] Andrew: Is the season five version still on the blackout?

[1:28:11] Patrick: No, that famously got shut out by Ice Ice Baby this round.

[1:28:18] Alyssa: And Ice Ice Baby famously not straight.

[1:28:22] Patrick: Oh, I see what you're doing. You're using my words against me. Ice Ice Baby, yes, is straight. But I think that we can like reclaim it.

[1:28:33] Alyssa: Straight on straight crime.

[1:28:35] Patrick: Yeah, I say, yes. Yeah. But like, I think that Ice Ice Baby is gay straight, whereas Keep Holding On season five is straight straight. Does that make sense?

[1:28:44] Alyssa: That is really straight. That is like you can't get more straight than that.

[1:28:47] Patrick: Yeah. Honestly.

[1:28:49] Alyssa: Okay. Okay.

[1:28:51] Patrick: We're finding the gayest song on Glee. Not the best one.

[1:28:56] Alyssa: That's a fun Glecky, too.

[1:28:58] Patrick: Okay, so second competition alert. Oh, season one.

[1:29:05] Alyssa: Oh, Clayton, not not present. Not present.

[1:29:12] Patrick: Okay.

[1:29:13] Alyssa: Um, okay.

[1:29:16] Patrick: Kurt could be present. It's so that's good.

[1:29:18] Alyssa: Is this a good one?

[1:29:20] Patrick: It is.

[1:29:20] Alyssa: Ignoring Emily's rule.

[1:29:22] Patrick: Um, it has it has a history on the Glocket. I'll say that. You're gonna know what it is.

[1:29:35] Alyssa: You know what it is?

[1:29:36] Patrick: Is it? Um, the boy is that the boy's mind?

[1:29:40] Alyssa: Because it is the boy's mind.

[1:29:41] Patrick: Oh, it is the boy's mind. I don't know why. Did that get voted back?

[1:29:47] Alyssa: It got voted back.

[1:29:47] Patrick: Yeah. Yeah, that's why I was confused because I knew it got killed. Okay.

[1:29:52] Alyssa: Yeah.

[1:29:52] Patrick: Well, the boy's mine. Hello.

[1:29:55] Alyssa: Okay. Yeah, I agree. Yeah.

[1:29:59] Patrick: If you want to know what I'm talking about, subscribe to the Patreon.

[1:30:03] Alyssa: You want to listen to that performance? Yeah. Um, Patrick, do you want to start the discourse?

[1:30:08] Patrick: Sure. Um, so this song famously lost to I feel pretty unpretty in round two toward the end. You got it.

[1:30:19] Alyssa: Okay, so, um, I actually was on the episode after that competition, and I expressed how I would have personally gone for the boy is mine. But I kind of agree, I suppose at the end of the day, about the competition. So I'm just glad this one got brought back because I really do love this one. And part of the reason I think that a lot of people like it, myself included, is that it was kind of nice first number, right? Like she had, like, was like predominant feature. Yeah, there's this before or after she had the feature in the Lady Gaga song. This would be this would be before because I think the theatricality is like third to five, like, last episode. Yeah, that's for them. Yeah. So I just think it's always exciting.

For me, the first two seasons of Glee, I think because I was watching it live in season one, a lot of times I was really curious about the rest of the characters. Because I was like, oh, like, when, like, can these people sing? Like, what's going on with them? Like, I remember at the beginning of season two, I was just so excited that people were singing besides Rachel and Will. And so then looking back at this one, I know this is a season one number. I don't know why it resonates so much for me. I know there are some other leaks like this. But like, I just get so excited by the idea of some of the other Glee cast members getting their moments to shine and then becoming more prominent. That's like a really nice, healthy, fun evolution for the show that like, really got me to get a bit more obsessed with it.

So anyway, I was really happy when she got this moment. And I think it's fun. I love all of the like, behind the scenes or like stories about this about how she came to kind of get this solo or duet because she was doing the impression and yeah, I think it's funny because when you listen to that song, The Boy is Mine, Brandy and Monica, which is great. I love love love that song. I listen to that regular version all the time. You really can see that Santana or sorry, Naya is doing kind of like a Monica impression while she's doing it. I think that's really fun. So I just really love this one for the reasons listed. But I will say, it's not one that like I need to go much farther. Like I love it a lot, but it's not super powerful to me.

Like I think that there are plenty of songs that are no brainers against this one. But I'm just happy that this one got it to round three because I love it a lot. I do have thoughts. I do want to hear from Alyssa first. What are your thoughts on this performance?

[1:33:12] Alyssa: Let's see. I feel like I have like strange detail thoughts for these instead of like overall thoughts. Mercedes was really acting like rather like Amber was really acting in this. You can see just the occasional like glances to her and you know, she had, you know, I think, you know, she had Busty Windows. She's had a few things since this point. But like, yeah, I don't know. She seems like particularly dialed in. Yeah. Yeah. And I really appreciated that. And then the other one is just the cinematography. I have this circle around. I once like in my film degree, I was like, Oh, let me like, actually just take a look at Glee's cinematography. It's a lot of this. It's a lot of going around. Yeah.

Yeah. And I was like, Oh, they just keep doing this, like in songs, to the point of where like the cinematography, honestly, like, and I also in this one, it kind of jumps, like where they'll like be halfway through the circle, and then jump back to the other circle and then jump back. And they're definitely trying to create, trying to create movement and like agitation. Yeah. But it's a little jarring. If you like kind of stare at it too long, you're like, hmm, that's a lot going on. Is that pulling points away? Or adding point? What do you? What is that doing? I honestly think it's adding points, because it kind of adds to the agitation of the song, because it, you know, it kind of just adds the overall atmosphere.

So yeah, I like it. I don't have anything against it. But again, it's like, I just I don't have that those really big feelings for season one. So it's a really great song for me. I love the way they sound on it. Yeah, I love how, you know, this is like an early, like really early Naya feature, but like, something else could beat this for me. I will say, yeah, I was thinking about, okay, because spoiler alert, I like this song. But like, in turn, I okay, I have so many season one, season one, I hate season one. No, I, I think, okay, I think that, like, it's the same thing, where it's like, as keep holding on that it's like, I wasn't watching it live. So I don't have like as much emotional resonance that I do with the with the future seasons.

And so I think that putting that disclaimer out there before I say anything else, um, the boy is mine. I understand that you can't forget your Sand City's roots, that you can't forget where we started to where we're going, that it's like, yeah, they needed to start here for us to get Adele mashup survivor, I will survive river deep mountain high, of course, that like, those things wouldn't have happened without this kind of setting the stage. Um, but I will say, I don't, I think that maybe because like Sand City's is so peak, that like, we're looking for just like a weak link. Maybe just me, I'm looking for a weak link. This is kind of the one for me. But I'm like, I'm not. I feel so bad saying that because I think the performance is really fun.

I'm just like not. I'm not loving it as much as like, I don't think that people are talking about like Dancing Queen enough that I think Dancing Queen is so much fun. Um, and I think that they sound like particularly great on that. Uh, but like the boys mine for some reason, I'm just like, I also want to bring up that in the vote back that the boys mine did when it was against one of like, one of the songs was it's all coming back to me now. And it's all coming back to me now was left in round two of the glacket. And that doesn't feel right to me. Right? Maybe we shouldn't have put it in the elimination round to begin with. But go on versus drop. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, but so there's a little chip on your shoulder for this one.

My shoulder with this and I'm like, I don't want to kind of want to get rid of it. Is that bad to say? No, I feel that way about a lot of songs. Um, I have a list if you want them. But that does make sense. I forget that this was the reason why it's all coming back to me now wasn't resurrected. Yeah. So yeah, I that makes me feel a little bit differently. But overall, like I said, people are gonna hate me for bringing that up. No, but I said in my opening statement about the song, it's like, I'm happy that it got to round three. Not because it beat it's all come back to me now and the resurrection round, but like, I, I like it, but it doesn't need to go much farther. But I do find it odd that like, we're talking about it in this way before another song before we even know what it's against. It's like, why are we off this way?

[1:38:15] Alyssa: Yeah, why are we like, shitting on this beautiful, gorgeous girl?

[1:38:23] Patrick: I know. I'm like, also, Andrew, it's okay. There can be lots of good songs, you know, like, you don't have to find the worst extreme pleasure. You can just kind of be like, Oh, like, yeah, I like some of the other songs that these two do together more, but I still like this one. That's okay.

[1:38:37] Andrew: I think that's the problem. It's round three. It's like, this song is good. It's like no one's no one's arguing that the song is bad. It's just not like any of our absolute favorites. So what sexuality are we applying to the boy's mind?

[1:38:59] Patrick: I would assume straight.

[1:39:06] Alyssa: It's straight.

[1:39:06] Patrick: Yeah, it is straight.

[1:39:09] Alyssa: Yeah, there's just something like, I don't know, straight about a little touch that could be because they're, they're fighting so hard that yeah, a little gay, just they're straight. And their gay friend asked them to take a gay quiz on BuzzFeed? And so they thought about it for a second. It's like, I guess I could be I'll take the quiz. And they're like, No, no, I'm straight. No, straight, definitely straight.

[1:39:30] Andrew: So maybe that too. I'm really curious what it's against. Are you ready? Are we doing any final words for boys? Mine?

[1:39:43] Alyssa: No, no. Yeah, I'm good.

[1:39:43] Patrick: It's gonna be this one.

[1:39:54] Alyssa: I feel pretty.

[1:39:54] Patrick: I'm pretty.

[1:39:54] Alyssa: Oh, oh.

[1:39:54] Patrick: Oh, another competition alert.

[1:39:54] Alyssa: Oh my god. Yay.

[1:39:54] Patrick: We get to talk more. Um, season six.

[1:40:07] Alyssa: Oh, I know. I know.

[1:40:07] Patrick: Here. There aren't that many of those left audio medium. We're looking at a bunch of do you know what this is?

[1:40:17] Alyssa: Okay, well, this is presumably the vocal adrenaline people sneaking in to the auditorium. Yes.

[1:40:26] Patrick: So you know what it is?

[1:40:33] Alyssa: Is it? Oh, is it a vocal adrenaline number? Or is it a New Directions or warblers number and they're watching it? Is it? Is it Mickey?

[1:40:44] Patrick: Mickey made it to round three. Is it? Is it rock lobster? When I was in fifth grade? I thought I was gay.

[1:40:50] Alyssa: Oh, no, but it's the same episode.

[1:40:50] Patrick: Okay.

[1:40:50] Alyssa: Oh, is it? Is it I'm unique song?

[1:40:50] Patrick: It's unique.

[1:41:00] Alyssa: Yeah, I know. Yes. Okay. Yeah. I mean, yeah.

[1:41:00] Patrick: Oh, can I just start to discourse on this? I'm excited.

[1:41:06] Alyssa: Please, please.

[1:41:06] Patrick: Yes. I love Alex Newell. I saw them open for Adam Lambert.

[1:41:15] Alyssa: Oh, many years ago. Yes. Yes. I love Adam Lambert a ton. And then Alex was opening for him. And it was amazing. I met Alex like in the during the intermission.

[1:41:21] Alyssa: Awesome. They're just really cool. And it was just lovely to see them here because I just find them so amazing. I, I have like mixed feelings about like the plot lines in this episode, but there's nothing wrong with this song. This song is absolutely gorgeous.

[1:41:40] Alyssa: Yeah, I, um, similarly, have confusing feelings around this plot. But like, as of recently, I feel like I've like turned a new leaf with this plot that I'm like, actually, because I assume that you're talking about a beast being

[1:42:02] Alyssa: Yes, it's a very complicated conversation. I feel as though right now, because I remember watching it live and feeling like, this feels like coming out of left field and also not true for the character. But, like, looking back 10 years later, I'm like, okay, this, I might not agree with, um, like, it being true to Beast. But it's also, like, not hurting anybody. And it's giving a platform for them to continue talking about it. Yes, they could have continued to keep Unique around and had a further discussion around transness with Unique instead of being like, hey, this character that we have lauded for being cisgender, straight woman, that is just, like, not like the other girls, and now being a trans man.

So, I don't know. And, like, I think that it's, like, it's, like, more, not to sound, like, so corny or whatever, but for the sake of sounding corny or whatever, it's, like, very important, like, now more than ever, this conversation that I'm, like, I can't really be too critical around this, if that makes sense.

[1:43:23] Patrick: No, I totally agree. It's very impactful. I feel like people need to see this now.

[1:43:29] Alyssa: Yeah. And it's, like, I know that, like, people, like, tend to be, like, okay, like, Glee didn't, like, stick the landing with so many, like, special topics, for lack of a better term. But, like, at least they were, like, doing it. They were, like, crying in, like, 2015.

[1:43:49] Patrick: No, like, I actually, I have a great story about this. My best friend also watches Glee, and she loved it. And she grew up in a very, like, a sheltered kind of Christian household, and she had never seen or met a gay person until she saw Kurt on TV. And that, like, and that really changed something for her. And now she really fights for all of that, all of that stuff. And so, like, that's, I really, when I tell, when people are, like, Glee is Black, Glee is whatever, I'm, like, do you know what Glee did, like, for, I don't, it sounds corny, too. It sounds, like, weird, but it's, like, no, do you know what Glee did for, like, culture as a whole at that time period? Before you were able to be, like, I know what a trans person, you were able to be, like, oh, I have Unique and Beast.

These two characters that, like, who doesn't like Unique or Beast? That it's, like, these are two characters that I enjoy, and, like, I want the best for them. And so, when you do meet a future person in your, in your life that is trans, that it's, like, oh, I have a little bit of context for, for who you are. So, I don't, I really love this a lot. And I also think that, like, just, like, the song in general, Hairspray or Gleecast, very impactful when you actually, like, look at the written lyrics. I just, I think that they're very, very good. Patrick, what do you think?

[1:45:26] Patrick: What do I think? I mean, I agree with you all completely. I mean, I oftentimes think it's not really my place to comment on, like, should they have done the storyline the way that they did or something, but I share a similar sentiment to both of you. I always found that even when Glee kind of fumbled around with a topic, there oftentimes were, like, good lines that really stuck with me as, like, an audience member being, like, I understand this concept or this part of, like, the human identity, but, like, my fellow humans, some of them have better because I watched this. Like, one quote from this episode that, like, helped me better understand as, like, a 20-year-old who had never met a trans person and didn't really fully understand all of it was the line where Beast goes, it's not who I go to bed with, but who I go to bed as.

Like, right now in 2025, with, like, the types of people that I've met and, like, the types of media that I engage in, you know, what my politics are, like, that sounds so very simple and obvious to me, but, like, 10 years ago, like, that, like, it was like, oh, like, that's a good way to explain it. Like, I'm on the side of these characters and, like, these people in real life, but, like, sometimes I do like it when a TV show as big as Glee finds a way to meet the audience a little bit where they're at, and so I felt like they did that pretty well or well enough with, like, this plot line where it was really centered more around, like, this is how I feel and, like, what's right for me and, like, I just want people to support me and, like, thank you for supporting me.

That's what it really was about. It wasn't about let's, you know, focus on, like, the operation of the drugs that I have to take or, like, what the implications are to, like, my relationships with people. Like, it didn't focus as much on that, which I think served the plot and the message well. So I don't know if I have complicated feelings. Like, I think it's just something that they did, and Andrew, I completely agree. It's like, I feel like we're not at the space right now where we have the luxury to kind of, like, critique representation to the degree that maybe a few years ago we were like, yeah, like, they could have done this better, whatever. Like, it kind of is, I don't know, and again, like, am I the person who should really be commenting and elaborating so much on this?

Probably not. There's probably people who have a lot better, more meaningful things to say. But I'm glad I think that, like, this exists for sure. And I think to one of the points you made earlier, or I believe both of you made it, like, just looking at this performance without the context of everything, but just knowing that this is about supporting a person in their community who is transitioning, I think it's very powerful and beautiful. And you're seeing the choir of trans people, and when you understand that, like, that's what it is, I think it's especially moving. I don't think in the actual episode, they say, by the way, this is like a trans choir. But then, like, when you understand that piece as well, it's just, you know, you get kind of, like, emotional.

Like, it's genuinely great that there's a piece of media that wanted to do these things, even if they didn't always do it in the most palatable way or the most politically correct way. Like, they did it because it was important to do, even if it felt shoehorned in, at least it was there. And this particular performance, I think is wonderful and moving. And I got kind of a little emotional watching it.

[1:49:29] Alyssa: Yeah. Yeah. But Glee, like, obviously, like, didn't do all of these things, like, 100%. Like, I can't even, like, think of one time that they were, like, 100%, like, hit it out of the park. But, like, they at least, like, tried. And so, like, I'm mostly saying this for myself, that it's, like, it's worth at least the takeaway, at least that I'm getting. It's, like, it's worth at least, like, trying and attempting to, like, have, like, a discourse or, you know, try something, even if it's, like, not going to be perfect. Because it's, like, years down the line. It's, like, yeah, I watched it in 2015. And I was, like, well, like, I was, like, 19 years old. And I'm, like, I have issues with this. But I'm, like, now I'm, like, at 29. I'm, like, actually, this is very progressive. And, like, I think that it's, you know, if this was on TV today, I can't even imagine the, I don't know, the uproarious of what would, yeah. So, yeah.

[1:50:28] Patrick: I like that they, I don't know if this conversation has been had on this podcast before. It's probably been had somewhere. I like that they chose to pursue the storyline with an adult character over a teen character. Right? Like, if, because I think that that kind of would have, like, made it so much more complex. And they wouldn't have had enough time to tell that story or, like, explore the complexities of it. Like, I think in 10 years ago, especially today, a lot of the conversation about people inserting their opinions on, like, the trans community is that they're doing it too young, or things like that. And I feel like that would have been kind of hard for them to navigate, like, as Unique transitioning in high school, versus like, this is an adult who had their, you know, bearings about themselves, and they decided to do that.

I felt like it allowed this moment to shine without all the additional layers of this is like a young person choosing to do this. Yeah, feel free to cut that if you want. But like, that's kind of like, not that I'm glad they did that way. But like, I'm, I'm, in a sense, content that they chose to do it with the Beast character over Unique, because I think it would have welcomed so much more kind of negative discourse, if they chose to pursue the storyline in the same way with Unique's character.

[1:52:29] Alyssa: I think I understand what you're okay. So like, yeah, because it's like, it's, it's, it's trans teens that like, today, is like, much more targeted than like, like, full fledged adults that are part of the trans community. So so maybe it's not like, I'm glad that they did it that way. It's just like, I feel like that was probably easier for the audience to understand and get behind and people who maybe were about it, like, it was kind of easier to do, especially because it does still ultimately feel because we're such stewards of the show, and all like the behind the scenes, like, it really does feel like they did this because they wanted to do a bigger storyline like this, because the show was ending. If the show had a season seven or season eight, I don't believe that they would have done this with Beast's character at all. So like, that's kind of I can't maybe totally erase that feeling.

[1:53:14] Patrick: Yeah. I mean, they did do they did like address a lot of things with Unique. Still, I think that they address like different things with Unique's character versus Beast's character, like with the trans community. But yeah, no, it's an interesting point.

[1:53:29] Alyssa: Um, and then also, I mean, serious conversation aside, I'm always thinking about how the hell did they coordinate this? How? What? Is there a Facebook group? Are they housing these people that are coming from out of town? Because I was like, was it like, it was a choir? I know that like, yeah, specific choir, and then I feel like it expanded out from there.

[1:53:45] Patrick: Right? No, but I'm talking about in universe.

[1:53:48] Alyssa: Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm like, are all these people? Are they paying for air travel, housing to Lima, Ohio, or just like anywhere, every time that someone comes out as trans across across the country?

[1:54:04] Patrick: I love I always got a feeling that like, they were local to Lima. But like, how many the entire choir? There's like, yeah, there's a hundred. There's hundreds of people, right?

[1:54:18] Alyssa: Yeah. I think Unique just has a lot of connections. I gotta say she she left McKinley and then she just made connections for the transfer. LinkedIn goes crazy.

[1:54:30] Patrick: Yeah. Yeah. God, what a disappointment that like, they didn't bring Unique back for the last season besides this. Like, oh, I know. I, I feel like she could have had so many other interesting storylines. She was such an interesting character. Just yeah, herself. Well, I think like, also, like comparatively to that slew of characters, I'm like, a writer. Yeah, like, you know, I think Unique really stood out amongst them. Just like the season six new cast that it's like all these characters feel very interesting and also unique. Yeah, like I like that Kitty is there. But imagine if like Unique was there instead. Yeah, I think that could be that could have been really interesting. So yeah.

[1:55:10] Alyssa: Um, do we want to vote? What do we think?

[1:55:18] Patrick: Yeah, I think I might vote. Yeah. Okay, who wants to go first?

[1:55:26] Alyssa: I went first last time. So let's go.

[1:55:28] Patrick: Yeah, I'm voting for I know where I've been. It's beautiful, wonderful, gorgeous, gorgeous girl.

[1:55:32] Alyssa: I think I have to vote the same way.

[1:55:36] Patrick: That's kind of crazy. And I think that people will be upset. But I'm also voting for I know where I've been. If you're upset by this, watch the mp4 and really just kind of like, sit with it.

[1:55:51] Alyssa: Honestly, even the mp3 just listen. I haven't even like talked about the vocals. Like, we've talked about that before. Like that note is it's crazy. Yeah, yeah. Anyway, that's I don't know if people are gonna say I don't know how this is gonna age. Anyway.

[1:56:15] Patrick: If people want to come after me for that. I don't know.

[1:56:19] Alyssa: I think that what's interesting, then is like, I guess we were attaching such a strong kind of like emotional, powerful discourse to this song. So then like, I wouldn't want anyone who would have gone the other way to feel like they're not supportive.

[1:56:36] Alyssa: It's interesting to talk about these songs in different years, right? Because it's, yeah, the last time it was pulled, you know, you could have talked about something else. The first time it's pulled, probably everything was about the vocal. Like, you know, I don't remember the episode. I'm sure you guys talked about that vocal a ton, talked about Alex maybe, you know, but like just we'll talk about one focus on different things depending on where we are at in time. It's interesting.

[1:57:06] Patrick: Yes, and the same is true for like characters who are played by people who are in public favor or not public favor at the moment. Like I feel like at the beginning of the Glacket, like we decimated every Will number because like we're hating on him and actually, where's Will? Yeah, I remember it like I had a stick up my butt about Lea when I started. It was like, it was very recent.

[1:57:35] Alyssa: But recapping this episode, are we ready to do that? I have...

[1:57:40] Patrick: Wait, okay. Yeah, I want them for ya. Let's see. Marley claims as a child her mom swore Marley was a pet psychic. What was Marley's reading on Lord Tubbington when Marley was on "Fondue for Two"?

[1:57:57] Alyssa: I don't remember any of this. I remember that, yeah, she said she thinks he wants to lose some weight and has an online gambling addiction, and then it pans to Lord Tubbington on like a poker site.

[1:58:09] Patrick: Yeah. Okay, this last one, maybe it'll be about Lord Tubbington, maybe it won't. In the episode "Guilty Pleasure," we learn of many characters' guilty pleasures that aren't actually guilty, including Kitty and Brittany's love for the "Bring It On" franchise and farting around old people, Sam's love of Barry Manilow, and the Glee girls' love for the Spice Girls. What do we learn is Lord Tubbington's guilty pleasure?

[1:58:34] Alyssa: Oh my god, wait. Lord Tubbington's guilty pleasure. It's a throwing Brittany line, but then it goes to a pan to Lord Tubbington reading a book about this topic.

[1:58:47] Patrick: Oh, that's a good hint. I don't remember at all. Is it Scientology?

[1:58:51] Alyssa: Yeah.

[1:58:52] Patrick: Why do you say that weird?

[1:58:54] Alyssa: Scientology?

[1:58:55] Patrick: Yeah.

[1:58:56] Alyssa: So those are your four Lord Tubbington trivia questions. If you ever find yourself at Glee trivia and there's Lord Tubbington questions, I hope this helps you win some money or do well.

[2:00:07] Patrick: Yeah, I love that. I tell them to Allison Dodge, right?

[2:00:13] Alyssa: You can use these.

[2:00:19] Patrick: Okay, recapping this episode. I thought "Brave" did over the course of the Glacket, but ultimately that only got her so far.

[2:00:27] Alyssa: Is that it?

[2:00:33] Patrick: Sure. Yeah, right. You were brave.

[2:00:36] Alyssa: Yeah, brave you were brave. I hope you're brave in the fiery pits of hell.

[2:00:40] Patrick: Exactly. Yeah, you're gonna need to be brave again, Satan.

[2:00:44] Alyssa: Keep holding on.

[2:00:46] Patrick: You could see 'cause you're gonna make it through. You're gonna make it through to round four.

[2:00:50] Alyssa: Um, that was simple. "The Boy Is Mine."

[2:00:59] Patrick: The boy is...

[2:01:06] Alyssa: The boy is...

[2:01:09] Patrick: The boy is no longer mine in round four.

[2:01:17] Alyssa: Yeah, the boy... no one's... no.

[2:01:19] Patrick: The boy is theirs.

[2:01:21] Alyssa: The boy...

[2:01:23] Patrick: The boy belongs...

[2:01:25] Alyssa: To hell, I don't know.

[2:01:29] Patrick: Um, I know where I've been and I know where she's going to round...

[2:01:35] Alyssa: Yay!

[2:01:39] Patrick: Incredible. Where can the Gleeks find you if they want to?

[2:01:42] Alyssa: The Gleeks can find me on... and stuff if they want to know. Just find me. Just find me.

[2:01:51] Patrick: Type in claim anti-Klaine, anti-Klaine claim, it'll just pop up his face.

[2:02:02] Alyssa: Just realizing that, yeah, all four songs, nothing, nothing, not even... I saw Kurt in... Was Blaine even in any of these numbers? I didn't see Darren Criss once today.

[2:02:15] Patrick: Wow. No, it's when you manifest it sometimes. I don't know when you manifest it, they stay away. They're gone.

[2:02:22] Alyssa: What's Kurt and Blaine present for "I Know Where I've Been"?

[2:02:34] Patrick: Kurt was there. I was there, but like he could have been like further in the background. I'm not sure. I just clocked Kurt.

[2:02:44] Alyssa: Interesting. Yeah, he must have been there, right? Nobody missed that.

[2:02:50] Patrick: Well, 'cause he could have been not there. Yeah, he could have like very well been not there because he was doing Warbler stuff. He was at Kirovsky's kickball game.

[2:03:01] Alyssa: Yeah, he was cheering him on. He was like, yeah.

[2:03:06] Patrick: Like we really wish perhaps here. We know we didn't really give our closing statements, not saying that we have to about Klaine or anti-Klaine.

[2:03:15] Alyssa: Mm-hmm, but I mean we just brought up the fact that Blaine dated Kirovsky.

[2:03:24] Patrick: I mean I could go... I'm not gonna go on a tangent 'cause we're at the end of the episode, but what I really...

[2:03:28] Alyssa: No, go ahead.

[2:03:34] Patrick: No, no more cat questions. No more Klaine. I'm tired.

[2:03:40] Alyssa: I do have one thought on that.

[2:03:42] Patrick: Uh-huh.

[2:03:43] Alyssa: It is that I think it was great that Blaine dated somebody else in that part of the show.

[2:03:49] Patrick: I agree, he needed to date somebody else.

[2:03:52] Alyssa: He and Kurt by that point were not good for each other, and I can fully, like as a Klaine Stan, I was like, please...

[2:04:00] Patrick: My Klaine divorce theory is really strong.

[2:04:03] Alyssa: I love that. I will talk about that in a different episode, but I'm fully on the train that they're not together, divorced in the reboot.

[2:04:09] Patrick: Yeah, oh for sure because like who has custody?

[2:04:13] Alyssa: Oh wait, they had a child. I think it's a little custody, but somebody has...

[2:04:23] Patrick: Rachel comes back and she's like, you know what? I want the baby, pulling a Quinn. Rachel and Quinn actually raised the baby together.

[2:04:29] Alyssa: That's beautiful.

[2:04:32] Patrick: But yeah, so I thought it was great that Blaine dated somebody else. I just wish it wasn't Kirovsky. I feel like they just pulled some random person for it and they didn't realize what that decision would mean for the show.

[2:04:43] Alyssa: The whole thing with them is that like I liked them in season two because it was fun and then like the writing kind of felt forced certain times and plots felt forced, and I think that's why it's kind of like this is not like the best writing you're getting.

[2:04:57] Patrick: Like, so good to me and it's getting in the way of other things that I want to see. Like I was okay with the double weddings. It's like I don't have two weddings at the same time, then have to go through Santana and Brittany's wedding and then have another episode devoted toward like Kurt and Blaine's wedding. I was like, sure, get 'em done. Do the thing.

[2:05:19] Alyssa: So overall, Patrick, I think that talking to you, a Klaine fan, has made me be a bit more open-minded, and I think if I'm ever invited back to future episodes, maybe I'll be a little less fiery because I've spent some time really getting to know and having a really fun time recording with someone on the opposite side of the aisle.

[2:05:42] Patrick: So when we go to Thanksgiving together...

[2:05:45] Alyssa: Uh-huh.

[2:05:46] Patrick: I'm gonna have a seat next to me for Alyssa.

[2:05:54] Alyssa: Oh, yeah.

[2:05:56] Patrick: Alyssa, it is, you know, it's hard for me to debate. Actually, like in real life, I have a hard time. Like I'm usually just like, it's fine, you're good. So when I thought you did amazing.

[2:06:08] Alyssa: Thank you.

[2:06:09] Patrick: I really have like a structured debate though. It was like, no, we talked about four songs that had... Klaine, there was a Kurt. Kurt was in "Keep Holding On."

[2:06:21] Alyssa: He of course was. He was in the choir room for "The Boy Is Mine" and also did watch "I Know Where I've Been." And then Blaine, of course, was not present for any of them.

[2:06:31] Patrick: So, yeah, I would have known if he was there. I clock him immediately.

[2:06:34] Alyssa: Fuck those brows immediately, you know where Blaine is at all times.

[2:06:41] Patrick: I do. Where is he right now?

[2:06:44] Alyssa: Not what if he doesn't have custody of his child?

[2:06:47] Patrick: It's waiting. He's not with his child right now. He's writing a letter to the courtroom.

[2:06:50] Alyssa: No, I do think that Blaine has custody of his child. I think Blaine has more custody than Kurt.

[2:06:55] Patrick: I think Kurt and Blaine have him like on the weekdays.

[2:07:02] Alyssa: Like news just like connections and stuff to win. I think the police just adds like a senator.

[2:07:09] Patrick: It's not a senator or a rep. I think he's a senator. I think he becomes a senator at one point, but then I mean, I don't know where he would have been in 2020.

[2:07:15] Alyssa: Yeah, I don't know money.

[2:07:19] Patrick: Oh, geez.

[2:07:21] Alyssa: Oh, I do think I'm really thinking about Blaine and this baby. I'm like...

[2:07:26] Patrick: What I really do know about Blaine is that he is a very obsessive personality. Like he really gets attached. So I think that he was like very attached to this child.

[2:07:31] Alyssa: Yes, I agree. I mean, I think it's interesting because I think because Kurt ends up like dressing Blaine and doing a lot of those things during the relationship, but Blaine is on his own.

[2:07:45] Patrick: Yes, very controlling. He would be a very worried parent.

[2:07:51] Alyssa: Yeah, so I think he would argue for more custody at the end of the day, and Kurt's kind of a loner.

[2:07:58] Patrick: So I think he ultimately wouldn't mind. I think he probably has a few cats also. I just, that's just my envisioning for Klaine. And if they ever did a reboot...

[2:08:11] Alyssa: Kurt's not in it.

[2:08:13] Patrick: As a new Klaine fan, I don't like this discourse. I think that they live happily ever after.

[2:08:18] Alyssa: No, I think the reboot is actually like a legal drama.

[2:08:23] Patrick: I think it's primarily happening in court and it's not musical.

[2:08:28] Alyssa: Rachel and Jesse St. James are also getting divorced.

[2:08:32] Patrick: Wait, we're forgetting something really important. Sue Sylvester becomes VP, right? And she now will soon be president and she'll control all of America.

[2:08:44] Alyssa: Can't break up in that case. She will not allow them to break up.

[2:08:47] Patrick: But also if they do, she will let Klaine have everything he wants because she doesn't get Blaine.

[2:08:54] Alyssa: He doesn't, yeah, I don't really get you.

[2:08:57] Patrick: Yeah, very true. He might not have custody and be broken up about it.

[2:09:01] Alyssa: I like bringing Sue into it. That's very fun.

[2:09:05] Patrick: That is fun. I like enough. We don't always blame, blame, blame Kurt, Kurt, Klaine, Klaine, Klaine. What about Sue?

[2:09:10] Alyssa: What does Sue love Blaine?

[2:09:16] Patrick: She loves Klaine or... okay, wild.

[2:09:21] Alyssa: No, I'm actually gonna absolutely pump the brakes on that one and I'm actually gonna ask Alyssa, hey, where can people find you and the amazing artwork that you do?

[2:09:27] Alyssa: Oh, yeah, we were talking about that. So, I'm at Krooky Draws on Instagram, and we are actually... I have like a fun thing to plug. We're currently, I'm in the middle of rehearsals for a family improv show in Austin, Texas. So if anybody's in the area...

[2:09:41] Patrick: I think Gleeks, yeah, come see my show. It should be a lot of fun.

[2:09:47] Alyssa: In an interesting turn of events, in a Muppet kind of style turn of events, the theater that I'm doing this show at, Hideout Theater, got bought out, but I got their owner informed us that they would be turning the theater into a bar. So...

[2:10:08] Patrick: Oh no.

[2:10:09] Alyssa: So definitely come support the theater that I am at. They are moving, but it costs a lot, and we're just...

[2:10:13] Patrick: It costs a lot, and we're just...

[2:10:21] Alyssa: We're just a scrappy little improv theater in Austin, Texas.

[2:10:25] Patrick: I'm so sorry to hear this. If you are even remotely in the Austin area, you got to go. It's so much fun. It's got puppets, it's got sound, it's got kids making fun improv suggestions. It's gonna be great.

[2:10:41] Alyssa: I'm very jealous that I can't be there.

[2:10:43] Patrick: Um, puppet master, puppet master, but I love puppet.

[2:10:48] Alyssa: Watch puppet master. Anyway, we've been recording.

[2:10:56] Patrick: Thank you so much to both of you. This was really, really fun, thank you.

[2:11:02] Alyssa: And there's gonna be another episode next week.

[2:11:04] Patrick: Okay.

[2:11:07] Alyssa: It's Gleek of the Week.