Say “Hell-o” to Glee

Ioulia Bespalova | The Mount Holyoke News
After a four-month hiatus, the time has finally arrived for the latest episode of Glee. Placed in a post-Idol time slot this past Tuesday, the much-anticipated 14th episode, “Hell-o,” was an absolute thrill to watch. The episode dives right back into tense character dynamics, while accompanied by show-stopping beats and enthralling tunes.

The show left off at a suspenseful halt in December when the McKinley High’s glee club New Directions finally performed at Sectionals. After a minor misdemeanor in showmanship, glee club teacher Will “Shue” Shuester (Matthew Morrison) was suspended from directing the group the day of the big show. Guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) out of adoration for Will, pushes back her wedding to football coach Ken Tanaka (Patrick Gallagher) to take place as director. Determined to sabotage the group, cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) leaked the group’s set list to the competing teams. Sue is caught red-handed and suspended, while the gleeks are victorious. Meanwhile, Emma resigns after Ken breaks off their engagement, knowing it is Will she’s been pining for all along. In the episode’s finale, the group serenades their teacher with Kelly Clarkson’s “My life would suck without you.” And in a heart-warming instant, Will runs to Emma before she can leave for good.

Tuesday’s episode was a divide between the tensions that arose when the first half of the season ended, and an attempt to regain calm as the New Directions return to school after winning Sectionals. The gleeks are determined to gain the respect they deserve, which results in a lot of soul-searching reaches for each character. Lead soloist and resident diva Rachel Barry (Lea Michele), finds herself in a divide between her affections for male lead Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) and her new-found love interest Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff), who just so happens to be the male lead of the New Directions’ rival Vocal Adrenaline. Glee club director Will Shuester finds himself in a struggle after a rift with his wife Terry (Jessalyn Gilsig) after she faked a pregnancy. Shue immediately runs to the arms of long-time crush Emma, though upon meeting Vocal Adrenaline director Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel) he lets his newfound freedom carry him away. Sue Sylvester is more determined than ever to bring the Glee club down. Only time will tell before her antics will have Shue screaming (and singing) bloody murder.

The rest of the season promises to be just as enticing and melodious as the first half. Maybe even moreso. In addition to new cast members Menzel and Groff, Neil Patrick Harris, Molly Shannon and Olivia Newton John are all scheduled to make appearances. Kristen Chenoweth is due to reprise her role as April Rhodes. The season will conclude with both a Lady Gaga and Madonna tribute episode. We also saw some hints of the greatness to come when “Hell-o” concluded with an amazing cover of “Vogue” with Sue Sylvester glamming it up as the Material Girl.

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