The TV Chick

The day has finally arrived! Glee is returning to TV and all is right on my DVR again. The first 13 episodes have brought an incredible amount of success from a SAG award to a Golden Globe to accolades for the show’s fashion. It is rare for a show with only 13 episodes to garner so much recognition so quickly. It has also built up one of the most devoted fan bases in the world. I am so filled with glee (yeah I said it) at the fact that people have fallen in love with this show. Back in May, when it was just a little pilot that could, I realized that there was something very special about it. And Ryan Murphy and his creative team have kept the momentum going since then. There is not a single episode of the entire show that I haven’t adored. Some I like more than others, which is only natural, but any show that is able to bring tears to my eyes simply from a song is at the top of my list.

Hell-O is the triumphant return we have all been waiting for. By now, you have probably read multiple recaps and reviews because it was screened at the Paley Center a couple of months ago. But I want to give you some highlights and tidbits that maybe you haven’t read, without of course spoiling the episode in any major way. When we last left our Glee kids, they had just won sectionals. The episode ended with one of the most amazing song and dance numbers (My Life Would Suck Without You) and Will and Emma finally kissing after weeks and weeks of waiting.

The episode picks up with that scene we’ve all seen in the promos: Kurt, Rachel and Mercedes walking down the hallway thinking they are going to rule the school and then getting slusheed in the face. As much as I don’t like to see anyone get slusheed in the face, this kept their characters grounded. Of course Glee won’t make them popular, why would it? We then learn a lot about Finn’s angst — he is now dating Rachel and she’s a little too, well, Rachel for him (as if you couldn’t tell from the Team Finn shirt she was wearing in the promos). But he’s clearly still very unsure of himself. Now onto another couple — Will and Emma, who really do care for each other but there are obstacles getting in the way. Some obstacles might have names, others take the form of crazy quirks. For those Wemma fans out there, the happy ending doesn’t come so immediately. And then there’s Jesse St. James (played by the lovely looking and super talented Jonathan Groff), the lead of Vocal Adrenaline (New Directions’ competition) who woos Rachel, which doesn’t please the Glee club in the least.

The theme of the episode is obviously Hello. Mr. Schuester gives the Glee Club the assignment to come up with a song with hello in the title. Finn chooses The Doors “Hello, I Love You,” Rachel and Jesse St. James sing a duet of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” upon their meeting (only they would break out into glorious song in the middle of a library), the Glee club sings “Hello, Goodbye” by the Beatles and Rachel sings one of the best musical numbers I think I have ever heard her do–and it’s not a Broadway show-stopper. It is “Gives You Hell” by the All American Rejects. I love this move into new genres of song — especially ones that challenge their Broadway belter to get out of her comfort zone. I have frequently said that I would listen to Lea Michele sing the phone book, and she turns this alternative song that I never really liked into one I will most likely listen to on repeat on my iPod. Well done, Glee!

There is also an amazing showdown between Emma and Terri. The best part about it is that it’s not any sort of yelling or screaming match but more of a subtle takedown where Terri gets into Emma’s head and makes her doubt herself. Ryan Murphy’s brilliance shines here yet again. Even if you hate Terri (which really, you shouldn’t), she still shares this history with Will that we barely know anything about. She is still a part of him even if they aren’t together anymore. From speaking with Jessalyn, I know this storyline/love triangle is really going to heat up and I think they are setting it up for greatness.

The episode ends with “Hello, Goodbye” which is relevant to all the Glee clubbers lives in different ways. And I have gone this entire time without talking about Santana and Brittany. Brittany has definitely become one of my favorite comedic voices on the show, with witty one liners and the ability to play stupid in a very smart way. She and Santana are both out to get Finn (under the master plan of Sue Sylvester), and it is quite hilarious. The best Brittany one liner of the episode is: “You know that dolphins are just gay sharks.” I think I may have made a lot of people turn around and look at me when I laughed so hard. I am really glad that Brittany is getting more face time (and more time for one liners) because she is so hilarious and adds such a great element to the show.

Hell-O is definitely a wonderful way to kick off the season. I have very high hopes for Groff’s character, and I enjoy Idina Menzel as well (she guest stars in this episode as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline). There is comedy, show stopping numbers and the Glee Club drama that we have all come to know and love. However, the 2nd episode (Power of Madonna) is epic. It is probably the best, most innovative 45 minutes of television I have ever seen. So if you are happy that Glee is returning (seriously who isn’t??), your mind will be blown next week.

Glee is back tonight at a special time of 9:28 pm on FOX.

And here are a couple of video previews to tide you over:

Rachel sings “Give You Hell:”

Will and Emma moment: