‘Ballad’ relates to something all high school kids go through: the crush.  Glee really cements the episode with theme-related ballads and an episode truly dedicated to the characters.

Gleefully Delusional

While the episode is initiated by a Glee club project, the episode is not about competition, but about the hormonal feelings that teenagers feel when they start to develop feelings beyond their experience.  I know what you’re thinking, Quinn, Finn, Puck, Rachel…blah blah blah.  Surprisingly, the episode also opens new emotional territory with Kurt and Rachel, two very lonely kids falling for the wrong guys.  The unsuspected pairings ultimately forces new interactions and dynamics that will refresh the exhausted usage of certain relationships on the show.

The Girl With Everything

While I find Dianna Agron’s casting choice suitable, I don’t think it has as much do with her acting chops as her natural affinity with this particular role.  This is also why her dramatic moments rarely feel fully committed or believable.  The girl can cry a river, but I’m not sure she can deliver with such a heavy duty character arc.  Her storyline tonight is the turning point for the character, but something about it just came across underwhelming and blase.  My beef with Agron is not enough for me to give up on Quinn altogether, but I have a feeling a different actress would’ve really made the difference this episode.

As usual, ‘Ballad’ ends with a heartwarming group number that alleviates all the drama and pain of being a teenager.  This episode steps slightly outside Glee’s usual territory, something I hope would continue for the remainder of the series until its hiatus.

Rating: 8.5/10

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