by Gina Scarpa

 

Break out the tissues because this week's theme on The Glee Project is Vulnerability. Robert shows up at the dorm to deliver the homework challenge, "My Life Would Suck Without U" by Kelly Clarkson. As usual, there are fights over solos and as usual, Mario is part of the argument. He fights over lines with Mario, as do Lily and Aylin. Like, it's literally six words. Is it THAT important?

 

This week's mentor is none other than Finn Hudson himself, Cory Monteith, who Robert refers to as the most accessible actor on the show. After the performance, Cory pointed out people like Abraham, Ali, and Lily who need to tone it down a bit and be more believable. Though Shanna was my favorite, he chooses Nellie as the winner and even she's surprised!

 

REM's "Everybody Hurts" is the song for this week's video shoot (it didn't seem like many of them were familiar with it), and the concept is teen bullying. Erik heads to the dorm to have a heart to heart about bullying and that's then the tears start a-flowin'. Tyler has always felt like he didn't belong, Shanna was made fun of because her mom had a drug addiction, Alexander was teased for being feminine, Blake didn't step in when he saw a kid being bullied at school, and Lily was a bully (and probably still is). Her story, in particular, seems a little fake but the others take it at face value.

 

In the studio, Nikki points out that Mario keeps singing flat but he feels he always delivers when it's time to record. Aylin really stood out as we've never heard her sound so sensitive and serious. It was definitely nice to see.

 

At the video shoot, Lily throws attitude because she says she can't concentrate, while Blake is very convincing in his role as a bully causing Robert to deem him the best actor in the group. Charlie takes improving too far, ripping the cane out of Mario's hand when he wasn't directed to, and Alexander gives a strong performance in his losing battle with a group of bullies.

 

After viewing the video, the mentors feel that Blake is the best and call him back for next week. Abraham, Michael, Shannon, Aylin, and Tyler are also called back, and Ali and Nellie narrowly escape the bottom three. That leaves Lily (again), Charlie, and Mario to battle it out in order to be saved by Ryan.

 

Lily sings "Mercy" by Duffy, a song that she didn't know that well, but she gives her usual sassy performance. She breaks down when talking to Ryan, saying there's a lot more she can do than sass. Then why haven't we seen it?!

 

Charlie sounds great on his rendition of "Fix You" by Coldplay and Ryan is thrilled that this isn't a karaoke show. When asked why he didn't follow directions, he says he's not used to tv but I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.

 

Mario gave a beautiful performance of "Over The Rainbow" and didn't struggle with his pitch here. When Nikki tells him that it's okay that he has off moments, he breaks down and says he's very sensitive. Man, there's a lot of excuses tonight.

 

At the end of it all, the mentors decide to keep everyone so the group will move on next week and explore sexuality. That should be interesting!

 

 

The Glee Project airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on Oxygen.

 

(Image courtesy of Oxygen)

 

 

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