Last night, New Directions put on the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and shockingly enough, the creepiest and most sexually-inappropriate thing about the episode was Will Schuester.
The episode opens with Quinn lip-syncing as a set of impossibly-white teeth sings, “Science Fiction/Double Feature.” Then we jump into the middle of dress rehearsal as the kids perform “Over At The Frankenstein Place.” Suddenly, a leather-clad Uncle Jesse walks onstage and screams, “Schuester, you messing with my woman?” Freeze frame on Will, who voiceovers, “How did a production of Rocky Horror turn into my horror?” Well, that’s a tale that’s bizarre, yet unusually boring!
Flashback to a week ago. Emma is telling Will about how her boyfriend Carl took her to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and she had so much fun she forgot all about her debilitating fear of nasty movie theaters. Will realizes, “He’s actually making her better. He’s winning!” Clearly, the only thing left for Will to do is lure her away from her sweet and supportive boyfriend by forcing his students to stage Rocky Horror Picture Show.
While pitching this idea to the kids, will makes up some BS story about teaching them the value of “self-expression” and “pushing boundaries,” but leaves out the part about trying to get in Ms. Pillsbury’s pants. Rachel and Finn will play Brad and Janet, Artie will play the guy in the wheelchair (natch), and Schue wants Kurt to play Dr. Frank N. Furter. Kurt protests, “There’s no way I’m playing a transvestite in high heels and fishnets and wearing lipstick,” because apparently after weeks of bullying Kurt about his sexuality they’ve finally broken him. Mike Chang volunteers to take on the role instead because he’s developed a taste for speaking.
Over at the local TV station, Sue is complaining in a “Sue’s Corner” segment that Halloween has become, “the day when parents encourage little boys to dress like little girls and little girls to dress like whores and go door-to-door browbeating hardworking Americans into giving them free food.” She explains fear is the true meaning of the holiday.
Afterward, she’s approached by new station managers Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf who promise Sue she’ll win a “local Emmy” if she does an expose on McKinley High’s production of Rocky Horror.
Sue asks to be involved with the show, so Will lets her play the criminologist. Later he tells Emma, “That’s why Sue’s been a bully all along — She just wants to be included.”
Mike Chang drops out of the show because his parents aren’t cool with him “dressing up like a tranny.” Carl visits Emma, who’s the costume director, to show her some ensembles that could work for the show. This scene totally reminded me of the time a local dentist showed up in the middle of the school day to play with lingerie in my guidance counselors office!
Carl auditions for the part of Eddie by singing “Hot Patootie” in front of the kids. Will says he can’t offer him a role because he only needs Dr. Frank N. Furter. Carl replies,