Samcedes Episode Analysis: 2.05 The Rocky Horror Glee Show (part 1)

Samcedes Episode Analysis: 2.05 The Rocky Horror Glee Show
by Akilah

Mercedes: "That's part of the arts," Mr. Schuester says. "Doing things people say you can't do, for the sake of self expression." Mercedes takes this message to heart.

The episode begins with Mr. Schuester assigning roles for each ND member to play in the school musical, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." There are no auditions. Mr. Schue just dumps people into roles that he thinks will "fit" them. Artie plays the guy in the wheelchair. Sam is the sexy blond "creature," Rocky. And Schue wants Kurt to play Frank-n-Furter, the "sweet" transvestite. Kurt refuses. He doesn't want to be stereotyped.

The only people in the cast who pick their roles are Rachel and Finn. Rachel volunteers herself and Finn to play Janet and Brad. Mr. Schue immediately agrees, going along with the status-quo. There are five girls left in ND but only 2 roles. He tells the girls that they will have to double up on Magneta and Columbia. Rachel thinks its a fine idea, since she doesn't have to share her staring role with anyone. "It will preserve your voices," she says as she turns around and looks at Mercedes. Mercedes body language looks defeated and depressed. "I want to preserve you in a jar, in my basement," she says. Its a harsh statement but it shows Mercedes growing resentment towards Rachel and the leadership of ND. Mercedes is tired of being over looked.

The other girls laugh at Rachel's expense, especially Quinn, who is sitting between Mercedes and her new boyfriend Sam Evans. Her chair is much closer to Sam's then it is to Mercedes, symbolizing the distance growing in their relationship as she pursues her quest for popularity and power. Quinn's relationship with Sam is an extension of this.

When the role of Frank opens up, Mercedes jumps at the opportunity. She asks Mr. Schue, meekly, if she could have the part. Mercedes explains to him that shes always dreamed of having a starring role in a musical. She quotes "Rocky Horror," "don't just dream about it, be about it." So she takes initiative and opens herself up to possible rejection because she wants it so badly. Wanting the role of Maria did not come out of thin air in 3.03.

Mr. Schue is shocked that Mercedes wants that role. He doesn't say anything. Its clear that she is not his idea of Frank-N-Furter. He just doesn't see it. He doesn't reject her, nor does he give her the role. Its Sue Sylvester who tells Mercedes "yes."

When Mercedes gets on stage and plays Frank-N-Furter, she is full of confidence and strength. She's wearing a risque outfit and is comfortable with her body. "I'll look sexy in that outfit," she says when giving reasons for wanting to play Frank. And she does. Her security and confidence in her body is juxtaposed to Sam and Finn's insecurity. Sam talked a good game about wanting to show off his abs, but when it comes time to perform, he's more than uncomfortable. Its an interesting contrast that transgresses expectations. Sam is a muscular, blond male athlete with a socially deemed "perfect" body. Yet, he's insecure in it. Mercedes is an "overweight" black woman who is very comfortable in her own skin, and doesn't have a problem showing it off on stage.

Speaking of transgressive, Mercedes is playing a transvestite, an individual who appropriates and takes on attributes of the opposite gender in a socially unacceptable manner. By playing Frank, Mercedes transgresses the role of transvestite. She isn't male, she isn't white, and she isn't thin. She's not at all what Will Schuester imagined for this role. But he is the one who said that the arts are about "doing things people say you can't do for the sake of self expression." Well, Mercedes is doing it.

On the theme of transgressive, Mercedes' Frank is terrifying to Rachel and Finn's Janet and Brad. Mercedes is powerful, confident and strong. Rachel and Finn's Janet and Brad react in an exaggerated version of their real reactions to Mercedes and Santana's "Rive Deep, Mountain High" performance. Mercedes is frightening as Santana and Brittney stand behind her, flanked on either side of her, participating in the seduction and eventual submission of Rachel and Finn's Janet and Brad. Hello, TroubleTones!

Speaking of Santana and Mercedes, its clear in this episode that the two girls, who may not be friends yet, are much more comfortable around each other than before. When Dr. Carl comes to audition for the role of Eddy, he says he doesn't want to play Frank-N-Furter because he would feel uncomfortable grinding up on kids. Santana raises her hand and wears a cheeky expression. Mercedes rolls her eyes and doesn't hesitate to pull the other girl's hand down. Santana does not protest. I don't know any other character, besides Brittany, who could come into Santana's personal space and shut her down before she has an opportunity to insult someone or embarrass herself. They may not be friends, but they understand each other and have developed a mutual respect.