This week on Glee, Rachel (Lea Michele) is the star of the show as she reprises the role of Fanny Brice in her Broadway debut. Along with her New York-based friends Kurt (Chris Colfer), Blaine (Darren Criss), Sam (Chord Overstreet), and Mercedes (Amber Riley), a few surprise out-of-town guests show up to offer Rachel their support.
The episode opens with Rachel’s version of a performance anxiety dream, which includes a creepy rendition of The Cardigans’ ‘90s hit song, “Lovefool.” Feeling jittery about her opening night, it becomes clear that she’s succumbing to all the negative hype she’s been reading about the show. Kurt quickly cuts off her internet browsing and turns her towards positive activities instead. Kurt’s plan goes haywire when Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz) arrives at the loft, and before anyone can stop her, she relays all the negative stuff she’s been reading to poor Rachel. Inevitably, Rachel gets busted looking up even more negative reviews the night before the show.
Back at McKinley High, former glee club director Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison) and Principal Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) are talking about Rachel’s opening night. Sue asks if he has an extra ticket, but her intention is not to go in support of Rachel, she actually just wants to prove her point on how much New York sucks. Since Will’s wife, Emma (Jayma Mays), is about to pop with their baby and can’t travel, it happens that he does have a ticket.
The morning of her Broadway debut, Rachel is inconsolable despite everyone’s attempt to cheer her up. To make matters worse, Sue Sylvester arrives demanding to stay at the loft. It’s not until Santana (Naya Rivera) pops in and gives Rachel a different perspective on things (like how Barbra Streisand received bad press before her opening night of Funny Girl), that Rachel peps up.
As Rachel’s friends gather at the theater, Sue is trying to scalp her ticket. She spies a man who’s doing the same thing, and is immediately infatuated with him. After she sees him enter the show, she follows him inside. In the middle of the first act, Sue’s had enough and leaves, but she’s not alone. The guy she spied earlier is also leaving and the two make quick friends in the lobby. Turns out, the guy’s name is Mario (played by Chris Parnell), and he’s a restaurateur. Somehow, he finds Sue the hottest woman he’s ever met and the two spend the night together in the loft. In Rachel’s bed.
Meanwhile, Will has to rush back to Lima when he receives news that Emma is in labor, but not before Rachel tells him she’s saved a seat for Finn in the audience. This fact becomes more poignant when Rachel sings “Who Are You Now?” with tears streaming down her cheeks, as the scene flashes back to a smiling Finn (Cory Monteith) in his McKinley High varsity jacket.
After the show, Rachel passes on the traditional cast dinner hosted by the show’s producer, Sidney (Michael Lerner), opting instead for the much more fun dance club filled with Rachel fans. When the group returns home, they run into a glowing Sue and her new beau Mario who announce they’ve had sex in every crevice of the loft. Finally fed up with Sue’s antics, Rachel tells Sue off in a way she’s been dying to since starting high school. Rachel’s friends give her a round of applause while Sue leaves with Mario in tow.
Even though they are seemingly made for each other, neither Sue nor Mario is willing to move for one another, so their uncomfortable-to-watch love story ends for now. Most likely due to Mario, Sue returns to Lima with a newfound love for New York.
Despite everyone’s fears to the contrary, the reviews for Rachel’s performance turn out to be awesomely fantastic. As the group is reading the reviews, Will calls to announce the birth of his baby boy, Daniel Finn Schuester. Everyone rejoices and life is good.
Songs:
In addition to a rendition of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool,” Rachel (Lea Michele) sung two songs from the musical Funny Girl, “I’m the Greatest Star” and “Who Are You Now?”
From the musical Annie, “N.Y.C.,” performed by Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) and Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison).
NONONO’s “Pumpin’ Blood” sung by Rachel, Santana (Naya Rivera), and Mercedes (Amber Riley).
Season 5, Episode 17: Opening Night (originally aired April 22, 2014).
Glee airs Tuesdays at 8/7 p.m. central on FOX.
Images courtesy of Tyler Golden/FOX.
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