This week’s episode of Glee, “Opening Night,” was written by Michael Hitchcock and directed by Eric Stoltz. Hitchcock’s last episode was “The End of Twerk” which was a bit of a scattered episode, but did introduce Rachel’s (Lea Michele) wig – which we finally see put to its ultimate test in this episode focusing on her Broadway debut. Stolz, of course, is a staple of the show, and it’s no surprise that he brings us some of our most satisfying dance sequences yet this season. I particularly liked the long shot of Rachel walking from her dressing room to center stage.
The centerpiece of the episode is, of course, Rachel’s opening night on Broadway. I have to admit that I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for those reviews myself. With Glee, it could have gone either way, but I was definitely happy she was a smash. Spoilers indicate a big change at the end of this season, so that lead me to believe we could go either way too.
It was fun to see a parade of unexpected guest stars at the outset of the episode, particularly Josh Sussman as Jacob Ben Israel and Max Adler as Dave Karofsky. Of course, it’s all the people who’ve ever said anything negative to Rachel who fill her bad dreams – including Santana (Naya Rivera), Becky (Lauren Potter), and Sue (Jane Lynch) - and provide her negative inner voice.
It was nice to see Jenna Ushkowitz back as Tina for the opening – and at least lip service paid to the missing cast members who couldn’t make it. I loved the touch of Rachel having reserved a seat for Finn (Cory Monteith) so both the actor and the character were there in spirit with us. It was nice to see Will (Matthew Morrison) make the trip. As this episode continues the trend of a new beginning of the show, it was fitting that Emma’s water should break and the little Schuester should be born at the same time as Rachel’s star is born on Broadway. Fittingly, Will and Emma name their son Daniel Finn.
Sue’s story in this episode was also a new beginning for her of sorts. This is underscored by her singing “Who Are You Now” with Rachel – it’s a question they both need to answer now. She goes to New York for credibility in hating the city and finds love. I thought it a nice touch that Mario (Chris Parnell) equated her with his city: “cruel, delicious, and 100 stories high.” Given that he’s a New Yorker through and through, it was logically ridiculous that Rachel’s show was his first Broadway show, but we’ll let that go.
What really blew me away was that they actually let Lynch sing in this episode – and she proved she was up to the task. One of the benefits in paring down the cast would appear to be the luxury of giving actors time to really hone the song and dance numbers. And of course, we see a big break with the past as Rachel lets Sue have it for bullying them through high school.
I did find the mix of Broadway show tunes and contemporary almost as jarring as the Greenwich club they visit in favor of attending the cast party that Sidney Greene (Michael Lerner) invites them to. And FYI? You don’t dis your producer or your fellow cast members by blowing off cast parties. Rachel is not endearing herself to the people who make her look good on stage every night! I doubt this real world fact will come back to haunt her, but it niggled at me...
What did you think of the episode? Were you happy to see Rachel be a smash or were you secretly hoping that she would be “toast”? Do you think this flirtation with love will change Sue? She certainly looked thoughtful as she drove away from Mario. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and don’t forget to vote for your favorite song in the poll!
