Liz's Instant Glee-Cap - 5x11 - City of Angels
NATIONALS, BITCHEZ! And hey, they're in LA this year, so they didn't have to fly the entire cast and crew to some other city to film it. Yay for them.
OMG, the intro is just kicking the shit out of the tattered remains of the fourth wall, isn't it? Schue thinks they're ready to win, but they still are three members short. THANK YOU. And look at all the people they don't have! But Rory gets a shout-out and not Sugar or Joe? Bummer.
Schue's working hard. You can tell, because he has stubble. And Sam has helpfully recruited three hot Cheerios (I hereby hand-wave your problem of not having enough people). Well done, Sam. Schue starts talking about Finn, and I am truly sad that Finn isn't there. But to say that Finn, as the popular dude, was their secret weapon in competitions...? Sorry. No. And now he's trying convince Sam that he's Finn's heir apparent leader? Eh. Again, I love Sam, but... I don't think that's him. And, frankly, I think it’s super shitty of Schuester to suddenly throw that on Sam’s shoulders the day before they leave.
Oh, my heart, Burt and Carole are there in the choir room to talk about how much Finn loved this group and loved working with them. So, so dear they are. And they're coming to LA as chaperones, which is random but okay. I just love that Blaine was in there for the first hug. Oh, Blaine and the Hudmels, the headcanon I have around you...
Schuester kicks off their transition to LA with "I Love LA," which gets better when he stops singing, and I love them all on the double-decker bus in the sun. (Of COURSE Blaine has a vintage film camera.) I always love it when they're just being goofs and having fun together.
At the hotel, Kitty is pretty sure she sees someone famous, but BOOYAH IT IS MERCEDES MOTHERFUCCKING JONES. I missed you, honey. You are too fabulous for words. She's gone and gotten herself a recording contract because she is awesome.
There’s a moment of trouble at the hotel because Sue Sylvester has called in a tip about Schue being a creep. Naturally. But while they're waiting, OMG it's the rival choir, Throat Explosion. (Good god, I want to know how much the writers laugh to themselves when they come up with these names.) It is headed by none other than Skylar Astin (in the form of "Jean Baptiste," naturally), WHOM I ADORE. Blaine knows, because he's the only one who reads show choir blogs, and he's freaking out.
Holy crap, I might be in love with Skylar Astin and his French-Canadian ways attempting to freak Blaine out. And it totally works, while Mercedes just kind of laughs at the high school drama. BLESS. I'm giggling already.
Ryder! Haven't seen you doing anything in a while. Apparently you're visiting Marley. He's still pining for her, yes, but mostly he's concerned for her career ambitions and the fact that she's down on herself for not getting anywhere with her songwriting? WHAT SHOW IS THIS? But the bomb she's really dropping is that she's leaving Glee for the accounting club? Um... 'kay. She just thinks the universe is trying to tell her something. It’s telling me she needs thicker skin.
New Directions sneaks onto the stage the night before, which was apparently a Warblers tradition, among others Blaine can't speak of. A little show circle, and Sam is taking this charge of leadership very seriously. He reminds them all how Finn believed in them, and brought his plaque from the choir room along so he could be there.
Moment interrupted by my new favorite French Canadian who is feels to me like he’s channeling Sacha Baron Cohen in Talladega Nights. He's a freaking nut, but at least he doesn't shit on Finn. He’s there to be a show choir champion, not a heartless jackass. More or less.
Sam and Tina are chilling with Carole and Burt in their hotel room, talking about the bonds and camaraderie of competition, and Tina's moping a bit (though not excessively) about it being her last one and how she's not sure what her life holds. Carole, stitching and tense in the corner, mutters "at least you get to have one." And shit just got real. She apologizes immediately, she can't believe she said it out loud and reassures Tina that she did nothing wrong. But Burt sends the kids off to practice so they can have a moment.
Oh god, the two of them are so fantastic. Carole thought it might be nice to be around Finn's friends, but turns out it's just brutal to see them going on with their lives while he is well and truly gone. Burt offers to do whatever she needs - the kids will be fine if they have to leave. But she just thinks about the fact that, once this group is gone from McKinley, it's like Finn really is, too. Oh, my heart.
Shirtless Jake, because why not, sharing a room with Ryder. They're still apparently not really on speaking terms. But maybe they sort of want to be friends again? And Ryder cements the deal by spilling Marley's secret about quitting Glee club. Because they want to conspire to get Marley's songs heard by someone in LA, so at least that's something. They’re still doing a lot of acting on her behalf, but at least now it’s not a competition to get into her pants.
(The Oceans Eleven-esque transitions that Mercedes is getting are my favorite thing so far.)
Time to head to the competition, and Finn's plaque is MIA and Sam freaks out. He sees the Throat Explosion tools and is about 99% sure they've taken it. No dice on getting it back, but he does his best to give a motivational speech on the bus about Finn being right there with them. ONWARD!
Celebrity Judges! Actual celebrities! Marlee Matlin! Jackee! And Blaine is so fucking excited about the prancercize lady, I'm dying.
The Oklahoma Amazonians are freaking me out with their 8-inch heels and exercise balls and feathered headdresses and Go-Gos song. Speaking of "Vacation," Burt and Carole are apparently blowing this pop stand.
Throat Explosion is going with “Mr. Roboto” and weird masks. They're so fucking ridiculous, but I am willing to suspend my usual hatred of special guest stars during competitions because I love Skylar Astin so much and these guys are so far out there. And then we've got tearaway costumes and it moves into “Counting Stars.” Prancercize lady is DIGGING IT. Blaine is in the audience, feeling the national title slipping away.
New Directions time. They're freaking out because Burt & Carole aren't in the audience, but they do show up at the last minute (naturally). They turned around in their initial plan to flee, because Carole could hear Finn's voice saying "it's Nationals, mom. I coached those kids." Oh, there goes my heart again. Wipe the floor with them, she says. Go and win.
Blaine kicks it off with some unexpected classic rock and "More than a Feeling" with Tina. Because we have to go back to our Journey roots. I love the 50s Cocktail Party costumes, and that was one of the few spoilers I saw before this episode. I had really hoped they’d do some Frank Sinatra. Oh well.
Up next is “America” by Neil Diamond, and I am becoming increasingly confused by this set list. I mean, not that they don’t have a history of strange choices for competitions, but who knows. Still, my favorite thing is that they all look like they’re having a really good time up there. They aren’t as polished as the other groups, but I love that they’re happy.
Oh god, Carole fills me in on this set list as she figures it out. These were all of Finn's favorite songs. The final one is U2’s "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and now I think I’m going to lose it. (Personal aside, though I wouldn’t have labeled it as such, I think U2 was my first fandom, a solid TWENTY years ago.) And then the Finn flashbacks kick in and I am well and truly gone. I love this song, but by the time it ends with Sam's drumstick fist pump, I have to pause for a few minutes to cry on my couch. Most of New Directions is celebrating after the performance, but Sam is off in the wings, eyes red. He tried his best, he says to Schue. Oh god, I was not expecting to cry tonight.
Moving on, Marley's moping in the backlot, where Mercedes arrives to give her a pep talk. Enough with the pity party, get back on that songwriting horse and keep going, because you're plenty talented. And those boys really do care about her - which doesn't mean she should date them. SERIOUSLY WHAT SHOW AM I WATCHING? Those two bros conspiring to actually HELP Marley, not to date her? Holy crap.
Results time, and SHOCKER, it comes down to New Directions vs. Throat Explosion. And lo, they come in second. Schue looks like he's going to puke, because he remembers Sue’s threat from [an indeterminate amount of time ago]. Everyone else looks like they might cry. Is it wrong that I sometimes like it better when they lose? My friend Ryan used to always say that Glee was at its best when it let things be tinged with sadness and heartbreak. Not everyone gets the fairytale ending.
They’re all back in the choir room with the bummer of the 2nd place trophy, but Burt and Carole are there one more time to remind them that they did really well, and Finn would have been proud of them, and would have found a way to feel like they really did win.
Becky, helpfully, interrupts the moment to tell Schue that Sue wants to see him. Compete with dramatic walk down the hall, snare drum roll, and "dead man walking." Lovely, as always.
Roz Washington is there, having won Cheerleading Nationals. Super. Becky is hideous as always. Super.
Sue drops the hammer, Glee club is cut. For real this time, no last-minute reprieves or pep talks. And for once, she actually seems sad about it. She actually does like them, she says, that’s why she’s always so mean. "You didn't lose, the game is just over."
HOLY FUCK NEW YORK, I was so sure we wouldn't see them! Kurt gets 30 seconds at the Spotlight to tell a still-bickering Rachel and Santana. "It's over."
Curtain.
WHOA.
I sort of can’t believe this is happening. They really, actually, truly seem to be tying up Ohio and ready to let it go. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen after this (SPOILER FREE PLEASE!), but seldom has the writing on the wall been clearer. I mean, it’s Glee. So they could suddenly decide that this was all a fever dream and start this fucking school year all over again. But I don’t think so. I think this is really happening. Wow.
Overall, I would say I generally liked the episode. I wasn’t prepared for how much of it would be another farewell to Finn, but I’m glad it was. I am often very lukewarm on competition episodes, because I find they frequently have an excess of songs and a bare minimum of plot. But this one actually had fewer songs than the previous two (six tonight to the seven of the last two), and a totally unexpected amount of heart.
And, really, now even the episode title is making me cry. Damn you, Glee.
Liz’s Instant Glee-Cap Rating: 3.5 of 5, for sheer heart and making me cry and actually wrapping some things up.
Liz’s Instant Song Downloads
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
See you next week, friends. Did you know it's the 100th episode? DID YOU? BECAUSE YOU MUST. YOU MUST KNOW. ONE HUNDRED. Or so they've mentioned a few thousand times.
OMG, the intro is just kicking the shit out of the tattered remains of the fourth wall, isn't it? Schue thinks they're ready to win, but they still are three members short. THANK YOU. And look at all the people they don't have! But Rory gets a shout-out and not Sugar or Joe? Bummer.
Schue's working hard. You can tell, because he has stubble. And Sam has helpfully recruited three hot Cheerios (I hereby hand-wave your problem of not having enough people). Well done, Sam. Schue starts talking about Finn, and I am truly sad that Finn isn't there. But to say that Finn, as the popular dude, was their secret weapon in competitions...? Sorry. No. And now he's trying convince Sam that he's Finn's heir apparent leader? Eh. Again, I love Sam, but... I don't think that's him. And, frankly, I think it’s super shitty of Schuester to suddenly throw that on Sam’s shoulders the day before they leave.
Oh, my heart, Burt and Carole are there in the choir room to talk about how much Finn loved this group and loved working with them. So, so dear they are. And they're coming to LA as chaperones, which is random but okay. I just love that Blaine was in there for the first hug. Oh, Blaine and the Hudmels, the headcanon I have around you...
Schuester kicks off their transition to LA with "I Love LA," which gets better when he stops singing, and I love them all on the double-decker bus in the sun. (Of COURSE Blaine has a vintage film camera.) I always love it when they're just being goofs and having fun together.
At the hotel, Kitty is pretty sure she sees someone famous, but BOOYAH IT IS MERCEDES MOTHERFUCCKING JONES. I missed you, honey. You are too fabulous for words. She's gone and gotten herself a recording contract because she is awesome.
There’s a moment of trouble at the hotel because Sue Sylvester has called in a tip about Schue being a creep. Naturally. But while they're waiting, OMG it's the rival choir, Throat Explosion. (Good god, I want to know how much the writers laugh to themselves when they come up with these names.) It is headed by none other than Skylar Astin (in the form of "Jean Baptiste," naturally), WHOM I ADORE. Blaine knows, because he's the only one who reads show choir blogs, and he's freaking out.
Holy crap, I might be in love with Skylar Astin and his French-Canadian ways attempting to freak Blaine out. And it totally works, while Mercedes just kind of laughs at the high school drama. BLESS. I'm giggling already.
Ryder! Haven't seen you doing anything in a while. Apparently you're visiting Marley. He's still pining for her, yes, but mostly he's concerned for her career ambitions and the fact that she's down on herself for not getting anywhere with her songwriting? WHAT SHOW IS THIS? But the bomb she's really dropping is that she's leaving Glee for the accounting club? Um... 'kay. She just thinks the universe is trying to tell her something. It’s telling me she needs thicker skin.
New Directions sneaks onto the stage the night before, which was apparently a Warblers tradition, among others Blaine can't speak of. A little show circle, and Sam is taking this charge of leadership very seriously. He reminds them all how Finn believed in them, and brought his plaque from the choir room along so he could be there.
Moment interrupted by my new favorite French Canadian who is feels to me like he’s channeling Sacha Baron Cohen in Talladega Nights. He's a freaking nut, but at least he doesn't shit on Finn. He’s there to be a show choir champion, not a heartless jackass. More or less.
Sam and Tina are chilling with Carole and Burt in their hotel room, talking about the bonds and camaraderie of competition, and Tina's moping a bit (though not excessively) about it being her last one and how she's not sure what her life holds. Carole, stitching and tense in the corner, mutters "at least you get to have one." And shit just got real. She apologizes immediately, she can't believe she said it out loud and reassures Tina that she did nothing wrong. But Burt sends the kids off to practice so they can have a moment.
Oh god, the two of them are so fantastic. Carole thought it might be nice to be around Finn's friends, but turns out it's just brutal to see them going on with their lives while he is well and truly gone. Burt offers to do whatever she needs - the kids will be fine if they have to leave. But she just thinks about the fact that, once this group is gone from McKinley, it's like Finn really is, too. Oh, my heart.
Shirtless Jake, because why not, sharing a room with Ryder. They're still apparently not really on speaking terms. But maybe they sort of want to be friends again? And Ryder cements the deal by spilling Marley's secret about quitting Glee club. Because they want to conspire to get Marley's songs heard by someone in LA, so at least that's something. They’re still doing a lot of acting on her behalf, but at least now it’s not a competition to get into her pants.
(The Oceans Eleven-esque transitions that Mercedes is getting are my favorite thing so far.)
Time to head to the competition, and Finn's plaque is MIA and Sam freaks out. He sees the Throat Explosion tools and is about 99% sure they've taken it. No dice on getting it back, but he does his best to give a motivational speech on the bus about Finn being right there with them. ONWARD!
Celebrity Judges! Actual celebrities! Marlee Matlin! Jackee! And Blaine is so fucking excited about the prancercize lady, I'm dying.
The Oklahoma Amazonians are freaking me out with their 8-inch heels and exercise balls and feathered headdresses and Go-Gos song. Speaking of "Vacation," Burt and Carole are apparently blowing this pop stand.
Throat Explosion is going with “Mr. Roboto” and weird masks. They're so fucking ridiculous, but I am willing to suspend my usual hatred of special guest stars during competitions because I love Skylar Astin so much and these guys are so far out there. And then we've got tearaway costumes and it moves into “Counting Stars.” Prancercize lady is DIGGING IT. Blaine is in the audience, feeling the national title slipping away.
New Directions time. They're freaking out because Burt & Carole aren't in the audience, but they do show up at the last minute (naturally). They turned around in their initial plan to flee, because Carole could hear Finn's voice saying "it's Nationals, mom. I coached those kids." Oh, there goes my heart again. Wipe the floor with them, she says. Go and win.
Blaine kicks it off with some unexpected classic rock and "More than a Feeling" with Tina. Because we have to go back to our Journey roots. I love the 50s Cocktail Party costumes, and that was one of the few spoilers I saw before this episode. I had really hoped they’d do some Frank Sinatra. Oh well.
Up next is “America” by Neil Diamond, and I am becoming increasingly confused by this set list. I mean, not that they don’t have a history of strange choices for competitions, but who knows. Still, my favorite thing is that they all look like they’re having a really good time up there. They aren’t as polished as the other groups, but I love that they’re happy.
Oh god, Carole fills me in on this set list as she figures it out. These were all of Finn's favorite songs. The final one is U2’s "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and now I think I’m going to lose it. (Personal aside, though I wouldn’t have labeled it as such, I think U2 was my first fandom, a solid TWENTY years ago.) And then the Finn flashbacks kick in and I am well and truly gone. I love this song, but by the time it ends with Sam's drumstick fist pump, I have to pause for a few minutes to cry on my couch. Most of New Directions is celebrating after the performance, but Sam is off in the wings, eyes red. He tried his best, he says to Schue. Oh god, I was not expecting to cry tonight.
Moving on, Marley's moping in the backlot, where Mercedes arrives to give her a pep talk. Enough with the pity party, get back on that songwriting horse and keep going, because you're plenty talented. And those boys really do care about her - which doesn't mean she should date them. SERIOUSLY WHAT SHOW AM I WATCHING? Those two bros conspiring to actually HELP Marley, not to date her? Holy crap.
Results time, and SHOCKER, it comes down to New Directions vs. Throat Explosion. And lo, they come in second. Schue looks like he's going to puke, because he remembers Sue’s threat from [an indeterminate amount of time ago]. Everyone else looks like they might cry. Is it wrong that I sometimes like it better when they lose? My friend Ryan used to always say that Glee was at its best when it let things be tinged with sadness and heartbreak. Not everyone gets the fairytale ending.
They’re all back in the choir room with the bummer of the 2nd place trophy, but Burt and Carole are there one more time to remind them that they did really well, and Finn would have been proud of them, and would have found a way to feel like they really did win.
Becky, helpfully, interrupts the moment to tell Schue that Sue wants to see him. Compete with dramatic walk down the hall, snare drum roll, and "dead man walking." Lovely, as always.
Roz Washington is there, having won Cheerleading Nationals. Super. Becky is hideous as always. Super.
Sue drops the hammer, Glee club is cut. For real this time, no last-minute reprieves or pep talks. And for once, she actually seems sad about it. She actually does like them, she says, that’s why she’s always so mean. "You didn't lose, the game is just over."
HOLY FUCK NEW YORK, I was so sure we wouldn't see them! Kurt gets 30 seconds at the Spotlight to tell a still-bickering Rachel and Santana. "It's over."
Curtain.
WHOA.
I sort of can’t believe this is happening. They really, actually, truly seem to be tying up Ohio and ready to let it go. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen after this (SPOILER FREE PLEASE!), but seldom has the writing on the wall been clearer. I mean, it’s Glee. So they could suddenly decide that this was all a fever dream and start this fucking school year all over again. But I don’t think so. I think this is really happening. Wow.
Overall, I would say I generally liked the episode. I wasn’t prepared for how much of it would be another farewell to Finn, but I’m glad it was. I am often very lukewarm on competition episodes, because I find they frequently have an excess of songs and a bare minimum of plot. But this one actually had fewer songs than the previous two (six tonight to the seven of the last two), and a totally unexpected amount of heart.
And, really, now even the episode title is making me cry. Damn you, Glee.
Liz’s Instant Glee-Cap Rating: 3.5 of 5, for sheer heart and making me cry and actually wrapping some things up.
Liz’s Instant Song Downloads
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
See you next week, friends. Did you know it's the 100th episode? DID YOU? BECAUSE YOU MUST. YOU MUST KNOW. ONE HUNDRED. Or so they've mentioned a few thousand times.