Glee Review: A Gleeful Journey

Glee promised and delivered a finale with a little bit of everything—laughs, tears, show stopping performances and some surprises, but it focused on the New Directions glee club—the relationships and the characters we’ve grown to love.

In the first few minutes, Will learns that Sue is one of the judges at regionals. He is furious and confronts Principal Figgins but to no avail.

As glee club meets to select songs for regionals, they are too depressed about Sue being named a judge and instead talk about reasons why they love glee club.

Will goes to Emma for some guidance about the Sue dilemma and he also divulges that he misses Emma. She admits that she is dating someone new, her dentist.

Finn approaches Rachel—he announces, “You and I are going to fix this. We are going to regionals and we are going to win this thing.” Rachel responds with a smile and then kisses Finn.

Later, after Will is inspired by songs on the radio in his car, he explains to the club that life is about the journey and that for regionals they will perform a Journey medley.

Now…what we’ve all been waiting for—REGIONALS. The judges are Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, news anchor Rod Remington and Sue. Another group, Oral Intensity, is up first and performs a mash up of Josh Groban and Olivia Newton-John.

Next is our beloved New Directions. Just before their first song, Rachel wishes Finn good luck and his response: “I love you.” Hooray! They make goo-goo eyes at each other and the duo performs “Faithfully” with the rest of the group singing backup.  Next song—a mash up of “Anyway You Want It/Lovin’Touchin’Squeezin.” During the second song, we see Quinn’s mom enter the auditorium. The final song for New Directions is a new, lively and well done version of “Don’t Stop Believin.” The audience is really into the performance and the group knows that they have done great.

As they arrive backstage and celebrate, Quinn is surprised to see her mom, who tells her that she left her father because he had an affair with a “tattooed freak.” Just as she asks Quinn to come home and they can turn the guest room into a nursery, Quinn’s water breaks.

Interspersed with Vocal Adrenaline’s performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” are scenes of Quinn giving birth. It was pretty intense—way to go Dianna Agron! Puck, Mercedes and Quinn’s mom were in the delivery room with her while the rest of New Directions were in the waiting room, except for Rachel who stayed behind to watch the Vocal Adrenaline performance.

Rachel finds her mom, Shelby, to talk. Rachel proposes that she come and teach at McKinley High plus be a co-director of glee club. Rachel pleads that there’s “so much only you can teach me.” Shelby expresses regret about missing her chance with Rachel but explains that she is tired of coaching and needs a life outside of a glee club, including a dog, house and family. Shelby then learns from Rachel that Quinn gave birth to a “beautiful baby girl.”

The judges deliberate. It gets a little heated when the other judges tell Sue that she is not a real celebrity, which elicits a “kiss my ass, Josh Groban” from her. I actually felt a little sorry for Sue during this scene.

Time for the announcement of the winners. Drum roll please—Sue makes the announcement that Oral Intensity is the runner up while Vocal Adrenaline is the champion. New Directions, who didn’t place, is devastated (as was I) and realizes that glee club will be disbanded.

At the hospital, Quinn and Puck are looking in at baby Beth in the nursery. Quinn admits that she still can’t keep her while Puck says he loves Quinn—especially now. Suddenly, Shelby appears at their side asking about the baby and her name.

Back at school, Will sees Emma screaming at Figgins about glee club. She then exclaims to Will, “It’s never over. Some things are worth fighting for.” Although Emma tries to say she is only referring to the club, Will knows better. He declares, “I love you Emma. Dentist or not this isn’t over between us.” He then kisses her. Rachel interrupts their kiss and asks Mr. Schu to come to the auditorium, leaving a stunned Emma behind.

Glee club is on stage and they each share how glee club has changed their lives. They then say, “we don’t care what the judges said. We won because we had you. You are glee club Mr. Schu” and perform a heartfelt rendition of “To Sir With Love.” Mr. Schu is touched and (surprise) he isn’t the only one—Sue is in the back and also sheds a tear watching. Aww!

Sue then finds Will packing up the choir room. He thinks she is coming to gloat but it turns out she has good news. We learn that she actually voted for New Directions to win and tells Figgins to give the club another year. As if that wasn’t shocking enough, she goes on to say, “You’re a good teacher, Will. I admire you and the work you are doing with your kids.” Way to go Sue!

Will clues the club in to the good news and then sings “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” accompanied by dreamy Puck on his guitar. Meanwhile during the song, we see Shelby holding newborn Beth whom she has adopted.

Let me just say, whoever writes Sue Sylvester’s lines rocks! She totally cracked me up during the finale with her typical sarcasm. But it was also a nice surprise to see a softer side of Sue when she saved the glee club.

I had a feeling before the show that Shelby would get Quinn’s baby. It was a perfect way to tie up loose ends—Shelby couldn’t have kids, wanted out of coaching and longed for a baby girl. Happy endings…so unusual in finales but I was delighted with this twist.  Although I’m not sure Rachel will be thrilled with this development, since their relationship has been stalled by Shelby but it leaves the door open for many story ideas for next season. The question is will Shelby (Idina Menzel) be back for more episodes in season 2?

On to the relationships…the “L” word (love) was used a lot in the finale. Finn loves Rachel. Will loves Emma (who in my opinion still loves him) but she is dating her dentist. Puck loves Quinn. I am curious to see how the relationships will play out in season two but I am thrilled to see Finn and Rachel getting closer.

The ensemble cast really shined during the finale. What a fun journey it has been with this new hit show that had me singing along all season long! Thank you Glee for a wonderful first season.

For another opinion about this episode, check out Don’t Stop Believing by Stephanie Jaar.

Season 1, Episode 22: Journey (originally aired June 8, 2010)

For more on Glee, click here.

Tuesdays at 9pm on Fox

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro