Continuing with many themes explored in last week's Glee episode, Emmy award wining director Joss Whedon amply tackles 'Dream On.' Not only does this opportunity bring Whedon back to the musical form, but it also reunites him with actor Neil Patrick Harris. Sporting all his usual charm and smoothness, Harris jumps right into the Glee gang as school board member Bryan Ryan and high school nemesis of Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison). A school board member who, of course, would like to see the end of show choir for good.
Entertainment as Escape
The obvious crux of this episode is, as Will always reminds his students, to keep dreaming because anything is possible. So whether any gleeker feels their dreams have been forced into the trash bin, the show is surely going to remind them that we are all makers of your own destiny. Bryan Ryan's skepticism and cynicism is not completely unfounded. Many people in or struggling to get in to the entertainment business know how difficult it is to get there, whether in front of or behind the cameras. But audiences already know it's hard, which is why amidst all the squabbling between Will and Ryan, a whole other storyline develops.
Historically, entertainment of all kinds has been created and sought out in order to escape from the current reality audiences face. This theme is addressed in this episode as Artie (Kevin McHale), who is confined to a wheelchair, has his dream of dancing discovered by his girlfriend Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz). In his condition Artie will probably never be able to walk, but in this episode audiences enter into his dream. Where, in the middle of a mall, a huge dance break happens where he is the star. This alternate reality reinforces the ability for entertainment to offer this escape and enjoyment. However, at the same time it also illustrates that entertainment and the like can never satisfy or change the realities in life that audiences and performers must face. This theme is dealt with at a different level with Will and Ryan through their auditions for the same role in a community show. This example is able to illustrate the importance of entertainment for peoples vitality in life. As although it cannot change or fix real life, its palpable relief and escape cannot be ignored. Doesn't Glee itself offer this feeling to most audiences?
The Discovery of Origin
And while Will and Bryan are jamming away to Aerosmith's 'Dream On' and singing into bottles of beer together, this episode also explores the concept of origin. As Rachel (Lea Michele) and Jesse St. James' (Jonathan Groff) relationship (for some reason) continues to develop his intentions are revealed in this episode. As he plants a taping of Vocal Adrenaline's (his former glee club) director singing into Rachel's baby stuff, audiences may wonder if this reveal of Rachel's mother came way too soon. Without any build up the moment of Rachel hearing her mother sing lacks punch and seems lost within Whedon's episode. Yet despite it feeling rushed and too convenient, Indina Menzel and Rachel's rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream' from the Broadway show Les Miserables makes it worthwhile. However, Glee will not last it's next season if it continues to save it's bad story lines through good music choices.
And at the heart of this Rachel development is her desire to know who she is. Yet as the episode reinforces with its tackling of dreams and desires, no one can answer that for anyone. Only you can make your dreams happen. Only you. And as this season winds down, the show is shooting for a huge finale. With regionals almost upon, the kids of glee will have to re-bond together. Once again, their unity as a club will need to redefined as this back nine has spent so much time exploring individual story lines. Will audiences keep watching next year? Will you?
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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