How Britney 2.0 could have been a winning Wemma episode.

The problem with Britney 2.0 was that unless you are a Brittanalyst with a handbook to understanding Brittany’s psychology, know something about Britney Spears’ meltdown and/or like Spears’ songs then the episode could be classified as boring.

Once again RIB filled an episode with too many songs and they criminally under utilized their best assets: Jayma and Matt. Remember, Emma is a guidance counsellor and hands out the graduation certificates at the end of the year and Will has been awarded teacher of the year twice. Why not SHOW the audience these attributes in action?

Here’s how:

Firstly, delete:

All scenes involving Jake, Marley and Unique. I went and made a cup of tea during their scenes, that’s how bored I was by their storylines and songs. By deleting their scenes we eliminate three songs. There we go, we now have half the episode free to show how effective Will and Emma can be and to reveal that Brittany is not stupid, but a very complex character who is now battling with a persona that is no longer working to her advantage.

Secondly, insert:

1.    After Brittany tries to shave her hair off and beats up JBI, Emma and Will talk about Brittany in Emma’s office. Emma, who in Brittany/Britney showed how much she knew about Britney Spears tells Will that Brittany’s behaviour is emulating her idol’s demise and it did not end well. Since the Britney songs don’t seem to be working, they try and work out another way to help Brittany in an attempt to save Brittany from Britney!

2.    Attempt 1: Will tries to forge a connection with Brittany and show her how valuable she is to Glee club. He invites her to show him some dance moves for the welcome back to school pep rally – they do a hip hop style dance together (Isn’t it about time we saw the show’s two best dancers dance together?) Will takes the opportunity to say he knows what it’s like to miss someone so badly that you feel like all the joy has been sucked out of the world ie referring to missing Emma during The Carl period. Brittany says, ‘How did you escape the loneliness Mr Schue?’ He says uncomfortably, ‘I drank.’ Brittany shakes her head and says, ‘I can understand your thirst.’ They smile at each other. Will says, ‘I also found keeping myself busy helped.’ He invites her to be his dance director. Brittany doesn't say yes or no. She’s on her own trajectory.

3.    Attempt 2: After Brittany’s disastrous performance Will, Emma and Brittany sit in Emma’s office, but Will and Emma are not behind the desk. They are sitting either side of Brittany. Will explains to Brittany how she’s hurt her Glee family. (This scene would reiterate the roles of Will and Emma as ‘the parents’ of Glee Club.) Emma states that she knows how sometimes we get ourselves into situations we don’t know how to get out of but the best way to get out of them is to speak the problem out loud and accept the help of a friend (ie referring to her own OCD). Will says, ‘I know you’re smart Brittany, you have to be to use malapropisms and to concoct such an elaborate cry for help.’ (This would establish that Will has taken the time to consider Brittany’s words and behaviour and is showing her that he really cares about her well being – just as he did for Emma’s OCD. It would also explain to viewers that Brittany’s lines are clever instead of stupid.)

Emma acknowledges that Brittany has developed a unique way of communicating which shows enormous creativity and emotional intelligence but she thinks Brittany realizes it’s not working so well this year. Emma asks Brittany if she wants help improving her grades so she can graduate and perhaps apply to a dance school? She gets Brittany to write down a list of what’s troubling her and we then get a montage of Emma and Will helping Brittany write down solutions for these problems and the actions she’ll need to take.  

Result:

• Brittany character development.
• Some explanation of Brittany’s behaviour and character traits.
• Relationship development between Will and Brittany.
• Will showing how he cares about the kids and deserved to win teacher of the year (this contrasts with Sue’s reaction to Brittany’s low grades).
• Emma showing how good she is at her job.
• Will and Emma working together as that ‘Girl saving team’.