THE RHODES NOT TAKEN - Glee Season 1 Episode 5 TV Reviews
Directed by John Scott Written by Ryan Murphy
Starring: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz
Will thinks the glee club desperately needs more of an edge, so he brings in his former classmate, April Rhodes, to spice things up. Will’s plan seems to be going smoothly until he realizes he may be losing a key member of the club.
A rousing episode with a remarkable performance from guest star, Kristin Chenoweth, who delights us with her powerhouse voice and uncanny singing, Glee has yet another exciting and compelling episode, one that even rivals the excellent pilot. Now that Rachel has dropped out of the club in favor of the lead in the school musical, the Glee club is without it a star performer. So, Will decides to enlist the help of April (Chenoweth) an old high school crush now alcoholic who never actually graduated. He convinces her to return to school and participate in the club as the lead singer.
While the reasons for getting April to return may seem ridiculous, okay, it is ridiculous, to here Chenoweth sing is reason enough. She’s fantastic. Her presence alone is captivating and it’s nice to see the plucky pixie back on the little screen since Pushing Daisies was canceled, but now this time, we get to hear her sing. And sing she does!
Her rendition of Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name” was breathtaking and merits an Emmy. The duet with both Rachel and Will, respectively, was also thrilling and was supported nicely with both Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison doing their best to keep up with the stunning vocals of Chenoweth. But honestly, Michele deserves a nomination as well. I mean, her character can be annoying at times, but her performances, particularly in this episode, are exceptional.
This brings us back to Rachel, who remains unhappy with her time in the school musical being tortured by Sandy, a humorous yet overbearing director. Finn believes that the only way to win Nationals is with Rachel, so, he decides to spend time with her enticing Rachel to join the team after slyly saying he likes spending time with her. This in turn leads Rachel to relent and quit the musical to join back with Glee.
April’s time around the club begins to affect the students who gradually take part in her bad behavior, Kurt gets drunk, and teaching Tina and Mercedes to shoplift. Emma warns Will that April in influencing the students, and after Will talks with April, she decides to clean up her ways. April receives a standing ovation after performing “Last Name” and decides it’s time to move and find a new dream. She thanks Will for his help and moves on.
Now with Rachel back, the group performs an entertaining number of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” and knock it out of the park. It’s one of their best performances since the premiere episode. An absolute treat to watch, the ensemble performance is second only to Chenoweth’s singing earlier in the episode.
Since the pilot, Glee is dishing out some excellent episodes that are really a joy to watch. Future episodes, with the exception of the pregnancy storyline, look to be just as promising and entertaining. Keep on the lookout for a possible return of Chenoweth.
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THE RHODES NOT TAKEN - Glee Season 1 Episode 5
