SOUND OFF: The Final Countdown! GLEE Nears Its Big Finish With A Fiery, Star-Studded Sue Sylvester Salute

By: Mar. 06, 2015
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Tonight we are reviewing the highlights of this week's explosive GLEE!

Rise

Everything ends eventually. And, now, so it goes for GLEE. With the third to last night of FOX's long-running musical dramedy series, tonight's Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch)-centric entry featured a distinct hearkening back to many previous characters, themes and episodes themselves - with more guest stars per minute than even a particularly galactic episode of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES. Written by Jessica Meyer and directed by Anthony Hemingway, the epically and all-too appropriately titled "The Rise & Fall Of Sue Sylvester" was just that - one final tour of the incomparably idiosyncratic world of one of TV's most beloved villains of all time, cheerleading coach from Hell and principal adolescent provocateur Sue Sylvester. Truly, who else but Sue could command appearances by a range of celebrity players as diverse as comic legend Carol Burnett, adult contemporary hit-maker Michael Bolton, recognizable reporter Geraldo Rivera and 90s pop queen Carnie Wilson? Nobody on this planet - or even GLEE's own weird and wacky galaxy, for that matter - that's who. After all, there is only one Sue - and, as we were reminded tonight, only two more evenings of GLEE left to go ever. Gulp.

World War Sue began not with a whimper, nor a shout, but a song - and, fittingly so, given that this is a musical series. Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne's sassy, soulful and funky current chart hit "Rather Be" effortlessly provided ample fodder with which to kick off a spirited ep such as this one. Then, the post-honeymoon return of fan-favorite couple Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) - aka Klaine - was certainly a welcome one, even if their reappearance came with the very scary reveal of a big blaze having devoured McKinley High's greatest GLEE club rival, Dalton Academy - as in, the venue where we first viewed Blaine as well as strong Season Six addition, Jane (Samantha Marie Ware). The result? Despite Sue's protestations, the two musical collectives - McKinley's New Directions and Dalton's Warblers, that is - banded together in the hopes of securing a Sectionals victory, if not a Regionals or even Nationals one. But, you never know - this is a series about underdogs overcoming the odds (and sometimes not); always has been and always will be.

"Save the drama for your mama," Sue's reliable right hand co-conspirator for the majority of the series, Becky (Lauren Potter), exclaimed following Sue's announcement of her nefarious plans. And, that's precisely what Sue did - and the eagerly awaited return of iconic stage and screen superstar Carol Burnett as Sue's memorable maternal figure, Doris, occurred soon thereafter. Honestly, Burnett brings an almost vaudeville-esque energy to the series whenever she deigns to appear - who will ever forget Lynch and Burnett's aww-worthy "Ohio" a few seasons back - and tonight was no exception. Incidentally, iconic movie musical staple "The Trolley Song" from Vincente Minnelli's legendary MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS was precisely the jolt of razzmatazz and old-school showbiz flair that the series has been largely lacking this season, particularly as enacted by the amiable and able duo - and the superlative track itself had its world premiere on this very site at the beginning of the week (available here). GLEE tackling the classics - whether they be sourced from film, stage, radio or the small screen - is always cause for celebration and the MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS sequence was inspired and indelibly played by the twosome with flavorful, convivial finesse. To add to all that, the humorous and surprisingly touching discussion of movie musicals prior to the performance provided an extra dimension of poignancy and intriguing meta-narrative. Well-done.

Although Mr. Schue (Matthew Morrison) may have been grasping at straws justifying his bid for terminally terrible Sue Sylvester's return to McKinley High - honestly, who else but Will has suffered from her outlandish and outré actions more than he has over the last several years - any chance that loyal gleeks have to see the combination of Morrison and Lynch taking on a showstopping song selection is a delight - and the greasy 80s hair metal rock of Europe smash hit "The Final Countdown" was as unexpected as it was enjoyable. Unquestionably, a Bonnie Tyler coiffed Sue matched by Van Halen-worthy Mr. Schue is as over-the-top-tastic as it gets - even on GLEE. Ham and cheese served up generously with gusto to spare - and an organ solo, to boot! Also, who can deny the witty reality of that song's inclusion in the final hours of the series itself, as well? GLEE may be uneven, but it always has a few touches of true brilliance in every single show - along with all the rest; good, bad and/or indifferent. On that note, besides the guest star explosion afforded to Sue, the return of Rachel (Lea Michele) to NYC to audition yet again for crusty and curt but brilliant instructor Carmen Tibideaux (Whoopi Goldberg) was a welcome callback to the previous seasons and the split-focus storyline of the last few dozen episodes leading up to this final slew of shows. Unfortunately, we were not allowed a song while Rachel returned to the place of her Big Apple dreams coming true once upon a time via the FUNNY GIRL Broadway revival - as well as the subsequent nightmare realized in her TV debut on the short-lived live sitcom THAT'S SO RACHEL! Maybe next time? One more return to NYC cannot be out of the question, can it?!

Although New Directions and The Warblers were given prime play, Sue Sylvester exacted her ever-present revenge fantasies and enacted making them a reality by taking over the ultimate rivaling GLEE club in all of Ohio - no less than Vocal Adrenaline. A, well, adrenaline-fueled rendition of propulsive Frank Stallone anthem "Far From Over" was undoubtedly a suitable showcase for the athletic and wildly talented corps - complete with a fantastically cheesy mise en scene fueled by a sweaty workout montage. STAYING ALIVE, indeed. And, that's GLEE - traversing everything in performing arts pop culture from Carol Burnett and a lovable MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS homage to Frank Stallone 80s excess writ large. Let's all appreciate it while we still have it - and while it still exists at all.

As the eventful episode came to a close we were provided with a powerful scene shared by the tenuous coupling of Rachel and Sam (Chord Overstreet) and a serious discussion of Rachel's desire to return to New York to make her lifelong dreams come true - once again. Capping the ep was the first original song to appear on the series in several seasons, the Darren Criss co-penned "Rise", which acted as an impressive and effective end to a generally strong episode, highlighting two GLEE crews converging to create something special - and musically magical, as well. A goosebump-raiser - and a roof-raiser, too.

Next week? The penultimate night of GLEE forever, "We Built This GLEE Club"! Be there.

Photo Credits: FOX



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