This week, Glee Chat host Jessica O’Neal writes the recap for episode 3×08 “Hold On To Sixteen!”

Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessONeal84 and check out her blog http://thesexylittlenerd.wordpress.com

Once again it is time for Sectionals and – surprise, surprise – the New Directions are busily figuring out their set list the week of. Still several members short, they enlist the help of a few of the random band kids who are always hanging around and Finn decides to go hunt down Sam. He and Rachel show up at Sam’s workplace only to discover he is working as a stripper who goes by the name “White Chocolate”. Sam says that he would love to return to McKinley and after a short conversation with his parents they agree to let him go.

Sam’s return bolsters the New Directions and they get busy with preparations for Sectionals. When Sam suggests a sexually suggestive dance move to give them an edge Blaine stands up in opposition. This leads to a confrontation which ends with Blaine storming out. Finn finds Blaine taking out his frustrations on a punching bag and Blaine finally asks Finn what his problem with him is. Finn admits that he is jealous of Blaine and his talent. The two work out their differences and agree to work together in Glee Club.

As New Directions prepares to face off against the Troubletones, Quinn is confident of their victory. She confides in Rachel that Puck told her he and Shelby had sex and she plans to tell Principle Figgins. Rachel tells Quinn that this is a bad idea and will only lead to heartache and pain for everyone, including Beth. In the end Quinn decides to keep her mouth shut. A decision, she tells Rachel, she makes for Beth.

Sectionals open with a performance by the Unitards who are led by Glee Project winner Lindsay Pearce’s character, Harmony. They are followed by the Troubletones, and then New Directions. In the middle of the New Directions set Kurt spots Sebastian in the audience. Earlier in the episode the two of them had a verbal match in which they declared their mutual dislike of one another and Kurt is not happy to see him. Another surprise attendee is Mike Chang’s father. After seeing his son perform and the passion he has for it, Mr. Chang finally gives Mike his blessing to pursue his dreams.

When the results are delivered the Unitards come in third, followed by the Troubletones in second, and New Directions declared the winners. Back at school, Quinn finds Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany to ask them to return to New Directions so that they can enjoy their last few months as seniors together. Later, as the New Directions celebrate their victory and begin to look forward to Regionals, Mercedes, Santana, Brittany, and Sugar enter the auditorium and are welcomed back with open arms.

Jessica’s Thoughts:

There was a lot about this episode that I loved and a lot that I was not a fan of. I was very underwhelmed by the musical numbers. I absolutely hated “Red Solo Cup”. The only good part of that performance for me was Kurt’s facial expressions, which pretty much mirrored my own. I was also not very impressed by any of New Directions’ songs for Sectionals. I liked that so many of the members got to be featured, but none of the performances sucked me in like they usually do for the competition episodes. I felt like they were completely outperformed by the other two groups.

I would like to take a moment here to express my very great love for Lindsay Pearce. She steals every scene that she is in. I loved the short conversation between her and Kurt. The fact that they went out of their way to tell us she is a sophomore gives me hope that we will see her again even though the two episode arc she won is over. I love her and I want her to stay! #KeepLindsayOnGlee

Going into this episode I was really excited to see the return of Sam. Now, I’m not so sure. I don’t really like what they have done with his character. I loved his dorky, nerdiness. It fit him so well and was incredibly endearing. I don’t like his new, hard attitude. I get that he has been through a lot, but he was going through it last season too and he never lost who he was. Hopefully, we will see more of the Sam we fell in love with as his arc continues.

I am so glad that we finally saw Blaine have a negative reaction to something. I adore his character, and yet even I was getting tired of the Perfect Patty image we were getting week after week. That conversation with Finn was a long time coming and I thought that they handled it really well. I was very surprised by his extreme reaction to Sam, though. I hope that they take the time to explore whatever that was all about.

I really, really hope that the whole Quinn-Puck-Shelby plot is finished now. It seems like it could be and nothing would make me happier. Quinn seemed to come to some kind of peace with herself; let’s see if it sticks this time around.

I loved the whole scene between Kurt and Sebastian. The way that they each completely insulted each other so calmly, never once losing their smiles, was just great. I HATE Sebastian and was so glad that Kurt said all he did.

What did you think? Did you love the episode or were you underwhelmed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.