Tuesday, June 8, 2010

...Set: Glee 1x22 "Journey"

Tonight was the big season finale for Glee, and featured our gleeks finally making it all the way to Regionals. Does show choir not have Nationals? Because that seems like it would be bigger. I don't know how any of that works. But also, only three schools in Regionals? Or wait, was that what Sectionals determined? I am so confused, clearly.
Anyway, at the top of the hour, everyone in New Directions is feeling very down because they are convinced that they will lose and glee club will therefore be canceled, per that very old agreement with Figgins that happened eons ago. They all share some tears and it seems like all hope has been lost until Will hears "Don't Stop Believing" on the radio in his car and realizes that he himself must not stop believing in the group that has changed his life for the better. This was happening right as Finn was convincing Rachel that they needed to step up and get the group back into a positive state of mind as well, so all systems are go.Their new theme: Journey. Of course! ANVIL TO THE HEAD!

Recap/review of Glee 1x22 "Journey" by freshfromthe.comAt Regionals, the judging panel consists of some returning guest stars with Josh Groban, Olivia Newton John, Rod Rivington (? the news anchor Sue had a brief dalliance with), and none other than Sue Sylvester. First up is Westvale High's Aural Intensity, who performs a mash-up of Josh Groban and Olivia Newton John off screen.

After that, it's time for New Directions. Before the group goes on stage, Finn tells Rachel that he loves her. And - go! The three Journey songs the group performs are: Faithfully, Any Way You Want It , and a revamped version of Don't Stop Believing featuring more of the club than in the original. Don't Stop Believing is still the best of the group. That may just be because it's the best song in general. They perform well, and when they head backstage, Quinn runs into her mom, who has left her father and wants Quinn to move back in with her. Before Quinn can react, however, her water breaks! No one was surprised by this turn of events, I'm sure.

While Quinn is rushed to the hospital and giving birth, Vocal Adrenaline takes to the stage with their version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, possibly one of my favorite songs ever (the original, I mean. I liked this version too but it's not the same.). Intercut some cool choreography and Quinn giving birth to her and Puck's daughter (with requisite "oh my god that is so disgusting" face from Puck watching). And even though she was a month premature, apparently the baby's just fine and normal-sized! Imagine if things had actually gone wrong. Would've been more interesting, honestly. As it is, a bit of a snooze. It didn't even matter that she wasn't due yet, really.

Rachel has stayed behind to watch Vocal Adrenaline's performance, and after it's over goes to find Shelby. She wants her to quit VA and come join New Directions, but Shelby tells her she's tired of coaching glee club and wants to start her own family. And oh, what does Rachel happen to mention? That Quinn's just given birth to a baby girl. What could possibly happen next?! It doesn't happen directly next, but Shelby does indeed eventually adopt her, and names her Beth, since that's the name Puck wanted for her.

What actually happens next is the voting for the winner. Sue starts out wanting to put New Directions in third place, but after she hears the bashing they get from the other judges, it's clear (though not explicit until the end of the episode) that she changes her tune and votes for them as number one. But it's not enough. Vocal Adrenaline takes the cake, and Aural Intensity comes in as the runner up, which results in New Directions not even placing, though they still get a trophy. Participation trophy, apparently.

And, like that, the glee club is disbanded. Emma goes into a rage at Figgins over the whole thing, and she and Will have a moment in the hall where he tells her he loves her and that they're not over, despite her now apparently dating her dentist (who I've heard is probably going to be played by John Stamos). He also smooches her. They love those hallway smooches. Before any more can be said, Rachel shows up and asks Will to come to the auditorium.

That's where the group has assembled to thank Mr. Schue for all he has done for them over the year with a rendition of To Sir, With Love, that nearly everyone gets a little solo part in. Schue gets teary-eyed, and Sue watches from the doorway, also looking a little misty.

Will is packing up the choir room when Sue shows up. She starts out with a bit of a gloat, as is her wont, but eventually she reveals that she respects what he's done for the kids and has worked it out so that they can have glee club for at least another year. Indeed, Sue has a heart.

Will informs the group of the turn of events and after much jumping for joy, he thanks them by singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow with Puck accompanying. I have to say I quite liked their version of the song. Quite possibly my favorite of the night, which is not normally a Will song. What! Craziness.

And there you have it, folks. Season 1(.5?) of Glee is officially over. It's been a bit of a bumpy ride, but you can't say you haven't been entertained. Below are the quotes, which aren't as plentiful as episodes past because of the rather serious/teary tone of this finale.

Quotes:

"Now I realize my cultural ascendance only serves to illuminate your own banality. But face it, I'm legend. It's happened." - Sue

"I have to be honest Will, I'm having a really difficult time hearing anything you have to say today, because your hair looks like a briar patch. I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to pop up and start singing songs about livin' on the bayou." - Sue

"Brunette's have no place in show business." - Olivia Newton John

"Dag nabbit!" - Josh Groban

"It's as barren as me in here, Will." - Sue

"I've seen that car you drive, I don't want to catch poor." - Sue

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5 comments:

  1. i thought they won

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  2. Quinn gave birth early? I swore I heard her reference being 9 months pregnant over the last couple of episodes.

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  3. She said at the beginning of this episode that she still had a month left.

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  4. Ah, got it. The person I was watching with was being obnoxious & supplying smartass commentary while I was trying to watch.

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