MY SHIP HAS COME IN.
You guys. FABERRY. IS. ON.
No, seriously. It is happening. My OTP. Is happening. I am not hallucinating. Season 3 of Glee has taken this amazing turn that is boggling my mind. We are starting to get evidence of our ship that even the straight people notice! And it is killing us in the best way. It's in that stage that's emotionally-draining shipper catnip, the place where the subtext is rapidly becoming text. They've done everything but say it outright. The emotions are becoming overwhelming as it's actually starting to happen on our screens. We were not emotionally prepared for this! As many folks on Tumblr are saying through their sobbing, "I did not sign up for this! What are you doing to me?! I take it back! Leave my emotions alone!"
I am certainly not exempt from the crazy. The mid-season finale is all I've thought about for the last few days. Now that we're on a 7-week hiatus, I need to document the incredible things that have happened in the last 8 episodes leading up to the scene that made me literally pace around my room sobbing because omg that actually just happened, my ship is becoming canon. I want to get this all down while the emotions are still fresh. Pure video and screencaps will suffice here; I can swim in the ocean of Tumblr manips and gif sets for the next month and a half. (omg there are already so many.)
SO. Here is a full rundown of the epic lesbian-ness that has transpired in this middle third of season three. If you haven't seen it, you can just read this instead and be all set. (What, you watch for things other than femslash? No comprendo.) Spoilers ahead for everything that has aired, including the mid-season finale. Also, this has a LOT of downloading content and is not even remotely dial-up friendly. I recommend letting everything load before proceeding. I've credited source for borrowed things where I could; apologies for what I missed.
Password note: To keep my video clips from being taken down, everything is password protected. I know this is annoying; I apologize. The password for everything is "gay."
There was a lot of Faberry in 3.01, but then things really chilled for awhile until 3.07, aka The Lesbian Episode. (I've posted briefly about this before, but it bears repeating here.) Sad as I am that there wasn't a Faberry duet, we did get a Pezberry performance of "I Kissed a Girl," complete with this heart-stopping moment:
[source unknown]
Yeah, I screamed.
The protective arm, the look on Quinn's face, the way Rachel puts her hand on Quinn's arm, the height differential (hot). Guhhhh. This is Faberry porn.
The lead-in to that song was this scene between a creeper and Santana, in which Rachel didn't deny that they might all be lesbians:
[sowhatifweare]
All of this stuff is the kind of gentle teasing that has been throughout the show from time to time until this point, like the exchange of glances after "I Feel Pretty / Unpretty" or the subtle touch of hands in the bathroom after prom. But then episode 3.08 really cranked it up a notch. This was the episode where Rachel fixed Quinn's 2 years of crazy by just talking to her twice in the span of an episode. Faberry is magic.
It all culminated in this amazing scene:
[308-office]
OKAY. SO. Very Important Things to note about this scene, in order:
1) The way Quinn looks at Rachel. Quinn always looks at Rachel in meaningful, dripping-with-emotion ways, but dear god. Look at the love in that smile when Rachel is adorably neurotic.
Um. That is very clearly an "I'm so in love with you, I can't help myself" look. Honey, your gay is showing.
2)
[source unknown]
DEAR GOD, KILL ME NOW. NO, SERIOUSLY. You could hear the Faberry fandom exploding across the globe when Quinn said that. The LOOK on her face when she said it. You guys, THEY ARE FLIRTING. Even my straight friend agreed, and she thinks I am teh cray-cray for shipping Faberry.
3) The delicious look on Quinn's face right after she said, "I really do like to perform."
DIRTY.
4) Rachel tells Quinn, YET AGAIN, "You're a lot better than you know," and THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THEM FROM STARING INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES AND KISSING RIGHT THEN is to have Captain Cockblock walk through and GLARE AT THEM for being ABOUT TO MAKE OUT IN THE OFFICE.
I HATE YOU.
I am fucking serious -- the writers had to break it up because SHIT WAS GETTING REAL. You cannot tell me anything else was about to happen. The sexual tension is RIDICULOUS. Before it cuts away, you can see Quinn has that look on her face of, "oh my god, Rachel just said that. Did she just say that? What did she mean? Does she know I love her? Shit, shit, shit. Can I look at her? I want to, but I would want to kiss her. Oh god, can I kiss her?"
5) After making her smooth move and then not getting to make out with Quinn, Rachel is all, "wait, wtf, where are you going?!" *SIGH* SHE JUST WANTS TO KISS THE PRETTY GIRL. DAMNIT, QUINN, DON'T LEAVE! So, naturally, Rachel tries to come up with another way to spend time with her (by helping with the Yale application). And then Quinn gives the devilish, "there is something you can do for me" before the scene ends. Frustrating as this is, I understand that they aren't allowed to show porn on TV, so they had to cut there.
But in all seriousness, this scene, this episode, was huge for their storyline. Up until this point, from the very first episode, Quinn had been a mean, psychotic thorn in everyone's side, wreaking havoc everywhere she went. This turning point finally let her release all that anger once and for all. She is now a well-adjusted person, and it's because of Rachel. This is so big for Quinn's character that they remember it going forward. Rachel is now a major fixture in Quinn's life. She is now Quinn's person. Remember that Quinn, who is NEVER single for more than like 2 seconds, has been single this entire season. All her attention has been going toward Beth, Puck, Shelby, and Rachel. With the baby storyline out of the way, now she can just focus on Rachel entirely. A perfect breeding ground for the manifestation of feelings that have brewed subconsciously since the first episode. This was clear in the way she looked at Rachel as they sang "We Are Young."
Perfect.
And you guys, we're only just getting started.
Things were chill again for a few weeks. (They let other characters have scenes and song and stuff for awhile.) Then, in the Michael Jackson episode, shit got real again.
[bathroom]
VERY IMPORTANT THINGS:
1) What is it with these two and bathroom scenes? Not that I'm complaining. Just, damn. Is this leading to stall sex? Please?
2) Quinn totally thought she got Rachel pregnant somehow, muahaha.
3) Quinn is wearing a black blazer. Goddamn, that is hot. Speaking of which, these two are always color-coordinated in episodes where they have scenes together. I love that.
4) Quinn is the first person Rachel told about the proposal. Rachel is the first person Quinn tells about Yale. This is HUGE for their friendship. Giganto. See re: what I said earlier about them being each other's "person." They are best friends now. This is INCREDIBLE. As screwed up as continuity is on this show and how weaksauce the writing can be, the development of this friendship has been the best storyline in Glee, period. Always true, always consistent, and well paced. (And now it's at the point of taking the next step, ahem.)
5) I love that Quinn's reaction is basically, "um, you can't" and then when Rachel asks "why not?" Quinn doesn't respond with words -- she presents her Yale news as a reason. TOTALLY VALID. After all, it's much easier to say, "here, look at this piece of paper that will put me 90 miles from New York City aka you," than saying, "because I'm in love with you." I get it.
6) THEIR FIRST HUG. DID YOU SEE IT I DIED A LOT. I wish we could've seen the look on Quinn's face, but whatever, I'LL TAKE IT. FIRST. HUG. !!!!! And then Rachel's hand lingers on Quinn's shoulder because she doesn't want to let go quite yet.
7) When Rachel says, "so, you're saying Finn and I should break up?" Quinn's face LIGHTS UP and her voice PERKS UP and she says, "I'm all for making the most of the next few months." OH MY GOD SHE WANTS TO DATE YOU SO BADLY, RACHEL. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE IT.
8) "If you want everything you've ever dreamed of," [including a life with me] "you're going to have to break up with him." Rachel, honey, she laid it right out for you. Listen to her.
9) "If you really want to be happy, you're gonna have to say goodbye." And then it goes RIGHT INTO Quinn walking away IN SLOW MOTION and singing, "Never Can Say Goodbye." OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GAY. Though I try and try to hide my feelings, they always seem to show. YOU DON'T SAY. The rest of this song scene put all the guys in it, but you know, Quinn had already said goodbye to them and just EXPLAINED that she is happy to leave them behind. I think she was saying goodbye to them on Rachel's behalf. And, of course, trying to figure out how to say goodbye to Rachel herself.
AND THEN, just when it couldn't get any more Faberryish, THIS HAPPENED:
[sing to rachel]
She finishes singing the song and stares DIRECTLY AT RACHEL. Who, by the way, was purposefully positioned dead center with nobody in front of her so there is no question who Quinn is singing to. Rachel knows it, too. Oh yes. She totally knows.
Then, Quinn shares the news with everyone and we can see that they're all cheering and happy for her...except Rachel, who is very very conflicted about what this means for her and their future.
[yale]
AND THEN, TO LAY IT ON EVEN THICKER, Quinn gives a frickin SPEECH for Rachel. You guys, my heart. Quinn wants her to let go of Finn and join her in New England in the future SO VERY BADLY. She is IN TEARS ABOUT IT.
[quinn speech]
At this point, I actually thought the Faberry storyline might be done for the season because it seemed Quinn's trajectory was neatly wrapped up with a bow. AHAHAHA WOW I WAS VERY WRONG. YAY FOR BEING WRONG.
Lo and behold, the Valentine's Day episode dropped even more marbles into the jar of "hints that Quinn is a big queerbo."
First, we have this amazing throw-away line that they gave to her. There were 2 other people in the room who could've had it, but no. Quinn's line.
[guarantee]
THE LOOK ON SAM'S FACE. Even HE is like, "um, why did Quinn just say that?" instead of nodding in agreement. He is totally picking up what she is putting down, y'all. "I guarantee you have met someone gay because you are talking to ME RIGHT NOW." Poor Sam. I bet he thinks it's his fault.
To further prove her point, she was gentlemanly to Rachel during Joe's song later on. Mmhmm.
[source]
During Love Shack, she was scoping out her girl. Yes, I find this editing suspect. This shit is intentional, y'all.
[love shack]
But none of us were prepared for what happened in 3.14, the mid-season finale, "On My Way." Oh ho ho. All we'd been shown was a scene in the promo that wasn't even in the actual episode -- it was cut for time! (Which we also knew.)
[source]
THEY CUT THAT. Our Should Have Asked For Directions moment! Quinn stops the wedding! Epicness! AND THEY CUT IT. We figured this meant we'd get nothing. We were unhappy shippers.
We were also VERY WRONG.
First, after Karaofsky attempted suicide, this conversation happened. I don't think this scene is as strongly in the "omg Quinn is gay" column as other things in this post, but with my Faberry goggles on, it definitely stood out to me.
[couldn't take it]
The look on her face at the end says, to me, "I know what that feels like. I've been struggling with my big gay feelings, too. I hope nobody notices just how much I sympathize with him."
[want to compare]
I actually thought Quinn was coming out when she started talking about being put through the wringer, heh. Then when Kurt comes in, she gets that expression of, "You have no idea what I've been struggling with. You THINK you know everything. There is so much. I GET IT, KURT. I AM QUEER TOO." She's just too scared to say anything. :-( So, she dismisses it before she says something she can't take back. Oh, bb.
In the wake of all the sadness, Mr. Schue has everyone discuss things they're looking forward to in life. For both Quinn AND Rachel's contributions, they exchange looks with each other (and nobody else). In this entire group, they matter most to each other. I flapped my hands so hard I actually lifted off the ground.
[quinn's wish]
[rachel's wish]
I found this particularly meaningful coming from Rachel to Quinn. Rachel has built a great friendship with Kurt as well, but clearly it's second-best just like everything else. Faberrrrrry. And just when it's established that they are each other's #1, Rachel has to go and break Quinn's heart into a million pieces.
[wed announce]
Things of note:
1) They linger on Quinn at the start of the clip, before the announcement even happens. They want you to be aware that her reaction is important and to see ahead of time that something bad is coming.
2) Right after Finn announces it, there is actually a ZOOM IN ON QUINN'S FACE. Her reaction is the most important. Sure, Will and Kurt think it's a bad idea, too, but Quinn is someone directly affected by this announcement. There are implications for her. THE ZOOM KNOWS IT.
3) Rachel makes her pointed comment about those who weren't onboard with the engagement and looks right at Quinn, who is SO CONFLICTED SHE COULD DIE. OH HONEY. YOUR FACE.
No one person should be that bombarded with so many thoughts and emotions at once. Let me break this down for you: Will and Kurt just looked bummed.
But Quinn's reaction is VERY DIFFERENT. She has the "oh shit, what am I going to DO?!" face. That is not just a look of sad resolve and going with the flow. She is trying to figure something out. She has to get her girl back.
Next up: Regionals. On an amusing note, I have no idea WHAT this dance move is supposed to be, but it's AMAZING. I assume Zach's choreography direction was, "Dianna, start Lea's ass like a lawn-mower, and then Lea, move your pelvis forward in response because you're the one being started up."
Moving on.
Rachel had a solo called, "Here's to Us." Quinn spent some time staring at her while she sang:
It's tough to see in this screencap, but I assure you, it's there.
Thinking, naturally, that Rachel is saying "here's to us" meaning THEM. Because, you know, this episode had already established the importance of their friendship and the conflicting nature of Quinn's feelings for Rachel. Which all led to...THE HALLWAY SCENE.
I was not prepared for this. I had no idea this was coming. My heart did not know to guard itself. Y'all, this is when Faberry actually happened for reals. I still find myself walking around in a daze going, "did I dream that?" I still can't handle it.
[hallway]
SOME OF THE ABSOLUTELY LIFE-CHANGINGLY IMPORTANT THINGS HERE:
1) Kurt and Blaine told Quinn she looked hot, but that apparently wasn't good enough for her. She need to hear it from Rachel. Someone whose approval means the world to her. Someone who she wants to find her hot in a cheerleader uniform. She says it somewhat casually, but it's not just a empty question for her. There is so much hope in her eyes. It looks like she might almost cry from the need to hear what Rachel thinks.
No, this is not a casual question. You know it when you see the look on her face after Rachel totally shoots her down with an empty platitude about being happy and a look of disappointment.
Rachel has no clue what Quinn is really asking, or why. This was the moment when I realized that not only was Faberry ON, but it was unbalanced. Quinn has feelings for Rachel, and Rachel doesn't know it. In past episodes, Rachel had put so much effort into Quinn (bringing her back in 3.01, reaching out at prom, the gardenia that matched her eyes, the list goes on) and now we see that IT WORKED. SHE LIKES YOU. WELL DONE. Only...Rachel is oblivious to it. It's so, so sad.
2) AND THEN. Before I had time to recover, with no adequate pause at all in the natural flow of scene dialogue, came the line that has affected me more than any line possibly ever in the history of television. (You guys, I'm not kidding. TV has made me cry many times, but it's usually the loss of the show when it ends. I've never had a shipper experience like this before.)
[source unknown]
She fucking said that.
SHE. FUCKING. SAID. THAT.
When this scene happened, I actually had to hit pause, take off my hoodie (because my body was suddenly overheated), and pace around the room crying. And it was because of this line. I leaned my head against the wall and sobbed for a minute thinking, "oh my god, it actually just happened." Quinn just confirmed she has feelings for Rachel. Because, seriously. There is no better reason you would ask someone if they were singing a love song “to [them] and only [them]” unless you are trying to determine if they maybe have feelings for you too. Or possibly an ex who is still in the picture, but Rachel hasn't dated anyone else since last season or wavered in her fidelity in the slightest (other than gratuitous flirting with Quinn, of course). No. No exes. This is about Finn versus Quinn. How could anyone deny it? This is the kind of line that is very intentionally placed in a script. If Quinn was just asking Rachel if she had any doubts that she wants to marry Finn, there are so many other things she could have said. (Hell, she could have just said that!) No, this line was loaded and deliberate. Quinn was feeling out to see if Rachel might have room in her heart for her. I AM NOT MAKING THIS SHIT UP. There is no going back now. Faberry is on.
And you can see Rachel is very stone-faced in her slight nodding response. It seems like she understands what Quinn is saying but doesn't know how to respond. She doesn't want to hurt her and doesn't know what to say. That, or she doesn't get what Quinn is saying and she's trying to figure it out without giving her confusion away. I honestly don't know. I lean toward the first, but she keeps shooting Quinn down with dismissive comments! This makes me think she's just clueless.
3) When Quinn is yet again shot down by an oblivious Rachel, she tries so fucking hard to hold it together and not just lose her shit right there. She says she wants to support "you, Rachel...and Finn." Yes, the man is the afterthought. This is about THEM, and it's killing her. This is not, "my friend is making a mistake and one day I can say 'I told you so'" pain like Kurt has. Rachel is breaking her heart into a million pieces and doesn't even know it. Quinn clearly has tears in her eyes. This woman is fighting like hell to keep from breaking down crying. She literally has to take a deep breath with her entire body just to speak.
[source unknown]
4) And as if our hearts weren't yet thoroughly trampled on, they end the scene with ANOTHER HUG. But this one is very different. This one is a hug of PAIN. Quinn has resigned to accept Rachel's choice and be there for her, and Rachel thanks her with a warm, loving hug. Quinn has two distinct reactions to this. First, the surprise of, "oh wow, okay, the woman I love is hugging me. Keep it together, Quinn."
And as she settles into the hug, you see her face change from pleasant surprise to sadness as it all sinks in. This is as close as Rachel will ever let her get. She tries to put on her happy face, but her heart is already breaking.
Let's look at those two reactions again, shall we? (In prettier colors, since we can.)
[source]
In the second one, the gif shows the moment when it all hits Quinn. Her eyes turn toward the camera and widen, just for a second. (This is incredible acting, by the way. Dianna, you are amazeballs.)
I also would like to compare this hug to the one between Brittany and Santana in the S2 finale. This ended the conversation between them where Santana asked if there was any hope for them in the future (after Brittany shot her down). The parallels are striking. Also, Brittana ended up happening very soon thereafter, ahem.
[source]
Part of why this scene affected me so much is because it was a blindside. The remainder of the episode was something I had been somewhat emotionally/mentally prepared for, and because of that, it didn't kill me the way it could have. (Um, bad choice of words? :-/) Still, this is some crazy Faberry shit. We've already established that the Rachel/Quinn storyline has now become prominently placed in the show because it now IS Quinn's storyline, period. But then the show took it one step further by having whether or not Rachel's wedding will happen revolve around Quinn. LITERALLY.
I would also like to point out that while I am known for manipulating Glee scenes, I did not edit this AT ALL. IT REALLY HAPPENED LIKE THIS:
[going to the chapel]
YET EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THINGS OF NOTE:
1) They almost never use original performances of songs in this show (I am struggling to think of another example at the moment, actually), and yet they HAD to get "Chapel of Love" for this. I just can't get over the fact that we see Quinn on her way to the wedding, intercut with shots of Rachel and others waiting for Quinn, as all those lyrics are happening. THEY ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED.
2) Quinn checks her make-up because she wants to look her best for Rachel.
3) I love Rachel playing with her ring. She wants to take it off! Be free of him, Rachel! Be free!
4) Rachel texts Quinn in ALL CAPS. You guys, Rachel's priority ON HER WEDDING DAY is Quinn being there. I just. Nothing matters more to her. Probably because she knows Quinn is the only person who can stop her from doing something stupid, just like Rachel did for her in 3.08. (That, and she wants Quinn to profess her love once and for all.)
Rachel further displayed her priorities in this now classic Faberry vs. Finchel moment that had all of us cracking up:
[wait it's quinn]
SORRY FINN, QUINN TEXTING > YOUR FOREVER MOMENT. Oh god, pinch me.
Finn is kind of dumb, but even he picked up on the fact that he was going to lose Rachel to Quinn if he didn't lock that shit down RIGHT NOW. So, classy dude that he is, he gives her an ultimatum. Because, you know, losing your appointment spot at the Justice of the Peace is clearly the end of the world when you've inconvenienced maybe 10 people who DON'T WANT YOU TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY and would be happy to show up at a later time if it meant you weren't screwing up your life right now. But no. Finn makes her choose. "It's now or never" is so fucking romantic, don't you think? Ugggggh.
[now or never]
The thing that pisses me off most about this is that Finn DOES NOT CARE about Rachel's feelings. It's not that he can't see how important Quinn's presence is to her, it's that he really is being that selfish. Aren't you supposed to want your bride to be happy and as comfortable as possible on her wedding day? Not stressed out because her BEST FRIEND is running late and you're forcing her to get married now anyway? Ugggggh. Finn, I kick you in teh nads.
AND YET. When given the ultimatum, Rachel texts Quinn AGAIN. She doesn't say, "the show must go on" in typical Rachel Berry fashion, or something like, "I guess all the important people are here." She doesn't brush it aside, put on a smile, and link arms with Finn. She chooses Quinn.
The episode ends, of course, with Quinn getting SMASHED BY A TRUCK WTF. (I knew it was coming, but it was still hard to watch, which is why I am not posting video of it here.) I have many feelings about this happening to Quinn. She has been though enough shit and did not deserve this. I think a big part of me still isn't processing what it means for her because I don't want to deal with it. (The rest of me is latching on to the fact that Dianna is fine.) Personal feelings for Quinn's character aside, I can appreciate the dramatic storytelling of it all. Quinn is the only one who could stop the wedding. (Even the parents said it would take magical powers.) And it shows that without a doubt, Rachel and Quinn's storylines are forever entwined. Now, I know whether or not Quinn lives or dies because I've seen spoilery things, so I am not going to comment further on the implications of this. (If you want to know too, you can click here for one of three pieces of evidence I've seen. Please don't spoil in comments.) But regardless, Faberry has HAPPENED. Somehow I will survive the 7 weeks until we see the results of the crash and how Rachel reacts. Will she get married anyway? Or will she continue to wait for the girl who isn't coming?
I look forward to finding out. In the meantime, I will revel in all of this wonderfulness. And lord, I will go down with this ship.
No, seriously. It is happening. My OTP. Is happening. I am not hallucinating. Season 3 of Glee has taken this amazing turn that is boggling my mind. We are starting to get evidence of our ship that even the straight people notice! And it is killing us in the best way. It's in that stage that's emotionally-draining shipper catnip, the place where the subtext is rapidly becoming text. They've done everything but say it outright. The emotions are becoming overwhelming as it's actually starting to happen on our screens. We were not emotionally prepared for this! As many folks on Tumblr are saying through their sobbing, "I did not sign up for this! What are you doing to me?! I take it back! Leave my emotions alone!"
I am certainly not exempt from the crazy. The mid-season finale is all I've thought about for the last few days. Now that we're on a 7-week hiatus, I need to document the incredible things that have happened in the last 8 episodes leading up to the scene that made me literally pace around my room sobbing because omg that actually just happened, my ship is becoming canon. I want to get this all down while the emotions are still fresh. Pure video and screencaps will suffice here; I can swim in the ocean of Tumblr manips and gif sets for the next month and a half. (omg there are already so many.)
SO. Here is a full rundown of the epic lesbian-ness that has transpired in this middle third of season three. If you haven't seen it, you can just read this instead and be all set. (What, you watch for things other than femslash? No comprendo.) Spoilers ahead for everything that has aired, including the mid-season finale. Also, this has a LOT of downloading content and is not even remotely dial-up friendly. I recommend letting everything load before proceeding. I've credited source for borrowed things where I could; apologies for what I missed.
Password note: To keep my video clips from being taken down, everything is password protected. I know this is annoying; I apologize. The password for everything is "gay."
There was a lot of Faberry in 3.01, but then things really chilled for awhile until 3.07, aka The Lesbian Episode. (I've posted briefly about this before, but it bears repeating here.) Sad as I am that there wasn't a Faberry duet, we did get a Pezberry performance of "I Kissed a Girl," complete with this heart-stopping moment:
[source unknown]
Yeah, I screamed.
The protective arm, the look on Quinn's face, the way Rachel puts her hand on Quinn's arm, the height differential (hot). Guhhhh. This is Faberry porn.
The lead-in to that song was this scene between a creeper and Santana, in which Rachel didn't deny that they might all be lesbians:
[sowhatifweare]
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
All of this stuff is the kind of gentle teasing that has been throughout the show from time to time until this point, like the exchange of glances after "I Feel Pretty / Unpretty" or the subtle touch of hands in the bathroom after prom. But then episode 3.08 really cranked it up a notch. This was the episode where Rachel fixed Quinn's 2 years of crazy by just talking to her twice in the span of an episode. Faberry is magic.
It all culminated in this amazing scene:
[308-office]
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
OKAY. SO. Very Important Things to note about this scene, in order:
1) The way Quinn looks at Rachel. Quinn always looks at Rachel in meaningful, dripping-with-emotion ways, but dear god. Look at the love in that smile when Rachel is adorably neurotic.
Um. That is very clearly an "I'm so in love with you, I can't help myself" look. Honey, your gay is showing.
2)
[source unknown]
DEAR GOD, KILL ME NOW. NO, SERIOUSLY. You could hear the Faberry fandom exploding across the globe when Quinn said that. The LOOK on her face when she said it. You guys, THEY ARE FLIRTING. Even my straight friend agreed, and she thinks I am teh cray-cray for shipping Faberry.
3) The delicious look on Quinn's face right after she said, "I really do like to perform."
DIRTY.
4) Rachel tells Quinn, YET AGAIN, "You're a lot better than you know," and THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THEM FROM STARING INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES AND KISSING RIGHT THEN is to have Captain Cockblock walk through and GLARE AT THEM for being ABOUT TO MAKE OUT IN THE OFFICE.
I HATE YOU.
I am fucking serious -- the writers had to break it up because SHIT WAS GETTING REAL. You cannot tell me anything else was about to happen. The sexual tension is RIDICULOUS. Before it cuts away, you can see Quinn has that look on her face of, "oh my god, Rachel just said that. Did she just say that? What did she mean? Does she know I love her? Shit, shit, shit. Can I look at her? I want to, but I would want to kiss her. Oh god, can I kiss her?"
5) After making her smooth move and then not getting to make out with Quinn, Rachel is all, "wait, wtf, where are you going?!" *SIGH* SHE JUST WANTS TO KISS THE PRETTY GIRL. DAMNIT, QUINN, DON'T LEAVE! So, naturally, Rachel tries to come up with another way to spend time with her (by helping with the Yale application). And then Quinn gives the devilish, "there is something you can do for me" before the scene ends. Frustrating as this is, I understand that they aren't allowed to show porn on TV, so they had to cut there.
But in all seriousness, this scene, this episode, was huge for their storyline. Up until this point, from the very first episode, Quinn had been a mean, psychotic thorn in everyone's side, wreaking havoc everywhere she went. This turning point finally let her release all that anger once and for all. She is now a well-adjusted person, and it's because of Rachel. This is so big for Quinn's character that they remember it going forward. Rachel is now a major fixture in Quinn's life. She is now Quinn's person. Remember that Quinn, who is NEVER single for more than like 2 seconds, has been single this entire season. All her attention has been going toward Beth, Puck, Shelby, and Rachel. With the baby storyline out of the way, now she can just focus on Rachel entirely. A perfect breeding ground for the manifestation of feelings that have brewed subconsciously since the first episode. This was clear in the way she looked at Rachel as they sang "We Are Young."
Perfect.
And you guys, we're only just getting started.
Things were chill again for a few weeks. (They let other characters have scenes and song and stuff for awhile.) Then, in the Michael Jackson episode, shit got real again.
[bathroom]
You can watch this video on www.livejournal.com
VERY IMPORTANT THINGS:
1) What is it with these two and bathroom scenes? Not that I'm complaining. Just, damn. Is this leading to stall sex? Please?
2) Quinn totally thought she got Rachel pregnant somehow, muahaha.
3) Quinn is wearing a black blazer. Goddamn, that is hot. Speaking of which, these two are always color-coordinated in episodes where they have scenes together. I love that.
4) Quinn is the first person Rachel told about the proposal. Rachel is the first person Quinn tells about Yale. This is HUGE for their friendship. Giganto. See re: what I said earlier about them being each other's "person." They are best friends now. This is INCREDIBLE. As screwed up as continuity is on this show and how weaksauce the writing can be, the development of this friendship has been the best storyline in Glee, period. Always true, always consistent, and well paced. (And now it's at the point of taking the next step, ahem.)
5) I love that Quinn's reaction is basically, "um, you can't" and then when Rachel asks "why not?" Quinn doesn't respond with words -- she presents her Yale news as a reason. TOTALLY VALID. After all, it's much easier to say, "here, look at this piece of paper that will put me 90 miles from New York City aka you," than saying, "because I'm in love with you." I get it.
6) THEIR FIRST HUG. DID YOU SEE IT I DIED A LOT. I wish we could've seen the look on Quinn's face, but whatever, I'LL TAKE IT. FIRST. HUG. !!!!! And then Rachel's hand lingers on Quinn's shoulder because she doesn't want to let go quite yet.
7) When Rachel says, "so, you're saying Finn and I should break up?" Quinn's face LIGHTS UP and her voice PERKS UP and she says, "I'm all for making the most of the next few months." OH MY GOD SHE WANTS TO DATE YOU SO BADLY, RACHEL. WHY CAN'T YOU SEE IT.
8) "If you want everything you've ever dreamed of," [including a life with me] "you're going to have to break up with him." Rachel, honey, she laid it right out for you. Listen to her.
9) "If you really want to be happy, you're gonna have to say goodbye." And then it goes RIGHT INTO Quinn walking away IN SLOW MOTION and singing, "Never Can Say Goodbye." OH MY GOD THIS IS SO GAY. Though I try and try to hide my feelings, they always seem to show. YOU DON'T SAY. The rest of this song scene put all the guys in it, but you know, Quinn had already said goodbye to them and just EXPLAINED that she is happy to leave them behind. I think she was saying goodbye to them on Rachel's behalf. And, of course, trying to figure out how to say goodbye to Rachel herself.
AND THEN, just when it couldn't get any more Faberryish, THIS HAPPENED:
[sing to rachel]
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She finishes singing the song and stares DIRECTLY AT RACHEL. Who, by the way, was purposefully positioned dead center with nobody in front of her so there is no question who Quinn is singing to. Rachel knows it, too. Oh yes. She totally knows.
Then, Quinn shares the news with everyone and we can see that they're all cheering and happy for her...except Rachel, who is very very conflicted about what this means for her and their future.
[yale]
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AND THEN, TO LAY IT ON EVEN THICKER, Quinn gives a frickin SPEECH for Rachel. You guys, my heart. Quinn wants her to let go of Finn and join her in New England in the future SO VERY BADLY. She is IN TEARS ABOUT IT.
[quinn speech]
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At this point, I actually thought the Faberry storyline might be done for the season because it seemed Quinn's trajectory was neatly wrapped up with a bow. AHAHAHA WOW I WAS VERY WRONG. YAY FOR BEING WRONG.
Lo and behold, the Valentine's Day episode dropped even more marbles into the jar of "hints that Quinn is a big queerbo."
First, we have this amazing throw-away line that they gave to her. There were 2 other people in the room who could've had it, but no. Quinn's line.
[guarantee]
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THE LOOK ON SAM'S FACE. Even HE is like, "um, why did Quinn just say that?" instead of nodding in agreement. He is totally picking up what she is putting down, y'all. "I guarantee you have met someone gay because you are talking to ME RIGHT NOW." Poor Sam. I bet he thinks it's his fault.
To further prove her point, she was gentlemanly to Rachel during Joe's song later on. Mmhmm.
[source]
During Love Shack, she was scoping out her girl. Yes, I find this editing suspect. This shit is intentional, y'all.
[love shack]
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But none of us were prepared for what happened in 3.14, the mid-season finale, "On My Way." Oh ho ho. All we'd been shown was a scene in the promo that wasn't even in the actual episode -- it was cut for time! (Which we also knew.)
[source]
THEY CUT THAT. Our Should Have Asked For Directions moment! Quinn stops the wedding! Epicness! AND THEY CUT IT. We figured this meant we'd get nothing. We were unhappy shippers.
We were also VERY WRONG.
First, after Karaofsky attempted suicide, this conversation happened. I don't think this scene is as strongly in the "omg Quinn is gay" column as other things in this post, but with my Faberry goggles on, it definitely stood out to me.
[couldn't take it]
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The look on her face at the end says, to me, "I know what that feels like. I've been struggling with my big gay feelings, too. I hope nobody notices just how much I sympathize with him."
[want to compare]
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I actually thought Quinn was coming out when she started talking about being put through the wringer, heh. Then when Kurt comes in, she gets that expression of, "You have no idea what I've been struggling with. You THINK you know everything. There is so much. I GET IT, KURT. I AM QUEER TOO." She's just too scared to say anything. :-( So, she dismisses it before she says something she can't take back. Oh, bb.
In the wake of all the sadness, Mr. Schue has everyone discuss things they're looking forward to in life. For both Quinn AND Rachel's contributions, they exchange looks with each other (and nobody else). In this entire group, they matter most to each other. I flapped my hands so hard I actually lifted off the ground.
[quinn's wish]
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[rachel's wish]
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I found this particularly meaningful coming from Rachel to Quinn. Rachel has built a great friendship with Kurt as well, but clearly it's second-best just like everything else. Faberrrrrry. And just when it's established that they are each other's #1, Rachel has to go and break Quinn's heart into a million pieces.
[wed announce]
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Things of note:
1) They linger on Quinn at the start of the clip, before the announcement even happens. They want you to be aware that her reaction is important and to see ahead of time that something bad is coming.
2) Right after Finn announces it, there is actually a ZOOM IN ON QUINN'S FACE. Her reaction is the most important. Sure, Will and Kurt think it's a bad idea, too, but Quinn is someone directly affected by this announcement. There are implications for her. THE ZOOM KNOWS IT.
3) Rachel makes her pointed comment about those who weren't onboard with the engagement and looks right at Quinn, who is SO CONFLICTED SHE COULD DIE. OH HONEY. YOUR FACE.
No one person should be that bombarded with so many thoughts and emotions at once. Let me break this down for you: Will and Kurt just looked bummed.
But Quinn's reaction is VERY DIFFERENT. She has the "oh shit, what am I going to DO?!" face. That is not just a look of sad resolve and going with the flow. She is trying to figure something out. She has to get her girl back.
Next up: Regionals. On an amusing note, I have no idea WHAT this dance move is supposed to be, but it's AMAZING. I assume Zach's choreography direction was, "Dianna, start Lea's ass like a lawn-mower, and then Lea, move your pelvis forward in response because you're the one being started up."
Moving on.
Rachel had a solo called, "Here's to Us." Quinn spent some time staring at her while she sang:
It's tough to see in this screencap, but I assure you, it's there.
Thinking, naturally, that Rachel is saying "here's to us" meaning THEM. Because, you know, this episode had already established the importance of their friendship and the conflicting nature of Quinn's feelings for Rachel. Which all led to...THE HALLWAY SCENE.
I was not prepared for this. I had no idea this was coming. My heart did not know to guard itself. Y'all, this is when Faberry actually happened for reals. I still find myself walking around in a daze going, "did I dream that?" I still can't handle it.
[hallway]
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SOME OF THE ABSOLUTELY LIFE-CHANGINGLY IMPORTANT THINGS HERE:
1) Kurt and Blaine told Quinn she looked hot, but that apparently wasn't good enough for her. She need to hear it from Rachel. Someone whose approval means the world to her. Someone who she wants to find her hot in a cheerleader uniform. She says it somewhat casually, but it's not just a empty question for her. There is so much hope in her eyes. It looks like she might almost cry from the need to hear what Rachel thinks.
No, this is not a casual question. You know it when you see the look on her face after Rachel totally shoots her down with an empty platitude about being happy and a look of disappointment.
Rachel has no clue what Quinn is really asking, or why. This was the moment when I realized that not only was Faberry ON, but it was unbalanced. Quinn has feelings for Rachel, and Rachel doesn't know it. In past episodes, Rachel had put so much effort into Quinn (bringing her back in 3.01, reaching out at prom, the gardenia that matched her eyes, the list goes on) and now we see that IT WORKED. SHE LIKES YOU. WELL DONE. Only...Rachel is oblivious to it. It's so, so sad.
2) AND THEN. Before I had time to recover, with no adequate pause at all in the natural flow of scene dialogue, came the line that has affected me more than any line possibly ever in the history of television. (You guys, I'm not kidding. TV has made me cry many times, but it's usually the loss of the show when it ends. I've never had a shipper experience like this before.)
[source unknown]
She fucking said that.
SHE. FUCKING. SAID. THAT.
When this scene happened, I actually had to hit pause, take off my hoodie (because my body was suddenly overheated), and pace around the room crying. And it was because of this line. I leaned my head against the wall and sobbed for a minute thinking, "oh my god, it actually just happened." Quinn just confirmed she has feelings for Rachel. Because, seriously. There is no better reason you would ask someone if they were singing a love song “to [them] and only [them]” unless you are trying to determine if they maybe have feelings for you too. Or possibly an ex who is still in the picture, but Rachel hasn't dated anyone else since last season or wavered in her fidelity in the slightest (other than gratuitous flirting with Quinn, of course). No. No exes. This is about Finn versus Quinn. How could anyone deny it? This is the kind of line that is very intentionally placed in a script. If Quinn was just asking Rachel if she had any doubts that she wants to marry Finn, there are so many other things she could have said. (Hell, she could have just said that!) No, this line was loaded and deliberate. Quinn was feeling out to see if Rachel might have room in her heart for her. I AM NOT MAKING THIS SHIT UP. There is no going back now. Faberry is on.
And you can see Rachel is very stone-faced in her slight nodding response. It seems like she understands what Quinn is saying but doesn't know how to respond. She doesn't want to hurt her and doesn't know what to say. That, or she doesn't get what Quinn is saying and she's trying to figure it out without giving her confusion away. I honestly don't know. I lean toward the first, but she keeps shooting Quinn down with dismissive comments! This makes me think she's just clueless.
3) When Quinn is yet again shot down by an oblivious Rachel, she tries so fucking hard to hold it together and not just lose her shit right there. She says she wants to support "you, Rachel...and Finn." Yes, the man is the afterthought. This is about THEM, and it's killing her. This is not, "my friend is making a mistake and one day I can say 'I told you so'" pain like Kurt has. Rachel is breaking her heart into a million pieces and doesn't even know it. Quinn clearly has tears in her eyes. This woman is fighting like hell to keep from breaking down crying. She literally has to take a deep breath with her entire body just to speak.
[source unknown]
4) And as if our hearts weren't yet thoroughly trampled on, they end the scene with ANOTHER HUG. But this one is very different. This one is a hug of PAIN. Quinn has resigned to accept Rachel's choice and be there for her, and Rachel thanks her with a warm, loving hug. Quinn has two distinct reactions to this. First, the surprise of, "oh wow, okay, the woman I love is hugging me. Keep it together, Quinn."
And as she settles into the hug, you see her face change from pleasant surprise to sadness as it all sinks in. This is as close as Rachel will ever let her get. She tries to put on her happy face, but her heart is already breaking.
Let's look at those two reactions again, shall we? (In prettier colors, since we can.)
[source]
In the second one, the gif shows the moment when it all hits Quinn. Her eyes turn toward the camera and widen, just for a second. (This is incredible acting, by the way. Dianna, you are amazeballs.)
I also would like to compare this hug to the one between Brittany and Santana in the S2 finale. This ended the conversation between them where Santana asked if there was any hope for them in the future (after Brittany shot her down). The parallels are striking. Also, Brittana ended up happening very soon thereafter, ahem.
[source]
Part of why this scene affected me so much is because it was a blindside. The remainder of the episode was something I had been somewhat emotionally/mentally prepared for, and because of that, it didn't kill me the way it could have. (Um, bad choice of words? :-/) Still, this is some crazy Faberry shit. We've already established that the Rachel/Quinn storyline has now become prominently placed in the show because it now IS Quinn's storyline, period. But then the show took it one step further by having whether or not Rachel's wedding will happen revolve around Quinn. LITERALLY.
I would also like to point out that while I am known for manipulating Glee scenes, I did not edit this AT ALL. IT REALLY HAPPENED LIKE THIS:
[going to the chapel]
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YET EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THINGS OF NOTE:
1) They almost never use original performances of songs in this show (I am struggling to think of another example at the moment, actually), and yet they HAD to get "Chapel of Love" for this. I just can't get over the fact that we see Quinn on her way to the wedding, intercut with shots of Rachel and others waiting for Quinn, as all those lyrics are happening. THEY ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED.
2) Quinn checks her make-up because she wants to look her best for Rachel.
3) I love Rachel playing with her ring. She wants to take it off! Be free of him, Rachel! Be free!
4) Rachel texts Quinn in ALL CAPS. You guys, Rachel's priority ON HER WEDDING DAY is Quinn being there. I just. Nothing matters more to her. Probably because she knows Quinn is the only person who can stop her from doing something stupid, just like Rachel did for her in 3.08. (That, and she wants Quinn to profess her love once and for all.)
Rachel further displayed her priorities in this now classic Faberry vs. Finchel moment that had all of us cracking up:
[wait it's quinn]
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SORRY FINN, QUINN TEXTING > YOUR FOREVER MOMENT. Oh god, pinch me.
Finn is kind of dumb, but even he picked up on the fact that he was going to lose Rachel to Quinn if he didn't lock that shit down RIGHT NOW. So, classy dude that he is, he gives her an ultimatum. Because, you know, losing your appointment spot at the Justice of the Peace is clearly the end of the world when you've inconvenienced maybe 10 people who DON'T WANT YOU TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY and would be happy to show up at a later time if it meant you weren't screwing up your life right now. But no. Finn makes her choose. "It's now or never" is so fucking romantic, don't you think? Ugggggh.
[now or never]
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The thing that pisses me off most about this is that Finn DOES NOT CARE about Rachel's feelings. It's not that he can't see how important Quinn's presence is to her, it's that he really is being that selfish. Aren't you supposed to want your bride to be happy and as comfortable as possible on her wedding day? Not stressed out because her BEST FRIEND is running late and you're forcing her to get married now anyway? Ugggggh. Finn, I kick you in teh nads.
AND YET. When given the ultimatum, Rachel texts Quinn AGAIN. She doesn't say, "the show must go on" in typical Rachel Berry fashion, or something like, "I guess all the important people are here." She doesn't brush it aside, put on a smile, and link arms with Finn. She chooses Quinn.
The episode ends, of course, with Quinn getting SMASHED BY A TRUCK WTF. (I knew it was coming, but it was still hard to watch, which is why I am not posting video of it here.) I have many feelings about this happening to Quinn. She has been though enough shit and did not deserve this. I think a big part of me still isn't processing what it means for her because I don't want to deal with it. (The rest of me is latching on to the fact that Dianna is fine.) Personal feelings for Quinn's character aside, I can appreciate the dramatic storytelling of it all. Quinn is the only one who could stop the wedding. (Even the parents said it would take magical powers.) And it shows that without a doubt, Rachel and Quinn's storylines are forever entwined. Now, I know whether or not Quinn lives or dies because I've seen spoilery things, so I am not going to comment further on the implications of this. (If you want to know too, you can click here for one of three pieces of evidence I've seen. Please don't spoil in comments.) But regardless, Faberry has HAPPENED. Somehow I will survive the 7 weeks until we see the results of the crash and how Rachel reacts. Will she get married anyway? Or will she continue to wait for the girl who isn't coming?
I look forward to finding out. In the meantime, I will revel in all of this wonderfulness. And lord, I will go down with this ship.