Gleeview: Nationals
Spoiler Alert!
I loved this episode! It was dramatic, and some moments even bordered on melodramatic. But, it reminded why I loved Glee from day one. The outcasts became winners. This review won't be very long. The music told the story, and that was as it should be.
I'll bullet point the highlights (roughly from least to most important):
Sue (to Emma the morning after sex): Why do you look different?
Musical Rundown:
"The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga--This was an excellent opening number for New Directions. The Unholy Trinity did a great job. This set up the rest of the numbers very nicely.
"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion--Yes, Lea Michele (Rachel) sang this like she can. It definitely showed off Rachel Berry's flawless technique, and when she hit the softer chorus, the goosebumps came.
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf--This was a great group number, with a classic Finchel duet. Of course, the glee co-captains should sing together at their final Nationals. But, Lea Michele made this number. She was amazing singing Celine, but her solo in this number got my heart pounding.
"Starships" by Nicki Manaj--Vocal Adrenaline has always been the complete package of proficiency in singing and dancing. They're precise and controlled. This performance was all of that with a twist. They upped their game, but so did New Directions.
"Pinball Wizard" by The Who--This was the best Vocal Adrenaline number in my opinion. I really loved it. It's a great song, and they did a great job.
"Starlight Express" from Starlight Express--Starlight Express is a largely forgotten musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and so it was appropriate that this was short. It sounded like the whole thing would have put viewers to sleep even if it did sound pleasant.
"Tongue Tied" by Grouplove--This was the melodramatic portion of the evening. Okay, it wasn't completely over-the-top, but it was close. Ultimately, though, I was watching more than listening, and, obviously, that's good.
"We Are the Champions" by Queen--Queen is as much a part of Glee as Journey is. Yes, the big Queen number up to now has been from Vocal Adrenaline, but "Somebody to Love" from season 1 was arguably as good even though it wasn't part of a huge competition. But, New Directions took Queen back from Vocal Adrenaline with this performance. It was an amazing rendition of what some people think of as the cheesy song they play at the end of major sporting events. This performance reminded us it's more than that.
I loved this episode! It was dramatic, and some moments even bordered on melodramatic. But, it reminded why I loved Glee from day one. The outcasts became winners. This review won't be very long. The music told the story, and that was as it should be.
I'll bullet point the highlights (roughly from least to most important):
- The Judging Trio of Perez Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and that other guy were even funnier, I thought, than Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John and Sue Sylvester.
- Carmen Tibideaux came to Nationals to see Rachel, and she was very impressed. I'm guessing that means NYADA is in Rachel Berry's future after all. We'll see. That's why it's not at the top of the list yet.
- Will was Teacher of the Year. Will isn't perfect, but he does care. I sometimes don't like his anger, but that's just part of who he is, flawed.
- Emma finally had sex. Will was there too. But, I think this was well-timed, and even though it might have seemed a little bit like Emma was did it (yes, I wrote that) to reward Will for winning, she said it was for her too. I think she was right.
- New Directions won Nationals! Of course, they did, but I think the right show choir won. Even though the competition was tough, I think they for once undoubtedly out-performed Vocal Adrenaline.
Sue (to Emma the morning after sex): Why do you look different?
Musical Rundown:
"The Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga--This was an excellent opening number for New Directions. The Unholy Trinity did a great job. This set up the rest of the numbers very nicely.
"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion--Yes, Lea Michele (Rachel) sang this like she can. It definitely showed off Rachel Berry's flawless technique, and when she hit the softer chorus, the goosebumps came.
"Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf--This was a great group number, with a classic Finchel duet. Of course, the glee co-captains should sing together at their final Nationals. But, Lea Michele made this number. She was amazing singing Celine, but her solo in this number got my heart pounding.
"Starships" by Nicki Manaj--Vocal Adrenaline has always been the complete package of proficiency in singing and dancing. They're precise and controlled. This performance was all of that with a twist. They upped their game, but so did New Directions.
"Pinball Wizard" by The Who--This was the best Vocal Adrenaline number in my opinion. I really loved it. It's a great song, and they did a great job.
"Starlight Express" from Starlight Express--Starlight Express is a largely forgotten musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and so it was appropriate that this was short. It sounded like the whole thing would have put viewers to sleep even if it did sound pleasant.
"Tongue Tied" by Grouplove--This was the melodramatic portion of the evening. Okay, it wasn't completely over-the-top, but it was close. Ultimately, though, I was watching more than listening, and, obviously, that's good.
"We Are the Champions" by Queen--Queen is as much a part of Glee as Journey is. Yes, the big Queen number up to now has been from Vocal Adrenaline, but "Somebody to Love" from season 1 was arguably as good even though it wasn't part of a huge competition. But, New Directions took Queen back from Vocal Adrenaline with this performance. It was an amazing rendition of what some people think of as the cheesy song they play at the end of major sporting events. This performance reminded us it's more than that.