‘Glee’ Recap: ‘A Katy or a Gaga’ Serves Roars and Applause

Katy Perry and Lady Gaga are two of (if not the) biggest names in pop music today. From “Prism” to “Artpop,” both songbirds bring their own unique brand to mass audiences all over the world. Gaga’s is more out there and shocking, while Katy’s is the quirky, girl-next-door type. This week’s Glee was all about the New Directioners discovering their own inner Katy or Gaga, after Mr. Schue challenges the “Katys” to sing Gaga songs, and vice versa.

Sam’s motivation to tap into his Gaga side is Penny, the nurse he’s still hung up on. It turns out Nurse Penny has an edgy side when it comes to her music and she isn’t exactly feeling Sam’s love of True Jackson VP. He makes it his mission to create an over the top Gaga performance of Applause, convincing the entire school to show up and watch. Marley won’t conform to the Gaga standard and dresses in a Katy costume, causing Mr. Schue to suspend her. Can we go ahead and just say Mr. Schue is the worst teacher in the world? After the performance, Penny reveals that she is truly a Katy at heart — something Sam can finally admit as well. The pair finally kiss and show up to watch the “Gagas” perform a stripped down version of Katy’s Wide Awake.

Cheerleader Bree has been enlisted by Principal Sylvester to take down the Glee club (how many times has this happened now?!) and decides to make a move on Marley’s boyfriend Jake. Her timing might just be perfect though, as Jake is growing weary of Marley’s vanilla ways and same dating routines. Marley convinces Jake to help Bree and the Cheerios with their new routines, basically throwing him right into her arms. Things grow worse when Jake tries to have sex with Marley again and she freaks out and tells him to go be with a girl who is willing to. This of course sends him right into Bree’s arms (and, well, her something else…)

Back in New York, Kurt is busy starting his own band after watch both his roommates book big projects (Rachel in Funny Girl and Santana’s not-to-be-forgotten Yeast-I-Stat commercial, which I’m still laughing about). Rachel is hesitant to join due to her big Broadway role, but Santana and Dani happily oblige. The only person who shows up to audition is “Starchild” (new guest star Adam Lambert) who brings the house down with his rendition of Gaga’s Marry The Night. Santana and Dani are blown away by the guy, but Kurt is threatened by his “outlandish” look and turns him down. How many times can Glee write a storyline where a glee clubber is threatened by someone talented? It’s happened way too many times to be the least bit intriguing anymore, and we all know how this ends anyway.

Kurt explains to Rachel that he is worried that being too over the top and outlandish won’t bring him the success he desires, but his best friend eases his worries and convinces him to give Starchild (whose real name is Elliott) another chance. Trying to come up with a name for their new band turns out to be the most difficult part but, thanks to Rachel, they decide on Pamela Lansbury — the appeal of Pamela Anderson combined with the quiet dignity of Angela Lansbury! After that, Kurt finally convinces Rachel to join the band!

In the end, the New Directioners realize it’s okay to be a hybrid of both Katy and Gaga, as long as they’re being true to themselves. Sue shows up at the end to inform the entire club they are suspended for their barely there costumes. To rebel, they sing Roar, which happens to be the exact same song Pamela Lansbury is singing as well!

What did you think of A Katy Or A Gaga? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!