The TV Chick

Glee is back! And I am so so glad it is! The producers promised they would be getting back to basics and I think the premiere was a great showcase of that. I wasn’t crazy about the song choices in the premiere (which is a bit unusual for a review from me) but just having this cast back and singing instantly made me happy. Will and Emma are living together (!!), Vanessa Lengies is new-girl Sugar (she was hilarious and amazing) and a lot of the McKinley kids are gearing up for their senior year.

The episode starts with Jacob Ben-Israel going around finding out who is a junior and senior. Artie is a junior…interesting. And the same people we thought (Kurt, Finn and Rachel) are seniors. Mercedes is dating a football player. Good for Mercedes! Schue wants to recruit new members because Zises and Sam are gone. Quinn is MIA. Schue got them purple pianos that need repairs. Whenever they see the piano they have to stop and sing a song to recruit people. Hmm interesting tactic, Schue!

Then we see Emma!! In her guidance counselor role!! I can’t tell you how happy I am about this. She hands out a “Me and My Hag” brochure to Kurt and Rachel. And apparently, Julliard doesn’t have a musical theater program….their dreams are shattered! But Emma recommends another New York school that has a great musical theater program. Then, it’s “Klaine time!” Darren Criss is back on TV and all is right with the world. Blaine doesn’t want to bail on the Warblers. Aww he and Kurt are just so damn adorable together.

Quinn is back in school with pink hair and a glam rock/grunge look. Santana and Britt want her back on the Cheerios. She has a new group of best friends called skanks. Side note: One of these skanks was on the show “Huge.” I want the old Quinn back, as much as I enjoy the pink hair. Her duet with Rachel where they sang “I Feel Pretty/Unpretty” was one of the most amazing musical numbers of all of last season. Rachel tries to get Quinn back to Glee Club and I absolutely loved this. Rachel tells Quinn that they might not necessarily be friends but Glee Club is a family. I want to see more Quinn and Rachel moments.

Then it’s Sue’s corner time! The arts in public schools are getting her down. She makes a pledge to suspend all public school arts programs until every student reads at or above grade level. Will and Emma are watching in bed shocked. Schue is pissed and tells Sue it threatens his livelihood. He wants to start a family but admits to getting the red light from Emma a lot. Aw! Sue makes Becky and Santana co-captains of the Cheerios and they are less than thrilled to share the title. She wants them to get rid of the purple pianos. Boo Sue!

At lunch, The Glee kids are ignoring the purple piano and don’t want to sing in front of all other students. They suck it up and sing “We Got The Beat.” And just like that, Lea Michele’s voice makes it all good. And I love me a Santana solo. Anddd a food fight breaks out. Vanessa Lengies (who plays a new student, Sugar) auditions for Glee Club. She wants to be a big star and is self diagnosed with Aspbergers (this is hilarious). She sings “Hey Big Spender” and is truly awful. Obviously Vanessa is not that awful. She was a great new addition to the show. I will always remember her for her role in “Stick It” where she declares “It’s not called gymnicestics.” But I digress. Schue thinks they should let Sugar in the Glee Club. He confides in Coach Beiste, who tells him sometimes you have to crush kids’ dreams. I love this friendship. Apparently, Sue’s doing okay in the polls and Schue’s going to launch a counter offensive.

Rachel and Kurt sing a remix/song from “The Wizard of Oz” together. I love them but this duet could have been a better song choice. I was entertained though. Then, there are Cheerios tryouts. Emma and Will show up. Schue glitter bombs Sue while Emma films it. And the big non-surprise but very pleasant thing that happens is Blaine transfers to McKinley! Blaine sings “It’s Not Unsual.” God damn. He is so fucking good. Yes, I cursed. He deserves it — him and his yellow sunglasses. The gift is BACK. I don’t care if people think he is over-hyped, I think his voice outshines most of the male cast members on Glee and he is great. He is amazing to look at, too. And my goodness Heather Morris can standout in a crowd of anyone with her amazing dancing. Then the Cheerios and Quinn’s cigarette set the purple piano on fire.

Later, Kurt and Rachel go to the New York Dramatic Academy mid-west meet up and find people who are like over the top versions of them. They thought they were unique and their dreams are shattered a bit. The Glee Project winners/the over the top Kurt and Rachel(s) do this crazy Anything Goes/Broadway medley and they’re pretty good. Rachel and Kurt break down in the car about how they are never getting into the school. They thought they were original. Kurt gives them both a pep talk. They will get in because they are fantastic. I adore this friendship! So much friendship-loving in the premiere!

The next morning, we see Will and Emma in their routine. Will doesn’t want to kill a kid’s dreams. Emma is turned on by Will’s attitude and they make out. Hotness. Will decides to tell Sugar the bad news. Schue bans Santana from Glee for burning the piano. Don’t go Santana! I need you to sing “Valerie” again. Please?! Rachel wants to do West Side Story as a musical and Kurt announces he is running for senior class president. Rachel sings “You Can’t Stop The Beat” with the rest of the Glee Club. Okay seriously how long til another Criss/Lea duet? Anyway, Quinn watches them perform, clearly longing to join in.

Overall, I was very glad to have the McKinley High students back. There was not a ton of music but Darren Criss’ number was a standout and I enjoyed “We Got The Beat.” I would have loved to see more Brittany and Santana, because they are amazing. But having Emma back, Sue at her best and Darren Criss joining New Directions was great. I wasn’t disappointed in this premiere at all. I’m excited to see how Sue’s political campaign shakes out. Idina Menzel returns next week I believe, and seeing another duet with her and Lea Michele would be astounding. I missed having Glee in my life. What can I say? I adore the show through its ups and downs. It always makes me happy.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 PM on FOX.