‘Glee’ season 5, episode 1 review: Are Darren Criss, Chris Colfer’s Kurt and Blaine engaged?
“Glee” clearly had itself a strange summer, and while we were hoping to sit here and write a triumphant review of the show’s return to TV tonight, we have to stay instead that this was a bit of a mess. There was really no explanation about the Ryder cliffhanger, there was no real explanation as to how much time had passed, and Santana and Rachel suddenly found themselves working jobs. Oh, and Sue Sylvester managed to take Principal Figgins’ job.
If you look back to season 1, what made this show so special was the fantasy of the musical numbers, and how they worked within what was otherwise a somewhat-realistic show. It stated to teeter off the rails somewhat during season 1, and then by season 3 it was pure cheese. We still dig some of the characters, but the show doesn’t really make any effort at all to make sense anymore. Until the last five minutes, we thought that we would have a serious frown on our face.
The first highlight of the entire episode may have actually been the blooming relationship between Artie and Kitty, mostly because that is something that happens in real life that you like someone, but are embarrassed about it and try to hide it for the time. Hooray for realism on this show! Tina tried to play not-so-nice at the end, but these two are an open couple now, which means that Artie may actually have a love interest that lasts for a while (albeit one that felt random before this past finale).
Of course, we did also have the story of Blaine trying to propose to Kurt. We’re happy to see Klaine back together, but why do the same thing that Finn and Rachel tried, especially when we just saw that happen not too long ago? The funny thing was that Kurt saw it coming, and that Burt seemed to actually campaign for Kurt to let it happen if he cared for him … even if he was young. The proposal was completely over-the-top, but we gotta say that we really did get a little choked up. In the end, this was so much fun and so sweet that we didn’t care if it was over-the-top. In the end Kurt accepted the marriage proposal and they are engaged.
The last thing that we have to say here is that it felt odd that Finn was really not mentioned at all; we know it’s uncomfortable and sensitive, but he is such a part of this family that it was jarring.
Overall, what did you think about the “Glee” premiere? We’re going to post a preview for next week’s episode soon, so be sure to stay tuned. Update: You can see a promo for next week here!
Photo: Fox
Steph
October 3, 2013 @ 2:45 am
There’s not really enough time lapse to mention; the implication is that it’s almost right after 4×22, since Kurt is still in Lima following his father’s medical test results (which is another reason why Kurt cannot come back for Prom the next week: too much time off school & work). Sue didn’t take much time to set up Figgins’ fall (put stuff out & call – very little time involved, if you know how to work the system…and she does). Finn isn’t mentioned because he’s still at college, trying to catch up from his party down time. Mr Shue had gone to kick him in the …fanny to get him focused. Kitty/Artie had been shown getting closer since Swan Song (they arrived together at the end) – I could see that coming a mile off. Kurt knew about the “surprise” proposal because of his secret ninja powers and not because of a scene that was cut (sadly), where he worms it out of “his girls.” There’s a deleted scene pic in Twitter..I’d have liked to have seen that scene, like the lamented Box Scene from s3.
I wasn’t invested in the proposal, since I figure they’re too young…and Blaine had spent half of the previous 6-8 months mooning over his straight best friend…after cheating on his now-fiance less than a month after Kurt went to NYC. Kurt did mention the cheating in the first scene & gets his snark on, demanding an anti-cheating contract (downloadable from Oprah’s website), then stealing Blaine’s thunder by doing a preemptive strike counter-serenade of Got To Get You Into My Life, which was fantastic! I can’t stop listening to that. Both Colfer & Criss were right on point & it was great to hear Colfer transitioning from higher to lower registers, then getting to belt it out in a lower register! Darren was fantastic, as always, and the “boys” hit a major lip-lock (cut off by a commercial, to the fans’ dismay). Kitty & Artie’s story was wonderfully done & very sweet. This was my 2nd favorite, along with their fun cover of Drive My Car and the soulful Got To Hide Your Love Away. The ONLY time Tina’s s4-5 bitchiness has come in handy was to force Kitty to “out” herself as dating Artie. Good job! Help was cute, but predictable. All You Need Is Love was very touching in the (as you said & I agree) over the top proposal. It was very sweet, romantic & I’m sure there were lots of tears shed. Blaine had a wonderful proposal speech, beautifully rendered; Kurt had 2 words, but his expression as he moved emotionally from “doubtful and scared” to “god, yes” spoke volumes. I think he was even tearing up. Rachel sadly overhearing her hopes dim after her Funny Girl call back had her singing Yesterday (which made me think of Cory, though that’s not what the scene showed). When Rachel & Santana showed up at Spotlights, who should come in but the very actor and produser who had said (to themselves) that Rachel was not experienced enough. She & Santana pulled some Lima Heights sass and killed A Hard Day’s Night…wonder if it helped? Anyway, more reason for me to love NYC Glee :) Can’t wait!
Joe
September 27, 2013 @ 7:41 am
I thought the NY stuff was pretty good. Yes there was no explain the job part but they did say Rachel wanted to make it on her own and also want more life experience. While the over all production of the proposal was nice I couldn’t get over the stupity of them getting engaged.
dylan mentis
September 27, 2013 @ 3:46 am
no, this was filmed 2 weeks after corys passing
Aaron D. Neufeld
September 27, 2013 @ 3:04 am
This episode was filmed prior to Corey’s death. The show-runners announced they will address his death a few episodes into the season.
Joe
September 27, 2013 @ 7:38 am
No it was filmed in August they scripts were written in May so they had to tweak it some due to the absence of Finn.