Glee - What the World Needs Now - Review - "Review & Favorite Song Poll"

Glee, “What the World Needs Now,” was written by Michael Hitchcock and was directed by Barbara Brown. The episode featured a remarkable eight of Burt Bacharach’s songs. The only drawback to having the musical lesson of the week center on someone like Bacharach is that even with eight songs, I found myself wishing for “Walk On By,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Always Something There to Remind Me,” and “What’s New Pussycat”! But that’s the first rule of theater, right? Always leave them wanting more.

Of course, the one problem with that many songs is that there couldn’t have been time for dance routines to go with all of them. We get the standard walk through McKinley halls and girl back up singers (though I loved this one!) I did really like that we at least got to see Artie (Kevin McHale) dance a little bit in the dream sequence. I loved the guys singing “Arthur’s Theme” and the cuts to memories of Rachel in New York. “Alfie” seemed like an odd choice at first, but actually fits in with the themes of believing in more – like attitudes changing – and the Heaven theme of the wedding. What I liked the best about the music in this episode is that all of our Divas got to do a song!

This really feels like the last season as various storylines start to be wrapped up and loose ends taken care of. So we learn that Brittany’s (Heather Morris) genius math skills are a result of her actually being Stephen Hawking’s daughter. It’s a little hilarious in all it’s absurdity as her mother (Jennifer Coolidge) and her Asian father (Ken Jeong) break the news to her that he’s not her father. Clearly, she must have been suspicious because Pierce Pierce has an IQ of only 60…

Brittany’s mission in the episode, however, is to make sure that Santana’s (Naya Rivera) Abuelita (Ivonne Coll) comes to the wedding. You’ll recall that her grandmother disowned her when Santana told her she was gay. Brittany goes undercover as a nurse to win Alma’s favor. It’s hilarious when she tells Alma that she loves telenovelas and they end up watching one. The inside joke here is that Ivonne Coll is on the successful CW show Jane the Virgin which is a parody of a telenovela and which showcase a number of telenovela stars. In fact, I think that might just have been Jaime Camil that Alma and Brittany are watching who also stars in Jane the Virgin.

Half of me was hoping for the fairy tale ending, that Brittany would reunite the two, but I like that in fact, Alma doesn’t change her view. It wasn’t really fair of Brittany to lie and trick her in that way, so that likely didn’t help their cause. However, it also allowed Santana to realize that she has plenty of other family that love her and support her. Of course, we still have the wedding to go, and I’m betting that when push comes to shove, we’ll see Alma show up at the wedding.

Mercedes (Amber Riley) shows up to be the mentor this week, and it almost felt like an episode of The Glee Project when she came bouncing into the choir room! Mercedes has decided that her mission in life is to force Rachel (Lea Michele) back to Broadway and to force her to restart her love life too. It felt awkward and a little creepy for Mercedes to be pushing Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Rachel together. I’m still not sold on them as a couple. Why can’t Rachel find someone outside of their circle?  One of my favorite song moments from the episode is actually Sam singing and looking in the choir room window at Mercedes. I’m simply never not going to be disappointed not to have Sam and Mercedes together.

Mercedes does have really good advice for Rachel when she says, “the best thing about having the gift is that it’s always there like a good friend.” In the end, Rachel is persuaded to go to New York for the audition that Mercedes has arranged for a new Broadway play. Michele is great in the scene in which she confesses she’s scared about the audition to Mercedes. Once again Mercedes proves to have learned a lot when she says to Rachel, “we are all going to fail again and again,” but it’s how you get up and go on from there that’s the important part. The fact that Rachel is scared is another sign of how Rachel has finally started to learn some life lessons and may actually becoming a better person for her hardships.

I have to admit I’m getting a little tired of everyone putting down Kurt (Chris Colfer). Mercedes gives all the credit for the Glee club to Rachel and then Rachel discounts him having any ability to run it while she’s out of town for a day! Mercedes also invites Blaine (Darren Criss) and then basically says that Kurt will just have to deal with it.

Some of the highlights of the episode? The Spanish – and wildly popular – version of Fondue for Two – Queso Por Dos - with guest Alma. Brittany hiring Arte as wedding planner because he basically had nothing to do this season – always love the show when it pokes fun at itself. Heaven as the theme for the wedding – and the dream sequence to follow. Chord Overstreet playing guitar. Everyone saying how they were going to help and participate in the wedding and the final shots of all of them together at Will’s (Matthew Morrison). And of course, Kitty (Becca Tobin) would want the doves!

What did you think of the episode? Do you think Abuelita will change her mind before the big day? Are you warming up to Sam and Rachel as a couple? (I’m not!) Do you think Rachel will be offered the part? If she is, what do you think she’ll do about the Glee Club? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite song in the episode!

About the Author - Lisa Macklem

I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.