Totally GLEEking Out Over the GLEE Season Premiere

We’re kicking things off with two disclaimers tonight.  First the usual – if you haven’t yet seen the season premiere of GLEE, then you probably should stop reading and come back after you watch the ep. The second disclaimer goes a little something like this – I’m completely GLEEking out right now.  As in it kills me to sit here and have to write this post when I would much rather be watching the episode over from the very beginning so just I can sing and dance along.

You see why the second disclaimer is necessary? I’m experiencing a GLEE rush and I think it’s only fair that you are all warned in advance as it’s about to get all up and gleeful in here.

In the spirit of declaration, I suppose it’s best that I get one more thing off my chest. Despite the utter joy this season premiere brought me, I do understand that GLEE is still GLEE. Over the course of the season, much in the way of character development, story arc and plot might have to be forgiven or even overlooked for the sake of the enjoyment of the show. I get it. I do. Just read my past GLEE posts or listen to my rants over on The TV Talk Podcast and you’ll know just how much I realize the good and the bad that comes with being a GLEE fan.

Despite the inevitable misses no doubt coming out way, tonight’s season premiere really seemed to get it right. The episode was well paced. The plot contrivances were at least somewhat believable. The musical numbers felt organic, if not complimentary to the storyline. And the episode laid out the early stages of some really interesting character arcs that I can seem myself becoming completely invested in throughout the season.

Did Ryan, Ian and Brad finally see the error of their ways after the relative disaster of Season 2? (Warblers aside, of course) Perhaps my praise should be heaped upon the fresh new minds that have graced the GLEE writing room this year. Whatever the cause, please keep going in this direction. Don’t get lazy. Always care about the characters and their development. Please don’t take your audience and the very committed fan based for granted again. We’ll all be better for it.

To harken back to an important line from the very first episode of the show, “By it’s very definition, glee is about opening yourself up to joy.” And in that spirit, here are some of the moments from tonight’s episode that made me GLEEful.

Me and My Hag

During the first two seasons, the writers could never really make up their minds as to the relationship between Rachel and Kurt. Often they were bitter adversaries out to destroy each other in the name of the almighty spotlight. Other times the two were besties partaking in boy talk and pajama parties. But the ups and downs of their friendship seem to land on solid ground when the two sang their ‘Wicked’ hearts out on the Broadway stage last year. Now, in their senior year, the twosome are closer than ever.

These two newly minted best friends make perfect sense. I’m so glad the writers decided to use their similarities as a way to deepen their friendship rather than drive them apart in the name of a dramatic rivalry. Their shared vision of landing at a performing arts school in New York (and sharing an apartment together) will no doubt be a focal point of the season. But as we saw tonight, it won’t be all show tunes and jazz hands for these two as they pursue their dreams. (Who am I kidding, it will ALL be show tunes and jazz hands.)

Kurt and Rachel have both had their fair share of tears over the years, but few more heartfelt and earned then when the two were faced with the reality that there is a great big world outside of Lima, Ohio. For the first times in their lives, they are questioning the very talent in which they define themselves. Do Kurt and Rachel have what it takes to make it in NYC? (Good Lord I hope so. I am banking on that GLEE spin-off next season.)

Before that can be answered, the two are going to do everything in their power to prepare themselves for their future.  For Rachel that means starring as Maria in the school’s adaptation of “West Side Story” (well maybe not starring if Mercedes has anything to say about it.). Looks like Kurt is going to be trying out for the school play too (perhaps going head-to-head with Blaine for the lead) but he’s also got political aspirations in his sights as he announced he’ll be running for Senior Class President. (Here’s hoping his Prom Queen votes transfer over to a Class President win. I think the student body owes him that much.)

Not the Winner of THE GLEE PROJECT

If you remained spoiler free then you might have been surprised to see Lindsay Pearce from THE GLEE PROJECT kill it as Harmony, the de facto lead of the ‘Kurt and Rachel’ drama-bots. If you didn’t watch THE GLEE PROJECT, then it’s worthy to note that Lindsay did not in fact win the summer reality show. No, the co-winners Damian McGinty and Sam Larson will appear in their seven episode arcs later in the season. (Keep an eye out of Damian’s debut in Ep 4). I can’t say that I was a big fan of Lindsay during THE GLEE PROJECT, but my goodness I thought she slayed that performance tonight. I’ve listened to her version of “Anything Goes/Anything You Can Do” many, many times since it was first released last Friday and I’m completely enamored by her powerful voice.

Sunshine Corazon aside, it’s not often Rachel Berry meets her match. I’m sure Rachel assumed she’d get all the way to NYC before she saw any real competition. Little did she know that she’d have to fight just to make it out of Ohio.

The Girls of McKinley Go Bad Ass

Sorry Quinn, but pink hair, a nose ring and an ironic tattoo of Ryan Seacrest does not a bad girl make. I’m not buying it.

We all saw this coming. Quinn Fabray has had a tough fall from the top and if she needs to explore her darker side for awhile, it’s fine by me. (Except for the smoking. Ew.) Let’s just hope that Quinn leaves The Skanks behind and follows the breadcrumbs Rachel left guiding Quinn from the bleachers back to the choir room.

Santana Lopez. Girl what were you thinking? Being a Cheerio really does bring out the worst in Santana. And after all Sue has put her through, I was a little bummed to see that she and Brittany returned to their cheering ways. She’s not even co-captain a week and Satan’s already doing the devil’s work. I could perhaps understand some subtle acts of sabotage, but dousing a piano in gasoline so as to serve as an ashtray for Quinn’s cigarette? Now that’s just dangerous! Santana do you have any idea how much hair gel Blaine Anderson uses every day? He could have been killed!

I was sad to see Santana kicked out of New Directions for her treacherous ways. I’m going to miss seeing her with the rest of the group in rehearsals. Glad that Will left the door open for her return.

Work out your issues ladies, and pull it together. No one they can win Nationals without the both of you!

Everything is Klaine and Nothing Hurts

After living off memories of an “I love you” and impromptu Dublin kisses all summer long, it was beyond wonderful to see Kurt and Blaine together again and as blissful as ever. From their playful banter to their declarations of love, there is no doubt why these two boys are TV’s hottest couple.

To know me is to know my love for the Dalton Academy Warblers. So while I’m happy to see Blaine spending more time with Kurt at McKinley, I’m going to miss the blazer (because you know I love the blazer). But I’m also going to miss the energy and the musicality of The Warblers. (I still think Ryan Murphy & Co missed a major spin off opportunity there.) Here’s to hoping to we see and hear from the Dalton boys later this year at Sectionals.

Bringing us back to the beginning of this article, I can’t write about Blaine’s transfer to McKinley without pointing out just a few minor head scratching details.  And just to be clear, none of these minor annoyances take away from my utter joy that Blaine is now a member of New Directions, but…

It’s kind of a big deal for a guy to transfer during his (presumable) Senior Year of high school. Even a bigger deal for someone to leave a prestigious school such as Dalton Academy, where he was kind of the shit,  to transfer to a public high school. Blaine seems like a bright guy, and that seems like a very risky move, no? And didn’t his parents have a say in all of this? Well?

I’m getting way into the weeds here, but doesn’t one usually have to attend high school in the city in which one lives? Are the writers ignoring this all together or are we supposed to believe that Blaine has lived in Lima all along? What about the public high school he went to before transferring to Dalton? Where was that? Clearly not McKinley. I’m guessing this is one of those logic jumps that the writers are asking the fans to make. Listen, you keep putting Darren Criss is shrunken shirts and bow ties and I’ll give you all the free passes you need.

As for Blaine’s introduction to New Directions, it was perfectly Blaine.  For some in the GLEE fandom that’s not necessarily a good thing. Finn Hudson isn’t the only one worried that it’s going to become the Blaine Anderson show. As a card carrying member of the Darren Criss fan club, I’m just fine with Blaine dancing around in tight red pants as much as the writers will allow. I think I’m in the majority here. There’s a reason “Kurt and Blaine” and “Not Unusual” were trending topics within minutes of the episode airing tonight. People love their Klaine.

From their flirtations in The Lima Bean, to their romantic reunion in the halls of McKinley, to the way their faces lit up in eachother’s presence, I can’t get enough of Kurt and Blaine. I’m a happy fangirl tonight.

The Music of GLEE (all available now on iTunes)

• “We Got the Beat” – While I thought the cafeteria food fight was a bit cliched, I loved the peppiness of this musical number. Usually when hot cheerleaders are writhing around on tables a different kind of riot starts. Nice to hear Brittany get a little solo in there.

• “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” – A great performance by Chris Colfer and Lea Michele. They both embraced the playfulness of the song. Nothing will ever beat their “Happy Days/Get Happy” duet from last season, but these two always sound so great together.

• “Anything Goes/Anything You Can Do” – As previously mentioned, Lindsay really showed me something with this song. Her vocals were flawless. Welcome to GLEE, Ms. Pearce.

• “It’s Not Unusual” – What can I say that I haven’t already said? Come see how many times this song has played on my iPod since Friday and you’ll get a sense of how much I enjoyed this musical number. Love Darren’s voice.

• “You Can Stop the Beat” – A little nod to Matthew Morrison’s “Hairspray” days perhaps? The energy of this performance was incredible. I was a bit torn as to the placement. While it’s always great to land on a good note (no pun intended), I think the show could have benefited from kicking off the season with this upbeat number. Regardless of where it landed in the ep, I’m just glad it was there.

The Notable Quotables of GLEE

GLEE wouldn’t be GLEE if there weren’t some killed one liners. I captured a few of my faves, but I’m hoping you can share your favorite quotes of the night in the comments below.

• Kurt: “Why is that T-Rex eatin’ the Jew?” [One of the many YouTube comments left on ‘The Kissed that Missed’ – a video of Rachel and Finn’s liplock during Nationals]
• Sue: “Santana, you like playing both sides, right? What team are you playing for this year?”
• Brittany: “I have pepperoni in my bra.”
  Santana: “Those are your nipples.”
• Kurt to Blaine: “I just wanna see you more. I want my senior year to be magic, and the only way that’s going to happen is if I get to spend every minute of every day with you.” [Sigh.]
• Sugar: “I have self diagnosed Asperger’s so I can pretty much say whatever I want. I’m like a diplomat’s daughter”

• Emma: “The is the only dating combination the Glee Club hasn’t tried.” [On Kurt and Rachel holding hands and saying they have an announcement to make.]
• Rachel: “Mr. Schue – stop speaking.” [Preach, Rachel!]
• Rachel to Kurt: “You make me want to be your boyfriend.” [Get in line sister.]

But that’s not all…

• Will and Emma are finally together. While I’m happy for them, I wish the writers could have figured this out last year rather than diminishing their blossoming relationship with Will’s slutty ways and Emma’s short-lived marriage. I’m not rooting against Will and Emma at all, but I’m just not as enthusiastic as I once was about their romance. And I have to wonder how long Emma is going to be holding on to her V-Card. Seems like she’s spending every night with Will in his bed. Has she not seen him with his shirt off? Just asking.
• Sue’s running for Congress on an anti-Arts platform. I adore Jane Lynch and I think that Sue often has some of the best one-liners in all of TV, but I’m kind of over Sue Sylvester. I think her contrived hatred for the glee club is old and her shenanigans are a bit too played out for my taste. Tonight I felt like the episode came to a screeching halt every time Sue was on screen.

• Out with the old, in with the new. No doubt Chord Overstreet fans felt slighted the way his character was so easily dismissed from the show, but I don’t know if there was another way to handle his off-screen departure. He moved. That’s that. It happens. And with Sam gone, Mercedes has found herself a new man. Can’t wait to see her swept off her feet this season. It’s about time.  As for the other new face that popped up tonight, we know that Sugar can’t sing, but what else do we know about McKinley’s mean girl? What role will she have in the show if she’s not a member of the glee club? I guess we’ll soon find out.

• Fellow SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE fans probably clapped along in delight with me when Courtney Galiano showed up on screen as one of The Skanks. For those of you who don’t know Courtney from SYTYCD maybe you recognize her from….GLEE.  Yes, this isn’t Courtney’s first time on the show. She’s been a featured dancer for many of GLEE’s musical numbers in the past. Last time we saw her I think she was a member of Vocal Adrenalin. Courtney is no stranger to the GLEE cast either – she toured with them all summer long.

• If there is one friendship I want to see develop this season it’s Santana and Blaine. How adorable were they dancing together?! Darren and Naya’s off-screen friendship couldn’t help but shine right through during “It’s Not Unusual”.  Also making their way on screen during that performance? Darren and Naya doing the signature “Naya Dance” AND Darren’s colored sunnies (his famous pink sunglasses would have clashed with the red pants, plus he already sported those in “When I Get You Alone”).

• This might be an unpopular opinion, but I’m so glad Lauren Zises is gone from the glee club. I never really liked her character and I didn’t think she brought anything to the show. She and Puck had zero chemistry and she just never quite fit in for me. I know Ashley Fink is sticking around and rumor has it she’ll have a big storyline later this season with her real life bestie, Chris Colfer. Wonder what Lauren and Kurt will team up to do?

• Looks like choreographer Zach Woodlee has finally found a way around Cory Monteith’s limited dancing ability – just stick him behind a drum set during the musical numbers. Did you notice Finn was drumming along during both group numbers tonight? (Small spoiler – I think we’re going to see Finn kick it up a notch with his dancing skills…soon.)

For a minute I felt bad about my overly verbose GLEE post tonight, but then I got over it. It’s not like I didn’t warn you. Plus, I’ve gone all summer long with a new episode and I felt the need…the need for GLEE.

Wow, I’m really hoping you all want to continue this conversation in the comments below because there is so much to discuss. Share your thoughts on tonight’s season premiere. 

(I know the GLEE fandom is passionate, but please remember to be respectful…this is just a TV show. Well, except for Kurt & Blaine. They are VERY real.)