First off Nationals is only days away and the New Directions still have to nail down a set list and learn all the choreography. And we all know what happens when they don't come prepared, they lose Nationals by coming in 12th place.
Mr. Schue and Sue are doing what ever they can to make sure these kids win and that means giving Rachel her solo and crazy props. Only one of those things is rejected...and its not the props.
Tina having patiently swayed in the background for the last 3 years finally finds her voice. She doesn't want to be a 'prop' to Rachel Berry anymore and she is pissed. This is where Glee fans have used their powers, sick of Jenna/Tina never saying more than one word an episode have complained non stop for her to have something more than one line...and it worked. The first 25 minutes were dedicated to Jenna/Tina.
After Rachel tries to explain to Tina how difficult it is being her, what with not having time to go shopping or watch TV, also having to keep her boyfriend both interested and physically satisfied, she doesn't truly know what its like to be Rachel Berry. But she finds out, boy does she ever. In what might possibly the craziest plot twist Glee has ever done, comes Freaky Friday Glee style.
Clearly the walking and texting warnings fell upon deaf ears as Tina who is fighting with Mike about not wanting to be another Prop to the Rachel Berry show, falls into a fountain at the mall, bumping her head and waking up as....well as Rachel Berry. If you think its impossible for one to fall into a fountain check out the YouTube video that inspired the scene and try not to laugh...seriously funniest YouTube ever!
Tina wakes up as Rachel and now has to deal with the pressure of taking the Glee club to Nationals. Of course the only way Rachel Berry to do so is to sing a solo, so Tina as Rachel gets up and sings for the first time. She gets her first standing ovation and with that comes questions and concerns by the other glee clubbers about career paths and song choices. Once Tina reawakens as her self again she realizes just how hard Rachel works to make sure not only that she is perfect but so is the glee club.
This becomes a big moment for Tina when she realizes that all of Rachel's hard work might not payoff if she doesn't get into NYADA. So together they drive up to find Carmen and beg for her to come see New Directions perform in Chicago. Tina gives a great speech about Rachel being a pain in the ass, but nobody works as hard as she does nor wants it as much as she. She is also exceptionally talented and one mistake should not define her or her future.
It was a wonderful and very truthful speech. To some it may seem as though Lea Michele gets all the praise and glory for Glee and its success and that's not wrong, however Rachel Berry is usually the scape goat for everything that goes bad to New Directions and it was nice to have someone finally say what a teacher like Mr. Schue should've said so long ago. It was also a great moment for Rachel to pass on the torch, next year Tina is going to be the lead female vocalist and with the confidence from Rachel that she can do it, it'll open up great opportunities for the character and actor.
Conflict arises when Rick the Stick takes it upon himself to taunt and tease Puck into a fight. Puck effectively gets his ass kicked but not before pulling out a pocket knife. Fortunately it was a prop from West Side Story and Bieste came in to stop the fight before things got really bad.
Puck is forced to admit for the first time that maybe he is a Lima loser, his mother hasn't come to one football game or performance and his dead beat father spent the time that he was around calling Puck a loser. He's not going to graduate and has no future ahead of him. This scene was Mark Salling's best performance yet as Puck, not the cocky douche bag but the young man scared about his uncertain future. The scene was so well played by both actors and stands out as one of Glee's best scenes to date.
Its Tina who has to remind new comers Sugar, Joe and Rory that you have to put in the time and the effort and eventually you will get your chance to shine to. Lets remember the road hasn't been easy for Rachel.
The music in the first episode:
I Won't Give Up- Rachel: Rachel sings this to herself to remind herself to stay confident and don't give up. I think Jason Mraz would be happy with this cover. Lea sang it beautifully and it worked really well as a first person narration song. However I have to pick at one thing note wise Lea drove me crazy every time she sang the word 'love', she kept adding a 'u' and scoping the word that it came out as 'loUve'. Why must you add an extra letter. Otherwise 3.5/5 Download for sure
Because You Loved Me- Tina as Rachel- Jenna singing: There is nothing better than a Celine Dion power ballad. I would like to go on the record and state that in all three seasons this is the first time we've heard the extent and power of Jenna's voice. Its so beautiful and full, a really amazing performance. 4/5. I have one issue but that will come later, look to Rachel's solo. Download.
Mean- Puck and Bieste: This is surprisingly a really amazing cover of the Taylor Swift song. With Bieste finally leaving her abusive relationship and Puck given a second chance to pass and graduate. Download its different fun and they both sound really well together.
What A Feeling (Flash dance)- Rachel and Tina: Always good to hear these two real life besties finally get a song together. With many reference made to Flash dance it was only right that we actually hear the song. Both girls nail their vocals, Lea singing beautifully on background vocals to Jenna. Download for sure its fun and a perfect duet for the two of them. 4/5
That was hour one, now onto hour 2.
Mercedes gets food poisoning and is forced to sit out of her solo which means Quinn who has barely recovered from her crash will have to step in on vocals and dancing, the same for Tina. But at the 11th hour is able to make it and perform one last time.
But with one crisis comes another, the New Directions can't seem to get along hours before the show. Sam is pissed at Puck for studying while he should be dancing. But it all boils down to them being so passionate about winning that they are willing to spend hours without any breaks practicing until everything is perfect.
Rachel doubtful that Carmen is going to show up and give her a second chance, is confronted by ex boyfriend and Vocal Adrenaline coach Jesse St. James (It's always a good day when Jonathan Groff is on my TV screen, seriously I can't hate it he's just too perfect). Whether its a testament to the actors or the fact that Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff are real life best buds their chemistry is still palpable. This duo on screen is always a good thing, a mix of big ego's and bigger hair is always a plus when they're together.
Finn decides to bet his babysitting money and tips that the New Directions are going to win Nationals this year and Rick the Stick is not one to go against the best. While Rachel is first upset that Finn bet their $500 that was going to be used for their honeymoon, his confidence that they are going to win is enough for Rachel to also believe.
New Directions pull first slot this year and open the show with a great Trouble-tone's number, followed by a flawless power ballad by Rachel and dance heavy group number lead by Finn. And surprise Carmen shows up just in time to see Rachel belt out her solo.
Kurt and Mercedes sneak in to give Wade 'Unique' good luck for his performance, but are met with a very hysterical and doubtful performer who can't handle the pressure of being the poster boy for all the kids who are different and weird, (Hello Chris Colfer) but with reassurance by Mercedes and Kurt he gets up there a performs.
While nothing will ever compare to Jessie's Bohemian Rhapsody Vocal Adrenaline defiantly step up their choreography with two people somersaults and flying bodies, their dance number was spectacular.
Of course these competitions need judges and who better than to judge then 12 time Teen Choice Award nominee Lindsay Lohan, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and then some random guy. I have to give it up to Ryan Murphy, he really knows how to keep people interested. After publicly bashing Lohan twice last season the writers decided to rectify the situation and invite Lindsay on to the show. While she was funny and served her purpose, I am still scratching my head at Perez Hilton. While he has stated that he was trying to change his ways, he is still the first person to blog about anything negative involving Glee and its cast, also am I the only one who feels that every time he calls Lea Michele Princess Lea, it sounds more like an insult than anything else?
They did what they were supposed to do and in the end came to the right decision, the New Directions WIN! While it probably wasn't a surprise I dare anyone to say they weren't tearing up from finally seeing these 12 kids who started out as misfits and losers finally win their National championship.
With this new win comes a lot of change, for one Ms. Pillsbury is finally ready to take her relationship with Will to the next level and by next level I mean sex. Sue gets her cheerio's back and ten thousand dollars but the biggest surprise the warm welcome the New Directions receive when they walk down the hall with their first place trophy.
The Music for this hour was really amazing, very versatile with amazing vocals to accompany.
Edge of Glory - The Trouble-tones w/ Santana, Mercedes, Quinn and Tina: While I don't know what was vintage about this performance or any of them for that matter, this was a great take on the Gaga classic. Vocally these women have some of the best voices on the show and matching Santana and Mercedes together is always a good thing. Great choreography but like any Gaga song after a while it just loses its appeal. 3.5/5
It's All Coming Back to Me Now - Rachel: What can I say about this song, seriously? There is a reason Lea Michele is lead vocals of this cast there is also a reason they give these more challenge songs, for some at least, to her .She comes into this song strong and finishes it even stronger, she is no Celine but she's pretty damn close. Vocally she continues to prove how far her range is and that she can and WILL sing any song given. Download its as good as the original 5/5
I mentioned earlier about an issue with these Celine songs and I am still trying to wrap my head about Ryan and Co's thoughts about having both Lea and Jenna sing a song by the same artist. Yes Jenna was playing Rachel when she sang her solo but of the two singers Lea is clearly the better singer. I find it unfair to Jenna that they did this, had they given Lea a different artist there wouldn't be a blatant comparison between the two singers but they didn't so there is. Both girls nailed their songs but it seems unfair to have them sing the same artist.
Paradise by The Dashboard Light - Finn and New Directions: Its an unusual song but Cory Monteith dominates the vocals like the pro that he is becoming. This was also the best he's ever danced, if the sweat on his face proves nothing, he worked his butt off during this number and it showed, he was fantastic. Download 3.5/5 great vocals and really great changes in tempo.
Vocal Adrenaline: I am doing there's as a whole because other than the Niki Minaj song, the performance vocally wasn't that strong. For someone as talented as Alex they should've given him a song that at least challenged what the New Directions did. If there was any doubt that the New Directions weren't going to win it would've been because Vocal Adrenaline's dancing was amazing, some of the best this shows ever done. Download if your a fan of Starship but other than that they weren't anything great.
Tongue Tied- The New Directions: This song was used as a coda for when the New Directions walk into McKinley High as champs and for once are greeted by applause. There were a lot of wonderful moments in this montage, the hockey team 'slushing' them with confetti, Rachel being pulled along by the cheerios, Becky giving a thumbs up to Santana and Rick giving Finn his $1000. A really great moment came when Rachel was asked to sign some girls yearbook and as she looks on to this nameless girl running down the hall it makes you realize how far she's come, she used to be that nameless faceless girl and now she's not. It was a great Glee moment. 5/5 Download this song its amazing a new personal favorite.
We Are The Champions - the New Directions: Mr. Schue is given the teacher of the year award and the glee kids decide to sing a song in his favor. The moment will make you cry your eyes out, not because of Mr. Schue but because this is really the end for a lot of these kids and actors. Some will return and some won't. 5/5 Download the song, its Queen and Glee always nails Queen this is no exception. I will also leave the thought of Mr. Schue winning Teacher of the year with those who have watched from the beginning, while it was a nice sentiment....but I have some words about it.
That's all, two amazing hours in probably some of Glee's best episodes this seasons and all three years.
What did you guys think? Let me know!
