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'{{Good article}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:Duets (''Glee'')}} {{Infobox television episode | Title = Duets | Series = [[Glee (TV series)|Glee]] | Season = 2 | Episode = 4 | Airdate = {{start date|2010|10|12}} | Production = | Guests =*[[Harry Shum, Jr.]] as [[Mike Chang]] *[[Chord Overstreet]] as [[Sam Evans]] *[[Max Adler (actor)|Max Adler]] as [[Dave Karofsky]] *James Earl as [[Characters of Glee#Azimio|Azimio]] | Writer = [[Ian Brennan (writer)|Ian Brennan]] | Director = [[Eric Stoltz]] | Music = "[[Don't Go Breaking My Heart]]"<br />"[[River Deep – Mountain High]]"<br />"[[Victor_Victoria#Musical_numbers|Le Jazz Hot!]]"<br />"[[A_Chorus_Line#Musical_numbers|Sing!]]"<br />"[[With You I'm Born Again]]"<br />"[[Lucky (Jason Mraz song)|Lucky]]"<br />"[[Happy Days Are Here Again]] / [[Get Happy (song)|Get Happy]]" | Episode list = [[List of Glee episodes|List of ''Glee'' episodes]] | Prev = [[Grilled Cheesus]] | Next = [[The Rocky Horror Glee Show]] }} "'''Duets'''" is the fourth episode of the [[Glee (season 2)|second season]] of the American television series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]'', and the 26th&nbsp;episode overall. It was written by series creator [[Ian Brennan (writer)|Ian Brennan]], directed by [[Eric Stoltz]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Glee-Season-2-1023350.aspx|title=On Set: Keeping Up the ''Glee'' in Season 2|date=September 21, 2010|first=Denise|last=Martin|work=[[TV Guide]]|accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref> and premiered on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] on October 12, 2010. The episode featured seven [[cover version]]s, including a [[Mashup (music)|mash-up]] of "[[Happy Days Are Here Again]]" and "[[Get Happy (song)|Get Happy]]" by [[Barbra Streisand]] and [[Judy Garland]], respectively. In the episode, transfer student [[Sam Evans]] ([[Chord Overstreet]]) joins the glee club. Director [[Will Schuester]] ([[Matthew Morrison]]) assigns the members to perform a duet with another classmate, and offers a prize for the best performance. The students form their duos and begin practicing, testing several relationships and initiating others; after first being recruited by [[Kurt Hummel]] ([[Chris Colfer]]), Sam ultimately finds himself partnered with [[Quinn Fabray]] ([[Dianna Agron]]). "Duets" received generally positive reviews from critics, and many praised the show for its character development and varied song choices. The episode also featured a kiss between [[Santana Lopez|Santana]] ([[Naya Rivera]]) and [[Brittany Pierce|Brittany]] ([[Heather Morris (actress)|Heather Morris]]), which was a subject of interest to many critics and led Christie Keith of [[AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com|AfterEllen.com]] to refer to the episode as "queerest episode of any series that's ever been on television".<ref name="CK"/> In its original broadcast, "Duets" was watched by 11.36&nbsp;million American viewers. It was the top-rated program of the night in the [[Nielsen ratings#Demographics|18–49&nbsp;demographic]], attaining a 4.7/13&nbsp;[[Nielsen ratings#Ratings/share and total viewers|Nielsen rating/share]]. Both viewership and ratings rose from the previous episode, "[[Grilled Cheesus]]". ==Plot== New Directions glee club director Will Schuester announces a duets assignment and competition; the prize for the winning duo is dinner at Breadstix. He tells them that club member [[Puck (Glee)|Puck]] ([[Mark Salling]]) has been sent to [[juvenile detention]] for stealing an [[Automated teller machine|ATM]], and introduces a new member, Sam Evans. Kurt suspects that Sam is gay and asks him to be his duet partner; Sam agrees. Club co-captain [[Finn Hudson]] ([[Cory Monteith]]) separately attempts to convince them not to be partners, as he fears that Sam will be bullied to the point of quitting if he sings a duet with another guy, but Sam insists on honoring his given word to Kurt, and Kurt is still angry at Finn for some homophobic comments he made when they were roommates.{{#tag:ref|This occurred in the season one episode "[[Theatricality]]".|group=nb}} After his father [[Burt Hummel|Burt]] ([[Mike O'Malley]]) points out that just as Kurt had a crush on Finn the year before, he may now be taking advantage of Sam, Kurt releases Sam from their partnership, and as his competition entry sings "[[Victor_Victoria#Musical_numbers|Le Jazz Hot!]]" from ''Victor Victoria'' in a "duet" with himself. Cheerleaders Santana and Brittany make out, but when Brittany suggests they sing [[Melissa Etheridge]]'s "[[Come to My Window]]" together, Santana refuses and trivializes their relationship. Santana believes her best chance of winning is by partnering with [[Mercedes Jones|Mercedes]] ([[Amber Riley]]), and together they sing "[[River Deep – Mountain High]]". Brittany pairs up with [[Artie Abrams|Artie]] ([[Kevin McHale (actor)|Kevin McHale]]), and they start dating. Artie loses his virginity to Brittany, but before they compete Santana tells him that Brittany only wanted him for his voice so she could win the competition. He is deeply upset that his first sexual experience was the consequence of such petty, mercenary motivations, so he breaks up with Brittany and dissolves their partnership. [[Tina Cohen-Chang|Tina]] ([[Jenna Ushkowitz]]) and her boyfriend [[Mike Chang|Mike]] ([[Harry Shum, Jr.]]) argue about whether they should duet at all, but he ultimately agrees to join her on "[[A_Chorus_Line#Musical_numbers|Sing!]]" from ''[[A Chorus Line]]'', his first solo performance for glee club; their duet draws praise from Will. Finn and his girlfriend [[Rachel Berry|Rachel]] ([[Lea Michele]]) initially practice singing "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", but Rachel suggests they should throw the competition so Sam can win, to make him more likely to stay in the glee club. When Sam has a [[slush (beverage)|slushee]] thrown in his face by bullies, Quinn helps him to clean up. They subsequently become duet partners, and during a rehearsal he attempts to kiss her. Quinn is upset and tells him they cannot sing together, but she is later convinced to reconsider by Rachel. Rachel and Finn, dressed as a schoolgirl and a priest in an intentionally offensive move to damage their chances of victory, perform "[[With You I'm Born Again]]" by [[Billy Preston]] and [[Syreeta Wright]]. Sam and Quinn sing "[[Lucky (Jason Mraz song)|Lucky]]" by [[Jason Mraz]] and [[Colbie Caillat]]. The club members all vote for themselves except Finn and Rachel, who vote for the winners, Sam and Quinn. Over the victory dinner at Breadstix they form a rapport, and Quinn tells Sam that she considers the meal their first date. Noticing that Kurt is lonely, Rachel tells him how much the club members value him and asks him to duet with her for fun now that the competition is over. The episode ends with them singing the [[Judy Garland]]/[[Barbra Streisand]] [[Mashup (music)|mash-up]] of "[[Happy Days Are Here Again]]" and "[[Get Happy (song)|Get Happy]]" for the glee club. ==Production== [[Image:Naya Rivera and Heather Morris.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"Duets" develops the relationship between Santana (Naya Rivera, ''left'') and Brittany (Heather Morris, ''right'').]] In "Duets", Brittany and Santana kiss on screen for the first time. A physical relationship between the two was first alluded to in the [[Glee (season 1)|season one]] episode "[[Sectionals]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.celebuzz.com/glees-hot-girl-girl-kiss-s261551/|title='Glee's' Hot Girl-On-Girl Kiss!|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Celebuzz]]|publisher=[[Buzz Media]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Rivera sought clarification on the nature of their relationship from "Sectionals" director [[Brad Falchuk]], who informed her that the two characters had been intimate in the past. Series creator [[Ryan Murphy (writer)|Ryan Murphy]] told Morris that as ''Glee'' is a primetime series, he did not want to show them making out.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Television/Heather_Morris_Its_Brittany,_Gleeks/|title=Heather Morris: It's Brittany, Gleeks!|last=Voss|first=Brandon|date=April 27, 2010|work=[[The Advocate]]|publisher=[[Here Media]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Interviewed by Brett Berk of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' in May 2010, Morris stated that Brittany and Santana were simply best friends, and the show would not be taking them in a "friends with benefits" direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2010/05/heather-morris-plays-brittanyan-easily.html|title=Glee's Heather Morris Would Love to Sing a Lesbian Duet of Prince's "Computer Blue"|last=Berk|first=Brett|date=May 6, 2010|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> However, at the [[Television Critics Association]] Summer Press Tour in August 2010, Murphy stated that the characters would in fact kiss on screen in an upcoming episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/TV/2010-08-03/ryan-murphy-and-jane-lynch-discuss-glee-season-2|title=Ryan Murphy and Jane Lynch discuss "Glee" season 2|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=August 3, 2010|work=[[AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com|AfterEllen.com]]|publisher=[[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Falchuk later explained that the Brittany/Santana storyline had begun "almost as a goof at first", however "then we realised this show is so inclusive, and then there were people we weren't representative of. This whole lesbian-bisexual female community. We're fortunate the network wasn't resistant of it and let us try it out, then it became something much deeper."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s57/glee/tubetalk/a331380/comic-con-2011-glee-panel-live-blog.html|title=Comic-Con 2011: 'Glee' panel - Live Blog|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|date=July 24, 2011|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hachette Filipacchi UK]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> In "Duets", Brittany also had a brief relationship with Artie. Morris told Jarett Wieselman of the ''[[New York Post]]'' that she is a fan of McHale's, and had been pressing Murphy to give their characters a storyline together since the beginning of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/heather_morris_love_brittany_as_spTyixyZGhR7633KfMpGvM|title=Heather Morris: I love Brittany as much as the fans do!|last=Wieselman|first=Jarett|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[New York Post]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Series regular [[Mark Salling]] did not appear in "Duets", which prompted media speculation that he would not return to the show due to a breach of contract. However, his absence was for creative reasons, as it allowed Sam to establish himself within the glee club and begin a relationship with Puck's ex-girlfriend Quinn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2010/10/glee-mark-salling-is-still-a-regular-and-puck-will-be-back.html|title='Glee': Mark Salling is still a regular and Puck will be back|last=Adly MacKenzie|first=Carina|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Zap2it]]|publisher=[[Tribune Media Services]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Overstreet stated that Sam was initially created as a romantic interest for Kurt, but his storyline was adjusted to pair him with Quinn as a result of the chemistry the producers detected between himself and Agron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/10/audio-glees-chord-overstreet-says-sam-went-gay-straight|title=AUDIO: Glee's Chord Overstreet Says 'Sam' Went From Gay To Straight|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[RadarOnline]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> The episode featured [[cover versions]] of seven songs: [[Ike & Tina Turner]]'s "River Deep – Mountain High", Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat's "Lucky", [[Elton John]] and [[Kiki Dee]]'s "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", "Le Jazz Hot!" from ''Victor Victoria'', "Sing!" from ''A Chorus Line''—which was Shum, Jr.'s first lead vocal performance on the series,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/09/29/ask-ausiello-spoilers-glee-greys-30-rock/|title=Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Glee,' 'Grey's,' 'Weeds,' '30 Rock,' 'Bones,' 'Smallville,' and more!|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|authorlink=Michael Ausiello|date=September 29, 2010|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.|Time Inc]]|accessdate=September 29, 2010}}</ref> Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright's "With You I'm Born Again", and a mash-up of "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Get Happy" as performed by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/10/04/glee-duets-chorus-line/|title='Glee' duets: Yay for more 'Chorus Line'|date=October 4, 2010|first=Margaret|last=Lyons| work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.|Time Inc]]|accessdate=October 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100930-295267/PDI-visits-Glee-set|title=PDI visits 'Glee' set |date=September 30, 2010|first=Ruben V.|last=Nepales|work=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]|publisher=[[Asia News Network]]| accessdate=September 30, 2010}}</ref> Colfer and Michele's costumes and positions in the latter number matched those in the Garland and Streisand original.<ref name="EF">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/glee-playback-duets-dazzle-20101013|title=Glee' Playback: Duets Dazzle|first=Erica|last=Futterman|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> Although it was not performed, Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window" was suggested as a performance piece by Brittany;<ref name="EF"/> five months prior to the episode's broadcast, Etheridge had jested that her songs were not "gay enough" for use on ''Glee''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popeater.com/2010/05/17/melissa-etheridge-fearless-love-interview/|title=Melissa Etheridge: My Songs 'Aren't Gay Enough' for 'Glee'|last=Gostin|first=Nicki|date=May 17, 2010|work=[[PopEater]]|publisher=[[AOL]]|accessdate=August 17, 2011}}</ref> All of the songs except "With You I'm Born Again" were released as singles, available for [[Music download|download]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://itunes.apple.com/artist/glee-cast/id315816847|title=Glee Cast|work=[[iTunes Store]]|accessdate=October 11, 2010}}</ref> "River Deep – Mountain High" and "Lucky" were also featured on the fifth [[soundtrack album]] of the series, ''[[Glee: The Music, Volume&nbsp;4]]'',<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/glee-the-music-volume-4-available-november-30-106945323.html|title=Glee: The Music, Volume 4 Available November 30|date=November 9, 2010|publisher=[[PR Newswire]]|accessdate=August 1, 2011}}</ref> while "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was included on the fourth [[extended play]], ''[[Glee: The Music, Love Songs]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/album/glee/glee-the-music-love-songs-target-exclusive/1515661#/album/glee/glee-the-music-love-songs-target-exclusive/1515661|title=Glee: The Music, Love Songs (Target Exclusive)|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=August 1, 2011}}</ref> ==Reception== ===Ratings=== In its original broadcast, "Duets" was watched by 11.36&nbsp;million American viewers. It was the top-rated program of the night in the [[Nielsen ratings#Demographics|18–49&nbsp;demographic]], as it attained a 4.7/13&nbsp;[[Nielsen ratings#Ratings/share and total viewers|Nielsen rating/share]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/13/tuesday-finals-glee-dancing-with-the-stars-adjusted-up-detroit-1-8-7-the-good-wife-raising-hope-running-wilde-life-unexpected-down/67909|title=Tuesday Finals: Glee, Dancing With The Stars Adjusted Up; Detroit 1-8-7, The Good Wife, Raising Hope, Running Wilde, Life Unexpected Down|last=Gorman|first=Bill|date=October 13, 2010|work=TV by the Numbers|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/10/13/cbs-ties-fox-on-tuesday-for-first-time-this-season-in-key-adult-demographic/|title=CBS ties Fox on Tuesday for first time this season in key adult demographic|first=Lynette|last=Rice|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.]]|date=October 13, 2010|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Both viewership and ratings rose from the previous episode, "[[Grilled Cheesus]]", which was watched by 11.20&nbsp;million viewers and attained a 4.6/13&nbsp;rating/share among adults 18–49.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/06/tuesday-finals-glee-no-ordinary-family-ncis-dancing-parenthood-up-raising-hope-detroit-1-8-7-running-wilde-down/66988|title=Tuesday Finals: Glee, No Ordinary Family, NCIS, Dancing, Parenthood Up; Raising Hope, Detroit 1-8-7, Running Wilde Down|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=October 6, 2010|work=TV by the Numbers|accessdate=October 6, 2010}}</ref> In the weekly program rankings, ''Glee'' was the fourth most-viewed show among adults 18–49, and the second scripted show behind only ''[[Modern Family]]''. In overall viewers, it placed nineteenth for the week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/19/tv-ratings-broadcast-top-25-modern-family-glee-greys-anatomy-glee-sunday-night-football-dwts-ncis-top-week-4-viewing/68590|title=TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Modern Family, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Sunday Night Football, DWTS, NCIS Top Week 4&nbsp;Viewing|last=Seidman|first=Robert|date=October 19, 2010|work=TV by the Numbers|accessdate=November 1, 2010}}</ref> In Canada, the episode was watched by 2.25&nbsp;million viewers, which placed it at seventh for the week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bbm.ca/_documents/top_30_tv_programs_english/2010/nat10112010.pdf|title=Top Programs - Total Canada (English): October 11&nbsp;- October 17, 2010|publisher=[[BBM Canada]]|accessdate=November 1, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> Viewership again rose from the previous episode, which was watched by 1.99&nbsp;million viewers and ranked eleventh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bbm.ca/_documents/top_30_tv_programs_english/2010/nat10042010.pdf|title=Top Programs - Total Canada (English): October 4&nbsp;- October 10, 2010|publisher=[[BBM Canada]]|accessdate=November 1, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> In Australia, "Duets" drew 1.04&nbsp;million viewers, making ''Glee'' the ninth most-viewed show of the night and twenty-eighth of the week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/blogs/the-tribal-mind/the-ratings-race-week-44/20101025-16zpd.html|title=The ratings race: Week 44|first=David|last=Dale|date=October 25, 2010|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|accessdate=November 11, 2010}}</ref> It was also up from "Grilled Cheesus", which attracted 1.02&nbsp;million viewers and ranked eleventh on the night, and thirty-second for the week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/blogs/the-tribal-mind/the-ratings-race-week-43/20101018-16pqe.html|title=The ratings race: Week 43|first=David|last=Dale|date=October 18, 2010|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|accessdate=February 7, 2011}}</ref> In the UK, the episode was watched by 2.51&nbsp;million viewers (2.11&nbsp;million on [[E4 (channel)|E4]], and 397,000&nbsp;on E4+1), which made it the most-watched show on E4 and E4+1 for the week, and the second most-watched show on cable for the week.<ref name="BARB">{{Cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammesOverview/? |title=Weekly Top 30 Programmes |publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board|BARB]] |accessdate={{Start date|2011|2|14}}}}</ref> ===Critical response=== {{quote box |width = 30em |border = 1px |align=right |bgcolor=#bbccff |fontsize = 85% |quote = "You know how, in a perfectly sung duet, the two voices ebb and flow and twist and blend and play and lift in a way that makes a wonderfully pure whole? That's sort of what Tuesday night's episode of ''Glee'' felt like to me. The plot and the music were in perfect balance. No one was being pushed out of character by some tacked-on theme, facing the trauma of a dying parent, or tackling deep issues about the presence of a deity. Every member of the choir was given a storyline and a voice." |salign = right |source =—Amy Reiter of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' on "Duets"<ref name="AR">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/10/glee-recap-dueting-for-breadsticks.html|title='Glee' recap: Dueting for breadsticks|last=Reiter|first=Amy|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=[[Tribune Company]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref>}} "Duets" was generally well-received by critics, many of whom contrasted it favorably with the preceding season two episodes.{{#tag:ref|These critics included: *Jarett Wieselman, ''[[New York Post]]'': "After three somewhat underwhelming episodes, ''Glee'' hit a major high note with last night's 'Duets.{{' "}}<ref name="JW">{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/happy_days_are_here_again_on_glee_aphedhoFbfHAxkrnTiR6tK|title=Happy days are here again on 'Glee'|first=Jarett|last=Wieselman|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[New York Post]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> *Lisa Respers France, [[CNN]]: "Shout hallelujah, come on and get happy, because ''Glee'' is back to awesome! I've made no secret of the fact that I wasn't super thrilled by the last two ''Glee'' episodes, but on Tuesday night I was reminded why I love this show so much."<ref name="LRF">{{cite news|url=http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/13/happy-days-are-here-again-on-glee/|title=Happy days are here again on 'Glee'|last=Respers France|first=Lisa|date=October 13, 2010|publisher=[[CNN]]|accessdate=August 6, 2011}}</ref> *Damian Holbrook, ''[[TV Guide]]'': "For the second week in a row, the Tuesday night treat that was rapidly going from a hit to a 'huh?' nailed it with an episode that had—wait for it—actual plot."<ref name="DH">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Watercooler-Glee-Duets-1024302.aspx|title=Watercooler: Glee Duets It Right|first=Damian|last=Holbrook|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[TV Guide]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> *Robert Canning, [[IGN]]: "After several weeks of 'event' television and some hit-and-miss drama, ''Glee'' finally found its groove with 'Duets.{{' "}}<ref name="RC">{{cite web|url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/112/1127737p1.html|title=Glee: "Duets" Review|first=Robert|last=Canning|date=October 13, 2010|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> |group=nb}} The ''[[New York Times]]''{{'s}} Rebecca Milzoff called it the best of the season to that point "in terms of old-school ''Glee''",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/late-night-double-feature-the-rocky-horror-glee-show-reconsidered/?scp=2&sq=glee%20duets&st=cse|title=Late-Night Double Feature: The 'Rocky Horror Glee Show' Reconsidered|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|first2=Rebecca|last2=Milzoff|date=October 27, 2010|work=[[New York Times]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> and indeed, both Lisa Respers France of [[CNN]] and Jarett Wieselman of the ''[[New York Post]]'' found it a reminder of why they originally loved the show.<ref name="JW"/><ref name="LRF"/> Raymund Flandez of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' summarized: "This was a return to that honeymoon feeling, when ''Glee'' first surprised, scandalized and satisfied you."<ref name="RF">{{cite news|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/10/12/glee-season-2-episode-4-duets-tv-recap/|title='Glee,' Season 2, Episode 4, 'Duets': TV Recap|first=Raymund|last=Flandez|date=October 12, 2010|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> ''[[TV Guide]]''{{'s}} Damian Holbrook and the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''{{'s}} Bobby Hankinson appreciated the lack of gimmicks; the former explained "No [[Britney Spears|Britney]] numbers. No forced guest stars. No reasons to check out. It's amazing how satisfying a show can be when the characters we invested in a year ago get to do something more than set-dress a stunt."<ref name="DH"/><ref name="BH"/> James Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' labelled it "easily the strongest character episode so far this season".<ref name="JP">{{cite web|url=http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/10/13/glee-watch-it-takes-two/|title=Glee Watch: It Takes Two|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|publisher=[[Time Inc]]|accessdate=August 6, 2011}}</ref> While ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'s}} Kevin Fallon opined that the series finally achieved the correct "tonal balance of comedy and drama",<ref name="KF">{{cite web|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2010/10/glee-hitting-a-high-note-or-a-sophomore-slump/64442/|title='Glee': Hitting a High Note, or a Sophomore Slump?|first=Patrick|last=Burns|coauthors=Fallon, Kevin; Brown, Meghan|work=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=[[Atlantic Media Company]]|date=October 13, 2010|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> his colleague Meghan Brown provided one of few dissenting reviews; she called it a lazy, nonsensical episode which contributed to a building "sophomore slump".<ref name="KF"/> [[MTV]]'s Aly Semigran found it lackluster after "Grilled Cheesus",<ref name="AS">{{cite web|url=http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/10/13/glee-recap-duets/|title='Glee' Recap: Episode 25, 'Duets'|last=Semigran|first=Aly|date=October 13, 2010|publisher=[[MTV]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> and although Anthony Benigno of the ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' deemed it an improvement on the previous episode, he concluded that it was not one of the season's best.<ref name="AB">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/10/13/2010-10-13_glee_duets_recap_episode_25_sees_brittany_and_santana_have_girlongirl_make_out_s.html|title='Glee' 'Duets' recap: Episode 25 sees Brittany and Santana have girl-on-girl make out session in bed|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010|location=New York City}}</ref> Several themes ran through the reviews, one of which was the lack of focus on adult characters. [[IGN]]'s Robert Canning—who rated "Duets" 8.5/10, signifying a great episode—felt that this contributed to its success, as it "allowed for small but interesting character development to take place, even with some of the minor characters."<ref name="RC"/> Todd VanDerWerff of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' was surprised that he did not miss the presence of cheerleading coach [[Sue Sylvester]],<ref name="TVDW">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/duets,46184/|title="Duets"|last=VanDerWerff|first=Todd|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[Onion, Inc.]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> but Hankinson, Semigran and ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'s}} Erica Futterman all lamented her absence.<ref name="BH"/><ref name="AS"/><ref name="EF" /> The gay-centered storylines also attracted much commentary. Christie Keith of lesbian and bisexual media website [[AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com|AfterEllen.com]] suggested that "Duets" was "the queerest episode of any series that's ever been on television".<ref name="CK">{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/tv/recaps/glee-2-04|title="Glee" Episode 204 Recap: "Don't Go Breakin' Kurt and Brittany's Hearts"|last=Keith|first=Christie|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[AfterEllen.com and AfterElton.com|AfterEllen.com]]|publisher=[[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'s}} Tim Stack wrote that Kurt "stole the show in terms of pure emotional power" and called him "the most important character on television right now".<ref name="TS"/> ''[[USA Today]]''{{'s}} Ann Oldenburg questioned whether ''Glee'' had gone "too far" by depicting a physical relationship between Santana and Brittany.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/10/glee-cheerleaders-share-sweet-lady-kisses/1|title='Glee' cheerleaders share 'sweet lady kisses'|last=Oldenburg|first=Ann|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[USA Today]]|publisher=[[Gannett Company]]|accessdate=October 13, 2010}}</ref> Several reviewers appreciated the resultant development of Brittany's character: Poniewozik enjoyed the exploration of her "basic loneliness",<ref name="JP"/> [[E! Online]]'s Jenna Mullins was pleased to see more than her usual "deadpanning and one-liners",<ref name="JM">{{cite web|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/glee-dux_who_got_together_who_broke_up/205313|title=Glee-Dux: Who Got Together? Who Broke Up? Plus, Ryan Murphy Teases What's Ahead|first=Jenna|last=Mullins|date=October 12, 2010|work=[[E! Online]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> and Wieselman called it a "wonderful moment" when she and Artie broke up, which led to the depiction of "real feelings" in Brittany for the first time.<ref name="JW"/> Canning found Brittany and Artie's coupling "uneven" and preferred her with Santana, as their development made them "uniquely interesting and a blast to watch."<ref name="RC"/> VanDerWerff conversely deemed Brittany's pairing with Artie "one of the most resonant things the show's ever done".<ref name="TVDW"/> The storylines that involved Rachel received mixed commentary. Both Poniewozik and Stack appreciated the pairing of Rachel and Kurt: the former called them "probably the strongest pairing" of the episode due to similarities in their characterization,<ref name="JP"/> and the latter lauded Rachel's line "I know you're lonely...but you're not alone" as "an incredibly powerful statement coming in the midst of all these gay youth suicides[, which] further illuminates the relevance and importance of a show like ''Glee''."<ref name="TS"/> Fallon said that the episode "added some flavor" to the relationship between Rachel and Finn, which was "in danger of going stale",<ref name="KF"/> and ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]''{{'s}} Brett Berk noted that "Duets" was the first time he had ever been "marginally compelled" by a storyline which involved the pair.<ref name="BB">{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2010/10/the-gay-guide-to-glee-season-2-episode-4-duets.html|title=The Gay Guide to Glee: Season 2 Episode 4, "Duets"|first=Brett|last=Berk|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> Benigno was far less favorable: he called Rachel a lunatic, and a "self-absorbed crazy woman who will do anything short of black-ops assassination to secure the [Nationals] trophy."<ref name="AB"/> Sam and Quinn's burgeoning relationship met with a fairly positive response. Canning would have preferred for them to become friends first,<ref name="RC"/> and Benigno deemed their sexual tension unrealistic, based on Sam's success at charming Quinn in [[Na'vi]], the fictional language of ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''.<ref name="AB"/> However, while Berk declared himself "fully exhausted with the flimsy cheerleader/quarterback paradigm", Sam's Na'vi and [[Matthew McConaughey]] impression led him to concede that they are "cute together".<ref name="BB"/> Stack and Mullins shared this sentiment,<ref name="TS">{{cite web|url=http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/glee-season-2-episode-4-duets/|title='Glee' recap: Duo the Right Thing|first=Tim|last=Stack|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="JM"/> and VanDerWerff called their flirtation "exceptionally well-handled".<ref name="TVDW"/> ===Music and performances=== [[File:Harry Shum by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|upright|left|In "Duets", Mike Chang ([[Harry Shum, Jr.]], ''pictured'') gives his first featured vocal performance in a musical number.]] The episode's musical performances—deemed "among the most varied and terrific in the show's history" by VanDerWerff<ref name="TVDW"/>—were also generally well-received. Futterman found it refreshing for the main characters to receive equal performance time.<ref name="EF"/> Although Poniewozik opined that some numbers were included based on [[iTunes]] sales potential rather than how well they served the plot,<ref name="JP"/> Holbrook was pleased that the songs "drove the story instead of drowning out the characters",<ref name="DH"/> and both Hankinson and Dave Itzkoff of the ''[[New York Times]]'' welcomed the contextually appropriate song selection.<ref name="BH">{{cite news|url=http://blog.chron.com/tubular/2010/10/glee-duets-brings-happy-days-here-again/|title=Glee: "Duets" brings happy days here again|first=Bobby|last=Hankinson|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name="DI">{{cite news|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/glee-it-takes-two-or-sometimes-just-one/?scp=1&sq=glee%20duets&st=cse|title='Glee': It Takes Two (or Sometimes Just One)|first=Dave|last=Itzkoff|work=[[New York Times]]|date=October 13, 2010|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> Opinions were divided over the best performance. Both Futterman and VanDerWerff felt that Mercedes and Santana should have won the duet competition with their performance of "River Deep&nbsp;– Mountain High". The former called it "one of the series' best" duets, and the latter further praised it as potentially "the best musical number the show's ever done from a pure performance standpoint."<ref name="EF"/><ref name="TVDW"/> Wieselman wrote that it was the best song of the episode, and that he "didn't want it to ever end".<ref name="JW"/> However, Hankinson highlighted its lack of "emotional punch",<ref name="BH"/> and Semigran deemed it her least favorite performance.<ref name="AS"/> She and Benigno named "Sing!" as their favorite routine, though Benigno gave it only a "B" grade, as its appeal hinged on Mike's dancing, rather than his vocal performance.<ref name="AB"/><ref name="AS"/> Berk gave it four stars out of five, his highest rating of the episode, tied with "River Deep&nbsp;– Mountain High".<ref name="BB"/> Though Flandez and Hankinson also commented positively on the song, the former thought that Tina's sung interjections became annoying and the latter called it "far from the best of the evening".<ref name="RF"/><ref name="BH"/> Burns chose "Lucky" as "the most impressive number of the evening",<ref name="KF"/> and Respers France called it the most adorable.<ref name="LRF"/> Semigran and the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'s}} Amy Reiter agreed that it was cute,<ref name="AS"/><ref name="AR"/> and Flandez praised its "charm and simplicity".<ref name="RF"/> Stack and Benigno gave it an "A"; Stack eagerly anticipated more duets between Quinn and Sam,<ref name="TS"/> and Benigno called it "absolutely fantastic", with particular praise for Agron, who he opined is often overlooked.<ref name="AB"/> Though Futterman also noted its charm, she did not think it was a worthy winner of the duets competition.<ref name="EF"/> Berk gave it just two stars out of five, as he found it "kind of boring".<ref name="BB"/> The mash-up of "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Get Happy" was widely acclaimed. Respers France, Reiter and Hankinson named it the musical highlight of the episode;<ref name="LRF"/><ref name="AR"/><ref name="BH"/> Fallon and Stack went further and hailed it as a highlight of the entire series.<ref name="KF"/><ref name="TS"/> Poniewozik commented that the number was "so appropriate that, had it not existed, ''Glee'' probably would have had to invent it".<ref name="JP"/> Wieselman suggested that Colfer and Michele "redefined show-stopper" with their performance,<ref name="JW"/> and Itzkoff lauded it as "a powerful reminder of why it's worth sticking with ''Glee'' through what has quickly proved a polarizing season."<ref name="DI"/> Of the remaining songs, Rachel and Finn's performance of "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" attracted praise for Monteith's vocals, which Stack and Yahr commented "sounded better than ever".<ref name="TS"/><ref name="EY">{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/10/glee-ep-4-we-watch-so-you-dont.html|title='Glee' episode 4: We watch so you don't have to|first=Emily|last=Yahr|date=October 13, 2010|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=August 5, 2011}}</ref> "Le Jazz Hot!" received a split response. Burns wrote that Kurt "pulled it off flawlessly",<ref name="KF"/> and Fallon called the performance "far more moving and rousing" than any of the songs in "Grilled Cheesus".<ref name="KF"/> Stack and Benigno both graded it "B+"; the latter deemed it "very good" but "not transcendent".<ref name="TS"/><ref name="AB"/> Reiter felt that the costumes and choreography overpowered the emotion of the piece,<ref name="AR"/> and Futterman found the number "too self-indulgent and reminiscent of previous performances like '[[Rose's Turn]]'."<ref name="EF"/> Berk rated it two stars out of five, and commented, "I get the idea, and the execution is commendable, but it still kind of sucked."<ref name="BB"/> Rachel and Finn's deliberately offensive version of "With You I'm Born Again" received a "C" and "C+" from Benigno and Stack respectively. Both conceded that it was acceptable vocally, but as Stack acknowledged, "the point of this song was to hate it, and I gotta say, ''Glee'': you played me like a fiddle."<ref name="AB"/><ref name="TS"/> Regardless of being a send-up, Respers France found the number "oddly endearing".<ref name="LRF"/> ===Chart history=== {{See also|Glee Cast discography}} All six of the cover versions released as singles debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100]], and appeared on other musical charts. On the Hot&nbsp;100, the show's rendition of "Lucky" debuted at number twenty-seven;<ref name="US">Peak chart positions for season two singles in the United States: "River Deep – Mountain High", "Lucky", "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", "Le Jazz Hot!", "Sing!", and "Happy Days Are Here Again / Get Happy" {{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer|title=Hot 100: Week of October 30, 2010 (Biggest Jump)|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref> it was at number seventeen on the ''Billboard'' [[Canadian Hot&nbsp;100]].<ref name="Can">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100?chartDate=2010-10-30&order=gainer|title=Canadian Hot 100: Week of October 30, 2010 (Biggest Jump)|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref> The other five songs on the Hot&nbsp;100 were "River Deep – Mountain High" at number forty-one, which also made number thirty-six on the Canadian Hot&nbsp;100; "Happy Days Are Here Again / Get Happy" at number forty-eight, which also made number fifty-five on the Canadian Hot&nbsp;100; "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" at number fifty, which also made number thirty-one on the Canadian Hot&nbsp;100; "Sing!" at number eighty-seven, which also made number sixty-seven on the Canadian Hot&nbsp;100; and "Le Jazz Hot!" at number ninety-four, which also made number eighty-eight on the Canadian Hot&nbsp;100.<ref name="US"/><ref name="Can"/> ==Notes== {{Reflist|group="nb"}} ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.fox.com/glee/recaps/season-2/episode-4/ "Duets"] at [[Fox.com]] *{{IMDb episode|1628294|Duets}} *{{tv.com episode|1358466|Duets}} {{Glee}} {{Glee episodes}} [[Category:Glee (TV series) episodes]] [[Category:2010 television episodes]] [[es:Duets (Glee)]] [[id:Duets (Glee)]] [[tr:Duets (Glee)]]'