Glee 1.22 "Journey" (Season Finale)

Tangent · #1 06-08-2010, 10:38 PM

Quite a rollercoaster episode! Spoilers in the next post...

ShibbOleth · #2 06-08-2010, 11:04 PM

I liked the Lulu song. Who is Josh Groban (sp?) anyway? Is he a made up celebrity for the show?

Sampiro · #3 06-08-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShibbOleth

I liked the Lulu song. Who is Josh Groban (sp?) anyway? Is he a made up celebrity for the show?

Surely thou jesteth. Nobody could know Lulu and yet draw a blank on Josh Groban.

jayjay · #4 06-08-2010, 11:14 PM

I have to admit, I misted up a little during "To Sir, With Love". I really liked this whole episode.

Tangent · #5 06-08-2010, 11:15 PM

Good episode overall--I, um, got something in my eye a couple of times before it was over.

I thought the songs all sounded great--but they were mostly pretty well-worn songs. "Bohemian Rhapsody" in particular has been done to death. The Journey medley was okay and a nice throwback to the pilot, but I would rather have heard something different from them. Shue's cover of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Over the Rainbow" was nice, but again--it's been covered a lot. The kids singing "To Sir, With Love" was a good choice.

I like how, once again, it doesn't matter how hard the kids prepared all year long for the competition because the judges are petty and shallow and in some cases totally unqualified. I love that the show is willing to totally subvert its own premise for a good laugh. I didn't expect New Directions to come in third (I was banking on a tie for first with ND and Vocal Adrenaline both moving on), but once they did I knew that Sue would end up convincing Principal Figgins to give New Directions another year. Probably smart to have them lose at Regionals. If they are too successful in this first season, there won't be anywhere for the show to go in the future.

Good to see Josh Groban again (Sue: "Kiss my ass, Josh Groban!"). Olivia Newton John did a good job playing a celebrity snob, though it doesn't fit too well with her earlier appearance, does it?

I did like the way they intercut Quinn giving birth (O mamma mia, mamma mia!) and the Bohemian Rhapsody performance, so I can understand why they used it. I was glad that she went through with giving the baby up for adoption. It was nice that her mom showed up to support her.

It was cool to see Emma again, and I loved seeing her in a shouting match with Figgins in defense of Will and the kids.

Looks like they are going to re-air the season from the beginning on Thursdays this summer (I'm not sure yet if they're going to show every episode). Looking back, I think those first 13 episodes before they took a break were a good bit better than these back 9. Those first episodes felt a little edgier, a little more satirical, and a little less earnest. I hope they get back to that tone next season.

Cat Whisperer · #6 06-08-2010, 11:52 PM

{sob, sniff} Teared up at the Lulu song? I started tearing up at the first Journey song. I agree that they needed to not win this year - gives them a lot more wiggle room next year.

waterj2 · #7 06-09-2010, 12:09 AM

I can't understand how New Directions came in third. Sue voted for them, and I thought Josh Groban was leaning towards them as well. Olivia Newton-John liked the one that covered her song, and the other guy liked Vocal Adrenaline. I'm not about to try to sketch out the scenarios and do the math to figure it out, but it seemed odd, unless they all decided to be dicks because they hate losers.

Props to Olivia Newton-John for being willing to play herself being a total bitch. At least assuming that she was in on the joke and it's not something like Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove.

Bohemian Rhapsody was brilliantly done. The intercutting between the hospital and the stage was amazing. The way it matched the lyrics and dancing was one of the most incredible things I've seen on a sitcom. Although that's got to be the shortest labor ever.

Great episode all around, though the ending felt a bit forced. They stick around for another year just because Sue's got a heart? I'd have loved to see Emma get the best of her. It just feels somehow unsatisfying that after suffering for a year of Sue's capriciousness, the glee club achieves their goal not through besting her in any way, but because she's also fickle. It's like one of those Greek myths where the lesson only seems to be that the Gods just like to fuck with people because they can, but sometimes they decide to mitigate it somewhat, and there's really nothing that humans can do about it. Or the Book of Job, if you're a cynical minded atheist.

That said, they did make it work. I think I might watch this again on Hulu before the week's out. And, apparently am going to now be spending my Thursdays catching up on the first thirteen episodes.

EvilTOJ · #8 06-09-2010, 04:52 AM

This was the first episode of Glee I've ever seen, and I was duly impressed. I may have to acquire the rest of the episodes.

Biggirl · #9 06-09-2010, 05:27 AM

I was wondering how the voting went also. Three groups, 4 judges and win, place or show judging. How do you end up in last place if one of your votes is for first?

When they said the name of the third, unknown choir I thought I misheard. Sue's hilarious winner reveal speech was the highlight of the whole show. "Everyone knows that the choir is the best. . . I can't even finish that sentence." and "Second place-- the ridiculously named Oral Injection!" Sue steals every scene. What did she call New Directions? Your misshaped children?

Gotta admit, Vocal Adrenaline's staging of Bohemian Rhapsody was fanfreakintastic. Was the hospital in the same building as the competition? Cuz everyone was prepped and ready to go in the delivery room in less than 2 minutes.

So. . . do Black Guy, Other Asian and Really Stupid Cheerleader ever get a solo?

Unauthorized Cinnamon · #10 06-09-2010, 06:26 AM

I really liked the music. I was duly weepy at To Sir, With Love. Bohemian Rhapsody was wonderful - EW said 4 dancers were hurt during rehearsals, and I can see why.

I think my favorite part was the "crowning" bit of choreography. I laughed my ass off at that!

It was a masterful synergy of writing and acting that brought Sue around to give the kids another shot. It could have seemed completely contrived and discordant, but the writers' tying up Sue's own ego with New Directions*, along with Jane Lynch's delivery, made it work. (It was still a bit contrived, but it was in an emotionally believable way. Also, I can forgive quite a bit in exchange for the dumping of standard tropes.)

I thought Diana Agron did a really good job of imitating labor, and I was happy, (even though the timing seems off) that they had her sitting up, not flat on her back. I had also noticed that they showed her holding her belly a couple times during the competition day, like she was uncomfortable. So to fanwank, she might have been in early labor all that day, which fits better with her water breaking when it did.

And Oh. My. God. that baby in the nursery was cute! I don't know if it was the same one they used in the delivery room scene, but the sleeping baby was an attack of shock and awwww.

*Did you notice the sign at the beginning? "Support our New Directions" heheh.

twickster · #11 06-09-2010, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay

I have to admit, I misted up a little during "To Sir, With Love". I really liked this whole episode.

God, I am of the correct age that I recognized the song from the introductory chord and did the pavlovian production of moisture starting right then. A lovely moment.

And, as everyone has observed, the intercutting of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and labor was amazing.

What did Rachel's mother (that was Rachel's birth mom, right? I missed a slew of episodes in this half of the season) say she was going to name the baby?

SaharaTea · #12 06-09-2010, 07:20 AM

The baby's name is Beth. That's what Puck wanted to name her, and Rachel's mom liked it.

I hated that rushed and contrived adoption story. So Rachel's mom can't bring herself to have a relationship with Rachel, but then she adopts a baby so she can start all over again? Seems really cruel to Rachel.

jayjay · #13 06-09-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twickster

What did Rachel's mother (that was Rachel's birth mom, right? I missed a slew of episodes in this half of the season) say she was going to name the baby?

Yes, that was Rachel's mother. She named her Beth after Puck told her the name in front of the nursery window (I don't know how much you've been watching, but back in the Theatricality episode (2 eps ago?), when the boys were doing KISS songs, Puck sang "Beth" to Quinn when they were deciding what to name the baby).

jayjay · #14 06-09-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaharaTea

I hated that rushed and contrived adoption story. So Rachel's mom can't bring herself to have a relationship with Rachel, but then she adopts a baby so she can start all over again? Seems really cruel to Rachel.

I agree with you here. I feel sorry for that baby, actually. Idina Menzel is really wonderful playing that character, but the character herself seems like an incredibly selfish person. She regrets that she missed out on raising Rachel, but instead of trying to connect with this already-self-realized person who is her daughter, she decides to start all over with a ready-made baby.

Unauthorized Cinnamon · #15 06-09-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay

I agree with you here. I feel sorry for that baby, actually. Idina Menzel is really wonderful playing that character, but the character herself seems like an incredibly selfish person. She regrets that she missed out on raising Rachel, but instead of trying to connect with this already-self-realized person who is her daughter, she decides to start all over with a ready-made baby.

I totally agree. Shelby is just awful. "Sorry, disposable daughter, I didn't get to change your diapers so our relationship is canceled. I'm going to the baby store for a replacement."

Just remembered a great laugh-out-loud moment. When Will asks if Emma's passion is just about the kids, or also something else, and she immediately says, "No." Jayma Mayes just nailed that, and we had to pause for a minute to finish laughing.

Shoeless · #16 06-09-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterj2

I can't understand how New Directions came in third. Sue voted for them, and I thought Josh Groban was leaning towards them as well.

He was at first, but after they all argued a bit about who was best he said something like "OK, now I'm confused." That made me think that he was considering changing his vote.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterj2

Bohemian Rhapsody was brilliantly done. The intercutting between the hospital and the stage was amazing. The way it matched the lyrics and dancing was one of the most incredible things I've seen on a sitcom. Although that's got to be the shortest labor ever.

Actually, I thought the opposite. (About the short labor, I mean.) My wife and I are always joking about how most TV labors are about a minute or two before the baby pops out. When the song was over I said "Wow, that labor took a whole five minutes!" She said "I was wondering when you were going to say something", and I replied "I was waiting for the song to finish."

ShibbOleth · #17 06-09-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sampiro

Surely thou jesteth. Nobody could know Lulu and yet draw a blank on Josh Groban.

Nah, I'm just old. I even skimmed the Wiki page on him and I have no clue who he is. None of his songs rings a bell, although I rarely know song titles, and I never saw Ally Macbeal, where he apparently also did some TV work. I do like it when celebs play themselves as jerks, so I enjoyed his bit in this episode.

Sampiro · #18 06-09-2010, 09:22 AM

Since "Kiss my ass Josh Groban!" is mentioned (but can't be mentioned enough) my other favorite Sue-isms were

[about Will's hair]"I keep expecting racist animated Disney characters to jump out and sing about living on a bayou"

and

"You break into tears more than Michael Landon on a Little House on the Prairie sweeps week".

and

"I am seriously going to puke in your mouth"

Loved seeing Sue dissed by real celebrities (and a newscaster), and actually a believable incentive to why she'd vote for New Directions. Nothing makes allies quicker than a common enemy.

And a third or fourth or whatever "Bohemian Rhapsody + Quinn's Labor= Perfect". I was afraid she was going to have some kind of wacky "trapped in a subway during a power outage and surrounded by Elvis impersonating nuns" TV birth and instead they didn't break step in getting the baby here. So I wonder if Puck and Quinn are going to be a couple now.

Couldn't have cared much less about Shu's Over the Rainbow song- once Jason Castro has done it it's over.

Unauthorized Cinnamon · #19 06-09-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sampiro

Loved seeing Sue dissed by real celebrities (and a newscaster) . . .

Wasn't that also the guy she dated, who cheated on her? Double burn!

Cat Whisperer · #20 06-09-2010, 10:40 AM

Just a random thing I've noticed - they like people with rhyming names on the show. Kurt and Burt, Quinn and Finn, Sue and Shue.

Also, is Josh Groban from Beta-Zed? Those are some seriously black eyeballs he's got there.

Atrael · #21 06-09-2010, 11:30 AM

I liked the episode....I liked the fact that it basically opened at Regional’s and went from there. I also liked the fact that the performance by Vocal Adrenaline actually was better than the New Directions numbers. So it showed they deserved to be the winners. I liked that Quinn didn't seem to leap into her mother’s arms when she tearfully admitted that she kicked the father out after he cheated on her. I liked the interaction with Sue, and could see how not only the digs at her not being a real celebrity plus the lack of consideration shown by the judges about the kids had fewer opportunities than some of the other groups at least gave a plausible reason for her actions. The Bohemian Rhapsody number and To Sir, With Love were both excellent....and leave me yearning for the summer to go by faster to get to the new season. Great show and I look forward to seeing it again next year.

sachertorte · #22 06-09-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterj2

Great episode all around, though the ending felt a bit forced. They stick around for another year just because Sue's got a heart? I'd have loved to see Emma get the best of her. It just feels somehow unsatisfying that after suffering for a year of Sue's capriciousness, the glee club achieves their goal not through besting her in any way, but because she's also fickle. It's like one of those Greek myths where the lesson only seems to be that the Gods just like to fuck with people because they can, but sometimes they decide to mitigate it somewhat, and there's really nothing that humans can do about it. Or the Book of Job, if you're a cynical minded atheist.

I didn't see it that way at all.
When Olivia Newton-John was belittling Sue, Sue became a proponent for New Directions. "They're just kids," which I agree is out of character, but that was the motivation. The whole discussion of her just wanting to toy with Shue was her cover since she won't let herself simply say New Directions deserves to exist. Deep down she sees they have talent and the "losers" actually have something worthwhile. But she won't publicly admit it.

Squooshed · #23 06-09-2010, 12:08 PM

The one thing I didn't like about the Bohemian Rhapsody number was that it was basically just Jesse (is that the name of the guy who jumped ship to New Directions for a while?) singing with a backup choir and a really great dance routine. I have no idea how glee clubs are judged, but I would have taken away points from Vocal Adrenaline because no one else really got to sing. That said, their choreography was good and the guy did a good job singing that song.

Also, I assumed that after the bickering in the judging room, everyone but Sue put Nude Erec... I mean New Directions third on their ballots. If that happened, New Directions could easily have come in third overall.

Although, another plot point that puzzled me was how quickly Groban must have bailed out on New Directions. I mean, wouldn't the criticism that the New Directions kids were losers because they hadn't started famous careers already apply just as strongly to the other two glee clubs?

Sampiro · #24 06-09-2010, 12:11 PM

I like that nobody knows, at least in Lima, that Sue voted for the team.

It's confirmed that Emma's dentist boyfriend is going to be a fellow germophobe played by John Stamos.

Of course the most credibility stretching thing is not that Groban and Olivia Newton John would judge a high school sophomore singing competition but that a teacher at one of the schools would be chosen as a judge in the first place. But, it allows for the great introduction "...and author of the soon to be released memoir I'm a Winner and You're Fat" and shows how popular she is- something like a Buckeye Sarah Palin.

Loved the "we've got something nobody else here has... Finn's dancing!"

Thoughts on Finn's "I love you" to Rachel?

Sampiro · #25 06-09-2010, 12:33 PM

PS- The hat Kurt wears in the To Sir With Love number (about 35:00)- what the hell is that? Is it a nurse's hat or a sailor's hat or a fez or what?

zeldarae · #26 06-09-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sampiro

Thoughts on Finn's "I love you" to Rachel?

Not only Finn to Rachael, but also Puck to Quinn and Shue to Emma. If you noticed, none of the girls said it back.

Should make for a very interesting second season.

jayjay · #27 06-09-2010, 01:11 PM

It looked like Kurt was going for sailor fashion. That was definitely a sailor's hat, and he was in all white, with the striped kerchief/tie.

Sampiro · #28 06-09-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay

It looked like Kurt was going for sailor fashion. That was definitely a sailor's hat, and he was in all white, with the striped kerchief/tie.

Well, he did spend a season wanting to transport Finn's seamen. (Works better spoken of course.)

Misnomer · #29 06-09-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squooshed

another plot point that puzzled me was how quickly Groban must have bailed out on New Directions.

I just figured that part of Groban's "schtick" was not really having a mind of his own. As soon as he realized that the other celebrities were against New Directions, so was he.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeldarae

Not only Finn to Rachael, but also Puck to Quinn and Shue to Emma. If you noticed, none of the girls said it back.

Oooh, good point!

tr0psn4j · #30 06-09-2010, 02:39 PM

Sue gave Vocal Adrenaline 3rd right?

I think if she had handed them 2nd, and given Oral Injection the 3rd place spot, New Directions might have been bumped to 2nd place.

By giving Vocal Adrenaline, 3rd, you're giving Oral Injection an extra point.

jayjay · #31 06-09-2010, 02:59 PM

Oral Intensity, wasn't it? Because I'm hoping everyone else in the thread so far is wrong so it proves that I'm not going completely loony.

tr0psn4j · #32 06-09-2010, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay

Oral Intensity, wasn't it? Because I'm hoping everyone else in the thread so far is wrong so it proves that I'm not going completely loony.

I didn't know what it was so I just copy and pasted the first instance of "Oral I*" I found in the thread.

I thought Oral Injection sounded weird. I think you're right.

Casey1505 · #33 06-09-2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squooshed

Nude Erec... I mean New Directions

I finally got that joke.

jlasserton · #34 06-09-2010, 03:15 PM

I loved the season finale. Sue was great. I enjoyed her kindness. The Journey songs were great. I will admit Vocal Adrenalin was awesome. They deserved to win, but I know New Directions will do better next season.

Wile E · #35 06-09-2010, 03:17 PM

Actually, I think it was Aural for ear, not oral.

I totally called what song they were going to sing to Shue as soon as he walked into that room, loved it ... got something in my eye. When Sue walked in, I said aloud "and the Grinch's heart grew 3 sizes that day".

I thought the Vocal Adrenaline Queen song to be rather cliche, and as someone else pointed out it, it was Jesse with a back-up group.

tr0psn4j · #36 06-09-2010, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casey1505

I finally got that joke.

Shit, I didn't know that joke existed either.

Biggirl · #37 06-09-2010, 04:28 PM

Other thoughts:

Was Rachel's mom planning that adoption for a while? Because I don't think you can just walk into a hospital and say, "I want that one!"

Why in the world would cheerleader mom do that in front of all her friends in the middle of her big moment? Wait for the show to be over and for you both to be alone.

The episode where Shue played that mean trick on Sue kinda foreshadowed this finale. When she refused to get out of bed, the conversation went something like,

"Do it for love."
"Those kids don't love me. They fear me."
"Yeah, but you love them."

And I love how all of Good Sue's moments are secrets only viewers share.

P.S. For decades I thought the line was: Spare him his life from this cold sausage cheese. It wasn't until the song's comeback in Wayne's World that I realized what a dolt I was.

TBG · #38 06-09-2010, 04:59 PM

"We can beat them, because we got da funk"

next week

"Okay, let's sing a Journey medley instead!"

Maggie the Ocelot · #39 06-09-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbg

"we can beat them, because we got da funk"

next week

"okay, let's sing a journey medley instead!"

bwahahahahhahahahaha!~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tr0psn4j · #40 06-09-2010, 05:26 PM

Singing Journey seemed even more cliched than singing Queen.

RachelChristine · #41 06-09-2010, 05:38 PM

According to the closed captioning, it *was* Aural Intensity. So hilarious!!

Tangent · #42 06-09-2010, 06:00 PM

Yeah, I think the Aural/Oral confusion is an intentional joke by the writers.

Lamia · #43 06-09-2010, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterj2

Great episode all around, though the ending felt a bit forced. They stick around for another year just because Sue's got a heart? I'd have loved to see Emma get the best of her. It just feels somehow unsatisfying that after suffering for a year of Sue's capriciousness, the glee club achieves their goal not through besting her in any way, but because she's also fickle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachertorte

I didn't see it that way at all.
When Olivia Newton-John was belittling Sue, Sue became a proponent for New Directions. "They're just kids," which I agree is out of character, but that was the motivation. The whole discussion of her just wanting to toy with Shue was her cover since she won't let herself simply say New Directions deserves to exist. Deep down she sees they have talent and the "losers" actually have something worthwhile. But she won't publicly admit it.

I have yet another take on the matter.

I agree with sachertorte that Sue does care more about the kids than she's willing to admit, but what made this work for me was that we also know that Sue is very competitive. It's not just that she likes to win, she also relishes a good fight. I think she also has a personal code of honor, albeit a rather twisted one. For instance, while she has no problem with leaking the New Directions setlist to a rival team or getting herself appointed judge just to make things difficult for them, Sue would probably consider something like ballot tampering to be beneath her. Conventional ethics wouldn't necessarily even come into it, but I can see Sue feeling that some forms of cheating or fighting dirty are just being smart while others are weak or lazy.

Sue went in prepared to do what it took to convince the other judges that New Directions should not win. But she didn't expect or want to have victory handed to her, and the reasons her fellow judges had for favoring the other teams struck her as stupid and offensive. So while she was only there because she wanted New Directions to lose, it would be against her nature to just go with the flow -- especially since the other judges were getting on her nerves and she already had personal problems with two of them.

This alone might not have made Sue change her position, but it at least caused her to pause long enough to think about the kids in New Directions. Between that, her desire to win on her own terms, and the fact that she does actually enjoy having a semi-worthy rival at McKinley, I could buy that she would (temporarily) turn her energies towards saving the glee club. She'll fight them another day, but it'll be her way.

Cyberhwk · #44 06-10-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wile E

Actually, I think it was Aural for ear, not oral.

A friend of mine took Aural Skills when she was in college. I still make fun of her for it.

Quote:

I thought the Vocal Adrenaline Queen song to be rather cliche, and as someone else pointed out it, it was Jesse with a back-up group.

I agree here too. Though I'm not sure Don't Stop Believing is really that much less cliche.

Saltire · #45 06-10-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayjay

It looked like Kurt was going for sailor fashion. That was definitely a sailor's hat, and he was in all white, with the striped kerchief/tie.

In one of the interview clips I watched on Hulu, the actor says, "You know those outfits you see in fashion magazines and you think 'No one would ever actually wear that.'? Those are my wardrobe for the show."

jayjay · #46 06-10-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saltire

In one of the interview clips I watched on Hulu, the actor says, "You know those outfits you see in fashion magazines and you think 'No one would ever actually wear that.'? Those are my wardrobe for the show."

Well, sometimes fashion-forward laps itself...