**Spoilers: Do not read if you haven’t seen Glee finale**
Photo: FOX
New Directions may not have been good enough to win regionals, but they showed a lot of heart, which is the perfect summary for Glee‘s finale. The episode wasn’t great but gets credit for unabashedly wearing its heart on its sleeve.
This may sound obnoxious but I knew our gang wouldn’t win because they’d have no place to go next season. I wish we’d been able to see Aural Intensity’s performance to 1) determine if they indeed deserved runner-up and 2) the Josh Groban/Olivia Newton-John mash-up sounds awesome!
The Journey medley was spirited—those songs bring back a lot of fond memories for me—but Puck should’ve taken lead male vocals because he’s much stronger than Finn. It’s embarrassing every time Rachel comes in and just blows Finn’s breathy voice out of the water.
Vocal Adrenaline’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” was certainly polished but they should call themselves Dancing Adrenaline with Only One Guy Singing. It was not a good representation of group vocals. I didn’t find the intercutting between the number and Quinn giving birth that clever, either; it felt more manipulative. And I’m not sure how adoption works but doesn’t Ms. Corcoran have to go through some kind of lengthy process where she and her home would have to be checked out to make sure they’re fit for a baby? Can she just say, “I’ll take her” and have the hospital hand over Beth like that? Ms. Corcoran could be a secret heroin addict, for all anyone knows. Can someone enlighten me on this subject?
Highlights for me:
- Olivia Newton-John playing bitchy and snooty. “Are they a poor person’s school?” she asks, referring to McKinley, and “Brunettes have no place in showbiz” when discussing Rachel. I idolized ONJ as a kid and loved her sweet girl-next-door image so this really amused me.
- Josh Groban hitting on Sue! I’ve found Groban hilarious since seeing him in the “I’m F*#cking Ben Affleck” video.
- Quinn’s mom saying she kicked Quinn’s dad out of the house because “he was having an affair with a tattooed freak.” Jesse James got slapped!
- Mike (Other Asian) and Matt (Shaft) had lines.
- “To Sir with Love” was touching, since I didn’t expect to see Santana or Brittany crying. They actually care about glee club! Sue’s crying was most surprising of all but I’m not sure I buy that. It kinda came out of nowhere.
- Mr. Schue singing Iz’s version of “Over the Rainbow” to his kids with Puck on accompaniment, ending the show on a lovely note.
Were you satisfied or disappointed? Did you cry? How do you feel about John Stamos coming on next year to play Emma’s dentist boyfriend, Carl?
7 Comments
Poncho
June 9, 2010 at 8:48 amI liked the finale very much, ‘though I know it wasn’t perfect. And the Journey mash-up was really good.
I love they’re giving lines to “Other Asian” and “Shaft”, and I love how Santana and Brittany are becoming great characters as well.
I kind’a got Sue’s tears… specially after ONJ put her in her place. And ever since the judges’ room I guessed Sue would save the day.
On the other hand, I do know there was (almost) nowhere to go if they won Regionals, but I did feel struck when they lost. On the other hand, seldom do I cry on TV (I said seldom, not never!) and somehow the speech before “To Sir, With Love” made me so emotional I sobbed the whole song.
Poncho
June 9, 2010 at 9:22 amBy the way, give Jane Lynch an Emmy already!
Pop Culture Nerd
June 9, 2010 at 1:45 pmPONCHO! I’ve missed your comments. Despite the predictability, I did feel really bad for the kids when they lost. Who can’t relate to failure and rejection? And yes, Jane Lynch had better have that Emmy in her hands this fall.
EIREGO
June 9, 2010 at 9:22 amLove the title of this piece! FaithfulGLEE was brilliant because of all the Journey tunes last night. I’ll be chuckling around the office today.
The show is short changing themselves by not giving other cast members solos. And Lea Michelle’s character is kinda one note (no pun intended) lately. I also have a big issue with everyone forgetting their differences at the end of each episode so they can harmonize on the final number. Then, the very next episode, meanness is back in full form.
I also knew they weren’t going to win last night. I knew it would be predictable, but it undercut the fun for me when they didn’t. I know, I know, you can’t have everything. I guess that’s the problem the writers have every week, blending drama, comedy and song in a compelling way.
My hat is off to them for trying though.
Pop Culture Nerd
June 9, 2010 at 1:51 pmGlad you like the title!
I’m frustrated they don’t let Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) sing more because she’s amazing. I don’t have a problem with everyone coming together to sing despite their differences, though. I’m sure sometimes football players have disagreements in the locker room but they still have to work as a team once they’re on the field to win the game.
joy
June 12, 2010 at 12:19 pmi DID sort of tear up, which surprised me since i’ve been off the glee wagon for awhile. but i found it moving…any time people have to give up something that really matters to them, i get emotional. TOTALLY agree about the manipulation during quinn giving birth and the queen song…i got annoyed with it, actually. alright, we get it, you’re matching up lyrics with a woman pushing out a baby. YES jane lynch deserves every award and accolade she ever gets. she’s my hero.
on the adoption thing…i found that odd, too. even for domestic adoptions, there’s still a big process. i don’t know all the rules, but it does seem odd for ms. corcoran to just walk out of there with a newborn. gratuitous.
however, you ROCK, PCN!!!!
jenn
June 15, 2010 at 3:08 pmIf it had been a more natural flash between Bohemian Rhapsody and Quinn, maybe. But yeah, it was really distracting.
And I totally agree that Jesse St. James on his own was annoying and not a group effort. I kept thinking it over and over again.
As for the adoption, if it’s a private adoption, with a lot of money, it can happen quickly – but yeah, that was a little much. It’s just like when people give birth on TV. It’s pretty unrealistic.
Overall, though, I really enjoy this show and what it’s trying (and not always succeeding) to do.