SPOILER ALERT

Hey Gleeks!

So Season 2 has officially commenced. William McKinley High is back in session, and boy, have things changed. For a moment, it seemed like the epic battle between Schuster and Sue had come to a close, so that they could team up to take on the new football coach, Shannon Beiste (Dot Jones), who snatched up funding for sports, forcing Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba) to cut funding for Glee and the Cheerios. However, that didn’t last long. Soon, Schuster became overwhelmed with guilt for treating a fellow outsider so poorly, and things were back to normal between him and Sue.

Meanwhile, Tina left Artie for Mike Chang (Harry Shum, Jr.), leaving Artie moping about for much of the episode. Luckily, some things have not changed. Sue demoted Santana to bottom of the pyramid after a boob job, and let Quinn reclaim her place as head Cheerio. Of course Finn and Rachel are still together, and adorable as ever. Also, Rachel is still the classic spotlight seeker, jealously sending talented exchange student, Sunshine (Filipino pop star, Charice) to a crack house, instead of auditions for New Directions. Now, it is up to Rachel to set things right with the club.

I was sad to see some cast members absent from the episode. It was previously announced that the characters of Glee member, Matt (Dijon Talton), and former football coach, Ken Tenaka (Patrick Gallagher), would not be returning. While Matt’s absence is explained as a school transfer, no explanation has been given for Coach Tenaka’s exit from McKinley High. Most curious was the unexplained absence of Emma Pillsbury. There are no reports of Jayma Mays, who plays her, leaving the show, so for now, we will just have to assume that the writers did not deem her character necessary for the episode. I just hope she’s back for next week’s Britney Spears episode.

So far, we know that next week will involve Rachel righting her wrongs. More importantly, it will be a return to the era of Britney. In the preview alone, I saw clips of New Directions doing their versions of the music videos for “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and “Toxic”. Britney Spears, herself, is said to be making an appearance in the episode, which is entitled “Britney/ Brittany”. That title makes me one happy Gleek. Finally, everyone’s favorite air-headed Cheerio will get her turn in the spotlight. We will know more next week.

Now that we are in the swing of things, each week I will list a song of the week, as well as a moment of the week. The song is just the number that I feel was the absolute standout of the episode. The moment is any moment that just made the episode for me. If you don’t agree with me, post away! That’s the beauty of a blog. You can get your say in, too. So, here are this episode’s “of the week’s.”

Song of the Week

• “What I Did for Love,” sung by Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), from “A Chorus Line”

Not only is this inarguably one of the best songs in Broadway history, but it also encapsulated all of the issues that the first episode laid out for the rest of the season. We see Rachel’s conflict between her selfishness and the team, Quinn and Santana’s friendship being destroyed by their battle for head Cheerio, as well as Artie’s anguish over Tina and Mike’s relationship. It was simply perfect.

Moment of the Week

• I’m going with a comedic moment for the first episode of the season. Rachel and Sunshine bursting out into a perfectly executed rendition of “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyonce was hilarious. It was quirky, it was musical, it was what “Glee” is all about.

Here is the official (and legal) episode for your viewing: http://www.hulu.com/watch/178226/glee-audition

Have a good week, Gleeks, and I’ll be blogging after the Britney episode.

-Alissa