Naked (Glee)

Last updated
"Naked"
Glee episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 12
Directed by Ian Brennan
Written by Ryan Murphy
Featured music
Production code4ARC12
Original air dateJanuary 31, 2013 (2013-01-31)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Sadie Hawkins"		Next →
"Diva"
Glee (season 4)
List of episodes

"Naked" is the twelfth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee , and the seventy-eighth episode overall. Written and directed by co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, respectively, it aired on Fox in the United States on January 31, 2013.

Contents

Plot

The Dalton Academy Warblers are exposed for using steroids for their participation in Sectionals, and New Directions is given another chance to compete in Regionals. To raise money for the bus, Tina Cohen-Chang (Jenna Ushkowitz) successfully proposes they make a sexy "Men of McKinley" calendar with the male members of the New Directions.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) is asked to star in a student film, but becomes conflicted when she learns the role requires her to be topless. After singing "Torn", Rachel decides to go through with it. Although her boyfriend Brody Weston (Dean Geyer) supports her, Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) does not agree with her decision and calls Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) and Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) to convince Rachel not to do it, but Rachel remains decided.

In Lima, Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) informs Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) that she had excellent grades in her SATs, but her boyfriend Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) had a terrible score. Sam becomes convinced that he can only rely on his body to be successful, and through a mash-up of "Centerfold" and "Hot in Herre", pushes the guys of New Directions for the calendar, causing conflict with Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale), who is uncomfortable with his body. Cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) tries to stop the calendar from being released, but Finn (Cory Monteith) blackmails her with her own nude photoshoot for Penthouse magazine.

Brittany also convinces Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist) to declare her feelings for Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist). They duet on "A Thousand Years", but Marley cannot bring herself to say it. Advised by Ryder Lynn (Blake Jenner), Jake then declares his feelings through a performance of "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)", and Marley reciprocates his feelings. Meanwhile, Blaine convinces Sam to stop pushing himself so hard, and, with help from guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), selects colleges that do not require good SAT scores.

In New York City, Rachel eventually decides not to do the topless scene and thanks Quinn and Santana for their support. They perform "Love Song" together, and Santana voices her interest in moving to New York City. Meanwhile, in Lima, Sam apologizes to Artie for his actions, and convinces Tina to change the themes of the calendar so Artie can pose without having to be nude. They then join the others in a performance of "This Is the New Year".

Production

The episode was written by Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy and directed by a second co-creator, Ian Brennan.

Murphy tweeted a picture from the Men of McKinley calendar shoot for this episode over the weekend of December 15, 2012; the calendar was subsequently confirmed to be in an upcoming episode. [1]

One of the songs in the episode, "Torn", [2] is performed by Michele as a duet between the "old" Rachel and "new" Rachel after Rachel has been cast in a student film; her role includes a topless sequence. [3] Shooting the song required her to perform the entire song twice, once as each of the two Rachels: "they're syncing it together to have me on-screen together". [3]

Recurring characters in this episode include school guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), Yale student Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron), and glee club members Joe Hart (Samuel Larsen), Wade "Unique" Adams (Alex Newell), Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist), Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist), Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin) and Ryder Lynn (Blake Jenner), Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba), cheerleader Becky Jackson (Lauren Potter), NYADA junior Brody Weston (Dean Geyer), local television news anchors Rod Remington (Bill A. Jones) and Andrea Carmichael (Earlene Davis), and Hunter Clarington (Nolan Gerard Funk), captain of the Dalton Academy Warblers. Amber Riley's character, Mercedes Jones, also does a cameo, in a testimony video where she tells how Sam was good to her. [4]

Seven of the songs from the episode are being released as six singles: [5] Natalie Imbruglia's cover of Ednaswap's "Torn" performed by Michele; [2] [6] A Great Big World's "This Is the New Year" performed by New Directions, [7] Christina Perri's "A Thousand Years" performed by Benoist and Artist; [8] Ne-Yo's "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)"; [9] Sara Bareilles's "Love Song" performed by Michele, Agron and Naya Rivera; [10] and a mashup of The J. Geils Band's "Centerfold" and Nelly's "Hot in Herre" as one single, performed by Artist, Chord Overstreet, Jenner and Becca Tobin. [11]

Reception

Ratings

The episode was watched by 5.58 million American viewers, and garnered a 2.1/6 rating/share among adults 18–49. The show placed fourth in its timeslot behind Person of Interest, Grey's Anatomy, and a one-hour broadcast of The Office. [12] This episode was down significantly from the previous episode "Sadie Hawkins," which was watched by 6.79 million viewers. [13]

Critical response

The episode garnered mixed to positive reviews from critics. Lauren Hoffman of Vulture said regarding Rachel's topless scene that her getting cold feet was "okay. [But] I wish Glee had done a bit more to show that it would've been okay if she’d gone through with the topless shoot. I know that’s dangerous territory, but it’s territory Glee will need to figure out how to tread if it’s going to be a show about college kids for high-school kids." [14] Laurel Brown of Zap2it said, "It's really too bad that only one female newsreader realizes the insanity of it all. But if everybody realized the insanity, there would be no more Glee." She complimented the Marley and Jake subplot, dubbing it "one of the sweetest storylines ever to be seen on Glee... The sweetness culminates in Jake writing that he loves Marley on one of the calendars. Her "I love you back" is just about enough to make you cry with loving happiness." [15]

Many critics highlighted the scene with Quinn and Santana. Ryan Gajewski of Wetpaint wrote, "Frankly, the idea of Quinn and Santana acting as the angel on Rachel’s shoulder was hilarious and awesome, and the three of them performing “Love Song” was magical." [16] Josee Rose of The Wall Street Journal applauded Quinn and Santana's return in the episode, "It’s nice to hear Quinn and Santana again, there definitely isn't enough of them this season. And they also set it up for Santana to move to the Big Apple." [17] Daniel Sperling of Digital Spy assessed, "There's no denying that most of the semi-nudity is gratuitous, and initially Glee tries to offset this by overloading the episode with ideas." Sperling noted, "it's when 'Naked' quits being superficial and peers a little deeper that it starts to perk up." He also complimented Quinn and Santana's appearance, "Their brief cameo works wonders." [18]

Rae Votta from Billboard gave the episode a positive review, "Glee stripped down this week in an episode that highlighted nakedness (physical and emotional) of its characters, plus provided fans with the utter eye candy of shirtless dudes in crazy costumes, a landscape of equal parts nostalgia and current pop hits, and realistic storylines that didn't make the viewer want to tear out his or her hair. There's not much to dislike about Glee right now." [19] MaryAnn Sleasman of TV.com said "In a season that's been plagued by uneven quality, "Naked" ended up being pleasantly enjoyable.." [20] Lesley Goldberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the cover of "This is the New Year" by A Great Big World was "one of the most dynamic and appropriate songs the show has covered of late (if ever). It's filled with cute moments from Sam and Blaine and from Sam and Artie and one tremendously funny eye-roll from Kitty." [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finn Hudson</span> Fictional character from the Fox series Glee

Finn Christopher Hudson is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character was portrayed by Cory Monteith and first appeared on television when Glee premiered its pilot episode on Fox on May 19, 2009. Finn was developed by Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan. Glee follows the trials of the New Directions glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School in the town of Lima, Ohio. Finn is initially quarterback of his high school football team. A popular jock at the top of the school's social hierarchy, when he finds himself forced to join the school's glee club, he discovers that he loves it, although he risks alienation from his friends by remaining a member. His storylines see him struggle with his decision to stay in the club, which is at the bottom of the social ladder, while he maintains his popular reputation and the respect of the other jocks. The character has dealt with his attraction to both self-centered head cheerleader Quinn Fabray and ambitious yet kindhearted glee club star singer Rachel Berry, the series' female lead. Following Monteith's death on July 13, 2013, it was announced that Finn's own death would occur in the third episode of the fifth season, titled "The Quarterback".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinn Fabray</span> Fictional character from the Fox series Glee

Quinn Fabray is a fictional character from the TV series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Dianna Agron, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. She is the cheerleading captain at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, as well as a member of the school's glee club. In the first episode, Quinn is introduced as an antagonistic queen bee stock character. She joins the school glee club to spy on her boyfriend Finn Hudson and becomes a spy for cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester ; she remains part of the club after she is removed from the cheerleading team, the "Cheerios", due to her pregnancy. Over the course of the first season, her character matures and builds friendships with the other outcasts who make up the glee club. Quinn gives birth at the end of the first season to a baby girl, Beth, whom she gives up for adoption. Quinn was 16 years old when she had her baby.

"New Directions" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the one-hundred-first episode overall. Written and directed by series co-creator Brad Falchuk, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 25, 2014, and is the second part of a two-part anniversary episode that features the apparent end of New Directions after the club is shut down by principal Sue Sylvester. Many graduates of the glee club have returned, as have special guest stars Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes and Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday. This is the last appearance of Paltrow, Chenoweth, and Melissa Benoist on the series, although Benoist is still credited as a series regular throughout the remainder of the season.

Duets (<i>Glee</i>) 4th episode of the 2nd season of Glee

"Duets" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American television series Glee, and the twenty-sixth episode overall. It was written by series creator Ian Brennan, directed by Eric Stoltz, and premiered on Fox on October 12, 2010. The episode featured seven cover versions, including a mash-up of "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Get Happy" by Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland, respectively.

"Thanksgiving" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-fourth episode overall. Written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner, and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on November 29, 2012. The episode features the return of many of the New Directions graduates to help in coaching the current glee club for Sectionals competition, which takes place on Thanksgiving, and the reappearance of special guest star Sarah Jessica Parker as Isabelle Wright, Kurt's boss in New York City.

"Glee, Actually" is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-sixth episode overall as well as the show's third Christmas-themed episode. Written by Matthew Hodgson and directed by Adam Shankman, it aired on Fox in the United States on December 13, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitty Wilde</span> Fictional character from the Fox series Glee

Kitty Wilde is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Becca Tobin, and appeared for the first time during the first episode of the fourth season, "The New Rachel", first broadcast on September 13, 2012. Kitty was introduced as a bully and a member of the McKinley High cheerleader squad who slushies the newest members of the Glee club, Marley Rose and Wade "Unique" Adams, and serves as the new teen antagonist for the season, as well as serving as a parallel to an early Quinn Fabray. As the season progressed, she joins the glee club and becomes Marley's worst enemy. However, later it is shown that Kitty also has a soft side. Her harshness and cruelty seems to be greatly lessened during the fifth and sixth season, as she is seen becoming a better person, though she still acts rudely in general most of the time.

"Sadie Hawkins" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-seventh episode overall. Written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on January 24, 2013.

"Diva" is the thirteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the seventy-ninth episode overall. Written by co-creator Brad Falchuk and directed by Paris Barclay, it aired on Fox in the United States on February 7, 2013. Paris Barclay was nominated at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for this episode.

"I Do" is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eightieth episode overall. Written and directed by co-creators Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk, respectively, it aired on Fox in the United States on February 14, 2013, and features the events surrounding the long-anticipated wedding of Will Schuester and Emma Pillsbury.

"Feud" is the sixteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-second episode overall. Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Bradley Buecker, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 14, 2013.

"Guilty Pleasures" is the seventeenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-third episode overall. Written by Russel Friend and Garrett Lerner and directed by Eric Stoltz, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 21, 2013. Kelley Mitchell, Jennifer Greenberg, Melissa Buell, Tym Shutchai Buacharern, Paula Jane Hamilton and Darla Albright were nominated at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series for this episode.

"Sweet Dreams" is the nineteenth episode of the fourth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-fifth episode overall. Written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Elodie Keene, it aired on Fox in the United States on April 18, 2013. Special guest star Idina Menzel returns as Rachel's biological mother, Shelby Corcoran. This is the last episode to feature Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson, who missed the remainder of the season because he entered drug rehabilitation the week after filming, then died of an overdose three months after the episode aired.

"Love, Love, Love" is the premiere episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the eighty-ninth episode overall. The episode was written by series co-creator Brad Falchuk and directed by Bradley Buecker, and first aired on September 26, 2013 on Fox in the United States.

"Movin' Out" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the ninety-fourth episode overall. It was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by Brad Falchuk, and it aired on Fox in the United States on November 21, 2013. The episode is a tribute to the music of Billy Joel, and features seven of his songs. The episode features special guest star Tyra Banks as Bichette, the head of a modeling agency.

"Previously Unaired Christmas" is the eighth episode and fall finale of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the ninety-sixth episode overall. It was directed by Wendey Stanzler and written by Ross Maxwell, and it aired on Fox in the United States on December 5, 2013. The episode is the show's fourth Christmas special, but due to season five being set in the same calendar year as season four, it is a non-canonical episode which purports to be the original season four Christmas special, suppressed by Fox.

"100" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the 100th episode of the series overall. Written by series co-creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, and directed by Paris Barclay, it aired on Fox in the United States on March 18, 2014. The episode features the apparent end of New Directions after the club is shut down by principal Sue Sylvester. Many graduates of the glee club return, as do special guest stars Kristin Chenoweth as April Rhodes and Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday.

Homecoming (<i>Glee</i>) 2nd episode of the 6th season of Glee

"Homecoming" is the second episode of the sixth season of the American musical television series Glee, and the 110th overall. The episode was written by series co-creator Ryan Murphy, directed by executive producer Bradley Buecker, and first aired on January 9, 2015 on Fox in the United States along with the previous episode, "Loser Like Me", as a special two-hour premiere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marley Rose</span> Fictional character from the Fox series Glee

Marley Rose is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actress Melissa Benoist, and appeared in Glee since the premiere of the fourth season, "The New Rachel" first broadcast on September 13, 2012, up until the thirteenth episode of season five. Marley is a shy, unambitious wallflower who is the daughter of McKinley High's cafeteria lady, and aspires to be a singer on radio rather than on Broadway.

References

  1. ↑ Strecker, Erin (December 18, 2012). "Ryan Murphy tweets out 'Men of McKinley' calendar – Photo". Entertainment Weekly . Time Inc . Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Michele, Lea (January 27, 2013). "Twitter / @msleamichele: Also (fun fact) 'Torn' was written by @AnnePreven (who I'm working on my solo album with!)" . Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (January 15, 2013). "Glee: A 'Bold Move' for Rachel, Tina's New Crush and 8 More Spoilers From the Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Glee – 04 – Naked". FoxFast. Fox Broadcasting Company . Retrieved December 22, 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "Glee Cast – MP3 downloads". amazon.com. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Naked – The Official Music Site for Glee". Glee: The Music. Columbia. January 29, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  7. ↑ Murphy, Ryan (January 25, 2013). "Twitter / @MrRPMurphy: SNEAK PREVIEW FROM NEXT WEEK'S "NAKED": Glee's tribute version of A Great Big World's "This Is The New Year." New fav" . Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (January 22, 2013). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on NCIS, Bones, Nikita, Community, Scandal, Glee, Good Wife and More!". TVLine . PMC . Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  9. ↑ "SONG PREMIERE! Listen to Glee's cover of Ne-Yo's "Let Me Love You"". GleeTheMusic.com. Columbia Records. January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  10. ↑ "SONG PREMIERE! Check out Glee's take on Sara Bareilles' "Love Song!"". GleeTheMusic.com. Columbia Records. January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Glee Is Getting Hot In Herre For This Week's 'Naked' Episode...And Much MORE!". perezhilton.com. January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  12. ↑ Bibel, Sara (November 30, 2012). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'The Vampire Diaries', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'Beauty and the Beast' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers . Zap2it. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  13. ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 25, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Glee' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  14. ↑ Hoffman, Lauren. "Glee Recap: Crazy Girl Makes Good". Vulture. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  15. ↑ "'Glee' gets 'Naked': Highlights from an unfortunately clothed episode - Zap2it". Blog.zap2it.com. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  16. ↑ "Glee - Glee Recap of Season 4, Episode 12: "Naked" — Jake and Marley Say "I Love You"!". Wetpaint.com. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  17. ↑ Josée Rose (2013-02-01). "'Glee,' Season 4, Episode 12, 'Naked': TV Recap - Speakeasy - WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  18. ↑ "'Glee': The men of New Directions bare all in new episode 'Naked' - Glee Recap - Television - Digital Spy". Digitalspy.ca. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  19. ↑ "'Glee' Recap: A Very Naked Episode". Billboard. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  20. ↑ Campbell, Nick (2013-02-01). "Glee "Naked" Review: Rachel Berry Uncensored - News". TV.com. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  21. ↑ "'Glee' Recap: 'Naked' Brings Growth for Rachel, Sam and Jarley". The Hollywood Reporter. 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.