Glee: The Sue Sylvester Shuffle Review (4/5)

When Glee was announced to have an episode scheduled in a post-Super Bowl slot, I'm sure more than a few heads turned- would the show, renowned for its comedy and great covers, pull out all the stops to appeal to a wider audience in The Sue Sylvester Shuffle? The answer is a resounding yes, but this week's romp made a few stumbles along the way that likely cost it instant acclaim from those watching after the major US sports competition. As expected, this was one of the most expensive episodes of the programme yet produced, with highlights including Sue's attempted use of a cannon to ensure victory at a cheerleading championship and the awesome mash-up of Michael Jackson's Thriller and Yeah Yeah Yeah's Heads Will Roll, however that didn't help shake the feeling that the episode as a whole just went on for too long, doing its best (in vain) to take Finn forward from his late relationship with Rachel in a way that hopefully irritated others as much as it did myself, looking to drag Glee back to the same repetitive place it found itself in when Finn and Quinn dated in Series One. On the plus side, Jane Lynch was on fine form as the titular coach, showcasing all that's fun and diverse about the show as she took out her rage at having her cannon idea refused on the school reception and the locker room. If anything, this week's story could simply have been named 'The Best of Glee': all the excellent covers and gags fans know and love were present, yet there was barely anything substantial or promising enough to win over new viewers at Super Bowl. A missed opportunity, then, but it certainly didn't leave a sour taste.