The TV Chick

What a journey it has been. The little show that could which started way back last May until now has become a phenomenon. I knew there was something special from the moment I saw it. But even I could not have anticipated the level of success it has achieved — and it is all so deserved. Honestly, can the Emmys just leave the awards at a table for Glee and call it a day?!

I didn’t think anything could top the mid-season finale. I was wrong. “Journey” brings everything full circle. Regionals are finally upon us and the judges are Sue, local newscaster guy, Olivia Newton John and Josh Groban. Right before they perform, Finn tells Rachel that he loves her! (She had previously kissed him in the hallway). Unlike a lot of the pairings this season, this felt wonderful and genuine. They love each other! Finn was once throwing slushees at Rachel’s face and now they are a couple. They have both come such a long way. The New Directions crew perform a Journey medley and they are amazing. I was wary of a remake of “Don’t Stop Believing” because it was done so well the first time, but this remake blew me away. Vocal Adrenaline, led by Jonathan Groff, sang a Queen medley. Besides the fact that Jesse St. James is apparently evil (I had really hoped he wasn’t), this medley was amazing. However, I have to agree with Rachel, they didn’t have the heart that New Directions had. I also am holding out hope that Jonathan Groff will be back, even if only for a few episodes. Ryan Murphy wrote a part for him, so in my mind, it wouldn’t make sense to write him off so quickly. Perhaps he can come back as a Vocal Adrenaline coach?

In any case, Quinn’s mom shows up and tells her that she ended it with her dad and wants her to move back in. Of course she goes into labor at this moment, and the entire Glee club (minus Rachel) rush her to the hospital. In the first of many teary eyed moments (for me, not Quinn), Quinn asks that Mercedes be with her in the delivery room. I love this friendship. I know I have mentioned it before, but I adore Quinn and Mercedes together.  I want to commend the writers on making Quinn’s giving birth scene funny and heartwarming at the same time. I loved when she yelled “You suck! You suck! You suck!” to Puck. Dianna Agron is such a fantastic actress, and I love that she got her moment in the finale to shine.

But not all is perfect in Glee world (despite what some may believe). New Directions doesn’t even place at Regionals, and Vocal Adrenaline wins. Why? Not even Jonathan Groff’s amazing voice beat out the spirit of the Glee kids and it was clear that the judging was a bit corrupt. However, it wasn’t Sue Sylvester who voted against New Directions, she actually voted for them to come in first place. I love seeing the side of Sue where she actually does the right thing. Back at McKinley High, Schue overhears Emma yelling at Figgins. It turns out it was because of the Glee club. Earlier in the episode, she told Schue she was dating her dentist. Boo! When she tells Schue that some things are worth fighting for, he professes his love for her and kisses her. First of all, we got 2 Emma scenes! Amazing! Their relationship is worth fighting for! You tell her, Schue!

After the Glee kids think they are pretty much done forever, they ask Schue into the auditorium and sing “To Sir, With Love” to him, while Sue watches teary eyed in the background. I absolutely loved how each member of the Glee club went around and shared what Schue has taught them and what being a part of Glee club has taught them. Glee has taught me a lot, too. If you didn’t tear up at all, you apparently don’t have tear ducts. Seeing Schue cry like that was just heartbreaking. And what a perfect song choice. Sue convinces Figgins to give the Glee kids one more year. To end the episode, Schue and Puck sing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” This is where I started sobbing. This version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is one of my favorites, but it was not just because the season was over. It just got me thinking about what an amazing journey Glee has taken us all on.

I wholeheartedly believe that Glee had changed the face of television as any of us know it or have known it. There have been revolutionary shows out there, but this one tops the list. Never has a show broken barriers, sung its heart out, shown it’s okay to be who you are as much as Glee has. Usually genre shows like this don’t last long and have a small, niche audience. But Glee has something everyone can relate to. If you were popular in high school, or if you were the one in the Glee Club, this show broke down those divides. I remember when I was chatting with Jessalyn Gilsig (Terri) we talked about how the show is forced to reinvent itself on a weekly basis and how it’s all about transcending boxes.  No episode exemplifies this more than “Journey.” Mr. Schuester was not just teaching the kids songs week after week, he was teaching all of us lessons. “Journey” was full of heart, dominated by story (not song) and it’s tone was absolutely perfect. The kids in the Glee club wouldn’t have even talked to each other before the club started, but now they are all friends.

I will always stand by my thought that television is an art form. Week after week, Glee is a work of art. But “Journey” was the masterpiece in a season full of award winners. Sue had great one liners, Emma stood up for what’s right, Shelby adopts Quinn’s baby, Finn and Rachel realize their love for one another, but above all, every character showed us what it is like to be part of a winning team…even if New Directions didn’t take home the big trophy.

I want to thank Glee, for inspiring me to write about it week after week. I watch a ton of TV, and it has stood out in my mind from day one as something I need to watch and pay attention to. I am so glad I did. Glee c0mbined my love for music and television into one unstoppable hour of television. I can’t express in words my love for this show, and I know I’m nowhere near the only one. Generally, I read a lot of comments about how Glee hasn’t been as good in the back 9 and people picking it apart. However, I see no flaws in this finale. Brad Falchuk directed and wrote the episode and I am so impressed. It was absolutely amazing, and I’m not sure how I will be able to make it three months until new episodes.

Thanks, Glee. It has been quite a fantastic journey. And I’m so glad it’s nowhere near over.