#gleeepisode

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from glee S6-ep6「Arthur’s Theme」I want to play with Blaine! #glee #gleek #gleetome #Gleegoodbye #gleeseason6 #gleeepisode #blaine #klaine

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nadiacreek

  SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 57

My previous comment on this post is completely wrong!

**chinhands**

[seemeperfectly33]

This show ❤💚💜💙 #gleeepisode #singing #musical #heartmelts @greysanatomy_ericdane_rashi

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nadiacreek replied to your post “SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 61”

I have to disagree -- I've rewatched this one more than most episodes and it still moves me every single time. I think it holds up quite well.

That’s good! I feel like it’s the opposite for me, lol 

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 57

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go…

57. Opening Night (5x17)

Written by: Michael Hitchcock  Directed by: Eric Stoltz

It’s Rachel’s opening night on Broadway! This episode does a lot of things right, and even as someone who isn’t always the biggest Rachel fan, it’s nice to see her step out there and achieve her life long dream.  The stuff with the kids is really great, as this episode works great as an ensemble episode there to support Rachel.  There are a lot of funny beats, and memorable moments, and man, if this had been the entire episode, I might have ranked it higher. 

However, this is easily the weakest of the fully New York focused bunch as apparently Matthew Morrison and Jane Lynch are contracted for at least one of these episodes - and I suppose this one makes the most sense.  Will having his baby in this episode is a little silly, if only because Emma is nowhere to be found, and it’s been, oh, a yeah since Emma became pregnant, but it’s not too bad.  The Sue stuff, her finding a kindred spirit in New York, is just - god - why?  Did we really need a double dosing of mean-spiritedness? Did Sue really need a love life? Did they really need to have sex on Kurt (and Blaine’s) bed?  This entire plot line drags a relatively good episode down. 

High Points: 

This is Hummelberry I can enjoy.  Why can’t all Hummelberry be like this? Also - ‘oh, honey...’

Will and Sue at the hotel.  Adultery.

The return of Tina! 

The return of Santana!

‘Who wrote this? Tina!!’

Rachel’s walk to the stage. 

The fact that Blaine has found is own gay club, lol. 

The kids acting like kids, and coming home from a great night with each other. And then going out to read the newspaper. I wish we had had so much more of this! 

Low Points: 

Glee plays so loose with plots half the time - did they really need to give Will and Sue a huge explanation as to why they’re in New York?

Sue and her New York guy.  Why was this a thing? Why did it have to take up so much of this episode? 

Music: 

Love Fool: This is cracked-out Glee at its finest.  It’s totally bizarre and totally amazing.  

NYC: I’m not sure why it’s a tradition to sing yourself to New York - but apparently that’s a thing.  It’s fine.  It just feels kind of like an obligatory thing, though. 

I’m the Greatest Star: I mean, it works. Rachel does fantastic, as this song is properly put in context.  But I didn’t need it again. :P 

Who Are You Now: I usually rag on Rachel’s overemoting ballads - but this one is about Finn, and strikes the right emotional chords.  However, Sue is also singing on it, and about her new lover, and while I have nothing against Jane Lynch as a singer, it feels like it cheapens it a little.  There’s no reason Rachel couldn’t have had this moment to herself. 

Pumpin’ Blood: I love this song so, so much! It’s great to get you going - but also, the kids just having fun at this club, love it! 

Final Verdict: The Sue plot drags the entire episode down, but it’s easily skippable - the rest of the episode is pretty stellar, funny, and meaningful.  

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 58

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go…

58. City of Angels (5x11)

Written by: Brad Falchuk Directed by: Brad Falchuk

This is one of a few episodes that I very rarely go back to - but it’s not at all a bad episode.  It’s Nationals - and New Directions is still in a building year, so of course they’re going to come in second ;)  For a competition episode it works for me.  There are some fun moments in the beginning (and humor of the Throat Explosion rivalry works for me, giving more weight to the competition in a way that’s been lacking since, eh, season one?)  

Blaine’s a sassy little goober here, and we get Burt and Carole leading a lovely Finn-related tribute, but there’s no Klaine, and very little Kurt, so my interest is not as peaked as it could be.  But - it’s got a lot of really enjoyable components to it, and is so, so much better than season three’s nationals episode. 

High Points: 

While Burt and Carole, at this point, sometimes come off as a little too saccharine, I liked their bits in this episode, especially when they let Carole be a real person, who is still grieving and dealing with the death of her son.  It’s fantastic.  

Mercedes!! She’s back, and she’s lovely - and I really, really love all the stuff she has with Marley in this episode.  Girl power!

THROAT EXPLOSION! Lol - great rivals - I think they’re far more entertaining than Vocal Adrenaline. 

Blaine being a little goober throughout this episode. 

The fact that the Ryder/Jake scene looks like it should be the beginning of a porno. 

The ending bit in New York - hilarious. 

Low Points: 

Will putting pressure on Sam to lead, and essentially take Finn’s place.  It’s shoehorned in because white-straight-savoir is unfortunately a thing on Glee sometimes.  It’s also sad that Will doesn’t go to Blaine, and that Sam feels overburdened by this pressure. 

The fact that teams get to stay based on whether they win or not.  Boo! 

Music: 

I Love LA: This song is a fun group number.  Not my favorite song they ever did, but it’s entertaining as the cast looks like they’re having a blast playing tourist in your own town. 

Mr. Roboto/Counting Stars: This is not a mash-up, it’s one song then the other, which makes it a little hard to judge.  I think for being a showchoir thing, it’s actually pretty cool.  I don’t like Mr. Roboto, but I do like Counting Stars - and the performance is pretty entertaining. 

More Than a Feeling: Oh I love this one - the show does well when doing that old school sound, and of course Blaine sounds lovely. 

America: This song is oddly patriotic for this show, and probably my least favorite of the ND set, (what is the dancing in this one?) but it’s still relatively enjoyable. 

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Big ending group number - if you’re a Finn fan, it has a lot of sentimental value, as we get glimpses of Finn’s life - it’s a nice final tribute, as this is about Finn (while The Quarterback, really, was about Cory.) 

Final Verdict: For a competition episode, it’s well done, has more to it than just competition, and is a lovely tribute to Finn.  My favorite characters appear less than normal, so of course, it brings this episode down - but it’s still what I consider that good, s5 quality. 

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 61

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go…

61. Pilot (1x01)

Written by: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan Directed by: Ryan Murphy

So - I’ve reached the half way point on my list! Yay!! Interestingly, around the 80s was when I started to like the episodes more than I dislike them, but now we’re getting into really good episodes.  

So I have the pilot here.  Because I wasn’t sure what to do with it really.  On the one hand, it’s a solid and fascinating start to the story.  It’s very funny, and moving, and captures the attention enough that people want to keep going.  On the other hand, I don’t think it holds up as well on rewatch - when you’ve (I’ve) become invested in other stories and characters who are barely there or aren’t there at all.  

The story, as we all know, is about Will - a tired high school teacher in a bad marriage, looking for a way to relive his high school glory days by starting up the glee club again.  The cheerleading coach wants to squish him, and put him in his place for taking her finances.  The guidance counselor has a crush on him.  The football coach has a crush on her, and blames the poor Spanish teach for all his issues.  This sounds like an excellent premise on paper, doesn’t it? [sarcasm]

And then we have Finn - a kid whom Will sees as himself at that age, and takes this conflicted jock under his wing.  Finn’s not a bad guy, but just wanting to figure out his place in high school hierarchy, and feeling torn between his cheerleader girlfriend and jock bffs, and his newfound love for singing.  

Meanwhile, we have our ragtag group of kids, spit on by society; a black girl, a disabled boy, the gay kid, and the Asian-goth girl, led by an ambitious Jew, coming together to form the actual glee club, and becoming unlikely friends.  This sound way more promising than two white dudes paralleling each other’s stories about what it is to be a man? Too bad - they only get about five minutes of screen time.  

So, yeah, the pilot’s good, but just doesn’t interest me the way it did when I first started it - especially when the faults kind of show through the cracks.  So I gave it the honorary middle of the list spot.  

High Points: 

Sue - I’m gonna give her some credit, she’s actually pretty funny in the pilot, and Jane Lynch really was one of the strongest actors they had on the show.  

The New Directions (nude erections) joke was pretty inspired. 

Rachel, Mercedes, Kurt and Tina’s auditions! (And Artie’s there, too) Hello adorable bbs! I wish you were here more! 

Howard Bamboo.  Who doesn’t like Howard Bamboo?

This episode does have some fantastic one-liners. 

Low Points: 

The pilot focuses a lot on Will and his life, and y’all probably know by now, I don’t really care about any of it. 

The pilot, and really the first portion of the show, really does rely heavily on stereotypes.  I’m glad the show could break out of that a bit. 

Puck and Quinn - gah, such awfulness in their limited appearance. 

Music: 

The pilot has a different relationship to music than the entire rest of the series.  Because of that, I’m just going to go over the songs that were fully released.  

On My Own: Yes, give Lea Michele a Broadway classic that both fits her character and shows off her talent.  This was a good choice all the way around! 

Rehab: The Vocal Adrenaline stuff is pretty funny.  The song itself isn’t all that great. But in context it works amazingly. 

Leaving on a Jet Plane: I’m surprised Will didn’t sing more at the beginning of this show, tbh.  Matthew Morrison’s awful character sometimes hides the fact that he’s, indeed, a very good performer, and I think he does well with this one. 

Don’t Stop Believin’: Oh, man, this song gave me chills when I first heard it.  There’s a reason they kept coming back to this one, because it was magic the first time it came together.  I wasn’t completely sold on the show until I heard it, and it made me sit up and listen.  Brilliant, and classic, one of the best things the show ever did.  

Final Verdict: The Pilot was an incredibly entertaining piece of TV, unlike really anything that had been on TV up until that point.  It’s really pretty funny, moving, and engaging.  However, the show turned far away from these original story lines, and I can’t say that I’m too invested in any of the stories told in this episode - especially when the stories I’m interested in are barely there.  

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 59

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go…

59. Sectionals (1x13)

Written by: Brad Falchuk  Directed by: Brad Falchuk

It’s sectionals! And, aw, the very first competition episode.  This episode sets the precedent of competition episodes being illogical and stuffed with music, but man it’s a lot of fun, even with out Kurt having much to do.  

All the story lines come to a nice little bow here - as the show didn’t know if it was going to be renewed or not, so the Front 13 comes to a close with a nice little cap.  The Finn/Quinn/Rachel/Puck square finally is fully revealed; Finchel gets a romantic moment; Wemma gets their big romantic moment; and even though their set list was stolen - moments before they go on, they figure out their set list, and these little scrappers scrape by to win at Sectionals.  

High Points: 

The multi-person phone call.  Why was this not a thing more often? 

The fact that Rachel and Quinn get a chat where they don’t hate each other.  

This is possible the only time the competition episode feels competitive and uncertain. 

I can’t believe I’m going to say this - the Wemma moment at the ending was incredibly well done. 

Low Points: 

Finn to the rescue. I’m eh about, if only because it’s part of Will’s be a man stuff. 

Yeah, there’s no way they’d be able to win coming up with their set list moments before they go on.  Oh, glee... 

The judges stuff is kind of boring. 

Music:

And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going: Classic power-house Mercedes solo - you sing it girl.  Man, can she sing, and she’s so impassioned while doing it, you can help but watch. 

Don’t Rain on My Parade: Ah, Rachel’s signature song - there’s a reason this is her go-to song.  She really shines on this one, and it’s probably one of the best Rachel’s solos, as Lea shows off her Broadway chops.  One nice thing about this particular song is that Rachel gets to do something other than emote some whiney emotion.  She gets to be ambitious and energetic, which makes this song incredibly engaging. 

You Can’t Always Get What You Want: I feel like this song loses a little something when you transfer it over to a showchoir arrangement.  But they sound good, and it’s a perfect song for in the moment.  

My Life Would Suck Without You: Normally, I’d complain about another Rachel-led group number, but this one is just so fantastic, and the brilliance is in the choreography, as they take all the signature dance moves form iconic moments in the show so far and put them all in this song.  Splice it with Wemma’s big romantic moment, and this probably one of the overall performances on the show.  Brilliant.  

Final Verdict: The end of the Front 13 ends slightly predictably, but it’s fun and engaging, and one of the few times I cared about a competition episode. 

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 62

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go…

62. Furt (2x08)

Written by: Ryan Murphy Directed by: Carol Banker

So - it’s Furt - the episode known for two things, the mash up of Kurt and Finn, and that episode where Sue marries herself. (Oh, god, why) 

Most of this episode works pretty well (even if the Finn stuff some times feels gratuitous). But Burt and Carole get married, Kurt gets to wrap up his season one story line, that Karofsky stuff gets a little scarier, and overall the story is enjoyable to watch. 

Then there’s Sam and Quinn getting closer - which is kind of bleh to watch, it’s just there.  Why is there nothing interesting about these two? Lol - I always forget they dated whenever I go back to this part of the series. 

And then we have Sue marrying herself.  I mean, you bring on Carol Burnette as her mom, and that’s such a fascinating idea, and then it’s just a mess of why is this a thing?  

High Points: 

Burt proposing to Carole in a homeroom, and then everything about the first scene. 

Everything about the Barole wedding. 

Everything about Burt and Carole, tbh. 

Everything about Kurt’s story line in this one.  So good! 

Okay, so Sue’s track suit wedding dress was pretty funny. 

Low Points: 

Sue marrying herself.  Just what?!?

I feel like they could have done better with Carole Burnette.  :/ 

Sam proposing to Quinn.  Geez, show, take it easy. 

Music: 

Ohio: Why-o, why-o, why-o did you have to sing about Ohi-o... (I mean, it all makes sense, just, okay show...)

Marry You: I love this one! Great group number, and so fun to see them all coming down the aisle!! My big complaint is that Kurt doesn’t sing, which seems weird, tbh.  But overall, just an all around fun number. 

Sway: This song is often forgotten, but it’s pretty good! Will actually sings a latin beat without killing it, lol.  Plus, Burt and Carole’s first dance is just adorable. 

Just the Way You Are: Aw, I adore this one.  Finn sounds pretty good! And it’s cute watching everyone during this one.  

Final Verdict: When this episode is good, it’s fantastic.  When it’s bad, it’s awful.  Which lands the whole thing in the middle of the heap. 

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nadiacreek

  nadiacreek replied to your post “SO’S GLEEEPISODE...

What??? Are you saying that different people can have different opinions???????

Mind-blowing, isn’t it?!? :D 

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SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 60

I started a Full Glee Episode Ranking between seasons 5 and 6 over two years ago now (!!!). My opinions have changed somewhat since then (retrospect is an interesting thing), and I need to include the thirteen season six episodes I neglected in my original list.  With the two year anniversary of the show being over a few months away, I thought I’d count down to by posting an episode every day.  I’ll tag using: glee episode rankings

Here we go… 

60. We Built This Glee Club (6x11)

Written by:  Aristotle Kousakis Directed by:  Joaquin Sedillo 

I think this is a very sweet and fitting ending McKinley arc of season six.  It’s a competition episode, and has some competition episode pitfalls -- such as having more song than plot (too much Vocal Adrenaline, personally), but I really enjoy the McKinley setlist, and am glad of their Sectionals was a victory, as it’s an obvious parallel to season one’s Sectionals.  My only complaint is that this felt very much like a season ender instead of a series ender -- and I guess I couldn’t help but want a little more to the episode.  

Also going on is Rachel’s return NYADA instead of Broadway.  While I think it’s a slightly weird message to be giving (I don’t believe a higher education always means it's the more promising choice, nor do I think you can’t do both), her scenes with Kurt and Sam are kind of nice.  And I enjoyed the return of a mellowed Jesse St. James, even if they completely dropped the Sam/Rachel romance without any real resolution. 

And then there’s the Will/Sue stuff -- which while so tiring here at the end of things, the last beat to keep it ambiguous was actually kind of funny.

High Points: 

The piano blowing up.  It was pretty. 

The new kids and the Warblers continue to be entertaining. 

Rachel’s story line.  Even with it’s pitfalls, and lack of break up with Sam, I enjoyed Rachel’s story.  And yes, bring back all the Jesse.  

At this point - the competition aspect is incredibly tired, but I think it overall works as a nod to the the original sectionals episode. 

Ending Will vs Sue on an ambiguous note was pretty meta - and kinda funny.  

Low Points: 

The stuff with Spencer and Roderick’s dancing.  Eh. 

I am totally pro-education.  Totally.  But it’s a little weird that they’re pushing it so hard here.  

Um, did there really need to be a vomiting montage? 

Where’s all the Klaine? C’mon! 

Music: 

Listen to Your Heart: You can’t go wrong with a Jesse and Rachel duet.  Their voices have always sounded amazing together, and it’s a delight that we got to have it one more time before the end. 

We Built This City: So - I like this song in general, and it’s one of the fiew VA performances this season that I really don’t want to just fastforward through.  It’s kind of weird that they gave this song to VA since thematically it kinda makes more sense with New Directions, but ah well, I don’t care so much when I listen to it on my iphone. 

Mickey: Dear god, why? (My apologies to those of whom enjoy this one) VA already had way, way too many songs, did they really need an additional one here at Sectionals? It felt like Ryan Murphy wanted to make sure he got every popular song from the 80s in before they were done.  

Take Me to Church: This song is good - but way, way overplayed and by the time Glee did it, I really didn’t want to listen to it again.  But Roderick kills it, and in a few years after I haven’t heard it in a long, long time, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it again. 

Chandelier: I’m still not entirely sure what Myron was doing during this - but this song has grown on me a lot.  It was a hit at the time this aired, and a catchy tune.  It’s good! 

Come Sail Away: I really like this one - it kind of set this bittersweet tone to end the series on, which felt like a perfect sentiment. 

Final Verdict: This makes for a very sweet end of season one-ish ender to the season six arcs.  Unfortunately, it’s the end of the series and I just wanted more. 

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nadiacreek replied to your post “SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 57”

Ew, really? I don't think this would be anywhere near my top half.

Well - that is why this is my list and not yours <3 ;) 

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perfectanomaly

  SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 60

What?! I loved Myron in Chandelier, I found it hilarious that they would parody the music video. The whole number was pure silliness, including Spencer in the chandelier, and a great way to lighten the mood after Take me to church which overwhelmed me with Klaine feels.

Lol, I just said I didn’t understand what was going on! It was epic silliness and fun to watch :) 

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nadiacreek replied to your post “SO’S GLEEEPISODE RANKING: NO. 61”

So many tough choices go into a ranking like this. I don't think I could do it myself.

Oh! Nadia - I missed your comment yesterday.  

Yeah, you know, this is why I’d never by a supposedly objective list.  Sure, there are some episodes that really are stand out in quality writing, performance, etc, etc, and there are some that are indeed really bad - and everything else is subject to an individual’s likes and dislikes.  It’s been an interesting experiment, but as I go through, there are times when I’m like, oh this should be a little higher or a little lower.  And on a different day, I’d feel differently.  Not to mention, it feels hard judging an episode from season five to season one, as they’re a vastly different tone and quality. 

I’d even say the groupings of ten can all be interchanged.  Like - 71-80,I feel the same about all those episodes and their qualities, but they’re pretty interchangeable.