Samcedes Episode Analysis: 2.17 Night of Neglect

Samcedes Episode Analysis: 2.17 Night of Neglect

by Akilah

Mercedes: "You have no idea what it feels like to work your butt off for something and have everyone, including your friends, ignore you," says Mike Chang. He's referring to The Brainiacs , a school organization he, Tina, Artie and Brittany are involved in that is more neglected than Glee club. Even their friends in ND are unaware of the Brainiacs upcoming competition in Detroit. Amongst the totem pole of "loser" school activities, the Brainiacs are lower than glee club. What's interesting here is that this concept even transcends to the "neglected" New Directions which has its own hierarchy of recognition, validation and appreciation of talent. On this totem pole, Rachel Berry would be on the top and Mercedes Jones would be close to the bottom.  In this episode, we see Mercedes attempt to climb to the top.

Mr. Schuester and Holly Holliday come up with the idea to have a fundraiser concert to come up with the money New Directions and The Brainiacs need for their respective competitions. The theme is a Night of Neglect and the students are given the assignment to sing songs by neglected artist. "Someone whose brilliance isn't always appreciated," Mr. Schue says. "Someone like me," Rachel says. Rachel is the most recognized and appreciated member of ND, but the girl can't help but think everything is about her. Mercedes gives her the side eye.

Mercedes decides to sing Aretha Franklin. Her friends remind her that Aretha is the queen of soul, she is in no way neglected. But Mercedes clarifies, "I auditioned for this club singing Respect, and shes got none since." Aretha is acknowledged as being extremely talented, its just that the New Directions haven't used her. Perhaps she doesn't fit NDs "image." Mercedes can relate.

"Awesome, Mercedes. Awesome all of you guys. Those songs are great appetizers for my main course. Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On.' Its going to be our finale," Rachel says. Tina says its the biggest song of all time. Rachel says that she herself is "the neglected artist" which in Rachel's mind means she can sing whatever she wants and it would still fit the assignment. You've got to love Rachel and her solipsism. Its so ridiculous that its funny.

"I was kinda hoping to do the closing number," Mercedes says, timidly. Rachel stares at her. Neither girl says a word. They are interrupted by Finn who informs them that Sunshine Corazon (Vocal Adrenaline's lead vocalist) is at McKinley. She wants to help the New Directions with the Night of Neglect fundraiser. The glee club agrees because she can bring her twitter followers who will buy tickets. Rachel isn't too happy about it since that means Sunshine will do the closing number.

"Mercedes you're okay with being bumped to the decidedly less glamorous middle spot, right?" Rachel says. Its both a demand and a challenge. Rachel seems to be fishing for support from Mercedes by having her also refuse Sunshine's participation in the Night of Neglect. But shes also asserting her dominance in New Directions by placing Mercedes below her on the diva totem pole.

The smile drops from Mercedes face. Shes caught off guard. "Sure... I guess." She says timidly. Puck, Quinn, Lauren and Finn look at her in disbelief. They can't believe that Mercedes is taking that level of disrespect. Mercedes doesn't want to rock the boat. She wants the fundraiser to happen so that New Directions get to participate in Nationals, and she also wants to help out her friends on the Brainiacs. "Absolutely," she affirms her acceptance of the middle spot. She looks completely deflated as she says it.

Lauren approaches Mercedes in the library. "Hey, Mercedes. Can I have your shoes. I promise to give you a pair of my dirty flip flops in return," Lauren says. Mercedes refuses. "Really, I'm surprised you didn't just give them to me considering how little you think of yourself." Mercedes looks shocked. Lauren saw right through her diva act. Mercedes really doesn't know her worth. She knows shes good, but she doesn't quite believe that she deserves everything she wants. "You're the most talented singer in glee club. Yet, you're constantly taking the backseat to everyone."

"What am I suppose to do. I'm tired of fighting with Rachel all the time." And this is really the source of Mercedes problem in ND. As long as Rachel continues to take control of the decisions in ND, Mercedes will never have a chance to shine. Mercedes' defeated attitude probably stems from being neglected over and over again. Shes not appreciated and its wearing her down.

"You're always singing about R-E-S-P-E-C-T, but respect isn't something you can ask for, you have to demand it. And you deserve it," Lauren says. And this is an important concept for Mercedes to learn. She can not wait around for others to give her what she wants, she has to take it. Lauren is on the right track, but she gets confused about what Mercedes should "demand." She names divas like JLo and Mariah Carey who are known for making ridiculous demands such as requesting bowls of solid color M&Ms.

"No matter how ridiculous those demands if people will meet them then you know you have it," Lauren says. "Have what," Mercedes asks. "Respect." And that's what Mercedes truly wants. She wants to be acknowledged as the talented young woman that she is and featured in performances. But with the help of Lauren, shes going about it the wrong way.

Rachel has been chosen to be the head of "Talent Relations." Her job is to make the featured performers at Night of Neglect happy. "Stars make demands like babies make messes in their diapers. They can't help it. All a star wants is to just feel appreciated and respected. They just want to feel like they're being heard," Rachel says. It is true. This is one of the reasons why Mercedes is so unhappy with her current status within ND. She feels like she isn't being heard. Earlier in the season we've seen her ideas shot down time and time again by Mr. Schuester and company. Mercedes really doesn't feel appreciated.

But Mercedes is trying to gain the feeling of respect and acknowledgement by playing "diva." She's acting out in ways she would imagine her favorite divas to behave. She makes demands to see if others will meet them. Shes clearly trying to push boundaries to see how much Rachel will do for her. She requests humidifiers and a large bowl of green M&M's in her dressing room. Rachel meets these demands, and even has Puck go out to get Mercedes a Puppy to dry her hands on, as she requested. Rachel has no problem with these antics, mainly because they don't address the real issue at heart.

Lauren says that Mercedes will be doing the closing number. Rachel corrects her. "Actually Sunshine will be doing the closing number because shes bringing in hundreds of people. So I'll go on before Sunshine because well, I'm me," Rachel says. Rachel knows how to get what she wants because she believes she is worthy. This is what distinguishes Rachel from Mercedes.

Mercedes is not happy about it, but instead of fighting Rachel for the closing spot, she makes more demands. "Mercedes wants to be carried in," Lauren says. They name divas who have been "carried in" before like Celion Dion, Cher and Lady Gaga. This move is passive aggressive. Mercedes is not really going after what she truly wants which is to close the benefit. Instead she makes an even bigger demand in order to feel a sense of respect. But it isn't real respect, so it can't really satisfy her.

During the Night of Neglect benefit, the performers are heckled by a group Sue specifically planted in the audience to do just that. Sunshine Corazon has canceled her appearance and everything is going wrong. The members of ND were able to keep some of the hecklers quiet by giving them saltwater taffies. When they run out of Saltwater taffies, Quinn asks how will they be able to stop the hecklers. "By being so good they can't heckle us, and I know just the right person for the job. Where's Mercedes?" Mr. Scheuster says.

Lauren tells ND that Mercedes has left the building. "Miss Jones has not appreciated the way shes been treated and refuses to go on." ND tries to do damage control. Rachel runs into the parking lot and finds Mercedes in her car. Its one of those rainy car scenes that Glee loves to do. These always signify some type of turning point or realization.

Mercedes says that she won't go on because her demands weren't met. "Have you ever read anything about Aretha Franklin. She was a gospel singer," Rachel says. Mercedes rolls her eys. Of course she knows this. "She went to a talent show. Nothing fancy, just a state fair. And the master of ceremonies hands her a tiara and calls her the queen of soul. And that's how she earned her crown. That's how she gained all of her respect. Not by requesting for special pillows, or food. But by doing what she loves best. Singing," Rachel says. 

The problem is, Mercedes has done that. She has been singing her heart out and waiting for her moment of recognition to come but it never does. "I just don't get it. Why are you a bigger star than me?" Mercedes asks. "You always get the big solos, the moments in the sun. Why is it never me?"

"I don't know," Rachel says. "You're just as good a singer as I am."

"Yeah and everyone actually likes me," Mercedes says. And here it is. Mercedes biggest problem. The reason she isn't at the top of the diva totem pole in ND. She's too nice. She cares too much about what others think. She doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. She'd rather be a team player and get along with everyone than step on someone's toes to make it to the top. She's not willing to fight, not really. She'd rather people like her.

"That's your problem. Because I would rather be a star than be nice. And I'm not saying that its healthy or that its better than being loved. There's nothing that I wouldn't do for a chance to be in the spotlight." And Rachel means it. This is why shes at the top, because she is willing to fight for it. She doesn't care if everyone thinks of her as an entitled spoiled brat. Rachel is a star and she will do what it takes to make what she wants happen for her.

"I just really wanted that closing slot," Mercedes says. "Well, if you want that closing slot then get in there and take it from me," Rachel says. This is the only way Mercedes will get anything. She has to take it. Mercedes takes Rachel's words to heart in episode 3.03 when she fights for the role of Maria and eventually leaves ND to form the TroubleTones. At that point she is willing to fight for what she wants, even if that means hurting her friends feelings.

When Mercedes returns to the benefit she makes one last demand. "I demand that all of you get your butts out there and watch me sing." Mercedes wants them to hear her. She wants them to recognize her talent. She sings "Ain't No Way," by Aretha Franklin:

"Ain't no way for me to love you, if you won't let me/ I know that a woman's duty is to help and love a man, and that's the way it was planned/ It just ain't no way for me to love you, if you won't let me/ Stop trying to be something you're not/ If you need me to love you say you do/ Baby don't you know that I need you/ Ain't no way for me to love you if you won't let me."

The lyrics to this song speak to both of Mercedes season long story arcs; her fight for recognition within ND and her quest to find love. If we look at it from the perspective of wanting to be a featured vocalist in ND, then we see that the lyrics are speaking of loyalty and commitment while not recieving reciprocity. In the song, the narrator is trying hard to please the man she loves but she can't because he won't really let her in his head. He's keeping her out and not really communicating with her to let her know how she can love him properly. Within the Glee narrative, Mercedes has been waiting patiently, trying hard to be what she thinks ND wants her to be in hopes of being recognized and finally "loved" as a featured performer. She's being loyal and a team player, yet she isn't getting reciprocity. She tries to fit in and be what she thinks Mr. Scheuster and the ND leadership want her to be, but it still isn't enough.

If we look at the lyrics from the perspective of Mercedes wanting love and companionship, then we see the song as the first time Mercedes has let her guard down and admits to desiring romantic love. "Ain't no way for me to love you, if you won't let me," She sings. This is a song of frustration. Mercedes is finally ready to be loved but she sees no one who wants to love her.  But she has finally said that she wants love and her arms are open here in this song. Her guard is down and shes ready for someone to come in. She just needs someone to hear her song and respond accordingly. But waiting is never fun.

When Mercedes finishes her song she gets a standing ovation. She walks off stage and sees Rachel, "Alright girl, time for the closing number. Go bring the house down," Mercedes says happily. Shes feeling good because she got the recognition that she wanted from her friends. "Are you kidding me. Nobody could follow that. The house has been brought down. That was the closing number," Rachel says. Rachel is not necessarily being generous. She's being honest. If she went on after Mercedes then she would look sub par in comparison. Rachel wouldn't humiliate herself like that. But it was Rachel's decision to not go on, so in a way she did allow Mercedes to have the closing number. Again, Mercedes gets nothing unless Rachel allows it to happen. For now this is good enough for Mercedes. She and Rachel share their usual hug, the one they always share after competing with each other. Its a hug that signifies that everything is right in ND and everything will go back to the way its always been. Its no wonder that when Mercedes is finally fed up with playing second fiddle to Rachel in episode 3.03, she refuses to hug the other girl.

In the end Mercedes, along with the help of Aretha Franklin, secure a patron to fund the Braniac's trip to Detroit. "That song and the weed I smoked immediately prior, it gave me a change of heart," Sandy Ryerson says. "Aretha is my Kryptonite." ND does well when it uses its neglected talent and tries on a different sound for a change.

Sam: Sam is mostly background in this episode. He is extremely quiet, more quiet than usual. When we first see him he's sitting in the choir room between Mercedes and Santana. He's currently dating Santana, but his body is turned away from her, like he's no longer attracted to her and/or unhappy in his relationship. He looks miserable, and its most likely to do with his upcoming homeless storyline. Based on what we know in 2.19, Sam has probably already been kicked out of his home or soon will be. Sam's hair is longer and more unruly than its ever been. Perhaps he hasn't been able to afford a hair cut.

Sam seems more reticent like he's holding back. He no longer appears to be the open and carefree kid he was in the beginning of the season. He doesn't do much talking but he makes a few gestures in the background that reveal his sense of humor. When ND confront Sunshine Corazon in the auditorium and accuse her of being a "horrible spy," Sam is seen making a "tsk, tsk, shame on you" gesture with his fingers.  And when Mercedes comes back and decides to sing at the benefit after talking to Rachel she tells ND to watch her perform, you can see Sam snapping his fingers in a sassy way, being all diva like. Its very quick, the camera only shows his arms and hands before the screen changes.

Sam is the MC of Night of Neglect and introduces each artist.

Samcedes: In this episode we first see Sam and Mercedes sitting next to each other in the choir room. Sam's right knee and foot are pointed in Mercedes direction. It has been said that we point our knees and feet in the direction of the person we are attracted to. I feel that Sam has been attracted to Mercedes at least since episode 2.09, when he bumped his pelvis into her hip during "Dog Days are Over." I think Sam's attraction to Mercedes has been growing over time.

Sam introduces Mercedes before she performs "Ain't No Way." "Now, ladies and gentleman, Ms. Mercedes Jones." He smiles and says her name with such pride, as if he already admires her. Sam introduced everyone, but this was the first time the camera showed his face as he said the performer's name. Then we see him running to his seat so he can watch her sing. Its so cute. After Mercedes performs Sam is the first to stand up and applaud her. He jumps out of his seat and we see him smiling excitedly.

We can look at the lyrics of "Ain't No Way," from a Samcedes p.o.v.

"Ain't no way for me to love you, if you won't let me/ I know that a woman's duty is to help and love a man, and that's the way it was planned/ It just ain't no way for me to love you, if you won't let me/ Stop trying to be something you're not/ If you need me to love you say you do/ Baby don't you know that I need you/ Ain't no way for me to love you if you won't let me."

Mercedes is ready to fall in love and Sam is the right one for her but neither of them knows it yet. Sam needs someone to love him properly, which none of his girlfriends have done thus far. He needs someone to love him right, and Mercedes can do that but she can't unless he allows her to. "Stop trying to be something you're not," Sam has been trying so hard to be popular and be who he thinks other people want him to be, and not really who he is. He can only love Mercedes and Mercedes can only love him when/if he starts being his self. Really, they both have what the other needs, but they don't know it. Mercedes is finally open and ready for love, all we need now is for Sam to "stop being someone" he's not and take notice.

Also, Rachel tells Mercedes that it was the MC at the state fair who crowned Aretha as the Queen of Soul. Mercedes is clearly Aretha in this episode, and who is the MC? Its Sam! Mercedes wins over the audience and closes the benefit after Sam introduces her. Perhaps this is alluding to Sam turning Mercedes into a "queen." Perhaps he will give her confidence and encouragement she never had before.