Alright, Gleeks, time to rejoice!
After a summer-long hiatus, the hit Fox comedy is back, and on an all new night and a new time. The switch over to Thursdays is only one of the new changes in store. Since many of the returning characters have graduated, many new faces have appeared onscreen. Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) will remain a Glee staple, and we get to watch her experience at the prestigious performing arts school that she was accepted to at the end of the third season.
As Glee becomes a dual-location show, Rachel will be mentored by a very special guest star in New York City. Actress Kate Hudson will make her Glee debut as Berry’s tough dance instructor who sings too.
Leading up to the highly anticipated premiere, Fox has used social media to promote the show’s return. Fox released the video of a Glee cover of the hit song of the summer, “Call Me Maybe,” sung by Glee’s lead returning members, Blaine (Darren Criss), Britney (Heather Morris) and Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz).
Co-creator of the show Ian Brennan said in a statement that the show is going back to the basics in regards to plot and music stylings.
Spoiler alert. Don’t read on unless you’ve seen the Glee season premiere!
The first episode back begins with dance class at the prestigious New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, where Berry is a student, and her tough-as nails teacher is Broadway legend Cassandra July (Hudson). Apparently, Berry is terrible, but as we glimpse her upset face, the show switches to back to McKinley High School, where the New Directions is now popular, an attitude Gleeks were shocked to see after three years of loser status.
The one thing on their mind: who is the “new Rachel?” This seems to be the central theme of the episode, and the title of the first episode (“The New Rachel”) clues in any viewers who couldn’t already tell.
After a return to McKinley high, the episode returns to NYADA. Berry is missing her life in Ohio and her best friend Kurt. As she resumes her beauty regimen, she encounters an upperclassman student: a male companion (Dean Geyer playing Brody Weston), who – what else? – was singing the shower (deja-vu of Finn and Sam, huh?). He seems to like her, raising the question: will there be a new love triangle in our future?
Seven minutes in, and Sue is a mother; weird sight, right? Then, she starts in with the glee club insults. Classic Sue.
Next, we meet a ruthless, popular cheerleading queen, Kitty (Becca Tobin), who clearly was cast as a “new Quinn” character, made famous by Dianna Agron.
The first song they sing? The smash hit of the summer, “Call Me Maybe,” in a competition to be the “new Rachel.” All in all, the number was a little flat, except for Blaine, whose voice was infectious and single-handedly made up for the lackluster performance.
Set on becoming the “new Rachel,” newcomer Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist) arrives to audition in an allusion to Berry in Season 1.
Back in New York, Hudson has a solo to show off her skills, and show off she does. While initially, it lacked enthusiasm, as the number went on, Hudson demonstrated her killer dance moves and genuine talent.
Glee club auditions were such a flashback to Season 1, and, just as co-creator Ian Brennran promised, a return the the basics of Glee. During the next round of auditions, we meet Jake (Jacob Artist) -wait for it – Puckerman. Surprised, huh? As the new bad boy, and Glee graduate Puck’s (Mark Salling) half-brother, he shows an interest in glee. He has a rich, beautiful voice, but alas, it is accompanied by an off-putting attitude.
We return to New York, where Brody has become Berry’s NYADA angel, and hopefully, a future love interest. Then, Berry struts on-stage for a rendition Barbra Streisand’s “New York State of Mind.” The screen flips back and forth with Marley’s performance of the same song. The performance was amazing! I absolutely loved it; definitely a song to download. This song proved that Michele still has the talent, and kudos to the creators for spotting Benoist’s talent as well. This number was hit out of the park.
After witnessing her stunning performance, Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) says Marley has star quality. Could she be the “new Rachel?”
Soon after, we get the first Kurt/Blaine scene of the season. It was so cute, with Blaine giving Kurt (Chris Colfer) permission to follow his dreams in New York, prompting the summer hit, “It’s Time.” This scene was so sweet and had me reaching for the Kleenex. Another Kleenex-worthy scene? Kurt’s heartfelt goodbye with his father as he heads off to New York.
Back on the NYADA front, Brody tells Rachel she came to the city to become a new version of herself, a “new Rachel.” This points to the duality of the title, prompting an “A-ha!” moment.
Rounding out the episode, Marley leads on “Chasing Pavements,” which turned out to be my favorite song of the episode. It was so fun, and catchy, in a word, Glee-ful.
Next week is Britney Spears week, so get ready for some Britney gyrating and her catchy pop tunes.
All in all, I’d give the episode a solid 3.5 stars out of 4. I love the catchy songs, the flashback-worthy plot, but the episode loses points on boring numbers and boring characters (Kitty inspired a yawn. No Will and Emma? The ‘Rachel Berry’ Show? Boring.)
But, good job, Glee. You impressed this fan, so I guess I’ll see you next week. #
