‘Glee’ season 6 premiere review: Kurt and Blaine’s status; Karofky’s return; Rachel’s new job

Did “Glee” find itself once again in its final season? The show has spent most of the past few years searching for an identity, and it finally feels like it has one … just a few years too late.

The story of the premiere episode was all about Rachel Berry and her journey back to Ohio, where she led the revival of New Directions after some inner debate about how she could find a voice for herself again. Her TV show was an enormous flop, and she moved back home to learn that her parents were divorcing. Kurt and Blaine were no more, and Sam had moved back to help coach the football team.

Over time, we found out more and more about some of the other characters and where they are now. Will was the teacher of Vocal Adrenaline, Kurt was missing Blaine, and even some supporting characters like Principal Figgins now had new (and someone surprising) places. Most of this was enjoyable, and only occasionally did we feel like the show went a little over-the-top.

The biggest surprise in the mix was Kurt learning that Blaine is now dating Karofsky, and this obviously has us with mixed emotions. While we still feel like Kurt and Blaine will end the show together, the idea of Blaine dating Kurt’s former tormentor is a little … odd. Max Adler is wonderful, but we almost wish that they found another use for him beyond being a love interest for Kurt’s ex.

The strange thing about “Glee” this time is that the worst part of the episode was the singing. There’s nothing really that artistic or original about it anymore, and we’d prefer the show spent more time in its final thirteen episodes progressing the story further along.

We’d say that as a whole, the premiere of the show was … solid. The Blaine / Karofsky thing makes us a little uncomfortable, but away from that, most of this was a solid foundation for the final season. Grade: B-.

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