The group is finally off to regionals, where arch-nemesis Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) has joined the celebrity judge panel. Not only does this add to the tension between Sue and New Directions' coach Will (Matthew Morrison), but allows the progress and success of the club to be put entirely in Sue's hands. However, this ultimately spurs Will on to rediscover why his singing students are truly special. Literally and metaphorically Will re-establishes himself as the guide for the Glee kids journey. His decision for the group to only sing Journey hits for the competition gives the students a theme and balanced performance to prepare for while also, quite clearly, emphasizing the character journeys that have been taken this season.
Shutting Down and Shipping Off Story Lines
First off is Quinn (Dianna Agron) whose baby finally arrives and offers quite solutions to tangential story lines. Although the episode overall does well in slowing down, her baby's delivery is a quick fix for some weaker story lines. The back nine of this season has been particularly jam packed plot and speed wise and this episode is fresh air after a conceptual Glee overhaul. However, they make sure to give Quinn a delivery scene in true Glee style. Switching back and forth between the delivery room and Vocal Adrenaline's performance at regionals, it was a smart way to make Quinn's scene not too dramatic and Vocal Adrenaline's not too long. Yet the performance does end up seeming long and a very obvious farewell performance for Jonathan Groff as Jesse St. James since his character is graduating. The song choice for the rival group, Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" adds good pace to the sequence, but won't be memorable in the Glee catalog.
The other journeys highlighted and wrapped up in the season finale are Rachel (Lea Michelle) and Finn's (Cory Montieth) relationship. Rather hastily put together again, the couple seems bound for steadier waters next season, or so audiences can hope. Guidance counselor Emma (Jayma Mayes) returns in this episode and Will captures her again to reinstate their connection. Hopefully this will finally lead to something next season as the writers seemed unsure as to how they wanted their relationship to go. Both couples experience first 'I Love Yous' by the guys, giving some vulnerability to the male romantic leads of the show. An interesting choice for Will and Emma as their first kiss closed out the 'finale' of sorts of the first half of the season. Hopefully, next season as the writers will be on a more regular network schedule will allow the two halves of the show to blend together better. As most audiences and critics have seen, myself included, a distinct difference in quality between the first and second halves of the season.
Journey to Regionals
Ultimately, this episode focuses on the journey of the glee club. The sting of the disappointment of losing regionals, the (possibility) of end of glee club, and the losing of friendships. Glee surely allots plenty of screen time for tears, sappy songs, and holding hands. And although on character reminds audience "come on this is high school," no one will remain completely untouched when the club discovers it has one more year to try and place at regionals. Of course, the show is immensely successful so everyone and anyone knows it will be around for another two seasons on Fox, but where will it go? The episode closes with Will and Puck (Mark Salling) strumming on guitars and singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." The moment is so subdued (and Morrison's actual audition peace) that the episode almost makes the season end on a ping instead of a bang. Thankfully it doesn't last too long or give any clues for next year. So everyone will have to wait all summer to see how Glee evolves...
Nicola Jones - Growing up in New Orleans Nicola never had any inkling at being part of this thing people call the entertainment business. Now, after ...
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