Glee Madonna Episode Lives Up to Madonna's Power

(AP)---The Glee Madonna episode came in with tons of expectations. Already, the Glee
Madonna episode was being praised by critics, while fans couldn't stop downloading Sue Sylvester's version of Vogue. Even Madonna herself gave her approval - but since this whole show was devoted to her power, that may not have been surprising.

All of McKinley High was about to give in to her, with the charge being led in full force by Sue. But the last audience the Glee Madonna episode had to win over was the Gleeks themselves - and it seems to have worked.The Material Girl's influence on Sue was already leaked last week, when her "Vogue" rendition served as this episode's teaser. But the video was properly put in context here, starting with Sue's plan to have her Cheerios perform to Madonna songs - when they're not playing at ear-splitting levels throughout McKinley High. Given Sue's villainy, it might seem like an insult to Madonna to have her be Sue's main inspiration. But the Glee Madonna episode showed that her music can even touch the most hard-hearted. For Will, he tried to impart that lesson to the glee kids, using Madge's songs to teach them about female empowerment.

Rachel and the girls took that lesson to heart in "Express Yourself" while her and Finn mashed up "Borderline" and "Open Your Heart" - along with different Madonnas through the decade. However, Rachel's heart now belongs to Vocal Adrenaline rival Jesse (Played by the newly OUT, Jonathan Groff) , as their secret relationship moved rapidly towards the next big step. But they weren't the only couple to get there.

The Glee Madonna episode made particularly important use of "Like A Virgin" as three couples took that theme to heart. Along with Rachel and Jesse, Finn got a shot at his first time with Santana, while newly revealed virgin Emma let Madonna inspire her to take charge. Yet although they faced the same Madonna-themed problems, they each came to different conclusions.

But the big show in the Glee Madonna episode was the one revealed last week. And after Sue's "Vogue" was shown yet again, Kurt and Mercedes fans got something to cheer about as well. Their rendition of "Four Minutes" set them up to shine outside of Glee - where everyone had a new reason to fear being in the background.Along with the above homages, the Glee Madonna episode had a choir of "Like A Prayer" to wrap things up, a half-hearted all-male version of "What It Feels Like For A Girl" the Cheerios putting a giant spin on "Ray of Light" and even more tunes blasted on the intercom thanks to Sue. In spite of the occasional "very special episode" feel, the fanbase was bound to feel "Madge-ical" as Kurt put it.

After the Glee Madonna episode, it might be hard to top the spectacle - but next week's show will give it a shot with the return of Kristin Chenoweth, and new challenges for Kurt and Merecedes.