MICHAEL JACKSON that was this weeks theme for the season's big spectacle episode, and boy was it. Michael Jackson the worlds greatest pop artist of all time taken over by a Glee club may seem a bit steep or impossible, but this is Glee and nothing is impossible not with a cast this talented.
The episode opened with Blaine's very lean worthy version of 'I Wanna Be Starting Something' which was a great interlude into an all Michael episode. I always cringe a little when the Glee kids break out into song in the middle of the hallway. Can any of the other students see them? Do they hear them? It always requires one to ignore the surroundings and just concentrate on the performance. Mercedes and Santana are upset that they weren't able to do Michael for Sectionals and want the chance which makes Mr. Schue ask WWMJD? (What Would Michael Jackson Do?) and there you have it the New Directions are doing Michael!
The whole episode is built around the very evil Sebastian who after hearing from Blaine that New Directions were going to be doing Michael for Regional's decides that The Warbler's are better suited for Michael. It's interesting to see Sebastian go from flirty evil to just plane EVIL! Grant Guston plays it with gusto and gets his point across very clearly.
This new development literally has New Directions and The Warbler's reenacting Michael's 'Bad' music video, parking garage and all. A lot of people usually cringe at the idea of Glee remaking certain monumental moments in pop music history, but I always find that they do it justice and Bad was no accept ion. It is a little unrealistic that these kids meet in some random parking garage to 'battle' but the point gets across. The dancing was great a little hard to see because it was very dark and everyone was wearing dark colors but the faux fight scene was really well done.
All the fun is immediately halted when Sebastian throw's a slushy full of salt rock, which is meant for Kurt but Blaine being a good boyfriend jumps to his rescue. He then processed to fall to the ground yelling about his eye (really RIB an eye patch and eye surgery?). Turns out salt rock is not good for the cornea and Blaine needs surgery and is on immediate bed rest. If you're laughing and shaking your head at this then you are not alone. It truly is ridiculous but it serves its purpose as Darren Criss was let out of shooting because he was making his debut on Broadway. SO we'll let it go but only this time because really, that was bad (ha get it).
Finn still not having received an answer from Rachel tries to remain positive but her lack of answer clearly scares him. Rachel brings up some really great points about wanting to marry him and that not having to do it today. He is the one for her and she doesn't need a ring to prove that. Finn also makes some good points saying that they are kidding themselves if they think they can make it work in New York but not here in Lima and he is not wrong. This leads to them both admitting that they are going to New York together whether Rachel gets into NYADA or not. It's a bold statement that gets put into question later on in the episode.
Rachel clearly unable to make up her mind goes to Quinn for advice, as she states Quinn will give her the most honest and thoughtful answer. I only agree with the first part, honest yes thoughtful not so much. Quinn tells Rachel that she is going to have to break up with Finn if she truly wants to find happiness and success. Quinn who herself is finally on a good path got herself into Yale and has realized that happiness doesn't have to come from loving a guy more than yourself. While Quinn is not wrong she is not right either.
I appreciated greatly the scene between these two, but the writers still fail at making Quinn a friend and not a frenemy, they have yet to spark the balance. The issue I have with Quinn's statement is that she in generalizing it too much. Her and Rachel are nothing alike so for her to just assume that happiness can only be found alone and on your own is wrong and immature. This is also assuming that you can't be in love and find success. Has she met Rachel Berry? Rachel can do anything it's why she is disliked by almost everyone at McKinley, nothing is half-assed with her. Quinn is assuming that Finn is an anchor dragging Rachel down without realizing that when together Finn and Rachel are always at their best, they make each other better. What Quinn should've said instead of 'You have to break up with him' is "you're too young to get married". Her diminishing all of Rachel has a direct counter affect to their progress as friends.
There was more drama ahead as Artie takes a 'stand'(pun intended) when it comes to the treatment of his friends and everybody who is different. His very powerful and true speech literally has him standing up from his wheelchair and walking out of the room with Mike in tow. Every fan of Glee at this point knows that Kevin McHale is the biggest Michael Jackson fan so when his scene transitioned into an exact replication of Janet and Michael's 'Scream' no one was shaking their head in wonder but smiling bright at the chance to see Kevin who is one of the best dancers on the show, actually get up from his chair and dance it up. It was a really great moment and the replication is almost spot on. Also Kevin looked smoking' dancing it up!
One of the most touching scene's this episode dealt with Kurt finding out that he is a finalist for NYADA, new's that his father personal delivers. This scene between Chris and Mike O'Maley was so moving. Burt is literally brought to tears as he tells his son that even though he was beaten down and pushed around he was able to achieve greatness and that he finally won. It was a spectacular moment which then lead into a very touching scene between Kurt and Rachel, who has yet to receive her letter from NYADA.
Lea Michele acted the crap out of this scene as she realizes that everyone around her has plans for their future and all she has is her boyfriend. I both loved and hated this scene. Besides Lea Michele literally destroying my heart with her tears, I did not like the fact that she didn't get a letter and here is why.
The moment you find out she doesn't get a letter into NYADA you know the answer to Finn's proposal. I don't like this for the simple fact that it now appears that she only says yes because she doesn't think her dreams are going to come true so her only option is to marry Finn because at least she knows that's real. This message is all wrong and immediately sparked all the Finchel Haters to literally shut town Tumblr for 2 hours. True fans of the show who understand the importance of the Finn and Rachel relationship will understand that there was a part of Rachel that said yes to Finn because she feels its all she has left, which is reflected in the last scene, but they will also understand that Rachel and Finn are both naive at times, but they're not stupid. I think assuming that they are actually going to get married this season or next is wrong, they are both smart enough to realize they have a little more growing up to do.
The other reason I was not a fan of this plot development was the simple fact that the writers made is plausible that Kurt would get into NYADA before Rachel. Here's the truth, Rachel is the most talented person in McKinley probably even in all of Ohio and she shouldn't have to apologize for that. She will get into NYADA, she will go to New York and she WILL do it all with Finn by her side. If any other character in the show, Rachel is truly the only one that could achieve all her dreams and if you think for a second she wont you're watching the wrong show. Rachel finally does get her letter for NYADA and she is too a finalist.
In other news Sam and Mercedes do a great duet version of 'Human Nature' which besides 'Smooth Criminal' was one of the best versions of Michael's songs. This performance ends with a kiss and was really cute but i still find myself not caring because the writers literally had to destroy a previous storyline of Mercedes and her boyfriend to fit Chord back into the show.
Musical Recap:
'Wanna Be Starting Something'-Blaine: This was a great introduction song, Darren sounded great and the leaning bit in the hallway was way cool. Also the lyrics for this song are so random did anyone else catch 'you're a vegetable, you're a vegetable' crazy.
'Bad'-New Directions VS The Warbler's: This was another great cover, the gang feel of the scene was kind of random but vocally and visually it worked. The fight scene choreography was the best part and definitely gave to the feel of these two teams battling.
'Scream'-Artie and Mike: If nothing else its just amazing to see Kevin getting up and dancing. They recreated the whole music video which was really cool. Artie's angst face was a bit much at times, but the now two times they've had Artie get out of his chair have always been done very well to storyline and character, so no complaints.
'Never Can Say Goodbye'-Quinn: I pray for the days that Dianna gets to sing because I truly do love her voice, however this number had me confused. The lyrics directly contradict what she just said to Rachel about not needing a guy to find happiness, yet the lyric's read as though she'll never be able to say goodbye to her past relationships. Truthfully I loved seeing Puck coming out because Mark and Dianna have amazing chemistry and their relationship was never properly completed. This also did seem like a general closing to Quinn/Dianna storyline and as of late only Cory, Lea and Chris were confirmed for Season 4.So if this is her last season fingers crossed they give Puck and Quinn one more chance.
'Human Nature'-Mercedes and Sam: Great duet vocally on both their parts. It was great for furthering their storyline and love triangle that is going to emerge. They are very cute I will give them that, I just don't find myself caring at all.
'Ben'-Kurt, Rachel and Finn" I know, I know of all the songs this is the most randomist and probably ill fitting yet, but its Ben. I am completely biased because Ben is one of my all time favorite Michael songs, truly at 11 years old he is singing notes people can barely reach now. But yes it is about a Rat and it was random and will not be well received by any reviewer.
'Smooth Criminal'-Santana and Sebastian" Let's be honest this was all Naya, vocally she outdid Grant. They both sounded awesome and sexual tension was all over this. Yes I know Santana is gay as is Sebastian but Naya oozes sex appeal and that she can't rid Santana of. One of the best covers for this episode, those 2Cello dudes are crazy good. Probably one of my favorite performances this episode.
'I Just Can't Stop Loving You'-Finn and Rachel" YES to all of this. It was their first duet since 'Pretending' from last years season finale. It was a beautiful moment and Cory knocked it out vocally he was all over this song belting high and hitting low, I loved it. It also prompted one of Finn's best lines, "you always seem to understand me better when I'm not talking" pure love right there and what better way for them to express their love, if not through song? Come on people this is Glee. I loved this performance and the scene following, there is definitely some hesitation on Rachel's part but I have faith in the writers too fully think this proposal through. Are they too young to get married? Absolutely but i don't think the writers are going to go in that direction. And for people thinking this is sending the wrong message go and watch One Tree Hill, Nathan and Haley were married by the end of the first season and are still together.
'Black or White'-New Directions: Great performance although the face morphing thing is both incredibly creepy and cool. New Directions show the Warbler's how its not just being able to sing Michael Jackson but understanding it and feeling it.
Overall I give the episode 4/5. They could've picked better songs and not such random songs but the point was there. This tribute episode is also better than years past because there was an actual plot that was being developed around the songs, Rachel and Kurt with NYADA, Finn and Rachel proposal and generally the future of the graduating seniors.
Let me know your thoughts. And follow me on Twitter @NatGee10
NOTE: Finchel haters and Faberry shippers if you read this and comment with just hate on how I am wrong or that Finn doesn't really love Rachel or Rachel is making a mistake, do me a favor and save your energy, I don't care I know what show I am watching and I know what I see. Faberry shippers don't even try and convince me or yourselves that the hug meant more than just a friendly hug. I don't want hate and negativity on here so if you have nothing to say, don't say it.
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